Thursday, August 19, 2010

Viajes Indochina kicks off special Viajes Vietnam for honeymoon couples

Viajes Indochina has a special offer tour named “Special Viajes Vietnam” for couples who are in the honeymoon week. Enjoy the sweet as honey emotions beside the love of the life, in the most famous and romantic of Vietnam.

Halong bay, VietnamHalong bay, Vietnam

Viajes Indochina Agency (AVI) is brand name of Spain language market where ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (a largest and most prestigious tour operator in Vietnam) offers professional travel sevices and holiday package which have been widely accepted by customers primarily in Spain, Mexico, Venezuela.

Feel the love and romance in Vietnam. AVI does everything which makes the couples have a sweet honeymoon vacation

with an unforgettable experience and unique. AVI will arrange Vietnam visa on arrival for couples to have more time to prepare the vacation before arriving Vietnam. The hotels and places AVI has chose are amazing and wonderful to the complete satisfaction of couples and spend some quiet time while enjoying life ....

Roses and chocolates that are inside the room will also be included in the offer, thus helping couples have moments of ecstasy and fulfillment during sweet time in Vietnam.

Couples only send AVI a request or call us at +844-35738569 or Hotline: +84977.311.466 and AVI will do the best to arrange the perfect week honeymoon they have ever had in Vietnam

Agencia de ViajeIndochina (AVI)
#31 callejon 4, calle Dang Van Ngu, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84-4-3573-8569
Fax: +84-4-3573-8570
Email: info@viajeindochina.com
Skype: viajeindochina
Web : www.viajeindochina.com

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Life on the Ba Be lake in Vietnam

At nearly 150 meters above sea level, Ba Be is Vietnam’s highest and biggest lake. It remains full all year round. Ba Be mean three lakes in Tay language, Ba Be Lake is nine kilometers long and averages one kilometer across. The lake’s deepest point measures 35 meters.

Ba Be lake, Bac Kan, VietnamBa Be lake, Bac Kan, Vietnam

The road to Ba Be Lake is winding and crooked.

At times concrete gives way to dirt and I begin to wonder why I’m travelling 240 kilometers northwest of the capital’s comforts.

By car, this trip can take seven hours.

Perhaps it is this treacherous road that keeps the mountains surrounding Ba Be Lake primitive and unspoiled.

As we neared the lake, the sky opened up and a powerful mountain rain began to fall. I was overwhelmed with the strength of this rain, which seemed to blur the soft green lines of the forest.

As the rain reached a frightening ferocity, Ba Be Lake appeared below us. The lake emerged through the tree branches like a powerful aquamarine monster. Stalks of vermillion corn and rice lined its banks while a patch of floating grass hung on the watery surface. The lake continued to peer at us through the trees as we inched seven kilometers down into the valley toward our home stay at the water’s edge.

Ms. Ho, our Tay host was waiting patiently in her raincoat. Behind her, a large wooden house loomed on stilts. Like other traditional Tay homes the main house is situated next to the kitchen. Family life takes place on the second floor while the ground “floor” acts as a kind of barn for water buffaloes and chickens.

Our terrace overlooks a small green field and a winding river that empties out onto Ba Be Lake. From here, the neighboring houses peek through the sprawling green like tiny mushrooms in a damp field. Before long, night falls and tranquility settles over the valley.

Sleep comes to me so softly.

The next morning we awake to the quacking of ducks. Our breakfast consists of fresh vegetables from the garden and fish caught in the small river in front of the house. “It rained heavy yesterday so the fish came up from the river bed. We caught a lot of fish with our vó (lift net, a traditional fish trap),” Ho said.

The pleasant mother said her family began opening their home to guests years ago, but they still maintain land for cultivation. Their days are spent in rice paddies, corn fields and their home vegetable garden.

They keep chickens and ducks. Sometimes her husband takes tourists out for a row on the lake. Life here seems simple and good.

In the morning, before making our way out onto Ba Be Lake we attempt to catch fish using the vó. We set the four bamboo sticks lined with the netting into the water and wait. When we feel a little movement, we yank the contraption out of the water. All around us, we see fishermen engaged in the same hunt.

In the end we catch a few small fries and spend a while under the trees snacking on our catch. “We should come back here tomorrow with some books,” my friend said as we wandered through rows of trees that seemed ready to fall into the river.

Ba Be lake, Bac Kan, VietnamKayaking in Ba Be lake, Bac Kan, Vietnam

At 2 p.m., our boat was ready. Because we wanted to see a lot, we opted for a motorboat over the traditional long boats rowed by locals.

The midday sun had transformed last night’s big green “monster” into a giant, sparkling diamond. “We are on a lake 150 meters above the sea level,” I nearly shout, just to hear my voice echo through the valley.

The lake is so big that sometimes we have the feeling we are at sea. The shape shifts as it curves though channels lined with ancient evergreen forests. We float along on a deep blue; above us, white clouds cling to the mountain tops like the last remaining bites of cotton candy on the cone.

I try to picture myself in this place. Farming. Fishing. Picking fruit in the forest. The boat passes by a stand of Voi trees (a kind of plant whose buds and leaves can be used to prepare a drink like tea). My friend dives into the cool water and begins a slow swim. I step onto the bank and begin picking Voi buds to make tea back in Hanoi. As I begin plucking the buds, our guide tells us about a python that swallowed a whole goat on a nearby hill. I step nervously back into the boat, leaving the Voi trees alone.

The boat man tells us that we are approaching the Dau Dang water fall. Here, a stream bloated by last night’s rain feeds red clay rain into the deep blue.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the quiet streams leading off the lake, following the gentle sounds of the falls, fishing and wandering through the woods.

Source: thanhniennews

Ba Be adventure tours recommended:

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Top 5 adventure destinations in Vietnam

According to Bootsnall travel network, there are 5 adventure destinations Vietnam recommended for tourists to travel.

Vietnam seems to be one of the new hotspots in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s new slogan is “it’s a country, not a war”. Currently Vietnam is experiencing a massive influx of tourists not only interested in it war history, but also interested in the immense amount of soft adventure trips available throughout the country.

Below are a few of our favorites and recommendations:

HALONG BAY

Halong bay, VietnamHalong bay, Vietnam

Often touted as Vietnam’s number one tourist destination, Halong Bay, literally means “where the dragon descends into the sea.” This is an area of more than 3000 islands, where tourist come to swim, explore, and visit a natural, scenic areas recognized in 1994 on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. This is a scenic area not to be missed!

Many of the islands are uninhabited, but some have floating villages of fishermen. Most travelers rent boats and spend multiple days exploring the tiny islands. There are some great caves and inlets to explore. The great way to experience this is on sea kayak, and sleeping in a tent at night, instead of taking the main tourists boats like everybody else.

BACH MA MOUNTAIN
The highest point in Bach Ma National Park, the mountain is only 140 meters above sea level and about 18 miles from the coast. Although the mountain is steep and dense, it makes a good day hike to the top. There are great view on the way.

WESTERN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Using Dalat as a starting point, head west toward the border of Cambodia and Laos. If you go far enough west, this is a great way to get somewhere way off the typical Vietnam traveler circuit. This is home to a bunch of ethnic minority villages.

Some traveler’s report that tourists are not welcome, but other report to have truly remarkable experiences.

DALAT

Dalat, VietnamDalat, Vietnam

If you don’t have time, energy, or the will power to visit the Western Central Highlands, then the areas around Dalat are perfect for adventure. Dalat is a hill station in the central highland. There are mountain highlands with tiny villages scattered around throughout the area. It makes a fascinating area worth exploring.

There are a number of standard expensive tours you can arrange in the city, but it’s much better to hire your own guide, usually one that approaches you in the streets. Then, you hire a moped, and he will take you to little villages in the middle of bascially nowhere, staying a night or two and having a real cultural experience.

There are some villages in the area that is off limits to tourists – just look for the sign that has a C.

MEKONG DELTA

Mekong delta, VietnamMarket floating in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

In southern Vietnam near the border of Cambodia lies Mekong Delta. Known as “Vietnam’s Rice Belt,” the Mekong Delta is a huge system of canals of all sizes that flow into the Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia. This picturesque area is almost all under cultivation, and produces enough rice to feed the entire population of the south and the central regions of Vietnam. This is a great place to relax away from the big cities, taste good fruit and vegetables, and meet local people.

There are a number of interesting adventures through the Mekong Delta. You can take a boat through some of the rural waterways. Most people hire guides but you can also attempt it on your own. The Mekong Delta is also a fascinating place for cycling. You can get a true glimpse of rural life and interact with locals, although conversations are difficult.

Source: bootsnall

Recommendations for tours in Vietnam:
Kayaking Halong bay 3 days
Biking Adventures Mekong & Centre Highland

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Vietnam’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel becomes UNESCO heritage

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in the capital Hanoi has become UNESCO heritage as the world culture body added this site to its top heritage list in the morning of Sunday (8/1/2010 - Vietnam time).

Thang Long ancient, Ha noi, Vietnam

The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization chose the new sites at a meeting in Brazil, updating its list of top spots for historical interest or natural beauty.

The UNESCO World Heritage stamp is a valuable asset for countries as it boosts tourism.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was first discovered in late 2002 during excavation work to build a new national assembly on Hoang Dieu Street, Hanoi.

Thang Long Citadel was part of a citadel system built in the 11th century that included the Dai La Citadel, which acted as a defensive rampart with a complete dyke system, and the Forbidden City, where the king and his royal family lived.

Vietnam is this year celebrating 1,000 year-old culture of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Vietnam has nine things in the UNESCO heritage list. The cultural and natural tangible heritage sites are Hue Ancient Capital City (1993), Ha Long Bay (recognized twice in 1994 and 2000 as natural and geological heritages), Hoi An Ancient Town (1999), My Son Holy Land (1999), and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (2003).

Intangible heritage includes Hue royal court music (2003), Central Highlands gong cultural space (2005), Bac Ninh love duet and Ca Tru (2009).

Source: sgpdaily

Recommendation in Hanoi, Vietnam:
Hanoi travel information
Hanoi tours