Letter from Phu Quoc

I am writing from the Thien Hai Son resort in Duong Dong town on Phu Quoc. The resort sits on Long Beach on the western side of the island. Our host is Mr. Thi, a vice-director with the Ministry of Fisheries in Hanoi whom we met when we first arrived. He is here in Phu Quoc because creating an MPA here in the archipelago of small islands at the southern tip of Phu Quoc is a priority for his agency. Other members of the team here, besides Ed and me are Mr. Linh who works for Mr. Thi and Mr. Huong who is our interpreter and socioeconomic specialist. Mr. Thi has graciously taken us all around the island, brought us out to the proposed MPA site by boat, and provided for meals along the way.I had assumed this island, because it was remote and in the far south near Cambodia, would be less heavily utilized than the rest of the coast of Vietnam and that it would be a lush tropical setting. I was wrong on both accounts. The island is quite arid most of the year and has very poor soil for growing crops. About 80% of the island is a national park for forest protection and represents the largest forested area remaining in Vietnam. There are many large hardwood trees in the forest and a fairly dense canopy but I’d call it semi-tropical arid hardwood forest- not a rainforest at all. Apparently there are monkeys, wild boar and deer in the forest. I’ve also seen two sea eagles along the coast- a majestic eagle similar in size to our bald eagle that feeds on fish.Despite the fact that it is an offshore island, Phu Quoc is heavily fished by local boats and by boats from many other Vietnamese provinces. It’s quite astounding how many boats there are, how often they are fishing, and the fishing power that each one represents. They use fine mesh nets to catch whatever they can usually at night with the aid of 10 or more high intensity lights. Supposedly the intensity of the lights is regulated but it’s not enforced. The main fisheries are anchovy, used to make famous Phu Quoc fish sauce, squid, and bottom fish. Trawlers are prevalent and are wreaking havoc on the bottom habitat according to local fishermen. The anchovy resource is extremely important and is apparently sustained by upwelling events in the southern island archipelago. Nuoc mam or fish sauce is Phu Quoc’s claim to fame. This fish sauce is revered throughout Vietnam and beyond for its purity and flavor- it’s unlike any other in the world. It’s made by dumping some anchovies in a huge vat, mixing them with salt and letting them rot and ferment for several months to years and then pouring off the refined fish oil product from the bottom of the vat. It’s served as a dipping sauce in a small side dish with many entrees in Vietnam.Today we met with the vice chairman of the Provincial People’s Party as well as several vice directors of the Department of Fisheries (DOFI). We learned that the plan is to make an MPA in the southern archipelago and to relocate hundreds of fishing families and boats to ports on the east and north coast of the island. The southern archipelago would then be available for development as an ecotourism area. It appears to be an incredibly ambitious plan but there does seem to be a plan in the works to carry it out. Time will tell.

Hoi An and more

Our first experience of Vietnamese trains was a good one - despite only being able to book a hard sleeper (6 beds to a cabin with thin carpet to sleep on) rather than the soft one we wanted (4 beds to a cabin and mattresses.) I think it helped that we had the cabin to ourselves from 2300 until 0800 and we all managed to get some sleep. We had stocked up with food and it was a pleasant surprise to find a boiler full of water at the end of the carriage so we also able to make tea and coffee. The guide book had said during the last 4 hours of the journey the scenery out of the windows was stunning and it wasn't wrong. We wound our way down the coast line with mountains on one side and the beach on the other. Stupidly even though I knew Vietnam had a long coastline I was still surprised by it's beautiful white beaches. I suppose like most people of my age who have watched the American Vietnam war films, when I think of Vietnam I wrongly expect just jungle and paddy fields. As enjoyable as the train journey was, when we arrived at Da Nang at 1300, 14 hours later, we were all glad to be back on terrafirma. Like everywhere else we have been, a taxi materialised out of nowhere offering to take us to Hoi An for $14. Now there are 3 of us everything is split 3 ways making taxi journeys a more viable option rather than local buses.We made our way to Huy Hoang 1 Hotel (recommended in our guidebook) which was near the river and next to the old quarter market. We chose a room overlooking the river on the ground floor for $25 and mum was in the room above for $30. It wasn't ideal as the following morning Steve and I were woken up at 0600 by hotel staff talking at top volume outside our window. Mind you none of us had slept very well as the mattresses were solid and to top it off I woke with a headache from hell. Steve and mum soldiered on without me and went out on the motorbikes we had hired ($5 a day each) for mum's first lesson. They both came back in one piece - mum had had no problems with riding the 125cc Honda, as if I ever doubted she would?The three of us then rode to the local beach and lazed for and hour soaking in the brilliant sunshine. The temperature has risen significantly and it must now be in the low 30's and it's quite humid again.Then we rode to the Marble Mountains, about 20km away, all the time mum and I both increasing in confidence riding on the roads. In Vietnam it is customary to toot your horn when approaching to over take. The louder the noise generally means the larger the vehicle. We have quickly adapted, so much so that Mum's taken to shouting bib bib as her hooter didn't work. We all enjoyed watching the locals go about their daily tasks harvesting rice. The ubiquitous straw hats that you associate with Vietnam were in abundance.Things got worse at our hotel that night when we returned from our evening meal. The electric in the whole road was off due to work going on, and as we walked towards our room the noise of the generator grew louder. Infact it couldn't have been any closer, as it was situated just outside our window. We had also overheard other guests complaining about the noise and to add to things, that the communist government had commandeered the large balcony where guests took breakfast as they were building a riverside walkway and there was nothing the hotel owners could do about it. We were made to feel like we were an inconvenience by the hotel staff after we and other guests negotiated to turn the generator off at 2300 due to the noise. The following morning after very little sleep due to the heat, once again we were woken up early - this time it was men ripping down the balcony. Enough was enough and we decided to change hotels. We still had the motorbikes so all three of us went out searching. What a find we made..... A little oasis on the outskirts of Hoi An called Vu'on Trau family resort hotel, which was 5*, or would have been if they'd have had a pool. It was the complete opposite of our last hotel. The rooms were amazing with every last detail perfect. There were clogs for outdoor use, flipflops for inside, 2 umbrellas, a first aid kit including tweezers and scissors, a hairdryer (unheard of), a huge fridge/freezer and a big bath tub. The staff bent over backwards to help us and included in the $35 was free internet, free pushbikes and free laundry. For anyone heading to Hoi An check them out here

Interesting things about my Journey in Vietnam

Hello Friends,I've been recently inspired by the depth of Elisha's travel journals and would like to practice writing interesting travel entries for all of you about my experience in Vietnam.I'd like to write freely so my thougts can flow. Thus, there will be no chronological order nor an order of importance. I'd like to just focus on what I have found interesting on my travels and things I've learned.Here we go...1. My great grandmother just died two days ago. It's been a trip. I came here before new years, and luckily met her before she died. She chanted to Elisha and I a beautiful sutra about the 84 famous Bodhisattvas. It was quite powerful as it sent shivers throughout my body. At the time, I thought that it was great she had the ability to chant the sutra while laying paralyzed on the bed at the ripe old age of 96. I felt she was more or less ready.So, three days ago, I call my aunt and she tells me that my great grandmother was very ill, no longer eating. I curtailed my plans to visit an island and took a train to Da Nang. That night before going to the train station, Elisha and I spotted an owl while riding on a motorcylce. This big owl with a white belly flew right above us, along the bike, and perched ontop a lampost. Elisha shared with me that Native Americans believe that owls are the messengers of death. Elisha and I figured that my great grandmother was about to die. Surely enough, as soon as we arrived in Da Nang, our family tells us that the grandmother died that night at 3:00am. The universe works in mysterious ways. And it just so happens that we made it right on time, off the train, to attend her funeral service, and to give our love and peaceful energy to my great grandmother's transformation. I felt very good with the whole service for everyone was very focused and strong to help my grandmother continue her journey. My dad, in Texas, was very happy that we made it to share our energy for my great grandmother to be liberated. I tried my best to give love and light as my aikido sensei has taught. It felt very good. Glancing over my great grandmother's corpse, I remembered a line from Lord of the Rings, spoken by Liv tyler, the elvish princess, as she was trying to save frodo, she prayed and cried, "Whatever grace within me, let it pass onto him." As I remembered these lines in my mind,opened palmed and mind focused on my great grandmother, my body shivered and tears welled up in my eyes, I was made to believe that she was going to be ok.2. We are such conditioned beings. The conditioning runs deep. I realize this when I observe my little cousins here in Vietnam. When they speak to me, they speak just like there parents do. They have similiar reactions, comments, hand gestures, facial expressions, and etc. just like their parents. It is insane. They even sometimes have the same walk. It is such a trip to witness and to observe it in them and also within myself. I must ask in what ways I have been conditioned by my parents and of which qualities do I keep and which I must ardently remove. I recommend you to do the same. For myself, one such conditioning which has become more apparent to me is my anger. This particular kind of anger I recognize, is the kind of anger I have learned from my mother. And while travelling, it has the ripe conditions to arise and for me to practice with. But, it seems that as I come to understand it more, I've discovered that this style of anger has been passed on through generations. While discussing this issue with my cousin, she shares too that she gets angry in the same way. I then asked if her mother does it too, who is my mother's sister, She says yes. And I asked if my grandfather does it too, and she says yes. It is a trip to see that some mental habits within me have been passed down. It gives a sense of compassion, especially for my mother, because she was treated with in such a way and is only reacting to the way she has been taught, as is everyone else. It is scary as I look out into the world and see how much people influence each other in their ways of being and consciousness, such unenlightened ways. Thus, I wish for everyone to surround themselves in good environments and to find truly good friends, and great teachers to show us how to think, behave, act, ad love, in enlightening ways. I am thankful to all my teachers who have helped me to remove all the conditioning and the egotistical ways of thinking that has helped me to lead a life with a bit of truth, humility, compassion, love, true happiness, and peace. I am also thankful for the dharma that teaches us the way and how to practice skillfuly to change ourselves- to discover the purity within. There is much more practice to be done, but I am hopeful.

Day 7: Island Hopping at Hong Islands

Determining day 7 was such a dilemma. Initially I was planning to do water rafting + elephant tracking. But since the past days I was so hooked on snorkeling, I’m considering to visit Hong Islands instead. In confusion, we even flipped coin to determine where to go ha ha…At the end of the night, the tour agent said that the water rafting is in different province where it will take about 2 hours drive (!); and since it’s not rainy season – there are not much of water in the river for rafting (???) Ian laugh imagining our raft stranded in the middle of the river :D So Hong Island it is. Plus, according to source, Hong Island is a national park (which means you have to pay 200 bath just to land on it cause it’s so special).When we got to the first island (this is a round of 5 islands – they claimed), well, the water is kinda greeny blue. When we took our mask and jump; errr how come I can’t see anything! The water is just too cloudy for snorkeling (plus, not much of coral nor fish!). AND the water was kinda makes your skin itchy (confirmed by dear husband). I thought, well, it’s only the 1st island. Maybe the save the best for last.Next one, the Hong Lagoon. Errr… well, basically a lagoon. More modest than the Pi Leh Bay or even the Ao Thalane we visited. Okay, still 3 more places to go. Hmmm. Next is to Pakbia Island that connected to another island during low tide (similar concept with Tup Island in Day 8). Well, it’s dirty and small. Again, not good to snorkel. Nor to swim – cause it’s itchy. Nor to sunbathe – cause the beach is so small and dirty.Next we’re suppose to go to Rai island – but THE TOUR GUIDE SKIPPED IT! Claiming that it’s high tide and we’ll not able to land there. But according to my tour agent the night before “You know that they name it 5 islands tour but you’ll only see 3 right?” O damn, she’s right :DI think this is the first time in Krabi where I just can’t wait just to get the tour over with. In the last island, before we land, the tour guide said “This is Lading island – land of paradise”. Errr.. another green sea, with small beach and cloudy water!!! Aaargghhh!!!Well, Ian and I ended up practicing our snow angel movement in the water (no it’s not an intercourse position ha ha ha, it’s basically floating with your back – staring at the sky). These 5 islands package was where I saw really small number of boats (guess not much people was “tricked”). I was surprised though when I saw a couple that (seems to) rent a private boat to go to this particular island. I guess there were on honeymoon or something cause they kept hugging and strangling each other with affection ha ha… Survey, survey, survey my friend – luckily love is so blinding. Otherwise she won’t smile that much ha ha…Final verdict: NOT WORTH IT. This package cost 700 bath (twice as much as the 4 islands tour) and the islands are just so so for that amount of money. Suggest you to specifically go to Bamboo island (one of the Phi Phi Islands) instead.O yeah, forgot to mentioned - the only good thing about this tour is you get the change to take picture feeding pretty big fishes in Hong Island :D In the other islands, the fish are too small to get captured in regular camera.Chubby Traveller’s rating : 1 / 5.

Letter from Phu Quoc

I am writing from the Thien Hai Son resort in Duong Dong town on Phu Quoc. The resort sits on Long Beach on the western side of the island. Our host is Mr. Thi, a vice-director with the Ministry of Fisheries in Hanoi whom we met when we first arrived. He is here in Phu Quoc because creating an MPA here in the archipelago of small islands at the southern tip of Phu Quoc is a priority for his agency. Other members of the team here, besides Ed and me are Mr. Linh who works for Mr. Thi and Mr. Huong who is our interpreter and socioeconomic specialist. Mr. Thi has graciously taken us all around the island, brought us out to the proposed MPA site by boat, and provided for meals along the way.I had assumed this island, because it was remote and in the far south near Cambodia, would be less heavily utilized than the rest of the coast of Vietnam and that it would be a lush tropical setting. I was wrong on both accounts. The island is quite arid most of the year and has very poor soil for growing crops. About 80% of the island is a national park for forest protection and represents the largest forested area remaining in Vietnam. There are many large hardwood trees in the forest and a fairly dense canopy but I’d call it semi-tropical arid hardwood forest- not a rainforest at all. Apparently there are monkeys, wild boar and deer in the forest. I’ve also seen two sea eagles along the coast- a majestic eagle similar in size to our bald eagle that feeds on fish.Despite the fact that it is an offshore island, Phu Quoc is heavily fished by local boats and by boats from many other Vietnamese provinces. It’s quite astounding how many boats there are, how often they are fishing, and the fishing power that each one represents. They use fine mesh nets to catch whatever they can usually at night with the aid of 10 or more high intensity lights. Supposedly the intensity of the lights is regulated but it’s not enforced. The main fisheries are anchovy, used to make famous Phu Quoc fish sauce, squid, and bottom fish. Trawlers are prevalent and are wreaking havoc on the bottom habitat according to local fishermen. The anchovy resource is extremely important and is apparently sustained by upwelling events in the southern island archipelago. Nuoc mam or fish sauce is Phu Quoc’s claim to fame. This fish sauce is revered throughout Vietnam and beyond for its purity and flavor- it’s unlike any other in the world. It’s made by dumping some anchovies in a huge vat, mixing them with salt and letting them rot and ferment for several months to years and then pouring off the refined fish oil product from the bottom of the vat. It’s served as a dipping sauce in a small side dish with many entrees in Vietnam.Today we met with the vice chairman of the Provincial People’s Party as well as several vice directors of the Department of Fisheries (DOFI). We learned that the plan is to make an MPA in the southern archipelago and to relocate hundreds of fishing families and boats to ports on the east and north coast of the island. The southern archipelago would then be available for development as an ecotourism area. It appears to be an incredibly ambitious plan but there does seem to be a plan in the works to carry it out. Time will tell.

CHAM VESTIGES AND ANGKOR RUINS Tours

Hue - HoiAn - MySon - KonTum - BuonMeThuat - NhatrangSaiGon - MeKong Delta - SiemReap Day 1. Arrival in HueGreetting by our guide at Phu Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the brief excursion to visit the last imperial capital of Vietnam from 1524 to 1945. Overnight in Hue. Day 2. HueA day tour of Hue offers you an opportunity to explore the combination of the history, the culture and the romance of "Forbidden City", Imperial Palace, Tu Duc Royal tomb. Discover the people life by a tour round the Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue. Day 3 . Hue – Da Nang – Hoi AnBoat cruise on the Huong River to visit Thien Mu pagoda featured by fine architecture of the 14th century. Heading south, we visit the fascinating Cham Art museum in Da Nang and explore the Buddhist Shrines of the Marble Mountain caves. On arrival Hoi An, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 4. Hoi An – My Son – Kon TumTransfer to sivit My Son – former sanctuary of Indianized Champa Kingdom in the First Millenium. Continue to Kon Tum – the garden spot of the central highlands. Overnight in Kon Tum. Day 5. Kon Tum - Pleiku - Buon Me ThuotVisit of Kon Tum, home to Bahnar minority with their typical Rong house – a house built on tall stilts, visit Kon Tum Orphanage. Continue to Pleiku, the granary of Gialai province. Procede to Buon Me Thuot. Overnight in Buon Me Thuot. Day 6. Buon Me Thuot - Nha TrangVisit of Buon Me Thuot : ethnographic museum, visit Lak Lake and discover authentic M’nong villages by a half hour on elephant riding through forest to the villages. Continue to Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 7. Nha Trang - SaigonLeisure time for enjoying one of the nicest beaches in the World. Afternoon, visit of Po Nagar Cham towers, Oceanographic Institute, Long Son pagoda. Night train to Saigon (22.10 – 05.00) Day 8. SaigonCity tour visit to fine examples of French colonial architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. In the afternoon, visit Thien Hau pagoda, Cho Lon, lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon. Day 9. Saigon – Mekong Delta - SaigonTransfer to Vinh Long, full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Enjoy the landscape of the Mekong delta where we take a boat to visit Cai Be floating market. Lunch with local delicacy in the bonsai garden. Back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 10. Saigon – Siem ReapTransfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Afternoon, transfer to visit the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, and it’s visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It’s massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level and this temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple of Angkor and take a romantic view sunset from Bakheng Hill. Overnigh in Siem Reap. Day 11. Siem Reap – Angkor ThomTransfer to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Prom, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. Dinner with show at local restaurant & overnight in Siem Reap. Day 12. Siem Reap – Tonle Sap lake - DepartureTransfer to take the Tonle Sap Great Lake Cruise, visit floating village, fisher man life, and back to visit Old Market. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, transfer to visit Chantie Ecole-Artisan D’Angkor before transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Vietnam Dining and Shopping

Shop Hours: Shops run from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.generic items and local handicrafts: Local specialities include lacquer painting, reed mats, embroidery, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) & mother-of-pearl inlay on ornaments & furniture, not to mention the local conical hats. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) has the best buys for modern goods like CDs and clothing.Antiques: The best place for shopping for antiques or replicas is in Hanoi. Export of antiques restricted by Vietnamese law, but laws on the subject vague & unevenly enforced. Antique objects can be subject to inspection & seizure by customs authorities with no compensation made to owners.Determining whether something is antique is arbitrary. Purchasers of non-antique items of value should retain receipts & confirmation from shop owners &/or Ministry of Culture & Customs Department to prevent seizure upon departure. Prior to purchasing antiques, travellers may wish to determine from Ministry of Culture whether object can be exported & amount of duty. Process of exporting antiques can be difficult & time consuming; however, travellers could insist that sellers obtain all necessary permits from Ministry of Culture & Customs Department before final purchase. DININGVietnamese food varies from region to region and is a total taste sensation everywhere you go. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded. Rice and noodles are the staple foods and are served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are spring rolls, noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp, shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crabmeat, lobster and oysters.Rice wine is very popular, and there are many brands available. There are a variety of fruit wines such as apricot, orange or lemon. Soft drinks are processed from the many varieties of tropical fruits available. Water from the tap should be avoided, even though it has already been filtered and sterilized. If you must drink it, boil the water first.Eating in Vietnam ranges from the cheap noodle soup for a quarter of a dollar eaten on the street to a banquet in one of the luxury hotels.Restaurants: Government-run restaurants catering to tourists add a 10% service charge to the bill.Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, but it is enormously appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal is a very small amount of money for most tourists but to the average Vietnamese, it can easily equal a day's wages. Please avoid tipping too much, as it will set a precedent for others.The different local foods:Pho: The most typical Vietnamese food is Pho, the noodle soup with meat in it. It is very cheap (you can get a bowl for about VND 2000 - 3000) and usually well spiced. The main pho are: Pho Bo, with beef, Pho Bo Tai, with fish and Pho Ga, with chicken. Com: Boiled rice is eaten for lunch and dinner. There are many different kinds of rice. Typically, fragrant rice is used, like Tam Thom or Nahg Huong. Grilled rice is served in autumn. It is eaten with eggs, bananas and sapodillas.Banh Chung: The traditional sticky rice cakes are made of glutinous rice, pork and green bean paste and sometimes with onion, wrapped in bamboo or banana leaves. They are made by soaking the rice in water for an entire day. Wrapped in the fresh bamboo leaves, the rice turns slightly green. There is a legend attached to the creation of this traditional dish: Prince Lang Lieu created and presented the rice cakes to his father, winning high acclaim and thus securing the throne.Nuoc mam: This fermented fish sauce is used to spice anything.Baguettes: A legacy of the French is the small white bread loaves, resembling baguettes. You can get them for as little as VND 500. Sometimes they are combined with well-spiced meat, vegetables and salad to form an excellent sandwich.Seafood: Along the coast you get excellent fresh seafood almost everywhere.Cha ca: The fried fish slices are a specialty of the north. Snake: In the Mekong delta you are able to get cheap snake. This different, but delicious meat, is prepared in a variety of ways and is well worth trying...you will be pleasantly surprised. Beer: Imported beer is available in Vietnam, although a number of domestic beers are brewed.Duck eggs: This popular dish is another worth trying but if you feel squeemish...don't as it consists of an already partly developed foetus, complete with feathers, limbs and beak.

ETHNIC MINORITIES IN NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS Vietnam

Hanoi - Hoabinh - Maichau - Sonla - Dienbienphu - Laichau - Sapa - Bacha - Hanoi Day 1. Arrival in HanoiGreetting by our guide at Noi Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the brief excursion to visit the Old Quarters by Cyclo in one hour. Enjoy the traditional performance of water puppetry. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel. Day 2. Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai ChauDrive to Mai Chau – home of white Thai minority. Enjoy songs and dance show by Thai amateur artists. Dinner and overnight in a house-on-stilts in a Thai village. Day 3. Mai Chau – Son LaTransfer to Son La – home town of the Black Thai, Meo, Muong and White Thai, on the way you take the chance to overview of Moc Chau highland, stops for photos and visiting minority villages. Overnight in Son La. Day 4. Son La – Dien Bien PhuDrive to Dien Bien Phu via the Pha Din Pass. Upon arrival, visit the former battlefield. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu. Day 5. Dien Bien Phu – Lai ChauDrive through a various scenery to reach Lai Chau with stop over for photos and visit to ethnic villages. Overnight in Lai Chau. Day 6. Lai Chau – Sa PaTransfer to Sa Pa, discover some nearby minority villages of Red Meo, Thai, Dzao. Arrive in Sa Pa, a highland resort 1600m above sea level in the northen province of Lao Cai, well-known for spectacular sceneries and multi-cultural acticities of hilltribes. Overnight in Sa Pa. Day 7. Sa PaVisit Ham Rong mountain, down town to Lao Chai village to visit the Black H’mong tribe, going along Sa Pa valley to get to Ta Van village to visit the Dzay, Cat Cat village of Black H’mong tribe and the waterfall.. Enjoy the time and communicate with the people and you will be impressed on their hand-made products. Overnight in Sa Pa. Day 8. Sa Pa – Bac HaTransfer to Bac Ha for visiting colourful Bac Ha market on Sunday where the Black Dzao, Black H’mong, Nung peoples exchange their embroidery, silverware and handicrafts. Enjoy corn wine when trekking to visit Pho village – home to H’mong minority. Overnight in Bac Ha. Day 9. Bac Ha – HanoiLight trekking to further explore the rustic villages before transfer to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi Day 10. Hanoi departureEnjoy free time for shopping beforee transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Vietnam Transport

Vietnam TransportBy Air to/from Vietnam Vietnam Airlines operates international flights to/from the following destinations: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Berlin, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Siep Riem (Angkor Wat), Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Vientiane.TIP: Fares are significantly lower for those flying to Ho Chi Minh City. Although flights are available from the capitals of most Southeast Asian countries as well as from Sydney and Melbourne. The best place is from Bangkok as visas are easiest to obtain there.Airport Tax International airport tax is US$14. The airport tax for domestic flights is VND 30'000 (in some cases VND 15'000). Remember to leave enough money for the International Departure Tax if you're flying out of Vietnam. They prefer dollars to Dong at Saigon airport - the exchange rate is extortionate if you're paying in Dong!Domestic FlightsIt is much easier and safer to travel between cities by plane and buy your tickets in Vietnam as they are cheaper. Most routes have a daily flight and are easily available and booking isn’t necessary.Northern Airport Flight Service has helicopter flights to Ha Long Bay. There are 2 flights per week at 8:00 and 15:30 on Saturday, departing from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi (not the international airport). You can get the tickets at the Metropolitan HotelNha Trang has daily flights to/from Ho Chi Minh City.National Airport Code CityBMV Ban Me ThuotDAD DanangDIN Dien Bien PhuDLI DalatHAN HanoiHPH Hai PhongHUI HueNHA Nha TrangPQC Phu QuocPXU PleikuSGN Ho Chi Minh CitySQH Na SanVIH Qui NhonVII VinhVKG Rach Gia * Airlines * Vietnam Airlines (International) 116-118 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Ho Chi Minh City. Tel (08) 292118 * Vietnam Airlines (Domestic) 27b Nguyen Dinh Chieu St. Ho Chi Minh City. Tel (08) 299980 * Air France Dong Khoi and Le Loi St. (Caravelle Hotel), Ho Chi Minh City . Tel (08) 241278 * Aeroflot 4H Le Loi St. Ho Chi Minh City. Tel (08) 93489 * Thai 116 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 292118 * Philippine Airlines Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 292200 * MAS116 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 30695 BicyclesIt is fun to rent a bicycle and to ride around. Rates are around US$ 2 for a day. It is also possible to buy bicycles and even mountain bikes, but beware of the quality. Maintenance is widely available, but original spare parts are rare. Instead, any spare part that "fits" will be used.BoatsThere are some boats between the mainland of Vietnam and the islands. Rach Gia to/from Phu Quoc takes 6 to 10 hours and costs around VND 90000. Officially, it should leave every day at 8 am in Rach Gia and at 10 am in An Thui. In reality it waits until there are enough passengers. This can mean day...so be prepared. Ha Tien to/from Phu Quoc This is officially not allowed, since the boat crosses Cambodian waters so if you catch one of these the risk is your own as to whether you get put behind bars for your efforts or not. Vung Tao to/from Con Dao There is a boat between Vung Tao and the island Con Dao. One way takes about 13 hours.Buses Traveling by road from Cambodia is a slow and expensive alternative to flying. The bus system runs almost everywhere within the country, with stations built around the country dividing the territory into regions. For longer trips buses tend to be slow and unreliable it is therefore generally advised that travelers fly in instead. Nha Trang/Ho Chi Minh City Express and regular buses link Nha Trang with Ho Chi Minh City; express buses take about 12 hours.Mini Buses It is possible to rent a minibus if you so desire and if there are a few of you, it possibly works out to be a cheaper way of getting around the country, though risky, due to the high number of accidents in Vietnam.CyclosAn excellent way to tour any city in Vietnam is to rent a cyclo. Rates start from around VND 15000 to VND 30000 for a ride of up to 10 minutes in Saigon. Locals pay half that price. You can also get a tour of one hour for US$1. In Hanoi prices are more related to the distance and are a bit more expensive. Each town seems to have it’s own price structure, so ask around to get some idea at the time.TIP: Make sure that you hold onto any belongings when traveling in a cyclo as passing motorists and the like have been known to grab these as they pass.The routes a cyclo may use is being limited by the government because they cause traffic congestion, so what seems to be a short trip could in fact become quite a long one because of having to take an indirect route, especially in Ho Chin Minh City.Hire CarsCar rentals are currently not in existence. Cabs, which are unmarked cars without meters, can typically be rented for the day. The rates are about US$25 to US$150 (depending on the car, the place you rent it from, the region and your bargaining skills). As with any form of transport in Vietnam, driving is a risk you take due to the high accident rate in the country.Motorbike hireIt's easy to rent a motorcycle to get around. Usual rates are US$4 to US$7 for a day for a 50 cc to 100 cc Honda or Yamaha. If you rent a motorbike, make sure that you don't leave your passport with them and that in the contract they don't overcharge. Buy a big lock and chain as the motorbike theft rate is VERY high.If you are in a hurry, you can try to flag down a motorcycle for a ride on the back (most drivers are not adverse to making a bit of extra money) or ask a local to find a Honda ong (motorbike taxi) for you. The biggest problem is explaining the destination to the driver because pronunciation is everything in Vietnamese. Carry a pen and paper or a map.TIP: As in many Asian countries the standard of driving, to say the least, is atrocious and at times it will seem as if every vehicle on the road is going in the opposite direction to you. It is therefore generally advised that unless you are both a very experienced driver with a good medical insurance or a risk-taker, it’s NOT ADVISABLE to rent a motorbike at all.Ships and FerriesThere are no official passenger services. Travelers may be able to ride on a cargo ship to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang or Haiphong from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore or France. Check with the local shipping and travel agencies for rates and availability.A ferry service runs from Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta.TrainsThere are currently no train lines running between Vietnam and its neighbouring countries. The Vietnamese railway system runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi along the coast and links with Haiphong and the regions further north. Odd-numbered trains travel south and even-numbered trains travel north.The fastest trains take at least 28 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Reservations should be made a day or more in advance. The major setback to the railways is that tourists are charged many times more than Vietnamese people in the form of an outrageously high surcharge. For long distance traveling, it is best to fly.Nha Trang Express trains run to/from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.Please note that the above time schedules and prices are subject to change and are therefore intended only as a guide.

TOur to SOUTH VIETNAM

SaiGon - VinhLong - CanTho - SaiGon - DaLatPhanthiet - SaiGon Day 1. Arrival in SaigonCity tour visit to fine examples of French colonial architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. In the afternoon, visit Thien Hau pagoda, Cho Lon, lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon. Day 2. Saigon – Vinh Long – Can ThoTransfer to Vinh Long, full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Enjoy the landscape of the Mekong delta where we take a boat to visit Cai Be floating market. Lunch with local delicacy in the bonsai garden. Procede to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho. Day 3. Can Tho – SaigonMake an excursion to visit the biggest market in the Mekong Delta - Cai Rang floating market. Back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 4. Saigon – Da LatLeave Saigon for a scenic drive through rubber and tea plantations en route to the cooler climes of Da Lat, 300km from saigon. Established as a hill station, Da Lat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. Visit of Prenn waterfall on the way, Hang Nga tree house, and the centre market. Overnight in Da Lat. Day 5. Da LatA free day to enjoy golf amongst the pines at the Da Lat Palace Golf Club. A masterpiece of design, the 72 Da Lat Palace course offers an enjoyable challenge for players of all levels and a through test for experienced players. Overnight in Da Lat Day 6. Da Lat – Phan ThietLeave Da Lat for the 250km drive from the hill down to Phan Thiet beach on the coastal plain via the scenic Marvellous Mountain Pass. Enjoy the time at the beach. Overnight in Phan Thiet. Day 7. Phan ThietA free day to enjoy the beach and playing golf at the Nick Faldo-designed Ocean Dunes Golf Club. A links course, Ocean Dunes is rated as Vietnam’ s second best course after the Da Lat course. Overnight in Phan Thiet. Day 8. Phan Thiet – Saigon - DepartureReturn to Saigon and transfer directly to the airport for departure flight.

Toum Tiou Cruise: Saigon to Siem Reap

Legend Toum and Tiou * The Toum Tiou derives its name from a traditional Khmer tale of star-crossed lovers, the Cambodian equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, Toum being the boy and Tiou, the girl. * This beautiful love story turned tragedy features Tiou's mother, an ambitious woman who wants to marry her daughter off to the king and Toum as the awkward lover. The king, good-hearted and understanding, eventually gives up on the marriage to make Tiou happy. It ends tragically when a frame-up involving the mother and the governor leads to the death of one of the two lovers, the other committing suice to follow suit. * This story is taught from primary to high school. Many songs and pieces of traditional music allude to the pair of ill-fated lovers.Construction * This traditional locally built boat started out as a freighter with a metal hull and a capacity of 150 tons, with two large but low-ceiling decks in order to maximize storage space. Like all boats of this type, it went up and down the Tonle Sap and Mekong, stopping at Siem Reap, Kompong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng. * We stayed as close as we could to the original line of the boat, because we wanted to retain its slightly curved and elegant lines. * The Toum Tiou is 38 meters long and 6.5 meters we in the mdle. It has 10 rooms in all (3.3 m x 2.5 m), 4 on the first deck and 6 on the second, each air-conditioned and with a bathroom (2.5 m x 1.4 m) including toilet, shower and sink. The water on board is taken from the river, passed through a powerful filtration system and chlorinated in the final step of the treatment. * In order to make the best possible use of the common areas from the standpoint of both size and variety we have installed a library-reading room on the lower deck. There is also a covered space at the front of the mdle deck, a restaurant to the rear anda half-covered sundeck on top. INTRODUCTIONSiem Reap, Phnom Penh and Saigon are the key destinations that we use to offer you trips into lands of disconcerting beauty, with an incomparable historical heritage and legendary traditions. Cambodia's waterways are more than a convenient way of getting around; they are the country's lifeblood. Take a trip on them and you get an unparalleled in-depth look at the real country, becoming totally immersed in something both gentle and spectacular that cannot be experienced by any other mode of transportation. The shallow draught of the Toum Tiou makes it possible to reach the very heart of the remotest of villages where the sense of discovery is often reciprocal. Is it the travelers or the Khmers who are most surprised by the encounter ?