CHAM VESTIGES AND ANGKOR RUINS Tours

Hue - HoiAn - MySon - KonTum - BuonMeThuat - NhatrangSaiGon - MeKong Delta - SiemReap Day 1. Arrival in HueGreetting by our guide at Phu Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the brief excursion to visit the last imperial capital of Vietnam from 1524 to 1945. Overnight in Hue. Day 2. HueA day tour of Hue offers you an opportunity to explore the combination of the history, the culture and the romance of "Forbidden City", Imperial Palace, Tu Duc Royal tomb. Discover the people life by a tour round the Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue. Day 3 . Hue – Da Nang – Hoi AnBoat cruise on the Huong River to visit Thien Mu pagoda featured by fine architecture of the 14th century. Heading south, we visit the fascinating Cham Art museum in Da Nang and explore the Buddhist Shrines of the Marble Mountain caves. On arrival Hoi An, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 4. Hoi An – My Son – Kon TumTransfer to sivit My Son – former sanctuary of Indianized Champa Kingdom in the First Millenium. Continue to Kon Tum – the garden spot of the central highlands. Overnight in Kon Tum. Day 5. Kon Tum - Pleiku - Buon Me ThuotVisit of Kon Tum, home to Bahnar minority with their typical Rong house – a house built on tall stilts, visit Kon Tum Orphanage. Continue to Pleiku, the granary of Gialai province. Procede to Buon Me Thuot. Overnight in Buon Me Thuot. Day 6. Buon Me Thuot - Nha TrangVisit of Buon Me Thuot : ethnographic museum, visit Lak Lake and discover authentic M’nong villages by a half hour on elephant riding through forest to the villages. Continue to Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 7. Nha Trang - SaigonLeisure time for enjoying one of the nicest beaches in the World. Afternoon, visit of Po Nagar Cham towers, Oceanographic Institute, Long Son pagoda. Night train to Saigon (22.10 – 05.00) Day 8. SaigonCity tour visit to fine examples of French colonial architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. In the afternoon, visit Thien Hau pagoda, Cho Lon, lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon. Day 9. Saigon – Mekong Delta - SaigonTransfer to Vinh Long, full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Enjoy the landscape of the Mekong delta where we take a boat to visit Cai Be floating market. Lunch with local delicacy in the bonsai garden. Back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 10. Saigon – Siem ReapTransfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Afternoon, transfer to visit the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, and it’s visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It’s massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level and this temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple of Angkor and take a romantic view sunset from Bakheng Hill. Overnigh in Siem Reap. Day 11. Siem Reap – Angkor ThomTransfer to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Prom, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. Dinner with show at local restaurant & overnight in Siem Reap. Day 12. Siem Reap – Tonle Sap lake - DepartureTransfer to take the Tonle Sap Great Lake Cruise, visit floating village, fisher man life, and back to visit Old Market. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, transfer to visit Chantie Ecole-Artisan D’Angkor before transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Cat Tien Vietnam

We spent four days at a national park/preserve outside of Saigon, which is famous for the protection of the endangered Java rhino. The park has only 8, while the remaining population live in Indoneasa.It was trully beautiful, and peacful in a really loud jungle sort of way. A nice contrast to the crazy concreat jungle of Saigon!Trying to be thrifty travelors, we slept outside with only our hammoks and a mosquito net and rented bikes to explore. One day we rode, and hiked, into Crokodile lake, paddled around in a canoe observing the splashes here and there around us (we assured the crokodiles were human friendly) and spoke with the resident park ranger.On our last day we went with an indigenous/minority man named K'Woai to his village. We spoke with him about creating a business relationship where we can purchase their crafts (woven cloth, cloths, bags, wallets, belts, etc.)and create a market for them in the U.S. This would create a better source of income than they currently recieve from selling to tourists, and it can sustain and support their cultural arts and traditions. This was extreamly exciting for me as it is a business idea I have been working on for manny years, since my first trip to Peru when I befriended a family of Alpaca weavers. So I have been building the relationships through out my travels and now, finally, I have begun the process of actuall commerce (we will be bringing home a selection of beautiful, hand woven crafts to assess the interest at home). :)K'Woai is an itellegent and wise man, and a pleasure to be around. I look forward to the potential of this relationship. :)

Heading for Cambodia

On the 10th we pretty much had the day to ourselves so explored the local area and markets in more detail and to our dislike discovered just what a durian fruit smells like. Take our word for it, it is not very nice. In the evening we met our new tour guide for Cambodia and a new member of our group.On the morning of the 11th we headed off in a mini bus for a long drive to Chau Doc, a border town in Vietnam. After lunch at the floating restaurant at the back of our hotel (Although I think it was only just still floating) we headed off once more on the back of motorbikes. This time we headed up the mountain to the hammock bar where we enjoyed a cold Ankor beer and took our first look over the border into Cambodia. On the way back to our hotel in the early evening Charlie had a scare when her bike, and her and her driver, were almost crushed by a bus driver not paying attention. Luckily her driver was able to get out of the way but it is a pretty safe bet that the next words Charlie heard were all Vietnamese swear words being directed from several of the bike drivers at the bus.Nevertheless, we made it safely back and the next morning jumped on a boat at the back of the hotel to travel down the Mekong and into Cambodia.

Snake Village

My friends Mike and Buffalo Joe were determined to eat snake, and so was I. We wanted to see if the blood, actually had viagraic effects like the Lonely planet claimed. We asked our moped-taxi drivers from earlier to take us to this "Snake village", they were very willing to do so. It was raining in Hanoi, and the three drivers handed us ponchos. Although mine smelled distinctly of urine, I was just happy to be somewhat dry, and hey beggers can't be choosers. The journey took around 30 minutes by scooter. The roads seemed to have only one regulation, when someone beeps, get out of the way or die. We passed through the outskirts of town and crossed a bridge over a wide river. Where we ended up was definitely less seen by the tourist eye but had a magical feeling about it. We arrived at a restaurant that was completely open at the front with an upstairs balcony. The walls were adorned with vases, large and small, filled with cobras, geckos, and scorpions of all shapes and sizes. The owner immediately greeted us and showed us his missing finger, an apparent casualty of the profession of handling cobras. There were two cages along the wall filled with snakes, one for male and the other female. A man threw one on the cement in front of us and then proceeded to torment it until its neck flared out in discontent. We went upstairs and drank beer with our local tour guides while we waited. Two workers then brought a snake in front of us and cut it open, removing the still beating heart and draining the blood into a glass. The blood was poured into shot glasses and mixed with grain alcohol. As the heart pulsated on the plate before us, we cut it up and "shot" it with the blood/vodka. The combination of the vodka and fresh blood warmed the body and made us feel somewhat more manly. Who would believe us? Good thing we had video and pictures. Another shot was on its way, this time of vodka and bile, not delicious, but then again neither is tequila. For $40 american we received this and an eight course meal of snake. Each course was small, but different from the next. Our guides, and now friends, were celebrating a sucessful days work. As we chatted with them, they sold eachother out. One was smoking "rustic tobacco" and the other was clearly drunk. We talked about politics and Mohammed Ali, and then sung "Don't worry be Happy" together. Priceless

Stories from Hanoi

As with Laos, Vietnam has a history of French colonialism that is strongly reflected in its current culture. European style buildings are filled with Vietnamese musical instruments for sale, old men wear berets and again, baguettes and pastries are available everywhere. What I was surprised to see was the influence of Chinese culture on Vietnam's northern capital, though in hindsight, it makes perfect sense.We could immediately see the difference from Thailand and Laos. The plump, jolly Chinese Buddha had replaced the reverent (and thin) Thai and Laotian Buddha images. Chinese-style, red pagodas were common and Confucian philosophy had been taught and is still revered at the ancient University.Religion does not seem to play nearly as large of a role in Hanoi as in Thailand and Laos, which are packed with Buddhist temples, monks and family shrines. Though many Vietnamese practice various forms of Buddhism, we did not see any monks. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with religious suppression by Communist rule, or that Confucian and Taoist theology are also very prevalent in Vietnam.Most of the buildings in Hanoi are tall, deep and thin, multiple-storied (usually 3-5), concrete structures. Picture a flat, anorexic, communist San Francisco on speed. They are ornately decorated on the front, but have starkly bare, unpainted side walls. No need to waste paint! Another traveller told us that property is leased from the government for 99 years before it must be returned. Families pay higher rent for the first story of the building than the rest and as a result of this, many open shops on the first floor to help cover the costs. The families usually reside in the upper stories of the building, or in the case of hotels, sometimes on the roofs, which are decorated with hanging laundry drying in the sun. The Vietnamese are very family oriented and often times one home will be packed with many related family units. I'm not sure how deep many of the buildings go. Occasionally, we catch glimpses of dark hallways between structures resembling deep tunnels, often, motorbikes are parked near the end. We haven't figured out if they ever open into courtyards.The sidewalks and streets in front of Hanoi's homes seem to carry the most important social activities. Before meals, mothers will set up their temporary propane or pressed charcoal stoves on the sidewalk, shield them from the wind with a metal pipe, and set their pot or frying pan on top. Other family members bust out plastic child-sized chairs and take a seat nearby. Dad puffs on his smokes or tobacco fed bamboo-bong, while sister gets busy chopping up fish or pork on a thick, wooden block and scrapes the scraps with his knife into the gutter nearby. Numerous dishes are prepared including mustard greens, fried tofu, pig, fish, other misc. meaty unmentionables, things that look like larvae, steamed bean sprouts, potatoes, etc. Each person dishes rice into their small bowl and communally shares the rest of the dishes. Using their chopsticks they grab mouthfuls of the side dishes then follow each bite with another of rice. One would normally associate cooking and eating on the street with poverty, but you would be pressed to find an unkempt, dirty individual sit down to these meals. I believe it is more of a cultural norm. More than anywhere else I have been, life here for everyone is literally lived on the streets (with no bad connotation).As for the scraps of pig in the gutter, don't worry, every morning, residents sweep the sidewalks in front of their homes, creating little garbage piles on the streets. City workers then come by to pick up the trash. As you can reason, this practice of casually tossing garbage can turn into a major problem outside the bounds of these regimented disposal collection programs.Because everyone is hanging out on the sidewalks and any remaining space is filled with vendors and parked scooters, pedestrians are forced onto the street. In Hanoi for newcomers this can be particularly harrowing. Many streets are small, luxury vehicles, thousands of motorbikes, bicycles and conical-capped women balancing produce-filled baskets from sticks on their shoulders all try to navigate the same paths. Now throw in some plump, fumbling tourists to disrupt the delicate balance and it becomes comical madness!Though people in general are not as openly warm and welcoming to foreigners here in Hanoi (maybe its the classic city brush-off?), we a little effort we were able to break through some of the tourist barriers. What we were very impressed with people's open affection towards one another. Old friends, both male and females commonly strolled with their arms linked or draped over eachother's shoulders and everyone joked and laughed with eachother.It has been an amazing experience to get an inside look (though brief) at such a culturally rich, historically tragic and tight-knit city. Unfortunately, we were unable to experience more on this trip, but we will definitely have much to bring home with us.

CHAM VESTIGES AND ANGKOR RUINS Tours

Hue - HoiAn - MySon - KonTum - BuonMeThuat - NhatrangSaiGon - MeKong Delta - SiemReap Day 1. Arrival in HueGreetting by our guide at Phu Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the brief excursion to visit the last imperial capital of Vietnam from 1524 to 1945. Overnight in Hue. Day 2. HueA day tour of Hue offers you an opportunity to explore the combination of the history, the culture and the romance of "Forbidden City", Imperial Palace, Tu Duc Royal tomb. Discover the people life by a tour round the Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue. Day 3 . Hue – Da Nang – Hoi AnBoat cruise on the Huong River to visit Thien Mu pagoda featured by fine architecture of the 14th century. Heading south, we visit the fascinating Cham Art museum in Da Nang and explore the Buddhist Shrines of the Marble Mountain caves. On arrival Hoi An, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 4. Hoi An – My Son – Kon TumTransfer to sivit My Son – former sanctuary of Indianized Champa Kingdom in the First Millenium. Continue to Kon Tum – the garden spot of the central highlands. Overnight in Kon Tum. Day 5. Kon Tum - Pleiku - Buon Me ThuotVisit of Kon Tum, home to Bahnar minority with their typical Rong house – a house built on tall stilts, visit Kon Tum Orphanage. Continue to Pleiku, the granary of Gialai province. Procede to Buon Me Thuot. Overnight in Buon Me Thuot. Day 6. Buon Me Thuot - Nha TrangVisit of Buon Me Thuot : ethnographic museum, visit Lak Lake and discover authentic M’nong villages by a half hour on elephant riding through forest to the villages. Continue to Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 7. Nha Trang - SaigonLeisure time for enjoying one of the nicest beaches in the World. Afternoon, visit of Po Nagar Cham towers, Oceanographic Institute, Long Son pagoda. Night train to Saigon (22.10 – 05.00) Day 8. SaigonCity tour visit to fine examples of French colonial architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. In the afternoon, visit Thien Hau pagoda, Cho Lon, lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon. Day 9. Saigon – Mekong Delta - SaigonTransfer to Vinh Long, full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Enjoy the landscape of the Mekong delta where we take a boat to visit Cai Be floating market. Lunch with local delicacy in the bonsai garden. Back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 10. Saigon – Siem ReapTransfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Afternoon, transfer to visit the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, and it’s visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It’s massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level and this temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple of Angkor and take a romantic view sunset from Bakheng Hill. Overnigh in Siem Reap. Day 11. Siem Reap – Angkor ThomTransfer to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Prom, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. Dinner with show at local restaurant & overnight in Siem Reap. Day 12. Siem Reap – Tonle Sap lake - DepartureTransfer to take the Tonle Sap Great Lake Cruise, visit floating village, fisher man life, and back to visit Old Market. Lunch at local restaurant.Afternoon, transfer to visit Chantie Ecole-Artisan D’Angkor before transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Arrived in Hue

hey. thats me in hue, the city where i have been placed. to be honest i am really struggling. its not at all what i expected...i have been taken off the baby orphan programme and i am teaching adults which is not at all what i signed up for. i can still go to the orphanages to help out in my free time but there are few babies in the ones in hue and its a different focus here. the accomodation is what is killing me most. i knew it would be bad but its totally beyond hardcore. i am sharing a room with a nice canadian girl but and our beds touch side by side it is so small (its just really hard having absolutely no privacy or space to get away from things). the walls are crumbling and shower facilities ect are just horrendous. i dont want to pull out at this stage as i would be so dissapointed in myself but the thought of a month of this is just not something i think i am going to be able to handle. i have eaten white rice and beansprouts and beans for the past three days...my body is beginning to starve. dave had to go to the shop topday at our break to get me a chocolate bar as i was about to faint. as far as the people go they are vnice, but i am feeling lonely and crowded all at the same time. (heather is 24 from canada, dave is 55 from aus and jill is 62 also from aus. a slightly weird mix...hanging out socially is a bit weird.)There are very few westerners here in hue so when you walk down the street (especially as a girl) people try and touch you and women literally throw their children at you. Every 2 minutes someone says 'hello' or 'how are you' or 'teach me english', the people are incredibly friendly. literally everyone is living in what i would consider to be poverty here. it is heartbreaking. many of the orphans in the Home of Affection and Hoa My orphanages are there because their parents cannot support them. they bring them to the gates of the orphanage and leave them. and they dont go back to visit them. ever. also, if a woman here re-marries then she may have to give up the children from her first marriage. the most shocking thing i have seen so far is in da nang where there is an orphanage where a couple of the children are chained up... there are only two women for 18 children. a couple have ADD and/or behavioural problems or mental illnesses and the 'mothers' in the orphanage cant control themn and also care for the other kids so they are forced to tie them up in a room. mr viet says that hopefully by next year we will have enough volunteers so that someone can work with these kids so they no longer have to be tied.i am finding this whole experience totally emotionally draining. i knew it would be hard but with the living situation so bad it is making the daytimes even hrarder. i came here to work with children and instead i feel i will be teaching adults how to pronounce words better. one of the girls in da nang already left and another was really upset today and i think she is going to go also. they dont tell you this part before you get here. the ones that love it are the kind of hippy traveller types who lie around alot and smoke and think its 'totally cool to experience this man'. i am really trying to take one day at a time and i really wanted to come here and spend time with the children and, but its not working out anything like that and this is just so hard. i will update you all in a few days. i take all my donations to the orphanage on monday where i understand they are desperate for clothes ect so i will make sure to take lots of photos and post them online. love and miss you all lots. victoria xxx

Treasure of Mekong tours in Vietnam

16 days -15 nights: Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh - Siem ReapDay 1: Luang Prabang - Arrival (D)Upon arrival at the airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos . After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Kuangsi Water Fall (B/L)After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening, for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.Day 3: Luang Prabang - Hanoi (B/L)Free time for relax until time for transfering to airport for flight to Hanoi. Once again our guide will meet you and transfer you to Hanoi city. Lunch at local restaurant before check-in at hotel. After two or more hours relax, our cyclo tour do not make you more tired but more relax. After one hour ride around the trading area in Hanoi Old Quarter, the cyclo will stop you at Ngoc Son Temple for a short visit, then take one minute walk to Thang Long theatre for Water Puppet show. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.Day 4: Hanoi (B/L)In the morning to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh temple, Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower. Time for lunch and check-out. In the afternoon, visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (The First National University established in 1076). The next visiting place should be the Museum of Vietnam Ethnology in Cau Giay District or just go shopping around Silk shops and Art shops in Hang Gai street. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)Today we leave Hanoi to Halong Bay, "Dragon Descending to the Sea". Upon arrival, we will embark to a junk /boat for a cruise around Ha Long Bay. While the junk cruising caves, grottoes, floating villages and beaches on Ha Long bay, having fresh seafood lunch on boat. Stop for a while for an excursing to Surprise Caves, (Grotto of Surprises) and Swimming, Kayaking (kayak cost is not include in this package) if weather permitted. Have dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (if weather permitted). Overnight on board.Day 6: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L)In the morning, cruising more in the Halong bay before return to the Halong pier. Having lunch in Halong before return back Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.Day 7: Hanoi - Hue (B/L)Free time in the morning before transfer to the airport of Hanoi for noon flight to Hue. Transfer to a local restaurant in the city for lunch before check in. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the Imperial Citadel, constituted from the Real Fortress and the Forbidden City, and the market of Dong Ba. Overnight in Hue.Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B/L)In morning we embark on a dragon boat sail along the Huong River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, and the tomb of Khai Dinh Kinh. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Hoi An through the famous of Hai Van Pass. Passing Danang, the car will stop for the visit to Cham Museum. Cham Museum is the open air collection of Cham sculpture. Overnight in Hoi An.Day 9: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City B/L)In the morning, you will walk to visit ancient tiny town Hoi An. The visit will includes Japanese covered bridge, some Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical Vietnamese houses of 18 century. In the afternoon, transfer to Danang Airport for evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi (B/L)In the morning drive to Cu Chi, one incredible city basement constituted from one series of tightened tunnel, used from the Vietcong during the war with the Americans. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon pause to the colonial buildings of Saigon like the Independent Palace, Post Office and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (L)Our car will pick up at your hotel in early morning. Upon arrival at Cai Be, embark a private boat to cruise around Cai Be Floating Market to see local people being selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats. Visit local garden and house to see orchard, rice crisped producing process, .. After lunch taking a cruise along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural natural setting of Mekong Delta region. About 3 pm, the boat will arrival at Vinh Long, walking around to explore Vinh Long Market. Then transfer to Can Tho City. Over night in Can Tho. Day 12: Can Tho - Cai Rang - Chau Doc (B/L)Cruising along the small and picturesque tributaries by boat, we will see the Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who lives along the Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. Then continue going to Chau Doc via Long Xuyen. Check in on arrival. Visit the Sam mountain to enjoy the a breath-taking view on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border with flat rice fields and nice canals, visit caved pagoda. Over night in Chau Doc.Day 13: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (B/L)In morning departure in boat to Phnom Penh going back one of the arms of the Mekong. Arrival and lunch. In the afternoon, visits of the city, in particular of the National Museum, rich art of Khmer, of the Silver Pagoda, inserted in the fencing of the Royal Palace, Preahkeo Morokot & Central Market. Overnight in Phnom Penh.Day 14: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/L)In morning departure by flight to Siem Reap and transfer your hotel in the city. Angkor, luminous understood them of the great reign Khmer, is one of more important testimonies that the human genius knew to create in the field of the limbs, the architecture and the urban planning. Lunch at local restaurant. Then start tour to visit famous temple Angkor Wat with enjoying sunset from top of Bakheng Hill. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 15: Siem Reap - Angkor Complex (B/L/D)Breakfast at hotel, then visit the Angkor Thom: South Gate, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean Akas temple. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, transfer to visit Angkor Ruins: Thommanom, chao Say Tevoda, Takeo, Ta Prom, Banteay Kdey and Sras Srang until Sunset. Dinner at local restaurant with Apsaras show & overnight in Siem Reap.Day 16: Siem Reap - Departure (B)After breakfast, transfer to take the Tonlé Sap for a cruise on the lake with the visiting to floating village to explore the fish man life. Then visit Chantier Ecole-Artisant d’Angkor. Free time for shopping before departure home.Type of tour: - Private tour. (This is the sample tour, you may go with all details above or we can modify to fix your way of travel) - Easy tourDeparture: Any dayFeature of tour: This Indochina vacation tour organize for travelers, who want to know the charmng of Angkor - Siem Reap and charming of Vietnam. You will understand Cambodia and Vietnam with:- Our history- Our literature- Our religious

Northern Vietnam Tour

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D).Our guide will meet you at Noi Bai airport and escort you to a hotel in the center of Hanoi. The tour will start in the afternoon with 2 hours cyclo tour around the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and Old Quarter streets. You are then attend the Water Puppets show. Enjoy welcome dinner and over night in Hanoi.Day 2: Hanoi- Ha Long bay (B/L/D)8:00 our car will drive you to Halong. 12h30: Welcome on board of Halong Boat and set sail through bay while lunch is serverd. Please into the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’teeth. Opportunity to visit beautiful limestone grotto, go swimming or sunbathing. Enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at restaurant. If weather permits a short night cruise could bring you a nice discovery of the sea life by night.Day 3: Halong- Hanoi (B/L)7h30: Breakfast. After breakfast, a short trek to a nearby summit. 9h30: Return on board for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Drive back Hanoi.In late evening take the night train to Lao Cai - Sapa.Day 4: Lao Cai- Sapa (B/ L/D)You will arrive at Lao Cai at about 6.30. Short car trip to Sapa of about 40km from Lao Cai. Check in a hotel in Sapa. Relax or optional visit in the morning. In the afternoon, 2 hours trekking to visit Catcat village, home of a Black H?mong hill tribe, which is just 7 km from Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa. Day 5: Sapa (B/ L/D) In the morning, taking a Jeep trip to Lao Chai - Ta Van village, Home of Dzay and Black Mong hill tribes. While trekking around the village, meeting and talking with local hill tribes to learn more about their daily life, customs and traditional habits. Optional visit around Sapa town or take a rest before taking car trip back to Lao Cai train station. Get on the train return to Hanoi.Day 6: Hanoi (B)5:30 our car will pick you up the the train. After breakfast, take a bath and relax at Sunny or Nam Hai hotel for a while (check-out time is at noon) before the car will take you to airport for departure home or more visit the South of Vietnam.Type of tour: * Private tour * Easy/Adventure tour * Departure: Any dayFeature of tour: The life of urban, suburban, country side and hill tribes Vietnam people. The beautiful landscape of North Vietnam

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Letter from Phu Quoc

I am writing from the Thien Hai Son resort in Duong Dong town on Phu Quoc. The resort sits on Long Beach on the western side of the island. Our host is Mr. Thi, a vice-director with the Ministry of Fisheries in Hanoi whom we met when we first arrived. He is here in Phu Quoc because creating an MPA here in the archipelago of small islands at the southern tip of Phu Quoc is a priority for his agency. Other members of the team here, besides Ed and me are Mr. Linh who works for Mr. Thi and Mr. Huong who is our interpreter and socioeconomic specialist. Mr. Thi has graciously taken us all around the island, brought us out to the proposed MPA site by boat, and provided for meals along the way.I had assumed this island, because it was remote and in the far south near Cambodia, would be less heavily utilized than the rest of the coast of Vietnam and that it would be a lush tropical setting. I was wrong on both accounts. The island is quite arid most of the year and has very poor soil for growing crops. About 80% of the island is a national park for forest protection and represents the largest forested area remaining in Vietnam. There are many large hardwood trees in the forest and a fairly dense canopy but I’d call it semi-tropical arid hardwood forest- not a rainforest at all. Apparently there are monkeys, wild boar and deer in the forest. I’ve also seen two sea eagles along the coast- a majestic eagle similar in size to our bald eagle that feeds on fish.Despite the fact that it is an offshore island, Phu Quoc is heavily fished by local boats and by boats from many other Vietnamese provinces. It’s quite astounding how many boats there are, how often they are fishing, and the fishing power that each one represents. They use fine mesh nets to catch whatever they can usually at night with the aid of 10 or more high intensity lights. Supposedly the intensity of the lights is regulated but it’s not enforced. The main fisheries are anchovy, used to make famous Phu Quoc fish sauce, squid, and bottom fish. Trawlers are prevalent and are wreaking havoc on the bottom habitat according to local fishermen. The anchovy resource is extremely important and is apparently sustained by upwelling events in the southern island archipelago. Nuoc mam or fish sauce is Phu Quoc’s claim to fame. This fish sauce is revered throughout Vietnam and beyond for its purity and flavor- it’s unlike any other in the world. It’s made by dumping some anchovies in a huge vat, mixing them with salt and letting them rot and ferment for several months to years and then pouring off the refined fish oil product from the bottom of the vat. It’s served as a dipping sauce in a small side dish with many entrees in Vietnam.Today we met with the vice chairman of the Provincial People’s Party as well as several vice directors of the Department of Fisheries (DOFI). We learned that the plan is to make an MPA in the southern archipelago and to relocate hundreds of fishing families and boats to ports on the east and north coast of the island. The southern archipelago would then be available for development as an ecotourism area. It appears to be an incredibly ambitious plan but there does seem to be a plan in the works to carry it out. Time will tell.

Cyclo Hanoi City Tour

8.00 am transfer by car to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One pillar pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda. After lunch, visit to Ethenology Museum, Temple of Literature. Wandering around Hoan Kiem lake then visit Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy one hour cyclo trip around the trading area in Hanoi Old Quarter. Tour end about 16.30 pm.Hanoi Cyclo TourCyclo TourType of tour: Private Departure: Every day, Except Monday (due to close of Mausoleum & Museum) Low Season (5th May - 31st August)Size of Group 1 2 3 4 - 5 6 - 7 8 pax upCost/pax (USD) 59 40 35 28 25 22High Season (1st Sep - 4th May)Size of Group 1 2 3 4 - 5 6 - 7 8 pax upCost/pax (USD) 65 44 40 31 28 25Inclusive: Transportation (cyclo, private car/mini van), Entrance fees, Speaking guide (English or French), LunchExclusive: Drinks, Insurance, Personal expenses, Tips

Vietnam Travel Directory

Vietnam travel directory, provides you Vietnam travel links, hotels Directory, directory listings, add travel url! Vietnam Travel Directory You can add to more sub directory for free at: DestinationsHalong Bay Destination, Sapa Destination,... Hotelshalong_hotels, Hanoi Hotels, SaPa Hotels, ... ToursCycling Tours, Trekking Tours, Kayaking Tours, ... Tour OperatorsHalong Tour Operators, Sapa Tour Operators, ... TransportationHanoi Transportation, Ho Chi Minh Transportation, ... Travel AgentsHanoi Travel Agents, Ho Chi Minh Travel Agents, Hoi An Travel Agents, ... Travel GuidesMaps, Weather Travel HealthHanoi Travel Health, Ho Chi Minh Travel Health

Vietnam Travel Directory and Resources - DirectRooms

Vietnam travel directory compiled by DirectRooms. A comprehensive resource centre of the best travel websites for Vietnam, all graded by our human editorslink: http://www.directrooms.com/travel-directory/asia/vietnam/index.htm

Halong Bay Tours

Bai Tu Long Cruise 2 daysBai Tu Long Cruise tour 2 days On Footprint Red Dragon traditional junk, we aim to get off the beaten track but still at as leisurely pace. The size of the new vessel will allow the passengers to get much closer to Halong Bay’s natural wonders, pocket lagoons, and its small fishing communities.Depart, 8:00 am, from your hotel to Halong city. After 3.5 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, we arrive at the at port. At 12.00, the junk crews welcome guests on board at Hon Gai WharfHalong Tours
Halong Cruise 2 days Halong Bay tours, Halong Cruise 2 days A great way to see spectacular Halong Bay is on a slow cruise through the seemingly never-ending bay of islands. Lay in the sun, enjoy a selection of the freshest seafood, and capture photograph after photograph.Later take a more intense look of one of the islands, "get off the beaten track” at a more leisurely pace. Finish the day with an amazing night's swim in the phosphorescent water. On board the Chinese Junk take part in boat-watching, sunset and sunrise. Actually be a part of the magic
Halong Cruise & Kayak 3 daysTravel to Halong Bay, Halong Cruise & Kayak 3 daysHaLong Bay is spectacular! The best way to visit all the hidden inlets and islands is via kayak. You will have 3 days on the water to explore this World Heritage Site with the support of our helpful experts and an authentic liveaboard Chinese Junk. Sleep on board under the stars and endulge in selections of the freshest seafood seved at lunch and dinner. On your kayak discover the magic as you paddle your way through narrow caves and secret interior lakes. Touch the untouched, name the unnamed
Day 1: Hanoi – HalongHalong Cruise tour, travel to halongDepart 8:00 am to Halong. After a 3.5 hours drive we will board our private vessel, an authentic Chinese Junk, for a relaxing cruise to the bay. After lunch on the boat we will stop at a small floating fishing village where our kayaks will be waiting. Then take advantage of the afternoon (2-3 hours) by kayaking amidst the magic of Halong. Tonight's dinner will include a selection of the freshest sea food. Retire to your quarters on the boat or sleep under the stars on the top deck.(L,D)Day 2: Lost, let's sea what happens...book Halong kayaking tours in VietnamA full day of kayaking follows breakfast on the boat. This is the day to discover the hidden Halong and uncover the secrets of this World Heritage Site. Paddle through the emerald water to magnificent caves and deserted lagoons. Explore every nook and cranny of this specticle of towering limestone and ocean, kayak to places some have never been to.
The day we will be fully supported by our boat. We will not have any designated route, we just paddle to the places you wish to go. Our only concern will be the weather's possible heavy rain or too much sun. If this is the case, we can easily go back to the boat for lunch, a short rest, more water or swimming. For those who are not feeling up to a full day of kayaking, cruising on the boat capturing photograph after photograph or sun bathing are some alternatives. As the sun sets, take pleasure in knowing that our second night will be spent on the water as well. (B,L,D)Day 3: More kayaking then onto HanoiHalong kayaking tour, travel to Halong VietnamBreakfast, then more cruising and kayaking. Then we return to Halong City. We will see a little bit of the town as we will have lunch at a local restaurant here, then we will begin our return to Hanoi. You should be back in your hotel around 5:00 pm where your smile, tan and stories of adventure on the water will be the envy of others. (B,L)

Sapa Tours in Vietnam

Sapa Tours
Sapa Trek & Bac Ha Sunday Market
Sapa Trek with Sunday Market Bac Ha - 3 daysSapa Trek with Sunday Market Bac HaThis 3-day 4-night tour is a wonderful offer from Footprint. Including not only trekking to the hidden villages and staying at their home, but also a visit to one of the most colorful tribal markets in Vietnam. Bac Ha is a rainbow of culture and local trading activities. Different tribes and villages all congregate here only on Sunday to do their business. Please schedule your departure from Hanoi on Thursday night so you too can participate in this renowned market...

Sapa Easy Trek - 3 days
Sapa Easy Trek tour - Vietnam trekkingThis is a perfect combination of trek and culture while visiting the hill tribes’ villages at a pace and style that compliments you. Journey away from the crowds and homestay a traditional Dao home. Learn and participate in village life and truly feel the warmth and hospitality of these incredible people. This is an unforgettable soft adventure to Sapa that should be part of everyone’s time in Vietnam, yet probably only offered by Footprint.
Sapa is a special place with an energy like no other. Take advantage of the secret spots we take you to, and make this an adventure you will never forget. This is the way travel truly should be...

Conquer the top of Mt. Fansipan - 4 days
Fansipan Sapa adventure trek in VietnamSapa is a beautiful former French hill-station. At an altitude of 1,650 m Sapa boasts warm days and cool evenings and all day fresh air. Nowadays, Sapa has become a favorite destination due to its inspiring scenery of mounatin ranges and terraced valley floors dotted with small ethnic villages. Sapa is home to several of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups, each with their own distinctive dress, customs and dialects making it a colorful mosaic of culture.
Sapa is also renowned for its trekking. With South East Asia's highest peak, Mt. Fansipan (3,143 m) providing the perfect backdrop for some great trekking routes. This 3 day trek with outdoor camping offers all of the challenges and rewards of any hike. And, at the summit you be one of the few to have reached up and touched the clouds marking the roof of Indochina...

Sapa Moderate Trek - 4 daysSapa Moderate Trek Tour - trekking in VietnamCombing a mix of adventure and culture in this multi-day trek suites those who have a little extra time, are willing to get a little dirty, and want to explore . We will travel South of Sapa along the inspiring Muong Hoa valley and mountain streams, visiting villages of Hmong, Zay, Dao and Tay ethnic minorities.
Sources: Sapa Tours
http://www.footprintsvietnam.com/Tours/Sapa/

This trek can be difficult at times but is worth the effort as you will be taken off the beaten path, away from the crowds, and into the unspoiled Vietnam. Visit and stay with a Zay and Tay family and learn about village life. We promise that this trip will be unforgettable, educational, rewarding with a healthy dose of fun...

Vietnam tours listing

NORTHERN PRIVATE TOURS ( NPT )
NPT 01: Hanoi City Tour ( Full day )
NPT 02: Perfume Pagoda ( Full day )
NPT 03: Hoa Lu- Tam Coc ( Full day )
NPT 04: Cuc Phuong National Park ( Full day )
NPT 05: Halong Bay ( Full day )
NPT 06: Cuc Phuong- Van Long Area- Kenh Ga Geyser ( 02 days/ 01 night )
NPT 07: Halong Bay ( 02 days/ 01 night )
NPT 08: Halong Bay- Cat Ba island- Hai Phong ( 02 days/ 01 night )
NPT 09: Mai Chau ( 2 days/ 1 night )
NPT 10: Hai Phong- Cat Ba- Halong ( 03 days/ 02 nights )
NPT 11: Traditional Villages and Pagoda around Hanoi ( Full day )
NPT 12: Mai Chau Trekking ( 3 days )
NPT 13: Ninh Binh- Hoa Lu- Tam Coc- Mai Chau- Xa Linh (3 days/ 2 nights)
NPT 14: Phong Tho Trekking ( 3 days/ 2 nights )
NPT 15: Ninh Binh- Cuc Phuong National Park- Mai Chau (3 days/ 2 nights)
NPT 16: Hanoi- Ha Long- Ninh Binh ( 5 days/ 4 nights )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CENTRAL PRIVATE TOURS ( CPT )
CPT 01: Hue Tours
CPT 02: Hoi An Tours
CPT 03: Nha Trang Tours
CPT 04: Nha Trang- Dak Lak Highland- Buon Me Thuot- Lak Lake- Dalat- Lang Biang Highland ( 4 days / 3 nights )
CPT 05: Dalat- Tuyen Lam Lake- Fairy Rock- Mount Elephant ( 02 days )
CPT 06: Hoi An- Qui Nhon- Nha Trang- Dak Lak- Buon Me Thuot- Lak Lake- Dalat- Lang Biang ( 7 days )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN PRIVATE TOURS ( SPT )
SPT 01: Ho Chi Minh City Tour ( Full day )
SPT 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tour- Cu Chi Tunnel ( Full day )
SPT 03: Cu Chi Tunnel- Cao Dai Temple ( Full day )
SPT 04: Cu Chi Tunnel ( Half day )
SPT 05: Mekong Delta: Saigon- My Tho- Ben Tre ( Full day )
SPT 06: Mekong Delta: Sai Gon- Cai Be- Vinh Long- Can Tho- Cai Rang- Phong Dien- My Tho ( 2 days/ 1 night )
SPT 07: Mekong Delta: Sai Gon- Cai Be- Vinh Long- Can Tho- Cai Rang- Phong Dien- Long Xuyen- Chau Doc ( 3 days/ 2 nights )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL TOURS ( ST )
ST 01: Sapa Trekking Tours
ST 02: Kayaking Tours on Halong Bay
ST 03: Adventure Tours
ST 04: Beach Breaks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANS- VIETNAM TOURS ( T-VT )
T-VT 01: Beaches along Vietnam ( 8 days )
T-VT 02: Hanoi- Saigon Discovery ( 10 days/ 09 nights )
T-VT 03: Trans- Vietnam Open Tour ( 12 days )
T-VT 04: Trans- Vietnam Open Tour ( 13 days )
T-VT 05: Hanoi- Saigon ( 14 days )
T-VT 06: Saigon- Hanoi by train ( 13 days )
T-VT 07: 17 Days Vietnam Discovery
T-VT 08: Trans- Vietnam Open Tour ( 18 days )
T-VT 09: Trans- Vietnam Open Tour ( 22 days )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN BUDGET TOURS ( NBT )
NBT 01: Hanoi City Tour ( Full day )
NBT 02: Perfume Pagoda ( Full day )
NBT 03: Hoa Lu- Tam Coc ( Full day )
NBT 04: Cuc Phuong National Park ( Full day )
NBT 05: Mai Chau ( 2 days/ 1 night )
NBT 06: Halong Bay ( Full day )
NBT 07: Halong- Catba ( 2 days/ 1 night )
NBT 08: Halong- Catba ( 3 days/ 2 nights )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CENTRAL BUDGET TOURS ( CBT )
CBT 01: Hue Tours
CBT 02: Hoi An City Tours
CBT 03: Nha Trang
CBT 04: Da Lat
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN BUDGET TOURS ( SBT )
SBT 01: Ho Chi Minh City Tours
SBT 02: Mekong Delta Tours

Travel Information of Vietnam1. GENERAL INFORMATION