Thứ Tư, 7 tháng 10, 2015

Exploring Phong Nha Ke Bang, Quang Binh

Exploring Phong Nha Ke Bang, Quang Binh
Quang Binh
Quang Binh is a province in the upper middle region of Vietnam. The width of the province is relatively short, only 50 km from its border with Lao to the seashore, making it the narrowest province on the map of Vietnam. Quang Binh adjoins Ha Tinh in the North, Quang Tri in the South, East Sea in the East and Lao’s Kham Muon Province in the West. Vietnam travel packages
The natural area of Quang Binh is 8.065,27 km². With a population of only 847,9 thousands, it is a pretty humble province in term of people. Besides the capital city called Dong Hoi, the other districts of Quang Binh are listed as follows: Tuyen Hoa, Minh Hoa, Quang Trach, Bo Trach,Quang Ninh, and Le Thuy.
The province has a pretty narrow and steep topography. While 85% of the total area is mountains, there are also other types of terrain such as hills, valleys, highlands, plains, etc. However, almost all of the areas in the West of Quang Binh are mountains, which usually have the height of 1’000 to 1’500, among which Phi Co Pi is the highest peak.  On the East side, there are many beautiful beaches along the seashore. Centre Vietnam travel tours
Quang Binh Tral Guide-Sunspa
Quang Binh lies in a tropical region where it has to bear the effects of both Northern climate and Southern climate. There are two separate seasons: the rain season which lasts from Septemberto March with an average of 2’000 – 2’300 mm/year, and the dry season which lasts from April toAugust with an average temperature of 24oC - 25 oC.
As Quang Binh is both the intersection of many cultural movements and the battle ground of two wars in the 20th century, it has many cultural and historical sites that are worth visiting. Another the reason is that it is a province where we can find many ethnic groups whose cultures and traditions are extremely diverse and interesting. Besides, with a 116.04 km long coastline, Quang Binh has a stable foundation to develop tourism. Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is an interesting natural wonder which was recognized by UNESCO as world heritage in July, 2003. In addition, Hoang Phuc Pagoda, Quang Binh Gate, and Dong Hoi fortress are also the sites that you should not miss.
Phong Nha Cavern


A part of the giant Ke Bang Mount, Phong Nha Cavern belongs to Bo Trach District in Quang Binh Province. It is also regarded as “Troc Cavern” or “Cave Pagoda”. Only 60km away from Dong Hoi City, this number one cavern in Vietnam has become an increasingly famous attraction in recent years.
Phong Nha Cavern has many sections, with a total length of up to 20km, but people have only been able to explore the longest section, which is a part of an underground river called Nam Aki. In front of the East gate, the mountains and the river embrace each other, creating a majestic scene that provokes the imagination of many people. In the rain season, the water of the river rises, covering the mouth of the cavern and making it impossible to visit.
Quang Binh Travel Guide-Phong nha Cave1
The mouth of the cavern has a width of 20m and a height of 10m. From the view point of the people sitting on the boats, the cavern looks like an upside down giant bowl. The transparent water of the river resembles the surface of a mirror. As we go further into the heart of the cavern, the light becomes dimmer before it totally dies out. Along with the sound of the floating boat, we feel as if the sound of gongs is coming from afar. The inhabitants regard it as the music from the banquet of the God of Mountain.
Quang Binh Travel Guide-Phong Nha Cave2
Phong Nha has more than 20 caves with a huge 1500m-long main hall as well as many supplement halls which are hundreds meter long. The outer caves have 10m high ceilings and the inner caves have 25-50m high ceilings. From the 14th cave on, visitor can get to bigger and more dangerous caves where the stalactite-forming process is still occurring. Continuing their adventure on the boat for about 800m, visitors can get to a place called the Dried Cave where stalagmites and stalactites form a spectacular construction full of intrigue shapes.
It is hard and even nearly impossible to describe in words the majestic beauty of those caves and halls painted with the glistering color of underground water reflecting on huge blocks of stalagmites and stalactites. We feel speechless: excited and scared at the same time as if we are traveling inside a giant monster. At that moment, your mind will be filled with exhilarating or daunting imagination.

Thứ Tư, 22 tháng 7, 2015

Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta


Most flights to Vietnam land in its chaotic business hub – Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon. Now we can definitely forgive you for staring at postcards with picture-perfect Vietnamese panoramas of rice paddies while you are surrounded by Saigon’s nightmarish traffic. These postcards seem to be selling a bucolic haven, enveloped by mist, that’s nowhere to be found. The only ‘mist’ you’ll see here is a result of the fumes arising from thousands of motorbikes on Saigon’s busy roads. If you have over a week or two, it’s possible to experience idyllic Vietnam in all its glory at Halong Bay, Phu Quoc, or Mui Ne/Phan Thiet. If not, then a Day Trip to the Mekong Delta is the perfect way to get a taste of the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside.

A 2-hour drive through suburban Saigon leads to My Tho, an important market town and the gateway to the bustling floating markets of the Mekong Delta. The Mekong River, known as The Mighty Dragon or The River of the Nine Dragons in Vietnam, is the life-line of six countries in Asia (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and China). It passes through temple cities, lush tropical forests, swamps, rice plantations and boasts of some of the richest and most fertile landscapes in the world. Jasmine Cruise

So we decided to go for a sampan cruise on one of the tributaries of the Mekong.
We opted for a private tour and had the entire boat to ourselves

Our guide Nam, a young university student, gave us a short geographical lesson before we boarded a small boat that took us to Unicorn Island, named after a Chinese mythological figure. We sat on a wobbly bench under a thatched roof as we sampled Vietnamese honey tea. Regular tea is flavoured with the juice of kumquats (a small citrusy fruit, similar to limes) and sweetened with home-made honey. Southern Vietnam Discovery

Bee pollen might be the newest health fad to hit the western world, but here in the backwaters of Vietnam, it is generously spooned into every cup of tea. We sipped on the tea and munched on the accompanying candied ginger, banana chips, and peanut bars as we observed the ritual being repeated for dozens of tourists around us.

Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta
Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta
Moments later, we were treated to a rather weary song and dance routine by local musicians before being ferried to a neighbouring island, known as the Kingdom of Coconut. Ben Tre Island boasts of over 45,000 hectares of coconut trees, so make sure you carry an insect repellent spray or wear a mosquito repellent band when you venture to this part of the country. Every day hundreds of tourists visit this island, so the thrill of stumbling on something new is almost non-existent. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less fun.

We visited a local coconut factory and tried our hand at making coconut candy. We failed miserably, so we drowned our sorrows in snake wine- yes that’s a thing! Don’t believe us? Take a look

But we didn’t stop there – our guide treated us to a calorie-laden lunch comprising fried fish, scrumptious Pho, and Vietnamese rice-paper spring rolls. Once we were suitably stuffed, we decided to go on a bike-ride through the Vietnamese country side (yes, that’s how smart we are). As you might have predicted we were panting for breath in no time :-)

Towards the end of the day, we decided to go for a Sampan cruise on one of the tributaries of the Mekong. We stepped into our boat tentatively but started enjoying the ride almost as soon as our boat started making its way past lush palm trees and stunning green foliage. Day trips such as this are bound to feel ‘touristy’, but one look at the brightly-coloured boats bobbing along the calm waters of the Mekong made us fall in love with the river. We’ll definitely be back for more….

FACT FILE
A Day Trip to the Mekong Delta is the perfect way of getting a taste of the Vietnamese countryside if you only 1 day to spare. If you have 2-3 days, make sure you visit the floating markets in Can Tho as well.
We booked our Day Trip to the Mekong Delta with Impress Travels – their staff arranged everything well and promptly responded to all our queries within hours over email. Highly recommended.
The tour costs anywhere between $35-65/person depending on group size. Private tours cost $75/person.
We opted for a private tour – this gave us the flexibility of customising the tour according to our taste. Moreover this ensured we did not feel rushed at any time.

Thứ Năm, 16 tháng 7, 2015

Top Things to do in Con Dao Island


Snorkeling
Con Dao is considered one of the best examples of marine conservation in the country. With over 340 species of coral teeming with a colorful array of marine life, Con Dao supports a high level of biodiversity including over 1,400 marine species. Snorkelling in the turquoise waters around the island gives you a chance to look at the colorful and exotic marine life. South Vietnam tours Packages

Con Dao Historical & Prison Tour
In 1861, the French colonial government built this prison to house political prisoners. Today, you can learn about that grim past at the Con Dao Museum, which was once the colonial governor’s residence. Exhibits also reveal details about the island’s natural and pre-colonial history.

Discover Sea Turtles
Con Dao is the only place in Vietnam where sea turtles come to nest and enjoy full National Park protection. From May to October every year, Green and Hawksbill turtles come to nest around one of thirteen beaches. During this period, female turtles come up on the beach at high tide during the night. It takes an exhausting two to three hours for the female to dig, lay and cover her nest before returning to the ocean. Paradise Cruise in Halong bay

Hiking in Tropical Rainforest
Venture into the rainforest behind the town and climb 260 metres above sea level to So Ray Plantation, where you might be lucky enough to spot rare species such as the Con Dao Long Tailed Macaque and playful Con Dao Giant Black Squirrel. Adventurous travelers can keep hiking through the less-traveled north side of Con Dao. BASSAC CRUISE

Rest at stunning Ong Dung Bay.
Trekking to the Lighthouse
A 30 minute ride by speedboat brings you to the beautiful island of Bay Canh, where this adventure begins. A two-hour trek through dense forest leads you to one of Con Dao’s most important landmarks. The Bay Canh Lighthouse was built in 1885 and is one of the highest points on the island, at 226 meters above sea level.
Top Things to do in Con Dao Island
Top Things to do in Con Dao Island

Catamaran Sailing
Feel the soft breeze on your face and see the beauty and charm Con Dao has to offer, from the picturesque fishing boats to the point in the horizon where the sky seems to blend with the sea.

Fishing Trip
What better way to spend the early morning than on a boat feeling the sea breeze against your skin against the backdrop of Con Dao Archipelago? A simple fishing boat offers an ideal way to explore these picturesque waters - and perhaps capture some lunch!

Scuba Diving
With depths ranging from 5 to 20 meters for recreational diving, Con Dao offers a unique opportunity to explore the amazing variety of underwater life. Explore the untouched and pristine coral, and you might spot rays, turtles, giant barracuda, cobia, batfish and small bamboo sharks as well as a whole host of tropical reef fish.

Explore Local Life
A guide will take you around the island, through back roads, small dwellings and local agricultural plots that are peppered with livestock, so you can experience how local people live.

Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 7, 2015

20 Things You Must Eat In Hanoi


Food-loving globetrotters, here’s a bit of sound advice: If you’re headed to Vietnam’s northern city of Hanoi, we’d recommend you pack a pair of elastic-banded pants. The city is a wonderland of cheap eats and drinks, offering an endless variety of soups, noodles, buns, rolls and sandwiches paired with plenty of fresh herbs — and fresh beer, too.
Food-loving globetrotters, here’s a bit of sound advice: If you’re headed to Vietnam’s northern city of Hanoi, we’d recommend you pack a pair of elastic-banded pants. The city is a wonderland of cheap eats and drinks, offering an endless variety of soups, noodles, buns, rolls and sandwiches paired with plenty of fresh herbs — and fresh beer, too. Travel to Vietnam

You could spend a week eating your way through the hectic, motorbike-clogged streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and never eat the same meal twice. I know I didn’t on my recent trip. Here are 20 dishes and drinks from Hanoi that haunt my hungry dreams.

1. Bánh bao
The close cousin to the steamed Chinese baozi can be stuffed with ingredients ranging from pork to mushrooms and quail eggs. It’s a hot and fluffy treat. Halong bay tours Vietnam

2. Bánh cuốn
When dawn breaks, we suggest you seek out these rice-flour rolls wrapped around minced mushrooms and pork. It’s a warm, wonderful way to start the day.

3. Bánh mì
The baguette is one of the enduring symbols of French colonialism. It’s given a Southeast Asian twist by stuffing it with pâté, mayonnaise, pickled carrots and daikon, jalapeños and gobs of cold cuts. But the bánh mì is basically a blank slate to which cooks can add whatever they desire. Mekong river tours Vietnam

4. Bánh xèo
Made with turmeric and plenty of coconut milk, the crispy rice-flour crepe classically encases shrimp, pork, onions and perhaps sprouts too. It’s also served with a garden’s worth of herbs.
20 Things You Must Eat In Hanoi
20 Things You Must Eat In Hanoi

5. Bia hơi
Draft beer is sacred to Vietnam, where tipplers wile away the hours sipping on this crisp, unpasteurized and unfiltered lager—its name roughly translates to “fresh beer”—that’s usually sold for about 25 cents a mug. Go on, have four. You’d need to drink gallons to get drunk.

6. Bún bò nam bộ
Carnivores should seek out this southern-Vietnam dish: A bed of rice noodles is topped by tender grilled beef, chopped cucumbers, lettuce, papaya slivers, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts and heaps of crunchy fried onions. Mix it with fish sauce–spiked nước chấm, take a bite, moan and repeat.

7. Bún bò huế
Get your sinuses running with a bowl of this spicy beef-noodle soup that hails from Huế, Vietnam’s last imperial capital. You can cut the fire with some fresh herbs or a squirt of citrus.

8. Bún cha
When lunchtime hits in Hanoi, the air is perfumed with the scent of sizzling grilled pork, the key component to the city’s signature dish. The swine is served alongside a sweet ’n’ salty broth, slices of green papaya, rice noodles and fresh herbs as far as the eye can see.

9. Bún ốc
Slow-moving sea snails are cherished in Hanoi, where they’re served in a steaming noodle soup with a tomato-based broth.

10. Bún riêu
Consider this the love child of phở, tomato soup and the sea. The noodle soup is composed of a tomato-based broth filled with plenty of crab and bobbing chunks of tomato.

11. Cà phê sữa nóng/sữa đá
Jumpstart your nervous system with a steaming cup of cà phê sữa nóng—that is, potent coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk. It’s an electric jolt to the nervous system. (If you prefer your coffee cold, order cà phê sữa đá—with ice.)

12. Chả cá
Chunks of fish are anointed with plenty of turmeric, then sizzled with heaps of dill and served with rice noodles. It’s a fragrant delight.

13. Gỏi cuốn
The cool, fresh summer rolls are made with rice paper wrapped around herbs, vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork or whatever vegetables and protein you have on hand.

14. Mì vįt tiềm
You’ll notice the echoes of Cantonese cuisine in this soup stuffed with squiggly yellow noodles, roasted duck and Chinese broccoli.

15. Nem cua be
Instead of a tube, these flaky, deep-fried spring rolls are shaped like a square. What’s inside is equally surprising: ground crab, pork, mushrooms and more. Eat them with fresh herbs and lettuce, which ably cut through the greasiness.

16. Nước chấm
Almost everything in Vietnam tastes better after being dunked into this salty-sweet-sour dipping sauce. It’s composed of fish sauce, citrus juice, sugar, water and, if you prefer, garlic and hot peppers.

17. Nước mía
Attention, sweet tooth; Get your fix with fresh-pressed sugarcane juice served over ice. It’s oddly invigorating. Or maybe that’s the sugar talking.

18. Phở
The classic Vietnamese noodle soup is sold from sunrise to last call on street corners citywide. The broth is typically made from long-boiled beef bones and spices such as star anise and cinnamon. Pho bò refers to beef, while phở gà signifies chicken.

19. Sinh tố
Take advantage of Vietnam’s fruit bounty to savor a smoothie made with sweetened condensed milk, crushed ice and your choice of, say, strawberry, mango or lychee. Just whatever you do, stay away from us if you opt for the rank, custardy durian.

20. Xôi
Looking to get stuffed, fast? Seek out the ladies with giant baskets stuffed with warm sticky rice. The rice is topped with lotus root, roasted garlic and whatever meat or fish happens to be on hand.

Thứ Năm, 25 tháng 6, 2015

Top fruits must try in Vietnam



Vietnam is located in tropical zone and famous with so many kinds of fruits. There are ten kinds of fruits not only delicious and popular, but also meet the criteria for export which both foreigners and Vietnamese should try.
If you are in Vietnamespecially in durian season you should try to enjoy it for yourself.It’s easy to find durian in any markets or supermarkets of Viet Nam.The first suggestion is that you should not eat too much. Traditional beliefs say that durian has warming properties. If you eat too much at once it can heat up your body but its taste is so good. Vietnam tours private

Especially if you have any chances to visit Vinh Long, remember to try Durian Ri6. Ri6 durian of the southern province of Vinh Long is praised to be the best durian variety in Vietnam. It is named Ri6 after the name of Mr. Sau Ri, who created this variety in 1990. It has a distinctively bright yellow color, similar to the intense coloration of a Musang King durian in Malaysia. The flesh is thick and fibrous, with a strong egg-flavor that reminds me of many Thai varieties. Halong bay tours Vietnam

Mangosteen

If the mighty durian is king, the mangosteen is known as the queen of fruits. The mangosteen's semi-firm exterior shell may not be much to look at, but the soft, delicate flesh of the white interior hooks people on the first bite.

It can’t be denied that Lai Thieu Mangosteen is the best mangosteen in Vietnam with thick peel, white and sweet-and-sour segments made people remember forever. In the feudal time, Mangosteen was compared as a noble fruit and used in rich families as well as offered for Royal Family.

Mangosteen is widely available in juice form. Mangosteen juice products typically include the fruit, rind and pulp of the fruit, which contains compounds called xanthones. Although some research indicate that xanthones may offer certain benefits, the health effects of mangosteen have yet to be extensively studied.
Top fruits must try in Vietnam
Top fruits must try in Vietnam


In Southeast Asia including Viet Nam, mangosteen rind has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. According to many theories, mangosteen rind was used to make a tea for such conditions as diarrhea, bladder infections and gonorrhea. An ointment made from the rind was applied to skin rashes. Proponents claim that mangosteen can also help with the following health problems such as allergies, anxiety, cancer, depression or even high blood pressure. In addition, some proponents suggest that mangosteen may slow the aging process, aid in Alzheimer's prevention, increase energy, preserve eye health, stimulate the immune system, improve bone health and protect against heart disease.

Dragon fruit 3
Officially known as the pitaya, the dragon fruit is actually native to Latin America. It is an extremely beautiful fruit that has dazzling flowers and an intense shape and color. The dragon fruit is usually a dark red color, although some types of this fruit are pink or yellow. The skin of the dragon fruit is a thin rind. The skin is usually covered in scales, and the center of the fruit is made up of a red or white, sweet tasting pulp.

Dragon fruit is generally is a nutritious fruit that is a good source of vitamins and minerals.There are no reported side effects in consuming dragen fruit.Dragon fruit is safe for consumption even by pregnant and breast feeding mothers.

Binh Thuan is a province famous with growing dragon fruit. Binh Thuan’s dragon fruit is one of favorite fruits in some Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, China or Vietnam.

Pomelo Fresh Pomelo citrus  Fruit
There are several kinds of pomelo regionally famous for their taste and there are some famous kinds Pomelo in Vietnam like Nam Roi, Phuc Trach pomelo. Green peel pomelo is a specialty of the southern province of Ben Tre.This variety is planted in My Thanh An in Ben Tre city and Mo Cay district.Green peel pomelo won the first prize at a fruit competition held by the Southern Region Institute for Fruit Research.

This fruit is eaten fresh or is use to make juice. The pulp can be use to make salads and the peel is used to make candies; citrus peel is often used for flavoring.Pomelo is really a golden mine of vitamins. The fruit is abundant with vitamin C, beta-carotene as well as the B vitamins. Additionally it is a resource of folic acid which is required for younger ladies to guarantee the health of upcoming baby. Furthermore, pomelo includes a large amount of potassium which is great for our heart. Brand-new research has shown that liminoids present in pomelo as well as other citrus fruits avoid cancer cells from divining much better than chemical medications.

Longan 5
Longan, also known as “dragons eye” (because of a white eye shaped mark on the pit that appears as a pupil in the large eye) are soft and smaller than lychee fruits. They are brown in colour and are referred as little brothers of lychee fruits. Longans whose scientific term is Dimocarpus longan, originated in China and later spread across the globe and is now widely cultivated in Thailand, India and in several other countries of Asia. Longan is available abundantly in the summer season and can be consumed both raw or as dried fruits.

The longan grows in many provinces in the North. There are many varieties of longans. The most renowned variety of longan is the cage longan of Hung Yen Province. There are varieties that have a thick pulp and a very sweet taste called pulp longan. Water longans have a thin watery pulp and a fresh sweet taste. In the South, there is the longan of Chau Thanh (Dong Thap Province), which is fairly renowned. This variety has a watery pulp, a very sweet taste, a perfumed scent, and small black seeds, which is why it is called nhan tieu (pepper grain longan).
The longan is a tropical fruit rich in nutrients. It is used in the preparation of sweet lotus seed soups. A longan that has been rid of its black kernel then dried over a fire is called long nhan (literally: dragon’s eyes); it is one of the tonics used in the recipes of traditional medicine.

Litchi 6
Litchi is a small fruit with a sweet smell and taste, which is available in the summer. It is a small fruit packed with healthy nutrients. It has rough skin outside while contains juicy flesh inside. It is used as medicine in China.

With favorable natural conditions, Luc Ngan hilly gardens are strong in growing fruit trees, making it the country's largest litchi producer.The soil here is very suitable for planting litchis, hence producing fruits with deeply green leaves and round canopies of branches. Especially, bunches of red-ripened litchis with fine skins, very small seeds, much sweet meat, a purely fragrant taste made litchi a great delicacy of Northern Vietnam.Luc Ngan litchi products have been gaining popularity not only across the country but also have been exported to many foreign markets.

Lychee is a highly rich nutrient fruit. It contains a high amount of soluble fiber known as pectin which is beneficial to protect from colon cancer.  It contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect the body from carcinogens. Carcinogens are free radicals that are produced in the body due to oxidative stress. So lychee is effective to protect from cancer, ageing, arthritis and degenerative disease. Also, it is a great source of potassium which is important for maintaining blood pressure. Along with these, it contains a high amount of other nutrients that promotes health.

Mango 7
Mango plants are grown in southern provinces. Mangoes are divided into several kinds, known locally as Xoai Cat, xoai Tuong, xoai Voi, xoai Xiem…Hoa Loc mango is one of the most well known varieties of mango under cultivation in the Mekong river delta, for its aroma and sweetness. Hoa Loc mango has presently grown on large scale, in many provinces of the Mekong river delta like Tien Giang, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Thap, and so on. Mango Transplantation and seedling selection, application of modern techniques are done with, aiming at raising the quality and productivity.

Mango is one of the exotic fruits in the world with great health benefits. Some of the health benefits from mangoes in baby food includes protection of eyesight, fights microbial infections, easily digestible, improvement in brain development and many more.

Rambutan 8
The Rambutan, also known unofficially as Hairy Cherry, comes originally from the Malaysia peninsular, where the name Rambutan came from the Malay word 'rambut' for hair. Today, a lot of rambutan is grown in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta area. The fruit is about 3-4 cm in diameter and has soft fleshy hair over the entire surface. The peel turns from green to yellow to red as the fruit ripens. To eat: Partially cut through the skin or break open with a thumbnail and pull apart. There is a hard seed inside. Once peeled the fruit yields a flesh that is white and firm; the taste is sweet with a touch of acidity and is very refreshing.

Rambutan grows in large bunches on trees that can be as high as 20 m. A rambutan tree has broad foliage and many branches. In the southern provinces, the tree yields fruit at the beginning of the rainy season. Rambutan season lasts until the end of the rainy season, that means from May to October. The most famous rambutan fruit is grown in Binh Hoa Phuoc Village (Long Ho District, Vinh Long Province).

Rambutan fruit contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, calcium and vitamin C. This plant can be used as a medicinal fruit and have benefits for health such asReduce Body Fat, Make skin softer or Hair care.

Mandarin orange 9
Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with thin, loose peel, which have been dubbed "kid-glove" oranges. The mandarin tree may be much smaller than that of the sweet orange or equal in size, depending on variety.

Mandarin oranges are a popular citrus fruit of the orange family. They are often referred to as tangerines. The fruit is a native of Southeast Asia. It has a thin skin that is easy to peel. This makes it an ideal snack for children. Due to its nutritional benefits, the fruit is widely recognized as ideal for inclusion in a healthy diet. The mandarin is a good source of vitamins A and C. It contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. The fruit is also a good source of dietary fiber.

Ly Nhan has many kinds of sweet and well-smelt mandarin oranges but the best kind is the Quyt Huong (Perfume Mandarin) which has a distinct aroma. Previously, it was usually dedicated to the king. Ly Nhan is a district locating along the bank of the Red River . It has good soil that is advantageous for agricultural development.Unlike mandarins of other localities, the shape of Quyt Ly Nhan  is flattish. Their peels are very crisp, thin and have apricot yellow when ripe. Like oranges peels, mandarins peels have tiny otto which create a distinct perfume of mandarin.

Thứ Năm, 18 tháng 6, 2015

Street food Hoi An


Cao lầu is a local dish unique to Hoi An. Made of a fat soba type noodle and severed with crispy pork, lettuce, bean sprout and special sauce. I know sounds pretty basic, right? but there’s genius in this dish – it’s delicious and one is never enough. Legend has it thatv the noodles are made using an ancient Cham spring sourced from a “secret” well on the out skirts of town, making it difficult to reproduce anywhere else in Vietnam. Centre Vietnam travel

It’s best devoured from street food stalls where the locals have fine tuned this bowl of joy to perfection. Having sampled a couple hundred, I’m pretty sure I have found the best, just a short walk from Dk’s House (our Hoi An Hostel). Open only after the sun goes down, you’ll find Mr Trung’s Cau Lua stall on Tran Phu opposite the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese. Halong bay travel Vietnam

Tucked away down the Ba Le Well Lane on the edge of Hoi An’s Old Town is Ba Le Well Restaurant. This is a hugely popular spot with both Hoi An locals and tourist alike. This street food stall come restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat at on one of Dk’s regular street food tours. Mekong delta tours Vietnam
Street food Hoi An
Street food Hoi An

It’s a set menu and no sooner have you sat down plates piled with fresh herbs, crispy savory pancakes stuffed with bean sprouts and a river shrimp, pork skewers, shrimp spring rolls, Viet Kimchi, satay-style dip and rice paper all magically appear in front of you.

Think roll-your-own BBQ pork rice paper rolls but don’t let that put you off as the staff here are super helpful and will demonstrate the tricks of the trade. I’ve been on countless meals here when the staff just stand there rolling rolls through the whole meal – talk about service!

Ba Le Well specilises in banh xeo a local country pancake made with egg, rice and bean sprouts. They source all their veggies and herbs from the organic Tra Que Vegetable Village (You can check the organic veg village out on our free daily bicycle tour). Make sure you go hungry as the food just keeps on coming.

I won’t tell you about desert as it’s such a pleasant surprise it’d be a shame to ruin it!

Generally the set menu runs at about 80,000 – 100,000 per person depending on how much you scoff down!

Thứ Năm, 11 tháng 6, 2015

Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam


The top 7 souvenirs to buy in Vietnam, whether you are on holidays or on a business trip.

Apart from the joy of discovering a new culture, taking photos and tasting the exotic flavors of Vietnam, shopping might bring you more opportunities to get in touch with local habits.

A shopping tour is usually the last step of a trip and it is always a bit tricky. The second “HCMC 100 exciting things”, a campaign promoting activities in the city, announced some time ago the top 7 souvenirs to gift to friends, family members and loved ones. The results came from a poll voted on by travelers and expats. Travel to Vietnam

Hopefully more of these events will be coming to other major cities, such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and others.

CONICAL HAT

Ao dai

Non la (leaf hat) is a circular cone made of bamboo cataphylls, notable for it’s romantic adornments. The non la is more than an indispensable tool for people in Vietnam: it has become a cultural symbol. The style differs by region, so for example those of the Tay people have a distinct color, while in Thanh Hoa they use only a 20-hem frame. Hue’s is thin and elegant, while Binh Dinh’s is thick. Mekong delta tours

Vietnamese wear the non la all year. The shape protects the wearer from the downpours of the rainy season like an umbrella, and provides shade and protection from the heat during April and May, when temperatures climb to unbearable levels.
Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam
Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam


Local Insight: At a workshop, you can get a hat for only VND 3,500 - VND 10,000. Depending on the quality, price at souvenir shops range between VND 30,000 and VND 100,000.

Since the 18th century, the ao dai (long dress) has been Vietnam’s national costume. There are three main styles of ao dai nowadays. Halong bay cruise

“Trendy” ao dai reach to the floor and fit the curves of the body by using darts and a nipped-in waist; the “hippy” ao dai is brightly colored and very popular among young teenagers; and the “mini” ao dai have slits extended above the waist and the panels reach only to the knees.

The usual way to acquire an ao dai would be to pick the fabric first. Usually there are two different colors, one for the long dress itself and a second contrasting color for the trousers worn underneath. After the fabric is chosen, you bring it to a tailor specialized in creating ao dais. Usually it takes around one week until you can pick up the finished product, but please keep in mind that during the preparation for Tet (lunar new year), it can take significantly longer.

Local Insight: An ao dai costs at least VND 700,000. If you can spend the time and have experience finding decent cloth and a good tailor, you might have your stylish ao dai at a reasonable VND 1,500,000.

Silk is woven from the cocoons of the silkworm. Thus, It has always been considered extremely luxurious and only available to the nobility. The days when silk had only been manufactured for Vietnamese royalty is long gone, and the fabric has become widely used throughout the country. Silk and its beautiful products are affordable nowadays, so tourists have a chance to choose their favorites and gift them to friends and family.

Local Insight: The price for regular Vietnamese silk is at least VND 70,000/m and over VND100,000/m for premium kinds. Silk below that price is originating from China and of questionable quality.

The art of hand-embroidered pieces of clothing and framed silk pictures is an old handicraft tradition in Vietnam. You will mostly encounter picturesque natural scenes like flowers, trees, animals and birds, patiently stitched one colorful thread at a time. But also daily life scenes, even portraits can be created with this ancient technique. Tourists are frequently baffled by the vast variety of designs, offered in hand embroidery shops, the vibrant colors and the intriguing depth of the artwork.

In some shops, tourists can explain or sketch their individual idea to the artist, who creates a personalized present for friends and family.

If you visit Da Lat, there is a workshop & gallery for marvelous and artful hand embroidery images upstairs in the central market.

Local Insight: You can buy a small hand embroidered product for around VND 500,000. For bigger pictures, the price can be VND 2,000,000 and above.

Sand painting is the art of pouring colorful sand and powdered pigments on a sticky surface and fixating it later with spray, so it doesn’t come off again. However, there is a second art form called sand painting, which is practiced in Saigon: The artist pours the colorful sand between two glass panes or in a specially designed mug or vase. The layers of sand form an enthralling piece of art, that looks stunning on every shelf and makes an excellent souvenir. Vietnamese sand picture art comprise 4 categories: Landscape, portrait, labor scenes and the traditional art of calligraphy.

Local Insight: The price for artful sand pictures ranges from VND 300,000 to VND 700,000.

GUOC MOC

wooden clogs

Wooden clogs (guoc moc) were a sort of traditional footwear for men and women alike in the past. After the feudal period, they mostly remained in a trio of Non la, Ao dai and Guoc moc to increase the gracefulness of Vietnamese ladies when attending important festivals or any special events in town. Guoc moc are rarely used nowadays, but tourists can catch a glimpse of them at traditional activities like the Cai Luong and Ca Tru performance.

Local Insight: Being considered as quite old fashioned footwear, the real Vietnamese wooden clogs are hard to find. If you can find some around VND 150,000 then go for it.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

A handmade musical instrument can also make a nice keepsake. Bamboo flutes and mini t'rungs are very popular among visitors. Since the flute is just a small bamboo pipe and the t’rung can be easily disassembled for transport, they are convenient to carry home and don’t use up too much space in your already stuffed luggage.

The sweet tone of these instruments will thrill your ears and remind you of the most memorable moments from your trip to Vietnam.

If you are in Saigon, there is a nice old man, playing and selling simple flutes in Le Loi street at the sidewalk. If you are interested in hearing more traditional flute play, there is a student club of young flutists, who meet in the evening hours at 23/9 Park near Ben Thanh Market to play and practice. Nguyễn Thiện Thuật street in D1 is also known as “guitar street”. There are many shops and workshops for instruments, mainly guitars and their relatives - like the ukulele.

Local Insight: Prices for a t’rung range from VND 300,000 to VND 1,000,000. Simple bamboo flutes come at around VND 10,000.

You should expect to bargain for the items you want to take home as souvenirs. One “trick”, that can be applied in Ben Thanh Market is to browse the fixed-price shops outside and negotiate with the inside shops for the items you want to buy. We also have a blog post on bargaining at the market which shows you some tips to bargain and suggest some of the best places for shopping apart of the Top 10 Shopping Places in HCMC.

Thứ Sáu, 5 tháng 6, 2015

How to pick the best binoculars for travelling


Have you ever traveled with a pair of binoculars?! From 2011, I always carry a binoculars as closest companion on my trips. They allow me see things that can not see by naked eyes, look a same land but in a completely different way compared to others, that’s so amazing. If you’re learning about binoculars for travelling, you may want to consult my experiences. Southern Vietnam with extension to Cambodia 10 days

With over 3 years experience in binoculars, I concluded that 3 most important factors for travel binoculars are weight and size, view quality and price (of course!). I’m a big fan of Nikon, my 7 of 8 are Nikon Binoculars, so my experieces will mainly direct to this brand.

Weight and Size. These’re the most important factors. In a trip, you will have to move much so surely you would not want to carry something too heavy and too large. When started travelling with binoculars, I picked the Nikon Action ones, they weigh over 2lb (1kg) and quite large compared to others but good-quality optic. At first, the 2lb weight was not problem but after tramping for miles in woods, I just wanted to throw them away. Huong Hai Sealife

How to pick the best binoculars for travelling
How to pick the best binoculars for travelling

So my advice, you should be willing to sacrifice a bit image quality to exchange compact size. Compact binoculars usually weigh from 0.5lb to 0.8lb, you can consider Nikon Trailblazer 25mm, Aculon compact zoom, Travelite or the best is Premier LX-L 8×20 or 10×25. Monarch ones are also good choice with over 1lb weight and very high-quality optic.

View quality. In view quality, there’re few other smaller factors:

Magnification. Binoculars have 2 numbers as AxB. The first number is magnification and the second is size of objective lens. Do not be too greedy high-magnification binoculars. 8x ones are quite a lot and strong enough for travelling. Higer powers (10x, 12x,…) are too shake, very difficult to hold steady and focus on anything.
Size of Objective lens - The second number.  Usually, in same quality, larger Objective lens will better in optics. However, larger lens also makes binoculars heavier and bigger. So the size of lenses from 20 to 30mm are good.
FOV – Field of View. Basically, this figure as high as good. A wide field of view allow you see more and easy to follow fast objects (small birds, fishes,…).
Close focus distance - the closest distance that binoculars can focus. This’s not too important for travelling. However they are as low as good.
Check out binoculars for travelling on Amazon. Many discount avaiable
Price. A compact binoculars are very easy to lose in trips so I usually do not pick expensive binoculars for traveling. Price of under $100 is ok. Nikon Trailblazer 25mm, Aculon compact zoom, Travelite are in this price-range. But if you have a lot of money, you can pick Premier LX-L 8×20 or 10×25 for best quality.

Other factors. You may care to Eye relief, if you weares glass then this’s very important. It help you to see full field of vision. Basically, the Eye relief is as long as possible (for Eye glasses).

Above is my experiences to pick good binoculars for travelling. Wish you find a good pair of binoculars. You can also visit The Best Nikon Binoculars for Price / Quality to find the best one. Thank you!

Thứ Hai, 25 tháng 5, 2015

Saigon nightlife

Saigon nightlife
Saigon is another name of Ho Chi Minh City, the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). Being the biggest city in the country, it also has the most diverse and very active night life. Even though most of the places are closing after midnight and most probably you will not find entertainment spots running 24/7, this city always has something to offer, and if you are searching for fun, you will definitely find it, regardless of day of a week. Ready for adventures? Here we go!

Southern Vietnam with extension to Cambodia 10 days


Bars

People in Saigon like to spend time in bars, and there is plenty of them in the city. Most of them are located in the city center, and here you can find everything – from beer houses to fancy cocktail bars. And if you love magnificent views, choose one of the rooftop bars and enjoy watching the sleepless city! SONG XANH CRUISE

Bia Sai Gon 73
If you come to Vietnam, you will, probably, learn very fast what is “bia hoi”. From Vietnamese, it means “fresh-brewed beer”, and it is extremely popular among locals. One of the most popular bars that serves bia hoi is Bia Sai Gon 73, located in the heart of backpacker area of Saigon. It has plastic chairs along the pavement, and is always crowded with both, travellers and locals. A jug of beer will cost here nearly $0,5, and you will definitely enjoy its easy and relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 73 Bui Vien St, District 1 , Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Alova Gold Cruise
Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 am

Chill Skybar
We are not sure if you will ever get a chance to see more spectacular view on the city than from Chill Skybar. Located on top of AB Tower, the bar offers a rich variety of drinks and a fine dining menu as well. Each evening, since 9:30 pm, it hosts live performances of DJs. Come here before the sun goes down, and enjoy all the colours of Saigon.
Address: AB Tower, 76 Lê Lai, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 5:30 pm – 2:30 am
Saigon nightlife
Saigon nightlife


Q Bar 
This is one of Saigon's longest-running bars, that had been opened in 1992, and is always full of happy people. It is located in the historic Opera House building, and is considered to be a place of worship for locals and a “must” for expats and tourists. This is an excellent choice for chilling during the weekdays and for loud parties during the weekend!
Address: 7 Lam Son Square ,District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours: 11 am – 12 am

Clubs
During weekends young people in Saigon often choose to spend their nights out in clubs, enjoying loud music, dancing, drinking and simply having fun together. Curious about how do the dance floors look here? Follow our piece of advice!

Apocalypse Now
This is one of the first clubs opened in Saigon and is also one of the most popular in the city. It has two floors and an outdoor terrace. On the first floor the DJ usually plays quite mainstream music and global hits, while on the second floor you may crash the retro party with the music from 80s and 90s! The club is open till 4 am, so if you party till early morning, it should become your choice!
Address: 2C Thi Sách, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours: 8 pm – 4 am

Lush Nightclub
Lush Nightclub is a good alternative for those visitors who prefer contemporary design and great selection of music. This is definitely a club with a style. Sometimes it gets overcrowded, but this is just another proof that this is one of the best spots to visit in Saigon.
Address: Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 8 pm – 3 am

Gossip Club
The club is  located in the Dai Nam Hotel and is a popular place among local models and celebrities. Gossip club is a home to DJ Stanley, the former winner of the Heineken Thirst Competition, who regularly plays here. This is a fabulous way to experience local clubbing culture, excellent service and relaxing atmosphere.
Address: 79 Tran Hung Dao, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 11 am – 12 am

Music
Saigon can be easily called a heaven for music lovers, as there is a big number of places holding live performances in different styles and genres – from flamenco to hard rock. Just choose the one you want!

Sax N Art Jazz Club
Sax N' Art Jazz Club had been voted the best jazz club in Saigon and is highly popular among local people. The place is owned by a famous local saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan. It regularly hosts jam sessions and live concerts of famous Vietnamese musicians. Sometimes there is a fee nearly $5, which is added to your first drink.
Address: 28 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 7 pm – 12 am.

Acoustic Bar
The first thing we should tell you about Acoustic Bar is that performances here are not only acoustic. The second thing is that this is a home of rock music in Saigon. You can hear here songs of young and talented Vietnamese musicians, as well as renditions of legendary hits – from John Lennon to Rolling Stones.
Address: 6E1 Ð Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 6 pm – 12 am

Seventeen Saloon
This is a crazy two storey live music hall inspired by Wild West. Joyful rock’n’roll parties with featuring a live Filipino band of performances of Vietnamese musicians always last here till late night! You will definitely have a lot of fun here and make it a night to remember!
Address: 103A Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 7 pm – 2 am

Thứ Sáu, 15 tháng 5, 2015

Eating out in Sapa, Vietnam


The town of Sapa in Vietnam is a popular stop for most tourists who arrive from Hanoi on the overnight trains. With the surrounding mountains and tribal villages, not to mention the mighty Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, it is quite understandable why Sapa is so popular with hikers, climbers and travelers looking for markets and cultural immersion with the hill tribes.

Given that Sapa is no stranger to tourists and the post-colonial French influence (freshly baked baguettes, anyone?), it’s no surprise that this little town is dotted with many good restaurants serving local and international (mostly French or Italian and some American) cuisine. You can even get a Doner Kebab if you fancy one! However the price range varies greatly depending upon if the place is targeted towards tourists (most are) or also welcomes locals and expats. North Vietnam tours

I spent some time volunteering with a wonderful organization called Sapa O’Chau,  and ended up trying a lot of different restaurants during my time in Sapa. Personally the joy of travel is incomplete without memorable food experiences and Sapa provided plenty of those. Here’s a list of my top 5 places for a truly delicious meal, all varying in price and cuisine. At the time of writing, a filling local meal with a starter, side and main dish would cost you about $4-5 and an additional $2-3 for a glass of wine. International cuisine is understandably slightly more expensive. AMALOTUS CRUISE

1. Antique Sapa    22A, Phan Xi Pang, Sapa

A simple and high value for money restaurant that does a very good Set Menu. Now a lot of restaurants in Sapa try to attract tourists with local Set Menus that are about $4-5 that consist of a starter, main dish and beverage (hot wine or tea) but not all of them are comparable in terms of taste, quality or portion size. Antique Sapa ranks very high on all of these and has one of the best Set Menus with generous portions and meals that will make you fall in love with local food. Image Cruise

Eating out in Sapa, Vietnam
Eating out in Sapa, Vietnam

2. Nature View  051, Fansipan Street, Sapa

One of the pricier and fancier restaurants in Sapa, but totally worth it. This places scores on its excellent ambience, delicious food and quick and friendly service. It serves both local and international cuisine and even does a good Set Menu. I definitely saw more tourists here than locals, probably because of the price range. I particularly enjoyed the chicken sautéed in lemongrass and basil (pictured below), the yogurt sautéed chicken was equally good.

Other recommendations: Spicy sautéed potatoes, pasta, vegetarian and tofu dishes.

3. Little Sapa  18, Cau May, Sapa

Little Sapa is best for its truly authentic and very reasonable Vietnamese food. The prices are among the lowest in Sapa town (meals cost $2-$5) and the quality of food is still very high. The staff does not speak a lot of English so be patient while ordering, they do understand and get it right most of the time. The restaurant sees a good mix of local patrons and tourists. It dishes out what was my favorite Pho-ga (Chicken noodle soup) during my time in Vietnam. The fiery garlic sauce that sits on all tables is a great accompaniment to most dishes.

Other recommendations: Fish spring rolls, Tofu and vegetables in tomato gravy (pictured below) and the Vegetable Curry.

4. Baguette & Chocolat   Thac Bac Street, Sapa

This is essentially a pricy French café that does great croissants, stuffed baguettes, all day breakfasts, eggs, coffee and desserts. Personally I am a big fan of this café and you can read more about its mission and how it contributes to the local community here.

Recommendations: Baguette with sautéed zucchini, eggplant, white onions and pureed tomatoes (pictured), Hunter’s Omelette, Chocolate Croissant, Lemon tart (pictured) and  Apple and goats cheese spring rolls (pictured).

5. The Lizard  10, Cau May, Sapa

 Good for Vietnamese food and friendly service. Staff is very helpful if you’re undecided about what to order. Price range is similar to most restaurants with meals costing between $4-$5.

Recommendations: Tofu curry with mushrooms, eggplant in a clay pot with steamed rice (pictured) and Chicken Spring rolls with egg and vegetables.

Thứ Tư, 6 tháng 5, 2015

7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide

7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide
Travel broadens the mind but stray outside of the local laws and customs and you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of angry locals, or worse still, getting deported or locked up in jail. Follow these etiquette and cultural hints when exploring Vietnam;

Don’t blog in Vietnam – If you thought blogging about government affairs in Vietnam is cool, you better think again. Unlike most countries where you are free to blog about the government, in Vietnam, you certainly aren’t. Whether what you were blogging about was sensitive or not, it’d be ten times better to just use that keyboard to type about the weather in Vietnam. Talk about anything like corruption in the government or even the Vietnam War and you’ll either be deported, or you’ll be thinking about freedom behind steel bars. Blogging, in Vietnam, should be about your personal experiences. Blogging about the government is a no-go-zone. Vietnam travel

Keep your leisure time healthy – Despite having the freedom to blog about your personal experiences, you should know that anything that depicts pornography is highly illegal. Prostitution also happens to be illegal. If you’re the kind of person that loves going to bars and nightclubs, flirting with a couple of women and then taking them back to your crib, this isn’t the place for you. Even sharing a room with a Vietnamese of the opposite sex is wrong and co-habiting is completely a no-go option. Though this law is nowadays not so strict about this, you can never be too sure when things might get serious. Calypso Cruise

As with all destinations, it’s important to practice common sense and these tips are here to assist. Regular readers of our blog know that we adore Vietnam as a travel destination and have indeed produced many posts on the subject; My Hanoi Travel Experience: My Favourite Destination in the World, What to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 5 Weird and wonderful hotels in Vietnam and many more.

Women’s dress in Vietnam – For women, the laws are even stricter then for a man. You can’t wear revealing clothing anywhere in Vietnam apart from your own bedroom. Foreigners aren’t excluded from this law and there are some who have been called rude names for wearing sexy, revealing or low cut clothing whilst out and about. Reveal less and you might just survive in Vietnam. Showing off your bust and letting the men see how attractive your legs are will do you no good. Instead, you might end up spending the night in a cell, or you might even be on your way back to your home country. DAY TRIP CRUISE
7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide
7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide

Don’t attempt to drive when in Vietnam – Your driver’s license is as good as useless in Vietnam. Having an International Driver’s License makes no difference either. However good you are at driving, you also can’t be issued with a VN driver’s license. Only a Vietnamese can obtain a driver’s license. So, kindly don’t bother driving in Vietnam if you can’t prove that you are Vietnamese. And with the roads choc-a-block 24/7 it’s no great loss to forgo driving for the duration of your holiday.

Update; whilst you can’t use your own drivers licence in Vietnam you can apply for a Vietnamese licence should you wish to, for example if you plan a lengthy stay and is required by law to drive a car or motorcycle in Vietnam. Visitors can apply via the Hanoi Department of Public Works and Transportation and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Works and Transportation, contact details can be found on the FCO Official site.


Stay safe in Vietnam – Also, the police in Vietnam aren’t interested in cases such as your bag was stolen or you got ripped off by a merchant. These cases, in the eyes of the police, aren’t crimes. They are regarded as civil matters of dispute. So, it’d be a good idea to always watch out for conmen, distraction thieves and pickpockets. They can lurk anywhere since stealing your property wouldn’t end up being a police matter. If you do lose something, hire a private investigator or someone of the sort. After that, hope that he/she isn’t a con as well. If he/she is, leave the police out of it. Always check the latest official safety and travel advice prior to travel.

Camera action – Despite criminal deception not being a major issue to the police, your camera might turn out to be a big issue. Restrain from taking pictures of military installations. All you’ll be really looking for is an unexpected arrest in which you’ll be taking pictures of your life in prison.

Drugs in Vietnam – Finally, transportation of illegal drugs is among the most offensive crimes in Vietnam. The maximum penalty for this crime is death. Though you might catch a glimpse of one or two people smoking marijuana in the streets, don’t ever be fooled into doing the same.

Thứ Năm, 23 tháng 4, 2015

Top 5 things to do in Halong bay

Parasailing in Halong Bay
Parasailing is an adventurous activity that recently has provided on Tuan Chau Island, Halong Bay as well as many beaches of Vietnam(like Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau). With parasailing, tourists will have chance to enjoy beautiful seascape and especially experience an excited feeling in the middle of open airspace. It’s really worthy to try once in your life. The time for parasailing is upon your request. Travel Halong bay

Halong Bay Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is most favored by tourists who like energetic activities. Seaside lime-stone mountains are interesting challenges for tourists to reach the top. All professional climbers coming to Halong agree that Halong Bay is the paradise of adventurous mountain climbing as it has thousands of islands with high lime-stone mountains. This activity is usually combined with kayaking to explore natural environment of Halong Bay. AMALOTUS CRUISE
Top 5 things to do in Halong bay
Top 5 things to do in Halong bay


Halong Bay Scuba Diving
For tourists who love discovery, scuba-diving will be a favorite activity on Halong Bay. By scuba-diving, tourists will have chance to see the wonderful underwater world of Halong by their all eyes. It must be an amazing experience when you can explore various kinds of fish as well as pristine coral reefs at the bottom of Halong Bay; and even touch them. All facilities are regularly checked and match safety standard. Therefore, it’s unnecessary to worry about your safety. Ninh Binh – Halong 3 days

Halong Bay Squid Fishing
Squid fishing on Halong Bay at night is an interesting activity at which tourists can experience the feeling of being a fisherman. Tourists will have the instruction from local fishermen about how to fish a squid in the sea. The squids caught will be used to make dishes for tourists. This is also an ideal time to gaze Halong Bay by night. The sea water surface is sparkling with reflected light from cruises anchored on the bay.
Halong Bay Squid Fishing
Halong Bay Squid Fishing


Swimming in Halong Bay
Swimming in Halong Bay
Swimming in Halong Bay

Halong, the World Natural Heritage Site, was blessed with calm and clear sea water. Therefore, there is no better way to experience wild nature of Halong Bay than swimming. Dipping in cool jade-green water of Halong Bay, tourists will feel free and relaxing. This is also a good chance to enjoy the charming beauty of beaches on Halong Bay. Some suggested beaches for swimming are Ti Top Beach, Tuan Chau Beach, Bai Chay Beach, Quan Lan Beach, and Ngoc Vung Beach.

Thứ Tư, 8 tháng 4, 2015

5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue

5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue Com Hen
Com Hen (rice with mussel) is a very unique cuisine of Hue. Com Hen contains rice, boiled mussel, star fruit, fish sauce, cabbage, onion, pepper, peanut, chili, and a variety of herbs. The specialty is all of these elements are cold. When people eat Com Hen, they add all the above ingredients to a bowl, and slowly add boiled mussel broth with chili sauce into the bowl (the broth is the only hot thing in Com Hen). Com Hen has an extremely spicy flavor as such, so gastronomes remember it just after one time enjoying. centre Vietnam packages

Bun Bo Hue
Bun bo Hue (Hue style beef vermicelli) or more detail, Bun bo gio heo (beef and pig's knuckle vermicelli) is a popular Vietnamese soup vermicelli dish, and one of the most typical foods of Hue, Vietnam. Fine combination of ingredients make the food famous; the broth is prepared by simmering beef and bones for a long period of time, after that a large range of different spices containing lemon grass and chili are added in. Shrimp paste holds no less importance. Hue people usually add thin slices of beef shank, chunks of boiled oxtail, and pig's knuckles or pork into the bowl. It can also contain cubes of maroon brown congealed pig blood, which are good for those suffering from high blood pressure. The specialty is commonly served with a plenty of herbs like sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, onions, and sliced banana blossom. Thinly sliced purple cabbage or iceberg lettuces are used in case of lacking in banana blossom. It is highly recommended for tourists to add a few of shrimp paste directly into the soup. BASSAC CRUISE

Banh Beo
Banh beo (water fern cake) is a kind of small steamed rice pancake. The name is to refer from the shape of the cake (like a water fern-Beo in Vietnamese). It is white in color, sometimes nearly transparent and usually has a dimple in the center, which is covered with savory recipes including chopped dried or fresh shrimp, scallions, mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and oil. Victory Star Cruise – Halong Travel
5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue
5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue

Banh khoai
Banh khoai (delicious pancake) is so much like Banh xeo (sizzling pancake) since they both are made from rice flour, water, turmeric powder, added slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and then pan fried. Banh khoai and Banh xeo also are wrapped in mustard leaf, lettuce leaves or rice paper, and stuffed with variety of herb, like mint leaves, basil and served with a sweet and sour mixed sauce. In Hue, Banh khoai is placed open-face instead of being folded in half like Banh xeo. Moreover, Banh khoai always goes with a fermented soy bean sauce, and people consider it a winter food owing to its greasiness and spicy taste of the sauce. Therefore, most Hue citizens only make them when winter coming.

Mam tom chua
The central of Vietnam is reputable for its Mam tom chua (sour shrimp sauce) and Hue is the best place for this unique sauce. Unlike normal shrimp sauce (has brown color and smooth surface), Sour shrimp sauce has orange color while shrimps still keep its original shape. It is quite simple to make this sauce. First, shrimps are clean by salt water (do not use normal water to avoid bad smells) and “cook” by strong rice wine. The shrimps will turn red. After that, carefully mix the shrimps with sticky rice, sliced lesser galangal, garlic and chili. Slowly put all the mixture into a jar covered by guava leaves. Just need to wait for 5-7 days and we have the mouthwatering sour shrimp sauce of our own making. This is the best sauce for boiled pork with vermicelli.

Thứ Bảy, 28 tháng 3, 2015

Mặt lạ tinh bột nghệ và dầu dừa trị mụn trứng cá hiệu quả


Có đến 90 % các bạn nữ từng gặp phải tình trạng mụn chứng cá ở tuổi dậy thì, nhất là ở thời điểm đó các bạn lại mải mê học tập, thức đêm nhiều thì biết nhau ngay. Nếu tuyến nội tiết tố dưới da của các bạn phát triển quá mức mà các bạn không thường xuyên rửa mặt sạch sẽ hoặc bị bám bụi thì vùng chứng cá càng dày hơn và khó xử lý hơn .

 Một khi mụn trứng cá là một vấn đề nghiêm trọng xảy ra trên da mặt thì bạn nên được các bác sĩ da liễu chỉ định điều trị bằng thuốc dược phẩm.

Các loại kháng sinh được sử dụng như erythromycin và clindamycin (thường kết hợp với acid azelaic) là một số trong những loại thuốc phổ biến được sử dụng để điều trị mụn trứng cá nặng. Trong khi điều này có thể mang lại cứu trợ tạm thời nhưng việc sử dụng liều cao thuốc kháng sinh dẫn đến kháng nhiều loại thuốc và tác dụng phụ rất nghiêm trọng, bao gồm cả tiêu diệt các vi khuẩn có lợi ở  đường ruột có lợi cần thiết cho sức khỏe.
Cách tốt nhất để  trị mụn trứng cá là xác định nguyên nhân chủ yếu và đối phó với các vấn đề liên quan đến tiêu hóa và dinh dưỡng. Đối phó với mụn trứng cá chỉ ở cấp độ da thường không giải quyết các nguyên nhân cơ bản. Giải độc gan, duy trì một đường ruột khỏe mạnh, cân bằng thích hợp của Omega 3 và Omega 6 axit béo, làm giảm lượng đường tinh chế và carbohydrate tinh chế khác trong chế độ ăn uống, là những yếu tố giá trị xem xét trong việc cung cấp một giải pháp lâu dài để giảm mụn trứng cá.

Nghiên cứu về Curcumin và axit lauric
   Curcumin được chiết xuất từ củ nghệ đen, một loại gia vị thông dụng trong nhà bếp  đã được chứng minh là một loại kháng sinh tự nhiên có hiệu quả trong nhiều ứng dụng. Trong một nghiên cứu gần đây ở Đài Loan tại Đại học Chang Gung  việc sử dụng curcumin trong cuộc chiến chống các loài vi khuẩn Propionibacterium, loại vi khuẩn này đã được xác định là nguyên nhân chính của mụn trứng cá. Việc kết hợp curcumin và axit lauric cho da đã được kiểm nghiệm làm giảm tình trạng viêm của mụn trứng cá, ức chế các vi khuẩn phát triển và lan rộng, sau đó dần dần giảm hẳn tình trạng mụn gia tăng.

    Ứng dụng thực tế
   Hai hợp chất curcumin và axit lauric đã được tìm thấy trong tự nhiên và việc kết hợp các sản phẩm từ thiên nhiên để trị mụn được coi như một phương pháp rẻ tiền và an toàn .
 mat-la-tinh-bot-nghe-dau-dua-tri-mun-chung-ca

Mặt nạ tinh bot nghe đen và dầu dừa
     Thứ nhất , chất curcumin được tìm thấy trong nghệ, một loại gia vị đã trở nên phổ biến.
Nghệ có lịch sử được các chị em phụ nữ sử dụng lâu dài ở Ấn Độ  nhằm làm đẹp và dưỡng da. Trong phương pháp chữa bệnh Ayuverdic nghệ được sử dụng theo truyền thống cho các cô dâu trước khi đám cưới của họ để làm cho làn da của mình mềm mại và mịn màng.

Tiếp theo, axit lauric được tìm thấy rất nhiều ở hai nơi trong tự nhiên đó là sữa mẹ và dầu dừa. Dầu dừa chứa gần 50% axit lauric. Dầu dừa được ứng dụng rộng rãi để dưỡng da nổi tiếng trong nền văn hóa châu Á và nó cũng được biết đến như một loại tinh dầu chống nấm và chống vi khuẩn.
 
   Vì vậy chúng ta có thể kết hợp curcumin có trong nghệ với axit lauric có trong dầu dừa hoặc sữa mẹ để tạo thành một mặt nạ chống và trị mụn dành cho da. Việc sử dụng nước ép nghệ tươi gây vàng da, khó tẩy rửa gây bất tiện cho người sử dụng, đặc biệt khi kết hợp với dầu dừa lại càng khó tẩy trôi trên da, bạn có thể thay thế bằng mặt nạ tinh bột nghệ và dầu dừa. Pha tinh bột nghệ với chút nước , sau đó cho 1 chút dầu dừa vào trộn sền sệt rồi đắp lên da tầm 15- 20 phút rồi rửa lại bằng nước sạch. 1 tuần ít nhất 2 lần bạn nhé.

Thứ Tư, 25 tháng 3, 2015

Vung Tau Travel guide

Vung Tau Travel guide
Vung Tau- VietNam is one of the provinces exchanges between Vietnam and the world, systematic sea, river and air is very convenient. Besides the enormous potential is oil and gas. Ba Ria - Vung Tau has gradually asserted its strong tourism, thanks to the potential advantages of natural and human richness.
1, VungTau Information
Locate
Vung Tau- VietNam is a coastal city in the province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Southern Vietnam. Vung Tau is surrounded by the sea, there is the primeval forests, high mountains, rivers, and there are also many large lake climate here helps cool temperate year round. In the city of trees and flowers were planted everywhere. Vung Tau today has become one of the famous tourist destination of Vietnam. Vung Tau used to be a center of economic, financial, cultural and education of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, and is one of the economic centers of the Southeast.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province is a large tourist center. It has over 100km seashore with beautiful swimming beaches, as well as many lakes and thermal springs. Pelican Cruise Halong Bay
VungTau map VungTau map
Transport
Coastal city of Vung Tau is only 125km from Ho Chi Minh City, where is a great place for short trips your day. Currently, there are three facilities for traveling dust: bus, self Motorcyclist, passenger cars or go away hydrofoil. South Vietnam tours
When you go away hydrofoil, you can see the coastal mangrove forests along the way. After 1 hour 15 minutes, Peninsula Vung Tau appeared with two mountain front. An interesting way can coment the fresh air and sea breeze, especially in the late afternoon.
When you go to Vung Tau by motorcyclist or cars, you can take highway 1, you see Dong Nai bridge and turn right along highway 5. more about 100km away to Vung Tau city.
Climate
Vung Tau Travel guide
Vung Tau Travel guide

Vung Tau has 2 seasons:
Dry season (November to April): dry and cold during the winter months and before / after New Year's Day. Hotter than in April.
Rainy season (May to October): rain, but Vung Tau is less rainy than in HCMC. Normally, Vung Tau is hot in the afternoon until 3 PM.
Culture- Social
Vung Tau represents the best mix of religion and became a pronounced features are worth noting. Culture of Ba Ria - Vung Tau is a harmonious combination of both the North - Central - South . So , like other provinces in Vietnam , Ba Ria - Vung Tau has many folk festivals : Dinh Co Festival , festival Nghinh He , the Spirit Festival August ... Multi -ethnic community resources has contributed to enrich and create the appearance characteristic of cultural factors in the sea here.

2, Some of the major tourist attractions in Vung Tau- Viet Nam are:
Long Hai beach is a coastal city near Long Dien district about 20km from Vung Tau.Vung Tau has Small sea, but Long Hai beach very clean, cool water and golden sand runs pretty quiet. In addition, Long Hai has a ancient Temple which is Dinh Co Here is one of three famous traditional festival in Vietnam.

Con Dao is known as Con Dao prison. Con Dao prison is a prison area in Con Dao. Prison system was built by the French to detain prisoners especially dangerous such as political prisoners, prisoners ... Now, it has been the prime minister Vietnam into ranked lists 23 national monuments special. The most famous places in the prison's "tiger cages".
In addition, you can go to Con Dao National Park. Con Dao National Park is a protected area located north of Con Dao District , Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. This national park covers an area the island and surrounding sea areas. Marine ecosystems of Con Dao is also rich and diversity with 1,321 marine species , including 23 species of mangrove plants , 127 species of seaweed , 7 species of seagrass , 157 species of planktonic plants , 115 species planktonic animals , 219 species of coral , 5 species of mammals and 37 species of reptiles sea ... named in the Vietnam Red Book . Many species have high economic value such as fisheries , seaweed . The rare marine mammals such as whales green ( Neophon phocaenoides ) , dugongs ( Orcaella brevirostric ) , fish bow ( Dugon dugong ) . Especially Con Dao is also spawning grounds of several species of sea turtles.

Binh Chau hot springs is in Xuyen Moc district . Binh Chau has been attracting investors and tourists , because it has a nature conservation area , hot springs , Tam Bo mountain, Ho Coc beach. Binh Chau is " green lungs " of the Southeast region , the advantages of convergence biodiversity where there are rare . So , Binh Chau is not only attractive address the activities of scientific research , environmental education , tourism attractions but also the center of trade between the two provinces of Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Thuan provinces .

3, Specialty
while in Vung Tau, people should try to eat some particular specialty here such as: Khot cake, shrimp pudding, Russian-style barbecue, wheel question An Nhat, bread soup Long Huong…..

Thứ Năm, 19 tháng 3, 2015

Travel guide to South Central Vietnam

If Ho Chi Minh City’s full-on intensity becomes overwhelming, a few hours away a very different world beckons, with fresh highland air, outstanding natural beauty, two of Vietnam’s premier beach destinations and the best natural habitat for wildlife-spotting. Culture-seekers can enjoy some of the nation’s loveliest Indochina-era architecture, ancient Cham Towers and the world’s second-largest reclining Buddha, while activities range from kite-boarding, diving and canyoning, to sipping cocktails on a sun-lounger. 3 days between Saigon and Phnom Penh
Places to visit in South Central Vietnam

Phan Thiet

Around 200km (124 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is largely overshadowed by its neighbour, Mui Ne, a beach resort area 22km (14 miles) eastwards. A thriving city that grew out from an adjacent, ancient Cham settlement, Phan Thiet is still essentially a picturesque fishing port. Attractions include world-class seaside golfing and the eighth-century Po Shanu Cham Temple, built during the Champa kingdom. Some 30km (19 miles) south, Ta Kou Nature Reserve houses the world’s second-longest recumbent Buddha (49m/161ft long) and nearby Ke Ga Cape boasts Vietnam’s tallest lighthouse (35m/115ft), built by the French in 1897.
Travel guide to South Central Vietnam
Travel guide to South Central Vietnam


Mui Ne

In just a decade, Mui Ne went from a small fishing community to Vietnam’s fastest-growing beach destination and premier beach resort capital. Mui Ne Beach boasts a microclimate with Vietnam’s lowest rainfall and a lovely 16km (10-mile) beach, lined with diverse accommodation choices. With strong, consistent cross-shore winds, Mui Ne is fast emerging as a kite-boarding and windsurfing hub for Southeast Asia. There are around a dozen kite-boarding schools, plus several annual windsurfing and kite-boarding competitions hosted here. Surrounding attractions include the Red Sand Dunes and the spectacular, Sahara-like White Sand Dunes (30km/19 miles from Mui Ne), the latter yielding small lakes with bird-watching opportunities.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s favourite party town, but has many hidden charms for those who delve deeper and explore its museums, aquariums and rich ethnic culture. Read more…

Dalat

With a temperate climate and standing 1,500m (4,921ft) above sea level, this former French hill station remains a welcome break from HCMC’s sweltering heat, while scenic waterfalls, lakes and pine-forested hills reminded the colonials of home. Read more… Dalat & Nha Trang Relaxation 6 days
Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien is one of Vietnam’s greatest national parks: not only protecting one of the largest areas of lowland tropical rainforests remaining in Vietnam, but also the best place to view wildlife. A nationally important site for the conservation of large mammals, water birds and primates, Cat Tien is home to numerous endangered fauna, though sadly its last Javan rhino is believed to have been killed by poachers in 2010. Cat Tien offers night safaris, bird-watching (over 350 species) and hiking. Halong with Starlight Cruise

Cu Chi Tunnels

About 35km (22 miles) west of Ho Chi Minh City, the district of Cu Chi is famous for its extensive underground tunnel network. During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong dug a complex network of ­under­ground passages, two sections of which have been renovated and opened to visitors. The enterprising Vietnamese, proud of their ­military success at Cu Chi and keen to attract tourists, have enlarged several sections of tunnel to accommodate larger Westerners. The tunnels are still claustrophobic, humid and bat-filled, however, so few visitors will want to stay long underground.