Hmong King Palace - Ha Giang travel guide

Hmong King Palace - Ha Giang travel guide
Ha Giang, Vietnam

Nestled in the far northeast of Vietnam on the border with southwest China, lies the timeless world of Ha Giang. North Vietnam tours

Until recently, it has been cut off from visitors by the Vietnamese government, and has therefore escaped the relentless march of civilisation that has changed so much of the planet.

Landscape and scenery

Terraced rice paddies, primary forests, winding mountain paths that climb through vertiginous passes to reach colourfully-dressed minority tribes, some of whom have never been documented: Ha Giang offers visitors a glimpse of Vietnam from a bygone era. Starlight Cruise

Local markets

This fascinating province remains almost completely unaffected by the tide of commerce, industry and tourism that has swept over so many other places, and so retains an air of authenticity unsurpassed in Indochina. The lively local markets form the lifeblood of the province and villagers in traditional dress gather from miles around to trade, eat and gossip.

Accommodation

Our itineraries are designed around these events. Hotels in the region are very basic, so we have set up a number of excellent homestay opportunities: these give visitors the chance to fully experience the life of the local people.

For those interested in minority cultures, local markets, textiles, stunning scenery and wonderful photographic opportunities, Ha Giang is an immensely rewarding experience.

Often dubbed Vua Meo (king of H’mong), the palace’s official name is Vuong Chinh Sinh. The Hmong king ruled over a vast territory from Dong Van Plateau to Meo Vac Town. During his reign, the charismatic king attracted a lot of attention when he and other Meo residents joined forces with Ho Chi Minh to gain national freedom.

HMONG KING PALACE
The palace is in Sa Phin valley in Lung Phin Commune, Dong Van District at the base of a mountain, backed by cliffs and topped by a mass of clouds.

Tall sa moc trees surround the palace that is built from stone, fir wood and terra-cotta tiles in the Chinese architectural style of the Man Qing era.

Covering a total area of 1,120 square meters, the palace was used as a residence and fortress during the Vuong Dynasty.

The two storey, 50 meter long palace that took eight years to build has four long houses and six wide houses with 64 rooms for the king’s wives, children and soldiers.

All the walls are 50-60 centimeters thick. Surrounding it is stone barrier which is 2 meters high and 80 centimeters thick.

The palace is divided into many areas such as dining room, bed room, kitchen, marijuana store, rooms of his wives, a prayer altar and an area for criminal executions.

No one lives at the palace anymore but it has been well maintained by the provincial government. It contains wardrobes, fireplace, beds, flour-mill, crossbow and pan-pipe.

Still largely un-restored the palace is a great place to learn about the province’s interesting history

Vietnam Family Life

Vietnam Family Life
The traditional beliefs and values are first clearly reflected in family life. Children are expected to be obedient to their mother and father. Every decision is made, and every turning point in life is marked with the consultant of parents. North Vietnam travel tours

We, children, are deeply indebted to our parents who brought us to life, nurture us and enrich our lives with their unconditional love and with the suffering that they take on themselves on account of this love. Think of sacrifices that parents made for upbringing and educating us, an old Vietnamese saying immediately springs to our mind: BASSAC CRUISE MEKONG VIETNAM

Công Cha Như Núi Thái Sơn

Nghĩa Mẹ Như Nước Trong Nguồn Chảy Ra,

(Father's good deed is as great as Thai mountain

Mother’s love is like water flowing from a perennial spring.)

Vietnam Family Life

A child is deeply grateful to his parents for their help, favors and kind-nesses; thus, he should hold his parents dear. When his parents get older, he ought to prove his gratitude by taking care of them when they get sick and showing his solicitude for his parents. As an old-age tradition, Vietnamese elderly people never live by themselves or in nursing homes but with one of their children, usually their eldest son. This obligation is still continued when the parents pass away in the form of ancestral cult and the maintenance of ancestral tombs. This filial piety tradition is passed from generation to generation and become a unique, beautiful Vietnamese cultural feature.  Ancestor worship is practiced in most, if not all, Vietnamese homes even in the homes of Vietnamese overseas. In relationship between siblings, younger siblings are required to respect and obey older ones. The eldest brother, the leader, is entrusted with a heavy responsibility that of substituting for the parents in case of emergency. Respect, concord and love among siblings are a token of happy and virtuous family.  In Vietnamese culture, the notion of blood relationship is always imprinted in the mind of the Vietnamese. Being members of the immediate family and of the extended family, they are connected together by a strong sense of collective responsibility, loyalty and mutual obligation. Thus, they are expected to help one another, especially in difficult time. Halong Bai Tho Cruise

In Vietnam Spiritual Life
Vietnamese people have long believed in the existence of a supernatural world. There exist spirits and deities who controlled everything and exerted a great influence on the course of human life. Plants, animals and man are believed to have souls.

Human beings possess three souls (hon) commanding the superior functions and seven vital principles (phach) concerning the visceral functions, but plants only have the soul-life (sinh hon), and the animals merely have an additional sensory (giac hon).  Man is the only creature having a transcendental soul which possesses the capacity for survival. This explains the origin of the Cult of the Ancestors in which the spirits of the dead, though invisible, are always present somewhere in the house. It was assumed that the fine elements of nature are epitomes of the benevolent deities, and the devastating elements of nature embody the malevolent deities; hence, it is necessary to appease them from the material needs and deception. This belief resulted in the practice of ceremonial offerings through which the people communicated their wishes to the deities.

Being Asian citizens, Vietnamese people also have the habit of being superstitious in their daily life, especially in special occasions like Lunar New Year, weddings and funerals. Lunar New Year has long become an integral part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. To prepare for Tet holiday, people often clean their house well and decorate ancestor altars with different kinds of fruit, colorful flowers and red candles to get rid of bad lucks. On stroke of the midnight, family members sit together to share with one another beautiful wishes and “lucky money” in the hope of having a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. On the first day of the New Year, it is believed that the first guest visiting their house will have bearing on the well-being of the owner, so they spend much time choosing the suitable person, usually male, in advance. Besides, people are unlikely to sweep the floor in the first three days of this festive occasion in order to avoid sweeping the wealth away. During Tet holidays, angry words are forbidden, and sincere good wishes are exchanged when people meet each other. During the next few days, it is crucial for people to visit their relatives, friends and former teachers, and they can also drop in pagodas to bring home a leafy branch- a symbol of prosperity.

The Wonderful Street Food Of Vietnam

It’s a very hot day in Vietnam. An old-fashioned fan circulates tepid air at an excruciatingly slow pace, as if to match the droning of mosquitoes buzzing in our ears. Around us children and adults lay comatose on threadbare cots while an old lady juices dozens of stems of fresh sugarcane. She takes her time arranging a tray with glasses full of ice, methodically pouring freshly-squeezed juice in them.Jasmine Cruise Halong bay

After a tiring morning at the white sand dunes of Mui Ne,  I’ve been observing all this listlessly. But my face lights up as she serves the first glass to me (the guest!). Soon enough, I realise I’m not the only one – I can almost see everyone’s weariness dissipate into thin air as they begin to sip on the sugar cane juice. I don’t know if it was the sugar or the unmistakable freshness of the juice, but to all of us in that moment, that drink was ambrosial. PANDAW CRUISE

Such is the spell that the street food (and well, drink!) of Vietnam casts over visitors :-)

Vietnam sugar cane juice
A glass of chilled sugarcane juice costs just $0.25 in Vietnam but it has magical powers


But that’s not all. The street food of Vietnam has so much to offer. It seduces with sheer variety, textures, and colours. Of course it helps that most of it is mind-numbingly scrumptious :-) Notes of galangal, basil, and lemongrass dilly dally with bejewelled vegetables in rich broths, plates full of fresh herbs – holy basil, coriander, culantro – accompany each meal, fresh smoothies are available at every street corner, and most of this costs less than $2.  No wonder we gained weight when we spent a month in Vietnam. Vietnam travel packages

We tried dozens of soups, noodle-based dishes, broths, desserts, and drinks – all in the name of research of course 😉 We even took an amazing street food tour with Tiger Tours, which offered the perfect introduction to the culinary landscape of Vietnam. Here are our 10 favourite eats from Vietnam – don’t miss them for the world if you’re ever in Vietnam. Make sure you check out the cheeky 11th item on the menu and tell us what you think of the entire debate there – we’re curious to hear what you think

1) Bo La Lot
Tender minced beef is wrapped in betel leaves and BBQ’d over charcoal. Once thoroughly cooked, it is sprinkled with peanuts and served with a spicy dipping sauce. The result? A fragrant Vietnamese snack that is notoriously hard to resist

2) Bánh Bao (Steamed Buns)
Steamed buns that ensconce a variety of savoury fillings – pork, sausages, beef, even boiled eggs. The outer layer is made from flour, milk, and sugar. Its slight sweetness perfectly compliments the savouriness of the fillings. Bánh Bao can be found at every street corner in Vietnam and is the perfect snack for people on the go. Make sure you opt for one right out of the steamer – they taste amazing!

3) Pho
No post on the street food of Vietnam would be complete without a mention of the legendary broth that is Pho (pronounced Fuh). Flavourful rice noodles are topped with meat and beef broth and this bowl of goodness is garnished with coriander, Asian chillies, and spring onions.

Pho is humble food. It is said to have originated in the early twentieth century in North Vietnam. Millions of Northerners fled to the South after the partition of Vietnam in 1954. These refugees popularised Pho in Southern Vietnam. Today it is the most popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City. Dozens of people can be seen wolfing down this steaming hot noodle soup at street-side stalls and restaurants for 7000 – 40000 VND ($ 0.5-2).

There are a number of famous Pho shops in every city in Vietnam, but we loved Pho served at anonymous stalls in little alleys. Most Pho stalls have just 2 things on the menu – Pho Bo (Beef Pho) and Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). If you have a sensitive tummy, try Pho at Pho 24, a chain of Pho restaurants in Saigon. It’s definitely not the tastiest Pho we had, but it’s hygienic and most waiters understand English, so they are happy to help out.

 4) Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese people LOVE their coffee. The drink is a big deal in this country. Typical Vietnamese coffee uses Robusta beans instead of Arabica beans. Vietnamese coffee is really strong but it is often served with ice and a generous helping of condensed milk. The resultant Vietnamese Iced Coffee might not be the healthiest beverage, but it is definitely the yummiest. Seriously, who can say no to condensed milk? Not us! *slurp*

The Wonderful Street Food Of Vietnam

 5)  Gôi Cuôn (Rice Paper Spring Rolls)
Rice paper spring rolls or salad rolls are very popular in Vietnam. They are served with a variety of meats and seafood (we’re partial to prawns and fried fish), fresh herbs, light vermicelli noodles, cucumber, and thin sheets of rice paper. Wet the rice paper in the accompanying bowl of water, wrap it around the meats, noodles, and vegetables, and viola spring rolls :-)

The featherlight rice paper and fragrant herbs ensure a light and crunchy snack that is truly refreshing. The best part is, you can customise them to your liking. Best enjoyed on a rickety li’l chair by the side of a busy food stall in Vietnam

6) Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette)
This is a legacy left behind by French colonizers. Baguettes are extremely common in Vietnam and are served with a variety of fillings – grilled pork, cold cuts, scrambled egg, minced beef, curried chicken – the options are endless. The Vietnamese version is lighter than a typical French baguette, but equally satisfying.

Banh Mi sandwiches are laden with pickles, crunchy salad, meat, and herbs – the perfect carb fix!!


7) BBQs baby
Vietnamese people take their BBQs very seriously. Come evening, dozens of pop-up restaurants sprout outside busy market places in large cities. In smaller villages and towns, there are entire stretches dedicated to BBQ restaurants. Everything from lobsters and red snappers to king prawns and scallops are on the menu. All you need to do is choose a dish and order, which in itself can be a gargantuan task when there are so many delicacies on offer) :-)

8) Bánh Tráng Me
Banh Trang Me – crunchy rice crackers with sesame seeds – are the perfect snack between meals. They’re usually served with a spicy paste or crunchy salad. Machine-made Banh Trang Me can be found everywhere in Vietnam but man-made crackers still reign supreme in the countryside. Is it just us or do the jagged edges make it that little bit tastier :-)

9) Bun Xao and Pho Xao
We need to thank our friend Jodi, who lives in Saigon, for introducing us to the wonder that is Bun Xao and the miracle that is Pho Xao. Why the hyperbole? Well, here’s the thing. Broths are all well and good and we do love ourselves a good bowl of Pho or Bun Bo Hue (noodle soup) but after a couple of weeks of broths for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, things are bound to get repetitive. We found ourselves craving some good ol’ stir-fried noodles and even tried ordering some. More often than not, it would get lost in translation and we would end up with yet another noodle soup :-(

Enter Jodi. She introduced us to the magic word Xao aka stir-fried.  Pho Xao consists of wok-fried flat noodles topped with stir-fried greens and chicken/beef/prawns/ tofu. Bun Xao translates to stir-fried vermicelli noodles – that’s all it takes to make us happy :-)

10) Che (The Desserts) *sigh*
We tried dozens of Vietnamese desserts but here are some of our favourites :-
Che Chuoi Chug – A sweet soup made by boiling a mixture of bananas, tapioca pearls, coconut cream, and peanuts. This rich and creamy pudding is the perfect end to a thoroughly Vietnamese meal
Rau Câu Trai Dùa – This simple jelly made from fresh coconut juice and agar agar. It’s probably the most refreshing dessert you’ll ever have. Definitely our favourite!!
Sua Chua – Traditional Vietnamese yogurt, usually made with some sugar or condensed milk in addition to milk. The resultant Sua Chua is delicate and scrumptious – the tartness of traditional yogurt is balanced by the sweetness of condensed milk/sugar. Its light texture is perfect for Vietnam’s hot weather. Vietnamese people love having Sua Chua throughout the day – who are we to say no? :-)
Sùong Sào – One of the most popular drinks in Vietnam, Sùong Sào aka Grass Jelly, is usually served with a generous helping of coconut milk or sweet soup. The wobbly jelly is made from a herb belonging to the mint family, which is supposed to have medicinal properties. We were told that grass jelly can cure fatigue within minutes – hmmm!

11) SNAKES AND CROCODILES??!!
We couldn’t end this article without talking about an issue that’s been disturbing us. In parts of Vietnam, snakes and crocodiles are an intrinsic, albeit unusual, part of the street food culture.

Now when it comes to food, Vid and I love trying out local delicacies and don’t shy away from sampling wonderful and weird things while travelling. From finger-licking street food in Mauritius to  pig’s intestines in France, we’ve had it all.

But I will admit I was really disturbed when I saw a snake being brought to a customer’s table, killed in front of said customer, and its beating heart swallowed by the waiter as a proof of machismo. What’s more, the snake’s blood was then drunk to loud cheering (It is said to enhance virility!). I actually recorded the whole thing on video, but it’s too disturbing to upload it here.

The trouble is I can’t explain why it was revolting. Is it just because it’s out of the ordinary? Is it any different from a pig’s snout on sale in Spain or goat’s head in Morocco? Isn’t travel all about respecting (and accepting) local customs? After much thinking I still don’t know which side of the debate I’m on?

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€.

The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street

The glamorous city of Da Nang has variety of stunning attractions, from beautiful beaches and natural destinations to amazing Ba Na Hill and outstanding architectures. Especially, on the left side of poetic Han River, there is a very alluring and fantastic street called Bach Dang Street. It is considered as the most charming street in Da Nang city with perfect position and perfect view. Travel Centre Vietnam tours
 Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street
Bach Dang is not only an ideal place to see the whole wonderful view of Da Nang city, but also has a lot of historical relics, cultural beauty and notable architectures such as bridges, buildings, etc.
Splendid embankment
Bach Dang Street runs along Han River. Some people compared Bach Dang Street as a bulwark embracing the city or as the image of a sweet mother hugging her child. The street brings distinctive creation of architecture as a highlight of the city. It is also featured by a lot of stunning natural sceneries. Jasmine Cruise Halong bay
The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street
Walking along the street, you can see and feel the vibrant city of Da Nang with high-rise buildings, extremely impressive bridges including Han Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Thuan An Bridge as well as the poetic beauty of Han River. You can stand on the street or on bridges to see other destinations of Da Nang such as Son Tra peninsula or Ngu Hanh Son. Mekong eyes cruise

The witness of history

Bach Dang Street has existed for a very long time, since the city has name of Tourance. In the past, it is an important street in Da Nang’s transportation with many key buildings, cultural centers put on it. A part of the street was a crucial trade port, where was very crowded with foreign ships. Han Market, a very big market of Da Nang was held on the street. There was also a train station built in French Colonial time. Other remarkable buildings were French Cutural Center (today is Da Nang Library), Cham Museum,…

The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street

Best place in holiday
In New Year Holiday, Bach Dang Street is covered with colorful flowers, making an outstanding version of flower street of Nguyen Hue (Ho Chi Minh City). The street along Han River is more beautiful and charming because of many different species of blooming flowers.

In other holidays or festivals, Bach Dang Street with a lot of advantages in aesthetics, position and space is always used to celebrate.
Visiting Da Nang city, one of the first thing you have to do is hiring a bike or just walking by your foot to make a tour on Bach Dang Street.

Khang dược, thần dược tăng cường sinh lý phái mạnh

Thực phẩm chức năng khang dược có tác dụng bổ thận tráng dương, kích thích cơ thể tiết hormon giới tính nam testosteron một cách tự nhiên, giúp khang dược tăng cường sinh lý của phái mạnh.

Phong độ ổn định bất chấp quy luật tuổi tác là điều mà phái mạnh luôn mong muốn và quan tâm. Vậy, những yếu tố nào quyết định “phong độ” của phải mạnh
Theo kết quả nghiên cứu tại bệnh viện Việt Đức, hầu hết bệnh nhân yếu sinh lý hay mãn dục nam đều có sự suy giảm nồng độ testosterone. Testosterone  là một hormone nội tiết tố trong cơ thể nam giới. Đây là mormone hình thành và quy định mức độ nam tính của phái mạnh như làm cho cơ bắp săn chắc, thân hình tráng kiện, sự ham muốn tình dục cũng như chất lượng và số lượng tinh trùng.

Suy giảm testosterone là nguyên nhân chính dẫn tới suy giảm sinh lý đàn ông.

Tuy nhiên, bước vào độ tuổi 40, nồng độ testosterone trong cơ thể nam giới bị suy giảm. Đây chính là nguyên nhân dẫn tới suy giảm sinh lực và sinh lý ở nam giới, khiến nam giới giảm ham muốn tình dục, gia tăng rối loạn cương dương... Bởi vậy, tăng cường testosterone chính là chiếc chìa khóa giúp đàn ông duy trì sinh lực như thời trai trẻ.
Hiểu được tâm lý và nhu cầu của nam giới, công ty Nam Dược đã cho ra đời sản phẩm “Khang dược”. Sản phẩm được bào chế từ ba thành phẩn thảo dược quý, bá bệnh, tinh chất sâm và linh chi. Đây đều là thảo dược có tác dụng tăng cường chức năng của thận.
Áp dụng một bài thuốc y học cổ truyền nổi tiếng nghiên cứu tại trung tâm nam học của bệnh viện Việt Đức, sản phẩm “khang dược” được sản xuất dưới dạng viên thuốc giúp cải thiện chức năng sinh lý nam giới.

Khang dược kết hợp 3 thảo dược quý bách bệnh, sâm và linh chi

Theo nghiên cứu, linh chi giúp cơ thể sản sinh ra hợp chất hữu cơ thành steroid. Chính điều này giúp cho việc đẩy nhanh trạng thái đồng hóa, giúp cơ thể tái cơ cấu và củng cố, phát triển các cơ bắp. Đồng thời, loại nấm này cũng giúp ngăn chặn một loại enzyme chuyển đổi hoóc-môn testosterone thành dihydrotestosterone, lưu lại nhiều testosterone hơn trong cơ thể, qua đó tăng chức năng sinh dục.
Trong khi đó, sâm đã được chứng minh là có tác dụng giúp nam giới giảm cholesterol huyết, giảm lipit, tăng HDL, kích thích các hoạt động não bộ, giải tỏa lo âu, căng thẳng, stress, tăng cường hệ miễn dịch cơ thể, chống oxy hóa, chống lão hóa. Bên cạnh đó, bá bệnh cũng được chứng minh là có tác dụng tăng cường sinh lý cho nam giới. Sự kết hợp của linh chi, sâm và bá bệnh khiến cho khang dược mang tới hiệu quả tối đa giúp tăng cường sinh lực cho phái mạnh.

Bên cạnh nguồn nguyên liệu quý hiếm, công nghệ chiết xuất và sản xuất chính là điều kiện then chốt quyết định chất lượng sản phẩm. Năm 2010, Tpcn Khang dược được bình chọn là sản phẩm số 1 trong dòng sản phẩm tăng cường sinh lý nam giới do Thời báo kinh tế Việt Nam thực hiện khảo sát trên 783000 ý kiến.

Khang dược – thần dược cho phái mạnh
Với sự kết hợp tối ưu các thảo dược quý và công nghệ sản xuất, Khang dược có tác dụng vượt trội trong dòng sản phẩm tăng sinh lực và sinh lý nam giới, giúp cơ thể nam giới tăng nồng độ testosterone một cách tự nhiên, giúp tăng cường sinh lực, làm chậm quá trình mãn dục nam, đem đến sự tập trung, hưng phấn cho nam giới trong cuộc sống.

Pac Po: Ho Chi Minh’s Cave

Right on Vietnam’s northeastern frontier with China, Pac Bo Cave is an important historical site in an enchanting location. The landscape along the Chinese border, in Vietnam’s Cao Bang Province, is characterized by forested limestone mountains, blue rivers and rice fields. Small villages of mud and straw houses dot the narrow valleys. The scene can’t have changed much since 1941, when Ho Chi Minh walked across the border from China, entering his native Vietnam for the first time in 30 years. Tours North Vietnam

In 1911 Ho had left Vietnam from the Saigon docks on a French ship. Working as an assistant cook, the ship took Ho to five continents, before he finally settled in Paris with a friend. During his 30 years of absence from Vietnam, Ho travelled widely, making many powerful friends (and enemies) in the process. He formed close attachments to communist and socialist parties in Europe, the USSR and China. Although Ho was often many thousands of miles from his homeland, he never lost sight of his goal of the liberation of Vietnam from French colonial rule. He learned from and made alliances with nationalist and independence groups across Europe and Asia. Ho was himself co-founder and founder of several ideological movements and political parties, notably the French Communist Party and the Indochinese Communist Party. In the winter of 1941, Ho finally crossed the Chinese border, near Pac Bo Cave, and set foot on his native soil once again. He lived in Pac Bo Cave for several weeks before moving on to avoid detection. Four years after Ho’s clandestine return to his homeland, Vietnam celebrated its independence from French rule and Japanese occupation, when Ho read the Declaration of Independence to a crowd of thousands in Hanoi, on September 2, 1945. Vietnam Mekong river cruise

Grandiose shrine to Ho Chi MinhPac Bo Cave is an hours’ drive from Cao Bang, the provincial capital, on the Ho Chi Minh Highway. This new road now runs the length of Vietnam; starting, appropriately, at Pac Bo and ending nearly 2,000km to the south, in the Mekong Delta (read more about this road HERE). After a beautiful drive through steep, verdant valleys the road comes to an abrupt end at a big car park. If you visit on a weekend or national holiday, chances are this car park (and the rest of Pac Bo site) will be full of coaches, carrying Vietnamese tour groups, who make the pilgrimage here. However, if you come on a weekday, especially during the middle of the day, the car park will be empty and you may well have this beautiful site all to yourself. Tickets are bought (10,000vnđ [$0.50]) at a kiosk by the car park. On the left, before entering the site, there’s a huge pagoda-esque shrine to Ho Chi Minh. Reached via a long staircase, you can purchase sticks of incense and place them in front of a grandiose gold statue of Ho, seated in a throne, as if he were an imperial monarch; an image he never cultivated during his lifetime. There’s a small museum behind the shrine but, at the time of writing, a much grander one was being built next to the ticket entrance. Alova Gold Cruise Halong bay

Lenin CreekFrom the car park it’s a pretty 10 minute walk – or 5 minute drive – along a paved lane to the beginning of a pathway, which loops around the Pac Bo Cave area. There’s a basic map of the path printed on the back of the entrance ticket. At the start of the pathway there are stalls selling Ho memorabilia, refreshments, and ‘ethnic’ trinkets. The gorgeous pool of turquoise water opposite the stalls is Lenin Creek, and the limestone hill behind it is Karl Marx Peak, both named, in the revolutionary spirit of the time, by Ho during his stay here.

Pac Po: Ho Chi Minh’s Cave

Once you start on the stone path around the area you’ll see information plaques amongst the foliage and by the stream. As this site is aimed at domestic tourists, none of the signs have English translations. This is a pity because, unlike other revolutionary sites where plaques usually regurgitate socialist mantras, at Pac Bo they simply mark spots where Ho would fish, swim, pick fruit, or write poetry during his time here in 1941. Rather bizarrely, Ho himself revisited Pac Bo as a ‘pilgrim’ in 1961. By then, at the age of 71, Ho was regarded as one of Vietnam’s greatest national heroes, and his brief stay at Pac Bo Cave had become the stuff of legend. On his return to the cave Ho made several speeches and gestures at the site, which are now also commemorated with stone tablets along the path.

Pac Bo Cave entranceIt’s a beautiful walk, with the blue waters of Lenin Creek on one side and dense jungle foliage – screaming with cicadas and tropical birdsong – on the other. The path leads away from the stream, up some steps, to Pac Bo Cave. In the summer it’s extremely humid under the canopy of trees, so it comes as a relief when – after entering the small, concealed entrance – the air inside the cave is cool and damp. Shafts of light enter the cave through small holes in the limestone. A couple of soft light-bulbs help to illuminate Ho’s wooden bed, a kettle over a campfire and the strange, Daliesque formations in the limestone, that Ho named Karl Marx. The cave is small and so well-hidden that one wonders how anyone could have found out Ho was sheltering here.

The stone path continues on the loop, passing under creepers and vines growing out over the water in all directions, creating a web of roots and branches. Next to a small sand beach by the creek, a block of limestone has been fashioned, through millions of years of erosion, into the shape of a table. Ho used this as his ‘office’ for writing poetry and translating texts. It’s forbidden to sit at this ‘table’ but the beach by the creek is a lovely place to sit a while and soak up the serenity of Pac Bo. Lenin Creek would be perfect for a refreshing swim but bathing is not allowed; this is a sacred place for most Vietnamese people.

Lenin Creek running through Pac Bo area

The whole area, despite its popularity with domestic tourists – which, unfortunately, is usually a catalyst for kitsch decoration and trash – is exceptionally well-kept, tasteful and understated. There are signs every few metres reminding visitors to throw their rubbish in the ample number of bins provided. This site, unlike the majority of revolutionary monuments in Vietnam, manages to induce a contemplative, respectful mood while not forcing its significance on the visitor or embellishing the site unnecessarily. It’s by far the ‘best’ commemorative attraction I’ve visited in Vietnam, and one of the most engaging historical sites too. It would be better if the information plaques were also in English, but perhaps the new museum will offer some background information in languages other than Vietnamese. Unlike the brash, ostentatious shrine to Ho Chi Minh that greets you by the car park, the rest of Pac Bo Cave area is elegant, sophisticated in its simplicity, and unpretentious; a fitting monument to the man who lived here from February 8 to the end of March, 1941.

Top 5 Foods in Hue

1. Bún bò 
30,000VND @5 Nguyễn Du, Huế

Now what is the first thing one should eat in Hue? Can’t really go wrong with the most famous dish of this city: Bun Bo Hue. Following the recommendation of a local friend who is also an expert in Hue eateries, we arrived at the small bun bo stand in a tiny street; typical Hue style. The place was packed with people just exactly what we had expected and we even had to wait a bit to get a table.

When we thought about eating bun bo in Hue, we expect it to be really spicy and hot. To our surprise, the steamy bowl of bun bo we tasted was not spicy at all but rather, very mild and naturally sweet. It was so good but at the same time quite different from what we usually have in Danang. This is why we should eat a dish at its birth place: your previous concept of a dish and the real dish itself might be two very different versions. Halong bay tours Vietnam

Top 5 Foods in Hue

2. Bánh khoái 
20,000VND (each) @6 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Huế

The restaurant we went to have bánh khoái is very famous locally, it’s been running for decades. Basically bánh khoái is a smaller version of bánh xèo, served with a moderately similar sauce and is eaten without the Danang’s “wrap and roll” style. It is crispier than bánh xèo and instead of pork toppings, it has toppings made from chả along with shrimp and bean sprouts. An interesting savory snack, but for 20kVND each – it was quite expensive. Mekong river tours Vietnam

3. Hue’s ‘bánh’ medley (bánh bèo, bánh nậm, bánh bột lọc…)
~80,000VND (whole tray) @Hàng Me -12 Võ Thị Sáu, Huế
Then it was time to visit another popular dish in Danang but also has Hue origins: the famous combo of different kinds of bánh (cakes). One major difference of the Hue version, or the version of the place we went to, was that the bánh nậm and bánh bột lọc here are wrapped in lá dong (phrynium leaves), instead of banana leaves like Da Nang’s versions. As a result, the cakes inside have a very unique scent. Another thing that caught my attention was that the dried shrimp toppings here are exceptionally well done and are not something one could easily find in Da Nang. Centre Vietnam tours

4. Bún hến, Cơm hến
8000VND @Nhỏ – 28 Phạm Hồng Thái, Huế (morning)
Bún hến (tiny clams vermicelli salad) is another authentic Hue dish that is very hard to find elsewhere. It is the Hue equivalent of Danang’s bún mắm with tiny clams (hến) instead of pork, fried pork skin, lots of greens, herbs and shrimp paste is used instead of anchovy fish sauce. And just like bún mắm, the dish is very cheap (only 8,000VND) but tasted insanely good.

Cơm hến (tiny clams with rice and soup) is quite similar to bún hến but with a bit of soup. Bún hến is better in my opinion.

5. Bánh ướt thịt quay
100,000VND (2 persons) @Bà Sửu – National Route, 25km from Hue (if you travel from Da Nang to Hue, the restaurant is on your right, after you’ve passed Truồi bridge)

We had this dish at a very famous stall on the national route between Hue and Danang. Basically it was just rice rolls (bánh cuốn, or bánh ướt like how we call it in the central region) but the real shining star here is the accompanied roasted pork. It was so crispy and soft and juicy and had a really really nice smell. This eatery is favourited by many long distance travelers along the national route.

Top 5 Chè - Sweet Soups must try in Saigon

Desserts in Vietnam are generally different than most western desserts. Granted, there is the occasional baked item taken from the French and made into a Vietnamese version. However, there is one set of desserts that is inherently Vietnamese and that is Chè. South Vietnam travel

No, it’s not the rather famous beret clad revolutionary whose face is plastered on shirts all over Pham Ngu Lao. In fact, it’s a family of desserts. It may be served hot or cold in bowls, glasses, or over ice, and contain a range of ingredients ranging from a wide range of beans to tapioca, jellies, glutinous rice, and fruit. The options are nearly endless and it is almost impossible to produce a complete list. But we took a poll around the City Pass Guide offices and what we have is our top five Chè dishes.

TOP 5 CHÈ - SWEET SOUPS MUST TRY IN SAIGON
CHÈ BA MÀU

Top 5 Chè - Sweet Soups must try in Saigon

Literally translated as Dessert three colours, the main variant of this dessert is served with three types of coloured green jelly in slightly sweet coconut juice. The ingredients are usually served in layers and then mixed up when eaten and makes for a light yet refreshing snack. AMALOTUS CRUISE

CHÈ ĐẬU ĐỎ BÁNH LỌT
dau do banh lot

Kind of like the smorgasbord of the Chè family, this one has it all. It’s usually served with beans, jelly, and/or tapioca.

SÂM BỔ LƯỢNG
San bo luong

More of a restorative than a dessert , this Chè can have dried red jujube, peanuts, taro, cassava, ginseng root, seaweed and/or water chesnuts. What also makes this dessert different is that there is no coconut milk in the syrup.Huong Hai Sealife

CHÈ THÁI
che thai

A version of Thailand’s tub tim grawb, the Vietnamese version is less sweet and uses a variety of fruits that can include jackfruit, longan, lychee, palm seed, and most importantly durian.

CHÈ TRÔI NƯỚC
che troi nuoc

My favourite of the five, this dessert is made with mung bean paste in a dumpling made of glutinous rice flour that has a texture similar to mochi. It is served in a thick clear or brown liquid made of water, sugar, and grated ginger root.

If you are interested in trying some of these desserts, you can check them out at these locations:

Chè Thái

Add: 380 Nguyen Tri Phuong, D. 10, HCMC. Tel: 09 3333 8128

Xôi Chè

Add: 111 Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao D. 1 HCMC. Tel: 08 38332748

Add: 33 Dinh Tien Hoang, Quan Binh Thanh HCMC. Tel: 08 3517 8333

Add: 160 Nguyen Oanh Quan Go Vap HCMC. Tel: 08 6675 3882

Things you must pack before traveling to Vietnam

Packing may be stressful, especially if you are visiting the country for the first time and don’t have a lot of information (or on contrary – have too much of it) about its weather, lifestyle and other conditions. We will help you to pack perfectly, so you will not worry about stuff, but enjoy your exciting trip! Travel to Vietnam

The Essentials
The fact is that as long as you have your passport and money, all the problems may be easily solved. So always check several times if you have it. Most of the nationalities need a visa to enter Vietnam, so also check the information and conditions for your country in advance. Make copies of all your documents, including the medical insurance, it will be extremely useful in a case you lose or damage any of them, Even though in Vietnam you can easily find ATMs and pay with a card in many places, we strongly recommend you, except the credit card, also to have some cash. Halong bay cruise

Luggage And Bags
If you start packing, probably, you already know how you will travel and which type of bag you are going to use – suitcase or backpack. However, considered the fact that if you are planning to have domestic flights, the baggage allowance may be different, and it may cause additional expenses for you. If you have walking tours and trekking during your journey, don’t forget to take a lighter backpack as well. Also remember that Vietnam is a well-known shopping destination, and if you are going to visit its loud and lively markets, then for sure include into your luggage some extra bags! Mekong river tours

Things you must pack before traveling to Vietnam

Clothing
Probably, this is the most important and the most complicated part of your packing. How much and which kind of clothes you have to take, depends on the season and your travel plan, because each region of Vietnam have a distinct climate. The north is hot, humid and usually extremely rainy from June until August. From November until March it is cool and damp, and the mountains areas can be even extremely cold. The central region is warm throughout the year, but the rainy season occurs from August until December. During October and November even storms or typhoons may happen. Normally, the south of the country has dry and wet (June – October) seasons.
Pay attention that even though the country is pretty westernized, it is not polite to wear revealing or provocative clothes here. Visiting important cultural places, including temples and pagodas, it is recommended to have as less as possible bare skin for a woman and to wear pants and long-sleeved shirt for a man.

Shoes
It is not a secret for anyone that wherever you travel, your shoes must be, first of all, comfortable. Traveling to Vietnam, you will need casual walking shoes, especially for cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, as they are quite conducive for walking. If you are planning to have outdoor activities, like cycling, hiking or trekking, don’t forget to take special, preferably waterproof and with ankle support, shoes, so you will stay safe and comfortable during all your journey. For beaches, islands and other areas you may also pack some light shoes, except that you prefer walking barefoot.

Medication
The medication regulations in Vietnam are different than in other countries such that over-the-counter medicines are both cheap and readily available. So if you prefer some certain brands, better bring it with you. Another important thing is allergy medication, because you never know how your body will react to the new conditions. Also remember to bring pills for your stomach, in a case the Vietnamese food will be too exotic for you (like for many many other tourists as well!).

Sun And Insect Protection
Vietnam is a real paradise which has both, endless sandy beaches and exotic tropical jungle. They may bring you lots of unforgettable memories and positive emotions, but also they can ruin your journey, if you are not careful enough. That’s why remember to pack and always use sun and insect protection. It will protect your health, so you will be able to relax and completely enjoy your trip!

Top things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, its second largest city and is often called “Paris of the East”. Hanoi is an impressive and fascinating mix of old traditions and active modern lifestyle, where East and West are bound; where people have big hearts and warm smiles; where food is delicious and the streets are old… This is a pulse of modern Vietnam and we are about to tell you how not to lose yourself in the variety of things that Hanoi is offering! North Vietnam tours

How to Get There?

By plane: Noi Bai International Airport is about 35 km north of the city and is the largest airport in the North of the country. It serves domestic flights operated by VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines, international flights from major Asian airports and international flights from Helsinki (seasonal), Frankfurt, London, Moscow and Paris. The airport is relatively small comparing to its importance and size of the city. The new terminal is being under construction now and is expected to be put into operation in 2015.

• MANGO CRUISE

From the airport you can reach the centre of Hanoi by taxi. Before November, 2014 there was a fixed price for a ride. However, now most of the drivers use meters, so your total cost depends on the distance and is usually between $15 – 25 (350,000 – 450,000 VND).

• Bhaya Legend cruise, Halong Travel

Top things to do in Hanoi

Another option to get to the city is to use a public bus that departures from the airport. Bus #07 crosses the Thang Long bridge and goes to the Daewoo Hotel on the western part of Hanoi. Bus #17 crosses the Chuong Duong bridge and goes close to the old quarter, to Long Bien. It is actually not allowed to take your luggage with you to the bus, but you may take it as a challenge and try to negotiate with a driver!

By train:
Hanoi, is very well connected with the major big cities of Vietnam, so you can use the train to reach the it from other parts of the country. The price for the ticket will be different, depending on the type of the seat you choose. Pay attention that it is strongly recommend to avoid private travel agents. After all, you may end up in a hard-sleeper instead of the soft one, for which you have actually paid.
You can book a ticket on the website of Vietnam Railways System. Children under the age of 2 can travel for free. For children from 2 to 9 years old the price will be 50% of the adult price.

By car: Another option how you can reach the Vietnamese capital is to hire a car. When doing it, remember to hire a private driver also: in Vietnam visitors can’t rent a car and drive. It will cost nearly $50 – 60 per day.

What’s Next?
When you come to a big city, it is always hard to take the bearings and choose the right places to see and right things to do that are really worth your time and attention. That’s why we chose for you TOP activities in Hanoi for any taste and preferences in spending your free time. Everything you have to do is… to trust us!

Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is an impressive example of Vietnamese architecture that was built almost 1000 years ago. In the beginning of the XI century it became the first country’s university. In its courtyard you can see the tables, each mounted on the back of a tortoise, with the names of all its graduates. The admission is $1 (20,000 VND).

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake for Hanoi is the same like the Central Park for New York. Located in the very centre of the city, this is a favourite leisure spot of local people. In the morning you can even watch here people practicing the old martial art of ta chi on its shore. The legend of the lake says that gods gave to King Le Loi a magical sword, that he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. Later, a giant turtle grabbed the sword and returned it back to the gods. Since then the lake has a name Hoan Kiem, which means “returned sword”.

Vietnamese Women's Museum

The museum had been recently renovated and is indeed a very exciting place to visit, if you are interested in understanding culture and history of Vietnam even deeper. The museum presents the stories of the most prominent women in the history of the country. Also it has great collections that represent local traditions, customs, everyday life and problems of a Vietnamese woman from centuries ago till nowadays. Moreover, it has a brilliant collection of hand-made ethnic costumes. Admission is $1,5 (30,000 VND).

Hao Lo Prison 

The prison was built in the beginning of XX century by the French. Here the Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed. Nowadays, this is a museum that exhibits the brutal French colonial regime and focusing on Vietnamese struggle for independence. The place represents the black page in the history of the country and makes take another look on history itself. Admission is $1.

Hanoi Street Food 

Vietnam is famous for its unique and absolutely delicious cuisine all over the world and this is a fact. In Hanoi there is a plenty of fine restaurants, where you can have a dinner and taste any kind of local food. However, its streets are also full of small kiosks in the sidewalk, and we believe that it may be even a better way to explore the local cuisine! Take a walk through the Old Quarter and discover the diversity of the unique Hanoi’s street food!

Dong Van Karst Plateau Ha Giang Vietnam

Dong Van karst plateau has an area of 2.350 square kilometers, spreads over four districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac at an average height of 1.400 - 1.600 meters with a number of beautiful limestone and winding road. Here, scientists have found 33 tectonics heritages, 45 geomorphology heritages and many unique fossils in sedimentary rock, which creates opportunities for the tourist attraction, brings income for indigenous people. Mai Chau Valley 2 days

From Ha Giang town, along 4C Highway about 50 kilometers, tourists step into Quan Ba districts with spectacular and grandeur mountain scenery. In the journey to the rocky plateau, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Can Ty Pass. Dong Van karst plateau has 80% limestone, is one of the most distinctive karst in Vietnam with black and majestic boulders. The shapes of boulders are created by environmental conditions and different stages of development. Here, the whole scene is rocks with various shapes such as petals, flowers, flower branch (Khau vai rock garden, Veo Vac District) or the shape of tiger (Lung Cu rock garden). Van Chai rock garden has green grass that creates the majestic and grandeur beauty for landscape. PANDAW CRUISE

Besides the geological value, Dong Van karst plateau also attracts tourists by the unique cultural and spiritual values associated with the ethnic Mong, Dao, Lo Lo… living on the plateau. They picked up stones to build house, walls. They carved stone to grow corn. They renovated the mountainside into a vast of rice. The beauty and grandeur of Dong Van plateau comes from not only the huge natural boulders but also the fair of the H’mong, Dao, Lo Lo… In the morning, ethnic people from neighbor districts come to fair with colorful costumes.

• Treasure Junk, Halong Travel

Dong Van Karst Plateau Ha Giang Vietnam

From the geological unique, in the end of 2010, Dong Van karst plateau was recognized as the first geological park of Vietnam and Geoparks of the world. Dong Van karst plateau is one of the special limestone mountain, including the marks of the history of the earth’s crust process and tradition of indigenous communities.

Dong Van karst plateau has all elements convergence to become global Geoparks. Rocky plateau also has national relic such as: mansion of Vuong family, Lung Cu flag pole, Dong Van ancient, Ma Li Peng pass, Quan Ba Twin Mountain…

Top 7 Brilliant Things to do in Nha Trang Vietnam

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s best known beach destination: golden sand beaches are lined with palm trees. This is a prime spot for watersports, in particular scuba diving and surfing. The pristine beachfront and low-key city are backed with looming mountains, whilst small islands beckon from the sea. It’s time to discover for yourself just what entranced the French who made this their premier beach resort over 100 years ago. Centre Vietnam tours

Dive with the sharks and rays

Nha Trang has been the ‘serious’ home of scuba diving within Vietnam for the last ten years, ever since the government established a protected marine park region just off the coast of Nha Trang in 2003. The island of Hon Mun is one of the top dive spots within Southeast Asia. Local operators will transport you out to Hon Mun Island, which is a short boat ride away. Here you can snorkel and swim, although it’s the superb diving that most come for – the myriad of colorful corals are very close to the coast. The waters are teeming with tropical fish including devil scorpion fish, clown fish and nudibranches. And although rare, sighting the odd reef shark, turtle or manta ray is a distinct possibility. Hon Mon is perfect for abilities: from beginners to those looking to take their PADI training amidst the breathtaking surroundings. Alova Gold Cruise

Top 7 Brilliant Things to do in Nha Trang Vietnam

Explore the Po Nagar Cham Towers

The four brick towers that make up the Po Nagar complex (pictured above) date back to the Cham Kingdom period who ruled this region between the 7th and 12th century. These particular towers were built to honour Yang Ino Po Ngar, who was regarded as the matriarch of the Cha Kingdom. Located about 2km north of Nha Trang itself, the towers are strategically located at the mouth of the Cai River. Visitors will catch the intense and heady scent of the incense sticks burning within the towers, which attract Vietnamese Buddhists, Cham and ethnic Chinese to pray and make offerings. In fact, this site has been used as a place of worship since 2AD. PANDAW CRUISE

Sample the local watersports and glorious beaches

As well as superb diving facilities, the glorious golden beaches along the Nha Trang coastline also offer fantastic opportunities to indulge your passion for various watersports. Try your hand at windsurfing, wakeboarding, sea kayaking and water skiing.

Nha Trang beach itself is rather built up and is lined with an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants, which is great if you like plenty going on. However if you’re looking for a little bit of peace and quiet, head a little way out of the city to Bai Duong Beach, which has calmer waters: perfect for swimming and snorkelling.  Nui Hon Chong Beach is as gorgeous as the scenic route that leads to the hidden rocky stretch of coast. And over the mountains is the pretty Bai Dai Beach which is clean and largely explored by tourists.

This is also the perfect base for a boast trip out to one of the many outlying islands. Make the journey to Hon Yen, aka Bird’s Nest Island and you’ll be amply rewarded with sightings of thousands of switflets, who are busy building their nests within the caves on the island. The two islands that make up Hon Yen; Hon Noi and Hon Ngoai are about 20km off the coast of Nha Trang.

Discover stunning Long Son Pagoda

Established in the late 19th century, the Long Son Pagoda is a beautiful example of a Buddhist temple. The roof of the pagoda is adorned with colorful glass mosaics depicting dragons. Behind the pagoda sitting atop a small hill is a giant sparkling white Buddha statue, which is visible across Nha Trang.  The scared Buddha rises to 79 feet (24 meters). Don’t forget to cover your knees and shoulders and contrary to what waiting touts may tell you, the pagoda is free to enter.

Admire Nha Trang Cathedral

The imposing French Gothic Nha Trang Cathedral, aka Nha Tho Nui, is a stunning example. The catholic cathedral was built atop a small hill between 1928 and 1933, during French colonial rule. The sumptuous architecture boasts stained glass windows and features three large bells within its tower. Regular mass sessions are still held here thanks to the strong local French Catholicism influence.

Spend a few hours at the Vinpearl Amusement Park

Many others destinations within Asia have branches of Disneyland and Universal studios, and this is Vietnam’s version… sort of. The independent Vinpearl Amusement Park covers some 200,000m2 and highlights include a stunning Orchid Garden, Underwater World and Cable Car System. There are also arcade games, funfair rides and various waterpark rides. Built by Vietnam’s first billionaire, Vinpearl is located on its own island, Hon Tre Island, which is reachable via the Vinpearl Cable Car, which is actually the longest cable car system to run over a body of water – some 3,320 meters long in total! It’s supported by nine pillars which were built to resemble miniature Eiffel Towers, which are lit up at night. Those afraid of heights can opt for the local ferries or powerboats to hop over. The main draw with kids of all ages are the abundant waterslides, of which there are 20: perfect for watery adrenaline seekers. Vinpearl is also home to the biggest wave machine within Southeast Asia. Don’t miss the pretty Truc Lam Pagoda which sits atop a mountain and catch a show in the 5,000 seater Vinpearl Amphitheatre, which is dubbed the most modern of its kind within Vietnam. And as an interesting bit of travel trivia, Hòn Tre Island was formerly used as a jail but is now solely used as a resort island!

Explore the surrounding countryside

The region around Nha Trang is rich with lush rice fields and refreshing waterfalls. Hire a bicycle or motorbike and head out of the city. Head to the Ba Ho waterfalls which are close to Ba Ho village. The series of three intense waterfalls make for a decent light climbing location, followed by a soothing dip in the falls afterwards. Take the jungle path to the Fairy Spring waterfalls, which are filled thanks to the cool waters coming off the Hồn Bà Mountain. There are also thermal waterfalls, hot springs and mud baths locally.

Hanoi Ancient Citadel

This Citadel is located in a large space, Ba Dinh, Hanoi. It was ranked 'Historical National Culture' in 1999 and now in the center of Hanoi, Ba Dinh district. Hanoi Ancient Citadel and monuments located in the ancient region, has over 10 centuries. Indochina sails – Halong Bay travel

In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, the castle was built and expanded in the following reign. Thang Long is planning with three nested rounds. The Long Phuong Ly – Tran is in the palace area. Citadel in the middle covers the economic area in the east. La Thanh or Dai La Thanh is outmost citadel. In 1805, the Nguyen reign of Hanoi has retained the Forbidden City area to ​​offer the king when touring in the north. During the French reign, the French keep this area as commander of the military. JAHAN CRUISE

Hanoi Ancient Citadel

Five old structures have retained after the French attacks Hanoi citadel:

In old buildings left over after the French broke into Hanoi from south to north, including the following items: The Hanoi flag tower, Doan Mon Gate, Kinh Thien, Hau Lau and Bac Mon.

Bac Mon
Bac Mon is the only remaining gate of the Citadel of Hanoi’s Nguyen Dynasty. Previously, outside of the citadel, it has a canal with 20 meters width. Bac Mon has completed the restoration, renovation to serve travelers. However, the traces of shells from the French warship fired on April 25th 1873 that remains on the outside of the Bac Mon. Two wooden gates was renovated, the area of each wing is 12 meter, 16 tons weight. Today, on the Gate, there is place to worship two General Director of Hanoi: Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu. Hanoi & Halong Bay 4 days

Hau Lau
Hau Lau was built behind the main of building- Hanh Cung Hanoi. According to feng shui, Hau Lau means keep peace for northern Hanh Cung. It is said that when the King travels, this is the accommodation of princess.

Hanoi flag Pole

It was built in 1812, under the reign of Gia Long, Hanoi flag pole is one of the buildings in area of Hanoi ancient intact.
Flag pole has more 40 meter height, octagon, standing on the square. Having spiral staircase, 51 steps leading to the top. The Hanoi flag pole has been rebuilt twice: in December 1959 and November 1989.
Kinh Thien palace

Kinh Thien palace is central citadel of Le reign. Stone dragon of Kinh Thien palace is a masterpiece of architecture that represents sculpture Le So reign.

Things to eat in Danang

Danang Beo Cake, Danang Vietnam
The Da Nang likes the traditional cake on snack. “banh beo” is made simply: powdered rice soak into water for several minutes to have liquid. Then, mix with a little grease and pour into small cups. Enjoying “banh beo” properly is in each small cup, not in the bowl or plate as some restaurant, hotels.

The delicious “banh beo” is thanks to the shrimp, especially the sauce. Firstly, “nuoc mam” mixes with grease, sugar, garlic, chili and shrimp which create the unique flavor. When eating “banh beo”, people not use chopsticks but small bamboo stick. It is great when using it with spicy sauce. The sweetness of shrimp mixed with the flavor of garlic, chili… gives us unforgettable impressions.

Danang – Hue – Hoian 4 days

Quang Nam's Noodles,

Like Hue beef noodle soup and Hanoi beef noodle soup, Quang Nam’s noodle is made from noodle and broth too. However, noodles – the main ingredient of the dish have two types: white noodle is made of rice only and the yellow is made from rice and turmeric. The broth is cooked from pork bones for fatty flavor and high nutrition. The amount broth used is not as much as in Hue beef noodle soup and Hanoi beef noodle soup. That makes Quang Nam’s noodles differ from the other kinds of noodle in Vietnam.

Things to eat in Danang

Quang Nam’s noodle is served in a bowl that contains noodles, broth and variety of toppings. Toppings for Quang Nam’s noodles are very diverse: some slice of pork, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp or a half of boiled egg. Besides, roasted peanut, fresh vegetable and toasted Vietnamese sesame rice cracker are also added on the top of the bowl for authentic taste of Quang Nam’s noodles. That unique noodle can be offered as a fine dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner also.

• LE COCHINCHINE

Nam O Raw Fish Salad

Before scenting, the fish are pressed and people use it for sauce. Fish water is boiled and mixes with “nuoc mam Nam O”; we will have delicious sauce for Nam O raw fish salad.

Nam O raw fish salad can eat with vegetable. This is specious vegetable which only grows on the Hai Van Pass. Each piece of fish mixed with sauce, chili, forest leaves … creates special flavor that you have never had before. Pelican Cruise Halong Bay

Jelly-Fish Salad
It is more difficult and more expensive to prepare tentacle jellyfish salad. The jellyfish are cut into small pieces, washed in cold boiled water, and then mixed with cooked chicken or thin slices of pork, boiled eggs, chili, unripe mango, ground peanuts and mints. Ear jellyfish salad must be prepared by skillful hands. They are put in a bowl in layers until dry. Then they are covered by ground peanuts, thin slices of plantain, unripe mangoes, chili, mint and savory leaves. Now we have a delicious jellyfish salad.

Jelly fish salad can use with rice of “banh trang gao”, ginger sauce and wine. Now, this dish has in the menu of some restaurant as specialty.