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The Legacy of Green Spirit – Ban Sen Disaster Relief

The Legacy of Green Spirit – Ban Sen Disaster Relief

Quang Ninh Province, the northeastern region that contains Halong Bay, experienced an incredible amount of rainfall in July 2015, brought about by a storm that caused mass flooding and dangerous landslides throughout the many hillside communities that live here. Unfortunately, 17 people lost their lives in the tragedy, along with many more who were injured. 2.7 trillion VND ($115 million USD) worth of damage was inflicted across many homes and rice fields, affecting many locals who didn’t have any other means to support themselves.Still, years after the disaster, Quang Ninh Province is struggling to move on. This is especially the case in its remote areas such as Ban Sen, where aid has been slow in arriving because of its separation from the Vietnamese mainland. Transportation is poor here and the separation of the community from the rest of Vietnam has meant that its residents have had to make their own way in the world with a self-sufficient lifestyle.July was an incredibly trying time for the residents of Ban Sen village, situated in a large alcove in the foothills of a mountain. When the rains hit, the 85 people living here had enough time to escape to the highlands, from where they could watch the horrifying destruction as chunks of houses and their contents were swept away in the flood. Everyone who returned to their houses after the flood had subsided were horrified to find that almost nothing remained of their village.Once news of the flood and the desperate situation in which it had left the villagers reached Hanoi, V’Spirit Cruises, a part of Incredible Asia Journeys, was quick to act. As part of our Green Spirit program that promotes responsible tourism and charity across northern Vietnam, we quickly organised a trip in August 2015 to help with the disaster relief. This was not an easy task to undertake, given that the very few roads that connected Ban Sen to the Vietnamese mainland had been badly damaged, but it was one that was absolutely essential to help out our brothers and sisters in dire need.We took the 5-hour bus ride and a motorboat to Ban Sen, where we met one of its residents, Mr. Chung. Just weeks prior to our arrival, Mr. Chung and his family had lost everything they had worked for in one fell swoop, but such is the Vietnamese fighting spirit, he greeted us with a beaming smile and welcomed us to his village.Our 15 members of the Green Spirit team trekked for 2 hours, listening to Mr. Chung and his stories of the fateful storm. We arrived at the village to find a picture of total destruction, with cracked earth, fallen trees and the remains of people’s humble houses at every turn. Upon seeing our fallen faces, Mr. Chung lamented, “our village has always been poor, but it was also beautiful before the flood. The one thing we had has now been ripped away from us.”With no time to waste, we visited the home of Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy, who we found still sweeping away the debris that the flood had left behind. Mrs. Thùy had sadly lost her husband two years beforehand and had been struggling to take care of her two small children ever since. The flood that destroyed her house also ripped away her remaining chance of caring for her children, who spent much of their time during the flood crying for their father. They returned to find that his picture was still there and that the incense at their shrine was miraculously still burning, believing that only divine intervention had spared their own lives. The gift that we left Mrs. Thùy could never make up for the catastrophe that unfolded, but she accepted it with a typically warm smile.The Green Spirit team continued around Ban Sen, handing out our gifts and hearing stories with a similar theme of tragedy and loss. It is a testament to the determination of this tiny village, that we were always welcomed exceptionally warmly and sent away with a smile and a wave.For the kids of Ban Sen, the enthusiasm for helping to repair their hometown is very strong. While young kids looked forward to going back to school in September with new supplies from the Green Spirit team, several of the teenagers and young adults we spoke to had a fresh resolve to head to the mainland for college and return to help their community. There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead for this generation, but their incredible devotion to Ban Sen is truly touching and it gave the Green Sprit team a lot to feel positive about as we continued to hand out gifts.Our final stop was to the house of Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hòa and his family’s orange tree garden at the back. All that was left of the garden was barren ground and the husks of dead trees laying across it. Mr. Hòa shouted his welcome down from the roof, where he was fixing a large hole left from the disaster. Inside, we found Mr Hòa’s youngest son and wife, Mrs. Uyên, who told us that their son suffered from cerebral palsy and that their two eldest daughters were studying in Hanoi.“When they heard about the flood,” Mrs. Uyên explained, “they wanted to quit school and get a job, in order to earn money to send back here. We had worked so hard to send them to school and give them a chance at a decent life outside of the village, so we refused to let them quit. They were very emotional about it, but they understood in the end.” Again, we listened to Mrs Uyên’s story with very heavy hearts and left her with a gift that would go a small way to her family’s recovery.Despite their recent hardship, the villagers had arranged for a tuk-tuk to take us back much of the way to the port. We thanked each of them with sincere gratitude and headed back to the mainland. On our return bus to Hanoi, we could only wonder what would be next for the people of Ban Sen village, but felt encouraged by the fact that their incredible hospitality in the wake of such tragedy could only help their cause.

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How to get to Halong Bay from India

How to get to Halong Bay from India

Around 3000km separates Hanoi from the Indian capital of New Delhi, a city with a rapidly growing interest in Vietnam and the various comings and goings of its primary tourist attraction, Halong Bay. To reach Halong Bay from India, tourists and prospective business partners really only have one option – to fly – but the wealth of airports in Vietnam and the fact that there are currently no direct flights between the two countries can make the question of "how to get to Halong Bay from India" a little more complicated than it first seems.Which Airport to Fly to?Any globetrotting Indians looking to experience an unmissable Halong Bay cruise should head for Hanoi Noi Bai international airport, the country’s main airport and its second-closest one to Halong Bay. From here, it is fairly easy to reach Halong Bay by either booking onto a cruise with a professional company or by heading independently to Tuan Chau Harbour, Hon Gai or Got harbours, all of which service Halong Bay and its sister bays. For the most reliable service, we strongly recommend going with a company from Hanoi, and leaving out the idea of flying to the closest airport to Halong Bay, the seldom-used Cat Bi international airport in Hai Phong city.Which Indian Airports have flights to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport?The following is each of India’s 25 international airports offering a relatively easy way to get from India to Halong Bay (routes with just one layover destination). Prices and routes are updated constantly so check an airline provider for the exact details of a flight.Northern IndiaIn the north of India, flights to Halong Bay are available from New Delhi, Amritsar, Srinagar, Jaipur, Varanasi and Lucknow. Of these, the cheapest are usually from New Delhi or Jaipur and the most popular airlines are Thai Airlines, laying over in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport or Air Asia, laying over in Bangkok Don Mueang airport.Southern IndiaFor prospective tourists travelling to Halong Bay from southern India, Kochi, Bangalore and Chennai airports usually feature some of the lowest fares throughout the country, but Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Goa and Coimbatore are also options for flights. Air Asia and Malindo Air are the two prime airlines operators covering most flights between India and Halong Bay, usually stopping in Kuala Lumpur for a layover.Central and Western IndiaGiven the scope of central and western India, it is good news that a host of Indian airports provide flights to Hanoi, the cheapest coming from Mumbai and Hyderabad, but with several more less-frequent flights from Ahmedabad, Indore, Pune, Bhopal, Nagpur and Visakhapatnam. The cheaper flights from Mumbai often require long layovers in Singapore or Bangkok, but flying from Hyderabad with an airline like Silk Air or Singapore Airlines will get you from India to Halong Bay with a relatively low layover time.Eastern IndiaThere aren’t many airports in the east of India that have international capabilities, but those that do include Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Gaya, all of which fly relatively easily to Halong Bay. Air Asia operate most flights out of the region’s biggest airport, Kolkata, which usually features the cheapest fares, stopping over at Kuala Lumpur or either of Bangkok’s airports en route. Prices from Assam’s main airport, Guwahati are usually more expensive and require much longer layovers.Which Cruise to Take in Halong Bay?Once arrived in Hanoi, you will likely be bombarded by images of Halong Bay by companies trying to sell you tours. To make a more informed and relaxed decision, check out our list of Halong Bay overnight cruises by click on Halong Bay Cruises, all of which offer expert transport through and activities in the bay for a range of different budgets.If the choice still seems a little overwhelming, check out our list of recommended cruises in Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay at Halong Recommended Cruises, all based off the best Tripadvisor views and years of experience around Vietnam’s most beautiful destination.For Halong Bay full Tour please see our see: Halong Bay full TourDo Indian Citizens need a Visa to Visit Halong Bay?One crucial part of any Indian holiday to Halong Bay is the visa on arrival that must be attained before proceeding through customs at the airport. A 1-month single or multiple entry visa letter for Indians will cost around $25, plus a $25 stamping fee at the airport. The price for a 3-month single entry is about $35 and a 3-month multiple entry is about $95, both also incurring the same $25 stamping fee.Another method is to go through one of the two Vietnamese embassies in India, one of which is located in New Delhi and the other in Mumbai. Once a passport is submitted with at least 6 months of validity left, as well as a completed application form, two passport-sized photos and the visa fee, the holder can complete their Vietnam tours within the specified date of their visa.

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Sun World Halong Bay – Modern Cable Car over an Ancient Sea

Sun World Halong Bay – Modern Cable Car over an Ancient Sea

What is the Sun World Halong Cable Car?Not content with merely being one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and twice-designated special status by UNESCO, Halong Bay is looking to stretch its influence even further. To this end, the Vietnamese mega-company Sun Group offers the Sun World Halong cable car, providing a beautiful aerial view of the magnificent karst seascape next to which it sits. Until its construction in 2016, the only ways to get a view of Halong Bay from above were from a private helicopter or seaplane; now at a fraction of their price, the Halong bay cable car takes visitors high above the ocean and the city below it.The cable crosses the two halves of Halong city, separated by the mouth of water that joins Cua Luc Bay to the Gulf of Tonkin. The cable runs roughly parallel to Bai Chay Bridge, which connects the two halves by land, comprising one of the best things to do in Halong City if waiting to embark on the next day’s cruise around Halong Bay. The cable system is a great way to enjoy any Vietnam family tour that stops off in Halong prior to a cruise around the bay.The ‘Queen Cable’, as it is named, is part of the Sun World Halong Complex, a rather bizarre amusement park that opens for just four hours per day. As of late 2018, the park is still in construction, but its iconic Ferris wheel stands completed at 215m above the sea level and acts as the terminal point for the Sun World Halong Bay cable car. Sun World Halong OverviewInformation for Halong Bay’s Cable Car• The cable car system features just two actual cars, but the ambitious capacity of each (230 people max) has seen it granted with a Guinness World Record for highest cable car capacity in the world.• The system’s other claim to fame is the height of its two towers that support the cable, the biggest of which stands at a world record height of 189m.• The total length of the system is 2,165 metres, running from the ground of the western half of the city to the top of Ba Deo Mountain in the eastern half.• The system is capable of carrying 2000 people every hour, but currently carries far fewer than this due to the park being unfinished and attraction limited to the cable car’s views.• If you’re looking for how to buy Halong Bay cable car tickets, then be prepared to spend a bit of cash. At 300,000 ($13 USD) for adults and 200,000 VND ($9 USD) for kids below 1.3m in height, the cable car remains a little on the expensive side for Vietnam, even though most visitors would not think twice about paying that amount in Europe or North America. Tickets are available from the Sun or Ocean stations that act as the system’s terminals.Sun World Halong Cable CarHow to get to the Sun World Halong Bay Cable CarThere are only two major ways to get to Halong City to utilise its cable cars and harbours offering access to Halong Bay. By bus – Travelling by bus is probably the cheapest way to see the Halong city cable car, but bear in mind that the attraction lies about 6km from the bus station, meaning a taxi will be required for the transfer. Similarly, if coming from Hanoi, buses must be caught from Gia Lam or My Dinh stations, which are about 7km and 10km from the city’s central Old Quarter respectively. If coming from Hai Phong’s Niem Nghia station, you will need a taxi for the 3.3km journey from the city’s center.Price from Hanoi: 140,000 VND ($6 USD)Price from Hai Phong: 70,000 VND ($3 USD)By private car – In a private car, you will have the added luxury of a direct transfer, with drivers able to deliver you from your hotel in Hanoi or Hai Phong straight to the cable’s departure terminal. With a smooth highway connecting Hanoi and Hai Phong to the bay, a private car is certainly the most convenient way to get to Halong’s cable cars, if not the priciest.Price from Hanoi: Around 1,875,000 VND ($80 USD) for a 4-seaterPrice from Hai Phong: 1,400,000 VND ($60 USD) for a 4-seaterOther attractions around the Sun World Halong Cable CarThough Halong city is growing in appeal, it is still more commonly seen as not much more than a jumping-off point for Halong Bay. There are always a growing number of land-based things to do in Halong city, all of which make the location a great stop on a Northern Vietnam tour.Halong BayThe undeniable main attraction of Halong City, and probably of Vietnam overall, Halong Bay draws millions of domestic and foreign tourists every year to its outstandingly beautiful seascape. From a simple day trip from Hanoi to a conclusive 3-day, 2-night cruise around the feet of gorgeous limestone mountains, Halong Bay has something to offer for everyone.Depending on the tour that you select, activities around Halong Bay and its neighbouring Bai Tu Long Bay, also accessible from Halong city, can really get visitors close to the fascinating geological features of the World Heritage Site. Kayaking, swimming, and visits to impressive caves, secluded islands and quaint fishing villages comprise much of the excitement to be felt on a Halong Bay Cruise.You can do a day trip or you can do a Halong overnight trip.For more information for day trip please click on: Halong Bay full day tour from Hanoi.Tuan Chau BeachOne of the other attractions viewable from the 630ft crest of Halong Bay’s cable car ride is the stretching white sand of Tuan Chau beach, a 3km crescent-shaped bay on the island of Tuan Chau, from where Halong Bay tours depart. The sand of the beach has been imported to turn the island into a more attractive waiting area, but that fact takes nothing away from the beauty that its architects have been able to create with palm trees and unfettered views of Halong Bay in front. Alongside Tuan Chau beach, the island features luxury hotels, food courts, a circus, martial arts show and many options for watersports and camping.Buddhist TemplesFor a welcome injection of Vietnamese culture into your trip to Halong, Tran Quoc Nghien Temple and Long Tien Pagoda offer beautiful Buddhist architecture dating as far back as the 13th century. Both were constructed to celebrate the achievements of the Tran Dynasty, the past emperors of which are widely admired for their courage and resolve in resisting the various invaders who attempted to take Vietnam via Halong Bay.Both temples feature their own monthly ‘festivals’ that occur at a certain time in the lunar calendar. These one-day celebrations honour the Tran Dynasty and Buddha through traditional music, feasts and a palanquin procession.Long Tien PagodaBai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain)For picture-perfect travel photos, Bai Tho Mountain has been an attractive stop-off for anyone staying in Halong city. After King Le Thang Tong carved a poem into the rocks in 1468, the mountain gained legendary status and now offers a wonderful stone-step ascension to its peak. From here, a gorgeous spectacle stretches out for miles below, as Halong’s rolling mountain landscape rises and dips to the horizon. On the way up, hikers will pass glorious forests clinging to the rock, where monkeys and goats have made their homes.Views from Bai Tho MountainThe Sun World Ferris WheelAs the final terminal point of the Halong Bay cable car, the accompanying Ferris wheel offers similar aerial views of Halong Bay’s limestone seascape. The wheel sits atop Ba Deo Mountain and has recently become an iconic landmark within Halong city, as its gigantic frame and elevated position of 215m above sea level give it a very lofty view above the city, as well as a Guinness World Record for being the world’s highest Ferris wheel.The wheel is comprised of 64 cabins with a capacity of six people in each, taking about 20 minutes to complete a full cycle. At night, the wheel lights up in colourful tandem with the Bai Chay Bridge next to it, providing Halong city with yet another beautiful string to its bow.Sun World Halong Ferris Wheel

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Should you Visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc?

Should you Visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc?

Depending on whether you’re hearing about Cat Ba or Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s two largest islands, in the north or the south of the country, you’ll probably hear that one is absolute island paradise and the other is a gigantic floating garbage barge. In actual fact, both of these islands are some of the most beautiful in Asia, but the strength of the north/south divide is still very apparent in Vietnamese attitudes to their own country. Those in the south will sing the praises of Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam’s still-underrated beach destination, with over 10 stunning white sand beaches and a wealth of gorgeous jungle. Whereas, Vietnamese in the north like to talk about Cat Ba Island and the verdant tropical scenery that carpets the island and its soaring limestone mountains. The merits of both are plain for all to see upon arrival, but if your Vietnam tour is shorter than you would like, and you only have the time to visit one of Vietnam’s idyllic islands, then this article will go some way to answering whether you should visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc.BeachesThe first aspect we will look at in this eternal question is both islands’ beach scenes. Vietnam is finally becoming recognised for its world-class beaches and many of these can be found on the islands of Cat Ba or Phu Quoc.Cat BaWith its largely mountainous coastline, Cat Ba Island is mainly buffered against the sea by undulating hills rather than flat stretches of sand. That is not to say that Cat Ba has nothing in the way of white-sand paradise, however, and visitors on a Vietnam family tour can find much in the way of family-friendly relaxation time on its small but beautiful beaches. The trio of Cat Co 1, 2 and 3 are the island’s most popular beaches, all located in the southeast of Cat Ba and all connected via a beautiful and simple cliff-top walkway. As of late 2018, Cat Co 1 is a gigantic construction site and Cat Co 2 is a tiny spit of sand not really worth a second glance. Cat Co 3 saves the day, however, as its small strip of sand opens up beautifully onto the karst-speckled ocean ahead of it. Its ease of access means that Cat Co 3 enjoys a lot of attention, but quieter and more beautiful beaches can be found just outside the main town at Tung Thu Beach and the hippy-inspired Woodstock Beach.Phu QuocIt’s hard to know where to start with Phu Quoc when it comes to beaches. A multitude of popular and utterly secluded sand covers the coastline, with more and more hotel and restaurant companies coming to grips with the island’s growing worldwide appeal. This means that while its beaches are gorgeous and contain the perfect ratio of bordering palm trees to glittering ocean, many are earmarked for large-scale resorts, diminishing the true castaway atmosphere that Phu Quoc once boasted. Nevertheless, the choice and quality of beaches here is stunning, and offerings like Ganh Dau, Rach Tram, Rach Vem and Thom beaches still contain the aura of a sleepy fishing village completely off the tourist trail. For convenience, Long Beach is the enormous 20km stretch that portions out much of its sands to private resorts, but still has many areas of quiet beauty open to the public, while Vung Bau also offers splendour in abundance but with a relatively high risk of crowding.Should you visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc for the beaches?• Though both make for excellent stops on a Vietnam beach holiday, it’s impossible to refute that the quality and quantity of Phu Quoc’s beaches are superior to those of Cat Ba’s.MountainsTree-topped limestone mountains cover much of Vietnam and its two biggest island escapes aren’t excluded from that. This evocative type of scenery is found much more commonly in the north than in the south of the country, but southern Phu Quoc still has a beautifully verdant interior to rival that of northern Cat Ba’s.Cat BaOne glance at a map will show you that Cat Ba Island is situated right in the middle of Halong Bay. This should tell you all you need to know about the landscape to expect here, as Halong Bay is known throughout the world for its karst towers, clad in lush green trees and soaring high above the cruises that pass underneath it. With more space for foliage to grow, it could be said that Cat Ba’s mountains are even more beautiful than Halong Bay’s, as they soar higher and have the space to create vast valleys and majestic ridgelines, best viewable from a motorbike ride along its glorious inland road. One of the best ways to see the rolling green mountains of Cat Ba is to take a visit to the national park and the short trek up to Ngu Lam peak, a roughly 2-hour return trek that grants visitors outstanding views of the jagged mountaintops above.Phu QuocAs part of the region comprising the largely flat Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc Island bucks the trend by containing marvellous mountain ranges, most of which are centred around the Phu Quoc National Park in the northeast of the island. Climbing the mountains here are some of the best things to do on Phu Quoc for people who need more stimulation than simply relaxing on the beach, but the wealth of choice here is not all that impressive. The island’s main hike leads to Chua Mountain, which is about 650m above sea-level, providing decent views of a few other of Phu Quoc’s rising mountains, but not really enough to hold a candle to Cat Ba’s Ngu Lam peak, which stands about 350m taller.Should you visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc for the mountains?• This is a deal-breaker for many outdoor enthusiasts choosing between Cat Ba and Phu Quoc, but Cat Ba has to take the crown here for its consistently beautiful ranges.Island HoppingVisitors to either of Vietnam’s best islands might be surprised to discover that both are part of archipelagos, offering more gorgeous scenery amongst an incredibly quiet atmosphere across their ranges of smaller islands and islets. Many of these are available for visiting on either a charter boat or a public ferry.Cat BaIt is telling of Cat Ba’s chances in this category that it is actually the largest island out of 367 comprising the ‘Cat Ba Archipelago’. It also helps that the entire collection of islands was designated protective status by UNESCO in 2004, triggering a deeper urge in travellers to visit some of the accessible spits of land around its mainland. Mainly of these islands comprise the stunning Lan Ha Bay, one of the two sister bays to the neighbouring Halong Bay, which tourists can visit on a daytrip, 2-day or 3-day cruise. Lan Ha Bay Cruises are quieter than those in Halong Bay, as the destination has still not reached full tourist potential, but when it does, visitors can take solace in the fact that Cat Ba’s other islands, such as Monkey Island, offer excellent and quiet alternatives. The rest of the archipelago is decked with the same mountain and beach scenery as Cat Ba’s main island, with much fewer tourists and minimal resorts in operation.Phu QuocWhat is commonly referred to as the An Thoi Archipelago offers a wonderful escape from the occasionally congested beaches on Phu Quoc, all accessible across the splatter of its 14 islets lying in the Gulf of Thailand. These contain Vietnam’s quintessential paradise scenes, with all islands remaining completely uninhabited. The decision to stay in Cat Ba or Phu Quoc often hinges on the reclusive nature of such islands, so it is definitely worth noting that tours visiting the islands on any given day can sometimes spend hours at a time in the waters without seeing another tourist. Completely clear water, schools of colourful fish and nebulous clouds of vivid coral are very much on the agenda with a visit to the An Thoi Archipelago, all islands of which can be accessed on a charter boat cruise or a public tour.Should you visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc for the island-hopping?• Choosing between the gorgeous Lan Ha Bay and the idyllic An Thoi archipelago is incredibly difficult, but Phu Quoc should take this one for the true castaway feeling that island-hopping around its archipelago can bestow.HistoryThis may not be a consideration for many travellers wondering whether they should visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc, but the two islands’ historical sites offer a wealth of interesting alternative activities. As with much of the rest of Vietnam, Cat Ba and Phu Quoc were sleepy backwaters until the First Indochina and Vietnam wars, which catapulted them both into utility and meant that development across the islands spread quickly.Cat BaThe two historic sites of Cat Ba are set into gorgeously verdant surrounds, so even visitors not interested in the island’s modern history can appreciate the wealth of magnificent scenery that is available to view from it. This is mostly the case with Cannon Fort, an old French artillery station that was eventually seized by the Vietnamese and used to shell the French troops as they retreated from the island. The fort is placed high above the main town but is easily accessible from it, meaning it has become one of the top things to do on Cat Ba for anyone looking for panoramic views of the limestone seascape and the various contoured coves around it. Cat Ba’s other historical attraction, its Hospital Cave, offers more inland views from the cave mouth and exit, stretching over rolling jungle with quaint village houses dotted between. During the Vietnam War, a fortified hospital was built into this cave and attended by thousands of troops and staff, all completely unbeknownst to the Americans.Phu QuocRepresenting the losing side of the Vietnam War, Phu Quoc was an important penal colony for South Vietnam, where North Vietnamese troops and revolutionaries were imprisoned and treated horrendously badly. Phu Quoc Prison, at its height in 1973, housed 40,000 communist Vietnamese, and at some points, the security was so heavy that there was a guard for every two prisoners. The alternative name of the prison was Coconut Tree Prison, which quite effectively detracted from some of the brutal torturing taking place inside, the most infamous of which was time spent in the cramped ‘tiger cages’.Should you visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc for the historical sites?• As the island with the markedly less depressing history, and the location of two historical sites that were crucial in repelling Vietnam’s enemies, Cat Ba Island takes this one.Ease of AccessDespite all of the natural splendour and the history, a crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc is how easy it is to reach either destination. Both islands have been somewhat thrust into the tourist limelight in the 21st century and many of the transport links between them and the mainland are still attempting to catch up with the new influx of visitors.Cat BaFor tourists from Hanoi, Cat Ba Island is the perfect weekend escape or 2 to 3-day excursion on a northern Vietnam tour. The island is part of Hai Phong province, lying 150km away, reachable in about 3.5 to 4 hours from Hanoi with a bus and ferry combination ticket. From Hanoi, these tickets shouldn’t cost more than 300,000 VND ($13 USD) for a public transfer and 2,200,000 VND ($95 USD) for a 4-seater private transfer. This is by far the best way to get to Cat Ba from Hanoi, as the alternative transport such as the train and aeroplane takes longer, costs more and requires more hassle. Hai Phong’s Cat Bi airport does open up visits to Cat Ba from the rest of the country, but as most tourists will go to Hanoi anyway, it would make more sense just to travel on a bus from the capital.Phu QuocPhu Quoc’s touristic interest is ever-expanding, meaning it needs a transportation system to match. At the moment, an airport and a ferry are the two options to access this increasingly popular southern Vietnam tour destination, but construction to bring more tourists to the island is well underway. By far the most popular and easiest way to get to Phu Quoc is via plane, with the island’s international airport able to connect arriving tourists to most beachside resorts within an hour. One-way tickets from Ho Chi Minh City can be as cheap as 550,000 VND ($23 USD), while one-way tickets from Hanoi can be 1,200,000 VND ($52 USD), but both are subject to regular change depending on whether the time of your visit coincides with the peak season or the quiet season. Ferries represent a cheaper but more labour-intensive travel, leaving from the Mekong Delta towns of Rach Gia or Ha Tien, available as a slow or fast option. Tickets for the slow ferry are a universal 185,000 VND ($8 USD), taking 3.5 hours from Ha Tien, while fast ferry tickets are around 350,000 VND ($16.50 USD) from Rach Gia and 230,000 VND ($10 USD) from Ha Tien. Neither Rach Gia nor Ha Tien are particularly easy to reach from Ho Chi Minh City, so most tourists opting for the ferry stay one night in the capital of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho, before their departure the following day.Should you visit Cat Ba or Phu Quoc for their ease of access?• Both destinations have constantly improving transport links and both will be very easily accessible in the future, but for now, Phu Quoc has the biggest range of interesting choices.OverallIt’s incredible hard to pick an overall winner between Cat Ba and Phu Quoc islands; the right destination for you really depends on the style of your holiday. If travelling independently and looking for a more active time in the mountains and jungle, then Cat Ba is probably your best bet, but those looking for a more relaxed time on the beach with many family-friendly destinations and the convenience of multiple resorts, then Phu Quoc will be your perfect Vietnamese island paradise.

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How Long to Stay on Cat Ba Island

How Long to Stay on Cat Ba Island

In recent years, the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Halong Bay has been extended to the beautiful archipelago of Cat Ba, consisting of 366 islands and islets all built upon a limestone base, soaring into an untainted sky. The forested beauty of the undulating Cat Ba Island and its surrounding landmasses is irrefutable, but tourism here still lags far behind Halong Bay. This is by no means a bad thing, as it has resulted in a much quieter atmosphere on Cat Ba Island, one that leaves its roads unclogged and many of its gorgeous beaches all but deserted.Due to this, it can be hard to find information on Cat Ba Island and how long to stay there. At Incredible Asia Journeys, we have listed the top things to do on Cat Ba Island as well as provide a workable itinerary through which you can get the most out of your independent Vietnam beach holiday or city break from Hanoi.Lan Ha BayHow Long to Spend on Cat Ba Island?To answer this question How Long To Spend on Cat Ba Island, we’ll have a look at some of the factors that draw tourists to Cat Ba:• Jungle – Cat Ba Island is coated in a thick layer of jungle, rising from the floor or clinging to the sides of towering mountains. The lush greenery spreads for miles, creating a beautiful and thick jungle consisting of numerous types of palm tree, with the island’s inland road cutting through the most verdant section of it.• Beaches – One of Hanoi’s closest beach escapes offers many options to weekend visitors and those looking to stay on Cat Ba for a while. It has three popular beaches on its southeastern tip, along with two quieter beaches along its southern shore and a wealth of wild beaches across the archipelago as a whole.• Seascape – The common reason as to why people stay long on Cat Ba Island is because of its gorgeous seascape, spanning for miles around and dotted with the most beautiful limestone towers rising directly out of the emerald sea. This is the location of Lan Ha Bay, the much quieter equivalent to Halong Bay and a favourite for those looking for similar scenery with enhanced tranquility.• History – Like the rest of Vietnam, Cat Ba Island has had its fair share of war troubles, and two of Cat Ba’s best things to do capture the essence of its turbulent history wonderfully.All of the above comprises Cat Ba’s top attractions, all of which can be visited between 2 and 5 days. How long to spend on Cat Ba depends on which ones of these interest you the most, along with how quickly you can see all of the sights with your given time.Cat Ba Island in 2 DaysWe’ll begin with the shortest recommended time to spend on Cat Ba Island. Two days is enough to get a feel for the island but without delving into some of its most beautiful attractions. If you take one of the earlier buses from Hanoi to Cat Ba, you can reach there by about midday, meaning that your first afternoon can be spent soaking up the completely disparate atmosphere to the capital.Day 1AfternoonArriving at midday gives you plenty of time to dive straight into the attractions of the island, the first of which will probably be the beach. It’s easy to while away the hours on Cat Ba’s wonderful beaches, but it can be quite a bit harder trying to find space on its most popular ones. The trio of Cat Co beaches are comprised of Cat Co 1, 2 and 3, all facing southeast into a sea dotted with limestone towers and connected by a short cliff-top walkway. All three of these belong to resorts and are mostly manufactured to be the hub of activity for their respective guests. Though Cat Co 3 is worth a look, you should avoid the other two and instead head to Tung Thu beach, which lies just to the west of Cat Ba Town. The beach here is about the size of all Cat Co beaches combined and a fraction as busy, with much of the white sand going completely untouched for the day. Similarly, about 9km out of the town lies Woodstock beach, a gloriously underrated strip that serves the campers at the Woodstock Beach Camp with hammocks, a bar and a row of beachfront tents. The hippie atmosphere encapsulated here means that all visitors are welcome, not just those staying at the accommodation over the road.Cat Co BeachDay 2MorningThere is much more to Cat Ba Island than its fringes, though most of its visitors tend to stick to soaking up the sunshine from the soft golden sands. Heading inland is a great way to see the thick and beautiful jungle that takes up much of the island, and spending many days on Cat Ba becomes easier once you find the gorgeous tropical vegetation that carpets the archipelago. By either renting a motorbike in the town or jumping on the regular shuttle bus that takes passengers around the island, you can experience a luxuriant wonderland of the deepest greens and the light brown and silver colouring of spiralling limestone peaks.Along the main inland road, visitors should stop off at the Hospital Cave, one of the two attractions that offer an insight into Cat Ba’s history. This cave was converted into a working hospital for the North Vietnamese Army and the local residents, concealed by thick jungle and never found by the Americans. Now, just 40,000 VND ($1.80 USD) can grant you access to the cave and a brief introduction to its existence from a guide. After that, you’re free to explore some of the basic and fairly gruesome rooms where soldiers were treated, along with meeting rooms, storage rooms, a swimming pool and even a cinema, all of which are occupied by manikins there to display the more grizzly aspects of the Vietnam War.Proceeding along the inland road, visitors will come to Cat Ba National Park, which takes up a large chunk of Cat Ba Island. Despite the fact that the information boards list 8 treks, the staff here will fervently tell you that there’s only one, the trek to Ngu Lam Peak. This trek is fairly simple, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours overall and providing an excellent view from the top of a rolling sea of forested limestone peaks. Along the way, keep an eye out for the iconic Cat Ba Langur, an incredibly rare species that is endemic to the island, as well as a wealth of birds including hornbills, hawks, and the magnificent sea eagle.Though it lies right on the northern tip of the island, a trip to Gia Luan Dock rounds off an eventful morning and rewards those who make the effort with some beautiful views of Halong Bay. The dock itself is rarely used and features a quiet, languid atmosphere amongst very peaceful surrounds. There isn’t much to do here except sitting back and taking it all in, but the gorgeous scenery ensures plenty of reason to be here.Floating VillageAfternoonAfter an eventful morning, it is worth taking some more afternoon time to relax. How long to spend on Cat Ba’s beaches obviously depends on you, but some serious time should be devoted to visiting them because of the beautiful and remote atmosphere that they exude. Two more beaches, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, can be found on Monkey Island, accessible by a boat service from the Ben Beo Ferry Terminal. Swimming and kayaking here are wonderful experiences because of the untainted water surrounding the island, which receives much fewer visits than the water around the Cat Co beaches. If you’re still feeling active after the morning’s excursions, you can engage in another small hike to the top of one of Monkey Island’s mountains, which gives a great view of the archipelago as well as the colourful Cai Beo Fishing Village.After a few hours on Monkey Island, visitors can return to Cat Ba Island and head to the Cannon Fort, the second of Cat Ba’s two historical attractions, offering the perfect place to watch the sunset. A quick drive and short climb up some stairs takes you to the Cannon Fort’s complex, where replica cannons and full-scale manikins show visitors how Vietnam utilised the French-built artillery to repel both the French and the Americans during the 20th century. The entire fort sits atop a mountain, providing excellent panoramic views of the waters below and the limestone mountains that comprise Lan Ha Bay.Cat Ba Island in 3 DaysIf factoring in the itinerary of the previous two days, it’s very possible to spend one extra day in this slice of northern Vietnamese paradise. In fact, 3 days is the ideal time to spend on Cat Ba Island if you want to experience most of its attractions, as an additional daytrip to Lan Ha Bay opens up much more of the archipelago for exploration.Day 3Full day tours around the archipelago’s most pristine seascape are certainly one of Cat Ba’s top attractions. Many people come to the island just for transferring to Lan Ha Bay, a highly beautiful and, importantly, quiet section of Halong Bay that is drawing more and more tourists every year. Prices for the full day are around a very reasonable 500,000 VND ($23 USD) per person, which includes the set-menu activities of cruising, a fishing village visit, kayaking, swimming, a visit to a cave and time spent at a beach. Tours are fairly rushed and there isn’t too much time for relaxing on the boat, but if you’re looking for an engaging tour with plenty to do, Lan Ha Bay day trips are ideal.Cruise in Lan Ha BayCat Ba Island in 4 DaysThis is a fantastic number of days to spend on Cat Ba Island if looking for supreme relaxation. Day trips to Lan Ha Bay give a good introduction to the Cat Ba archipelago, but an overnight cruise around any part of the Gulf of Tonkin is usually one of the highlights of a northern Vietnam tour.Day 4From about 6,600,000 VND ($260 USD) per cabin, you can spend 2 days and 1 night on a Lan Ha Bay cruise. Compared to the day boats, these cruise ships are fitted with very modern amenities and even the oldest have launched in the water as recently as 2016. They feature contemporary cabins with comfortable furnishings, a dining room and gorgeous sundeck as a minimum, accommodating passengers beneath the billowing sails of a traditional junk boat. These modern-day cruisers glide silently through some very quiet parts of the bay, giving you the chance to enjoy pure serenity while on board. The itineraries don’t differ too much from that of the day trips, but crucially they contain much more space in the itinerary, giving you the chance to enjoy a more tranquil time with fewer breaks. Cruising overnight also gives you the opportunity to enjoy onboard activities such as a cooking class, squid fishing and a tai chi session, all while viewing an unforgettable sunrise and sunset between the limestone peaks.Cruise in Lan Ha BayCat Ba Island in 5 DaysThe most decadent answer to the question of how long to stay on Cat Ba Island is 5 days, as this gives you one extra day to enjoy a 3-day, 2-night itinerary on a Lan Ha Bay cruise. The extended itinerary of these cruises gives you extra time to enjoy the quieter delights of an already very quiet bay, one which may be on display just for you and a few other passengers.Day 5After your first tai chi session and breakfast on the 3-day, 2-night cruise, you will be shipped onto a smaller day boat and ferried through those Lan Ha Bay waterways lying further afield. Here, you will have an entire day spent in the utmost serenity, with a loose itinerary focused around kayaking, caving, swimming and relaxing on the beach. Typically, far fewer people choose this option, and it is not uncommon for just one or two couples to be enjoying the majesty of Lan Ha Bay’s undisturbed delights from the deck of the day boat. Prices start at around 10,500,000 VND ($450 USD) per cabin for these real once-in-a-lifetime experiences and are very rarely considered anything other than money well spent.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc Island?

When is the Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc Island?

As one of forerunners in the race to become Vietnam’s top beach destination, Phu Quoc Island is pretty well-equipped to take the first prize. Over 10 pristine beaches offer dozens of kilometers of flawless white sand around the island, conveying the ultimate image of paradise that acts as a vital highlight to any Vietnam beach holiday. The question of when is the best time to visit Phu Quoc Island is not an easy one to answer, as Vietnam’s largest island sits relatively closely to the equator, bestowing it with a fairly consistent climate year-round yet still the potential for vicious rainstorms and searing heat. As with all destinations in the south of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island can be split into two seasons characterised by one big difference – the amount of rain it receives.Dry Season (December – May)Book those plane tickets as quickly as possible, the dry season in Phu Quoc Island beckons travellers from far and wide to its immaculate beaches and placid waters, all lying under a light blue sky speckled with non-threatening white clouds. The dry season is undoubtedly the best time to visit Phu Quoc because of the resplendent natural show that the island puts on for its visitors.TemperatureIt’s unlikely you’ll feel a huge difference in temperature when stepping off the plane or boat onto Phu Quoc Island, considering that all transport here comes from very nearby sources. That is to say, you will still be sweating, as even the dry season in this part of the world can be a swelteringly hot affair. At Phu Quoc in December, you should be looking at a manageable 29°C, rising gradually to 32°C as the season begins to turn. This is just about in most tourists’ comfort zones, but it does mean that all-day beach visits might need to be accompanied by some portable shade, as the openness to Phu Quoc’s beaches makes it hard to find a cool shadow at times.Hoping for the minimum temperatures are what most tourists do during the dry season, as these can be a comfortable 26°C or 27°C throughout January and February. This is when the best of Phu Quoc’s weather is on display, providing the opportunity of an ideal south Vietnam beach vacation for those struggling with the winter in the northern hemisphere and those sweating through a heat wave during the southern hemisphere summer. On the other hand, highs can reach up to 35°C as the dry season makes preparations for the wet, providing a scorching holiday for anyone lingering around at the end of May.RainfallThe idyllic pictures that tourists see of Phu Quoc Island were almost definitely taken during the dry season, when just a few white clouds dot the sky and the likelihood of them shedding any watery loads is pretty minimal. The season starts with a reasonable 120mm of rain, with a very reasonable 3 days in which it falls, dipping into February and then rising again in May as the dark clouds of the rainy season start to amass. The best time to visit Phu Quoc for dry weather is during the rainfall’s trough in February, where a paltry 30mm falls over the course of 1 or 2 days, giving you little reason to move from the beach as the pitiful rainfall is accompanied by the island’s lowest, and therefore best, temperatures.Sunshine HoursThere’s a fairly steady climb between December and May, with the sun making itself known for about 6 hours per day in December, becoming more confident until an almighty showing in May blesses visitors with about 9 hours per day. These are the sunniest months in the Phu Quoc Islands, allowing tourists to soak up all of the verdant nature around the archipelago with a background of sunshine and blue skies. Outside time is highly prized, which is just as well, as outside time is really the only time worth having on Phu Quoc Island.Things to do in Phu Quoc during the Dry SeasonYou really are spoiled for choice during the peak season in Phu Quoc. The island explodes into life with the arrival of many tourists seeking the perfect Vietnam beach retreat, and finding it with ease on the golden shores. The 20km white-sand stretch of Long Beach becomes the hub of the island, with most of the activity revolving around the coastline next to the hotels. • Go on a safari – The Vinpearl Safari and Conservation Park is situated at the north of the island, comprised of a zoo and an open-terrain safari. The animals here are well looked after, having free space to roam around their semi-natural habitats. This is especially the case with the safari, which houses lions, giraffes, elephants and many more, making it one of the more ideal family activities in Phu Quoc Island.• Take a hike – Just to the east of the safari is Phu Quoc National Park, which makes up a large portion of the Ken Giang Biosphere Reserve. This UNESCO-designated park is teeming with endemic wildlife, both in its waters and around the tall trees that comprise its forests. Hikes through the woodland can reveal some of Phu Quoc’s most amazing nature, including waterfalls, mangrove forests, vast seas of coral and the wealth of interesting monkeys, hornbills and manatees that call it all home.• Nothing – Simply retiring to the beach to relax for the day is certainly the most popular of Phu Quoc’s highlights. The best time to visit Phu Quoc is when its beaches are sparkling, pellucid waters are shimmering and the palm trees are dancing beneath a cloudless sky. Paradise indeed.• Go island-hopping – If one island isn’t quite enough, Phu Quoc has a host of smaller islands to its south where the same resplendent beauty is exhibited proudly, and yet to no one. The 13 uninhabited landmasses around the archipelago are what real Vietnam island retreat dreams are made of and can be visited via a charter boat cruise, which delivers customers to heavenly scenes straight out of a movie.What are the Pros and Cons of Visiting Phu Quoc during the Dry Season?ProsConsBest year-round temperaturesVery little rainLong, sunny daysPlenty of activities to engage inPicture-perfect sceneryTrue island escape atmosphereMore crowded beachesHigher prices for accommodationHigher prices for toursRainy Season (May – November)May covers both seasons here because of its tumultuous nature, occasionally dry season but occasionally wet, separating the two halves to Phu Quoc’s weather that are so wildly different. Rainy season kicks the island to the next level, with scorching temperatures, fervent rainfall and days when you’ll wonder if the sun still exists behind all that cloud. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the best time to visit Phu Quoc is certainly not the wet season. There is still plenty of beauty to be found, regardless of the weather, so don’t be too dispirited if you have to travel during this time.TemperatureDepending on where you from, the wet season temperatures in Phu Quoc may or may not present a problem. A fairly flat rate of 31°C is certainly not the worst heat to be felt in the country, but it is the unrelenting consistency that usually gets to tourists in the end, with many consecutive months presenting a high, stagnant temperature with very little reprise. Entire days can still be spent on the beach, as long as minimal movement is involved, or at least a sizeable chunk of time dedicated to swimming in the cooling sea.If avoiding the wet season is not an option, then visiting Phu Quoc in November might be your best bet, as temperatures here dip slightly when the dry season begins to take the reins. 29°C is what can be expected at this time of the year, creating much improved conditions for all of the island’s outdoor activities.RainfallIt may not shock you to hear that rainfall during Phu Quoc’s wet season is pretty substantial. If you arrive into Ho Chi Minh City before heading to Phu Quoc, then you very well see the extent of what you should expect on the island. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact month when the clouds of Phu Quoc unleash their watery fury the most, as their levels fluctuate greatly year-on-year, but any visits between July and September are likely to receive the biggest soaking. July illustrates this well, as 180mm in 2016 became a torrential 790mm in 2018, a staggering jump and one that left tourists wringing their clothes out from the unexpected storms. It’s best to play it safe and avoid visiting Phu Quoc between July and September if you can.Sunshine HoursThe dip in sunshine hours during Phu Quoc’s wet season is not as pronounced as it is in other parts of Vietnam. Its proximity to the equator gives it a fairly stable length of day that doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year. The sunniest months in Phu Quoc Island can even be found in the wet season on the odd occasion, and about 9 hours of sunshine per day have been recorded before over the hump of July to September. May is typically the sunniest month in south Vietnam and this is reflected on Phu Quoc, where clouds are sometimes absent for entire days at a time. Overly-relaxed visitors should be careful though, as dark clouds can congregate at the blink of an eye and release a torrent of rain in a short amount of time, creating a welcome break from the heat but putting a bit of a dampener on lazy afternoons by the beach. As with most of Vietnam though, life is still exciting during these months, and the potential for a deluge should not stop you going to Phu Quoc in the wet season.Things to do in Phu Quoc during the Wet SeasonThe wet season in Phu Quoc seriously limits your options in terms of viable activities as the vast majority of things to do involve being outside. However, plenty of Phu Quoc’s best attractions still remain open if you don’t mind taking the chance of an afternoon deluge disrupting your holiday in one of Vietnam’s top beach destinations.• Take a cautious trip to the beach – It would be outrageous to visit Phu Quoc Island and not enjoy the wealth of beautiful beaches on offer here. The wet season can indeed make beach visits a bit more of a tentative affair, as tourists should be ready to pack up and run as soon as the rain starts falling, but this shouldn’t get in the way of your good time. Bring some rain-protective essentials and try your luck!• Visit Phu Quoc Prison – It might not promote the same tropical holiday atmosphere as the many natural attractions in Phu Quoc, but the island’s prison is a worthy and educational stop that encapsulates some of the dark history that the island went through during the Vietnam War. The prison’s nickname of ‘coconut tree prison’ masks a lot of the horrors that took place here, where as many as 40,000 captured North Vietnamese troops and idealists were imprisoned and brutally tortured.• Sip on a coffee in Duong Dong – Phu Quoc’s largest town is Duong Dong, but the term ‘largest’ should really come with an asterisk in this case. The tiny town offers a smattering of cafes and opportunities for people watching, but not a whole lot more. Sitting down for a coffee is a good idea before going shopping for tours throughout the town• Recline in your room – It’s not all about being outside in Phu Quoc. Usually, beach resorts around the island are of a high quality and are located right on the beachfront, giving you a fantastic view of the potentially stormy nature outside from the security of your room. Hotels in Phu Quoc are always improving and many already contain a wealth of indoor activities to keep visitors entertained during the rainy season.What are the Pros and Cons of Visiting Phu Quoc during the Wet Season?ProsConsLower prices for accommodationLower prices for toursAcceptable weather at timesGreat sunshine hoursLargely tumultuous rainfallConsistent, scorching heatInability to visit main attractions

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Where to Stay in Phu Quoc Island

Where to Stay in Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam and a Vietnam Tour Package Itinerary.Vietnam’s largest island is attracting a lot of attention nowadays. Phu Quoc Island lies 40km off the coast from the southern Vietnamese mainland, drawing in tourists from around the country and beyond with a beautiful selection of pristine beaches. Life around Phu Quoc tends to move at a very lazy pace, one that can give visitors from Ho Chi Minh City a bit of a shock upon arrival. Over 10 fabulous powder-white sand coves comprise one of the best Vietnam beach destinations and a crucial stop on a Vietnam beach holiday. As its popularity grows, more people are asking where to stay in Phu Quoc Island, a question that is difficult to answer given its 575km2 area. In this article, we split the answer into the island’s top four beaches and list our suggested Phu Quoc hotels that cover every budget. For solo time, couple time, family time or even business meetings, these hotels and resorts on the magical Phu Quoc Island will have you covered.Long BeachIn the 20km strip of white sand that comprises Long Beach, Phu Quoc Island’s best accommodation options find a home. This beach is the closest one to the airport, providing the utmost convenience but avoiding the disruption of peace by being situated just far enough away. Big hotel development has seen large sections of the beach claimed for private use, which will be yours to do with as you wish if staying at such an establishment. Those who simply want to visit Long Beach can still do so in seclusion, as the fringes of this long stretch of coast still offer untouched nature in abundance.Budget accommodation at Long Beach, Phu QuocSea Star Resort Phu QuocThe vibrant tones of the Sea Star Resort Phu Quoc can be seen across the walls of its bungalows, which are situated on either the direct beachfront or just behind within a verdant garden. Rooms are very well-lit and contain quaint wooden furniture, all within a detached or semi-detached dwelling. The balcony or terrace in each room is made of cool redbrick and ceramic tiles, looking out onto a beautiful stretch of beach with arching palm trees creating many fluttering spots of shade.Address: 98/2 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Dương Đông Town, Phú QuốcSea Star Resort Phu QuocPhu Quoc GreenlandThe most attractive trait of the Phu Quoc Greenland is that it’s one of the few accommodation options in Phu Quoc’s northwestern corner without the word ‘Vin’ slapped on the front. This independent hotel has a simple but attractive wooden set-up, dwarfed by the steel skyscrapers of its Vingroup neighbours but containing much in the way of character through humble thatched-roof huts centred around a gorgeous swimming pool. This is a fantastic and cheap hotel near Long beach, perfect for families looking for the convenience of the Vingroup attractions but without the price tag.Address: Long Beach, Phú QuốcMid-range accommodation at Long Beach, Phu QuocSaigon Phu Quoc Resort & SpaIf you’re looking for that wild and windswept vibe, then the Saigon Phu Quoc Resort & Spa may be the perfect Phu Quoc accommodation for you. A thick forest of stretching palm trees separates this 4-star resort from the beach, creating a lush scene with the unhampered beach rolling out into the ocean in front. Comfortable and spacious accommodation is the name of the game here, with placid decorations and beautiful terraces, while the gorgeous Beach Bar is the place to be in the evening when the ocean twinkles in the moonlight, mere feet away from your bar stool.Address: 62 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Dương Đông, Phú QuốcSaigon Phu Quoc Resort & SpaVinOasis Phu QuocFrom mid-price and up, Vinpearl essentially has this part of the market cordoned off. One of its mid-range options is the VinOasis Phu Quoc, a grand 4-star hotel with contemporary design at its core. Wonderfully chic interiors make it hard to leave for the paradise of the beach or the attractions of Vinpearl Land nearby, while the unique architecture of the outside makes for an attractive home to return to after your time on Long Beach, lying at the back of the resort.Address: Long Beach, Phú QuốcVinoasia Phu QuocLuxury accommodation at Long Beach, Phu QuocSol Beach House Phu QuocAs far as luxury goes, the Sol Beach House Phu Quoc is reaching the upper echelons with its incredibly well-designed rooms and the excellent facilities to be found around this luxury Phu Quoc resort. Beautiful swimming pools reflect the coconut trees around them and gorgeous, pearl-white sands decked with contemporary sun loungers buffer the hotel from the ocean. Rooms are dressed in a fresh teal colour scheme and are highly modern, with elevated balconies throughout looking at the luxurious scenes from above.Address: Duc Viet Tourist Area Zone 1, Bai Truong Complex, Duong To Commune, Phú QuốcSol Beach House Phu QuocVinpearl Resort & Spa Phu QuocA statuesque piece of beachfront accommodation in Phu Quoc, the Vinpearl Resort & Spa Phu Quoc offers a stress-free holiday with gargantuan swimming pool and direct access to the middle section of Dai Beach’s long stretch of sand. As with most Vingroup buildings, the façade isn’t much to look at, but the interior is decked with classy accommodation options, ranging from highly elegant pool view rooms to incredibly spacious villas, coming with lake or ocean views. All furniture and fittings are exceedingly ornate and delivered in typical and classical European style.Address: Long Beach, Phú QuốcVung Bau BeachVung Bai Beach finds itself in an advantageous spot, far enough from Long Beach to avoid the same crowding yet close enough to enjoy the same convenience. This strip of golden sand is shaped like a fisherman’s hook, requiring a walk through some untamed bushland to reach.Budget accommodation at Vung Bau Beach, Phu QuocVung Bau Beach ResortAttractive redbrick and stone buildings lend a lovely character to the Vung Bau Beach Resort, one of Phu Quoc’s budget resorts with terraces and statuesque pillars offering a French colonial spin. Rooms situated within the verdant but slightly unkempt garden go for a really great price, while beachfront villas with space for families aren’t much more expensive. You’ll find every basic amenity you need inside and a bunch of fun activities outside, including kayaking, fishing and snorkelling, all for a maximum price of $5 per day.Address: Vung Bau Beach, Cua Can, Phú QuốcVung Bau Beach ResortMid-range accommodation at Vung Bau Beach, Phu QuocBamboo Cottages & RestaurantChoose from a great range of secluded beach huts at the Bamboo Cottages & Restaurant, providing mid-range villa accommodation in Phu Quoc with a wealth of comfortable amenities within. Each room has a distinct character and name to match it, with gorgeous wooden features spanning a range of styles from Scandinavian to Vietnamese. The furthest option here is a strenuous 15 metres from the beach, but if that is somehow too far for you, then you can opt to relax on the wooden or tiled terraces that constitute the back of every villa.Address: Cửa Cạn, Phú QuốcLuxury accommodation at Vung Bau Beach, Phu QuocNam Nghi ResortOne of the more unique of Phu Quoc’s beachfront accommodation selection is the Nam Nghi Resort, mostly due to its location on a small, dangly appendage of land between Vung Bau and Dai beaches. This means that the Nam Nghi Resort is one of the only options on Phu Quoc with turquoise waters on all sides, as well as a beautiful rocky coast with several private beaches within the resort itself. With a gorgeous swimming pool and several fine dining options, the sleek and contemporary rooms possess an incredible comfort, perfect for those seeking quiet Phu Quoc accommodation in a truly remote spot.Address: Hamlet 4, Cua Can Commune, Gành Dầu, Phú QuốcNam Nghi ResortGanh DauThe trip to the northern coast of Ganh Dau from Phu Quoc airport is an arduous one, but fruitfully rewarded with one of the best beaches and, by extension, best beach accommodation in Phu Quoc. Ganh Dau has been largely left to its own devices during Phu Quoc’s development, considered too far away for most tourists to bother with, but visitors to the island who do take the 1-hour drive from the airport will find a smattering of cheap hotels, good restaurants and most importantly, a phenomenal beach. Its sand is some of the finest on the island and the languid island atmosphere that once encompassed the whole of Phu Quoc can still be found here.Budget accommodation at Ganh Dau, Phu QuocGold Coast Resort Phu QuocAiry and bright accommodation options abound at the Gold Coast Resort Phu Quoc, offering a slice of home for guests on Australian holiday packages to Phu Quoc Island. All rooms at this 3-star hotel are gracefully decorated with plenty of space, located within low-rise redbrick villas encircling the pool. The adjacent beach contains beautiful pavilions promoting social family time, as well as an untamed beauty that is becoming a rare asset to Phu Quoc’s beaches nowadays.Address: Gành Dầu, Phú QuốcGold Coast Resort Phu QuocMid-range accommodation at Ganh Dau, Phu QuocPeppercorn Beach ResortThose who are looking to splash a little bit more cash can do so with a stay at the Peppercorn Beach Resort, offering excellent mid-range options for your relaxed stay on Phu Quoc’s northern stretches. Perfectly trimmed gardens connect the individual bungalows of this resort, offering simple accommodation options with an open feel. The gorgeous beach is within spitting distance of many of the rooms and the entire hotel prides itself on being one of the very few resorts with access to it.Address: Gành Dầu, Phú QuốcPeppercorn Beach ResortMore Mid-range accommodation at Ganh Dau, Phu QuocHula Hula Beachfront Phu QuocAs luxury hotels are yet to make their way to Ganh Dau Beach, all accommodation choices here are cheap but very well equipped for your stay. One such recommended Phu Quoc hotel, lying on its northern shores, is the Hula Hula Beachfront Phu Quoc, comprised of comfortable and open villas, each looking onto the pool, garden or views of the ocean. Hoi An-style lanterns give the décor a touch of Vietnamese beauty, with slanted tiled roofs and ornate wooden fittings adding to the feel. The one downside to this resort is that the beach is located slightly further afield, but management have tried to make amends by offering a quaint manufactured sandy area that overlooks the sea.Address: Gành Dầu, Phú QuốcSpecial Mention – Ultra-Luxury Accommodation at Kem Beach, Phu QuocJW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and SpaIt may require a second glance to believe it’s real, but the JW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and Spa is both a mouthful and an eyeful. This is pretty much the only accommodation option for Kem Beach, an often overlooked beach with a trove of natural beauty to boast, including white sand, a forested hill on one side and a background of stretching tropical trees. A few hotels have big plans for this stretch of sand, but at the moment, the heavenly JW Marriot is one of the only ones, and offers the only true luxury accommodation on Phu Quoc Island. The rooms contain a modern decadence and some overtly opulent flourishes, with even the most affordable room providing far more than the discerning traveller requires. The most expensive room runs at 30,000,000 VND ($1290 USD) per night and really has to be seen to be believed.When you are in Vietnam, besides Phu Quoc Island you may wish to visit Halong Bay - The Natural Heritage Site. Please Click Here for detail of the cruises in Halong Bay.Address: An Thới Town, Phú QuốcJW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and Spa

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How long to spend on the Con Dao Islands?

How long to spend on the Con Dao Islands?

It may be hard to imagine that Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches aren’t located on the 3,400km coastline covering its south and eastern coasts, but around the tiny 76km2 area of the Con Dao islands, lying 90km off the mainland. It is also hard to imagine that there is a paradise on earth more befitting of the name than these islands, but the white-sand beaches, coral-rich waters, rustic shacks and mangrove forests, all sheltering beneath a canopy of coconut trees prove Con Dao to be an excellent option for a Vietnam beach vacation. Tourism on the islands is still in its infancy, and a lack of general information to go off leaves tourists wondering how long to spend on Con Dao.Of course, this depends on how relaxed you want to get, as the numerous beaches around the Con Dao islands offer a limitless beauty that could really be soaked up over weeks for ardent beach lovers. That’s a fairly unrealistic timeframe for most tourists though, who usually come to Con Dao for 3 days, or thereabouts. Below, we’ve listed a suggested itinerary for your Vietnam beach break, laying out the attractions of the islands and giving you an idea of how long to spend on Con Dao.Two Days on Con DaoGiven how much time and money it costs to get here, it is unlikely that you will ever feel fulfilled from less than two days on Con Dao. The islands are laden with beaches that offer even the most studious Saigonese businessman a welcome reprieve from his work, and these are all within easy reaching distance of the main and only inhabited island, Con Son.Day 1You will arrive to Con Dao from the Vietnamese mainland and will almost definitely want to begin reclining on the beach straight away. Getting to the islands is not cheap or particularly easy, so if you are only looking to spend two days on Con Dao, then you will want to get the most out of the beaches here. An Hai BeachFortunately, from the front door of your hotel, you will have amazingly easy access to the two harbourfront beaches, each requiring no more than a 20-minute walk from practically anywhere in the main town of Con Son. With most of the best Vietnam beach destinations such as Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Nha Trang, the main beach is usually the destination’s least appealing one, as its ease of access draws big crowds. The fact that Con Dao’s main beaches are both stunning and largely spacious is because, quite simply, that there are two of them, along with just a small amount of locals and tourists to crowd them. Both An Hai and Lo Voi contain the ubiquitous formula of pearl-white sands, teal waters, verdant mountains and an attractive smattering of colourful basket boats. These beaches offer great convenience for families and a welcome place for any adventurous passengers arriving by the arduous overnight ferry from Vung Tau to catch up on sleep.You might need some gentle-to-heavy coaxing to leave the paradise of the beach, but once you do, you will find a gorgeous town with plenty of food and drink options. Spending many days on Con Dao can be done like a local, at one of the plentiful range of cafes with a Vietnamese coffee in hand. The town has a gorgeous French colonial architecture running through its wide, tree-lined avenues and this often extends to cafes, where entire days can be spent watching an alternative view - the meandering of laidback locals around a picturesque and happy town. Con Son Café is an ideal way to admire both the French construction in its beautiful building and the natural beauty out in front, where mountains provide a shaded background to the turquoise waters before them.Day 2Rise early today for a refreshing morning swim, available at a multitude of locations around the island. No matter how long your spend on Con Dao, you will want each day to start with something like this, as the beauty of the islands lie in the truly peaceful early hours of the day.Perhaps today would be a good day to visit Con Dao Prison, the brutal detention centre that made the islands infamous for their incarceration of political prisoners from North Vietnam. There are 15 individual sites making up the prison, none of which really keep with the laidback, stress-free atmosphere of the islands, but are a vital stop to learn more about their ruthless past as well as the war overall. A tour of the prison will show you the horrendous living conditions that prisoners, many of which were ambitious communist leaders, were forced to endure, demonstrated by harrowing mannequins that show how each prisoner lived. The notorious ‘tiger cages’ draw the biggest crowds here as the unspeakably terrible conditions that they forced their prisoners into were the cause of global outrage, when a journalist printed photos of them in Life Magazine in 1970. Many Vietnamese come to the islands as part of a sort of pilgrimage, paying their respects to former detainees through prayers and offerings.Con Dao PrisonBecause a day spent in Con Dao is not spent properly without a visit to the beach, it is worth exploring some of the other options further outside of the main town. As one of the best beach destinations in Vietnam, Con Dao has a few more white-sand options than just its two most convenient, so rent a motorbike or take a taxi to visit any of the outlying beaches on the fringes of the island. Dat Doc beach is one of the most beautiful here, still managing to retain its windswept scrubs and unfettered view of the rocky, tree-clad mountains that rise up from its sides. The Six Senses Con Dao offers convenience here without spoiling the natural beauty, but if it’s truly an untamed experience that you’re after, then a visit to Suoi Nong will fulfill your isolated island paradise dreams in full.Take the evening to discover the wonders of the Con Dao Night Market, an outdoor string of restaurants on Tran Huy Lieu Street offering excellent seafood in Vietnamese communal style. This market is still yet to take flight like other night markets have around the country, but growing popularity of the islands means more tourists and more time spent at Con Dao Night Market.Three Days on Con DaoThe addition of another day really helps to Con Dao’s visitors to unwind further. Unexplored beaches still abound around the island after the two-day itinerary and Con Dao’s most treasured little critter still remains to be spotted. You can take care of both of these in three days spent on the Con Dao islands.If you’re booked for three nights, then you should use the second night to engage in an overnight turtle tour, which run between July and October when the turtles flock to the isolated island of Bay Canh from the Philippines to lay their eggs on the sand. Tours are overnight affairs, as this is when endangered Green Turtles arrive to bury their eggs in the sand, so tours run from the late afternoon, giving you time to relax on the untamed beach before the mama turtles arrive. Transport and accommodation (a room of hammocks in the ranger’s station) are included, giving you a chance to nap in between turtle arrivals.Release green turtles in Con DaoPerhaps, at some point during your three days on the Con Dao islands, you might want to exert yourself a bit more than the previous day’s beach activities were allowing. Con Dao National Park offers excellent hiking options around one of the most unspoiled lands in the country, owing to the fact that it was one of the lucky few places to avoid bombing during the war. The wetlands here are a great example of this, housing mangroves and vines along with 144 species of endemic animal throughout the park. A trek to the 577m peak of Thanh Gia Mountain is the most popular as the views that the peak provides over the islands and their extended turquoise waters is nothing short of magical.Hiking in Con Dao National ParkFour Days on Con DaoIf you’re looking at a 4-day southern beach holiday in Vietnam you may have hit the sweet spot here. Four days is generally considered an excellent amount of time to spend on Con Dao as this allows you the time and freedom to check out most of the beaches, as well as the potential to explore a bit further afield.You can round off your Con Dao tour with a visit to some of the other glorious beaches that kiss the pellucid waters here. It might not sound appealing, but either side of the tiny Con Dao airport lies two fantastic beaches, Dam Trau and Bien Dong, both essentially accessible through the airport’s doors. The fact that seven flights land daily at Con Dao airport has done nothing to damage the beauty of these beaches, both of which would attract a wealth of tourists if they were located on the mainland. Services are minimal here, but a quick walk to the airport will provide you with all the convenience you need, including cheap transportation back to Con Son town.Dam Trau BeachFor those ready to splash the cash, it might be worth eschewing all of the transport issues in favour of a charter boat, which can run up to about 6,000,000 VND ($260 USD) for a maximum of 12 passengers. These are some of the best things to do in Con Dao if looking to travel privately and efficiently. Utilising the services of a professional captain, you can explore some of the other 15 islands that comprise Con Dao and discover some of the completely untouched beauty that they contain.Any time left at the end of the day can be spent back on Con Son, a burgeoning hipster’s paradise with a growing cafe culture. Café Con Son was mentioned on the first day, but more Vietnamese options are always available, including Lo Voi Café, a wonderful outdoor drinking space encompassing some of the more iconic Vietnamese ideals: bamboo, pottery, beautiful houseplants and an open, communal space in which to drink. Café Infiniti has been long established as an island favourite, with a colourful and modern style that seemed to set the coffee wheels in motion around Con Dao. This is one of the more eclectic cafes in Con Son town, with decorations made of doors and sofas comprised of sawn-off bathtubs.So, How Long to Spend on the Con Dao Islands?With a huge array of beaches, 15 uninhabited islands and a national park boasting a wealth of animals native to the island, Con Dao is a nature-lover’s paradise and should really be enjoyed over the course of at least three days. If it’s possible to spend more time on Con Dao, we would suggest four, just to guarantee that you have time to explore thoroughly while ensuring that your Vietnam tour is not oversaturated with sand.

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