Cao Bang town

Cao Bang town is in the proximity of the Chinese border which recently made it a veritable boom town with quite new flash development. The only reason to stop at Cao Bang is to recharge your batteries for a bit before reaching other sightworthy points in the neighbourhood, of which Ban Gioc Waterfall is the best. Located right on Quy Son river which divides the two countries, from where you can either see and reach China, Ban Gioc is a bone of border contention. At over 90 km from Cao Bang and more than 2 hours driving each way, it worths a full day's outing and looks spectacular in the rainy season, i.e. May to September, but not so exciting in the rest of the year. Another attraction is Pac Bo Cave, 54 km to the Northwest of Cao Bang, also next to the Chinese border. It was the base of Ho Chi Minh and his comrades after he returned to Vietnam in 1941 after 30 years living and acting in revolutionary movements overseas to encourage all supports for the Vietnamese patriots.

explore northern vietnaM 13 days

Price from 415 USDDeparture dates Jan to DecDuration 13 days / 12 nights Route Hanoi - Babe lake - Tuyen Quang - Yen Minh - Ha giang - Bac Ha - Sapa - Dien Bien Phuc - Son la - Mai Chau - HanoiFeatures Only recommended to picture-hunting visitors and adventurers, who have long time in Northern Vietnam and love eco-tours, prefer to explore remote areas and the customs of hill tribal people. The tour is all about contemplating the most splendid part of Vietnam, where concentrates magnificent but dangerous limestone mountains ranges, incredible terraced paddy fields, and dozens of various ethnics including H’mong, Tay, Black Thai, White Thai, Muong, YaoConnection Easy to combine with other excursion in the Central and South of VietnamMaximum group size 15Guide Fully escorted by Threeland tour guideVisa arrangement Not included, take a look at visa arrangementSee also Vietnam festivals and eventsSee also Vietnam country dossierNOTE: The first day must be Wednesday to enjoy this program best itinerary in DETAIL DAY 1: (WED) ARRIVE IN HANOI (D)Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Greeted by the tourguide of THREELAND and transferred to the hotel. At your leisure in the rest of the day. Dinner followed by a show of Water Puppetry, a unique stage art of Northern Vietnam peasants. Overnight in Hanoi DAY 2: (THUR) HANOI - BABE LAKE (B/L/D)Morning visit the Ethnology Museum, a wonderful stop that gives us more knowledge of the hill tribal people we are going to see in the upcoming days. Depart for Babe Lake, a mountain area which is nearly nearly 300km North of Hanoi. Overnight in a house-on-stilts in Pac Ngoi village of “Tay” people (lunch en route, dinner in Ba Be guesthouse) DAY 3: (FRI) BOAT TRIP ON BA BE LAKE – TUYEN QUANG (B/L/D)Morning take a boat to cruise on emerald water of Ba Be Lake, with stop to visit the Fairy Pond, Puong Cave or to swim near Widow Islet. The Nang River hereby has a two-colorred water flows and surrounded by wonderful greenery, paddy fields, and magnificent mountain peaks. After lunch in Ba Be, transfer back to Tuyen Quang to have a break halfway to Ha Giang. Dinner and overnight in Tuyen Quang. Please note! There is a shorter way between Ba Be and Ha Giang but it is not in stable conditions, especially after summer rain. Check with our tour operators for an update. DAY 4: (SAT) TUYEN QUANG - HA GIANG – YEN MINH (B/L/D)Off for Ha Giang, the northest province of Vietnam. The H’mong people consider this land their capital and the former King of H’mong people, Vuong Chi Sinh, used to live here. We will have good chance to meet many ethnic villages en route with rich culture. Stop en route to enjoy the most picturesque part of Ha Giang mountains including the Nui Doi (“twin mountains”) in Quan Ba, climb up some dozens of steps to “Heaven’s gate” at Quan Ba Pass. Overnight in Yen Minh, a small town in Ha Giang. DAY 5: (SUN) YEN MINH – DONG VAN - MEO VAC - DONG VAN (B/L/D)Wake up early if you wish to contemplate a specific character of minority ethnic of Vietnam – their weekly markets. All Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van offer wonderful Sunday markets with hundreds of people from H’mong, Yao, Thai, Tay tribes coming for purchasing goods, or even just exchanging. After intermingle with the H’mong and Yao people at Yen Minh Sunday market, head to Dong Van, whose central market is in a nearly one-century old building with Vietnamese architecture since early 20th century. Walk around to see Dong Van small ancient street nearby before going on to Meo Vac. The market of Meo Vac can be visited alternatively if we do not spend all morning at Yen Minh and Dong Van. After lunch in Meo Vac, visit the surrounding with the house of Vuong Chi Sinh, who had been considered “the H’mong king” by the H’mong people and his house, where his family is still living in, is typical to the houses of White H’mong people. The short winding road between Dong Van and Meo Vac is one of the best parts in the extreme northern point of Vietnam. Back to Dong Van in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. DAY 6: (MON) DONG VAN - HA GIANG - TUYEN QUANG – YEN BINH (B/L)Transfer back to Tuyen Quang with stop at any village you like to explore the routine of the montagnards. Lunch en route. Dinner at your own arrangement. Pass by Tuyen Quang and overnight in Yen Binh. DAY 7: (TUES) YEN BINH – COC LY – SAPA (B/L/D)Enjoy one of the best montagnards’ market in Northern Vietnam at Coc Ly. The market is on Tuesday weekly and full of Flower H’mong people coming for exchanging, purchasing goods and meeting as in a cultural centre. Stroll around the market before having lunch near the market and take a boat a long Chay River, between high cliffs of limestone mountain range. Stop at a village to visit before our car pick-up you en route and continue to Sapa, the hub of most hectic activities in the Northwest. At your leisure to stroll around the town of Sapa after many days of driving. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Sapa. DAY 8: (WED) SAPA (B)At your leisure in the morning to have a rest after long days till our tourguide come to escort you for a light climb up the Sapa Flower garden and reach the Dragon Peak, from where you can have a panoramic view of the town, with pinewoods and gardens looming in the mist. Afternoon head to Taphin valley to reach the villages of the H’mong and Red Dzao people, who are skillful in dying and making clothes and embroidery by traditional, old silk thread. Go on to Lao Chai (10km from Sapa) and walk thru 3km to Tavan with stops at the villages of the tribal people H’mong, Tay and Dzay en route. Back to Sapa for overnight. (lunch and dinner at your own arrangement for more leisure time). DAY 9: (THUR) SAPA – DIEN BIEN PHU (B/L/D)Farewell to Sapa and head to Dien Bien Phu, the old battlefield of the fight that ended the Indochinese War I. Stop en route near Tam Duong and Lai Chau for visit. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu. DAY 10: (FRI) DIEN BIEN PHU (B/L)Morning visit the traces of the Indochinese War I, which called by the Vietnamese as the French War. We can stop at A1 Hill, where the most fierce and longest battles among the battles of Dien Bien Phu Campaign took place, visit Dien Bien Museum, the Shelter of General De Castri where he and all his General Staff had surrendered after 56 days of attack of the Vietnamese army. We can even stop at the War Memorial dedicated to the French and the Vietnamese soldiers in Dien Bien. Afternoon visit villages surrounding Dien Bien. Lunch in Dien Bien. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Dien Bien. DAY 11: (SAT) DIEN BIEN PHU – SON LA – MAI CHAU (B/L/D)Drive overland to Mai Chau via Son La, one of centres of the Northwest Vietnam. Stop in Son La to take a look at the old Prison of the French hereby, now is a museum of the Vietnamese communists captured by the French during the French Indochina colonialism. Stop en route to visit tea farm at Moc Chau, one of the most famous tea hubs of Vietnam that contribute to make Vietnam one of the top 10 worldwide tea exporters. Arrive Mai Chau, a beautiful valley inhabited by the Thai people. Overnight in a house-on-stilts in Lac or Pom Coong village. (Lunch en route, dinner in Mai Chau). Day 12: (SUN) MAI CHAU – XA LINH – HOA BINH - HANOI (B/L)From the village, walk around to enjoy the green of the paddy fields surrounding and continue to Xa Linh market of the “blue” H’mong people, with extremely graceful girls in strange hair style and hair switch! Walk around the apricos garden near the market and back to Hanoi around noon time. On the way of return, we can stop on the top of the mountain to have a panoramic view of Mai Chau from above. Visit the Hydropower plant in Hoabinh, which has been built with the help of former Soviet Union expert and presently supplies power to all Northern Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi. (Lunch in Hoabinh, dinner at your own arrangement). Day 13: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)At your leisure today to enjoy your time in Hanoi, until our tourguide come to take you to Noi Bai airport for your depature flight. QUOTATION ( per person )Quantity of guests 2 3 - 5 6 - 8Price in US$ 738 517 415Single supplement: 92US$

Hot, Happy, Hungover, Halong Bay

Well now. Just back from a 3 day trip to Halong Bay and it was fantastic. The sun even decided to come out and we got a roasting today on the boat back.Day one (wednesday) we got a boat at Halong Harbour. OUr group was a ixed bunch of old people and young people. We had an israeli couple iin their 40s and a retired spanish couple who were really nice (and mad to go to Karaoke).Had lunch on the boat and it was a bit cloudy but the 3000 islands in the bay look impressive in any weather. We visited some big cave and then later got into the water for kayaking and swimming which was great crack. Then we all piled back onto the boat for a nice feast and a few drinks.Day 2 we were woken at 7 for breakfast and then brought to Cat Ba island and checked into a hotel there. We were brought to HOspital Cave which was hidden in a mountain to treat vietnamese soldiers during the war. Our guide in there was some mad former army general and he kept lining us up and singing to us. It was all pretty weird but cool.Then we had a trek up a mountain which was nice (sweaty). the Spaniards werent impressed at this but there ya go...tyhey made it safely. Thankfully didnt get attacked by any eveil monkeys on the way as i was a bit worried aobut that.after lunch we went off in a boat again for a brilliant afternoon of kayaking anywhere. just paddled for ages around all the islands and under sea arches and into lagoons. Its soooooooo beautiful and peaceful there.Then today we got the boat back to the mainland and it was roasting so all just lay up on deck for the morning. Kieran had a bit of a fright cos he jumped off the boat for a swim but got caught in a current and was being dragged quite quickly away. took us a while to cop that he was actually not enjoying this and we eventually got down to find him holding onto the ledge of the boat by his fingernails. Dont know how it happenbed cos noone really wanted to get in after that but it was grand...only a slight pull after that. Although the driver started the boat before everyone was back on and then kids started crying and mothers were shouting and it was all very dramatic altogether.back in Hanoi now. Wandering around the cafes and markets. The locals were going nuts for an u23s football match between Vietnam and Thailand (2-1)Dont know what we are doing next. Maybe Sapa, maybe not.til then,byebyeybye

Vietnam Sightseeing

Vietnam is still opening up to tourists on an almost daily basis. I have listed some of the more popular local attractions throughout Vietnam below, which will then give you some idea as to how to plan your holiday in this fascinating country.CanthoCantho is the political, economic, cultural and transportation centre of the Mekong Delta. Rice husking mills provide the main source of income and the area is linked to most other main centers in the Mekong Delta via the waterways and road/rail systems.Boat Trips are available that take you across the water or through the local canals on many interesting sightseeing excursions that definitely require a camera. Larger boats venture up the Mekong River and this is a definite MUST DO if you are in the area.Cantonese Congregation Pagoda was built on a different site originally but now stands where it is today. The pagoda occupies a splendid location facing the Cantho River.Central Market is where you should go to stock up on fresh produce either direct from the farms or the fishing grounds nearby.Floating markets are the Delta's prime attractions. Unlike those found in Bangkok, these markets aren't for the benefit of camcorder-toting tourists. Early each morning the Bassac River and its tributaries swell with vendors in sampans, houseboats and longtails jammed with fresh Delta produce: jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, papaya, mango, bananas, pineapple, guava, fresh vegetables and smuggled sundries from cigarettes to shampoo. The best market to visit is about 30 km south of Can Tho in Phung Hiep.Ho Chi Minh Museum is the only museum in the Mekong Delta devoted to this ruler. It is a large museum, if you haven't been to a similar one elsewhere, is worth a visit. Chau DocChau Doc is a riverine commercial centre and is not that far from the Cambodian border. Once known for it's dug-out canoe races it is now better known for it's Cham and Khmer temples in its environs.Chau Doc Church was constructed in 1920 and although small is interesting and for those of the Christian faith they hold mass here seven days a week.Chau Phu Temple was built in 1926 and is decorated with both Vietnamese and Chinese motifs. Inside are funeral tablets with the names and biographical information on the dead.Floating Houses, are well worth a few photos and it's worth it to hire a boat to see them better. Mosques in the area consist of the Chau Giang Mosque and the Murbank Mosque. There are others in the area but those mentioned are the largest,. Visitors are permitted but please respect the faith and do not enter them during 'calls of prayer' which occur 5 times a day unless you are of the Islamic faith. Sam Mountain is the place to go if you want to see dozens of temples, pagodas and the like and is well worth visiting. Located about 6 km from the city. Not only do temples abound but the trek to the top of the mountain is also popular though one can go by motorised vehicle if you so desire. Tay Anh Pagoda is renowned for its fine carvings of hundreds of religious figures most of which are wooden. The building reflects both Hindu and Islamic influences and outside stand a black elephant (with 2 tusks) and a white elephant (with 6 tusks) as well as various monks tombs etc.Temple of Lady Chua Xu faces Sam Mountain not far from the Tay An Pagoda and was founded in the 1820's. The original was built of bamboo, but this has been replaced over the years and the last reconstruction took place in 1972.Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau who was a high ranking officer that served the Ngyen lords and later the Nguyen Dynasty is buried here. Nearby are several other tombs of similar officials serving under Thoai Ngoc Hau.Cavern Pagoda also known as Phuoc Dien Tu is about halfway up Sam Mountain and is well worth a visit.DalatThe city of Dalat is the main centre of the Southern Highlands region. In the past it was renowned as a cool, green city with a park-like environment. This is changing fast, as the economy booms and life speeds up. Still, Dalat is definitely worth a visit and it's a good base for trips into the surrounding highlands, which remain tranquil. In Dalat, make sure you visit the Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, nicknamed by locals the Crazy House. It's created by artist and architect Mrs Dang Viet Nga (known as Hang Nga).Dalat is famous for its coffee shops, and is extremely popular with domestic tourists and honeymooners. You can fly to Dalat from Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is 30km from town; express buses also link the two cities.The Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace is stuffed with interesting art and everyday objects, and is well worth a look. It's also interesting to stroll around the old French Quarter.The Valley of Love, 5km north of the city centre, is a bizarre place where you can hire a paddle boat on the lake or a horse from one of the Dalat Cowboys (no relation to the Dallas Cowboys), who are, indeed, dressed as cowboys. There are some pleasant walks or rides (on horseback or bike) in the countryside around the city, but be aware that areas signposted with a C-sign are off-limits to foreigners.Prenn Falls are worth a visit and are located at the foot of Prenn Mountain Pass. The 10km long pass is on the route from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City.Further out, you can visit the villages of some of the hill tribes, such as Lat Village and the Chicken Village (with a huge statue of a chicken).

A trip to the sea.

Well, not content with our last little jaunt (an attempt to do what many nomadic tribes failed to do – assault the Great Wall of China), we thought we could do with another nice relaxing break – this time by the sea. We chose a place called Qinhuangdao, two hours from Tangshan, near the sea, perfect. Of course, we didn’t bank on getting a little merry the night before (Thank you I don’t think Mr Muller!) and having to endure a 2 journey, hung over, stood up on a packed Chinese train!That aside, we got to the hotel and OMGFG!!!! Luxury! I had really forgotten what luxury was – but it wasn’t the plush interior that got me excited… oh no! It wasn’t the carpeted floors either! Not even the Gin stocked mini bar (although that did raise a big ole smile!). It was something you lot probably take for granted – A BATH!!!! Oh my gods, a real, deep, clean, hot water spouting bath! I almost had to change my underwear!Having got over the shock of the bathtub, we decided to explore Qinhuangdao’s sea front. It was amazing to see the sea again – hear waves, feel sand getting between the toes and of course the numerous huge tankers passing by. We were so over awed with the sight and spectacle that we almost didn’t realise that we had somehow ended up in Port Talbot! It was almost exactly the same! Beautiful beaches, amazing waters, and there, off to our left a huge dock loading all manner of ecological unpleasantries onto ships…Even that didn’t spoil the mood though – we spent our time wandering the beach, smiling amiably at the locals and staring, awestruck at the sheer number of things they sold that were constructed purely from sea shells and glue :o/ All in all we had an amazing time, and even found a workable swimming pool there! But the best of all came on the train ride home…Anyone familiar with the Chinese transportation system will know how difficult the journeys can be – had to book tickets 3 days in advance, and then all sold out apart from standing room (again!). We got on the train, expecting another two hours of standing in the carriage, but as the train pulled off Valmai was grabbed by the arm and lead down the corridor to a spare seat – amongst a group of devout Buddhists and two monks travelling to Beijing! We spent the whole journey back conversing in broken chinglish, sharing sunflower seeds and being force fed garden-pea flavoured ice lollys! I kid you not… Life on the road uh?So I’ll sign off this one with a thank you to that kind group who gave us seats (and seeds, and pea-flavoured lollys!) and to you, my Buddhist friends ‘a mi tuo fo!’

Last day in Hanoi

Today we fly down to Danang and then take short drive to Hoi An on the mid-coast. The past two days I've been very sick with some kind of food poisoning so I've been doing alot of sleeping and not much else.Yesterday we met Helene Jordans, the environment officer at the Danish embassy. She was very concerned that we have Vietnamese partners with us every step of the way so that when Danida (the Danish office funding this project) goes away there is enough institutional knowledge for the VN to carry on. We tried to assure her that while we didn't have many partners here in Hanoi we would everywhere we went in the field. The day before we had lunch with Nathan Sage, the environment officer for the US embassy. He grew up in Connecticut and went to URI. A very interesting person with many international experiences.

Traditional Village & pagoda, Vietnam tours

Traditional Village & pagoda in Hanoi: Regarded as a cradle of Vietnam's culture, The Red River delta is best known for its handicraft villages and traditional seasonal festivals. We offer you the unique opportunity to see the real rural life of Vietnamese peasants living in these handicraft villages. This tour is also interesting for those who are interested in Buddies philosophy.Price: 55 USD/person (Minimum: 2 persons )Includes: Transport, entrance fee and guide.Itinerary :PRG-1 : BAT TRANG, ceramic village or an old pottery village & COLOA - an old citadel of Vietnam.PRG-2 : VAN PHUC, a silk village is a great place to silk cloth being produced on the loom .There is a showroom where you can buy silk by the meter, much more exciting that buying it in the shops! TRAM pagoda & TRAM GIAN pagodas.PRG-3 : BAT TRANG - an old pottery village DONG HO - a painting village, here they make 'Giay do' paper and paint them with traditional designs .All of paper is made by hand and some, still in the traditional way with all natural products BUT THAP pagoda DONG KY - carpentry village .Here they made furniture inlaid with mother of pearl and finished off with layer of clear lacquer In laying the mother of pearl is highly labour intensive, see how it is delicately sawed info fine fish-bone sliver and paints takingly set into wood .PRG-4 : THAY (master pagoda) & TAY PHUONG pagoda .The price in USDLow Season (5th May - 31st August)Size of Group 1 2 3 4 - 5 6 - 7 8 pax upCost/pax (USD) 140 80 65 50 45 35High Season (1st Sep - 4th May)Size of Group 1 2 3 4 - 5 6 - 7 8 pax upCost/pax (USD) 154 88 72 55 50 39Departure: Every dayInclusive: Transportation (private car/mini van), Entrance fees, Speaking guide (English or French), LunchExclusive: Drinks, Insurance, Personal expenses, Tips