Travel Tips & Experiences

Hue Overview

Hue Overview

Hue was the capital of Vietnam in 1802 - 1945. The city is located in the central part of the country, on the banks of the Huong Giang River or Perfume River, approximately halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and 2 hour-drive from Danang. The total area is 83.3 square kilometres. The local population is 350,000 people.Hue is usually visited with an excursion to see the Imperial Citadel, ancient temples, pagodas and tombs. Some of them are declared by the UNESCO as the world heritage of mankind. The inspection can take from 2 to 5 days, depending on the number of places that you’ve already planned to visit.Where to go and what to do?As the former citadel of Vietnam, Hue has many well-preserved old structures of Nguyen Dynasty. Among which, The Imperial City with the Gate of Noon (Ngo Mon) is the most famous. Inside the city, there are a lot of worship places (Trieu Mieu, Hung Mieu, Thai Mieu), a small museum, souvenirs as well as a small lake with lotus in the summer.Moreover, you can take a glance at the home of emperors, queens and royal families of Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century.Along the south coast of Perfume River is the resting place of many Nguyen emperors including Gia Long Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, Dong Khanh Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb. In which, Khai Dinh Tomb is the most delicate as it was made of thousands of pottery pieces.If you enjoy the beauty of nature, let’s arrange a short visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, Vong Canh Hill or Thien Ma National Park. You will be amazed by the peaceful and calm beauty of Hue.Being an ancient city, there are not a lot of exciting activities in Hue. However, you can be deep in Hue distinguished atmosphere by taking a short cruise on Perfume River, listening to Hue Royal Singing (UNESCO Cultural Heritage) and tasting Hue amazing culinary.=> Read more: Top 10 things to do in HueWhat to eat and drink in Hue?Hue Cuisine is a masterpiece. It’s complex, delicate and skilful like Hue people. There are several Hue dishes favored by many tourists such as Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Skewer – meatball eat along with fresh vegetables),  Banh Khot (Hue Mini Savory Pancake), Ngo Khoai Nuong (Grilled Corn and Baked Potatoes), Banh Khoai (Sweet Potato Shake), Banh ep (Hue Savory Crispy Crepe), Bun Thit Nuong (Hue Grilled Pork Noodles) and Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodles).Each dish has a different flavour but all of them are very good for your health as it combines meat with a lot of vegetables. You surely be fascinated by Hue Cuisine.When to visit Hue?The ideal time to visit Hue is from October to March. During this time, the temperature is comfortable and there’s little rain. You should avoid visiting Hue in July and August because it’s very hot in these months.

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Ninh Binh Overview

Ninh Binh Overview

Ninh Binh is one of the best destinations for your Vietnam Tour. About 2 hour-drive far from Hanoi, there is a beautiful “Halong Bay on land”. Favoured by nature, Ninh Binh also has amazing limestone mountain on rice paddies. For a long time, Ninh Binh has been an attractive destination for both Vietnam and foreign travellers.WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN NINH BINH?Along the road from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, travellers might be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery of green rice paddies, limestone islands on land and mowed grass on the field. There are a lot of tourist attractions in Ninh Binh such as Cuc Phuong National Park, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Van Long Nature Reserve, Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex, Tam Coc – Bich Dong Cave, etc.If you enjoying the beauty of nature, let’s spend at least one day in Cuc Phuong National Park – one of the most diverse rainforests in Vietnam. Or you can explore Van Long Nature Reserve known as “Preserved Nature Are” where you can enjoy gorgeous landscape and rural life.Tam Coc – Bich Dong Cave and Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex bring you to a fairy tale world with amazing caves formed by limestone through millions of years.If you are curious about the history and culture of Vietnam, let’s Incredible Asia Journey take you to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital which remained the trace of Vietnam the feudal dynasty of Vietnam nearly 1000 years ago.There are a lot of activities for tourists in Ninh Binh. You can enjoy biking tour around Ninh Binh, hiking tour through Cuc Phuong International Park, walking tour to Bai Dinh Pagoda or sitting on the boat as enjoying the beauty of Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex.=> Read more: Best places to visit in Ninh BinhWHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN NINH BINH?The special dishes in Ninh Binh include dishes of goat meat, Kim Son wine, Ninh Binh eel vermicelli and burned rice. The most famous and unique dishes in Ninh Binh is goat meat. Goat meat is a nutritious and delicious dish since it is served with many precious fine herbs which are very good for people’s health. Goat meat is often eaten with fried rice (com chay). The combination of goat meat and fried rice will surely fascinate your taste.The locals usually take goat meat while tasting some fresh beer (Bia Hoi). After burning calories on activities, drinking some beer will make you feel refreshed.WHEN TO VISIT NINH BINH?The greatest probability of sunny weather in Ninh Binh is from October to April. If you would like to visit only this place, then you can go in any of these months. Tours to Ninh Binh from Hanoi.Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Day TripHoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip is the full day tour. Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip starts in Hanoi and ends in Hanoi. The tour starts from Hanoi from 08.00 AM - 08.30 AM with bus or private car/van and our tour guide for 2 hour-driving to Hoa Lu - The ancient capital of Vietnam 1000 years ago. You will learn more about the history of Vietnam through our guide's story dated back to a thousand year ago. Take a transfer to a restaurant for a delicious lunch then head to Tam Coc for the sampan boat trip to visit Tam Coc cave. Tam Coc cave is considered as Halong Bay on the mainland as its beauty like Halong Bay but on the mainland. You will enjoy the boat trip for about 1 hour and 30 minutes admiring the beauty of this area and you will have a chance to communicate with boat rower. Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip is one of the best options for your day trip from Hanoi.Your Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day trip ends in Hanoi around 5.30 - 6.00 PM.Hoa Lu Tam Coc And Halong Bay Group Tour - 2 DaysThis Hoa Lu Tam Coc and Halong Bay Tour bring you the best experience for Northern Vietnam Tours. You will do this tour in 2 days. The first day you will visit Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Day Trip visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Captial and enjoy the Boat trip in Tam Coc then go back to Hanoi on the same day. If you join in a Vietnam Group Tour for 2 days you will go back to Hanoi by the shuttle bus. If your tour is a private tour you can stay in Ninh Binh. That will be a great chance for you to learn more about the local life in Ninh Binh. In the afternoon, you may go to the local market for seeing the local life or just go to a local coffee shop for a sip of coffee and seeing the life going.The second day of your Hoa Lu Tam Coc and Halong Bay, you will take the transfer from Hanoi or Tam Coc ( if you stay in Tam Coc for overnight for the private tour) to Halong Bay.Hop onto the Halong Bay day trip with Incredible Asia Journeys and listen to the itinerary briefing. You will enjoy the delicious lunch then have time for relaxing in the sundeck. Then, you will visit one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay - Thien Cung Cave or Heaven Palace Cave. After visiting Thien Cung Cave you will join in kayaking activities or staying on the sampan boat to discovering Halong Bay. Go back to your cruise then cruise back to the harbour for ending your trip.

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Mai Chau Overview

Mai Chau Overview

At a height of 200 to 1500 meters above the sea level, Mai Chau glories in a cool climate all year round. This wonderful land is in the heart of a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains like a precious treasure secured by giant guards. From the French colony, the conquerors found Mai Chau and often came there for holidays. Up to now, Mai Chau has turned out as an attractive and popular destination in the north of Vietnam. Its beauty always satisfies the most hard-to-please eyes: lovable stilt houses queuing as a line in a vast green paddy field perfectly combine with the scenic landscapes as a powerful lure that you cannot resist.  The distinguishing ethnic culture with the traditional custom of the local also an authentic value you should not miss.Along the mountainous road to Mai Chau, stop and stand atop in Kun slope and admire the magnificent view of towering mountains with twisty roads halfway up to the top. Arriving in Mai Chau, you long-held dream of a relaxing but exotic vacation is come to the reality. Take time to witness the complex of houses on stilts of the residents, especially of those who live in Lac and Pom Coong villages. They are Thai people - the largest group among the seven ethnic minority groups inhabiting in Mai Chau. They have changed their traditional house in to a micro tourist attraction serving every visitor. Every single stilt house is a small works with the carefully constructed and built in the same style: placed on several strong wooden pillars at the height of about 1.5 m above the ground and the floor is paved with bamboo or planks, the roof is covered with fan-palms or tiles. The windows of each house are very large and always open widely to catch fresh wind. Some owners pay much attempt to display or hang on these windows some colorful orchid baskets and bird cages, making a vivid and compelling image. In particular, virtually in any house, exits a loom to weave clothes laid nearby a window or under the floor. With these simple wood-made looms, by meticulously diligence and skillfulness,Thai girls have produced beautiful and bright-color patterned cloth used in in bags, clothes, blankets, cushions and other lovely items as souvenirs for tourists. Around these stilt houses are straight lines of areca trees and a few stone-embanked ponds with the pond's surface is embellished by pink water-lily  flowers. The beauty of each house like a color adding into the great charm of Mai Chau and make it a dreamy land. In the early morning or in the afternoon, standing on the top of Thung Khe or Nhuoi Valley, visitors can enjoy the fantasy and miraculous scene as the smoke of each kitchen mixed with the mist on the air. The main claim of Mai Chau is not only the scene but also its kind-hearted inhabits and fine cuisine. Come to the village, tourists can immerse themselves in a cozy atmosphere as the owners invite them to drink local wine and eat sticky rice, grilled meat or steamed fresh fish. All of these dishes are traditional specialties of Thai. In the dark comes, the tourist can mingle themselves in the melody of Thai dances, the sweet loving songs and the passionately eyes of young girls and boys. Pleasantly tipsy with the wine yeast and the mellow singings, the tourists then will enjoy their deep sleep in the warm blankets in a traditional stilt house.The sincerity and simplicity becomes its own charms for the tourism of Mai Chau to "take off". The tourism development associated with handicraft reservation, based on a combination of harmony between tradition and modernity, Mai Chau has gradually become a pearl of Vietnam. Not only because of the beauty of nature but also due to the sparkle of the ethnic culture elite, Mai Chau is definitely listed as must-visit place in the country.

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Halong Bay Overview

Halong Bay Overview

If you travel to Vietnam and Hanoi, Halong Bay is a must-see destination for you as it is beauty. A comfortable 3½-hour drive from Hanoi capital city, Halong Bay or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, which was twice recognized as the UNESCO natural heritage, is one of Vietnam’s most prized treasures as well as the pride of all Vietnamese.Halong Bay, whose tranquil beauty encompasses indigo sea and more than 3,000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops, is both mystical and magnificent making it an exceptional feat of nature that almost never fails to impress.What To See And What To Do In Halong Bay?Halong Bay has something for every kind of travelers: shimmering beaches with sunlight and rain not lasting long for swimming opportunity; the permanent beauty of the island system multicolored with a variety of shapes and regarded as a water-color, a work of art for photo opportunities; the islands at different shapes and sizes provoking the imagination scattered all around the bay: Con Coc (Toad), Dinh Huong (Incense Burner), Ga Choi (Fighting Cocks), etc., Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes), Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace) for exploration lovers.No trip to Halong Bay could be complete without a cruise to see 1,600 limestone karsts and various small islands and beaches in a different perspective, especially at sunrise or sunset, to enjoy the peace, fresh atmosphere and relaxation throughout the trip, to paddle a kayak to get access to these hidden lagoons that big boats cannot reach, to explore magnificent formations in the depths of a cave or even take part in a Vietnamese cooking class to know how to cook Vietnamese dishes by yourself.Besides, if you choose a cruise trip with Incredible Asia Journey, you might have the chance to explore the floating villages which have the unique lifestyle and investigate pearl farming process. You can buy pearls as a present for your family members, lover or friend at a very good price.Moreover, on a cruise trip, you can have one-of-a-kind experience that you might have never imagined. What can be more amazing than a steamy BBQ party by the caves in one of the gorgeous natural complexes of the world?Halong Bay includes Halong Bay center, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. So there are Halong Bay cruises which travel in Halong Center, Bai Tu Long Cruises which travel in Bai Tu Long - The East of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruises which travel in Lan Ha Bay - The South of Halong Bay.What To Eat And Drink In Halong Bay?Halong Bay is a complex of limestone islands so it’s rich of seafood. When you travel on a cruise in Halong Bay, surely you will be served fresh seafood such as shrimp, squid, mussel, scallop, etc.Food service in Halong Bay is wonderful. Don’t worry that you will have nothing to eat. Most of the cruises in Halong Bay serve excellent food even if you are a vegetarian.When To Visit Halong Bay?Depending on your own desire for a memorable holiday, the best time to visit Halong Bay may be different.If you want to participate in swimming off the boat and relaxing on sundecks in the warm weather in Halong, these months from April to October are the best time to go. To avoid the terrible tourist crowds, especially during Christmas and New Year break, the period from May to September -the low season for foreign travellers, is the rewarding time to visit Halong Bay.At that time, you can also find the better flight, cruise, and other service rates. However, your boat trip may be delayed or even cancelled due to bad weather during the peak typhoon season in September, make sure to have plan B for your trip in Hanoi capital city. Options for Visting Halong BayTravellers visiting Halong Bay may choose the different options depends on their time they have and the style of the cruise they may want to join in. Most of the Westerners like staying in an Overnight Halong Bay Cruise while Asian and Vietnamese like to spend their time on Halong Bay day trip ( Halong Bay 1 day cruise) so they can join in some activity on the mainland in the evening in Halong Bay City. In the evening on the mainland in Halong City, they may go to the night market or go to Tuan Chau Island for seeing some show like Crocodile Show, Dolphin Show or Water Music Show.Halong Bay Day TripAs mention above, Halong Bay Day Trip (Halong Bay 1 Day Tour) is suitable for most of the Asian people who like more activities in the evening so they can choose the Halong Bay Day trip and they can spend the time on the mainland in the evening.Halong Bay Day Trip bus will pick up travellers from Hanoi Old Quarter (If you do not stay in the Hanoi Old Quarter you may get a taxi to the Opera House then the bus will pick you up from there) at around 08.00 - 08.30 AM. It will take about 4-hour driving to Halong Bay including about 30 minutes for a break.You will arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour around noon time where you will get on the cruise. Have a welcome drink then the cruise will starting cruising around the bay. The lunch will be served on the cruise before stopping for about 1 hour for visiting one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay - Thien Cung Cave.Then you will have an opportunity to join in the kayaking. If you do not wish to do kayaking you may take part in the sampan boat trip rowing by the local people. Get back to the cruise then continue to enjoy the time on the sundeck. You will have a chance to admire the most beautiful places in the world with thousands of islands merging from the sea. On the cruise trip, you will visit the Fighting Cocket Islet and many other Islets and limestone mountains with the different shape.About 04.00 -04.30 PM you will arrive back to Tuan Chau Harbour then take the bus back to Hanoi. If you intend to stay in Halong City you may use the private car. If not, you may get a taxi to the Halong City then the next day you may contact the tour guide to catch the bus to Hanoi. That can be arranged in advance when you book the tour with an agent or tour operator.Cruises that go to Halong Bay: V'Sirit Cruise, Indochina Sails, LaFairy Cruise, Aphrodite Cruise, Hera Cruise, Paradise Luxury Cruise, Alisa Cruise, Maya Cruise, and Rosa Cruise.Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night Itinerary is a good option for travellers who want to discover and experience Halong Bay with more activities. Halong Bay 2 day 1 night gives you the best option for enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world.Most of the Westerners like to stay in Halong Bay for an overnight on a cruise. Nowadays, there are a lot of options for the cruises from budget to deluxe and luxury cruise. The types of the cruises are various also so travellers can choose the best cruise for them from the wooden cruises to the metal cruises, from the private cruises to the bigger ones.A Halong Bay 1 Night Cruise Package starts with the pick-up by a cruise bus from Hanoi Old Quarter (You may choose the private car if your budget is better and that is convenient if you do not stay near the Hanoi Old Quarter). The transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay lasts for about almost 4 hours including 30 minutes for a break on the halfway.You will arrive at the harbour around noon time, hop on the cruise, have welcome drinks before check in your cabins. You will have lunch on the cruises with the different choices. You will start cruising around the bay to admire one of the World Natural Heritage Sites. Then you will take part in some activities in the afternoon such as visiting one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay - Sung Sot ( Amazing Cave), kayaking around different islands or in and out the Luon Cave ( Tunnel Cave).You will go back to the cruise and you may enjoy the most beautiful time on the sundeck to enjoy a glass of cocktail and seeing the sunset in Halong Bay.Have dinner and there will be some activities in the evening like squid fishing or seeing a film about Halong Bay and Vietnam.Get up in the morning and Tai Chi will be a good thing to do in the clean air and quiet places. That will be the best for your health. After your breakfast, the second-day follows with a visit to Tiv Top Island where you can go swimming or hiking to the top for the best view of Halong Bay and taking many nice photos. Go back to your cruise and check out the cabin before having lunch. Say goodbye to cruise team and you will get back to the bus for returning to Hanoi. The trip ends about 4.00- 5.00 PM in Hanoi.Halong Bay 3 Day 2 Night CruiseHalong Bay 3 Day 2 Night Cruise Itinerary is the best option for travellers who have more time for their Vietnam Trip. For this option, you will have more opportunities to discover the remote area of Halong Bay. This option is suitable for people who like more activities like kayaking and swimming.Day 1 and Day 3 are similar to Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night but Day 2 of this itinerary you will be transferred to a day boat for moving to the remote area of Halong Bay where there are fewer tourists. The boat may stop in the different islands with the small sandy beaches where you can go swimming in quite private small island beaches. You also have more time for kayaking in the quiet area. That is a good option for the honeymoon couple.The day boat will go back to the meeting point for meeting the big cruise then you will stay overnight on the big cruise and meet more travellers who do the tour for 2 day 1 night. The next day itinerary of 3 day 2 night cruise is similar to Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night Cruise Itinerary.

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Sapa Overview

Sapa Overview

Sapa is one of the best places in North Vietnam. When travellers visit Vietnam and North Vietnam, Sapa is a must-see for admiring the natural beauty and learning about the local life.Located about 350 km to the north-west of Hanoi, Sapa District in Lao Cai Province, is a very soothing place to visit, an attractive little town set over steep hills attracting a large number of international travelers for its views and topographic mountains at the average height of 1500m- 1800m, for its impressive, rugged scenery as well as for its rich cultural diversity.Besides its naturally gifted beauty combined with human creativity, the topography of the mountains, green forests, Sapa also has long been attracting more and more people for being a miniature Europe with the sub-temperate climate all around the year.With a subtropical climate in the summer (May to September): blue, clear sky, light wind, slight sunshine, fresh atmosphere, the average temperature of 15-20 degree Celsius and a temperate climate during the winter (from November to February): constantly cold, wet and foggy weather, climate sometimes below 0 degree Celsius, the unique highly seasonal climate is the pride of this charming town.In the recent years, Sapa even has snow and freeze in several days of winter which attract thousands of Vietnamese to come here and capture the beautiful moment of Sapa.Summertime is when to go for more gorgeous views than those at any other time of year, winter is a time for blurry landscape full of mystery, the white color of snow covering all roads and fields, spring is when the town is blossoming with pink and white flowers, green pastures in valleys and autumn offers views of exceptional yellow terraced fields.Each season in Sapa has its own charm making it the foremost choice for honeymoon couples!Where To Go And What To Do In Sapa?A modest land but hiding many wonders of the natural scene, the foggy town of Sapa is the convergence of the fascinating natural scenery and peaceful life: Fansipan- the highest peak in Vietnam – the rooftop of Indochina, Ham Rong Mountain, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest, Silver Waterfall.If you want to experience the unique lifestyle of local, just spend 1 hour walking around Cat Cat village or exploring Ta Phin Cave where local tribes still live in a traditional way.If you love photography, let’s go around Muong Hoa Valley; the winding mountain passes, the lush vegetation, golden terraced fields set amid the swirling clouds in the harvest season; the detached wooden mansions and villas perched on top or side of the hills as well as the dazzling orchid and peach gardens. You will have amazing photos.With craggy topography, there are a lot of exciting activities for you in Sapa. If you love challenging and thrilling activities, just join in mountain climbing tour with Asia Incredible Journey. You would have a chance to conquer Fansipan – the roof of Indochina on your foot. If you enjoy driving a motorbike, Sapa surely satisfies your desire of conquering hard and dangerous road.If you love investigating about the culture, Sapa is the home to eight different ethnic minority groups: Hmong, Tay, Giay, Dao, Muong, Thai, Hoa (ethnic Chinese), and Xa Pho, is well known for its special cultural diversity in a combination of ethnic minority groups’ culture.Therefore, it will definitely be such a pity if you leave Sapa without discovering the unique customs of the local residents; visiting local markets - the town’s typically cultural element; enjoying ethnic minorities’ customs including: Mong Festival, Nao Cong Festival and knowing more about local ethnic people's courtship and marital life, through the Sapa love market and wife kidnapping ceremony of the Hmong group. They all are unforgettable memories in Vietnam.What To Eat And Drink In Sapa?It is undeniable that Sapa is also a heaven of food. Here you will be overwhelmed by grilled dishes: grilled pork, grilled beef, grilled vegetable and especially Com Lam (grilled rice in bamboo). Enjoying grilled meat with Com Lam in the windy and cold weather of Sapa is an unforgettable memory. Sapa also has a lot of pubs and bars which serve beer, wine, tequila as well as local wine. Don’t worry about the drink in Sapa!When To Visit Sapa?The best time to visit Sapa is from May to September when the sky is clear and there are beautiful terraces along the road. That will be so wonderful to visit Sapa this time when the terrace field is filled with the colourful rice. You may do trekking through the terraced rice fields and take the best photos of your life while interacting with the local people there.Sapa ToursThere are some options for you to take a Sapa Tours from Hanoi. You may book the Sapa Tours with a local travel operator from Hanoi which they will arrange the package tours for you from Hanoi and back to Hanoi. You also can book a train ticket or bus ticket from Hanoi and book the Sapa Tours online with a local operator in Sapa then the guide will pick you up in Lao Cai or Sapa.Sapa Tours From Hanoi By TrainCatch the train from Hanoi around 09.30 - 10.00 depending on the train schedule and company you choose. There are some trains you may choose such as Victoria Train (Luxury), Sapaly (Deluxe), Chapa Train ( Deluxe), Fanxipan Train (Deluxe), King Express (Deluxe), Livitran Train (Deluxe). The train tickets cost around $ US 35.00 - 40.00/ person for 4 berths sharing cabin. You will arrive in Lao Cai the next morning around 05.30 - 06.00 AM where you will catch a bus/car to Sapa. The road from Lao Cai to Sapa will amaze you with the beautiful view. If you go by private car you may tell the driver to stop somewhere to admire the green fields.In Sapa, you may join in some tours to Cat Cat Villages, Lao Chai and Tavan Villages, Matra and Taphin Villages. There are some more destinations for you to visit such as Silver Waterfall, Heaven Gate, Dragon Jaw Moutain and Sapa Town.2 days or 3 days for Sapa Tour is recommended by our expertsSapa Tours From Hanoi By BusFrom Hanoi, you may catch a tourist bus. The tourist bus cost about $US 20.00 - 30.00 /person and the bus can pick you up from your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter around 07.30 AM. You will arrive in Sapa around 13.00. You may check in the hotel, have lunch then do the tour in Sapa in the afternoon or next days. For going back to Hanoi you may catch the bus in the morning or afternoon. The schedule in the morning is around 08.00 AM and afternoon is around 03.00 PM.If you visit Sapa by bus, 3-day tour is recommended by our experts.Sapa Tours From Hanoi By Private Car/VanThat is the same to the bus but taking a private car/van is more comfortable for you if you are a bigger group for about 4 or 6 persons or when you have a better budget. The private car/van gives you the flexibility for departure time. That also gives you the privacy when you are with kids or a group of friends.When you take a private car/van you can use your car/van in Sapa easily wherever you want to visit and when you go back to Hanoi you also can set up the time easily.Some Recommended Sapa Tours from Incredible Asia Journeys:+ Best North Vietnam With Sapa Tour+ Highlights Of North Vietnam+ Vietnam Tour 7 Days

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Best activities in Sai Gon at night

Best activities in Sai Gon at night

Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Sai Gon) is the biggest, fastest-growing, as well as the most densely populated city in Vietnam. This city attracts a lot of travelers all over the world thanks to a variety of activities that it offers to tourists both in the daytime and night time. In this article, Incredible Asia Journey will introduce to you the best activities in Sai Gon at night that you can consider when traveling to this city.Best activities in Sai Gon at nightHave fun at Bui Vien walking streetBui Vien is considered as the international junction in Saigon as you can see a lot of foreign tourists converge into this hectic street because it can meet all of your demands from food, drinks, tourist information, accommodations, entertainment, etc. Therefore, it not only a famous hang-out point for the Vietnamese youngster, but also for any tourists coming to Sai Gon.Bui Vien street is fun every day, but you will have much more fun at the weekend. Every Saturday and Sunday, this street will restrict all means of transportation to get through from 19:00 until 2:00 AM. From that moment, it changes its outfit to become an amazing night-life street. Besides, you can also enjoy some street performances which makes the atmosphere much bustling. In addition, if you are into traditional games, then you will have a chance to play those games right here.Something you cannot miss at Bui Vien street is food and beer. You can find a variety of restaurants from luxury to inexpensive picks. And beers are everywhere, that’s why this is also called beer street in Sai Gon. Take the romantic river cruiseA cruise alongside the Sai Gon river is a perfect idea for a romantic night, especially for couples. This experience allows you to enjoy the view of the city at night and, at the same time, to relax with on-board traditional performances and quintessential cuisine. Bonsai Cruise is one of the top recommendations for tourists which provides such a good service and luxury experience. You can book the tickets directly on their website or book through several online travel agents.Bon Sai River CruisePier and Docking: Nha Rong Port (Sai Gon Port), 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh CityGet high at a nightclubIf you are a party lover, the nightclub is something you cannot resist to come when traveling to Sai Gon – the city never sleeps. There are hundreds of clubs in this bustling city that you can choose from and spend a great night dancing and chilling out with your friends. Among them, you can consider Blanchy’ Lounge, Republic Club, Lush Nightclub, those are all recommended by travelers.Enjoy the city view at Rooftop barIf you want to chill out in a fancy place with a spectacular view over Ho Chi Minh City to observe its rapid growth, then nowhere is better than a rooftop bar. This busy fast-growing metropolitan has a slew of rooftop bars with different interior designs that bring different ambiances. The very first rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh city is Chill Sky Bar. Until now, it still receives a myriad number of rave reviews from the locals and tourists thanks to its perfect view, modern style, and tasty drinks.Chill Sky BarAddress: 26th floor, AB Tower, 76A Le Lai street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh CityOpening hours: 17:30 – 2:00 AMWalk along the Starlight BridgeStarlight Bridge is located in District 7 which is a pedestrian bridge passing over the Thay Tieu Channel. Known as the most beautiful bridge in Sai Gon, this bridge is an undeniable place to visit in the evening when all the lights are turned on. The reason behind its name is that the bridge is equipped with a high-tech lighting system that makes itself glowing in the evening like a universe. Thus, if you want to enjoy a peaceful evening with your lover, this is definitely a great place to pay a visit.However, you can only see this light show on Thursday and Sunday night from 18:30 to 22:00 and on several special holidays such as New Year Eve, etc. Thus, before coming to Ho Chi Minh City, plan your visit on those days.Address: Rach Bang Bridge 2, Tan Phu, District 7, Ho Chi Minh CityStay safe in Sai Gon at nightBe careful of petty theftsLike many other hectic tourist attractions, Ho Chi Minh is also a convergence of many pickpockets. Not only in the evening, but also in the daytime, you have to always pay attention to your belongings and keep it in a safe position. As long as you keep an eye on your stuff, everything will be fine. In addition, it’s not very safe to walk outside at night, especially alone, therefore, when you travel alone, take a taxi or a motorbike ride back to your hotel when it’s after midnight. Furthermore, always find some companions with you when you want to chill out until late.Avoid scam taxisScam taxis are pretty common in Southeast Asia countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Therefore, it’s every travelers’ fear to take taxis when traveling to this region. However, thanks to an excellent application called Grab, nowadays, you can take a taxi with ease at an accurate rate when traveling to those countries. However, make sure you have a local sim card in order to register to the system. If you are not a high-tech person, then ask the price carefully or deal the price with the drivers before you jump into any taxi.Read more articles about Ho Chi Minh travel guide:Top 6 things to do in HCMCWhat to eat in Sai Gon?You might be interested in some of our tour departing from Ho Chi Minh City:Mekong Boat Trip from Ho Chi Minh CityLong Tan – Nui Dat Day TourCu Chi Tunnels – City Tour 1 Day

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Best places to have Banh Mi in Vietnam

Best places to have Banh Mi in Vietnam

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you probably have seen many articles complimenting one of the most ubiquitous Vietnamese food – Banh Mi. However, some of you may think Banh Mi has nothing special as it’s just the French baguette filled with some meat and vegetables. Therefore, to convince you to try at least one Banh Mi when visiting Vietnam, Incredible Asia Journey will present a guide to the Best Banh Mi in Vietnam for you which indicates the origin of Banh Mi, its ingredients, the differences between Banh Mi in different regions of Vietnam as long as places to have the best Banh Mi. The history of Vietnamese Banh MiBanh Mi - originally called baguette - was first introduced to the Vietnamese in the 1860s by the French colonists. It was once a luxury staple food for the locals because of the expensive imported ingredients (wheat) during that time. Later, the local bakers started to incorporate the cheap local rice flour into the recipe, this method lowered down the price of Banh Mi and made Banh Mi popular for the ordinary people in Vietnam. Little by little, Banh Mi becomes one of the most common food in Vietnam that can be consumed at any time of the day and is sold every corner of the country. Nowadays, to get a Banh Mi, you will need to pay only 15,000-40,000vnd, thus, this is one of the top choices for any local people as well as tourists when visiting Vietnam.Ingredients of Banh MiBreadWhen being introduced in Vietnam, the French baguette was modified into a Vietnamese Banh Mi version with the airy crumb and thinner crust thanks to its dough which is a mix between wheat flour and rice flour.  FillingsFillings of Banh Mi in Vietnam are diverse in different regions of the country. Some ingredients that are commonly used are meat (either pork, chicken, or beef), Vietnamese sausage, Vietnamese coriander, cucumber, carrot, chilly, and some condiments such as chilly, mayonnaise, soy sauce, etc.With the local’s creativity, each region invents different variations of Banh Mi which is suitable for them. Therefore, no matter how long you have stayed in Vietnam, you will always find a new type of Banh Mi.Banh Mi in different regions of VietnamHo Chi Minh CityBanh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City is very famous for the traditional meat Banh Mi which is stuffed with pate, butter, jambon, Vietnamese pork sausage, vegetables, and cilantro. This Banh Mi is attractive to the locals thanks to its localized ingredients which are their appetite. The fat meat is balanced by the pickled vegetable makes people wanting to eat more and more.Besides the traditional Banh Mi, people in Ho Chi Minh City also invent some variations, especially Banh Mi filled with pork-skin. It is the perfect combination of fish sauce, boiled pork-skin mixed with roasted rice flour, garlic, etc. In addition, this dish is also different depending on the sausage paired with, thus, each baker created their own recipe to attract customers.With a diverse culture, bakers in Ho Chi Minh City created a myriad of Banh Mi variations that meet the demand of different customers.Best places to have Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City:• Banh Mi Huynh HoaAddress: 26 Lê Thị Riêng, Bến Thành, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, VietnamPrice: 30,000 VND • Banh Mi Hong HoaAddress: 62 Nguyen Van TrangPrice: 17,000 VNDSee more our travel guide in Ho Chi Minh City:Top 6 things to do in Ho Chi Minh CityWhat to eat in Sai Gon?Da LatDa Lat is well-known for the Banh Mi Xiu Mai. This Banh Mi is served with a bowl of pork bone broth which is added some meatballs (xiu mai), Vietnamese sausage, pork skin, etc. Then, you tear a piece of Banh Mi and dip it into the rich broth. The combination of richness and spice of pepper makes this Banh Mi become a great option for a cold winter day.Best places to have Banh Mi in Da Lat:• Hồng Bánh MìAddress: 10 Yersin, Da LatPrice: 10.000 - 15.000VND• Miss Suong Banh mi xiu maiAddress:  14 Anh Sang, Ward 1, Da LatPrice: 10.000 - 15.000VNDRead more articles about Da Lat travel guide:Top Natural Things to See in Da LatNha TrangBanh Mi in Nha Trang is also far different from that of other places. In Nha Trang, you will notice that people don’t use any butter to bake the baguette, the skin is also crustier, and the filling of Nha Trang’s Banh Mi is airier than that of Ho Chi Minh City Because it has no butter, thus, when eating it, we will get less-heavy-felling stomach stem from its richness.Among different options of Banh Mi in this coastal city, Banh Mi with fried fish patty is the most delicious and famous which is so much tastier thanks to the garlic chili sauce.Best place to have Banh Mi in Nha Trang:Banh Mi Nguyen HuongAddress: Tan Lap, Nha Trang City, Khanh HoaPrice: 12.000 – 20.000VNDHoi AnIn this ancient port town, the most reputable place for both the locals and foreign tourists to try Banh Mi is Banh Mi Phuong. Its special secret comes from the crust which is crustier and harder than Banh Mi in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, this shop also invented 3 distinctive sauces to eat with Banh Mi, not to mention the perfect combination of Vietnamese herbs. Putting all together, there comes the most delicious staple food that you ever try.Banh Mi PhuongAddress: 2b Phan Chu Trinh, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang NamPrice: 15,000 – 30,000 VNDRead more articles about Hoi An travel guide:How long to spend in Hoi An?8 Things to Eat in Hoi An – Culinary Perfection in Vietnam’s Cultural CapitalHanoiThe weather in Hanoi is separated into 4 distinct seasons which have their own features. Thus, Hanoi people also created different types of Banh Mi for different periods of the year. Among them, one of the most interesting dishes is Banh Mi Ap Chao which is a variation of European beef stake. This dish consists of baguette served with pate, omelet, beef steak, etc. put in a small hot pan. Best places to have Banh Mi in Hanoi • Banh Mi 25Address: 25 Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem, HanoiPrice: 35,000-40,000VND• Duc Long BreadAddress: Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, HanoiPrice:  40.000 VND - 50.000 VNDRead more articles about Hanoi travel guide:Best hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake HanoiWhen Is The Best Time To Visit Hanoi?Day trips from Hanoi that you might be interested:Lan Ha Bay Day Trip from HanoiHoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip from HanoiTam Coc Bich Dong Day TourMai Chau Day Trip From HanoiFull-Day Hanoi City Tour

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Sapa Travel Guide

Sapa Travel Guide

Sapa is located in a remote area in the North of Vietnam, which is close to the Vietnam – China border. This town attracts more and more tourists because of its beautiful nature as well as its cultural depth. In this article, Incredible Asia Journey will show you Sapa Travel Guide which will be helpful for you before your trip.What’s the weather like in Sapa?As Sapa is at an altitude of 1,500-1,800 meters, this small town has pretty cold weather all over the year with the average temperature at around 15-18 Celsius degree. When winter comes, the temperature may drop to under 0 Celsius degree and even snowy sometimes. From May to August, it’s the rainy season with occasional rains making it not very pleasant to travel to Sapa.When is the best time to visit Sapa?The months from September to November or from March to May are considered the best time to visit Sapa. During these months, the weather conditions are quite stable, it’s sunny in the daytime and cold in the nighttime. From September to November: it’s the time when the paddy rice field is ready to be harvested. Thus, the whole area looks so beautiful with the yellow color. It’s highly recommended to go in September to not miss this majestic scenery. From March to May: during this period, the weather is perfect since it’s cool in the morning and very warm at noon. Coming here in April and May, you also have a chance to see Sapa with many colors as it’s the blooming time of a lot of flowers. What are the best things to do in Sapa?Conquer FanxipanFanxipan is known as the Roof of Indochina is the highest mountain in Indochina with a height of 3,143 meters, located at the central of Hoang Lien Son mountain. It’s 9 kilometers away from Sapa town, however, if you trek to the top, it may take up to a week. Nowadays, you can easily reach the top of Fanxipan by cable car. It was opened to the public since 2016 and has served millions of tourists every year. If you go by cable car, it saves up quite a lot of your time as it takes only 15 minutes/way. Ticket price: 700,000Vnd/ person/ 2 ways Admire Sapa Church Sapa Church was erected in 1895 by the French which follows the Gothic architectural style – which is very common in Europe in the Romance Empire. The whole building has an area of more than 6000-meter square and is made of stones.If you come here on Saturday, there will be a cultural performance and a love market for young couples or for young people to find their partners. Don’t miss this interesting moment.Explore Sapa MarketIf you want to embed into the local life, the Sapa market is the best place to do so. In the Sapa market, you can shop for some local goods, especially handmade items made by the ethnic minority people, to watch how the locals communicate, behave, and interact. You can also try some local signature such as Thang Co here at a good price. In addition, in the evening, there is a night market here that you can come and enjoy some more delicious street food.Visit Silver WaterfallSilver Waterfall is located 15 kilometers away from the town. Its name stems from its silvering color which can be seen from a far distance. The waterfall has a height of 200 meters being the upper stream of Muong Hoa river which lies at 1,800 meters above the sea level. This is also the coldest place in Sapa in the winter which is the snowiest area. The way to go up to the waterfall lies on the right side from which you can see a small bridge across the waterfall and lead to the left-side way to go down. Ticket price: 25,000Vnd/ personDiscover villages of ethnic tribesCat Cat VillageThis is among the most touristic places in Sapa which is a small ethnic village established in the 19th century and located 3 kilometers away from Sapa.Coming here, you can see how the H’Mong local people do things in their daily lives. There are a lot of H’Mong traditional houses that may make you want to take tons of pictures as it is very unique and can only be found in Northern Vietnam. If you have a chance, don’t forget to try some corn wine which is a famous wine of Hmong people.Ticket price: 25,000Vnd/ personTa Van VillageTa Van is located 8 kilometers away from the town which sits inside the Muong Hoa Valley. This village is home to more than 100 families which add up to about 1000 inhabitants, most of whom are from Hmong, Dao, and Red Dao ethnic tribes. The way to this village is quite narrow from which you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the terraced rice field on the sides of the road.Ta Phin VillageTa Phin village is where the Dao ethnic tribes settle down which has such a splendid landscape and rich culture. When coming there, if you want to get inside a traditional house of the local, don’t wear a white outfit as it’s a sign of death according to their culture. In addition, there is a big cave that you can discover too. Inside the cave, you can see some of the unique shapes of stones that the locals named them as “mother uphold her children”, “fairies”, etc.Visit Sapa Love MarketThe love market is opened every Saturday which is a place where young people from different ethnic groups can come and meet their partners. On this day, you can see young girls wearing colorful outfits that look so beautiful. Besides, this is also a place to exchange goods and sell things, so if you want to find some local specialty, don’t miss this market, and don’t forget to bargain for the price.How to go to Sapa from Hanoi?Sapa is a remote town which is about 370 kilometers from Hanoi. Due to its remote location, many travelers overlook this beautiful place. Nowadays, there are many ways to reach Sapa from Hanoi and the 2 most common ways to transport from Sapa to Hanoi are by bus and by train.1. By busWe strongly recommend this choice as you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel if it is located in the central. In addition, the ticket price is also cheaper than the latter option.2. By trainIf you go by train, you need to go to the Tran Quy Cap train station which is the other side of Hanoi Station. From here, you will reach the Lao Cai Station and then take another local bus to reach your hotel, or you can contact your hotel for the pick-up service.We have explained to you the best time to visit Sapa as well as some essential information you should know before your trip. Besides, we also operate some tours which take you to several highlights of Vietnam, including Sapa. Doing those tours may help you save your time from searching millions of options on the Internet. Some recommendations for you:Best North Vietnam With Sapa TourHighlights of North VietnamVietnam Tour 9 Days

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