Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 11, 2014

Cultural villages in Sapa

Cat Cat village:

Located 2 km from Sapa Townlet, Sapa District, Cat Cat is the village of H'Mong ethnic groups. There remain heaps of unique customs and practices of people here, one of which is the brocade weaving craft. After being woven, pieces of brocades featuring beautiful designs will be dyed and embroidered. And then brocade fabrics are polished by rolling with a round section of wood covered with wax in order to keep their colors durable. Besides, residents here are skilled at manipulating gold and silver jewelry which is graceful and can be purchased in the village and in other travel places in Sapa.Travel to Sapa
Cultural villages in Sapa
Cultural villages in Sapa 

H'Mong ethnic people still maintain their traditional custom of "pulling wife" which has made particular impressions on many tourists. When a man falls in love with a girl in the village, he can ask his friends to unexpectedly lure that girl into his house and keep her there for 3 days. After these days, the girl can either agree to become his wife or freely go home if she doesn't like him. In case she agrees, an wedding which usually happens from two to seven days will be officially held.

The old-age Cat Cat village with its special culture has drawn many visitors to come and discover.

Ta Phin village:

Ta Phin village can be reached by thirty minute drive North of Sapa. It is the living place of the Red Dao and Black Hmong people.

In addition to luscious scenery and distinctive culture, Ta Phin village is especially well known for its famous brocade. Main brocade products created by the skillful hand of women here are backpacks, handbags, handkerchiefs, wallets, overcoats, etc, all of which are decorated with sophisticated colorful designs of flowers, birds. As for ethnic people, brocade is not only for beautifying but for symbolizing love.

Ta Phin village's brocade has become the indispensable gift for tourists once coming here. Impressive designs on those products showing ethnic groups' special culture helps distinguish them from brocade in other places and become the distinctive feature attracting visitors everywhere.

Hanoi & Sapa Homestay 6 days


Sin Chai village:

Sin Chai village, located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, is 30km trekking from Sapa town. It is the village of the Dao ethnic people.

Visiting the village will be a terrific chance for tourists to enjoy stunning landscapes as well as discover culture of residents. What makes this community village special lies in local people who will take the time to teach textile weaving and dying and to explain names and function of the local flora. There are also many interesting activities relating to traditional sports, tree planting for visitors to take part in.

If you travelled to Sapa, trekking to such cultural villages as Cat Cat village, Ta Phin village, Sin Chai village, etc would leave you unforgettable memories.

Thứ Ba, 18 tháng 11, 2014

Where To Go In Vietnam: North Or South?

Many who visit Vietnam say it’s one of the most colourful countries in all of Southeast Asia. And they might argue that this is due, in part, to the distinct differences in culture and climate that exist between the north and the south of this spectacular nation.

Whether you decide to spend your time in the north or south may depend on what time of year it is. The north tends to experience cool, damp winters and hot dry summers, whereas the south has more of a consistent tropical climate that is broken by a rainy season between May and November.

The North Vietnam tours – When & Where

An ideal time to visit North Vietnam is between September and December when it isn’t too humid and not yet cold. That said, capital Hanoi tends to be temperate all year round.

Halong Bay
UNESCO listed Halong Bay tours as a World Heritage site due to its outstanding natural beauty and unique biological importance. Visitors who come to Halong Bay encounter formations of limestone islands that jut out of the water and are covered by jungle vegetation. It’s a dramatic sight and looks almost unworldly, as if the islands are floating on the water! Many of the rocks are hollow, with huge caves clustered inside them, and kayaking tours are one of the most popular ways to explore them.

Hanoi
As the cosmopolitan capital of Vietnam, many visitors fly into Hanoi and use it as the starting point to explore the country’s northern regions. Boasting thousands of years of rich history, Hanoi is the place to come to see ancient Buddhist temples, national museums and get a taste of Vietnam’s long and varied traditions. The Old Quarter is well worth a visit. Little-changed since the days of ancient Hanoi, the streets are named after the various trades and retail goods once sold on them.

Sa Pa
If small traditional towns, spectacular mountain views and rice terraces are what draw you to Vietnam, then head to Sa Pa. Buses depart from Hanoi, but you can expect an eight-hour journey. It’s worth it though, as Sa Pa feels like a step back in time to a more traditional Vietnam. The locals are friendly and visitors can trek by verdant rice paddies, dense forests and spectacular waterfalls.

The South Vietnam Tours – When & Where
Visit between December and April during dry season, when the temperature tends to be steadily in the high twenties (Celsius). Having said that, downpours during the rainy season from May to November tend to be short-lived and rarely put travellers off.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling and at times chaotic place. It’s everything you would imagine from Vietnam’s largest city, only at 10 times the speed! As you fly in, you can see streets of scooters whizzing in and out traffic – so many in fact that streams of red and white lights can be seen from the plane. It’s a wild and wonderful place, with great shopping, a huge variety of dining options and fantastic nightlife. Many visitors come here for a few days of living it up, before heading to a quieter beach town to relax.

Da Lat
If you’re in Vietnam during the hotter months, Da Lat is a great option for a few days of cooler weather. It’s quite unlike anywhere else in Vietnam and is often referred to as ‘the city of eternal spring’. It’s not just the pleasant climate that draws in the crowds either; Dalat is surrounded by rolling countryside, huge waterfalls and forests and was once the playground for the elite of French colonial society.

Get away and relax in Da Lat
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is perhaps the most renowned beach resort town in the south of Vietnam. Popular with expats and international tourists alike, it’s more urban than other beach resorts in Vietnam, and for that reason is a sensible place to head for those who enjoy their creature comforts. You can also head here if you’d like to try a bit of scuba diving too!
Where To Go In Vietnam: North Or South?
Where To Go In Vietnam: North Or South?


Mekong Delta tours
Covering the southwestern portion of Vietnam, the expansive Mekong Delta is simply mind-blowing.  Boat trips down the Mekong River propel you straight into old-world Vietnam, and homestays in the area are becoming a popular option for those who want to really feel like they’re getting away from it all.

Thứ Năm, 6 tháng 11, 2014

Halong cruise safety tips

Cruising on such a magnificent bay like Halong bay travel is undoubted a fantastic experience that you will never want it to be spoiled by any slight unfortunate accident. It is highly recommended to follow cruise ship safety instructions.

After boarding, the very first and basic thing that any reliable and responsive crew member would do is giving passengers a tour around the ship help you become familiar with escape routes and emergency exits. Crew member should also show you where to get life jackets and how to secure them properly. Please pay your fullest attention to this valuable instruction in case of emergency. In emergency situations, you will easily recognize by the evacuation signal (the most international standardized is seven short horn blasts followed with one long horn blast). 5 BEST CRUISES IN HALONG BAY
Halong cruise safety tips
Halong cruise safety tips

Even when your boat has signs of sinking, please remain calm and follow instructions of the crew members to take lifebuoy or life jacket and head to rescue boat to escape safely from the cruise. Jumping into the sea is only suggested when there are no crew members around. A QUICK LOOK ON HALONG BAY MAP

If an emergency arises, please keep calm and listen to important announcements such as instructions guiding you to the exits and evacuation lifeboats.

Leave your valuable items like necklaces, rings, accessories home or in a safe for security reason.

Watch out for strong wind while walking on decks, wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction, and never stay on the decks during a heavy rain or stormy weather.

Drink an acceptable amount. Although some luxury cruise ships offer high quality wines, drinking excessively can impair your judgment and lead you to unexpected incidents.

You can avoid catching illnesses and viruses by washing your hands frequently. It is also advisable to carry extra hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for better protection.

Although it is an interesting experience to cruise alone, try to form a group of 3 to 5 friends and families members so that you can take good care of each other.