After passing through one of Vietnam’s remotest regions, the new eight-lane boulevards and monumental government buildings of Lai Chau appear like some Vietnamese El Dorado. The reality is more prosaic. Formerly known as Tam Duong, this remote town was renamed Lai Chau when a decision was made to flood ‘old’ Lai Chau (now called Muong [...]
Formerly known as Lai Chau, the small town of Muong Lay en route from Dien Bien Phu to Sapa has undergone a massive transformation in recent years. The former town of Lai Chau was perched on the banks of the spectacular Da River valley, but has now been flooded to incorporate the Song Da Reservoir, [...]
Around Dien Bien Phu on 7 May 1954, the French colonial forces were defeated by the Viet Minh in a decisive battle, and the days of their Indochina empire became numbered. Dien Bien Phu (DBP) sits in the heart-shaped Muong Thanh Valley, surrounded by heavily forested hills. The scenery to or from DBP is stunning, [...]
Son La has prospered as a logical transit point between Hanoi and Dien Bien Phu. It’s not a must-see destination, but the surrounding scenery is impressive, and there are a few interesting diversions. The region is one of Vietnam’s most ethnically diverse and home to more than 30 different minorities including Black Thai, Meo, Muong [...]
In an idyllic valley, the Mai Chau area is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The small town of Mai Chau is unappealing, but nearby are Thai villages surrounded by lush paddy fields. There’s minimal traffic, and the rural soundtrack is defined by gurgling irrigation streams and birdsong. The villagers are [...]
Hoa Binh means ‘peace’ and this easygoing nature town is a relief after the traffic-plagued suburbs of Hanoi. The area is home to many hill-tribe people, including the H’mong and Thai. Hoa Binh is a handy pit stop en route to Mai Chau. Sights Muong Cultural Museum (Khong Gian Van Hoa Muong; 0913 553 937; [...]
History The history of the northwest differs to lowland Vietnam. The Vietnamese traditionally avoided mountains, believing the terrain was not suitable for large-scale rice production. For many centuries the area remained inhabited by scatterings of minority people, joined in the 19th century by migrants from Yun-nan, China and Tibet. This was the ‘badlands’, a buffer [...]
Huge industrial zones are being created around Mong Cai, with plots being snapped up by Chinese and foreign corporations. Shopping malls dot the city centre. For the Vietnamese, the big draw is the chance to purchase low-priced (and low-quality) Chinese-made consumer goods. For the Chinese, the attraction is two huge casinos and new golf courses. [...]
There’s way more to northeast Vietnam than Halong Bay. The sinking limestone plateau, which gave birth to the bay’s spectacular islands, continues for some 100km to the Chinese border. The area immediately notheast of Halong Bay is part of Bai Tu Long National Park. Bai Tu Long Bay is every bit as beautiful as its [...]
Train schedule from Hue city to Ha Noi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh Train Hue – Ha Noi Train name Departure Arrival Price (US$/person) A/C soft seat A/C hard berth A/C soft berth SE6 05.39 am 19.58 30 44 50 SE2 15.31 04.50 am +1day SE4 16.47 05.30 am +1day SE20 [...]
Imagine 2000 or more islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have vision of breathtaking beaty. Halong translates as ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’, and legend claims the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon from the mountains. As it charged towards the coast, [...]
Train schedule from Da Nang city to Hue, Ha Noi, Nha Trang, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh Train Da Nang – Hue Train name Departure Arrival Price (US$/person) A/C soft seat A/C hard berth A/C soft berth SE22 06.22 am 10.23 am 8 11 13 TN2 08.35 am 12.06pm SE2 12.46 15.23 SE4 14.13 [...]
Express boat from Cambodia to Vietnam There are three ways to enter Vietnam. They are by plane, by bus and by boat. For those travellers who choose to enter Vietnam by bus or by boat they are required to get Vietnam visa before arrival because visa on arrival is permission for getting at these international airports [...]
Bus schedule between Ho Chi Minh and Cambodia Service on board All passengers will be served a complimentary light snack and a bottle of chilled water. All of our vehicles are quipped air conditioning. On board toilet and facilities as well as audio visual. Our uniformed friendly and helpful crews are all fluent in khmer [...]
Bus schedule between Ha Noi and Sapa A great news for traveller who love to adventure the northwest Vietnam with a limited time given. The Highway Ha Noi – Lao Cai with total length 265km giving a good solution for tourists. In past time, tourists needed three nights two days at least for visiting Sapa [...]
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