Many traditional craft villages are situated along these three rivers and the natural beauty and nearby mangrove forests have made the lagoon a popular tourist destination.

Sailing down the Huong River from Thuan An estuary, tourists can visit Dia Linh hamlet in Huong Vinh commune, where the craft of traditional wood carving is still preserved.

Thuy Tu tile making village, built on the silt of the Bo River and characterized by its red-roofed houses, is the next recommended stop.

An Thuan village is also worth a visit to learn about making green rice flakes flavored with hot and tasty ginger, sesame seeds and peanuts.

The narrow fishing boats and fishnets here and there in the transparent water add extra beauty to the lagoon.

Visitors can also tour Thai Duong Ha fishing village where the locals still preserve their traditional lifestyle, rituals and festivities such as the Cau Ngu festival for  fishermen to pray for the best catch.

Ru Cha, just opposite Thai Duong Ha village, in Thuan Hoa hamlet, Huong Phong commune, is a very rare primitive mangrove forest in the lagoon. It was mostly leveled during the last war but the five-hectare area has been restored and is now protected. It is popular to go trekking through the short Cha trees with big roots in this wetland reserve.

Small crabs find shelter among the roots of the Cha trees but be careful about getting too close to the trees because the resin will make your skin itch. If you do get some resin on your skin, the leaves of nearby Mop trees are good for soothing the itch caused by Cha resin.

source form: vietnamnet

source form: vietnamnet

The mountainous district of Moc Chau in Son La Province has been an ideal destination for those who seek for peace or romantic getaways.

Surrounded by hills planted with tea, Moc Chau, which is 190 kilometres northwest of Hanoi, looks charming in the fog and the cold of the forest.

Many believe that this is the best time of year to visit the area, with the Tet holiday soon to come and favourable conditions.

Napa cabbage flowers along side peach trees

Immense fields of napa cabbage flowers

Mong people’s houses dwarfed amid boundless fields of flowers

Path to Thong Cuong High School

‘Little house on the plateau’

Visitors marvel at the mountains

Inspired by romantic scene

Thong Cuong Village surrounded by immense fields of napa cabbage

A stop at a pristine site

Mong children surprised to see visitors

Early blossoms on a plum tree

Little girl from Hanoi happy with a new ‘playground’

White plum flowers

Peach trees add colour to mountains in Long Luong

source form: dtinews

Especially, the prosperous time of Pho Hien was associated with the golden time of the trading relationship between Vietnam, China and Japan. Like the ancient town of Hoi An, Pho Hien is a favourite destination of Japanese tourists.

Through history, Pho Hien still keeps over 100 worthwhile historical and cultural relics, 18 of them recognised as national cultural items.

Pho Hien area covers five square kilometres running from Dang Chau Hamlet in Lam Son Ward to Ne Chau Hamlet in Hong Chau Ward.

Now, Hung Yen is a totally different city but much of its heritage has been preserved with many famous pagodas, temples and trade centers of Chinese people.

Thien Hau Temple built in 1640 is dedicated to Lam Tuc Mac, the nautical goddess of China. The temple had also doubled as a meeting place for merchants

The 500-year-old Mau Temple is dedicated to the worship of Lady Yang, a Chinese queen. The temple is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Pho

source form: dtinews

Vietnam, though comparable in size to Finland, Norway or Germany, may feel like a huge country with a multitude of tourist destinations known as thousands of miles of coastline, mountains, river deltas and the obvious icons such as Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Hoi An and the vast ruins of My Son.

However, Tuyen Quang province is one of these overlooked gems.  Why so? Well, why not. If you are in Vietnam and have a few days to spare between visiting Ha Long Bay and Sapa and are happy to travel as the locals do, then head north, by bus. In a few hours you can be in towns and villages that are not accustomed to tourists, making the welcome you receive all the more genuine.

I had never heard of Tuyen Quang until March of 2011.  Travelling north from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue on the lovely named, reunification express, I spent 20 hours sitting in a berth with 3 locals.  Their curiosity with me was matched by my own in them. None of them spoke English and I spoke no Vietnamese but in the space of 20 hours, with the help of my phrase book, note pad and a few photographs on phones we had exchanged email addresses, phone numbers and invites.

I was invited to Tuyen Quang Province by a local shopkeeper and his family and made a promise that on my return to Vietnam, it would be the first voyage I would make from Hanoi and I kept that promise.

I had to look hard in guide books. The province is not mentioned in Lonely Planet or Rough Guide yet it has amazing scenery, mountains, waterfalls, lakes and enough tourist infrastructure such as hotels, cafes and the ubiquitous foot massage parlours to make it worth a visit without being overwhelmed. With Tam Dao mountain in the south of the province only a few hours from Hanoi, Tuyen Quang province is not that far yet easily overlooked by foreign visitors.

I took a xe-om to My Dinh bus station and within 30 minutes we were heading north through Hanoi’s suburbs and traffic, all for 75000 dong. A bus journey was something of an adventure, especially when the 20 seater bus had managed to accommodate 30 of us thanks to little chairs on the aisle and people had to squeeze up close, with no complaints.

In total I spent 3 days in Tuyen Quang Town after reaching the last bus stop.  My contacts had family here who run a lovely little shoe and handbag shop.  I was their guest for dinner and tea. I stayed in a hotel in the centre of town though I could have stayed with the family but my lack of Vietnamese and their lack of English could have caused us all problems so I chose a standard 3 star hotel in the centre of town.

My first impressions were a town with little or no tourist industry and that comes as relief after the non-stop tourism of other places. There are no hawkers, no shoe-shiners and very few xe-ôm drivers, just quiet commercial town serving the surrounding districts. The lack of tourist industry did make me work harder to find food and drink and I ate with the locals but having to try harder can make the reward even greater.

I found a small street restaurant (Com) near my hotel and had a brief conversation in French with a local man who had lost his left arm in the war with the Americans. He chatted with me and translated my order for Pho Bo and a beer.  And though I was alone, you are never alone long in places such as this. No sooner had I tucked into my meal than the hostess who made my meal came to sit with me, using my phrase book, she asked me was the food good and where was I from. Not a deep conversation but enough to relax a solitary tourist and put a smile on my face.

I had arrived in the town the night of the Mid Autumn Festival when it was alive with floats, music, people (mainly local school children) in costumes and vendors selling sweets and moon-cake and other snacks. I joined the crowd and watched the floats, all very impressive, mostly created by local schools or clubs. I think I said hello a thousand times that evening and never grew tired of it. And though this trip was about seeing another town in Vietnam and meeting people the scenery was still impressive. The town is surrounded by misty mountains covered in trees which are incredibly inviting.

My 3 days in Tuyen Quang town were just a taster and I will soon be back, heading further north to the small villages near Na Hang and Ba Be lakes and I can’t wait.

source form: vov

To keep the beach clean and beautiful, hundreds of local people, youths and students volunteered to clear up and protect the environment surrounding the beach on November 4.

Dinh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Cam An Ward People’s Committee, said local people and authorities are very proud of their beach, which is on the list of the world’s 50 best beaches.

Local people are encouraged to protect the environment and keep the beach rubbish-free, beautiful and pristine to maintain its position on the list and attract more domestic and foreign visitors, he said.

Pham Phu Song Toan, Director of the an ecological community project (ECOCOM), said the quality of tourism services and environment surrounding An Bang beach will be improved if the public becomes involved in protecting it.

Ecocom has also placed 20 dustbins along An Bang beach to help keep it clean.

source form: vov

Stepping out of the mini bus, surrounded by huge hills and lush green fields stretching as far as the eyes can see, the first thing I noticed was the significant improvement in the air quality. Although there are still many motorbikes darting about, I felt as if I could once again breathe!

Mai Chau (Vietnamese: Mai Châu) is located in Hoa Binh province in the northwestern part of Vietnam, approximately 160Km from Hanoi. There is an estimated 48,570 inhabitants including 7 Ethnic Minority groups. ‘White Thai’, ‘H’Mong’,’Zao’,’Muong’,’Tay’,’Hoa’, and ‘Viet’. Mai Chau consists mainly of the ‘White Thai’ people.

As you approach Mai Chau you will have the chance to view the village from afar. From the top of Cun Mountain you will be blown away with the superb panorama of Mai Chau, nestled, snugly between two towering cliffs and surrounded by lush emerald green paddy fields, the sight is truly enchanting so make sure you have cameras at the ready.

If you are looking for a get away from the busy and crowded hustle of Hanoi, you may have just found it. Mai Chau would be ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Vietnamese experience with the option of ‘Home Stay’, available in two of the ‘White Thai’, villages nearby. Ban Pom Coong and Ban Lac are both run by the ethnic minority families who have lived and worked the land for generations. ‘Home Stays’, purpose is to give an insight into the lives of the local people and the structure and cost of the stay is almost exactly the same in both villages. I did however find Ban Lac to be the more developed of the two as Ban Lac boasts more gift shops and a busier ‘night life, what there is of it anyway!’

The housing is traditional wooden buildings sat on top of stilts. For your ‘Home Stay’, you can expect large communal rooms on the second floor where mats will be laid down on top of the squeaky, split bamboo flooring. The ‘White Thai’, are very conscious of hygiene and cleanliness so remember to leave footwear outside at all times. Although it is very basic and simple accommodation, you will find western style toilets, hot water and in some houses satellite television installed. The cost will set you back around 150,000VND and for this price you will enjoy an evening meal prepared and cooked for you by the locals, a bed for the night and also breakfast the following morning. Sitting down for dinner with the ‘White Thai’, is a truly warming experience, their hospitality really is second to none.

While living with the locals you will be sure to see some of their old traditions and customs. Green tea would be offered to guests, especially by the man of the house and it would be common for the female (usually an older lady), to offer you the chance to blacken your teeth by chewing ‘Betel’! A betel chew is made up of several ingredients: betel leaf, slivers of areca palm nut and a bit of lime paste. The pieces of nut covered with lime paste are wrapped in a leaf of the betel pepper vine, making a tiny package that fits neatly into the pouch of the cheek. Although teeth look unsightly to us, tooth blackening prevents tooth decay. Those who have had their teeth blackened maintain a full set of teeth longer than those who have not undergone the process. Teeth blackening may prolong life by maintaining the capacity to enjoy a wholesome diet.

I was fortunate enough to visit and stay at ‘Mai Chau Lodge’, courtesy of Ms. Cung Minh Ha who is working alongside the Lodge.  The occasion was 125 years of tourism in Hoa Binh Province and we attended to show our support.

An elegant building with 16 beautifully designed and decorated rooms located in the heart of the village looking out onto a spectacular view from every possible angle, whether it is towards the mountains or the valley. On entry I was greeted, warmly by the staff. Rest assured, while staying at the lodge they will see to it that you want for nothing and what’s more, it is always service with a smile which I believe to be very important.

A mix of local specialties and world cuisines meet in the middle creating a memorable dining experience. You also have the choice of a fine selection of wines and spirits or if you are really set on experiencing all things traditional throughout your stay, go for a bottle of locally produced rice wine. My personal favorite!

Although in the middle of this basic and undeveloped, picturesque paradise, you will enjoy comforts including; en-suite bathrooms, hair dryers, air conditioning, satellite television, telephones and free unlimited internet connection.

After a day of wandering around the local market and seeing the many weird and wonderful things for sale or traditional clothing being skillfully woven operated by the ‘Thai’ women using fascinating homemade machines, I really enjoyed a dip in the lodges’ swimming pool, a soak in the Jacuzzi and a steam bath before sprucing up for the evening.

Visiting Mai Chau, I would recommend one night with the locals to quench your thirst for Vietnamese culture in a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere at the lodge.

source form: vov

Under the different natural effects of wind, rain, sun and water, the white sand dunes create many charming “paintings” which are constantly changing over time.

These “paintings” can be easily wiped out after a drizzle, a breeze or even a row of footprints, but they are instantly replaced by the new ones.

source from: dtinews

A view of Cham islet in Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam Province

The location is a popular spot for tourists to go camping, swimming and scuba-diving to explore coral reefs and beautiful marine life.

However, with a small boat you can take a cruise around the islet and travelers will discover it is enhanced due to its rocky mountain walls.

Cham Islet, 20 kilometres offshore of Hoi An, has been named a global biosphere reserve by UNESCO’s International Coordination Council of Man and the Biosphere Program.

It takes about twenty minutes by boat or canoe but it is worth the short wait as you drift amidst the sky and sea and then as if by magic the islets appear in all their glory.

Cham Islands consists of eight islets with a total surface area of 40,000 hectares. Lao, Dai, Mo, Kho Me, Kho Con, La, Tai and Ong islets are home to only about 3,000 residents leaving the landscapes largely in pristine condition. The islet has 1,549 hectares of tropical forest and nearly 1,000 species of marine life.

The islets are cool and fresh all-year round, so tourists can come there anytime. The immense green of the forests harmonize with the blue of the sea to create an endless green airspace. White sand beaches and peaceful fishing villages make the islet more poetic and fanciful.

Cham Islet’s Huong and Ong beaches are popular options for tourists because of the smooth sand and the small waves. Cham Islet is also home to diverse flora and fauna, especially abalone and sanglaganes, birds which have long been considered a delicacy by aristocrats and the wealthy. The islet also boasts 135 species of coral which are exciting discoveries for tourists.

However, the islet is especially impressive with vertical mountain walls covered by rocks in varied and weird shapes. Small and large waves crash on them and toss white sponges and create interesting sounds. Rocky mounts change their shapes as you travel on your cruising boat. Sometimes the water is clear, sometimes vaporous as it lets travelers indulge into the vastness of this beautiful location.

source from: dtinews

Sa Huynh culture’s jewelry thousands of years old

Pham Xuan Long, owner of this private museum, said the museum is currently curating and cataloguing the exhibition, and hopes to open it up to visitors soon.

Discovered in 1909 by French Archaeologist M.Vinet, the ancient culture of Sa Huynh attracted the attention of archaeologists around the world.

Among the most outstanding achievements of the Sa Huynh was their jewelry making. These jewels each have a different meaning, which showed the social status of the wearers.

These include strings of beads, bracelets, earrings and rings are made from agate, nephrite, crystal, and resins from different kinds of tree.

The Sa Huynh also fabricated multicoloured decorative objects out of an early form of glass, made from white sand and tree resin.

Charming earrings indicate some amount of sophistocation among the Sa Huynh, who lived in what is now central Vietnam. Earrings of similar design can also found in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, which shows that they had some trade relations with other regions.

Photos from the museum:

Mr. Pham Xuan Long introducing antiques to visitors

Thousands of years old, jewelry retains its beauty

Materials such as agate, nephrite, carnelian were used

Strings of beads a top attraction at the exhibit

Nephrite was a popular material to work with

Earrings found in women’s tombs

Animal head-shaped earrings found at men’s tombs, showing their high social status

Visitors looking at jewelry

source from: dtinews