Laos Tour: Luangsay Cruise Downstream - 3 days

Laos Tour: Luangsay Cruise Downstream - 3 days

DAY 1: HOUEI XAI - PAKBENG

Meet upon arrival at Houei Xay immigration checkpoint and transfer to the boat pier. The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9.00am for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. You will have a stop en route to visit an ethnic village for local interaction and to learn about local life with typical culture and tradition. A buffet lunch is served on board. Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at the Luang Say Lodge. Pakbeng is a rustic town with a tranquil laid back vibe dominated by wooden houses along a steep street on the hillside overlooking to the Mekong River. Relax and watch the sunset on the Mekong River from your balcony. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River. (L,D)

Tour in Vietnam: VIETNAM TOP GEAR - NORTHEAST LOOP

Tour in Vietnam:  VIETNAM TOP GEAR - NORTHEAST LOOP Day 1: Hanoi - Mau Son After a hearty breakfast we saddle up and make the break out of the city limits and the lowlands and plains of the Red River Delta. We pass through clusters of limestone as we head out north-east before leaving the main road and climb up to the peak of Mau Son mountain. An old French hill station, Mau Son was ravaged during war with the Chinese and the buildings have recently been rebuilt in traditional style. A winding road leads us to the summit and at over 1,500 metres altitude we enjoy fantastic views out over China and down towards Ha Long Bay. Overnight in Mau Son. ~180 km, ~5 hours, (L, D)

Foods and drinks in Vientam

Foods and drinks

When it comes to eating and drinking, Vietnam has never been an easier place. In tourist areas especially popular places like Hanoi, Saigon, Hoian or Nhatrang… you can find a wide range of food that is acceptable to the international palate. Restaurants are usually clean and menus often have English translations. Apart from most common food – Vietnamese – you can have also French, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian… upon your choice.

Boundless town

This year, the ancient town of Hoi An has become the first city in Vietnam and also in Southeast Asia that is entirely covered with free wireless Internet service.

Hoi An is a must-come destination in central Vietnam. The town is not large and it is not the oldest or most special in Asia and the world but it enchants many visitors. Why?

The atmosphere in Hoi An is the atmosphere of festivities, all the year round. Small streets, small roads, small shops, people strolling, quiet space …, all contribute to creating a special Hoi An. Even the daily life of local residents is worthy to see. Hoi An is a town of professional tourism.

After the Lunar New Year, tourists flocked to the ancient town. Some complaints appeared on the Internet, mentioning troubles that they had to suffer from the scramble of tourist agents, from traders who charged high prices on tourists, etc.

The small, quiet town was in turmoil. Local people got indignant because their common prestige was affected. The authorities immediately took tough measures to reject tourist agents and bad phenomena. The city’s response was highly appreciated. Hoi An turned a small “incident” into a chance to advertise itself.

In March 2011, the earthquake-tsunami disaster in Japan shook the world. The earth seemed to be boundless. The humankind was closer to look to and assist Japanese people together.

Hoi An’s first response was organizing a lantern releasing ceremony on the Hoai River to commemorate Japanese victims, which drew the participation of people of different nationalities.

The quick, meaningful and touching action was broadcasted on world famous TV channels like CNN, BBC, CCTV, NHK, etc. as a humane message to call for the world’s sharing and assistance to Japanese victims. Through which, Hoi An self advertised it as a beautiful and compassionate place.

Wireless Hoi An

Early this year, Hoi An once again drew public attention when it became the first city in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia to offer free wireless iInternet in the whole city.

Le Manh Hung, director of the Vietnam Data Center 3 (VDC3), by the end of 2012, equipment would be installed completely in Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham Islet. At present, 50 out of the total 350 free wireless iInternet spots have been installed in central Hoi An.

With the free service, tourists can surf web and check mail everywhere in the ancient town. If they want to use high speed Internet to listen to music and watch movies, they have to use iInternet cards supplied by the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT).

After the first phase, VDC 3 will implement the second phase of the project to bring wireless iInternet to the remaining area in Hoi An and the surrounding area.

The iInternet came to Hoi An very early. In 1997-1998, Hoi An people used iInternet as a tool of commercial connection. This is the first location in the country that licensed iInternet cafes to serve tourists. Dozens of tailor’s shops, lantern shops, souvenir shops etc. sold their products online, earning tens of thousands of USD a month.

Photographer Thai Tuan Kiet, a member of the Hoi An Photographers’ Club, said that doing business and tourism is tradition of Hoi An people. All families that are involved in trade and tourism use the iInternet. The Hoi An Photographers’ Club also uses the iInternet as an effective tool to sell photos.

Le Ngoc Hao, business manager of the YaLy Cloth Shop at 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An, said that three branches of YaLy in Hoi An have nearly 500 employees. These shops serve thousands of customers each day, mainly foreigners. These customers know about Hoi An’s quick-service tailor’s shops through the iInternet.


Hoi An’s Party Secretary Nguyen Su said that the local authorities began using the iInternet in 1997 and also the local residents. Doing business has become “an instinct” of Hoi An people. The iInternet is the means of effective business and communications of the locals.

In its 400-year history, Hoi An has always been an open town, which knows how to advertise itself to the world and how to learn modern science and technology from the world.

Socially, thanks to the iInternet, both the local government and local people have sufficient information and have opportunity to adjust themselves or explain “misunderstanding” about the town. This is a proof for Hoi An’s integration in the modern time.

Huynh Van Son, a trader on Tran Phu street, is proud of his wireless iInternet city. “Hoi An has been successful in implementing important policies: it is the city without open-air power grid, no outdoor television antennas, no motorbike in ancient streets, no sensitive services, etc. Hoi An is also the city of free wireless iInternet,” he sai.

Source:Indochina travel

Saigon – one of 10 cities have the most attractive street food

The Food and Wine Magazine has selected ten cities which have the most delicious street food in the world. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam ranks 5th for noodle soup (Vietnamese: Phở) and pâté bread. Below are list of top ten places:

1.    Austin (Texas  - USA)
Austin is known for a lot of delicious street food such as Lucky’J fried chicken, Tacos Waffles or grilled Kimcheeze (or Kim Chee) which is sold on the Korean BBQ style truck, a combination between Korean style and Mexico style.

2.    Bangkok (Thailand)
Bangkok is called “street food” paradise. Food markets could be found on almost every street corner from Yaowarat  to China town… Some typical dishes are grilled pork skewers, curry fish, fried banana with flour, durian fruit.

3.    Berlin (Germany)
Beer is a major part of German culture. Street food in Berlin is various: Bread likes the Turkish Donne Kebab, or wurst (hot pork sausage), and the currywurst in Berlin is different. It is about 40 centimes long and cut into pieces, topped with tomato sauce mixed with curry powder and chili powder.

4.    Chicago ( United States)
In Chicago, there are trucks specializing in providing street food such as Wagon – Gaztro severed meat bread, Meatyballs Mobile and Southern Mac. Nowadays, more and more food trucks operated in Chicago as Food Truck Tuesdays in the South, Halted Avenues in Park Lincoln, Food Truck Thursdays in Ethyl’s Beer, Wine Dive in West Loop and Chicago Food truck.

5.    Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
One of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh that visitors like are “Pho” and French bread with pâté. Besides, there are some specialties from the South as “Banh Xeo” (Pancake). Visitor will have chance to try fried spring rolls when coming to Ben Thanh Market.

6.    Hong Kong (China)
Visitors to Hong Kong often go to Temple Street in Kowloon to enjoy some good dishes such as squid, shrimp, fried oysters, curry fish, cheap –priced hotpot. This is also well-known for Stinky Tofu and grilled viscera.

7.    Istanbul (Turkey)
Turkey is very famous for Doner Barbecue and Istanbul – the biggest city of this country also has a lot of delicious street food such as Borek (pastry cake ), simit (round bread is sprinkled with sesame seeds) and kumpir (baked potatoes with tomato sauce, sausage and olive oil).

8.    Los Angles (United States)
In Los Angles, the food trucks with label Koji have been popular since 2009. A lot of food is served on the truck: Bulgogi (Korean – Mexico style), Dim Sum, grilled cheese, fried chicken, biscuits with honey…

9.    Marrakech (Morocco)
Markets in Morocco are well - known for carpets, pottery; besides, some others built many centuries ago also sells many specialties, cereal, barbecue, especially the Harira – a favorite soup of the Moroccans made from meat, lentils, peas.

10.    Mexico City (Mexico)
Undeniably, that Mexico has been famous for Taco bread (a sort of Mexican Sandwich). In Mexico capital, there are also antojitos (snacks) or Elotes made from roasted corn and covered with a layer of Mayonnaise, chili powder, white cheese and lemon juice.

http://www.easytoindochina.com/travel/saigon-one-of-10-cities-have-the-most-attractive-street-food.html

Kull - Da Nang – Hoi An - Hue – Phong Nha

(5days / 4 nights)

Day 1: Kull - Danang - Marble Mountain – Hoian Ancient Town (L/D)

Pick-up guest at Da Nang and transfer to visit Marble Mountains - named as 5 elements of universe and stone carving village of Hoa Hai. Move to the ancient town of Hoian for lunch and hotel check-in.. Take a walking tour around the old sections (charming and wonderfully preserved, combining Chinese, Japanese and European influences), enjoy traditional music at 15:15 p.m. Free to explore the “Hoi An ancient night”, get yourself back to the 17th century, relax and soak up the atmosphere. Dinner and over night inHoi An.

Day 2: Hoi An – Hue Imperial City (B/L/D)

Breakfast and check-out. Leaving Hoi An for the old capital of Hue, through Hai Van tunnel, en route, photo stop at the top of Cloud - Ocean pass and Lang Co fishing village. Luncheon and hotel check-in. Afternoon visits of the Imperial Citadel - The grand palace of the last dynasty of Nguyen and Goddess-heavenly pagoda. Dinner at restaurant and take a dragon boat trip to enjoying Hue folksong on Perfume river. Over night in Hue.

Day 3: Hue – Phong Nha Cave - Hue (B/L/D)

Early breakfast. Move to the national park of Phong Nha – Ke Bang - classified as the world heritage site, stop over at La Vang church and DMZ of Quang Tri. Lunch at restaurant. Boat trip on Son river to visit Phong Nha cave. Back to Hue. Dinner and overnight in Hue.

Day 4: Hue – Danang (B/L)

Breakfast and check-out. Visit to the tombs of King Khai Dinh and King Tu Duc and  lunch at restaurant. Transfer to Danang for overnight. Free at your time to visit the nice city in the evening…

Day 5: Danang - Kull (B)

Transfer to the airport for departure flight. Tour end.

Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Mekong Delta - Hanoi – Halong Bay

(06 Days 05 Nights)

Day01: Saigon Arrival       Dinner                                    

Arrival in Saigon, meet Welcome Vietnam Tour local guide at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Flight: 15h45) and transfer to hotel for check in. A short Sai Gon city tour (if time permit): Thien Hau Pagoda, China Town. Welcome dinner on cruise along Saigon River. Overnight at hotel in HCMC.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (My Tho) – Ho Chi Minh        Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner                                             

AM: Transfer to My Tho. Boat ride on Mekong river and visit an orchard island where almost all the tropical fruit of southern Vietnam can be found and tasted.

PM: Back to Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day is free. Overnight hotel in HCMC.

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City  Tour And Cu Chi Tunnel                Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

AM: Transfer to Cu Chi. Visit the underground village, which used to be a bitter battle ground for a long period during the Vietnam war. The amazing network of over 200 km of underground tunnels will offer you impression of the former fierce war in South Vietnam.

PM: Ho Chi Minh Sight-seeing tour: Reunification Palace, War Crime Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, former US Embassy, Ben Thanh Market. Overnight hotel in HCMC.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi              Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Free at leisure till transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure to Hanoi. On arrival at Noi Bai Ai, you are met and drive to the historic complex of Ba Dinh. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where The Late President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnams Independence on 2 September 1945, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, the must-see monument in Hanoi - It is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built in the early 11th century in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong, all construction supported by only one pillar, resembling a Buddhist lotus. Tran Quoc Pagoda. Quan Thanh Temple.

PM: Transfer to Ha Long. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Halong.

Day 05: Visit Halong Bay - Ha Noi            Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

8H00: Take a private boat trip to visit Ha Long bay (A Natural World Heritage) with: Thien Cung grotto, Dau Go Cave, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi Islet,... Which is crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. There are numerous rocks and islands, which are predominantly composed of hardened dolomite together with smaller amounts of calcium carbonate. Lunch on boat with seafood.

13H00: Transfer back to Ha Noi. Dinner at local restaurant. Enjoy Vietnam traditional water puppet show.    

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 06: Hanoi Departure              Breakfast

Free at leisure, till drive to Noi Bai International Airport for departure. Home sweet home.

A new emotion - overnight on boat in Huong River

You can try overnight sensation on the Perfume River by boat Emotional Song Huong made of materials with environmental friendliness, design inspiration fromthe beautiful small boats.

Among the popular tourist capital of Vietnam, Hue's in her very unique beauty: the romantic and nostalgic, a beautiful and sad.

Hue is the only city having the river flows through the city. In the story of Hue on the Perfume River is pretty magical. Peaceful River goes on sweet fishing of Hue.

Excursions named Perfume River Emotion is designed to inspire the unique values of Hue. Besides, tourists can participate in outdoor activities such as cooking, bikeride on quiet country roads, Aquatic Eco-Village Representatives and relaxing foot soak in the herbal medicine ...

With the advent of ecotourism products combined culinary community, the Perfume River Cruise Emotionalbring new visitors to Hue emotions.

Source easytoindochina.com