ASIA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE BLOG

It takes some getting to, but both the destination and the path offer unforgettable vistas and a unique opportunity to connect with various moments in the nation’s history.
First, we had to get to An Phu Mountain, 246 meters high, in the northern province of Hai Duong. From there, we climbed further to reach the Duong Nham mountain range and explore Kinh Chu, one of the nation’s most beautiful grottos.

From the peak of An Phu Mountain, the mountain range, Duong Nham, also known as Thach Mon, lies before you and resembles a giant dragon lying on an immense bed of paddy fields.

To the north of Duong Nham, the Kinh Thay River winds around the foot of the mountain range. And to the southwest is the peaceful, picturesque Kinh Chu Village.

The high terrain and thick greenery keep Duong Nham cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

We climbed stone steps along the mountainside to the Kinh Chu Grotto, accompanied by the songs of cicadas.

The mouth of the Kinh Chu is about three meters wide. We stepped into what seemed like a maze of many caves, each with its distinct personality and challenge

The Mau Cave is marked by giant moss-covered stones and a hole in its dome. Directly opposite is the Vang Cave with stalactites resembling an elephant, a turtle, a diamond and many other animals and objects. The Luon Cave has a stream with clear, cool water.

Kinh Chu also has 53 stone steles dating back to the Tran, Le, Mac, and Nguyen dynasties, each engraved with the sayings of kings and mandarins who visited the grotto.

The most famous stele is the one that is inscribed with a poem by King Tran Thanh Tong (1240-1290) – the second emperor of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), who reigned over Dai Viet from 1258 to 1278, in Han script.

Kinh Chu also has a pagoda with many stone sculptures of Bodhisattvas and Buddhist monks.

During the fight against Mongol invaders, King Tran Nhan Tong (1258–1308), the Tran Dynasty’s third emperor who reigned over Dai Viet from 1278 to 1293, and his troops were stationed at Kinh Chu Grotto.

At the top of the Duong Nham mountain range are two blockhouses built by French troops in 1950.

The magnificent landscape and fresh atmosphere of the place generate a feeling of peace deepened by the sounds of the Kinh Chu Pagoda’s bell.

In fact, even before discovering the Kinh Chu Grotto and the Duong Nham mountain range, the Cao Temple at the top of An Phu

Mountain offers a valuable glimpse into the nation’s past. The temple is dedicated to An Sinh Vuong Tran Lieu (1211-1251), the elder brother of King Tran Thai Tong – the second emperor of the Tran Dynasty, and father of Tran Quoc Tuan or Tran Hung Dao – one of Vietnam’s greatest generals.

Down 50 meters from the Cao Temple stands the 12.7-meter high Tran Hung Dao statue made of green stones. Tran Hung Dao, was instrumental in defeating Mongol invasions and was posthumously bestowed Hung Dao Dai Vuong (Grand Lord Hung Dao) for his military contributions. In the yard where the statue is located is a long terracotta relief depicting the wars against the Mongol forces.

Halfway down the mountain are the Tuong Van Pagoda and the Thanh Mau Temple, further adding to the serenity of the place.

HOW TO GET THERE

Kinh Chu Grotto is situated in Duong Nham Hamlet, Pham Menh Commune, Kinh Mon District, Hai Duong Province, 57 kilometers east of Hanoi.

From the capital city, tourists can take bus No. 202 along National Highway 5 to the Phia Tay Bus Station in Hai Duong Town, and another bus to Kinh Mon Town. From there, it is a xe om (motorbike taxi) ride or a bus or taxi drive of around five kilometers to reach the Kinh Chu Grotto.

Source: Thanhnien

Tags: hai duong, kinh chu, kinh thay river

Hang Buom is an old fashioned trading street in the Old Quarter that skirts the main backpacker district in Hanoi
Hang Buom street, which connects Ma May street to Hang Duong, straddles two worlds: to the south the Old Quarter has become increasingly international and modernised with more hotels, cafés and bars catering for foreigners; the old Quarter is, after all, the main ‘backpacker district’ in the capital.

To the north is Dong Xuan market, a wholesale market and the main bread basket of ‘old Hanoi’. Here deliveries come and go throughout the day and night. All around traders, delivery men and shoppers munch on noodles in street side restaurants before getting back to business.

History
Prior to 1945, the street was known as Rue des Voiles, but after Vietnam ousted the French in 1954, the name was changed to Hang Buom.

The street’s main trade was the manufacturing of sails (buom in Vietnamese). Although the street is now completely landlocked it once rubbed shoulders with both the To Lich and Red rivers, so a maritime association wasn’t so incongruous.

In the 18th century Hanoi was such a bustling port that in 1788 the French missionary J. Richard wrote that “not even Venice could compete with the tremendous movement and activity” along the river.

The area’s ideal location was coveted by many incoming traders. In the late 19th century many Chinese émigrés settled here. The mostly Cantonese merchants were once a powerful economic force and they built their own schools, clubhouses and streets. You can still see traces of Chinese architecture here and there. The wonderful Tuoi Tho kid’s garden at 22 Hang Buom used to be Hoi Quan Quang Dong – a Chinese club-house.

You can see a number of houses with ancient exteriors and structures. At 50 Hang Buom you will see a classic example of the old wooden frames which were commonplace before the arrival of the French and shift to more modern construction materials from the end of the 20th century on.

The house at 60 Hang Buom is a curious blend of both old and modern architectural styles. The villas at 53 Hang Buom and 71 Hang Buom are also worth peeking you head in on.

Bach Ma temple, 76 Hang Buom
One of Hanoi’s most famous religious sites, Bach Ma temple worships the tutelary genie Long Do (Dragon’s Belly), a patron saint of Hanoi, and one of the four guardians of Thang Long Citadel.

According to legend, when King Ly Cong Uan tried to move the capital to Thang Long in 1010AD, he was struggling to build a solid citadel. The unsatisfied king went to Long Do Temple to pray and as he entered he was startled by a white horse running out of the temple.

The white horse, which symbolises the sun in Vietnamese culture, went out from the temple and galloped from the East to the West before returning to the temple. The king was inspired by this omen and he decided to build the city following the traces of the horse’s hooves. The city was built successfully and afterwards the king declared Long Do genie to be the protector of Thang Long citadel.

Originally built over a thousand years ago, the temple has been restored many times. In the late 17th century, the temple was widened and in 1829, it was completely rebuilt. Inside there are many valuable objects – look out for the 15 steles.

Food, glorious food!Van Thanh, 108 Hang Buom
One of Hang Buom’s most popular shops is Van Thanh, where you can find all kinds of cuts of roasted pork. You will often spot the shop by the long queue outside.

There are not many places where people will patiently queue in Hanoi, but Van Thanh is definitely one of them. The shop is a modest ‘old school’ establishment. The meat is unceremoniously hacked on a bread board and wrapped in newspaper.

The surface skin is always crisp and the meat is often fatty (as most Vietnamese prefer). You can serve it with a bowl of rice and some nuoc cham (fish sauce mixed with vinegar, lime, chili and sugar) as a dipping sauce or throw the meat into banh my sandwich.

Nowadays, young folk might prefer to go to KFC, BBQ Chicken, or Lotteria, but old Hanoians know best!

Ladybird Restaurant, 57 Hang Buom
A Vietnamese restaurant with an eye on the backpacker market this is an affordable and decent dining spot located in one of the Old Quarter’s classic ‘tube houses’. It’s mostly Vietnamese fare with some western options for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Bit Tet, 51 Hang Buom
This family run eatery is hidden down a long, dark passage on Hang Buom. Inside like a clandestine meeting place, you will find a small and bustling restaurant. The main staple is the eponymous bit tet – a Vietnamese corruption of the traditional French bifteck: a slice of beef steak served with chips with lashings of garlic on top and a salad and crusty French-style baguette on the side.

But you can also order excellent grilled seafood with blue crab or giant shrimp both available. Both are also served topped with heaps of scrumptious garlic and a crusty baguette on the side! The restaurant only opens in the evening but come early as it often closes by 9pm.

Distractions SF Salon & Spa, 16 Hang Buom
SF Salon & Spa uses the latest advancements in beauty care catering for both local and expat women with a hair salon, nail care and other services, such as waxing and reflexology treatment – definitely a great spot to pamper yourself after a long week at the grindstone.

Dragonfly Bar
A ‘studenty’-style bar with multiple rooms offering cheap drinks and a host of resident DJs. Gets crowded on weekends but always a friendly vibe and a good place for foreigners and Vietnamese to mix. There is a pool table and hookah pipes, if you are so inclined.

Source: Timeout

Tags: hanoi old quarter, pho co hanoi

The central province of Quang Binh is home to some of Vietnam’s most enchanting coastal areas with a string of beautiful beaches that could also help reverse the province’s economic fortunes.

Nhat Le beach

With the pace of development comes a price. Popular beach destinations become too crowded, too built up, too much of a hassle. For those who like to flop around on a quiet beach and forget about the world, the most popular ‘holiday’ beaches become contradictions. Who can feel relaxed on a public holiday if you’re surrounded by thousands of screaming kids and perpetually hassled by vendors? Inevitably, you move on. You seek new horizons far from the madding crowds.

Nhat Le river

For now, my tip is Quang Binh province in the ‘north’ of Central Vietnam. South of Ha Tinh and bordering Laos, this is one of the country’s poorest provinces. The average annual per capita income is one of the lowest in Vietnam. But the province’s tourism industry might be the main key to boosting the local economy. The UNESCO heritage site of Phong Nha- Ke Bang cave has flown the flag so far.

boat cruise along Son river to Phong Nha cave

Now the province is looking to the white sandy beaches with a great deal of justifiable expectation. The bewitching sight of Nhat Le would certainly convince any developer that this is a stretch of coast worth banking on. But for now, I am also delighted to bask in the peace and tranquility that remains on offer before the bulldozers and master builders roll in. It’s a breathtaking spot and in my humblest opinion one of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Inspired by the prospect of discovering more unknown beaches, I recently decided to explore more of the coast by motorbike. And there is plenty to discover.

In Quang Trach district, I came across Quang Phu beach, which is popular with locals but yet to be tapped by the tourism moguls. It’s only five or 10 minutes drive from Nhat Le beach and utterly pristine. The water is refreshingly clear. As you swim around, you can see scallops beneath your feet. It’s a wonderful spot to spend a morning or afternoon lolling around in the sunshine, happily contemplating life.

Further along the coast, you will find Hai Ninh beach and fishing village. The views around are wonderful with imposing mountains to the west and a deep blue sea to the east. After arriving in the late afternoon, I decided to stay until sunset – yes, I’m an old romantic at heart.

The next morning I headed for Dong Hoi market to enjoy the bustling atmosphere. The fishermen, traders and customers convene over the catch of the day. The market might be the only hectic spot you will come across on the coastline.

There are already some resorts taking advantage of Quang Binh’s stunning shores and sweeping sea views. The Sun Spa Resort is leading the pack. Set on a picturesque peninsular the resort boasts 234 international standard rooms. The overall design is wonderfully harmonious and tranquil with fern-trunk thatching, private tropical gardens overlooking the ocean, private swimming pools and spacious, elegantly designed rooms.

Sun Spa Resort is the perfect gateway to discover the World Natural Heritage Site of Phong Nha – Ke Bang Reserve – though the resort is a natural wonder in its own right, set amidst a spacious 29 hectares of landscaped garden alongside the pristine white sands of Bao Ninh beach.

Sun Spa Resort

Further up the coast, there may be more to come. Development plans have been made for Da Nhay beach, another wonderful spot, 40km north of Dong Hoi. In Vietnamese ‘da nhay’ means ‘the rocks that jump’. As you might guess by that name, this is a rugged, rocky spot but there are also sandy coves for bathing on.

You can find more modest accommodation than the Sun Spa Resort with rooms available in family-run hotels for VND150,000 to VND200,00. Either way searching the coast for quiet spots to have a dip in the sea is a wonderful way to spend a couple of days (rather than being dragged around by a tour guide). Everywhere in Quang Binh people are hospitable, helpful and happy to share the incredible natural scenery with people from out of town. I guess they want the word to spread.

Timeout

Image: ASW

Tags: dong hoi town son river, nhat le river, phong nha cave, quang binh province, sun spa resort

A guide to the best budget travel destinations worldwide.

Finding that cheap paradise destination is getting harder and harder as the number of people travelling with a bigger budget than yours keeps on growing.  The rise of the flashpacker means that even the old stalwarts are becoming expensive as they cater to the up market crowd by installing Jacuzzis, mending the roof and doubling their prices.  Fortunately, there are still a few places dotted about where the genuine budget traveler can live well for less than 30 dollars a day.

Old school travelers always moan that Thailand isn’t as cheap as it used to be! While this may be true, next door Laos is as cheap as Thailand used to be and is a fine destination in its own right. Who needs paradise beaches when you can sunbathe on the shore of crystal clear rivers at a third of the price? Laotians are an incredibly friendly bunch and the country is ripe for exploration.

From Laos skip over into Vietnam where the dollar will get you thousands of dong and prices remain affordable. Between dirt cheap and delicious Pho noodles and virtually free Bia Hoi beer, Vietnam offers arguably the best value food and drink anywhere.

Also in Asia, incredible India is incredibly affordable provided you stick to local transport and don’t want to stay in palaces. To visit on a budget, explore a small area of this kaleidoscopic country rather than paying to travel long distances and only seeing most of it out of a train window.

Let’s not write off Thailand just yet as a budget destination; just because the islands and Bangkok have become more expensive doesn’t mean that you can’t find a great dorm bed in the capital for way less than 10 dollars. Head into the northeastern Isan province and you will find the untouched Thailand of old and the prices of old.

Nicaragua is the up and coming budget travel destination in Central America, especially if you are into your surfing.  Whether you settle on the spectacular lake island of Ometepe, let loose in the surfing party town of San Juan del Sur or explore the northern cloud forests around Esteli, Nicaragua offers great value for money. 30 dollars a day will do you proud in Nicaragua, even in the tourist hubs of Leon and Merida.

While Peru suffers from package tour price inflation, neighboring Andean countries Bolivia and Ecuador are much more affordable, even if they don’t have the same standard of ruins. Even Northern Peru is cheaper than the Cuzco/Sacred Valley circus and the incredible Chachapoyas area and the unknown ruins of Kuelap are easily visited by budget travelers. Just make sure you wrap up warm on the local buses!

Whatever the out of date blogs and guidebooks say, Argentina is no longer a budget destination. Prices have soared since the economic crisis and Argentina is now only slightly cheaper than Chile and Brazil.

Hit the Eastern European countries now before prices rise to Western European levels. Bulgaria offers affordable skiing and beach resorts along the black sea while Poland has some fantastic historical cities such as Krakow and Warsaw. If you are feeling adventurous, go to Georgia and travel about this tiny Caucasian country by cheap Marshrutkas minibuses.

It might sound crazy, but Sudan is cheap, safe and interesting, provided you stay in the north of the country. There are unexcavated Egyptian pyramids, endless sand dunes and even a hotel in an old iron boat to explore and the Sudanese are almost overbearingly welcome. Your budget will also benefit from the fact that Sudan is completely alcohol free.

by Alex Bramw

Tags: beach, budget travel, destinations, good food, Pho, vietnam food

Hai Van Quan, a national historical relic and tourist attraction that wears the faded color of time, is a red brick border gate between Danang City and Thua Thien-Hue Province on Hai Van Pass.

The pass is 23.5 kilometers and about 500 meters above sea level. People trek up the gravel path covered by wild flowers to the peak of Hai Van Pass to contemplate the splendid mountains and forests and Lang Co Fishing Village, Danang City and Hue in the distance. The site is known for the ocean mist that rises up to the low flying clouds.

Hai Van Quan was built under the Minh Mang Dynasty in the nineteenth century. The work is about ten meters high and has a floor for tourists to capture the breathtaking scenery below.

Young people sometimes pitch a tent here and camp overnight.

On the peak of the pass, tourists can also buy many souvenirs.

ASW/SGT

Tags: danang, hai van, hue, lang co

Hue Festival 2010 promises to be a spectacular event showcasing the city’s unique heritage as well as culture and arts from Vietnam  and abroad

With such rich architectural heritage, Hue is one of the more delicate flowers on Vietnam’s well-pounded tourist trail. During his trip to Hue in 1981, the former General Secretary of UNESCO regarded Hue as “a masterpiece of urban poetry”. Back then the notion of tourism was just a pipedream. The country first had to pull itself back from economic oblivion.

In 1986 as part of the economic policy called doi moi, Vietnam opened its doors to international trade and subsequently tourism. Now the country is caught in a curious quandary – balancing growth and development with preservation. Unlike Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, tourists will not come to the former Imperial Capital to go shopping or dancing. This is still a quiet provincial city, but one that is making the most of its gifts.

Thanks to ongoing projects with UNESCO and other international groups Hue’s architectural heritage is now blossoming – tourists flock here throughout the year to see the citadel, An Dinh palace and the Nguyen kings’ tombs.

Hue’s natural beauty is another massive boon – one stroll along the leafy banks of the Huong river is enough to make any visitor fall in love with Hue. And there is wonderful local cuisine. Visitors should always sample specialties such as banh beo or banh khoai (Plus as a Buddhist-centric town there is an excellent vegetarian food scene).

It is also building its reputation as a venue for arts and culture. In recent years the Hue Festival has become central to Thua Thien- Hue province’s efforts to put the city on the map – not just as a ‘historic’ destination but as a culturally exciting one.

The seed that was planted by the inaugural festival in 2000 has grown steadily. Now after four more festivals, each one bigger than the last, the city is ready to celebrate its most vibrant and spectacular festival yet.

Hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors will descend on the city from June 5 to 13. The last festival in 2008 attracted 150,000 domestic and 30,000 international visitors from 75 nations and territories and organisers certainly hope to surpass those figures this time around.

A Royal Affair
As previously there will be a number of re-enactments of royal rituals such as the Nam Giao Offering Ritual, a solemn and sacred event. The Royal Palace by Night is a more colourful affair with food and wine served at a royal banquet and a spectacular lights show.

Another favourite is the Legend of Huong River which offers snapshots of the river’s history, legends and beauty. There will be historical showpieces too – such as a re-enactment of when Nguyen Phuc Lan Lord selected Kim Long (Hue’s former name) as the capital city. Also, worth catching is the re-enactment of Navy manoeuvres under the Nguyen Dynasty on the Huong river.

While the festival’s centrepieces are undoubtedly reflecting the feats, accomplishments and style of Vietnam’s old royal culture, the event is increasingly diverse with painting exhibitions, fashion shows, installations, photography displays, theatrical and musical shows, street performances, and a whole lot more besides.

There will be 40 art groups and artists from 31 nations spread across five continents participating. Some of Vietnam’s most prestigious theatre companies will also be coming to town. There will also be a number of competitions with kite flying contests, a traditional martial arts gathering, human chess matches and sampan racing.

Hue Festival 2010 will also do its bit to promote the environment. The Ao Dai festival is titled Natural Wishes and accordingly, all long dresses are made out of natural silk and dyed with pure organically made colours. Accessories and jewellery decorating the long dress are also made out of natural substances. Another message on environment will be made by an art installation named For a Green Planet which will be held on World Environment Day on June 6.

Besides the official performances and activities during the Hue Festival, there are various cultural performances and art exhibitions by local artists.

Nguyen Duy Hien has created around 3,000 oil, acrylic, laquer and mixed material paintings about Hue and its people. His paintings will be displayed along the Le Ngo Cat street running from Nam Giao Esplanade to Tu Duc Tomb. There will also be two 25-metre long blank canvases with brushes and colours for passers-by to try and add their own artistic touches to the exhibition.

Hue Festival 2010 Highlights

The Grand Opening Ceremony starts at 8pm on June 5 at Ngo Mon Square
A reenactment of a Navy manoeuvre under the Nguyen Dynasty takes place on the Huong River, in front of Kim Long communal house in Kim Long Ward in the evening of June 7.

The Ao Dai Grand Show takes place at 8pm in Ham Nghi Yard, Thuong Tu Gate.
The sacred Nam Giao Offering Ritual will take place in the evening of June 9 at Nam Giao Esplanade

A multimedia show called Voyage to Reclaim the Country’s Land begins at 8pm on June 10 on the Huong River, in front of the Flag Tower (Ky Dai)- Phu Van Lau.

The Perfume River’s Legends programme on the Huong River at 5pm on June 6 and 12.

A special show The Oriental Night will be held on June 5 (directly after the opening ceremony) and June 12 (from 7pm) in the Imperial City

The folk music and drama programme The Breath of Water will be held on June 6, 9 and 11 at Tinh Tam Lake from 7pm.

Royal Palace by Night – an evening of performances, exhibitions, dancing and dining – will be held from 9pm on June 5 (without royal banquet) and from 7.30pm on June 8 and June 11 (with royal banquets) in the Imperial City.

The Closing Ceremony will be held near Gia Hoi Bridge in the evening of June 13 from 8pm.

TimeOut

Photo: huefestival.com

Tags: hue, hue festival, huong river, ky dai, ngo mon, phu van lau, truong tien bridge

Rock climbing in Viet Nam is considered one of the most unique and exciting ways to enjoy the country.
\Surrounded by water, beautiful beaches and culturally-rich fishing towns, rock climbing in Viet Nam has been compared to the better known Railay in Thailand, but without the crowds.

Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh, Ba Be in Bac Can, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Ninh Binh and Nha Trang are just some of the areas where climbers can enjoy spectacular views.

“Climbing mountains in Viet Nam is not as ideal as in France or Switzerland but mountain tops full of obstacles in Viet Nam ensure climbs are interesting. The natural landscape here is number one,” Jean Verly, a 29-year-old French man who has a great passion for rock-climbing, said.

Most climbers enjoy the cliffs in Ha Long Bay where there are over 2,000 mystical limestone faces to scale. Many rise from the water and others remain tucked away inland. The karst limestone of the region was formed by a unique process of erosion over thousands of years creating rock formations unlike anywhere else in the world.

“The most exciting thing about climbing in Viet Nam is finding new places and developing this activity as it was completely unknown five years ago. Deep water soloing (climbing over water without a rope or harness) in Ha Long Bay is an incredible experience,” Verly said.

Dubbed “Ha Long Bay on rice paddies,” mountains in Ninh Binh Province don’t have nearly as much climbing as Ha Long, but the cliffs are similar in quality and shape. Ninh Binh is located about three hours by bus south of Ha Noi.

According to experts, Pac Ngoi, which is in Ba Be National Park, is a great location for climbing and is also one of the most beautiful areas of northern Viet Nam.

There are crazy cliffs, a 500ha lake, rivers that snake through the valleys, lush jungle, and extremely welcoming Tay ethnic people. The village of Pac Ngoi is to the south of Ba Be Lake and is a good base camp for exploring the region.

If you don’t want to travel that far, you can always try the mountains near the Thay pagoda in Quoc Oai District, around 30km southwest of Ha Noi.

According to Verly, rock climbing is quite different from mountain climbing. He explained that the main purpose of mountaineering is to reach the summit of a mountain while rock-climbing is more focused on style and ethics rather than reaching the summit itself.

You can rock-climb on a boulder, a 20m wall, or a 1,000m cliff with this rule: to validate your ascent, you must not use artificial means to progress (for example pulling the rope to help you to climb) or take artificial rests (such as hanging from the rope) until the end of the problem (for a boulder) or route (on a cliff).

Success only comes from the strength and agility of the body, and the skill in which the climbers uses the natural features of the rock to make upward progress.

The age range for a rock climber is not very important. It can vary from eight to 60 years of age, man or woman, and can be enjoyed by almost anyone with no prior experience.

Passion

Verly was born and grew up in Paris. When he was 15, an accident occurred while he was attempting to conquer the 4,808m Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

He was fine but a fellow climber broke his arm and needed to be airlifted to safety.

Although Verly was very scared, his love for rock climbing remained strong and he became a professional climber. However, he didn’t take part in professional climbing competitions but instead chose to conquer new heights in new lands.

On his old motorbike, Verly travelled around the mountainous areas of Viet Nam with his friends looking for new challenges.

He is planning to build an indoor climbing wall in An Duong bank, Tay Ho District, and is awaiting a license from the Ha Noi Department of Planning and Investment.

“I arrived in Viet Nam in 2005 to work, my decision was completely unrelated to rock climbing. After working here for four years in the public and private sectors, I felt that there was a demand and an opportunity to develop rock climbing and to make it a trendy sport in Viet Nam,” said Verly.

“This project will provide a new healthy hobby for everybody including adults, kids, families, universities and schools, and also disadvantaged children.

“The game area is nature, that’s why climbers have to respect the natural environment. In the same tough process, with an indoor climbing gym in an urban area, we are committed at our small scale to having a positive impact in terms of social responsibility,” Verly added.

Rock climbing has developed into a number of different styles such as sports climbing (climbing with a harness and a rope in case of a possible fall), bouldering, deep water soloing, traditional climbing, multi-pitche, and indoor climbing which is popular in Europe.

For further information on rock climbing, you can visit vietclimb.com which Verly set up in early 2006 to introduce rock climbing in Viet Nam to the local people and expat community.

The website is in English, French and Vietnamese, and provides details of Verly’s rock climbing group along with more information about climbing.

With over 100 climbers, Jean’s group gathers at least once or twice a week to go on climbing exhibitions.

Alternatively, you can visit slopony.com, which offers comprehensive information and services for rock climbing in Viet Nam as well as other sports that get the heart pumping!

Viet Nam News

Tags: cat ba, halong bay, rock climb

Visiting the Ca Mau Cape, the southernmost point of Vietnam, visitors will see an entangled network of canals and houses on stilts, as well as both a sunrise and sunset across the sea.
Ca Mau Cape is located at Vietnam’s southernmost point, about 120km from Ca Mau city. It takes about 2.5 hours from Ca Mau city to Ca Mau Cape by high-speed boat.

Ca Mau Cape is the only place on the Vietnamese mainland where tourists can see the sun rising in the East Sea and setting in the West Sea. Ca Mau Cape is often described as an arch. Every year, it is consolidated by Mekong river’s alluvium so as to extend into the sea from 80 to 100 meters, with the area estimated at hundreds of hectares.

From Ca Mau Cape, tourists can see the Hon Khoai islands in the sea, about 20km from the mainland, which includes Tuong Islet (Hòn Tượng), Sao Islet (Hòn Sao), Kho Islet (Hòn Khô), Lon Islet (Hòn Lớn), Doi Moi Islet (Hòn Đồi Mồi). The biggest and highest islet is Khoai Islet (Hòn Khoai), which is about 4km2 wide and reaches its highest point at 318m high, where the important lighthouse of the East Sea belonging to Thai Lan Bay is situated.

Hon Khoai has many sources of fresh water and often supplies thousands of fishing boats. The specialties of the alluvial grounds of Mui Cape are the blood arca and hair arca. Residents catch arca when the tide is low.

Mui Cape is also considered to be a sacred land by the Vietnamese, all of whom desire to visit once in their lifetime. It has a diversified and plentiful ecosystem of mangrove forests. Coming to the tourist area at Ca Mau Cape, travelers can visit the national coordinate landmark, contemplate the forest and sea, and also go sightseeing in the zone where a forest village during the resistance war has been reconstructed. Visitors also take photographs at the foot of Ca Mau Cape’s symbol.

CaMau Newspaper

Tags: ca mau cape

Pleiku City in the central highlands province of Gia Lai is famous for its magnificent waterfalls, green forests, rugged mountains and charming lakes, of which Bien Ho is a must-see destination for tourists to the city.
About six kilometers north of Pleiku City, Bien Ho, or Sea Lake, is a crater that has been dormant for millions of years. Its surface area is about 250 hectares and its average depth is from 20 to 40 meters.

A visit to Bien Ho and its surrounding mountains and pines is an escape from the chaos of the city. There is a watchtower affording spectacular mountain views and simple boats for hire to cruise around the giant lake for an amazing summer experience.

Bien Ho is an eco-tourist site for nature lovers, a romantic rendezvous for couples and a provider of water for hundreds of locals. This lake has never been known to dry up.

To reach Pleiku City, book with a travel agent on Pham Ngu Lao Street or catch a bus from Mien Dong Bus Station for around VND200,000.

SGT

Tags: bien ho, Pleiku, Sea Lake, tây nguyên

Hoa Binh Province is famous for tourist sites such as Mai Chau Plateau, Da River and Kim Boi Mineral Stream. The province is also home to an obscure historical site called Dam Da.

Dam Da is a general name for a complex of temples, pagodas and caves in Phu Lao Commune, Lac Thuy District. Dam Da hosts annual festival  in the fourth month of the lunar year, attracting many pilgrims from the province and neighboring regions.

In the complex, Tien Pagoda has been recognized as a national historical cultural site and Nguoi Xua Cave is renowned as a national archaeological location with many vestiges of ancient Vietnamese people.

Scattered around the complex are  temples and pagodas such as Trinh Temple, Mau Temple and Tien Pagoda, which are dedicated to worship legendary characters such as Au Co Mother, Lac Long Quan Father, Hoang Bay Mandarin and Tam Toa Thanh Mau.

Photo: courtesy 4so9.com

Dam Da also has over 20 mysterious caves including Tam Toa, Thuy Tien, Cung Tien, Hoang Muoi and Co Chin. In the caves, stalactites in diverse  colors and shapes hang.

As the caves’ entrances are situated halfway up the mountains,  travelers have to trek to reach them.

ASW/SGT

Tags: dam da, hoa binh, maichau