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Friday, May 4, 2012

Tam Dao


Tam Dao is a range of mountains stretching 50 kilometers, 10 kilometers wide located in the north-west of Vietnam and it is 86 kilometers far from Hanoi. With the area of 300 ha, Tam Dao town locates in a small valley of Tam Dao mountains. Tam Dao - a sublime and lyrical landscape is a precious gift given by nature. 
The weather is cool all around the year with an average temperature from 20 to 22° C. The mean humidity is about 84%. There are four seasons within a day: Spring in the morning, summer in the noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter in the evening.
Tam Dao is a tourist attraction frequented by thousands of visitors in summer. Get there by car or motorbike.


Tam Dao National Park
The vegetation cover is representative of five types of tropical forest. The flora consists of 904 species classified into 478 genera and 213 families of high plants, 64 of which are listed in Viet Nam's Red Book. The rich fauna includes 307 species, 56 of which are registered in Viet Nam's Red Book (22 mammal species, 17 reptile species, 9 bird species, 7 amphibian species and the remainder of insects). It is unforgettable address during your journey to Tam Dao Tourist Resort.





Television Tower is 93 meters on the highest peak of Tam Dao mountain range. (Thien Nhi peak is 1375 meters high). It’s difficult to climb but once when reaching to the peak, you can enjoy the surrounding landscape. 










The Silver waterfall here is the local attraction amid flora and fauna. It could be taken in as a simple day trip from Tam Dao.









Another 10km from Tam Dao, Tay Thien offers another opportunity to take in some natural wonders. 





Hotels in Tam Dao

Belvedere Tam Dao Resort - 4 stars


Tam Dao Belvedere is luxurious resort with 48 elegant villas and suites, located in the most ideal place of 50 ha area in Tam Dao Mountain. Guests will find air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer, internet access waiting in each room. 24hr room service, shops, casino, coffee shop, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities, nightclub are some of the extra comforts you'll find at this Tam Dao hotel. Facilities for recreation and leisure available include massage, jacuzzi, kids club, gym, sauna.
Add: Hamlet 2, Tam Dao Town, Vinh Phuc Province,Vietnam
Tel: (84-211) 382 4149 - Fax: (84-211) 382 4268



Mela Hotel – 3.5 stars
 
Guests will find all of the finest amenities in each of the 24 rooms in this popular 3.5-star hotel. Each room includes hair dryer, desk, internet access – wireless, bathtub. Those looking for first-rate sporting and leisure facilities will find garden, massage, steamroom. Guests will find this service-oriented hotel with superb facilities and amenities provides excellent value.
Add: 1 Zone, Tam Dao Town, Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc), Vietnam
Tel: (84-211) 382 4321 - Fax: (84-211) 382 4352



Huong Rung Hotel – 3 stars

Sit back and relax in one of the hotel's 70 guestrooms, all designed with guests' comfort in mind. To make each guest's stay comfortable, all rooms feature internet access – wireless, shower, air conditioning. To make each guests stay more complete, this Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc) hotel offers Wi-Fi in public areas, coffee shop, car park, restaurant. Guests may take advantage of sporting or leisure activities such as tennis courts, massage at this hotel. Convenient location, a dedicated staff and first-rate facilities make this hotel a favorite among travelers. 
Add: Zone 1, Tam Dao Town, Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc), Vietnam
Tel: (84) 1900 585806/ 13/ 14 - Fax: (84-4) 577 1215



Green World Hotel – 3 stars

Whether on business or holiday, each of the 100 rooms at this 3-star property are designed help guests relax in comfort and style. Guests will find satellite/cable TV, air conditioning, internet access – wireless waiting in each room. Guests will enjoy the hotel's excellent facilities and services including laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities, restaurant.
Add: Tam Dao Tourist Area, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam
Tel:  (84-211) 382 4315  - Fax : (84-211) 382 4276 


Tour to Tam Dao

$70, 2 Days / 1 Night

DETAILS ITINERARY 


Day 1: Hanoi - Tay Thien (L/D)
6.00   Going to Tay Thien by bus
7.30   Visiting and praying at Trinh Temple, Trung Temple, Thuong Temple, Mau Temple...
11.30 Having dinner in the restaurant
13.30 Visiting Thien Vien Truc Lam
16.00 Going to Tam Dao (10km far from Tay Thien). Checking in hotel. Having dinner at hotel

Day 2: Tam Dao - Hanoi (B/L) 
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Climbing to Thien Nhi peak, television tower
- Having lunch and taking a rest at the hotel
- Checking out, coming back to Hanoi

Trip Price Included 
- All transportation and transfers
- English speaking guide
- All accommodation based on twin share basis with daily breakfast
- All meals indicated in the itinerary 1 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner (~$4/meal)
- Admission fees and permits

Trip Price Excluded 
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
- Tips and gratuities

Friday, August 19, 2011

Hanoi - Capital of Vietnam

Background


Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. It has an estimated population nearly 6.5 million (2009),  (but only 2.6 million (2009) in urban areas). From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. From 1902 to 1954, it served as the capital of French Indochina. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam.

Hanoi features a warm humid subtropical climate with plentiful precipitation. The city experiences the typical climate of northern Vietnam, where summers are hot and humid, and winters are, by national standards, relatively cool and dry. Summers, lasting from May to September, are hot and humid, receiving the majority of the annual 1,680 millimeters (66.1 in) of rainfall. The winters are short, relatively dry, and mild, while spring can bring light rains.

Hoan Kiem Lake

 

Located in the centre of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake (‘Lake of the Returned Sword) is regarded as the heart of the city. Once a marshy lagoon, it owes its name and its fame to a powerful legend, a close parallel to an episode in the UK’s Arthurian mythology.





West Lake

Ho Tay is the largest of all the lakes in Ha Noi. The lake is on the northwest part of the city. When Ha Noi was still the capital city, the kings from the Ly and Tran dynasty built summer homes along the lake. In the north end of the lake there are several villages famous for their flowers and fruits plantations. Most famous is Nghi Tam village, the birth place of Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, one of Vietnam's premier Poetess.





Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi

The original pagoda was built in the 6th century and is considered the oldest in Vietnam. It was founded on the bank of the Red River by King Ly Nam De who named it Khai Quoc (National Founder). Much later, it was moved to its present site beside Hanoi’s Ho Tay (West) Lake during the reign of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618) and renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence). The current building is the result of major renovations in 1815, but one of its effigies dates back to the early 17th century.




 

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

 

In the centre of Hanoi, a large area is devoted to Ho Chi Minh. The centrepiece is a large mausoleum where his embalmed body lies in a bier inside a glass case. Visitors must join a queue and file through the room without stopping. No photography is allowed, and all personal possessions must be left outside (provision is made for this).

 

Chua Mot Cot (One Pillar Pagoda), Hanoi

 

Chua Mot Cot or the One Pillar Pagoda has become the symbol of Vietnamese rich culture and history. The pagoda was built in the reign of king Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054). According to legend, in his dream, in 1049, the king saw a vision of Phat Ba Quan Am - Kwan Yin. She led him to a shrine in the middle of a lotus pond. When he woke up, he consulted with his court and decided to replicate the shrine in his dream to dedicate it to Kwan Yin. The One Pillar Pagoda resembles a giant lotus blossom.


Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi

Built in the latter part of the ninth century, Van Mieu is one of the oldest universities in the world. Its original purpose was the worship of the sages and saints of Confucianism, but six years later, a National College was established on the site. Initially, it admitted only princes, but soon expanded to admit bright students nationwide.



Hotels in Hanoi


Sofitel Metropole Hanoi - 5 stars

The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi is an award-winning French colonial-style hotel lying in the heart of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent Opera House. Boasting a    classical white façade, green shutters, original wrought iron detail, wood paneling and a lush courtyard lawn, the hotel is one of the region's few remaining hotels of its era.

Add: 15 Ngo Quyen St., - Hanoi - Vietnam


Hanoi InterContinental Hotel - 5 stars

The words luxury, opulence, grandeur and elegance define the best Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel. Intercontinental hotel offers a serene and sumptuous lifestyle to its guests. The prime location, attentive hospitality, exclusive facilities and seamless services of Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake hotel truly make everyone a privileged visitor.

Add: 1A Nghi Tam - Tay Ho District - Hanoi - Vietnam


Sunway Hotel - 4 stars

The Sunway Hotel is located on Pham Dinh Ho street - a quiet location at the fringe of Hanoi's famous old district, within convenient accessibility to downtown commercial houses, a variety of entertainment, shopping opportunities and some of the renowned tourist attractions are close nearby.
The Hoan Kiem lake is merely a 10 minute walk away from Sunway Hotel.

Add: 19 Pham Dinh Ho Street - Hanoi - Vietnam



 
Hanoi Grand View Hotel - 3 stars

Hanoi Grand View Hotel is conveniently located within 3 minutes walk to the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, the old quarters with it's walking streets and colonial architectures. It's 55 tasteful rooms are specially designed for both the leisure and discerning corporate guests alike.

Add: 50 Hang Be - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi - Vietnam



Hoa Binh Palace Hotel - 3 stars

Located at 27 Hang Be Street, the hotel features an accommodation of 40 rooms, two restaurants at 1st floor and 8th floor, and a basement for parking. Designed in traditional French architectural style, the newly- built hotel is both in harmony with its surrounding area and differs itself from other neighboring buildings as well.

Add: 27 Hang Be Street - Hoan Kiem District - Hanoi - Vietnam

Tour - Full day around Hanoi

- 8h00 AM Departure from your Hotel.
- Take the bus to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of - Uncle Ho's final resting-place.
- Visit the One Pillar Pagoda
- Walk to the Quan Thanh Temple and Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West lake
- Lunch.

- PM: Visit the Ethnology Museum, the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university
- Take the bus to Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son temple.
- For the end of the tour journey visit by coach trip along the Hanoi Old Quarter.
- Free for shopping.
- Drop off at your Hotel at around 5h00 PM - 6h00 PM

NOTE: On Monday and Friday morning, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ethnic museums are closed - Bat Trang pottery village will be arranged as substitution.


Inclusive: Transport, Entrance fee, Lunch, English speaking guide, Water Puppet tickets (Applicable to Vip Option).

Exclusive: Drinks, Insurance, Personal expenses, Tip.

Class
1 pax
2-3 pax
4-5 pax
6-8 pax
9-12 pax
Private tour
90
60
45
40
35
Group tour (Normal)
US$ 23/ per person  (Maximum 16 persons)
Group tour (Vip Option)
US$ 30/ per person  (Maximum 16 persons)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Thung Nai - Hoa Binh province


Located on a section of the Da River in Cao Phong District in the northern province of Hoa Binh, Thung Nai, with its hundreds of islands and a large number of Muong ethnic people living in the region, can enchant anyone who sets foot into the land.

Tourists should not miss Ba Chua Thac Bo Temple (Thac Bo Goddesses Temple), which is one of several sightseeing spots in the area.

According to legend, two local ethnic women had supplied food and boats for the troops of King Le Thai To when they defeated foreign invaders in 1431. When the women died, the King praised their services and asked local residents to build a temple to worship them. Since then, boatmen often stop off at the temple to pray for smooth waters and a safe trip.




Visiting the temple, tourists can also witness old Muong ethnic women displaying their farm products to sell to visitors. Their “goods” include the herbal medicines they collect from wild plants the jungle along with fresh and dried bamboo shoots.





Ten minutes by boat from the Goddesses Temple, tourists can get to Thac Bo Cave, which was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national heritage site in 2008. There are different shapes of stalactites inside the 100m-long cave, and each stalactite brings about a specific sound when a visitor beats on it.




Visitor can expand their sightseeing tours by visiting small villages of Muong and Dao ethnic people, or they can ask the boatman to take them to Ngoi Hoa Lake. Located on the top of a mountain, the lake can be seen after an hour’s climb through the green landscape.



The Windmill guest house attracts visitors not only for its nice location, but also for its local specialities, such as fermented fish and grilled and smoked fish, served with ruou can (a home-made rice wine in a jar, drunk with bamboo straws). It offers a package for tourists for a very reasonable price, from VND250,000-300,000 (about US$13). The package includes a bed, three meals and a sightseeing boat.


Tour to Thung Nai
$ 45, 2days / 1night

Day 1 - Ha Noi - Thung Nai

10.30 am :  Arrive in Thung Nai. Get off the car and take a short rest of several minutes before taking a motor-boat to the rest-house ( Coi Say Gio Hostal ) of Ngoc Island.

After a 20-minute motor-boating, you will reach the rest-house of Ngoc Island. Check in hostel then  Relax and prepare for having lunch with local people.

11.30 am: Have lunch . Enjoy some specialties of Hoa Binh such as “Com lam” (sticky rice in bamboo), Can Wine, Thung Nai chicken , Da river fish … and cheer together.

1.45 pm : Start cuising in Da river and doing kayakking

From 4:00 pm to midnight: Take part in some outdoor activities. Then, come back to the hostel  for a night sleep.

Day 2 : Thung Nai - Thac Bo Temple - Local Market - Ha Noi

6:00 am : Wake up to enjoy the fresh air of the Northern mountain area of Vietnam. Then having breakfast.

8:00 am: Travel on motor-boat around the lake of Thung Nai, visit Thac Bo Temple and Thac Bo Cave. Watching the daily life of some ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh Province, drop in Thac Bo Market.

11:00 am: Come back to the rest-house, have lunch and take rest.

2:00 pm: Prepare and getting back to Hanoi.

4.30 pm : Arrive in Ha Noi, end the tour.

INCLUDED :  
+ Meals in tour
+ Entrance fees, kayaking
+ 01 night in homestay
+ English speaking guide
+ Bus, cruise boat