Vietnam Travel Guide

Traditional toys make a comeback

Mid-Pre-winter conventional toys are thought to be extraordinary as they convey bliss to youngsters as well as a social fortune saturated with national character, moreover they are connected with the stories of youth of numerous eras all through Viet Nam.

The restoration of Vietnamese merchandise

On the event of the up and coming Mid-Harvest time Celebration 2015, numerous avenues in Ha Noi's old-quarter are getting to be swarmed with venders and purchasers and in addition a great many eye-getting and vivid toys for kids.

As of late, modest and poor imported toys from China were for the most part being sold; however this year, shoppers plan to buy Vietnamese customary toys including star-formed lights, vivid covers, wooden drums, fish-molded lamps and enlivening multi-shaded lights.

This year, Vietnamese mid-Harvest time conventional toys have been intended to be more differing and engaging with moderate costs extending from VND20,000 - VND60,000 each. Lit up lights playing natural Vietnamese mid-Pre-winter tunes are famous items at this year celebration. They all have finished quality tests and are stamped with their right root of generation.

The Ky Thuat Moi (New Strategies) Bundle Restricted Organization, represent considerable authority in creating toys for kids, has furnished the residential business sector with 120 enriching multi-hued lights. Large portions of them were outlined and embellished taking after different subjects, for example, the scenes of Viet Nam and the nation's ocean and islands and additionally pictures of national saints and conventional social characters, adding to teaching and facilitating patriotism among more youthful eras.

The organization has chosen to markdown the costs of a significant number of their lamps to costs lower than that of Chinese items keeping in mind the end goal to pick up a bigger offer of the residential market and diminish the impact of Chinese toys available notwithstanding supplying kids with brilliant household items.

Outstandingly, customary paper-mache covers which highlight pictures of Vietnamese characters, for example, Teu, Cuoi, the Earth God and the rabbits, are turning out to be more well known over plastic covers with states of funny cartoon characters, supermen and fallen angels from China.

"This year, mid-fall toys made in Viet Nam are all that much popular because of the huge number of differing plans; in the mean time Chinese products have been sold less oftentimes notwithstanding their less expensive sticker prices", said Huong, the proprietor of a toy shop on Hang Mama Road.

It appears that folks are completely mindful of the significance of helping their kids to choose valuable and safe conventional people toys.

Safeguarding of custom

Conventional toys are catching the hearts of various clients not just on the grounds that they are more secure than items made in China additionally purchasers are keen on saving and holding parts of customary society in today's current atmosphere.

Numerous gifted artisans and conventional towns are attempting to save customary toys that have turned into the adolescence recollections of eras of Vietnamese individuals.

For instance, making conventional handcrafted toys in Khuong Ha Town in Thanh Xuan Area, now just the group of Nguyen Manh Hung proceeds with creation. In spite of the fact that the work requires a compelling tolerance and exertion, he has been resolved to safeguard and elevate this conventional exchange to more youthful eras.

Visiting Bac Ha - the white plateau


Taking after National Thruway 70 which lies by imposingly high heaps of the northern territory of Lao Cai, we landed in Bac Ha Locale, which is known by the name "white level."

Coming to Bac Ha, most vacationers visit the business sector session of Mong ethnic individuals. The session is normally held in the region's middle. From the past night, Mong individuals go down the mountains to plan for the business sector session the following morning.

Bac Ha has market sessions in diverse regions for distinctive merchandise, including brocade items, working devices made by Mong individuals, homegrown vegetables, animals and poultry. Among the claims to fame of Mong individuals are dried bean stew and sugarcane, which is delicate, sweet and sweet-smelling as sugarcane plants are developed on the level with cool climate lasting through the year.

In a business sector session, the most clamoring spot which dependably accumulates many individuals is the sustenance range, and the dish that stimulates interest for guests from different spots the most is thang co, a customary dish of Mong individuals which has gotten to be prominent among other ethnic gatherings, for example, Dao, Tay, Thai. The customary thang co was made of horsemeat, however now hamburger, wild ox meat and pork is utilized by every ethnic gathering as a part of every area. Be that as it may, the best one is the thang co from horsemeat in Bac Ha, Muong Khuong and Sa Dad in Lao Cai Area where the dish was conceived.

In ahead of schedule morning, slows down offering thang co pulls in numerous individuals, particularly Mong men who take a seat for a dish of thang co and a glass of wine.

The individuals who visit Bac Ha in spring can appreciate the excellence of the region as stout trees blossom and make the level resemble a rug of blooms that help up the entire range, giving it the name "white level". Stout trees are seen all over the place from slopes, fields and gardens. Summer is when Mong individuals harvest plumps and convey them to the region place available to be purchased.

The stout reaping season is likewise the time when individuals in Bac Ha hold their stallion hustling celebration at the region focus and draw a huge number of local people and guests.

Ha Noi Cheo Theatre – a highlight of traditional culture

TITC) - Situated in No.15 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Road, Hai Ba Trung Region, Ha Noi Cheo Theater is an intriguing destination for individuals who love customary society craftsmanship.

One of one of a kind and inspired projects put into operation to serve guests in Ha Noi Cheo Theater is "Long Thanh society appear" with numerous extraordinary people craftsmanship things of Northern Delta progress and antiquated Thang Long land. The highlight of "Long Thanh society appear" is another execution model joining cheo and water puppetry on the same stage. The model not just adds to saving and adding to the workmanship sorts of cheo and water puppetry additionally acquaints them with guests, particularly outside guests. The model additionally intends to pull in youngsters by interesting water puppetry scenes and finding out about cheo.

With same start from Northern Delta, cheo and water puppetry have numerous similitudes and close connections. The music, dialect and story of cheo is utilized for water puppetry. Typically, water puppetry specialists control manikins in lakes or lakes, and cheo craftsmen are inside tormentor and sing as per the demonstrations of manikins. Be that as it may, in the "Long Thanh society demonstrate", the things are performed on a multi-useful stage which incorporates a wooden floor and a pool of water. A few things are performed in both wooden floor and pool. Particularly, cheo specialists sing, say and control manikins specifically by hand to express demonstrations of characters, and give gathering of people genuine and close emotions.

Other than the things consolidating cheo and water puppetry, the system "Long Thanh society appear" additionally incorporates other numerous fabulous craftsmanship execution things, for example, old cheo remove "Thi Mau len chua", chau van singing "Co doi thuong ngan", xam singing, ca tru singing, people instrument solo execution…

The system "Long Thanh people appear" is performed day by day from 17h00 in Ha Noi Cheo Theater with the cost of VND150,000/individ

Cat Ba cliffs and rock-climbing enthusiasts, a heavenly match

The bait of rock-climbing has been conveying a few nearby and remote guests to Feline Ba as of late. It is a perfect spot for the individuals who affection experience games to enjoy their pastime.

Feline Ba is an archipelago of 367 islands of different sizes. The fundamental island, Feline Ba, is around 100sq.m in range, about 30km from the northern port city of Hai Phong. Feline Ba Island is connected to Ha Long Cove by an interesting complex of islands and caverns.

There are numerous wonderful bluffs in Lan Ha Straight, Dau Be and Van Boi Island and the Fish Hole, which are traveler highlights here. They are lovely, sentimental and not all that trying for learners.

Beo Wharf, one of the primary ports of Feline Ba Island, is the beginning stage of the boat that takes visitors to Lan Ha, contiguous Feline Ba Town. There are five rock-climbing courses here. The nature of the bluff is great, yet it's hard to move in summer when it gets to be elusive.

Dau Be is a little island in Ha Long Sound, around two hours by boat from Feline Ba. It has bluffs that are as steep as dividers, and go about as boundaries to the expansive waves that fill the inlet from the east. The mountains on the island are secured with greenery, make intriguing landscape. Security pitons are required for moving here.

Van Boi is situated on the little island of Lan Ha, with testing climbing focuses. One can utilize grappling ropes here.

Another well known mountain climbing site is the Fish Cavern, additionally in Lan Ha Sound. It is understood for its three concealed tidal ponds where individuals can paddle around in kayaks. Fish Cavern is a perfect trade off for a blended gathering of climbers and non-climbers. The recent will appreciate kayaking in the tidal ponds. The courses are close to the passage and the way out of the first tidal pond. Five courses can be gotten to amid low tide.

The most loved spot of climbers is potentially Tien Ong Island in Lan Ha Sound. It is a little island cavern, alongside rocks and expansive stalactites. This is a perfect spot to move as there are low precipices, and the climbing courses are straightforward and suitable for individuals who fear enterprise sports.

"I've frequently suspected that 'you are not exceptional' is a shocking thing to say to somebody as it trivializes the human experience. In any case, gazing up at 30m of the crude Feline Ba Island mountain that you are required to climb is a humbling background, one that could make the most shake solid of our brethren feel somewhat unimportant or even unspecial",Matt Drinking spree, a climber, said on wordhcmc.com.

He said Butterfly Valley, a 20-moment motorbike ride from Feline Ba Town, was the most effortless spot for experienced climbers (running with a trail aide) to wander out. His most loved are the roots, rock and reggae courses, where the climber can move between the bungling bases of an old tree and thick, palm-sized sections of limestone.

Hanoian climber Viet Anh, who participated in a visit to investigate the Fish Hollow, said guests expected to realize some mountaineering aptitudes, get ready climbing hardware and contract a manual for investigate the mountains. They could face dangers in the event that they attempted to investigate it themselves.

"I have prepared in indoor rock-moving for quite a while, thus I feel certain and have all aptitudes for outside climbing. In any case, I and my companions still contract a visit manual for guarantee security. Experience climbing needs a decent guide. This makes your outing more secure", Anh said.

"You ought to test yourself and get the sentiment overcoming troubles and soak bluffs, and after that you can unwind seeing the nightfall. It's magnificent", he said.

Anh said experience climbing was altogether different from indoor climbing, particularly as far as brain research. In the event that you truly need to find the mountains in Feline Ba, you ought to attempt indoor climbing first. With the aptitudes picked up from vanquishing manufactured precipices, you will be prepared to overcome the genuine ones.

The outing to overcome the precipices in Feline Ba dependably makes solid emotions and offers guests some assistance with experiencing the difficulties and enhance their wellbeing. Additionally, climbing makes guests feel the sentimental and remarkable nature of the trek.

With its natural air, wonderful shorelines and essential timberlands, Feline Ba has turned into the ideal destination where individuals can unwind and encounter the enterprise of rock-climbing.

Cultural uniqueness of the Bo Y ethnic group

Protecting social uniqueness of the Bo Y including conventional outfit, building design, wedding and burial service functions have been kept up to mirror an assortment of society in the ethnic gatherings.

The Bo Y lives in the mountains. Their homes have three rooms and a front corridor. The edge of the house, which comprises of 2 joists spreading over various sections, is made wood or bamboo. The rooftop is tiled. The house's principle entryway is in the center and the house is associated with a kitchen through a littler entryway.

The Bo Y individuals were initially experienced in wet rice development. Nonetheless, since settling in the northern rugged locales of Viet Nam, they have needed to depend predominantly on slice and-smolder agribusiness principally developing corn, their fundamental yield. Moreover, every family as a rule has a vegetable patio nursery. Aside from raising domesticated animals and poultry, the neighborhood individuals are additionally included in different artworks, for example, material weaving, dark smithing, ceramics making, stone cutting, silver imprinting, plaiting and woodwork... and so on.

A run of the mill Bo Y house has 2 stories: the ground floor is the place the general population live and the second floor is for putting away sustenance.

About conventional custom, the Bo Y ladies wear numerous embellishments, for example, neckbands and wrist trinkets. In the past, Bo Y ladies wore full skirts like those well used by Hmong, or ornamented with batik honey bee's wax plans and colored indigo. The pullover is short, frequently having five boards with a bodice covering the mid-section and belly. Silver adornments are mainstream, for example, pieces of jewelry, wrist chains and ear-rings. The ladies wear their hair twisted in a chignon at the highest point of their head. Their headgear is generally an indigo turban which or ornamented with brilliant weaving.

These days, some Bo Y individuals have embraced the neighboring Nung's method for dressing. Some additionally wear shirts lie the Han however with removable sleeves.

At the wedding function, the Bo Y has stayed unaltered for quite a long time. There was at one time a custom that Bo Y could just wed individuals of their own ethnicity. This practice has been deserted and now young fellows and ladies are allowed to pick accomplices from diverse ethnic gatherings.

The wedding service of the Bo Y comprises of three stages. The initial step is to request the hand of the lady. The groom's family picks the two ladies, who are viewed as the most fortunate and most ripe, to request the consent of the lady's crew. After the engagement function, the marriage is concurred by the kid's and the young lady's families. The following step, the spouse's family exhibits the wedding presents to the lady's crew. Aside from sustenance, a few garments for the spouse are additionally included. The husband does not go to the lady's home; rather, the spouse rides on a steed to the groom, went to by the groom's sister who talks close by. She carries with her a couple of scissors and a little hen, which she will discharge to the backwoods at mid-way. They are prestigious individuals, who comprehend Bo Y traditions and can sing call-and-reaction tunes extremely well.

Cool climate at Bach Ma National Park

Bach Mama National Park is viewed as one of the precipitous ranges known for the most agreeable climate in Indochina.


At 1,450 meters above ocean level, Bach Mama Mountain in the focal region of Thua Thien - Tint is a commonplace destination for trekking and unwinding.

For an one-day voyage through Bach Mama, visitors ought to begin from Thua Thien-Tone Area at a young hour in the morning with the goal that they can stop by all must - visit destinations along the way.

The primary destination of the outing to Bach Mama National Park is Vong Hai Tower on the crest of Bach Mama Mountain. From the tower, guests can have a 10,000 foot perspective of Hai Van Pass, Tuy Van Mountain, Cau Hai Tidal pond, Tu Hien estuary and Chan May Cove.

The following fascination that ought not be missed is Do Quyen Waterfall measuring 200 meters in tallness. In the event that going to the site in Spring, voyagers will have the chance to see azalea blossoms sprouting and coloring the two sides of the stream down the waterfall in light red. The trail prompting Ngu Ho (five lakes) is a perfect area for trekking on account of the shade trees on the two sides.

The five lakes with completely clear water lying near one another end up being an immaculate spot for visitors to rest after a long walk. Bloom darlings can likewise visit an orchid garden with many orchid types of distinctive extraordinary shapes and hues.

In the mid twentieth century, Bach Mama National Park was produced by the French as one of the greatest resorts in Viet Nam with 139 estates, business sector, bank, post office, swimming pools, tennis court and a 19-km street joining National Thruway 1A with the recreation center's inside. Accordingly, sightseers can see old manors around the recreation center.

Aside from its cool climate, pristine trails and imposingly lovely scenes, Bach Mama National Park has differing fauna and verdure with 1,406 plant species and 931 creature species. Particularly, the recreation center is home to a few uncommon and imperiled flying creature species, for example, peaked argus and Edwards' fowl.

Sightseers ought to go around 40 km along National Interstate 1A to Cau Hai Town in Phu Loc Locale before turning right and proceeding for 19 km before they get the chance to Bach Mama National Park.

Homeland of Hue folk paintings

Sinh Town in Thua Thien Tint Area has made people compositions for the focal locale for over 400 years. The compositions are made by ranchers amid harvest interims. Sinh Town has turned into a prevalent vacationer destination.

Sinh Town, otherwise called Lai A Town, is situated in Phu Mau Collective, Phu Vang Locale, around 9 km east of Tone City. Sinh people artistic creations are to some degree like the Dong Ho society works of art of Bac Ninh Territory and the Hang Trong people canvases of Ha Noi.

Neighborhood seniors say that the art of making society works of art was initially presented in the area by Mr. Ky Huu Hoa amid the Nguyen Tradition. The works of art are utilized for worshiping and different customs. Woodblocks are utilized to make the works of art.

Huu Phuoc is an acclaimed artisan in Sinh Town: "Every spot has its own particular convention and religion. In Sai Gon, they likewise have votive papers and works of art however they are littler.

Sinh votive canvases are currently likewise well known in Ho Chi Minh City in light of the fact that they are wonderful. Sinh sketches are for the most part utilized amid the conventional lunar New Year celebration and in some exceptional venerating services.

The crest season of Sinh people canvases is from the tenth lunar month to the next February".

The woodblocks are utilized as molds for shading printing. Some different hues are painted by the craftsmen themselves. Along these lines, Sinh artistic creations are constantly diverse.

Each of them mirrors the abilities and properties of its creator. The hues utilized are produced using regular fixings like leaves, blooms, vegetables, slag of rice straws, and block powder.

Phuoc says that while Dong Ho people compositions have only four or five principle hues, Sinh canvases have more, constrained just by the craftsman's creative ability: "Sinh sketches are high quality. In the wake of printing, we shading the artistic creations.

We need to shading five times for five hues. The five principle shades of Sinh works of art are speak to the five components: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth".

Papers used to make the artistic creations are produced using shellfish shells taken from Tam Giang tidal pond. The shells are ground into powder, blended with paste, and after that stuck on paper to make shell paper.

Brightening examples on Sinh papers fluctuate to engage diverse tastes. Society amusements and scenes are among the fundamental topics of Sinh works of art which are regularly used to make date-books.

Guests to Sinh Town can make their own artwork, from printing to hand shading. Le Mai Huong is a vacationer from Quang Ninh Region: "I come here to find out about the conventional artworks of Tone, particularly Sinh sketches. Everything is regular.

The papers, the shading powder are made of characteristic fixings. The procedure of making artistic creations is likewise intriguing".

Every artwork is moved up in a bamboo tube to ensure it. The names of the town and the craftsman are engraved on the bamboo tube. Sinh sketches are the most loved trinkets of visitors who come to Tone.

Cao Son's striking terrain steals travellers' hearts

Pre-winter is the perfect season for any individual who cherishes the winds and the crisp, cool demeanor of the good country regions.

Other than Sa Dad in Lao Cai and Tam Dao in Vinh Phuc, Cao Child region in Thanh Hoa (otherwise called Child Ba Muoi), situated inside the normal store Pu Luong, will take the heart of any traveler with its extraordinary and testing landscape.

Towards Thanh Hoa Territory, having pushed 160km far from the urban focus, through Xuan Mai, Ho Chi Minh Street, and 217 commonplace streets, we spent the night in Canh Nang Town before beginning off on our experience.

From the town, we are still 40kms far from Cao Child. We are reminded by local people to check our vehicles deliberately for oil change, chain and brakes, and so forth to be prepared for the trip ahead.

It is said that the pathway towards Cao Child from the Lung Cao Town range incorporates a 10km slant, which is truly testing and risky for ​auto-transmission motorbikes and even little autos.

Most importantly, the appeal of the Dad He crest, 1,200m above from the sea level, captivates each vacationer in spite of the difficulties ahead. Not surprisingly, simply the 10km pathway to Cao Child is a sufficient test for both vehicle and driver.

"To abbreviate the course, numerous mountains were cut into for street development, and the lofty level is still much higher than numerous other good country wanders. We all changed the gear back to 2, then 1 [we were riding mechanized motorcycles] and still attempted to get over every slant. It took us two hours to achieve Child town, the first area of Cao Child range, after much exertion," Christian Peyton, an American traveler said.

Numerous individuals concede that the region is a considerably more difficult area to get to than Mama Pi Leng and, Khau Pha passes.

Characteristic perfect work of art

Part of the way through the mountain pass, the stunning landscape with the delicate touch of daylight opens up before the eyes of the voyagers. They are interested by the Pho Doan and Co Lung Valleys encompassed by mists. Little tranquil towns are situated on the foothills.

Around this time, the temperature can reach 33 degrees Celsius to 35degrees Celsius in the urban regions while it stays cool in Child town. Clear blue skies and cool outside air with heaps of daylight mitigate the voyagers' anxiety and bring energy. Here, the late spring's most sizzling day is just around 20 degrees Celsius and in the winter it goes down to - 1 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees Celsius.

Past the commendation, the excellence of Child Town is life-changing. The flawless area is a pearl. Given its normal magnificence, it has still been avoided urbanization and the rushing about of other regular vacationer spots.

Past Child Town, the adventure gets less demanding with straight streets and slight slants. Along the way, the explorers' faculties are reveled by the delicate breeze and a perspective of the corn and biting gourd fields of the Thai individuals. Stilt houses with the matured chrysotile bond rooftops rise up out of among the rice and corn fields and intense gourd vines.

Cao Child range incorporates the towns of Child, Muoi and Ba.

Pu Luong, the most noteworthy crest in Cao Child, which is additionally the center of the regular store, is 1,500m above ocean level.

An old couple, Ngan Van May and Vi Thi Len, is living cheerfully in a hovel, truly. They have been inhabiting Child Town their whole lives and speak to the straightforward existences of local people. Astounded by the visit of voyagers from the capital, they invite everybody cordially.

The old couple is living verification of the area and the nearby individuals. They let us know that most Thai individuals in Child, Ba, and Muoi Towns develop glutinous rice and a few families eat the rice consistently. Biting gourd is developed for neighborhood utilization and a little part is sold.

In Cao Child, just around 30 percent of the tenants have admittance to power. Little hydro-controlled turbines are set up at some provincial streams to create power.

As a result of the absence of essential necessities like power and clean water, alongside the inconvenience in transportation, just male educators come to schools in Cao Child. Local people say that female instructors would think that its hard to get hitched or visit their home once they came to work here.

For the same reasons, the delightful and wild perspective of nature in Cao Child draws in just a little number of vacationers.

In spite of the hardships, there are close ties between the villagers here. Despite the fact that legitimately isolated, Cao Child's three towns are united as one group.

At whatever point voyagers go to the towns, everybody, youthful or old, dependably accumulates around to welcome and welcome them. Little youngsters adoration having their photos taken by sightseers while grown-ups welcome the explorers to visit their homes.

"I know Vietnamese individuals are extremely neighborly, but then I am shocked by local people in Cao Child. They live with kind hearts and idealism," John Stephen, 29, a Canadian visitor said.

A lunch at the home of a Muoi villager is basic yet delightful with the nearby goodness, for example, glutinous rice, unfenced chicken, intense gourd soup, and hot cured bamboo shoots, finished with some privately made wine.

Nothing is superior to traversing a challenging excursion to appreciate this satisfying feast in a stilt house encompassed by the excellence of natur

Autumn takes shape in northern Viet Nam 

As harvest time develops and rice plants achieve their top readiness, fields crosswise over northern Viet Nam are gradually turning their mark brilliant yellow. Presently's the ideal time to visit over the area and see them.

The pre-winter months of September and October are eminent in the north of Viet Nam in light of the fact that this is the point at which the paddy fields of the north are at their ripest. This is the point at which the groups or panicles of ready rice grain are heavy to the point that they hang over the highest point of the plant and agriculturists prepared themselves to gather the primary rice harvest of the year. All over from Mu Cang Chai Locale in Yen Bai Area to the terraced paddies in Ha Giang Territory, the scene is covered in brilliant yellow.

This is the season of year when harvest-celebration fever holds the nation and voyagers herd to the rich farming hinterland of the north.

Amid the Muong Lo Celebration, 4,000 individuals went to the opening day alone to witness the "Flying over the Brilliant Harvest" by the Parachute Club.

"This is an upbeat event," said Trieu Viet Phuong, a tourism master in Yen Bai. "The street to Mu Cang Chai was hindered for a couple of hours."

Amid the most recent two weeks of September, a large number of Vietnamese went by the terraced paddies of La Skillet Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh cooperatives, which have been formally perceived as national legacy for their grand excellence.

As indicated by commonplace government's site, from January to September 2014, 300,500 individuals went by Yen Bai, of whom 14,500 were outside, spending around VND126 billion (US$5.6 million).

"Mu Cang Chai is brimming with glad individuals," said Bui Dieu Minh, who visited the locale a weekend ago. "They are all loaded with euphoria and were upbeat for me to take their photographs."

Situated around 300km from Ha Noi, remote Mu Cang Chai was once connected with neediness and backwardness. I went by an adolescence companion whose auntie had been allocated to instruct in Mu Cang Chai. Anybody seeing her weepy send-off strength have thought she'd been given a restricted ticket to the moon.

Amid the harvest celebration, Mu Cang Chai's dozen or somewhere in the vicinity lodgings and group stilt houses host up to a thousand guests at once.

Individuals crosswise over Viet Nam know about Mu Cang Chai's beautiful excellence, yet Yen Bai Territory is still one of the poorest in Viet Nam. A Vietnamese guest to the region let me know she had gone to a school in Mu Cang Chai.

"The instructors there said they'd respect any assistance as apparel for the school youngsters, course books and scratch pad, shading books and pens.

"I was moved when she said the kids' snacks would be more nutritious if there were sesame seeds and peanuts!"

The area's neediness goes to a great extent unnoticed by travelers who desire the harvest celebrations and the brilliant perspectives.

Light celebration

Ten years prior, individuals of Tuyen Quang Region chose to commend the Harvest celebration - which this year agreed with the Mid-Fall celebration, the second most imperative occasion after Lunar New Year celebration - with buoys and lights. From that point forward, every ward of Tuyen Quang City is in charge of making its own particular titan lamp, which is then wheeled through the city on a buoy. It is a particularly nearby convention, which has subsequent to been formally perceived.

The highlight of the celebration falls on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the eighth lunar month. This is the point at which the group are at their thickest. In an offer to stay away from the pound, we went to the city a week prior, while the practices were going all out in the town focus.

"The lights are so wonderful!" shouted a guest from Ha Noi. "What an astonishing group soul."

Along the road, goliath lights were being constructed. On a limited extension we saw two goat lights attempting to pass each other. At a certain point it looked as though they were really butting each other - what better path arrives to stamp the Year of the Goat!

Another titan goat lamp remained before a Dong Child metal drum light. The Hang Nga Moon Pixie was holding moon cakes in her arms while remaining on a buoy fit as a fiddle of Viet Nam map.

There was likewise a fair buoy praising the skirmish of Dien Bien Phu, while another bore a representation of President Ho Chi Minh.

The trek to Tuyen Quang City was long and exhausting, especially for our kids, whose ages went from 20-months to 11 years. Be that as it may, we discovered a decent inn close to a hot spring and an incredible paddling pool around a 15-moment ride from the city. After a hot and frosty plunge, we all felt revived, and were resolute by the poor condition of the changing rooms and the showers - to say nothing of the administration. The one drawback was that one of our children, who was not wearing swimming goggles, later added to an eye disease.

Over the north, there are different hot springs with going with swimming offices. Dissimilar to the world popular spas in Turkey and Hungary, or Japan and South Korea in Asia, the hot spring showers here have not been created into resorts and are left needing with regards to comfort. The most well known by a long shot is in Kim Boi Area in Hoa Binh, however littler less-went to springs are spotted around the north of Viet Nam, and regularly neglect to get a notice on TripAdvisor.

The travel site suggests the My Lam Hot Spring Wellbeing Center, which is only 13km from Tuyen Quang Downtown area.

We, be that as it may, settled on the secretly run Ngoc Ha Spa, which has two pools and is more suitable for youngsters. Another secretly run spa that is additionally prevalent with guests can be found at the A Chau Inn.

As per the site, Ngoc Ha Spa has mud showers, however when we turned up we were told they'd come up short on mud! To our alleviation, the hot spring paddling pools had water. There were likewise private hot tubs for VND 80,000 (US$4) each. We saw one lady brandishing Salonpas torment alleviation patches on her neck. We met her later, when she let us know the agony had gone.

However, a visit to the sloping north of Viet Nam need not simply be for wellbeing purposes. Regardless of the possibility that you are as perfectly healthy or in the pink of wellbeing, a visit to the hilly north of the nation, whether to the terraced paddies of Ha Giang (and the most northerly purpose of the nation in Dong Van) or the brilliant grandness of Yen Bai Area will leave feeling large and in charge.

Van Long Lagoon – an attractive eco-tourism site

(TITC) - Around 80km toward the south of Ha Noi, Van Long Tidal pond (Gia Vien Area, Ninh Binh Region) is an appealing vacationer site, particularly at weekends. To Van Long, guests will have the chance to respect enchanting regular scenes and find the common wetland environment in the Red Stream Delta.

With a territory of 3,500ha, Van Long is the biggest wetland regular store in Red Stream Delta and is considered as "Waveless sound" with peaceful water surface like a titan mirror reflecting fantastic normal views. Here, the water crafts will take guests around the tidal pond to mull over limestone mountains named concurring their shapes as Meo Cao (Feline), Mam Xoi (Glutinous Rice Plate), Hom Sach (Book Trunk), Da Boycott (Rook Table), Nghien (Section), Co Tien (Pixie)… There are 32 excellent and particular hollows inside these limestone mountains, for example, Bong, Rua, Chanh, Doi… , of which Ca Collapse Hoang Quyen Mountain Extent is the most noteworthy. The hollow is 250m long, 8m high, 10m wide with half drifting structure and has numerous stalactites of different structures.

Going more profound into the tidal pond, the craziness of advanced life is bit by bit supplanted by the hints of paddle, fishes, creatures of land and water, uproar grass in the wind. Under clear water, greeneries and green growth twisting irregularly as per waves make an enchanting and energetic characteristic picture.

Van Long is home to 39 types of well evolved creatures, 72 types of fowls, 32 types of reptiles and creatures of land and water, 44 types of fishes, 39 oceanic species and 79 types of creepy crawlies, a hefty portion of which are recorded in Viet Nam Red Book, for example, cobra, chamois, iguana… Particularly, Van Long has been by Viet Nam Record Book Center as "The spot claims the biggest number of delacour's langur (trachypithecus delacouri) with 100 people in risk of elimination. In the dry season (from November to April), Van Long is the wintering spot of various winged creatures from the North as Bonelli falcon, dark heron, white stork… It is additionally home to 457 types of high plants and 35 types of oceanic plants, 8 types of which are recorded in Viet Nam Red Book, including chukrasia tabularis, drynaria fortunei, melientha suavis, strychnos nux-vomica, dalbergia cochinchinensis…

Alongside its lovely common view, Van Long Wetland Regular Turn around likewise has numerous uncommon social relics, for example, Hong Nuong Sanctuary, Mau Sanctuary, Thung La Sanctuary, Thanh Child Pagoda, Dich Long Pagoda...

Put into operation for tourism since 1998, Van Long Wetland Regular Converse is a particular ecotourism site drawing in local and world

Floating in paradise of lotus

For those searching for a short weekend trip, or the individuals who simply love voyaging, a visit to Tan Lap "skimming eco-tourism town" in the southern region of Long An is perfect.

"On the off chance that you need to visit a wild, regular scene, visit Tan Lap", a companion who was in Long An as of late remarked.

"Alluding to Long An, everybody regularly feels that this region is just the origin of the well known nang thom (fragrant rice) and Go Cave rice wine, and there is nothing else for travelers to investigate", said Nguyen Kim Long, who went by the area not long ago.

"Be that as it may, in those days, when my companions and I went to Tan Lap, the spot truly moved me," he said.

Tan Lap coasting town eco-tourism region is in Moc Hoa Area. The route there is simple. From HCM City, guests come National Thruway 1 to Tan A Region (of Long A Territory), then swing right to Expressway 62 to Moc Hoa.

When you land in Moc Hoa, simply ask any inhabitant, and they will excitedly demonstrat to you the way.

The region covers 135ha and has a 500ha encompassing zone. The district has been arranged with a financial plan of more than VND100 billion (about US$4.6 million) to assemble a tourism range for Long An and the Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) wetlands in future. It will incorporate a movement untamed life zone, a characteristic hold, an ecological instruction fixate and houses based on stilts.

After over an hour's go via auto, Long's gathering touched base in Tan Lap. A couple of minutes subsequent to going through the entryway, a cool and quiet scene welcomed everybody.

"In this spot, you can appreciate the rural excellence of rich rice fields, pineapple fields and custard-apple gardens in gleaming yellow daylight," Long said.

Strolling a touch more remote, they landed in the honey bee keeping zone with endless nectar barrels humming.

After going by the skimming town, the gathering was shocked on the grounds that they had never expected that a spot so near HCM City would have such a delightful and quiet scene.

"Sitting on a kayak on the waterway to see the skimming town under the blue sky and cool air, this scene is even considerably more delightful than numerous different destinations," said Khanh Van, a young lady in the gathering.

Beforehand, Tan Lap was an extensive mangrove woods of Long A Region, flanking the wetlands of the Plain of Reeds to frame one incomprehensible timberland covering countless hectares.

Since the area is situated close to the outskirt with Cambodia, it was already under the strict control of fringe watchmen. After some time, the spot has been redesigned into an ecotourism zone with the particular name "Tan Lap drifting town".

Fishing so as to go by Tan Lap, visitors can unwind, sailing past lotus and water lilies, picking wild vegetables to eat with flame broiled fish, watching flying creatures and going by the nearby ranch to perceive how they develop pineapples.

Guests are guided to investigate the timberlands overwhelmed in alluvial water, which gives it a ruddy tint. They enter the inconceivable cajeput woodlands and ride force water crafts to respect the colossal lotus tidal ponds...

"Our vessel was floating in the monstrous timberland, and we heard winged animals tweeting," Long said.

On the conduits that bend like silk groups, the guests' pontoons weave between cajeput trees that are several years of age and transmit unobtrusive fragrances from white petals.

Since the cajeput backwoods is submerged year-cycle, a solid street has been manufactured over the water, which goes through the rich mangrove woodlands.

Cajeput trees are secured and have been planted in the most recent 10 years, making an immeasurable green space in the locale.

In the flooding season, the encompassing fields are submerged.

In the event that you stand high above to look down, Tan Lap drifting town takes after a gliding flatboat or a green island over the water. Be that as it may, that is not how the "gliding town" got its name.

As clarified by local people, inhabitants are acclimated to "living with surges", and they have based houses on the high wooden posts.

Today, the resort is no more possessed. At the point when the territory built up the eco-tourism region, they remade these drifting homes to serve travelers.

Guests can get tents to continue through to the end zone, or stay in visitor houses and lodgings in Kien Tuong Town, around 5km from the spot.

Costs are entirely reasonable, in the middle of VND50,000 and 60,000 for each individual for each night.

"Tan Lap is really peaceful, suitable for the individuals who need to unwind and encounter an existence near nature, and to teach kids to love nature and secure the wetland biological systems," Long said.

"Another great point is, local people are exceptionally energetic and cordial," he included.

Six highlights on the itinerary to discover heritage sites in the central region of Vietnam

Beginning from Ho Fortification in Thanh Hoa Territory and closure at My Child Haven in Quang Nam Area, the 'Focal Legacies Trip' empowers guests to adventure to six UNESCO world legacy locales crosswise over Viet Nam's focal district.

The six legacy locales, which are the key component to the achievement of the visit, are six must-see destinations for guests from both at home and abroad.

The visit opens with the Ho Line Stronghold in Vinh Loc Area, around 50 kilometers from Thanh Hoa City.

The Bastion of the Ho Line was implicit 1397, made out of the Internal Fortress, La Thanh External Divider and the Nam Giao Sacrificial stone. It is situated as per geomantic standards in a scene of extraordinary picturesque magnificence between the Mama and Buoi streams in Vinh Loc Region, Thanh Hoa Region of Viet Nam.

Being the capital of Viet Nam from 1398 to 1407, the fortress is a tremendous structure manufactured on account of the method and the specialty of utilizing enormous stones, and in addition the symphonious mix of development styles in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia toward the end of fourteenth century and mid fifteenth century.

Leaving Thanh Hoa, travelers head to Quang Binh Territory to find Phong Nha – Ke Blast National Park, which covers four locale: Quang Ninh, Bo Trach, Tuyen Hoa and Minh Hoa.

Notwithstanding its verifiable and geographic qualities, the national park is likewise honored by The unstoppable force of life with forcing scenes. The cavern framework in the complex is similar to grand manors, made inside limestone mountains a great many years back.

The recreation center gets its name from Phong Nha Hole, containing numerous captivating rock arrangements, and Ke Blast woods. The level on which the recreation center is arranged is presumably one of the finest and most particular cases of a complex karst landform in Southeast Asia.

This national park was recorded in UNESCO's Reality Legacy Destinations in 2003 for its geographical values, and won UNESCO's acknowledgment for the second time on July 3, 2015 because of its natural and environmental broadening.

Most as of late, Child Doong Hollow, a hole that is a piece of the complex, was delegated the biggest collapse the world by the English Hole Research Affiliation. The staggering magnificence of Child Doong was included in a film made by ABC News (US) and has been disclosed far and wide.

From Quang Binh, the visitors pass Quang Tri to achieve the Complex of Tint Landmarks in Thua Thien-Shade Area. Arranged on the northern bank of the Huong (Fragrance) waterway, it was the most essential building complex of the Nguyen Administration, the last illustrious line in Vietnamese history, from 1802 to 1945.

Inside of the Tone Fortification were found the Majestic Living arrangement, the Hoang Thanh (Magnificent City), the Tu Cam Thanh (Taboo Purple City) and related imperial castles.

In the remote ranges are found essential custom locales identified with the profound existence of the line, for example, the Nam Giao (esplanade of Penance to the Paradise and Earth), Xa Tac (Esplanade to love the Genies of the Earth and the Product), Hon Chen sanctuary and the Linh Mu and Tuy Van pagodas. Further upstream, organized along the Fragrance Waterway, are the tombs of the line's sovereigns.

The visit additionally offers guests an opportunity to taste the indigenous cooking of Shade through its run of the mill dishes, for example, 'bun bo' (hamburger noddle), 'nem lui' (lemongrass sticks), 'banh beo' (bloating-plant molded cake) and 'banh bot loc' (dumplings with shrimp).

Shade additionally has one world legacy site - Nha Nhac Cung Dinh (Tone regal Court Music). 'Nha Nhac', signifying "rich music", which alludes to an expansive scope of musical and move styles performed at the Vietnamese regal court.

As an image of the tradition's energy and life span, Nha Nhac was for the most part highlighted at the opening and shutting of functions connected with commemorations, religious occasions, crowning ordinances, funerals and authority gatherings. The artistic expression won the UNESCO title as a "Perfect work of art of the Oral and Immaterial Legacy of Mankind" in 2003.

Guests to Tone can appreciate Nha Nhac exhibitions at Duyet Thi Duong and Minh Khiem Duong theaters or on pontoons along the Huong Waterway by night.

As a standout amongst the most prevalent destinations at tourism gatherings and on sites, Hoi An Old Town in Quang Nam Area has been returned to and prescribed by numerous remote guests.

Situated on the north bank close to the mouth of the Thu Bon Stream, Hoi A was an exchanging port dynamic in the fifteenth to nineteenth hundreds of years. The town involves a very much protected complex of more than 1,000 engineering landmarks, including houses, group spaces, pagodas, sanctuaries and family houses. The developments congruously mix between Vietnamese conventional components and Western and Eastern nations' societies.

Hoi A's lanes are short, thin and subtle. They are planed as a framework of boulevards with one pivot parallel to the stream and alternate hub of avenues and back roads set at right points to it.

The houses are tiled and the wooden parts are cut with customary themes. They are masterminded one next to the other in tight, unbroken columns along slender person on foot lanes.

Another site on the most loved rundown of outside guests to Quang Nam is My Child Haven. Dating from the fourth to the thirteenth hundreds of years, My Child Haven is arranged in Duy Xuyen Locale inside of a raised geographical bowl encompassed by a ring of mountains and slopes.

The tower sanctuaries of the My Child Haven are developed in let go block with stone columns and designed with sandstone bas-reliefs portraying scenes from Hindu mythology. Their innovative advancement is proof of Cham designing abilities and Cham religion and society.

The property is a wonderful compositional gathering that created over a time of ten centuries. It exhibits a distinctive picture of profound and political life in an imperative period of the historical backdrop of South-East Asi

A breathtaking journey to Dong Van Plateau

Dong Van Karst Level in Ha Giang Territory was perceived in 2010 by UNESCO as a world land park. The level is a genuine perfect work of art of nature where man is little against the tremendousness of the sky, mountains and mists.

Your excursion starts in Ha Giang. In the wake of driving for around 40 km along steep streets, you will achieve Dong Van Karst Level. At a height of 1,600m above ocean level, the Level covers more than 2,350 square kilometers incorporating Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac locale.

This regular interest of limestone crests and dark rock came about because of a long land history and gives confirmation of the development of the World's outside.

Along the 100km street from Quan Ba to Dong Van, you pass Quan Ba paradise door, Co Tien mountain, the Vuong living arrangement - a national relic site, the Lung Cu banner tower, and Mama Pi Leng Pass which was known as a "geographical landmark" by the French.

The frontage road is entirely unpleasant however the view remunerates your endeavors. Beneath, the Nho Que Waterway winds like a silk lace around the base of the high bluffs. Ngoc Anh is a traveler from Ha Noi. "It is unimaginably astounding! I never envisioned that our nation had such a marvel", she said.

"It was an impact finding this UNESCO World Geopark, to meander in the bloom knolls and rice porches and climb Mama Pi Leng Pass and respect the Nho Que Stream. This is extraordinary! Despite the fact that the frontage road is not yet enhanced, I was not disheartened", Anh included.

On this desolate land experience a few ethnic minorities: Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Lolo and Pu Peo who savagely protect their social characters to the joy of visitors.

Mama Ngoc Giang, Delegate Leader of the Administration Leading group of Dong Van Topographical Park, said, "Travelers, particularly outsiders, are pulled in by the rich and genuine ethnic society. The customs and societies of these ethnic gatherings are under conservation. Our venture expects to save stone dividers, tiled rooftops, mud houses and ethnic outfits".

On the off chance that you need to meet ethnic gatherings in their customary beautiful ensembles, it is crucial to visit the Dong Van market. It is the meeting spot of minorities, where ladies take the chance to do a touch of "shopping", while men like to drink and toast.

On the off chance that your excursion agrees with the third lunar month, don't miss the yearly Khau Vai market. It arrives that the ex-mates meet again after numerous years of division, here and there joined by their spouses or wives.

There is no desire. Despite what might be expected, the ex-perfect partner is entirely regarded.

French visitor Angier Marcel shared, "The scene is awesome. There are wonderful rice fields and very few travelers. It is exceptionally lovely. The setting is genuine with intriguing ethnic gatherings and wonderful towns. We will return without a doubt and encourage our companions to visit these spots".

Stunning view, bona fide legacy, untouched magnificence, intriguing markets and benevolent individuals – they are what Dong Van Karst Level can offe

Discovering wildlife in Thung Nham

(TITC) - Having a place with Ninh Hai Collective, Hoa Lu Locale, Ninh Binh Region, Thung Nham Winged animal Greenery enclosure Eco-tourism Zone (otherwise called Feathered creature Valley) is situated in the center region of Trang A Scene Unpredictable, around 5km toward the south of Tam Coc – Bich Dong Visitor Territory and 12km toward the west of Ninh Binh City.

Thung Nham is encompassed by untouched green of woods. At day break, dainty dew cloak approaching in the immaculate space of Thung Nham makes guests feel as being in the fairyland. Tenderly paddling on serene water ebb and flow, the steersman will take guests to intriguing destinations in Thung Nham.

The main stop is the greenery enclosure winged creature which is home to 46 fowl species with around 50,000 people, prevalently storks, herons, silver greenish blues, white-rumped shamas… A large number of which are recorded in Viet Nam Red Book as mycteria leucocephala, phalacrocorax fuscicollis, phoenicopterus… In noiseless space, the sound of feathered creatures is similar to a rambunctious and sprightly regular ensemble. Staying in Thung Nham at around 17h-18h, guests will have the chance to witness groups of winged animals traveling to the homes.

The vessel keeps taking guests to collapses limestone mountains, for example, Yet (Pixie), Tien Ca (Mermaid), Ba Co (Three Women), Thuy Cung (Water Castle)… to respect differentiated molded stalactites and listen the legends on the establishment of the holes.

Leaving the vessel for going aground, guests will visit thousand-year streblus tree become totally on a huge rock. Its shape and stance are considered as unique one in Viet Nam. Particularly, guests ought not miss the "moving" banyan tree in Goi Dai Sanctuary. As per researchers, the circumstance of this tree has changed at regular intervals because of further advancement of helper root framework. Furthermore, Thung Nham additionally has garden with an assortment of common tropical organic products, for example, guava, apple, star natural product, mango, custard… and the primitive timberland with enhanced environment which is the habitant of 109 verdure species and 150 fauna species.

Subsequent to finding the magnificence of Thung Nham, guests can unwind in sediment houses and appreciate numerous provincial dishes as piglets, slope chickens, lake angles, goat meat, com chay (fricasseed rice hull at the base of the pot), bamboo sprout... This spot is additionally suitable for climbing, outdoors, angling, weekend get-away...

With the excellent landscape, Thung Nham is an alluring destination for residential and global guests. From late summer to ahead of schedule harvest time is the best time for guests to appreciate the beguiling perfect regular picture of Thung Nham. From Thung Nham, guests can likewise visit other neighboring traveler destinations as Bich Dong Pagoda, Tam Coc Scene, Thie

Pagoda typifies Hue architecture

Tone's royal bastion pulls in sightseers in view of its imperial relics and excellence. Tone is likewise popular for more than 100 pagodas, a significant number of them implicit the seventeenth century, for example, Thien Mu Pagoda, which was inherent 1601, Bao Quoc Pagoda in 1674 and Tu Dam Pagoda in 1683.

The building design of Shade's pagodas are straightforward yet exquisite. They are regularly encompassed by green trees.

Shade pagodas, their plans and embellishments mirror the spirit of Tone's kin. Notwithstanding the illustrious stronghold and imperial relics, pagodas in Tone have ended up prevalent destinations for guests.

Independent picture taker Nguyen Thanh Cong said, "Guests to Shade frequently visit the celebrated Thien Mu and Tu Dam pagodas which are enormous and connected with Tint's history. Yet, I lean toward the little and tranquil pagodas".

Tu Dam Pagoda in Truong A ward was implicit the late seventeenth century. The pagoda is contained three fundamental rooms, two wings, a ringer and drum tower.

Amidst the greenery enclosure, there is a statue of anchorite Tam Minh who made awesome commitments to the pagoda and to the illumination and improvement of Buddhism in focal Viet Nam. The fundamental love corridor, which is devoted to Sakyamuni, is just however seriously finished.

Mai Thanh Huong, a traveler from Ha Noi, says the solid advancement of Buddhism brought about the expansive number of pagodas and sanctuaries and that on the off chance that you need to take in more about the Buddhist soul, you ought to visit Tu Dam.

"Life here is serene. Individuals are cordial. Going by the pagoda, I pick up peace in my psyche," Huong shared.

The little Tu Dam chronicles the advancement of Buddhist uprising developments. Tu Hieu Pagoda in Thuy Xuan ward is one of Tone's greatest pagodas and an authentic and social relic. In the complex, there are pagodas committed to eunuchs and Chief naval officer Le Van Duyet.

Picture taker Thanh Cong noted, "Tu Hieu is a well known pagoda. This was a spot where eunuchs experienced the most recent days in their lives in the wake of leaving the illustrious court. These days, youthful ministers come here to practice Buddhism and reflection. Dissimilar to ministers in different pagodas, who are frequently tranquil, friars in Tu Hieu Pagoda are youthful and play sports".

Tu Hieu Pagoda has three principle rooms and two wing rooms. The one in the front is the Buddhist spot of love and the room in the back is devoted to precursors. Before the pagoda, there is a 3-story tower which was inherent 1896.

The tower serves as a document of imperial pronouncements and declarations. Situated in a wonderful and tranquil spot, not a long way from Tone City, the pagoda has turned into a destination for Tint's kin amid get-aways. Tu Hieu Pagoda is Shade's most mainstream destination for neighborhood and outside visitors.

Ms Tuyet Mai, a traveler from Ho Chi Minh City, pushed, "For elderly individuals like me, this is the spot to discover peace in our psyches and to intervene and desert day by day unsettling influences, family or social issues. We feel loose here".

Shade's pagodas are wonderful in light of the fact that their construction modeling consolidates both illustrious and people styles and due to their forcing scenes. They are spots of love as well as destinations for investigation.

Stunning views in Lang Co Bay

Situated between Da Nang and Tone urban communities on the focal coast, Lang Co Cove offers an awesome scene made by both nature and man.

Guests to Lang Co will be positively charmed by a long white-sand shoreline with blue seawater. They may feel nostalgic given the considerable perspective of a quiet angling town with water crafts cruising in Lap A tidal pond and herds of storks flying back to their homes at nightfall. Lap A tidal pond covers 800 hectares with little temporary places of anglers scattered amidst the tidal pond.

The range incorporating Lang Co Cove, and Lap An and Cau Hai tidal ponds is viewed as a standout amongst the most wonderful spots in Southeast Asia. It is home to around 11,000 individuals who for the most part procure a catching so as to live and cultivating fish, and giving tourism administrations.

In spite of the fact that warmth waves typically hit the focal district in summer, temperatures in Lang Co Cove zone float around 25 degrees Celsius.

What additionally makes Lang Co unique is its nearby nearness to four of Viet Nam's Reality Legacy locales – the antiquated stronghold of Tone, the old town of Hoi A, My Child Haven and Phong Nha-Ke Blast National Park. These vacation destinations are inside of a span of 150 kilometers.

The amazing Hai Van Pass and Bach Mama National Park are likewise close Lang Co.

Another fascinating component of Lang Co is crisp fish from the tidal ponds of salty water and saltwater.

In 2009, the Club of the World's Best Bayous (Worldbays) perceived Lang Co as one of the 30 most lovely straights on the planet, so this is the third Vietnamese sound on the club's rundown after Ha Long and Nha Tran

Dong Cao Highland, a charmingly windy escape from hectic Ha Noi

I heard my companions raving around a quiet land not a long way from Ha Noi, with green grass, blue skies, wind exploding and mists in the sky.

They said it was a flawless area for an overnight outdoors excursion, and that got me enticed.

With no faltering, I gathered my sacks, bringing along nourishment for other four companions who went along with me, with tents, dozing packs, open air stove, and battery worked lights. We were resolved to set out toward Dong Cao on a lovely Saturday evening.

The good country, which is almost 1000m above ocean level, is situated in Ga Town in Thach Child Cooperative in the northern region of Bac Giang, around 150km from Ha Noi.

The route from Ha Noi to Chu Town in Bac Giang Region was really smooth, however the closer we drew closer our destination, the more scattered the houses were, and the harder the way got to be.

It got darker as we drove profound into the timberland, so we needed to accelerate, as we took after the little solid street. In any case, regardless we had an unpleasant 5km pathway ahead to get over before we came to Dong Cao Good country.

It was not a simple drive by any means, as we needed to continually fight against the sloppy ground underneath and a large number of "thin hands" sticking out from the trees around us. We needed to grab our way with the help of the lights of our cruisers to wander through the dim.

Following an hour of grabbing around on the dangerous way, we at last saw a glinting light originating from a few houses. It is assessed that there are just more than 20 family units dissipating inside of Dong Cao Good country, a large portion of them are poor and need power.

It was an extremely hot summer day, so our Shirts were wet with sweat. However, when we came to the range of Dong Cao, we were in a split second hit with a frosty sentiment the average cool atmosphere of the good country.

We ceased on a level surface on the good country to erect our tents and began a flame to warm ourselves and plan for supper. What a remarkable night it was to appreciate the crisply barbecued meat in the weak light of the stove with unending, untold stories while thinking about the twinkling lights above.

The wind continued blowing hard through the grass, yet I couldn't imagine the surroundings as it was pitch-dim. We were soon calmed to lay down with the satisfying sound of bugs trilling.

At that point the minute that we anticipated most at last arrived. It was the point at which the sun rose to clear the fog and mists and the general photo of the good country began to show up obviously in the splendid daylight. Dong Cao abruptly woke up to wind up a beguiling pixie land, particularly appealing to picture takers.

The mists continued gliding above us, now and again so thin, yet on occasion so thick that we could just see the highest point of Yen Tu Mountain from a remote place. We could hear the resonant sound of the flute originating from some place close by. On the other hand, when we found the wellspring of the sound, the stallion crowding young men who were perched on tremendous stones on the good country, chuckled and fled, shying far from our cameras.

"The life here is so quiet and satisfying," shouted one of my companions, including, "I would rather be a rancher grouping bovines and cutting grass!"

Each of my companions began to scatter to find distinctive parts of Dong Cao. Some of them went chasing for photos, some visited the encompassing waterfalls or streams while others enthusiastically climbed other green slopes.

Dong Cao has a plenitude of both grass and breeze. To me, taking a relaxation stroll on the lavish green grass in the early morning and bringing a full breath with the sweet possess a scent reminiscent of the woods and mountain was sufficiently satisfying. All of a sudden, every one of our stresses vanished with the delicate wind blowing around us.

We remunerated ourselves by moving around at a moderate pace, and getting a charge out of each snippet of it. We all felt sorry that the following day we would need to come back to the typical quick pace of cutting edge life and its numerous stresses. At that point Dong Cao Good country would be our quiet decently arrive with starry evenings and shady mornings that we would all long to come back to sometime in the not so distant future.

Dong Cao Good country is among those uncommon destinations that are suitable for outdoors throughout the entire year, particularly on weekends. It is suggested that you visit the arrive on Saturday night and discover level area to erect the tents preceding it gets dull.

It is additionally prescribed that you ought to painstakingly store enough sustenance and water, as the good country is really a long way from any local locations, and there are no vacationer administrations accessible. In any case, it is the confinement and calm of Dong Cao Good country that pulls in guests, particularly youthful globe-trotters.

Rain praying ritual of the Lo Lo in Ha Giang

The Lo celebrate numerous customs every year – the spring custom, the corn picking custom, and the downpour imploring custom. The Lo in Meo Vac Locale, Ha Giang Territory, have held a downpour imploring celebration for eras.

This occasion is likewise a venue for individuals to meet and talk about business and for youngsters to date.

The Lo petition their genies for good climate, abundant products, and a long life. The downpour supplicating celebration is seen in the third lunar month in the field.

Lo Sy Pao, Head of Sung Dad A Village, Meo Vac Town, said, "When there is no downpour in the third lunar month, we compose a downpour begging custom on the thirteenth day of the month. When it's down-pouring, we can start developing. All villagers contribute offerings."

They get ready 1 chicken, 2 puppies, 1 wooden or press sword, wine, a bamboo tube to hold incense, and votive paper. They play bronze drums and a two-string fiddle amid the custom. There are male and female drums speaking to paradise and earth, the father and mother of the universe.

The two-string fiddle of the Lo is three times greater than that of other ethnic gatherings. A downpour imploring custom takes two hours.

At the point when the offerings are orchestrated at the love put, the alchemist welcomes genies to go to the function and favor the general population with good climate and guard crop.

Lo Sy Pao noticed, "The downpour imploring custom is held in the field and every one of the villagers need to go to. They wear their conventional outfits. We go to the genies and the father and mother of the universe who brought forth people. On the off chance that we don't supplicate, it won't rain."

The alchemist welcomes the 4 genies guarding the 4 corners of the universe to go to a gala with the villagers.

The downpour imploring custom is a religious occasion of the Lo and additionally other ethnic gatherings in Ha Giang, including the Mong, Tay, and Giay. They discuss their family, marriage, generation, and development.

Can Thi Quy in Sung Dad A village shared, "Each family unit contributes something to the downpour asking custom. Individuals of other ethnic gatherings living in the region likewise join in. The celebration is a chance for youngsters to find out about their history and society. At the celebration, we sing and perform our conventional moves."

After the love function, the villagers drink a toast, eat, move, and sing people tunes in recognition of nature and their bunch's histor

From a distance, Elephant Mountain looks like two giant elephants kissing the ground. They are lying between mountains and forests that extend endlessly.

Situated at Duc Trong Locale, in the Focal Good countries Area of Lam Dong, the mountain is a perfect destination for vacationers who have an extraordinary adoration for nature and audacious encounters.

The vacationer site is comfortable southern entryway of Da Lat or 15km toward the south of the downtown area.

Following a day finding the mountain, vacationers can overlook each inconvenience and weight from customary life and appreciate the mountains and woodlands and to take up the marvelous difficulties of the forcing heap of Elephant.

Two stone elephant statues at the entryway of the site welcome travelers. From here, it's anything but difficult to see a house on stilts bearing building design of the K'Ho ethnic individuals and houses based on trees. Sightseers can decide to spend the night at these houses or rest in tents contributed the timberland.

A 100ha campground covers the right half of the elephants. It's acknowledged as a standout amongst the most intriguing destinations crosswise over Da Lat and the Focal Good countries.

Especially, guests can join a focal point of abilities preparing with a few energizing group exercises and amusements, for example, climbing spider webs, intersection dividers of hindrances and also overcoming furious springs.

The group building diversions overhaul certain aptitudes of managing troubles and difficulties.

All outside exercises here are profoundly connected to the nature. Finishing the course of aptitudes preparing, voyagers will be sufficiently skilled to take an interest in the to a great degree fascinating adventure to find Elephant Mountain, encountering profitable snippets of getting a charge out of and blending with nature.

Elephant Mountain (named by the French as Rowas) is accepted to be the encapsulation of two elephants from La Ngu Thuong Town on their approach to go to the wedding gathering of Biang and Lang.

Because of the long-standing law of the two factions, the adoration between Lang of the Lat ethnic gathering and Biang of Sre gathering was illegal by the seniors. They couldn't get hitched. They chose to confer suicide to stay together endlessly.

The elephants which were tamed by Lang knew about the melancholy demise of the youthful couple when they were moving to Prenn pass. At the anguished news, they lost their whole quality to beat the slant and tumbled to death. Their bodies transformed into today's mountain.

While exercises at the campground are so energizing and uproarious, the trekking visit to Stick Hatt Crest (about 1,700m above ocean level) brings visitors quietness and quiet.

Arriving on cloudless days, sightseers can appreciate the all encompassing perspective of Tuyen Lam Lake and Da Lat City.

Walking along crisscross tracks, travelers can breath in the new cool air and appreciate the breathtaking scene in transit.

Shockingly, we run over little streams, woods orchids swinging on exceptionally old trees, and waterfalls.

A vacationer from Brisbane who gave her name as Clare commented that the waterfall on the mountain is not tremendous, but rather the trek to arrive was stunning.

"At the point when the our visit aide took me underneath the waterfall, I could feel the compelling force of it," she said. "Despite the fact that it's sloppy, it is an excellent common component and worth the visit."

Around 2km up from the mountain foot, trekkers can discover a lake which serves brilliantly as a characteristic swimming pool.

Getting up high, we think about in individual the thousand-year-old red pine trees, each of which is large to the point that even three grown-ups' arms can't encompass it.

The Elephant Mountain is not just a vacation spot with a cool atmosphere lasting through the year and an abundant arrangement of widely varied vegetation additionally home to an old animal: red pine trees (Pinus dalatensis).

Following an energetic day of vanquishing the statures and inquisitive about the nearby ethnic individuals' history and society, voyagers will be served a simmered supper around the glimmering pit fire.

The essence of ruou can (wine expended through funnels from containers), the charmed song of gongs and the move of K'Ho youngsters wait in the voyagers' psyche and get to be extraordinary minutes.

It's undoubted that the mountain covers up numerous insider facts that should be found by sightseers.

Shop for Ethnic Crafts in Vietnam
Browse for crafts created by a diverse group of
Vietnamese ethic minorities in a shop once visited
by former US President Bill Clinton.
The experience: Craft Link was established in
1996 as a non-profit organisation to provide ethnic
minorities and the disadvantaged with the chance
to earn a fair wage and keep their culture alive
through crafts.
Visitors to Craft Links Hanoi shops on Van Mieu
Street or in the Museum of Ethnology get much
more than a selection of crafts produced by dozens
of different ethnic minorities. Browsing through the
shop creates awareness in Vietnam’s multi-ethnic
fabric, as information on the handicrafts and their
producers reveals the origins of the designs and
patterns and the traditional skills used to make
them.
Craft Link offers shoppers a variety of high-quality
handicraft items with functional value as well as
cultural significance. The shop overflows with Ta Oi

baskets, Dao ornaments, Nung embroidered
cushion covers, Black Thai blankets and Hemp
purses with Hmong appliqués. The artisans also
use their traditional patterns, designs and skills to
produce modern products, so each retains a touch
of their culture. The Craft Link business team
manages the wholesale, retail and export of
handicrafts produced throughout Vietnam, and
practices fair trade, ensuring that the producers
earn fair wages. Craft Link also coordinates exhibitions
and bazaars to raise awareness of ethnic
minority crafts and culture.
How it helps: Craft Link supports poor ethnic
minority groups, disadvantaged people and
remote villages in reviving and maintaining their
traditions and culture while providing a reasonable
income through handicraft production. As a
member of the International Fair Trade Association,
Craft Link guarantees profits from sales go
directly to the artisans. The organisation provides
training in management practices, bookkeeping,
pricing, product development and marketing to
place more control of the entire commercial
process in the hands of the producers. The development
and design team further assists the artisans
by implementing income-generating projects.
Craft Link educates producers on how to protect
the environment in their daily lives as well as in
their production processes. The organisation
closely cooperates with NGOs and INGOs such as
CARE and the UN Drug Control Programme to
execute the handicraft components of their
poverty alleviation programmes.
Shop for Ethnic Crafts
Hmong Embroidery
Location and contact information
Craft Link
43 Van Mieu Street, Dong Da district, Hanoi
Tel: (+84) [0] 4733 6101
Fax: (+84) [0] 4843 7926
E-mail: craftlink@fpt.vn
Web: www.craftlink-vietnam.com
Open daily 0900-1800 (closed 1215-1315)
At the Museum of Ethnology: 0830-1730 (closed Mondays)

Pioneers of Low Impact in Vietnam
Award-winning Buffalo Tours pioneered low impact treks and cycle trips in Mai Chau. Volunteer projects and home stays build authentic cultural exchanges between visitors and villagers.
The experience: Buffalo Tours began taking tourists off the beaten track in the mid 1990s, providing those searching for an authentic experience with two-way cultural exchanges at local communities. Since then, Buffalo Tours has established a tight bond with grass-roots residents and ethnic minorities.
Buffalo Tours specialises in private and or small group nature tours to ensure a low-impact experience. Their trekking and cycling expeditions enable travellers to see Vietnam’s stunning scenery by day and immerse themselves in its culture with homestays at night.

As the frontrunners in responsible tourism to Mai Chau, Buffalo Tours offers exclusive expeditions to
this fascinating hilltribe region located in the northwest highlands just 135 kms from Hanoi.
Biking and trekking trips are available, and both present a balance between culture and adventure.
Buffalo Tours’ six-day hilltribe “Discovery Trek” roams the mountainside, stopping at six villages inhabited by ethnic minorities including the White Thai, Hmong, Muong and Zao. Trekkers experience local cuisine and spend their night in stilt houses in the isolated villages of Hang Kia, Van, Xo, Poong Cong and Nahn.
More strenuous, but a great way to absorb Vietnam’s northern mountains, is Buffalo Tours’ four-day cycling journey to Mai Chau. Tours kick off in Hanoi with an 80-km jaunt to Hoa Binh town.
The next day’s steep 65-km leg lands in Lac for the night’s stay. After visiting a handful of ethnic hamlets, day three’s ride heads downhill to Van for an overnight in a stilt house. The final stint is the toughest, but wraps up with a relaxing support vehicle cruise back to Hanoi.
Buffalo Tours was also the first travel company in Vietnam to offer volunteer travel programmes, combining a placement at a grassroots projects with excursions throughout the region. The company continues as a leader in volunteer projects in Vietnam.
In recognition of Buffalo Tour’s achievements, the Pacific Asia Travel Association presented company
CEO Tran Trong Kien with its 2007 “Face of the Future Award” for his positive contribution to local communities in promoting sustainable tourism practices.

How it helps: Since opening up Mai Chau to tourism, Buffalo Tours has been instrumental in conserving the local hilltribes’ cultures. Tourism has enabled villagers to remain in the land of their ancestors and continue age-old traditions such as weaving and farming while generating income through homestays. The alternative is moving to urban areas to work in factories and shops. Buffalo Tours homestay development in the Mai
Chau region has educated the locals on the concept of sustainable tourism and how it improves their local economy. Villagers are encouraged to charge on a per-night basis, sell their handicrafts to visitors, preserve their ethnic dress and take pride in their traditions. Buffalo Tours also explains Western culture to the villagers and why foreign travellers are interested in Vietnamese hilltribes.
Buffalo Tours educates clients prior to their trips with pre-departure fact sheets and responsible tourism guidelines that cover cultural, social and environmental issues. Further, 100% of Buffalo Tour guides are locals and trained on environmental protection in areas where they take tourists trekking. They also receive cultural training on the ethnic minority tribes they visit with their groups.

Food is purchased and produced for the treks by the local communities. Buffalo Tours has longstanding
relationships with these suppliers and ensures their hygiene and environmental practices meet sustainable standards. The company also assists Mai Chau communities with recycling efforts, and provides crops and water buffalos for farming, water wells and composts for waste.
Once a year, Buffalo Tours operates medical treks to the Mai Chau region to treat hilltribes. Both local
and international doctors embark on house calls and take local/traditional medicine and treatments
into consideration. Independent studies by NGOs have confirmed that in the Mai Chau region, local communities are satisfied with the contribution Buffalo Tours is making to their lives. The company’s efforts and donations (US$50,000 in 2006) have contributed to poverty reduction, better labour conditions and better farming techniques.
The contributions have also built schools (with World Expeditions) and have given hope to a region stricken by poverty.

Stay with the Tay
Immerse yourself in the culture of an out-of-theway ethnic village that offers simple, but clean accommodation and guided treks in the surrounding hills and valleys.
The experience: Asian Encounters provides poor Asian communities with information and communication
technologies to help them promote local tourism to global travellers. In Vietnam, the organisation is establishing “e-Community Based
Tourism” in the northern rural village of Ta Van. Ta Van is being developed as a sustainable pro-poor tourism destination in the mountains of northeast Vietnam’s Sapa district in Lao Cai province. At 1,816 metres and only 30 km from the Red River and the Chinese border, Ta Van is home to the Tay, a rice-growing people who live in wooden or bamboo houses on stilts.A homestay in Ta Van provides a close-up insight into the colourfully dressed Tay and their lifestyle. Visitors spend most of their time socialising with the locals and chatting in English with youngsters.

The distant village also provides a good base for guided treks, led by locals, among tiered rice fields in the surrounding mountains and valleys. Ta Van operates a website linked to Asian Encounters’ home page that helps the village pinpoint visitors seeking a genuine cultural and environmental encounter. It presents travellers with an honest, informative picture of the community, its people, food and accommodation. Around 10 farming households offer basic but clean and comfortable lodging that can only be booked over the website.
How it helps: Asian Encounters’ IT efforts in Ta Van place the villagers in control of their tourism.
The community manages the website’s content, which they use to directly reach travellers worldwide and cut out the middleman. This cost effective marketing approach aims to place more of tourism income into Ta Van residents’ hands. Ta Van operates all its tourist enterprises – lodging, tours, dining and craft sales – and the website assists the community in connecting to tourists, who are seeking a truly authentic experience. At
the same time, Ta Van’s website avoids attracting crowds of mainstream tourists, which could damage the local environment and negatively impact their culture. Tech-savvy travellers searching for a responsible tourism destination will be drawn to Ta Van, while agents steer the others elsewhere.Asian Encounters’ website initiative in Ta Van is serving as a prototype for further local internet development in areas such as health, education, agriculture and enterprise development.

Contact and booking information
Asian Encounters
Roger Harris
5B Angel Court, Ville de Cascade, 2 Lai Wo Lane, Fo Tan,
Shatin, Hong Kong
Tel: (+852) 2698 6134
E-mail: harris38@netvigator.com
Web: www.asianencounters.org/community/tavan
(booking is done over the website only and not through
Dr Harris)


Dine for the Kids
While in Hoi An, enjoy a hearty Vietnamese meal in a restaurant staffed by ex-street kids. Part of the profits go to education, health and food for street kids and orphans.
The experience: Far from the run-of-the-mill eatery and a place to relax with a drink, the Blue Dragon restaurant’s friendly service and delicious meals are delivered by staff from disadvantaged backgrounds. Owner Mr Nam, who works with street kids, opened the restaurant in 2003 with funding from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. In return, Mr Nam donates 5% of his profits to the small local NGO.
Located near the market with a view of the river, the Blue Dragon restaurant features a range of tasty dishes, including its signature, fried wonton. Steaming deep-fried spring rolls, spicy crab and spinach with shrimp are among other big hits. No trip to the Blue Dragon is complete without a sip of its popular coconut rum.

The restaurant displays products created by beneficiaries of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. Their line up includes honey, sports  shirts, art work, greeting cards photos and jewellery. The young people involved in producing the merchandise earn money from their sales.
Private cooking classes can be arranged in which participants select menu items to learn to prepare.
Everyone has a youngster as an assistant, while going step by step through the recipes, from raw ingredients to a meal to enjoy after the class. How it helps: Aside from enjoying a great meal and service, the Blue Dragon restaurant’s patrons dine knowing they are contributing to charity without having it added to the bill. Part of the restaurant’s profits go into local projects, such as paying for teachers at a local pagoda and providing fruit to children in orphanages. Other funds are directed to the Blue Orphan’s Children’s
Foundation’s three official projects. The Hoi An Street Children’s Centre receives donations for school fees, food and health insurance for 60 students. The Step Ahead programme, based in Hanoi, supports 150 street
children or those with disabilities, and Stay in School helps rural youngsters continue their education in Bac Ninh province.
Kids who Mr Nam guided through training at the Blue Dragon have gone on to work as waiters and trainee chefs at The Vine, one of Hanoi’s finest dining establishments.
Dine for the Kids
Interior View

Location and contact information
Blue Dragon Restaurant
46 Bach Dang, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Viet Nam
(The restaurant is near the market facing the river)
Tel: (+845) [10] 910742
E-mail: bluedragon@bdcf.org
Web: www.bdcf.org/restaurant.html
Open 0900-1000 daily

Embassies & Consulates
The following embassies are found in Hanoi (telephone code 84-4) though many countries also have consulates in Ho Chi Minh City:
Australia : 831 7755; 8 Dao Tan St
Cambodia : 942 4788; 71 Tran Hung Dao St
Canada : 734 5000; 31 Hung Vuong St
China : 845 3736; 256 46 Hoang Dieu St
France : 943 7719; 57 Tran Hung Dao St
Germany : 845 3836/ 7; 29 Tran Phu St
Laos : 942 4576; 22 Tran Binh Trong St
Malaysia : 734 3836; 43 - 45 Dien Bien Phu St
Singapore : 823 3965/ 6; 41 Tran Phu St
Thailand : 823 5092/ 4; 63-65 Hoang Dieu Str
UK : 936 0500; 31 Hai Ba Trung
USA : 772 1500; 7 Lang Ha St

Emergency Contact Numbers
General emergency telephone numbers in
Vietnam are:
Ambulance 115
Fire 114
Police 113
In Hanoi, an emergency International SOS line is available (04-934-0555). The best facilities for receiving medical attention are Family Medical Practice (04 843 0748), Viet Duc
Hospital (04 828-9852) and the Hanoi French
Hospital (04 574 1111).
The Ho Chi Minh City police (08 99398) can be reached in the day time. For major medical emergencies, contact Asia Emergency Assistance (08 829-4386). The better medical facilities include Centre Medical International (24-Hour Emergency Number, 08 865 4025), Cho Ray Hospital (24-Hour Emergency
Number: 08 855 4137), the Franco-Vietnamese Hospital (08 411 3333) and Grand Dentistry (08 821 9446).

Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
Out of politeness, always ask permission before taking photos of people and places of worship.
Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist pagodas. You may place small donations in boxes found in the temples, as this helps pay for their upkeep. A gentle handshake and a smile is the most appropriate manner of greeting. Be firm yet diplomatic when dealing with officials who can be rigid. In case of a misunderstanding, patience and good humour is the best policy.
Small gifts such as foreign cigarettes, lighters, pens, liquor and perfume are generally appreciated by people you may befriend or who assist you. If you are spotted giving money to street beggars, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, you may be mobbed by others. A donation to a reputable charity is considered a better alternative Please refer to Laos’ Cultural Do’s and Don’ts on page 68 for additional suggestions.

VIETNAM: TRAVELER'S INFORMATION
Visas and Border Crossings Most visitors to Vietnam require a 15- or 30-day tourist visa to enter the country, and these can applied for at any Vietnamese embassy or consulate, either by post or in person. The fee may vary, depending on the issuing country, but the costs is usually around US$25, and one passport-sized photo is required. Processing generally takes five days though a two-day express service is available, and this application may be faxed. A same-day express service is also available for those staying less than 15 days, and these generally take an hour to process.

Vietnam is bordered by China, Lao PDR and Cambodia, and there are several overland border crossings to each, though many are in remote locations. The seven checkpoints into Cambodia include Moc Bai some 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Mat near Tan Bien, Chau Doc in Ang Giang province west of
Ho Chi Minh City, Le Thanh in Gia Lai, Dinh Ba in Dong Thap and Xa Xia in Kien Giang. A boat checkpoint is located about 50 km north of Chau Doc on the Tien Giang (Mekong) River, which connects to Phnom Penh.

Besides a train crossing, there are three overland borders checkpoints into China. The Lao Cai border gate connects to Yunnan province in the far northwest, the Mong Cai border is on the South China Sea and serves the Guangxi coast, and the Huu Nghi crossing near Lang Son opens traffic from Hanoi to
Chengzong and Nanning. Seven border crossings connect Vietnam to Laos. The Na Meo checkpoint in Thanh Hoa province leads to northern Lao, Nam Can on Route 7 ties Vinh to Luang Prabang and Keo
Nua on Route 8 allows passage from Vinh to Vientiane. The Lao Bao crossing in Quang Tri on Route 9 goes straight to Savannakhet, Laos. The Cha Lo border in Quang Binh province, Po Y in Kon Tum and Tay Trang in Dien Bien also open passage to Laos.

Getting There & Away
Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport welcomes flights from 17 foreign destinations and 19 international routes service Vietnam’s HCM Airport, which is being expanded. Within the Mekong Sub-region, direct flights link to Bangkok, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, while regional service connects to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming and Taipei. The Hanoi-Beijing rail line crosses the Vietnam border at Lang Son (Dong Dang).

Local Time
Vietnam is seven hours ahead of GMT/UTC.

Working Hours
Government offices are open Monday through Friday, eight hours a day from 0730 to 1630 with an hour off for lunch. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 0730 or 0800 until 1130 and again from 1300 to 1600. Government offices and banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Private shops are generally open from 0800 or 0830 until 2100 to 2200.

Keeping Healthy
No vaccinations are officially required to visit Vietnam, but local medical authorities recommend protection against polio, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and Japanese encephalitis. For travellers spending time in the countryside, precautions should take to not to get bitten by mosquitoes.
Repellents and mosquito nets are necessary. All travellers are advised to bring required prescription medications in the original containers. You should pack a small medical kit, which includes sunscreen, insect repellent, diarrhoea medication, ibuprofen or aspirin and antibacterial ointments. For those who wear eyeglasses, bring an extra pair, as the quality of local replacements vary.
Medical care facilities are available in the largest cities, but are limited outside of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Travellers should consult with their insurance companies to determine whether coverage is included for Vietnam, as care is expensive, and often requires evacuation to nearby countries such as Thailand.
Pharmacies carry most common medicines and antibiotics at a reasonable price, and prescriptions are rarely needed. Though there are many tropical diseases, the most common ailments inflicting travellers are diarrhoea, upset stomachs and dehydration. The best advice is to use common sense, avoid tap water and drink plenty of bottled water.

Money
Vietnam’s official currency is the dong (VND), though US dollars are widely accepted. VND paper notes come in the following denominations: 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. VND 1,000,000 and 500,000 cheques are also available.Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged into VND at banks or foreign exchange agencies throughout the country. Credit cards are generally accepted in cities
and large tourist centres, but most shops prefer cash. ATMs are also readily available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as other major cities such as Danang, Nha Trang, Vinh and Hue. Bargaining is very much a part of the Vietnamese way of life, and almost everything except meals is negotiable. Don't bargain just for the sake of it; if your price is agreed, then you are honour bound to make the purchase. Don't waste time and energy haggling over what only amounts to a few cents.
Tourists are regarded as wealthy, but small shopkeepers and restaurateurs usually charge the local rate.