Cao Bang Vietnam

Cao Bang is one of the least-explored travel destinations in northeast Vietnam. It is home to the most beautiful waterfall in the country, the Ban Gioc and many historical site depicting the life of Ho Chi Minh.

Cao Bang has a diverse topography with lush forest, green valleys, high karst mountains which feature the potential for adventures and ecotourism.
The most well known attractions of Cao Bang are: Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Tra Linh Lake, Thang Hen lake and mountain. Besides, the colorful culture of Tay, Nung and 9 other ethnic minorities are also the main draw for travelers to visit the area.

Ban Gioc Waterfall, said to be the most superb and largest waterfall in Vietnam. From the height of more than 30 meters, a huge volume of water runs down and makes the echo that can be heard some kilometers away.

Nguom Ngao Cave, an enormous cave next to Ban Gioc Waterfall. Thang Hen Lake, a large lake that can be visited year round. And what you get to see varies according to different seasons. There are opportunities for good walking day around this area and interesting exploration on bamboo rafts.

Pac Bo Cave is 60km North West of Cao Bang and 3km from the Chinese border. Pac Bo is known nationwide as a revolutionary resistance base. The main historical relics in this area consists of Coc Bo cave, Lenin stream, Cac Mac mountain, Bo Bam cave, Co Rac ground, and Khuoi Nam, where Ho Chi Minh directly trained cadres and held many tactical meetings. Your trip will be more enjoyable if you have time to visit the ancient hamlets of the Tay, Nung, Dao, H'mong and San Chi ethnic groups and explore their distinctive customs.

Our suggestion:
- The best way to explore Cao Bang is to enjoy either motorcycle adventure or trekking with 4 Wheel drive support.
- Doing homestay and try your best to taste some famous special dishes of Cao Bang would be your highlighted experience here


Recommended Reading:
Vietnam Ecotourism
Cao Bang Vietnam

Babe Lake Vietnam

Babe Lake is located in Babe national park, a beautiful area of Bac Kan province. This is home to many friend ethnic minorities and some of the most astonishing landscapes in northern Vietnam.
Babe is well known as one of the best place to enjoy Eco Tours, trekking adventures with different trekking trails and incredible jungle routes.

Photo from Cuong Tran Photography

To reach the lake, it takes a long ride for 240km from Hanoi and part of the road is in bad condition. Babe lake offers chances to stay from 1 to 5 days with great outdoors.
Motorcycling adventurers also choose this place as one of the best base to continue to Cao Bang or Ha Giang province.

Ba Be Lake have a area of water surface around 500ha, with 8 km in length and 1 km in width it is known as the biggest natural lake in Vietnam, situated in Ba Be district – carster terrain pertaining to low-lying lands of North Vietnam raising mass. This raising mass was formed by the destruction of South East Asia continental mass at the end of Cambri era, around 250 million years ago. Due to its special geological constitution, the Lake has very original and special features compared with other world-wide karster lakes: world karster lakes are spent or only with one-season water, while Ba Be Lake has its permanent full-water.
Ba Be National Park takes a 23,340ha area in 7 communes of Ba Be district, Bac Can province to the Northeast of
Hanoi. The terrain covers most of limestone rocks inserted with a few earth hills with medium to abrupt slope, the lake is around 150-1,535m above sea level.

Ba Be Lake is in the Ba Be National Park Center with likely special configuration contracted in the middle and swollen out on the two ends, surrounded by cliffs with very original and attractive forms and shapes. Through influenced by 3 rivers flows discharging their water into the Lake, lake water remain always blue and its current velocity is kept on at 0,5m/sec. giving the take both lake and river characteristics.

The lake has an average depth from 20 to 40 m. Lake bed is not plain but with much of submersible mounts and grottoes. There are ideal home ranges for aquatic animals.

According to primary survey documents, There are 417 species of trees including 300 branches, 114 families. Also, you can see popularly hundreds of orchids and species of medicine-plants. The system of animals including; land, aquatic and flying animals covering 319 species of animals in 27 forms, 85 families in which 42 species recorded in Vietnam Red Book.

Recommended Readings:
Vietnam Travel Destinations
Vietnam Discovery

Dalat Vietnam

                                                                                               Photo by Thuy Nguyen

In Vietnam, Dalat ranks first among honeymoon destinations inside the country yet for foreign travelers the picturesque landscapes added by botanical garden, cascading waterfall, fascinating hill tribe villages has formed Dalat a wonderful hill station.

Whoever has come to Da Lat could never forget Xuan Huong Lake (Hồ Xuân Hương), which is located in center of town. Xuan Huong lake is now one of the main draws of Da Lat, and also where we can see honeymooners and locals strolling its banks. Side by side Xuan Huong Lake is Top-peg Hill (Đồi Cù), where has grown up a vast golf ground. If you are fond of fresh flowers, Da lat Flower Park is your accurate choice. The park, around 7,000 sq.m2, is situated on top of the Top-peg Hill, northern bank of Xuan Huong lake, and full of species of beautiful colored flowers to be extremely well-fed by planters. Tourists are all interested in the Da Lat’s flower festival, bringing them to a flowerfully fresh heaven!

For couples, Valley of Love (Thung Lũng Tình Yêu) is the premium place to go. Its special name derived from its romantic view of silence, grace and green. The other choice is Lake of Sorrow or Lake of Sighs (Hồ Than thở), whose name came from a tale of two lovers, one of whom committed suicide after the other was called up to serve in the army. The romantic and beautiful Tuyen Lam Lake (Hồ Tuyền Lâm) (the lake where rivers, springs and forests meet), Prenn Falls, or Pongour are also worth visiting for their beauty and fun.

On the other hand, Da Lat is popular for French-style architecture. Examples are King Bao Dai’s Palace, Ngo Dinh Diem and Nguyen Cao Ky’s villas, Hang Nga villas, and so forth. All of those should really be visited since they demonstrate the deeply special beauty and somehow culture of the old French.

References:
Vietnam Adventure Tours
Vietnam Adventures

Phu Quoc Vietnam

Known as the pearl of southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc makes your beach escape perfect thanks to its white-power beaches, fascinating fishing villages, colorful ocean excursion.

Phu Quoc is a very mountainous and densely forested Island of approx. 600 sq kms situated in the Gulf of Thailand, shaped like a “tear” its approx. 48 km in length south to north at its longest point and 19 km at its widest point in the far north.

                                                                                                           Photo from Flickr.com
It has a population of approx. 90,000 people approx. is 45 km’s west of Ha Tien on the Vietnamese mainland and approx 5 km off the south east coast of Cambodia.
This supernatural Island (surrounded by a number of smaller islands mainly to the south) arguably has some of most beautiful beaches in Vietnam and some of the best seafood, also abundant with local culture and some of the friendliest people in Vietnam!

Another point of interest is the Phu Quoc Dog which was reputedly a wild animal before and later trained as a hunting dog by the local people.
These animals have unusually sharp teeth (as they tear their food when they eat it rather than bite) and have claws that over the years have been conditioned for catching their prey and are razor sharp, in saying this generally “their bark is worse than their bite!”

References:
Vietnam Tours
Vietnam Practical information

Mui Ne Vietnam

Just few hours driving from southern hub of Vietnam, Mui Ne beach offers the one of the finest beaches in Vietnam with chances for diving, kitesurf and many other outdoor activities.
Besides the beach, Mui Ne also feature an easy access to many fascinating attractions in the area.

                                                                                                      Photo by Tom Hoang

The name ‘Mui Ne’ interestingly has many origins. The first meaning comes from the fishing people in the past. They usually faced sea storms, so they used to hide in a cape, which was called ‘Mui’ in Vietnamese, and ‘hide’ meant ‘Ne’. The second one originated as the name of the youngest daughter of Cham King – who was known as the owner of this land. Her alias was Ne, therefore, the cape where her temple was built, was called ‘Mui Ne’.

Mui Ne is a tropical beach with wonderfully warm weather, which is ideal for swimming. However, since the area from the central stretch to the northern end is dominated by fishing industry, the southern part is more suitable for swimming.
With strong sea breezes, Mui Ne is most famous for kite and wind surfing. Days from November to March have clear skies with perfectly strong winds from 11 am until late evening. The rock-free water makes it relatively safe for the kite surfers. There are also some Kite Surfing Schools, in which kite surfing starters are helped to launch the kite by beach boys. For starters who want more self-practice, you can try the western part front around Kite Surfing School Windchimes, where there are not many surfers, so that you can avoid unwanted accidents.

Obviously, lots of beautiful spots in Mui Ne attract domestic as well as international tourists, such as Ca Na Beach, which takes a 2-hour drive from Mui Ne and provides probably the best coral reefs and diving opportunity in Vietnam, Fairy Springs (Suoi Tien) – a stream where people can sightsee the local wildlife (birds, crabs, fish, frogs, many exotic flowers, etc.), Fish Sauce Plants, where famous Phan Thiet fish sauce (nuoc mam) is produced and sold all over Vietnam, Phan Thiet Water Tower, designed by Prince Suphanouvong of Laos – also the symbol of Binh Thuan province, Takou Mountain – 1-hour drive from Mui Ne Beach, which has not only beautiful tropical rainforest, but also an old pagoda on top of the mountain, PoShaNu Cham Tower – a relic of Cham culture built in the 8th century, which should not be missed, etc. The most must-see one is the Sand Dunes (Doi Cat), where the dunes turn from white to gold (red dunes can be found further south in Mui Ne Village).

Tourists arriving in Mui Ne can also enjoy the atmosphere in Mui Ne Village Market, which sells lots of fresh fruits and inexpensive clothing. Best time to visit is early in the morning.

Recommended Readings:
Vietnam Travel Tips
Vietnam Eco Tours

Con Dao Vietnam

While local Vietnamese mentioned more about history of Con Dao, this amazing island is truly a treasure for discerning travelers who seek for ultimate romance and relaxation.
Since the archipelago is off beaten track, visitors will find themselves lost in nature with numerous chance to dive, trek and enjoy the sea excursion in Con Dao.

The largest of the islands is Con Son, also known by its colonised name of Iles Poulo Condore. Settled as early as the 16th century by Europeans and then the British East India Company two centuries later, the island has gone on to have a culturally rich and politically intense history.

Under French rule Con Son was a penal colony for opponents of French colonialism and saw the imprisonment of many Vietnamese revolutionary heroes. Right up until the American War when US troops joined the South Vietnamese government who had captured the island from the French, Con Son had become infamous for its mistreatment and torture of its detainee's. The many prisons, now desolate shells, scatter the island along with manicured gardens and photogenic French villas.

Today Con Son has a sleepy and tranquil atmosphere with several lovely beaches and a beautiful untouched interior.  The island can be reached by a regular 45 minute flight from Saigon.

Reference:
Con Dao Travel Guide

Top Things to do in Con Dao

Northwest Vietnam Cycling Tour

Northwest Vietnam Cycling Tour is one of the most highlighted experience in northern Vietnam which is rewarded by stunning landscapes, beautiful river valleys, awesome mountains, mirror-like lakes and smiling people.

The biking trip from Hanoi to Sapa crosses different areas where you will have a chance to get in touch with Thai, Hmong, Dzao and many other ethnic minorities. This cultural interaction along with local hospitality is expected to make your trip here extraodinary.


SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Day 1 : Hanoi Arrival
You will be welcomed and transferred to our hotel in the center of town. In the evening before heading out to dinner, there will be a briefing as to what will be happening on the challenge. Tonight we have tickets for the famous Water Puppet show. (Dinner included)

Day 2 : Hanoi – Mai Chau
After breakfast we will head North west to Hoa Binh town. After lunch we will cycle through the valley, the hills and the sugar cane, orange and corn plantations and get an introduction to the stilt-house villages of the Muong and Thai peoples of the Mai Chau valley. Tonight we will stay in a stilt house of the Thai people. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 3 : Mai Chau- Moc Chau - Son La - (Cycling around 80km)
We will take breakfast with the local family then drive out of the village to begin our challenge. The road between Mai Chau and Son La is where you will begin to savor the spectacular mountain panoramas of the North West. Son La province is populated by various ethnic groups including the Ma, H'Mong, Dao, Muong, Kinh, Khmer, Tay, Thai and so on.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 4 : Son La – Pha Din – Dien Bien Phu - (Cycling around 70km)
One hour by bus takes us to the top of the Pha Din pass from where you can freewheel your bike down through stunning, rural scenery where limestone mountains rise out of the valley floor. Our night stop at Dien Bien Phu is the site of the longest and most ferocious battle of the Indochina war (1954) where the French were defeated and forced to withdraw from Vietnam. This was one of the most important battles of the 20th century.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 5 : Short ride day in Dien Bien Phu
Today we take a short ride around the historical town of Dien Bien Phu. After the last few days a soft riding day is really welcome. It also gives us a chance to visit the battlegrounds and museums and gain an understanding of how this battle changed history. (Breakfast included)

Day 6 : Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay - (Cycling around 80km)
Today we cycle along the windy roads that snake through the beautiful countryside that characterizes this part of the country. At times the roads are steep but the stunning panoramas afforded us more than compensate for any hardships  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 7 : Muong Lay – Paso - (Cycling around 80km)
After breakfast we cycle through more magnificent mountain scenery en route to Paso. Along the way we pass through several different minority villages and you will be in awe of the toughness of these people in terms of maintaining traditions and seemingly untouched by modern influences.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 8 : Paso– Sapa - (Cycling around 70km)
Today is a hard day as we continue on winding our way through the scenic hills and ascend the Tram Ton pass (2120m), one of the highest mountain passes in Vietnam, to reach our finishing line in Sapa (1600m). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 9 : Sapa
We have a full day to see some of Sapa’s most colorful and interesting sights by bicycle. These include the Red Dao village of Ta Phin, nestled on the floor of a beautiful valley and the picturesque Tay people of Ta Van village.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 10 : Sapa – Hanoi
Free time for you relaxing in Sapa until 17:30pm our driver will pick up and transfer you to Lao Cai Raiway Station to catch a night train to Hanoi.
Stay overnight on train

Recommended Readings:
Northwest Vietnam Adventure
Sapa Tours