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

Danang

Background

Danang City is located in middle of Central Vietnam, between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, separated from Laos by the western Truong Son Mountains. It is surrounded by Thua Thien-Hue along the northern border and Quang Nam on the southern border. It is embraced by the East Sea with 150km of seacoast.

The city’s weather bears the combination of the north and the south climate characters with the inclination to the former. There are two seasons: the wet from August to December and the dry season from January to July, cold waves are occasional but they are of average and short lasting.

Founded in 1915 by the École Française d'Extrême Orient, Cham Museum houses a collection of stone sculptures from the Hindu-practicing Cham civilization, which occupied much of central Vietnam in the first millennium C.E. through about the 14th century.

The Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) are 9km south of Da Nang. The group includes Kim Son (Mountain of Wood), Thuy Son (Mountain of Water), Hoa Son (Mountain of Fire), and Tho Son (Mountain of Earth). Several Buddhist temples have been built into the caves and grottoes, and it's a popular pilgrimage site.

Ba Na - Chua Mount is located in Hoa Vang District, 30km from the centre of Da Nang City. The mountain, which stands at the altitude of 1,487m above sea-level, has an average annual temperature that varies between 17 and 200C (62.6-68°F).

Each of the four seasons appears within a single day in Ba Na: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter at night. One particular characteristic is that the clouds are at the mid-height of the mountain, so the peaks are always clear. Ba Na also possesses very beautiful forests with green pine hills. 

Linh Ung Pagoda was built facing the sea on the cliff of Thuy Son Mountain under the reign of King Minh Mang. It was rebuilt in 1970 with contributions from Buddhist followers. The pagoda houses a set of white stone statue. On the right of the pagoda is Vong Hai Dai (sea-viewing pavilion), which offers a clear view of Non Nuoc Beach. 

Non Nuoc Beach in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, is a green bow embracing the foot of Ngu Hanh Son Mountain. The white-sand beach stretches 5km long, bordering Dien Ngoc sea in the south and Bac My An sea in the north. 

Hotels in Danang

Furama Resort - 5 stars

The 198 guest rooms and suites occupy two four-storey wings overlooking the ocean on one side and a freshwater swimming lagoon and manicured tropical gardens on the others.

The main lobby, function rooms, restaurants, bars and service areas occupy several two and three-storey pavilions surrounding a spacious courtyard.

Add: 68 Ho Xuan Huong Street, Bac My An Beach, Danang, Vietnam

Fusion Maia Resort - 5 stars

Located on the My Khe Beach, only 10 minutes from Da Nang centre, 20 minutes from the world’s heritage town Hoi An and 15 minutes from the airport, Fusion Maia boasts the largest spa of central Vietnam. It offers three staying options: pool suites, spa villas, and beach villas, each coming with its own private pool and courtyard garden, modern appliances.

Add: Truong Sa Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Bac My An Beach, Danang, Vietnam

 

 

Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort - 4 stars

Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Da Nang is located on 17 hectares of private garden fronting Non Nuoc Beach of the East Sea. This Da Nang property has its very own private beach. It features a full-service spa, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, and a steam room, offers 118 guestrooms. Rooms feature ocean or garden views.

Add: 255 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Danang, Non Nuoc Beach / Marble Mountain, Danang, Vietnam

 

 

Royal Hotel Danang - 3 stars

Royal is the superior and  luxury hotel located at the Trading Centre of Da Nang city – the city in  Quang Land of the Central with high prospect and  is renovating more and more and developing strongly. It includes 56 rooms and 4 superior apartments furnished fully modern equipments such as: massage - spa, restaurant, dancing hall, karaoke, conference hall … that is high appreciated in Danang City.

Add: 17 Quang Trung Street, Hai Chau District, Danang, Vietnam

 

Tour from Hanoi to Danang

$250, 3 Days / 2 Nights

Day 1: Hanoi – Danang (L, D)
- Take the short flight to Danang
- Check in, have lunch
- Take a bus to visit Ba Na - Chua Mount, Linh Ung pagoda, Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son)
- Have dinner

Day 2: Danang - Hoi An - Danang (B, L, D)
- Have breakfast

- Transfer to Hoi An
- Take a walking tour of Hoi An, visit Hoi An colorful local market

- Back to Danang

- Have dinner

Day3: Danang - Hanoi (B, L)
- Breakfast, lunch

- Leisure time until transferring to the airport for your flight.

Cat Ba

Background



Cat Ba Island is situated a mere 50 km east of Hai Phong city in the north of Vietnam. Cat Ba Island is part of a chain of 366 islands that lie within the larger area of Halong Bay. At over 200km2, Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay. The island is easily accessible and matches neighbouring Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay for stunning natural beauty. It also offers visitors the added options of relaxation, adventure and cultural exchange. In April 2005, Cat Ba was officially recognized as Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.



Cat Ba is known for its rugged limestone mountains, hot and cold springs, moist tropical forests, mangrove forest , coral reefs as well as its deserted beaches, and casual island lifestyle. Cat Ba is now much sought after by both domestic and international visitors as a ready alternative to the city madness and bus tour boredom.

Monkey island is a private island located 2 miles from Cat Ba town. The beach here is one of the most beautiful beach in Cat Ba Island. The sea water is so clean and emeraud, the climate here is wonderful and nature are so beautiful. The island apparently has monkeys, but only a few around the accomodation were in evidence. Be aware that these animals are used to getting their food from either the guests or the bins, and therefore are not afraid of humans, so they might cause a problem.

Cat Ba National Park is situated in Cat Ba Island and on several smaller islands nearby. The park currently comprises 98km2 of total land area, 54km2 of inshore waters. The National Park was Vietnam’s first national park to included both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It is recognized nationally and internationally for its importance in biodiversity conservation, as it contains many different types of ecosystem and habitat. The Park has a great variety of plant and animal species.

Lan Ha Bay is located in the Southeast of Cat Ba Island, looking out of Van sea mouth, connecting with Ha Long Bay. Its area is 7000ha, of which 5400ha are managed by Cat Ba National Park. The limestone mountain density is here crowded, neglected and devised sea face into little bays, gulfs of which many little bays, gulfs, and caves are still not discovered yet. Lan Ha Bay consist of 139 small and clean sand banks of which lots of them lying in the middle of 2 mountains are sloping, long and quiet without rough waves, they are actually beautiful bathing beaches.

Lan Ha Bay is a lovely place for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and rock climbing.

Hotels in Cat Ba

Cat Ba island Resort & Spa - 4 stars

The Cat Ba island Resort and Spa features 109 spacious and well appointed rooms, it also categorize accommodation such as Superior, Deluxe Beach, Deluxe Paradise, Family Suite, Garden Suite and President Suite, all are offering a comprehensive range of guest facilities and services, all with individual bay view balconies, 5 star amenities, multi-channel TV, and a mini bar.

Add: Cat Co 1, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, Vietnam

Sunrise Resort Cat Ba - 3 stars

Sunrise Resort is a secluded island paradise resort surrounded by Black Mountain, pure White Sand, and Aqua-Blue Water located at the Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City, Viet Nam. With 8000m prime private beachfront the Sunrise Resort in Catba Island offers a relaxing retreat for business and leisure travelers. The untamed exotic environment, lush garden of botanical flora and fauna of Cat Ba national park, World heritage Halong bay and lovely fishing villages near by would make your day trip a truly experience. First time and forever lasting memories about Cat Ba island vacation holiday and service of Sunrise Cat Ba resort will be essential part.

Add: Cat Co 3 Beach, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, Vietnam


Princes Hotel Cat Ba - 3 stars

Princes Hotel are being located at the touristy center of Cat Ba town, the Princes Hotel is attractive with convenient location and beautiful architecture. Princes hotel in Cat Ba Island comprise 50 pretty decent bedrooms, each rooms are carefully design and equipped full international standard equipments from foyer to every single corner of accommodations plus with very care room service very day and well hospitable training staff, that all would guarantee peaceful stay in comfortable with Princes hotel Cat Ba.

Add: Nui Ngoc Road, Cat Ba Island

Tour from Hanoi to Cat Ba

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (L, D)
- Depart for Halong in 3 hours and a half (have a short break of 30 minutes in Hai Duong province).
- Arrive Halong bay, get on the Junk, have lunch in the restaurant on Junk.
- Cruise on the bay, visit Sung Sot cave, do kayaking through Luon cave then swim in the bay.
- Have dinner and stay overnight on deluxe Junk.

Day 2: Cat Ba national park – MonkeyIsland Resort (B, L, D)
- Have buffet breakfast, enjoy a sunrise cruise in the breathtaking scenery of Halong.

- Cruise to Gia Luan Ferry, go to Cat ba National Park by bus.

- Ride bicycle or  trek to discover the wild beauty of Cat Ba national park.
- Travel to Beo Harbour by bus and get on boat for Monkey Island, have lunch in restaurant of Monkey Island Resort,  kayak and swim, play football, volley ball...

- Evening: have BBQ dinner, drink and listen to music in Monkey Island Restaurant, relax by walking or lying on the beach.

- Sleep in Bungalow in comfortable room with air condition.

Day3: Monkey Island – Kayaking Lan Ha bay (B, L, D)
- Have breakfast, enjoy a sunrise cruise in the breathtaking scenery of Monkey Island beach.
- Travel to Lan Ha bay by boat, visit Van Gia floating village, floating school for children... then boat take you to the most beautiful area of Lan Ha bay, do kayaking at “ bright cave & dark cave” where you find the spectacular beauty of the numerous islands and the Lan Ha bay.
- Have lunch with sea food on boat.
- Go back to Monkey Island Resort, then you are free to swim at MonkeyIsland beach, do kayaking…
- Have dinner in the Monkey restaurant, then free evening.

- Sleep in Monkey Island Resort or in hotel in Cat Ba town.

Day 4: Cat Ba – Halong – Hanoi ( B, L)
- Check out the room, the boat will transfer you to Cat ba town, and you have 30 minutes to discover the small town of Catba island.

- Go to Gia Luan pier by bus and get on boat back to HalongBay in another way - through amazing islets amdmire dramatic natural scenery, take photos of  Fighting Cock Islet, Cho Da Islet, Dinh Lu Huong Islet, FishingVillage…
- Arrive Ha Long wharf and have lunch.
- Bus back to Hanoi.
- Arrive Hanoi. End services.

 

Tour Standard	Number of passenger	Price per pax
Superior room in Monkey Island Resort	max 16	$185
Deluxe room in Monkey Island Resort	max 16	$215

TOUR INCLUDE:
+ A/C mini bus
+ English speaking guide
+ Entrance fee, kayaking
+ Sleep on junk, 3*** hotel and Monkey Island Resort
+ Meals on the tour
+ Cruise boat in Halong bay. Boat to cruise Lan Ha bayTour standard