Central Highlands of Vietnam

Vietnam's Central Highlands region has slowly opened up to tourists over the past decade after years of government enforced travel restrictions and today foreigners can explore the main centres of this region with relative ease. Occasionally regulations will require you to use a guide when visiting the hinterland but for most places you'll be fine just on your own.

The Central Highlands boast beautiful natural features such as relatively untouched forests, waterfalls and spectacular scenery, which contrast with areas still bearing the savage scars of war. A large number of ethnic minority groups still live traditionally in the highlands, particularly around Kon Tum, Plei Ku, Buon Ma Thuot and Da Lat. Centre Vietnam tours packages

Geographically, the Central Highlands of Vietnam is an area of stunning natural beauty which extends from the Cat Tien National Park in the south as far as Quang Nam in the north. For practical purposes most visitors to the region will travel between Dalat in the south and Kon Tum in the north.

This region is not visited by many tourists so the transport options of the coastal route are not available. We hired a vehicle with driver to travel from Dalat to Hoi An over five days and these days were without doubt the highlight of our time in Vietnam.

Central Highlands of VietnamTravelling through Vietnam via the magnificent Central Highlands is a fabulous alternative to the much trodden coastal route. To do so by public transport can prove quite challenging as local bus services are the only option. Also it is necessary for foreigners to carry permits in order to be allowed into parts of the Central Highlands.

Central Highlands of Vietnam

We took this route as a 5 day private tour beginning in Dalat and ending in Hoi An. We travelled in a 9 seater Mercedes accompanied by a guide and driver. Each evening our guide, Phu, and driver, Tam, stayed at the same place as us and took us out to local restaurants that they knew and which would be impossible to go to without a local connection. This was a tremendous and most unexpected addition to what was the highlight of our time in Vietnam. If you’re travelling from the north you head inland from Hoi An and follow the route described in this section in reverse.

Below is a photo of Tam (in white) who was our driver and Phu, our guide. The other photo is of a couple of travellers using the services of the Dalat Easy Riders motorbike tours.

Easy Riders of Dalat

Another option from Dalat (for the more adventurous) is to team up with one of the Easy Riders who will carry you and your rucksack on the back of his motorbike. This will be the same tour as the one described below but in far less comfort. We met people travelling with Easy Riders most nights, it seems they were paying around $55US for two people, ie. two motorbikes with riders and a passenger on each. They all recommended this way of getting around.

Prices are rising in Vietnam but as an indication of the cost of such a trip we paid $45US per person per day to do this trip. There were just the two of us so the total for the 5 days/4 nights was $450US which was worth every cent. Accommodation cost about $10US per room per night and was extra as was food which was ridiculously cheap, examples with prices appear below.

The trip is cheaper with Easy Riders but we were happier with the comfort and safety of our vehicle.

We had arrived in Vietnam via Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat was our next stop before embarking on the Central Highlands adventure. If you arrive in Hanoi then just plan your journey through the centre in the opposite way to what follows.

Top 3 foods in Ha Giang

Top 3 foods in Ha Giang
Shan Tuyet Tea in Ha Giang
Ha Giang is one of the provinces has the oldest Shan tea area in the country. From the early 20th century, the French investigates tea in Ha Giang and take attention to the ancient highland tea. It is Shan tea with big leaves, many snow-white hair covered buds and have good quality. So that people called Shan tuyet. SONG XANH CRUISE

In the natural forests of Ha Giang, Shan Tuyet tea grown mixed with other forest trees. In Ha Giang, Shan Tuyet tea located throughout most of the districts in which the ancient tea areas have 300-1000meters height. So far, some areas of province has highly specific for the an ecological tea such as: Lung Phin, Phin Ho, Tham Ve, Bo Duot,… that represents the oldest tea area of Vietnam. This is the local that produces the famous Shan Tuyet tea. The reputation of Shan Tuyet tea conquered not only the consumers but also the connoisseurs in enjoying tea. North Vietnam travel Packages

The Shan Tuyet tea in Ha Giang can be divided into two main types, there are: small Shan tea leaves, tea in Lung Phin with typical characteristics as raspberry or candle shape. Raspberry shape tea has a small leaf tea is less than candle shape tea. In addition to the perennial tea, Ha Giang still grows tea in the lowland. Paradise Cruise

Ha Giang Dried Buffalo

Dried buffalo is special food in the meals of Black Thai. This meat is usually made from muscle of buffaloes and cows freely on the northwest mountains. When making it, people cut meat into pieces with the grain then smoked by charcoal from the mountains. With the dried buffalo, the flavor of smoke is almost intact. The processing techniques are traditional secret but products are quite homogeneous. People use some spices such as pepper, ginger, especially “mac khen”- a type of forest pepper of Northwest upland ethnic minorities.

Ha Giang Dried Buffalo

You can contemplate the spices in each meat. Dried meat still retains the flavor characteristics, especially, the sweetness of the meat. When people often shred with the grain, it can eat immediately or use with corn wine. This dish is made completely natural, so it can reserve about 1 month.

 Today, cultural exchange scale between ethnic people becomes more and more develop, dried buffalo not only is the dish of the Thai but also follows the guests to nationwide. Therefore, the method to enjoy this dish is different and depends on each place.

If the Thai often enjoys their special dish instead of eating foods, especially on the rain, floods or lack of food… but now, this dish can be served with hot pot or baking dish. However, the unique flavor of buffalo meat only intact when taken directly from the kitchen, still smell of smoke, spicy peppers, flavor of “khac men”.

HA GIANG STONE BRYOPHYTE

For many years, bryophyte is regarded as the aquatic without effects. However, ethnic people in Xuan Giang commune, Ha Giang province, bryophyte is considered as special food. The food is made from it called “que”. This is not only delicious dish but also good for health.

According to local people, when looking bryophyte, they usually choose the fresh and great bryophyte. Then, it is cleaned and then is processed into many dishes. The bryophyte exists in 7 days, when it grows up to 3-4 days people should pick up right away.

Good bryophyte is less and it can eat depend on season, so it is precious dish. Bryophyte can be processed into many dishes such as fried bryophyte, dried bryophyte but the most unique dish is bryophyte mixed with spices and then grilled.

When grill, people cannot turn it several times but grill one side then grill the other. Since bryophyte dish depends on season people often make dried bryophyte. Special customers are eaten the special dish: dried bryophyte. Grilled bryophyte not only is favorite food of ethnic people but also can cure many diseases, help blood circulation, detoxification, heat stability, blood stability and strengthening resistance.

The Perfume Pagoda

One of the most popular excursions on the outskirts of Hanoi is The Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong). The Perfume Pagoda, contrary to what its name may indicate, is a set of pagodas and Buddhist temples located 70 kilometres south-west of Hanoi, on top of the mountain of the Perfume (Ha Tay Province). In addition to being one of the most famous spiritual places of Vietnam, the Perfume Pagoda is a natural with views and incredible landscapes. North Vietnam tours Packages

Tour of the Perfume Pagoda

To get to the Perfume Pagoda, we have to take a bus from Hanoi, which usually takes 2 hours to reach the Jetty Ben Duc. Once on the Jetty we will have to mount them on a metal red boats pushed by oars, with capacity for 6 people, which will lead us through the Yen saw River until reaching the foot of the mountain of the Perfume (Huong Son). Halong Indochina Sails cruise

The Perfume Pagoda is located in the interior of a cave to the top of the mountain of the Perfume, to be able to access it well can climb a long and steep staircases road (4 km, usually takes 1 hour) take the cableway that will leave us at the top of the mountain (option we recommend) where will begin our visit the pagodastemples and caves that make up the tour by the Perfume Pagoda. PANDAW CRUISE MEKONG

The Embarcadero Ben Duc

Although you can go directly overland from Hanoi up the same mountain of Perfume, no doubt recommend stop at the Jetty Ben Duc and take a rowing boat. Price round the 2€ per person but worth it, since it is one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of all visit parts.

The Perfume Pagoda

In Ben Duc wharf have wooden boats and boats painted metallic red. Each barge has a number that we have to aim if we use the same boat to return from the Perfume Pagoda. In the boats usually fit 6 people and the river walk Yen Vi 45 minutes.

As a curiosity, we know that in 1998 he tried to replace these boats rowing by motor boats in order to transport tourists and visitors faster. Fortunately this initiative did not prosper and today we can enjoy a peaceful and quiet ride.

The Rio Yen Vi

To reach the mountain of Perfume will have to navigate the 4 kilometers of the River Yen Vi (or River Yen), a gentle river surrounded by Karst formations in the style of Tam Coc punctuated by a landscape of green grass, rice fields and crops of medicinal herbs. Usually be delayed one hour to travel the river, to which must be added the same time to return.

The Mountain Cableway Perfume

After landing the Yen saw River, we have an 4 km climb to the top of the mountain of the Perfume, this ancient road is of Earth and stones that added to the tropical climate of Vietnam will make dent in our legs. As an alternative, by a price 2€ / way can you ride the cable car that climbs in less than 5 minutes to the top of Perfume mountain, more than option recommended since not everyone is able to climb the steps of 4 kilometers from the River to the Perfume Pagoda temples complex.

For those have minimal physical condition, we recommend you go up to the Perfume Pagoda by cable car and walk down the road, which offer spectacular views of the area.

The first temples that make up the Perfume Pagoda dating from the 17TH century, built by a Buddhist monk who was in search of spiritual enlightenment. During the following years, due to the beauty of the place, we were adding new buildings and pagodas, of says that in this place there were more than a thousand temples, but after the indochina war against the French, many of them were destroyed.

Although they needed several days to visit this vast place, highlights from the Perfume Pagoda are Den Trinh shrine, Thien Tru pagoda, the Pagoda Hinh Bong, Giai Oan Pagoda, the Thanh Son Pagoda, Huong Tich cave and the temples Long Van, Cay Khe, Tuyet Son y Mau Me.

Recommendations to visit the Perfume Pagoda

The visit to the Perfume Pagoda vary much if we go when turnout is low or if instead visited the resort in high season.

At the Perfume Pagoda is the busiest time during festivals (usually between February and March) and also during the lunar new year (Tet Festival). If you visit this place during those dates, must be taken into account that we will share with thousands of people visit (some years figures of 60,000 people has been achieved).

If possible, we recommend you visit the Perfume Pagoda outside these dates or during weekdays, in order to enjoy this spiritual place without crowds (in the following photos have the Perfume Pagoda a day with few people and one day maximum number of visitors during festivals).

As a final recommendation does not hurt to bring an umbrella or parasol to protect us from the sun during the boat ride on the Yen Vi river, especially in the summer months.

Our walk along the River Yen saw ends at the Den Trinh shrine which is the start of our visit to the Perfume Pagoda. The literal translation of this place is the sanctuary of the presentations, where the tradition instructs burn sticks of incense to the gods of our presence and that we granted good luck for the road that begins.

This sanctuary also called Temple Den Trinh, is nothing more than a striking stone structure equipped with two heights with 5 arches in on the floor below and a note, at both ends of the door have statues of elephants.

Thien Tru Pagoda

After a visit to the Den Trinh shrine the next stop before ascending to the top of the mountain of the Perfume is the Thien Tru Pagoda, also called Pagoda Chua Nhãn (outer pagoda). The literal translation of Thien Tru is the kitchen of the sky, from name of Vietnamese legend and imagination in which the rocks of the mountain resemble a Cook working in your kitchen. Perhaps this natural enclave surrounded by rocks and green forests not resembles a kitchen, and a chef, but the beauty of the place anyone can put it in doubt.

The Thien Tru Pagoda was built in the 18th century by Emperor Le Thanh Tong, made of brick and fitted with decorative curved roofs who remember to the Temple of Literature Hanoi.

Destroyed and subsequently rebuilt in 2 occasions, the highlight of this Pagoda which is one of the many temples of the Perfume Pagoda complex, is a monolith of granite called Tower Thuy Tien is located in the middle of the courtyard of this Pagoda, in that same courtyard have other sculptures with the shape of dragons, etc... Although one of the most photographed spots of this Pagoda is the exterior door, 2 heights with 3 arches on each height from which we can see the Pagoda.

For those travelers who want to spend the night at the Perfume Pagoda, near Thien Tru Pagoda of small lodges can be found and places to sleep.

Tien Son Cave

A few meters from the Pagoda Thien Tru Tien Son cave, famous for his 5 sculptures in granite and suggestive ways to the walls of the cave we have. These battered walls being sound like a traditional percussion instrument Vietnamese called Khanh, whose sound resembles the sound of a Bell.

Huong Tich Cave (Cave of Perfume) and Perfume Pagoda

One of the most interesting parts of the visit to the Perfume Pagoda is the Huong Tich cave (also called Cave of the perfume), discovered thousands of years ago (the Vietnamese say that this cave is similar to the mouth of a dragon). We descend 120 stone steps from the main road to gain access to the inside of the cave of the Perfume, which contains the well-known Perfume Pagoda, main pagoda of the complex with a very striking altar, several statues of Buddha and other historical characters and also a 1.24 bronze Bell meters height.

The highlight of this cave is an inscription engraved on the rock dating from the year 1700 which says the cave more beautiful under the sky of the Southeast.
The interior of the Huong Tich cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, where Vietnamese have been giving names based on forms that evoke these elements, this mode can find stalactites shaped rice plant, forms that resemble children, trees of gold and silver, etc...

Popular beliefs are still many couples who have no children to this place for the birth of your firstborn pray.

A curious fact about the entrance to the cave entrance Perfume is that this is said to find the way to heaven, you have to go down the road to hell, referring to the stone steps and entrance ways suggestive of cave.

The Perfume Pagoda

We have the Perfume Pagoda in Huong Tich cave inside. The cave, which is 50 meters high is lit by the rays of Sun that enter from the main entrance and also by the lights of candles to the pilgrims and believers left in place. The altar of the Perfume Pagoda, known for his sculptures of Buddha.

If we are lucky during our visit to the Perfume Pagoda perhaps we are making offerings to Buddhist monks, praying with incense sticks and singing hymns in honor of Buddha.

This place in Vietnam, Perfume Pagoda, is the scene of many legends, popular songs and place of inspiration for poets, philosophers, writers, painters and all kinds of artists.
Recommendations to visit Huong Tich Cave

Inside the cave often cold, so we recommend you bring warm clothes and especially not enter directly if you have traveled the way up to the mountain of Perfume walking, because the sudden temperature change can play tricks.

Festivals in Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda is a perigranacion of the Vietnamese people during the first months of the lunar calendar (February to March) coming en masse to pray and make offerings to have luck and prosperity in the year that begins.
Traditionally a Vietnamese pilgrims can spend 3 days touring and praying for all the temples of the complex of the Perfume Pagoda.

The most important festival, called the Perfume Pagoda festival is held on 15 to 20 of the second month of the lunar calendar. This place also hosts other celebrations during the first day of the lunar year (Tet Festival) and also the 6 day of the first month of the lunar calendar. These dates mean celebrations during the months of February and March.

As a curiosity, we know that this festival is a popular place for young people to find a partner because legend has it that this magical place is the ideal place to begin a romance.

The Perfume Pagoda is located 70 kilometers southwest of Hanoi in Ha Tay province.

Traversing to the Perfume Pagoda

Best to go to the Perfume Pagoda is to hire an excursion at any tourist office in Hanoi (in the old town there are many agencies). The average price for a whole day trip round the 30€, it is important to look at the price includes the entrance to the cable car.

If we want to go to the Perfume Pagoda for free, we will have to take a bus from Hanoi to Ben Duc Wharf, if on the other hand we don't want to make the boat trip along the River Yen saw (walk that we recommend you do), you should take a bus from Hanoi to the perfume mountain. From the center of Hanoi, take the bus No. 1 to Ha Dong (Ha Ðong) and take the bus No. 75 to perfume (Chùa Huong) pagoda.

The displacement bike or ride to the Perfume Pagoda not recommended, since the pier Ben Duc have to park the bike in a secure place and also because the road through the village Van Dinh is not very comfortable. The taxi to the Perfume Pagoda is very expensive compared to the price of an organized tour or a bus for free.

The entrance to the Perfume Pagoda is free, the ticket to the cable car costs 2€ / way and boat trip along the River Yen saw costs 2€.

Everything about traveling Can Tho

As the centre city of Mekong Delta region, Can Tho is one of the most attractive and interesting destinations in the region as it gathers the most featuring beauties of a water land along Mekong River tours Vietnam
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Time to travel
With favorable weather condition, you can come to visit Can Tho any time in year. However, visiting in summer is the best chance to enjoy delicious fruits. South Vietnam tours
How to travel
There are 2 means of transports which can travel to Can Tho
Airline: there are 2 airlines opening the flight Hanoi- Can Tho
Vietnam Airlines: the price of return tickets are from $114 USD to $214 USD. Besides, there are other flights from Can Tho to Phu Quoc and Con Dao Islands.
Vietjet Air: the price of return tickets are from $85 USD to $130 USD for the flight Hanoi- Can Tho. Moreover, the Da Nang-Can Tho flights are also available from July 2014.
Bus: From Ho Chi Minh City or other province on the South, you can take a bus/coach and get to Can Tho in few hours. The price ticket is very reasonable.
Accommodation
Can Tho is a big city of Vietnam. Thereafore, you should not worry about where to stay because there are plenty of hotels in the city. Besides, you can choose to homestay at the orchards which is a very interesting experience. Indochina Sails cruise

What to eat
Fish paste hot pot: it is the most featuring food in Can Tho. The hot pot is the mixture of many kinds of seafood such as fish, shrimp, squid and other local herbs. Especially, the broth of the hot pot contains fish sauce and coconut milk, which makes it different from other hot pot.
Xeo Cake: one of the famous street foods in Vietnam. And in Can Tho, the special things in this cake are its stuffs inside (including chicken, river shrimp, duck meat, sesbania sesban, etc. It is also served with various species of vegetable and herbs.
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Ca loc nuong trui (grilled snakehead fish): one of the most idyllic and delicious food of the Mekong Delta region. The way to make it is very easy but also requiring a skillful hand. The grilled fishes are put on banana leaves, removed the black burning layer outside to expose the interesting part inside. The food is eaten with various fresh herbals and vegetables as well as tamarind fish sauce.
Grilled snail with pepper: it is simple-made but really amazing street food.
What to see

Everything about traveling Can Tho

Cai Rang floating market
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Cai Rang floating market is one among three biggest ones in Can Tho. It opens all day but busiest from the sunrise to 9:00AM. In the river area of about 1km length, there are hundred boats and canoes gathering together, selling and buying diversified products, from local agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood to other services such as foods, coffee, drinks,… Visiting this special market, you can get to know the amazing cultural aspects of southerners.
The best time to visit Cai Rang is from 6 AM to 8 AM every morning, except for Tet Holiday and Doan Ngo Festival (5th in the fifth months of Lunar Calendar). From city centre, you can take motorbike taxi or taxi to Cai Rang wharf, then take a boat to visit the floating market.
Bang Lang stork sanctuary
It is the gathering address of thousands storks in every afternoon. There are 11 different kinds of flork such as fly stork, egret, heron, pelican, woodpecker, etc. Watching thousands of storks flying around and gather in the garden is very exotic scenery. The Bang Lang stork sanctuary is located in Thoi Thuan Ward, Thot Not District.
Orchards: like other provinces in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho has a lot of orchards with many kinds of fruits, especially the ones in Phong Dien and Tan Loc district. Walking under incredible trees full of fruits and pick them by yourself and eat them right away are wonderful experience.
My Khanh ecotourism village
Built in 1996 in a nice position between Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating market, My Khanh is an ecological complex, containing various services and green space. You can enjoy the beauty of Southern countryside with water, green mangrove forests and peaceful surrounding. There are many interesting services in here that you can join such as fishing, rowing, exploring the life of ancient landlords and farmers or joining traditional games. You also have chance to enjoy special ancient foods of the South.
Binh Thuy ancient house
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Located in Long Tuyen ancient village, the ancient house are very unique in architecture, beautiful in narutal scenery (lying along Can Tho River) and valuable in history and culture. It was built in 19th century; with the architecture is the combination of Orient and Western style.

Ban Gioc Waterfall: An Illustrated Guide

Chinese travellers, Ban Gioc FallsBan Gioc Waterfall is one of Vietnam’s most impressive natural sights. Located in the northeastern province of Cao Bang, the falls are 30 metres high and 300 metres across, making Ban Gioc the widest – but not the highest – waterfall in the country. The falls occur on the Quay Son River, a beautiful jade-blue body of water, flowing through a pastoral landscape of rice fields and bamboo groves, surrounded by limestone pinnacles. At Ban Gioc, the Quay Son River forms the border between Vietnam and China; consequently the falls are half in Vietnam and half in China. Both countries have bamboo rafts that punt visitors around the base of the falls for better views of the cascade; you can literally shake hands with Chinese tourists on the other rafts. Ban Gioc Waterfall is 350km from Hanoi. It’s reached via a good national highway to Cao Bang City, and then several recently upgraded provincial roads, leading through fantastic countryside to the falls. It’s now easier than ever to visit Ban Gioc, but still very few people – especially foreign travellers – make it here. A perfect destination if you’re on a motorbike road trip around northern Vietnam, or an independent traveller looking to get off the beaten track, this waterfall is a favourite destination of mine. Below is my illustrated guide to Ban Gioc Waterfall and my map of the area. Travel North Vietnam

Before reaching Ban Gioc Falls, the Quay Son River ambles through a sumptuous valley, studded with limestone karsts. I warm to this gentle landscape, and it’s been one of my favourite corners of the country ever since I first visited the area in 2009.

Quay Son River Valley, Cao Bang Province

The best time to visit the falls is from September to October, when the summer rains that feed the waterfall are less frequent and harvest is in full swing. Farming techniques can’t have changed much here in centuries; save for some mechanized rice threshers, most of the work is done by hand. One piece of ‘technology’ you’ll see along the banks of the river is the bamboo water wheel. This attractive, medieval-looking device scoops up water from the river, carries it up to the level of the fields, and drops it into earth gutters, which channel the water into the fields to irrigate the crops. It’s a hypnotic, peaceful and timeless sight. Vietnam Mekong river cruise

Bamboo water wheel on the Quay Son River

The serenity of this valley is dramatically broken when the Quay Son River reaches a 300 metre-wide limestone ledge, and drops sharply down several terraces, creating Ban Gioc Waterfall. Some brave (or foolhardy) fishermen stand in precarious positions, casting their lines into the cascade.

The cascade, Ban Gioc Waterfall

Because the falls are located right on the Chinese border, foreign travellers used to require a special permit to visit the area. But today (2014) you can just turn up and buy a ticket (20,000vnđ [$1]) at the kiosk without any documents at all, before walking down a gravel path to the waterfall. The path threads through rice fields, over wooden bridges above gurgling creeks, and onto an exposed grassy bank at the bottom of the falls. The wide, white cascade is fringed with foliage and framed by sharp tooth-like limestone mountains, which are partly obscured by drifting clouds of vapour from all the spray generated by the waterfall. Halong Paradise Cruise

Ban Gioc Waterfall: An Illustrated Guide

Ban Gioc Falls from the ticket kiosk

On the Chinese side of the river there’s a hotel on the hill, but the Vietnamese side has yet to see any significant development. A resort, run by Saigon Tourist, is under construction by the ticket entrance, but won’t be completed for some time. For now, the only tourist infrastructure here are a few unattractive wooden shacks covered by blue tarpaulins, selling snacks and trinkets. Almost all visitors to Ban Gioc stay in one of the dozens of good-value hotels in Cao Bang City, 90km west of the falls. However, there are two local guest houses (nhà nghỉ in Vietnamese) on either side of the road, about two kilometres before reaching the falls. Dinh Van II Hotel (Tel: 0263 602 789) and Nha Nghi Tung Duong (Tel: 0915 660 688) both offer basic but clean and inexpensive accommodation for a night at around 200-300.000vnđ ($10-15). There are also a couple of nhà nghỉ in Trung Khanh, the nearest town to Ban Gioc Falls, 25km to the west. This is a good option for intrepid travellers as Trung Khanh is a dusty, rustic border town with a wild west edge. There are several crumbling pastel-coloured shophouses and an interesting daily market with various imported goods from China. You’re guaranteed to be the only foreign traveller in town. Quang Uyen, a town halfway between Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Falls, also has a good guest house, called Duy Huong Hotel on Hoa Trung Street (Tel: 0266 266 888) for around 250,000vnđ ($12) a night. (For more about nhà nghỉ click HERE).

Shophouse in Trung Khanh town

There are lots of beautiful spots around the base of the falls on which to sit and take in the spectacle. Find a place on a pebbly beach or grassy bank, perch on a boulder in a stream or lay in the curving trunk of a tropical tree, and gaze in awe at one of Vietnam’s most romantic sights.

Taking in it

Bamboo rafts (50,000vnđ [$2.50] per person) punt visitors closer to the cascade for better views. The ‘ride’ lasts about 10 minutes and you’ll definitely get wet. In some areas signs in Vietnamese read ‘No Swimming!’ But it’s difficult to resist taking a plunge in one of the blue pools of water, especially around the smaller falls to the left of the central waterfall. There’s no one there to stop you bathing, and I’ve never encountered any resistance. But, of course, you should be very careful; stick to the placid rock pools and stay well away from the main cascade.

Punting on bamboo rafts

There’s a treacherous path leading up through jungle to the first and second tiers of the falls. Not for the faint-hearted – or for those without proper footwear – this track climbs steeply among vines and roots to several gorgeous pools of blue running water. Tread carefully because the rocks are slippery and soon you’ll reach the edge of a ledge, from where the water drops straight down into a giant limestone bowl below.

View from the 'treacherous path'

It’s possible to wander further and higher up the side of the falls for even more spectacular views of the deluge from above. It’s an ‘awesome’ sight – in the true sense of the word – but be extremely careful, and don’t even think about attempting it if it’s been raining. There are no handrails so if you slip there’s nothing to hold onto except exposed roots. You can find the start of the path behind the milestone marking the Vietnamese border, which is located over a rickety wooden bridge.

View from the top of the path

Considering the waterfall’s proximity to China – and the frosty ancient and recent history between the two countries – the atmosphere at Ban Gioc is very relaxed. Official presence on either side of the falls is minimal and, as seen in the photo below, Vietnamese floating vendors often approach Chinese rafts to sell their wares to Chinese tourists.

A Vietnamese floating vendor approaches a raft of Chinese tourists

It’s easy to forget that this province was one of several points along the Vietnamese border where, in February 1979, Chinese forces entered Vietnam under the orders of Deng Xiaoping. There were many reasons for the invasion, but ultimately it was an extension of tensions between the Soviet Union and China (Vietnam having signed a treaty with the USSR in 1978). Thousands of Vietnamese and Chinese were killed and, when the Chinese army departed (or retreated, depending on whose version of events you believe), they laid waste to the land they had briefly occupied. Along the road that follows the border just beyond the falls, there are memorial shrines dedicated to local Vietnamese who died during the 1979 war. Border disputes continued into the 1980s, and included the historic Nam Quan Gate, an ancient gateway between the two countries, which ultimately ended up on the Chinese side. The photo below shows a border marker on the Vietnamese side of the Quay Son River; just 20 metres away, across the river, is China. At some points along this road, the distance between the two countries is as little as 5 metres.

Top 3 Festival in Sapa

Top 3 Festival in Sapa
Xoe Dancing Festival in Ta Chai Sapa

Time: The 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Chai Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Agriculture Deity (administer of fields and gardens).
Characteristics: Xoe dancing of the Tay. Hanoi – Sapa 5 days
Xoe Dancing Festival in Ta Chai Sapa
Xoe Festival in Ta Chai is the spring festival of the Tay to pray for good crop, full of grains and rice. The ritual is rather simple with a tray of offerrings put at the foot of a neu tree which show the sincerity of villagers to the god of farming. After the magician observes rituals, the whole of the village take part in dancing of xoe in the boisterous sounds of gong, drum with many special styles of dance such as: xoe in group, xoe in couple, xoe in four person, xoe greeting… Paradise Cruise Halong bay

Top 3 Festival in Sapa

Thuong Temple Spring Festival Sapa Vietnam

Thuong TempleTime: From the 14th to the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Tran Hung Dao.
Characteristics: A palanquin procession, tug of war contest, wrestling contest, and con throwing, sticks pushing, no (arbalest) shooting.
Thuong Temple Spring Festival Sapa Vietnam
Thuong Temple is located on the Hoa Hieu Hill, Lao Cai City, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao – the famous general of Tran Dynasty. He commanded the Dai Viet troops defensive in Lao Cai in 1257.
The spring festival is organized at the cutural center of Lao Cai Ward and Thuong and Mau Temples. The ceremonies include the opening festival, processions of the Holy Mother and Thien hau Nuong; worshipping ceremony takes place on the 14th day, thanksgiving ceremony is on the 15th day to pray for peaceful and prosperous things to everyone. Mekong Mango cruise
It involves traditional singing and dancing performances and mountainous ethnic games: con throwing, arbalest shooting, tug of war, stick pushing, wrestle, cocks fighting, swinging… The spring festival is alco displayed brocade souvernirs, local goods which are made by girls of the Mong, the Dao, the Thai…

Traditional festivals in Sapa Vietnam

Sapa is very famous for its traditional festivals.Spring festival is filled with colorful traditional religious customs. Long Tong festival is the most specific activity of the Tay people. It reflects the desire to have good crops, health, as well as many children and grandchildren.
Traditional festivals in Sapa Vietnam
Spring festivals
The days of the festival are filled with colorful traditional religious customs, such as blessing heaven for a child, fortune or a lucky and happy life. This is also the time that mountain villagers, boys and girls, all display their best clothes and new costumes.
Many entertaining contests also take place such as gun shooting, Giao Duyen singing style of singing where a boy and girl sing traditional love songs to express their love for each other), pan-pipe playing and dancing,kung fu, ball throwing and feasting.
Long Tong Festival
It is the most specific activity of the Tay people. It reflects the desire to have good crops, health, as well as many children and grandchildren. The ceremony involves solemn rituals, such as staging a procession for the Water, worshipping ceremonies to the Village Deity, the Stream Deity and the Mountain Deity, and worshipping the con tree.
There are many merry games such as “nem con” (a game in which boys and girls throwcloth balls), tug—of—wars, playing cockfights by banana flowers, and buffalo fights by aspara-gus. Boys and girls come to the festival to folk dance, sing love songs, and make friends.

Top Three Souvenir Shops in Hanoi

Travellers often buy souvenirs as gifts and as mementos, and it can be hard to distinguish quality from fake. Below are our hand-picked souvenir shops in Hanoi that provide quality products.

 1 – MINH LONG FINE PORCELAIN

At first glance, Minh Long Fine Porcelain on Hang Than street doesn’t stand out from other pottery stores. But once you enter the shop, you will be overwhelmed by the elegant displays of such a huge variety of products. North Vietnam travel

The shop has only one floor but it has just about all of the products you would want to find in a porcelain store. They range from simple designs and average prices to complex designs and prices up to tens of millions of VND – statues, tea sets, bowls, dishes for decoration, and vases in different sizes, colours and decorations.
The rich texture of Vietnamese flowers (lotus, ‘mickey mouse’ or bird’s-eye bush, daisy and peach blossom) are hand-drawn in small lines with soft brushes and no colour stains, showing the high level of mastery of the art. Travellers are often keen on lotus decorations. JAHAN CRUISE
You can test the quality of a vase by lightly knocking it to see whether the sound is solid or hollow, feeling whether the texture lines are smooth or not, and observing if the glaze is well done or not.

Address: 32 Hang Than, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Open: 9am–8pm

Top Three Souvenir Shops in Hanoi

2 – IPA NIMA STORE

Ipa Nima is an iconic fashion site in Hanoi that female travellers should visit. But it should be a top priority for men too if they are seeking an elegantly unique gift for their significant others. Alova Gold Cruise

Ipa Nima has two stores, one at 72 Trang Thi Street and one at 5 Nha Tho Street, both in Hoan Kiem District. The store at 72 Trang Thi has more space and is more beautifully decorated. The main products here are bags, and there’s a plethora of styles and colors to choose from. No design is the same, and new ones come out frequently.
Most details on the bags are meticulously and intricately made by hand. Besides the high-end bags, Ipa Nima also sells other fashion accessories such as bracelets, necklaces or shawls with eye-catching designs, sometimes at very reasonable prices around the 200,000VND mark.

Address: 72 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
               5 Nha Tho, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Open: 9am – 7pm

3 – TAN MY EMBROIDERY AND TAN MY DESIGN

Tan My is a repository of beautiful embroidery designs for which Hanoi is famous. Founded in 1969, Tan My has been going for three generations. With intricately designed bed linens, table cloths, clothes and handkerchiefs, the two Tan My stores on Hang Gai street are a good place to shop for beautiful and meaningful gifts or mementos.

Tan My’s unique and colourful designs include envelope-shaped bags, colourful pillows for kids and one-of-a-kind, embroidered pictures that you would not be able to find elsewhere. Embroidered pictures are a unique Vietnamese art form and they make great gifts.

A small bag or pillow may be priced under 100,000VND, while bigger embroidery pictures could be tens of millions of dong.


Address: 61 and 66 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Open: 9am–7pm

Cách sử dụng Khang dược sâm tốt nhất

Cách sử dụng Khang dược sâm tốt nhất

1. Cách dùng

Mỗi ngày uống 1 viên.

Sử dụng giai đoạn tối thiểu 3 tháng liên tiếp để đạt được hiệu quả cao nhất.

Khi mệt mỏi có thể sử dụng ngày 2 viên, chia 2 lần.

Sản phẩm này là một thực phẩm chức năng, không phải là một loại thuốc, thay thế các loại thuốc không hiệu quả. Đọc kỹ hướng dẫn trước khi sử dụng.

Cũng trong thời gian này nồng độ hormone nam testosterone cũng bắt đầu giảm đáng kể, dẫn đến sự suy giảm sinh lý. Khi bước qua tuổi 40 theo luật của tự nhiên, các cơ quan chính phủ đại lục các cơ quan chức năng nam giới suy giảm và lão hóa.

Khang dược sâm tăng cường sinh lý nam

Ô nhiễm môi trường, sinh hoạt không điều độ, stress áp lực công việc ... mà người đàn ông với một sự suy giảm trong sức sống, luôn luôn mệt mỏi, làm việc chăm chỉ để tập trung và mất dạng.

Ngoài ra nó là lý do tại sao đàn ông dễ bị bệnh tim mạch, cao huyết áp, tiểu đường và viêm xương khớp. Nếu sức sống và sinh lý không nuôi dưỡng và biện pháp khắc phục kịp thời sẽ dẫn đến mãn dục nam: liệt dương, di tinh, giảm ham muốn tình dục, xuất tinh sớm, chất lượng và số lượng tinh trùng thấp.

2. Thành phần

Thành phần cho một tình trạng viên nang sâm dược:

Ngọc Linh sâm (Panax vietnamensis): ................... 20mg

Bá bệnh  (Eurycoma longifolia): ............................. 200mg

Đông Trùng Hạ Thảo (Cordyceps Militaris): ............... 20mg

Thêm các phụ dược liệu Lecithin, sáp ong trắng, dầu cọ, dầu đậu nành, gelatin, glycerin, nipazol, ethyl vanillin, titan dioxide qs 1 viên.

Công thức với sự kết hợp tối ưu của các thành phần Sâm Ngọc Linh, cây bá bệnh Đông Trùng Hạ Thảo giúp cơ thể người đàn ông. Khang Dược tăng nồng độ testosterone một cách tự nhiên, giúp tăng sinh lực, làm chậm sự mãn nam, tăng cường tình dục nam giới, cung cấp tập trung, kích thích cho những người đàn ông trong cuộc sống và công việc để luôn tạo, dũng cảm và thành công.

3. Công dụng của khang dược sâm

Giúp cơ thể sản xuất kích thích tố nam (testosterone) một cách tự nhiên, lão hóa chậm, duy trì hiệu suất mạnh mẽ, cơ bắp săn chắc, đen tóc ít bị vỡ, cải thiện giấc ngủ, giấc ngủ sâu.

Giúp làm chậm mãn dục nam, tăng cường sinh lý nam: Tăng ham muốn tình dục, độ tin cậy, tần suất và chất lượng của hoạt động tình dục, tăng số lượng và chất lượng tinh trùng.

Tăng năng lượng, độ bền cho động cơ thể và tâm trí của người đàn ông.

Giúp làm giảm căng thẳng, mệt mỏi, tăng sự tỉnh táo, hứng thú trong cuộc sống và công việc.

4. Một số câu hỏi thường gặp

 - Khang Dược Sâm có tốt không?

Sản phẩm Khang Dược Sâm được nhiều người ở Việt Nam sử dụng và phản ánh là khá tốt so với các loại thuốc nội, ngoại hiện có mặt trên thị trường

- Mua Khang Dược Sâm mua ở đâu?

Khang dược sâm hiện có bán tại tất cả các nhà thuốc xem chi Tiết: http://www.tangsinhluc.vn/

- Khang Dược Sâm giá bao nhiêu?

Giá thuốc Khang Dược Sâm hiện nay là 250.000đ

Shopping destinations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city

Many people associate shopping in Asian countries generally and in Vietnam particularly with loud and crowded markets, cheap retail clothes and replicate items. However, Vietnam is quickly developing as a high-end shopping destination as well, and its fashion and luxury industry is growing year by year. The best cities that offer the biggest choice of designer, premium and luxury goods are considered to be Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, its the largest city and an important economic centre. The cities have many shopping malls and designer boutiques that are a real mecca for shopping enthusiasts, so let’s take a look! North Vietnam tours

Shopping destinations in Hanoi

Tràng Tiền Plaza

Tràng Tiền Plaza is located right in the city centre. This is the first high-end luxury shopping center in Hanoi with different international brands. Flagship stores of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Zegna, BVLGARI and other luxury and designer brands are located here. The 6-floor mall is a true number one destination for fashion lovers of Hanoi.
Address: Hàng Bài, Hà Nội, Ha Tay, Vietnam

Ly Thai To Street
If instead of large shopping centres you would prefer walking from one boutique to another, then in Hanoi you should definitely go to Ly Thai To Street, where a big number of international designer and luxury boutiques are located. Wherever you go, you will see shining signboards of famous world brands, so for sure you won’t come back here with nothing! Pelican Cruise
Address: Ly Thai To Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Shopping destinations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city

Vincom City Tower Plaza 
Vincom Shopping Centre is another destination for shopping, located just in 10 min away from the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Here you can find different Vietnamese and international brands, like Nine West, Naf Naf, Mango, FCUK, Bonia, Bata, Ecco, Levi's, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Jeep, etc. Also it has several restaurants on the 5th floor and a movie theatre on the 6th floor of the building
Address: 191 Ba Trieu, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Shopping destinations in Ho Chi Minh City
Vincom Center
This is one of the newest and the biggest shopping centre not only in Ho Chi Minh City, but in the whole Vietnam. It is located in the downtown and has more than 250 shops and services, among which such famous international brands like Louis Vuiton, Armani, Jimmy Choo, etc. It has several boutiques with luxury watches, jewelery and accessories. It also houses designer, premium and retail brands.
Address: 70 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Zen Plaza
Zen Plaza is located on Ho Chi Minh City's main street for fashion shopping. It houses a big number of Vietnamese designers’ boutiques and international brands such as such as Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Levi's, Pierre Cardin and others. You can also buy here a traditional Vietnamese silk of a very high quality. The mall has 7 floors and with a food court on the highest one.
Address: 54-56 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Diamond Plaza
This is a 22-floor luxurious shopping centre in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. Diamond Plaza could be a true heaven for all shopaholics and fashion lovers, as 15 floors of the building serve as a shopping center! It also houses 6 cinema lounges, restaurants, several cafés and a hospital.
Address: 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

L'Usine Le Loi
If you prefer not huge shopping centres, but small cozy stores, then you should definitely visit L’Usine Boutique. L'usine is a retail space, cafe and gallery in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Here you can find exclusive brands imported from all over the world of different styles, classic, elegant, casual, as well as a variety of shoes and accessories.
Address: 70 Lê Lợi, Bến Thàn,  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Khaisilk
Few years ago Khaisilk was famous as one of the best tailor shops in Ho Chi Minh City. Nowadays this is a boutique with the finest selection of luxury silk clothes made in Vietnam. This is a place for people, searching for a right mix of traditional cultural elements in a contemporary high-quality apparel.
Address: 81 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Top 7 things to see in Rach Gia

Top 7 things to see in Rach Gia
How To Get There?
By plane
Rach Gia Airport serves domestic flights to and from Phu Quoc Island and Ho Chi Minh City operated by Vietnam Airlines. The flights are served on a daily basis.

By bus 
Buses and minibuses connect Rach Gia with the nearest big cities of the country:
To/ from Ha Tien: 2,5 hours, $2,5 (50,000 VND);
To/ from Hon Chong: 2,5 hours, $2,5 (50,000 VND);
To/ from Can Tho: 3 hours, $3,5 (75,000 VND);
To/ from Long Xuyen: 1,5 hours, $1,5 (30,000 VND);
To/ from Ho Chi Minh City: 6 hours, $8 (165,000 VND).
You can buy a ticket at the bus station. If there’s an opportunity, it is recommended to do it in advance, as due to lack of the transport connection, the tickets may be sold out in a few hours before departure. You can also do it with the help of reliable travel companies. Mekong river cruise

By boat
There are regular hydrofoils cruising between Phu Quoc and such destinations as Rach Gia. One way trip from/to Rach Gia lasts approximately for 2,5 hours and the ticket should costs about $15 (350,000 VND). There’s also a discount for senior (above 60 years old) and disabled people, as well as for children under the age of 11. The timetable of arrivals and departures is available on the webpage of the Superdong transfer company. Halong bay cruise

Top 7 things to see in Rach Gia

Thing To See At Rach Gia
Tam Quan Gate
Tam Quan gate, or as it is also called, Three Entrance Gate, is a true symbol of Rach Gia and is considered to be an entrance to the city. This is a beautiful triple arch bearing the traditional elements of Vietnamese architecture. Travel to Vietnam

Nguyen Trung Truc Temple
The temple is dedicated to Nguyen Trung Truc who was a leader of the resistance movement against the newly arrived French in the end of 19th century. Today this is one of the biggest attractions of Rach Gia and an important religious destinations for the entire region.

Tam Bao Pagoda
This is another destination of Rach Gia with a beautiful story behind. It was built in the beginning of 19th century by the Vietnamese Emperor Gia Long to honour a local woman who aided him after the Tay Son Rebellion. It is surrounded by a quite and cozy garden with numerous sculptures and is definitely a great place to spend some time and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere.

Phat Lon Pagoda (Khmer pagoda)
This is an amazing Cambodian Buddhist pagoda, which name is translated as Big Buddha. Even nowadays the majority of the monks living here are the ethnic Khmers. It has a magnificent architecture and zen garden in the courtyard with an over hundred-year old tree originated from Sri Lanka.

Kien Giang Museum 
The museum is housed in one of the most ancient and beautiful buildings in the city. It has an outstanding and sophisticated exterior design with traditional oriental elements inside of the building. The museum is exposing a big collection of war memoirs, historical photos and cultural relics.

Local Specialities 
Are you a foodie? Then probably, you will enjoy your visit to Rach Gia, Being a port town, it has a big choice of sea specialities as well as traditional Vietnamese dishes. The most popular places to eat and drink among locals and travelers are Thanh Binh, Hai Au, Ao Dai Moi,Valentine, which also offer sometimes different types of entertainment like karaoke or sport events.

Rach Soi Market
Market is a right place to go, if you want to explore people’s everyday life, local culture and of course, buy cheap, fresh and exotic fruits, vegetables and other local specialities. The biggest one in Rach Gia is the Rach Soi market, located close to the port of the town.

Top 7 activities in flooding days

All travelers should be aware that annual monsoon season is from 1 September until mid-December at least! Great care by all visitors should be taken during extreme rains & when there are strong onshore North East winds during lunar calendar days close to 1st or 14th – this is when danger of flooding in Hoi An and surrounding areas are highest. In truth, there is no bad time to visit Hoi An. Even it is unusual , but you will get a special experience that not many tourist have.  There are some activities for those day. Danang – Hue – Hoian 4 days

1. Do a special trip around town.

When the old town is under water, it has a unique and special charm. If you are an adventurous guy, just take the life vest, pick a good and reliable boat and start your trip around the town enjoying one of the highlight of your trip. Remember do not take the old or ruin boat, and life vest is necessary item to you. If you want to walk with the water around, you can get some plastic boots from local market or local shops. They are better for your toes! Avoiding the low lands, An Hoi  and Cam Nam Ward are the places that you should not go which are seperated from other areas of Hoian. MEKONG EYES

2. Café and Bar

Unfortunately, most of the good bars located in the town, and most of them are under water when it is flooding. Most shops in the old town close for sercured reasons. In the day time, you can visit some nice coffee shops in the high lands. Café Shop in Hoian historic hotel
This shop is located on the left side of Hoian hotel, nice coffee, good environment and you won’t be bothered by vendors. Pelican Cruise

Top 7 activities in flooding days

Google Coffee shop: located at 10 Phan Chau Trinh street, this one mostly open because of its high location. Serve different types of local coffee, soft drink and good ginger tea (so good with this weather)
Nep Café 62- Phan Chau Trinh street: another nice coffee shop with amazing decoration!

3. Restaurant

We need to accept that most of nice restaurants in town are not available. So finding some nicer and more local one will be our solution.

Madame Phuong Bread  - 2B Phan Chau Trinh.

Famous for the recomendation of Anthony Bourdain with his show, this is one of the best banh my in Vietnam with terrific gravy that they put on the sandwiches. Luckily, it does open in the flooding days. You should go to this shop as early as possible because most of the locals go their for their food too.

If you are a vegan, or just want a quiet place for finishing your book, just go to Minh Hien Vegetarian restaurant, one of the best ones in Hoian. Located in a high area, no worry, this is our option for flooding day. Start out with one of the set menus (I prefer the first one, for one person). You get to sample delicious veg versions of Hoi An’s local specialities, including white rose dumplings, cao lau noodles, fried spring rolls, and wonton.

4. Go to Danang

The town is flooding, so let discover some places in Danang that not sinked into water. Marble Mountain, Cham Museum and Linh Ung pagoda with big statue of Laddy Bodhisattva or Goddess of Mercy will make your boring days gone! And there are more restaurants in Danang open in this kind of weather. If you have kids, they won’t get bored with many shopping and entertainment centers open in Da Nang.

5.  Join Foodtour

Event haft of Hoian is under water, there are plenty of local places that you don’t know (and don’t try without guidance of local buddies). Hence, by taking part in a custom foodtour, this is a great time to learn about the culture, local life and different things of locals. I’m sure, this one will brighten your day.

6. Get your tailor made clothes.

Most of the tailor shops are still open in flood season. Just hang around and pick some tailor shops you like and get your dress or shirt,… made. Some good ones are Yaly Couture, A Dong Silk with the highest price in town but best quality. The other recommendation ones are Mr. Xe, Bao Khanh Silk, Thu Thuy Silk, Kimmy,…

A tip when shopping: avoid tailor recommendations from unreliable sources. You will most likely encounter locals offering to tell you the best tailors.The prices you will be quoted by the tailor shop will be padded with this extra cost, which means you will probably pay about 40% or maybe 50% more if you take their recommendation than you would otherwise. So be wise!
 
7. Watch DVD or reading books.

If your heart is set on a lazy day ensconced in your room, check out some DVD shop or bookshops in Hoi An, buys some discs or books and enjoy your days indoors. Legends DVD shop on Phan Chu Trinh Street has the best selection of movies and box set series for a dollar a disc. For those who love reading, grab a book from Randy’s book exchange over on Cam Nam Island.

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam
Somewhat surprisingly Vietnam’s central cities aren’t on every traveller’s radar even though they are home to some of Vietnam’s most interesting architecture and history. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is home to a variety of war-torn temples, tombs and palaces, many of which were the homes and places of worship of Nguyen-era emperors. Many of the buildings and structures in Hue are still quite damaged, giving it the feel of a modern-day Pompeii, despite mass tourism. However, there have been some efforts to restore buildings in Hue since 1990 when the area was declared a World Heritage site. Mekong river cruise

Don’t miss out, make sure you include a trip to Hue in the North Central Coast district on your Vietnam travel itinerary. Hue sits in the Thua Thien Province and is about 700 km south of Hanoi and about 1,100 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. And Vietnam has just been named as the fastest growing tourist destination.

Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi)

Built in the early 19th century, circa 1804, by thousands of labourers at the request of Emperor Gia Long, the Imperial City and Citadel was a massive structure, large enough that a 10 kilometer moat was constructed to surround and protect it. Modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City and Citadel was designed to be the royal quarters of Emperor Long. When the last Emperor of Vietnam stepped down the structure had expanded to include hundreds of rooms. While quite grand in scale, many of the buildings were in a state of disrepair due to typhoon and termite damage. In 1968 the Imperial City and Citadel were bombed by American forces during the Vietnam War, demolishing most of the buildings. In 1993 the Imperial Citadel and the collective ‘Complex of Hué Monuments’ was declared a UNESCO site, and some of the buildings have been restored for historical preservation. Travel to Vietnam

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam

Tu Duc Tomb

Emperor Tu Duc, the longest reigning Emperor in Vietnamese history isn’t actually buried at the site of the Tu Duc Tomb, pictured above. Completed nearly 20 years before his death in 1883, the building of the Tu Duc tomb required so much funding and labor that there was actually a coup against Tu Duc in 1866. Near the site you’ll find his epitaph, inscribed on a piece of stone brought from a quarry over 500 miles away from the site. The journey took workers four years to complete. Tu Duc had to write his epitaph himself because he was unable to father a son before he became sterile because of smallpox, despite his many wives and concubines. While the Tu Duc tomb is recognized as the Emperor’s official resting place the actual burial site is still unknown. The 200 labourers who prepared the actual burial site were beheaded by the King after burying the body. Halong bay cruise

An Dinh Palace

The architecturally stunning An Dinh Palace was the residence of the Nguyen dynasty and was built in early 20th century and is one of Hue’s best known historic sites, although it isn’t often included on mainstream itineraries. The An Dinh Palace, built in the typical style, was restored several years ago and a new project to fully restore the surrounding three storey buildings will return the An Dinh palace to a primary tourist spot.

Situated on the bank of An Cuu River in Hue City’s Phu Nhuan ward, the An Dinh Palace was commissioned by King Dong Khanh and at the time called Phung Hoa, as a gift for the Crown Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao. When the Prince was made King in 1916 the palace took on the current name and passed through the family until the palace was presented to the Revolutionary government. Sadly the palace fell into severe disrepair until 2001 when the palace underwent extensive restoration in readiness for hosting the 2002 Hue Festival. An Dinh Palace also hosted the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Hue Festivals.

Following the next stage of restoration, ancient artefacts and works of art that portray the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal lifestyle will be displayed. This project is a part of the drive to preserve and restore the history, culture and architecture of Hue City. Earlier this year the center unveiled a 3D project which shows the heritage and architecture in its full glory.

Minh Mang Temple

Take a boat ride up the Perfume River to the Minh Mang Temple which is a fine example of an emperor’s tomb. The Minh Mang Temple is located about 12km outside of Hue City, on the West Bank so the Perfume River in Cam Ke Hill. Construction began in 1840 and during the build Minh Mang actually passed away. Hi son completed the works and his father was interred in the temple as requested. The temple is also part of the UNESCO-recognised Hue complex.

Perfume River Tour

Hire a boat for a day and take a trip along the Perfume River to explore the various Tombs of the Emperors. Dating from the 19th century, the best preserved examples are the Tomb of Tu Duc and The Tomb of Minh Mang already listed above. In addition there are wonderful examples of Vietnamese architecture including the Tomb of Khai Dinh, the remote ruins of the Tomb of Gia Long and the Tomb of Thieu Tri which was built in 1848. There is also the Tomb of Dong Khanh which was constructed in 1917 and the Tomb of Khai Dinh which is the best preserved tomb along the river.

When to visit to Hue

If you’ve never been to Vietnam or Southeast Asia before, visiting Hue during the Festival of Hue may be the best time to visit since there will be many international travelers there and you may feel more comfortable navigating the city. The Festival of Hue takes place between April 8th and April 15th in even numbered years. Hotel rooms and travel amenities come at a premium during the Festival of Hue, so book your stay early to avoid high costs. Even if you don’t plan on going to Vietnam when the Festival of Hue is taking place, many people still consider February to April the best months of the year for travel to Vietnam. However, you should remember that weather can change from region to region because of opposing monsoon seasons in the north and south.

Phu Quoc Travel Guide

This peaceful tropical paradise floats in the warm turquoise waters in the Gulf of Thailand, 50kms from the Vietnamese mainland and a 50 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Phu Quoc is becoming well known for stunning beaches, untouched natural environment, the easy going and relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. BASSAC CRUISE

Phu Quoc is an nearby island, located in Gulf of Thailand, just 45 kilometers far from Hatien coastal town of Vietnam. Also being known as Ngoc Island, Phu Quoc – the largest island of Vietnam is a part of Kien Giang Province. Phu Quoc has total area of 589 square kilometers and population of 85,000 people. Phu Quoc is a system of 22 small islands. In 2006, Biosphere reserves and coastal islands Kien Giang including Phu Quoc islands were recognized as World Biosphere Reverse by UNESCO. Alova Gold Cruise, Halong Travel

Phu Quoc has tropical monsoon climate with 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season with average temperature 22 - 35 degree C. It has more than 350 years of history from 1671. Nowadays, Phu Quoc was invested with seaports, resorts, hotels and restaurants. However, it still keeps its primitive beauty of an offshore island. Phu Quoc is famous for many beautiful beaches, streams, pagodas and seafood.

Phu Quoc Travel Guide

It can be said that Phu Quoc is endowed with many beaches as beautiful as picture which can be compare to Hawaii. Blue sky, blue sea, white sand sparkling in the sunshine and tropical coconuts swaying in the wind are ready to hold any tourist's footsteps. Especially, Phu Quoc does not have several but dozen of beaches such as: Vinh Dam, Xep Nho, Dat Do, Khem, Truong, Vong, etc. Like Halong Bay, Phu Quoc is also gifted hundreds of small islets with different shapes such as: Thom, Dua, Roi, Dun, Kim Quy, etc  in An Thoi islands. South Vietnam tours

Moreover, like Cat Ba, Phu Quoc possesses a national park where reserves many rare and precious kinds of trees. Several streams such as Da Ban, Tranh with spectacular scenery will be great places for visitors to take photos.

It would be a shortcoming if talking to Phu Quoc without mentioning food here. Being wrapped by the tropical sea, Phu Quoc is abundant of marine resources with fish, shrimp, squid, crabs. Nothing will be greater than sitting on the beaches, hearing the waves, watching the sea at night, smelling the fragrant aroma of baked oysters, grilled squid. Visitors who want to buy something as present for family or friends will have variety of choices such as its fish sauce, pepper, pearls, wine and hundreds of seafood which will satisfy all the tourists’ needs.

Overall, if you are looking for a place as beautiful as heaven, as primitive as the land in the Bible, Phu Quoc is exactly where you want to go. A journey to Phu Quoc absolutely will be an unforgettable memory in your life.

Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam

Vietnam is a rich, woven tapestry made up from the many cultures and civilisations which have lived, invaded or ruled here. You can still see old men in berets in Dalat – thanks to the French influence; Chinese temples and pagodas are everywhere while in the north various ethnic hill tribe folk live and dress in much the way they have done for centuries past. This is a diverse land and there is plenty to keep the visitor occupied whether you prefer well-trodden routes or something a little more out of the way. Here is selection of 10 of the best. Travel to Vietnam
1) Hoi-An
A place like no other in Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town of Hoi-An is a feast for the eyes with its picturesque waterfront, Chinese-style houses and colourful, flower draped, buildings.
An unhurried meander around once the sun goes to bed is a major destination highlight as swaying lanterns and coloured lights create a dreamy atmosphere. With a small dose of imagination you can imagine yourself back in the times when Hoi-An was a principal port for the Indonesian spice trade.
The lovely Cua Dai beach is just a quick bike ride away and bike hire is everywhere and cheap. If made-to-measure clothing happens to be on your wish-list you’ve come to the right place. Hoi-An is simply bursting at the seams with tailor shops who can whip up anything from a pair of shorts to a bespoke suit, in some cases overnight.

Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam

2) Stroll the Alleys of Saigon
Despite its change of name to Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon is still the name you will hear uttered by many of its people and what people they are! The city is congested, noisy and just a little crazy as many major cities are. However, unlike other metropolises, Saigon seems to exude a warmth and human element which is so often lacking elsewhere – smiles are handed out freely here.
For a true glimpse into the Vietnamese urban way of life go for a wander through the alleyways. Narrow enough to be able to touch the walls either side as you stroll, you will still see motorbikes weaving round the children as they play. City folk live and work here; you will see disembodied feet poking into the alley from rooms just big enough to hold a mattress and outside may be a Hobbit-sized table and chair where food is served.
Labyrinthine and tiny, these corridors heave with activity and character and are just as jam-packed with grins and waves as everywhere else in this special city.
3) Ha Long Bay – Northern Vietnam
Blatantly touristy it may be and there is no doubt you will be rubbing shoulders with multitudes of gap-year travellers but there is no denying the breath-taking and mystical beauty of World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay. Rising dramatically from emerald waters are almost 2000 limestone islands sculpted into strange shapes and each wearing a hat of lush jungle greenery. Travel Halong bay
Halong Bay
Day cruises are possible but they don’t get you to the more spectacular corners of the bay – for this you will need an overnight cruise. Up for exploration are wave-sculpted grottoes and caves, beautiful beaches and hidden lakes.
4) Cu-Chi Tunnels – 40km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City
The Cu Chi tunnels – part of the vast network used by the Viet Cong – are a must-see site for anyone interested in the war between Vietnam and the U.S. The underground labyrinth – of which Cu Chi is a part – is where the Viet Cong worked, hid, stored supplies, arranged military operations and in some cases lived for years.
A visit to the Cu Chi tunnels will show you examples of  how people lived in this underground world as well as giving you the chance to fit yourself into one of the hide-out holes. There is even a section of tunnel which visitors can crawl through (with escape routes every few metres for anyone who finds the claustrophobic confines too much). Also on display are booby traps, a bombed out tank, weapons and bomb crater remains.
For all those action-man wannabes out there, there is a shooting range with the opportunity of firing an AK47 (among other weapons) to your heart’s content. Beware though – you pay per bullet and it could get costly if you get carried away in the moment.
5) My Son – Duy Phú
Although a substantial amount of the Hindu temples at My Son were destroyed by bombing during the Vietnam War it is still worth a visit. The spread-out site contains clustered buildings and evocatively ruined temples dating from the 4th century AD – built during the Cham Empire period. To fully understand what you are seeing it is best to take a guided tour as none of the ruins have any interpretation panels. The site is also best viewed early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the main bulk of the tourists.
6) Mekong Delta
A visit to the Mekong Delta area in Southern Vietnam gives the visitor a window onto a rich and colourful region peppered with local villages and traditional lifestyles. No trip to Vietnam is complete without at least one river journey on the mighty Mekong and here is where it finally reaches the end of its journey and joins the sea. Mekong river cruise
Mekong Delta Vietnam
Among the many experiences and sights on offer you can cruise among the colourful craft of the floating markets, get up close to the floating fishing villages, visit a honey farm, row along in a traditional sampan, visit tiny villages and sample the sounds and smells of sprawling port markets.
Each of the Mekong Delta delights can be visited independently but it is often cheaper and far easier to book onto one of the many tours available. These range from single day trips to several days with authentic home-stays with a Vietnamese family as part of the deal.
7) War Remnants Museum – Ho Chi Minh City
As many trips to Vietnam begin in this city, the War Remnants Museum is a good way to gain an early insight into this country’s tragic history, primarily with reference to what we Westerners call ‘the Vietnam War’.
The Museum is ostensibly a collection of photographs exhibited over several floors with themed rooms such as ‘Agent Orange’ (the highly toxic defoliant used by the U.S. Military), the use of napalm and the My Lai massacre. Exhibits are in places graphic and not for the squeamish.
Among the outside exhibits are a ‘Huey’ (UH-1) helicopter, diffused bombs and ordnance as well as various other pieces of military equipment.
Critics complain the museum is too one-sided which, being situated in Vietnam, may be both true and understandable. However, it does help the Western visitor look at both sides of the coin having previously perhaps only been exposed to the U.S. perspective with films such as ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Full Metal Jacket’.
8) Hang Nga Crazy House – Dalat
If the words weird, wonderful and outlandish float your boat the Crazy House is a definite must-do. Designed by PhD qualified architect Mrs Dang Viet Nga, the aptly named Crazy House is a surreal riot of intertwining branches, narrow criss-crossing walkways, tiny tunnels, odd-shaped steps leading this way and that, little rooms and hidey holes, houses on stilts, towers and platforms, all set with angles slightly off and with weird perspectives.
Crazy House Vietnam
Wander where you will – which will almost certainly involve getting lost at least once – and marvel at the mind which envisaged and made real this wonderful place.
If a visit isn’t enough then it is possible to stay here in one of the Lord of the Rings-esque rooms – all totally unique and themed.
9) Sapa – North Vietnam
The rugged scenery of this beautiful mountain town surrounded by rice terraces and rich tropical vegetation is worth the journey here in itself. However, the main reason for visits here is to afford travellers a glimpse into a way of life little changed in centuries – that of the hill tribe people. Glimpsing colourful and unusual traditional dress while learning and witnessing age-old customs and culture are all part of the draw. There are many ethnic minority hill tribes who live around this area and there are plenty of tours and companies ready and willing to introduce you.
If acquiring a souvenir or two is your aim the people of these ethnic tribes create a diverse and beautiful range of hand-made goods for both the Vietnamese and the tourist market which include tribal clothing, blankets and jewellery.
Trekking is also a big thing here and with good reason – the scenery is stunning and there are plenty of rewards for your time and effort.
10) Marble Mountain – Near Da Nang
The majestic and magical Marble Mountain, which is inexplicably absent from must-see lists and almost all tourist literature, is at base level a Buddhist pilgrimage site, Spread over five hills and dotted with caves, tunnels and temples, this super-special place oozes serenity and has the smell of incense ever-present.
Each of the caves is connected by way of pathways and carved marble steps which meander between bushes full of bloom. As you walk along with the scent of incense wafting in the air, butterflies flutter past and lizards skit among the trees. Along the way you will find dragon statues, pagodas, gateways and archways.
The caves themselves vary from pocket sized grottoes with just enough room for a candle ornamented altar while the biggest are cathedral-like and stunning with whole temples inside. Shafts of sunlight blaze down from small holes way, way above while further exploration of passage ways  may suddenly unveil Buddha statues carved directly from the stone itself – some small, some enormous.
This is a truly magical place – the air and beauty of which can only be fully appreciated by visiting.

Cách làm mặt nạ trị mụn từ tinh bột nghệ vàng

Nghệ có tác dụng rất tốt cho da: tẩy tế bào chết; trị mụn; hạn chế các vết chàm (eczema) trên da nhờ tác dụng sát khuẩn đặc biệt; giảm và chống sẹo, thu nhỏ lỗ chân lông, chống nhờn, chống lại những tác hại của ánh nắng.. Nhiều nghiên cứu khẳng định tác dụng đáng kể của nghệ đối với các vết thương nhỏ và vết thương do mụn để lại.
Chăm sóc da bằng mặt nạ tinh bột nghệ vàng hay nghệ tươi thì chị em nào cũng phải công nhận làn da sẽ đẹp hơn, trắng hơn và mịn màng hơn. Nhưng hầu hết mọi người đều lo ngại, sau khi đắp mặt nạ nghệ xong, làm thế nào để thổi bay những tàn dư vàng vàng của nghệ còn sót lại trên da?
Một giải pháp hữu hiệu cho các chị em phụ nữa đó là sử dụng tinh bột nghệ vàng.da sẽ hấp thụ tốt hơn mà không phải sợ da bị vàng.
1/ LÀM MẶT NẠ TỪ HỖN HỢP TINH BỘT NGHỆ +SỮA CHUA+MẬT ONG

Loại mặt nạ này thích hợp cho mọi loại da.có tác dụng trị nám da,giúp tái tạo da,cho làm da mịn màng hết mụn
Chuẩn bị :
- 1 hộp sữa chua không đường ( để sữa chua trong ngăn mát dạng sệt sệt)
- 2 thìa canh nhỏ mật ong
- 2 thìa lớn Tinh Bột Nghệ vàng (dùng loại này da hấp thụ tốt hơn và làm cho da không bị vàng sau khi đắp mặt nạ )
- 1 miếng bọt biển (miếng bông thương dùng để trang điểm )
Cách làm:
Trộn Tinh Bột nghệ với 1 thìa nhỏ cafe mật ong.

Cách làm mặt nạ trị mụn từ tinh bột nghệ vàng

- Cho từ từ sữa chua không đường vào hỗn hợp,tới khí được hỗn hợp sền sệt thì dừng lại(không cho hết hũ sữa chua nhé)
- Trộn đều được hỗn hợp mịn-nhuyễn.
- cho hỗn hợp vào hũ -để trong ngăn mát tủ lạnh để dùng trong tuần.
Lưu ý: Dùng hỗn hợp này tối đa trong 1 tuần. Hết 1 tuần, bạn hãy chịu khó làm hỗn hợp mới nhé.bảo quản bằng cách cho vào hũ để trong ngăn mát tủ lạnh.
Thực Hiện:
Bước 1: Rửa sạch mặt bằng nước ấm kết hợp massage mặt cho làn da để da tự khô
Bước 2 : Dùng miếng bọt biển đánh Thoa hỗn hợp lên mặt theo từng lớp từ mỏng -dày.
- Sau khoảng 20-30 phút mặt nạ khô .
Bước 3 : Rửa sạch hỗn hợp bằng nước lạnh.sau đó có thể bạn kết hợp thoa kem dưỡng da hàng ngày.nên làm vào buổi tối trước khi đi ngủ để da được tái tạo trong quá trình ngủ.
Tác dụng:
- Da trở nên mềm mại và giàu sức sống nhanh chóng,giúp làn da trắng hồng rạng rỡ. Đặc biệt đối với những người bị tổn thương da do mụn bọc có thể uống tinh bột nghệ với mật ong hoặc đắp mặt nạ vào các buổi tối, hiệu quả có thể nhận thấy rõ rệt.
- Đối với phụ nữ sau khi sinh kết hợp với đắp mặt nạ(tuần 2-3 lần thui ạ) và hòa 1 thìa với nước lọc pha chút mật ong, uống ngày 2 lần, giúp nhanh chóng hồi phục sức khỏe và nhan sắc, tránh hậu sản.
p/s: hỗn hợp với tinh bột nghệ sau khi rửa cách sẽ không bị vàng da như bột nghệ hay nghệ tuơi bình thường.Loại mặt nạ này không có hại, không lo dị ứng và nó rất tiện lợi.chỉ dùng dắp 2-3 lần/1 tuần thôi.đưng lạm dụng quá
Mặt nạ tinh bột nghệ đen, sữa chua sẽ khá mát lạnh và dịu nhẹ. Mùi tự nhiên của mật ong và sữa chua giúp bạn thư giãn tối đa trong quá trình đắp mặt nạ.

2/ MẶT NẠ ĐẮP MẶT GIÚP SE KHÍT LỖ CHÂN LÔNG :
từ nguyên liệu rất dễ kiếm,các chị em có thể tự cải thiện làn da thô ráp-lỗ chân lông lớn chỉ bằng cách đắp mặt nạ đơn giản.
Chuẩn bị: (chỉ làm cho 1 lần đắp)
- 2/3 thìa lớn Tinh bột nghệ.
- 1/4 quả bơ dầm nhuyễn.
- 1 thìa cafe nhỏ mật ong (nếu không có mật ong có thể thay thế bằng 1/2 thìa dầu dừa-bạn tự làm-pm mình chỉ cách làm dầu dừa rất đơn giản. hihi). Các bạn có thể làm đẹp bằng bột sắn dây
- 1 miếng bông gòn

Cách làm: - Bước 1: dằm nhuyễn 1/4 quả bơ (càng nhuyễn càng tốt nhé) - Bước 2: trộn BƠ +TINH BỘT NGHỆ + MẬT ONG (OR DẦU DỪA)=>được hỗn hợp sền sệt.

Thực Hiện:
- Bước 1: Rửa sạch mặt bằng nước ấm kết hợp massage mặt cho làn da để da tự khô
- Bước 2 : Dùng miếng bọt biển đánh Thoa hỗn hợp lên mặt theo từng lớp từ mỏng -dày.
- Bước 3:Sau 20-30 phút Rửa sạch hỗn hợp bằng nước lạnh.sau đó có thể bạn kết hợp thoa kem dưỡng da hàng ngày.
P/S:sau khi rửa sạch bạn có thể kiểm chứng bằng cách nhìn làn da qua gương đảm bảo các lỗ chân lông đã được thu nhỏ,da mặt rất mềm mịn. nên thức hiện mặt nạ này vào thư 7-cn :D
3/ LÀM MẶT NẠ  TỪ TINH BỘT NGHỆ+BỘT YẾN MẠCH+MẬT ONG+DẦU HẠNH NHÂN

 Cầu kì hơn một chút so với phương pháp trên.Chọn thêm yến mạch,mật ong,dầu hạnh nhân để làm tăng tác dụng làm trắng da của tinh bột nghệ.Thích hợp cho mọi loại da
Chuẩn bị:
- 2 thìa cafe tinh bột nghệ
- 1 thìa cafe bột yến mạch
- 1 thìa cafe mật ong
- 1/2 thìa cà phê dầu hạnh nhân
Tinh bột nghệ vàng mua ở đâu
2 thìa tinh bột nghệ vàng
bot yến mạch
1 thìa Bột yến mạch bán sẵn
Tinh bột nghệ
1 thìa mật ong

1/2 thìa dầu hạnh nhân
Cách làm:
Lấy 1 thìa bột yến mạch và 2 thìa Tinh bột nghệ trộn đều với nhau, cho thêm 1/2 thìa dầu hạnh nhân và 1 thìa mật ong. Đánh thật mịn là dùng được
Làm mặt nạ làm trắng da
Hỗn hợp sau khi trộn
Cách dùng: nên đắp mặt nạ này trước khi đi ngủ nhé
Bước 1: Rửa sạch mặt bằng nước ấm kết hợp massage nhẹ.
Bước 2: thoa hỗn hợp lên mặt khoảng 20-30 phút
Bước 3: Rửa sạch bằng nước ấm kết hợp massage nhẹ  nhang cho da mặt nhé.