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Are you a beach bum or an adventure lover? It does not matter that you are interested in a relaxing trip, a cultural trip or an adventurous one, Vietnam has it all. Owing to gorgeous natural landscapes, paradise beaches, dynamic cities and unique culture, Vietnam can offer you a vacation with various possibilities.

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Hanoi Parks – The Capital’s Humidity Shelter

Hanoi Parks – The Capital’s Humidity Shelter

For Vietnam, life is best lived outside. The nationwide culture of street-level activity, be it buying, selling, playing, conversing, transporting, or exercising, is one that lends itself to a much more open and social environment than many other countries. For Hanoi’s population of about 8 million, plenty of space is needed to conduct themselves outdoors, and a hive of activity can normally be seen at Hanoi parks around the city, usually at sunrise and sunset and all day on weekends.[incredible_toc] The range of ages at parks in Hanoi spans the gamut, with heavily sun-protected toddlers sharing walking paths with their equally well-protected great-grandmothers. These parks are used largely for exercise and to escape the heat of Hanoi’s three hot seasons, with many being created by the French who struggled to cope with the change in climate during their colonial period. Here are the top 5 places to beat the heat at Hanoi’s parks. Red River Park 1. Reunification Park – Cong Vien Thong Nhat One of the largest of all of Hanoi’s parks is also one of its most splendid. Reunification Park features a large, central lake with a couple of islands and a vast walking path around the outside. The park is just a walk or short bike ride away from Hoan Kiem Lake, but it provides a good opportunity to get off the bustle of the Hanoi Old Quarter and into the wide tree-lined avenues of the French Quarter.  Depending on the time of day, a walk around the lake’s perimeter will either see you meandering slowly on your own or edging along the side to avoid the many joggers who exercise here. Exercise takes a high priority in Vietnamese culture and you can see old men outpacing teenagers when on their sunset jog around Hanoi’s parks. Reunification Park is a consistently popular destination for joggers, but also for families and couples who come for the weekend of clothing and food market stalls that lead from the entrance to the top of the lake. A small train track runs adjacent to the walking path; the miniature train that runs on it is a popular activity for kids. Families also enjoy the swan boat rides on the lake and the wealth of shaded shops that operate around the water. It’s hard to beat a cold coconut on a humid Hanoi day! Reunification Park 2. Lenin Park – Cong Vien Lenin Confusingly, Reunification Park is often referred to as Lenin Park because of the statue of Lenin on one of the islands there. There is, in fact, another Lenin Park opposite the Flag Tower of Hanoi and the Military History Museum, this one featuring a very prominent Lenin statue at its center. Lenin Park is very small compared to other Hanoi parks but is a very popular one for tourists and locals alike. Similarly to other parks in Hanoi, exercise activities can start before sunrise, and tourists wandering around after a night out are often amazed by the Vietnamese commitment to early morning tai chi sessions and dance classes. Within the space of about an hour, Lenin Park goes from a tranquil tai chi spot to a hub of exercising activity, with the morning motorbike rush punctuating the peace of the park on its three sides. In the evening, the park becomes abuzz with families playing badminton, children in little remote-controlled cars, teenagers practicing their skateboarding, old men jogging around the perimeter and tourists taking pictures of it all with the backdrop of the iconic Hanoi Flag Tower. Lenin Park 3. Botanical Gardens – Cong Vien Bach Thao Situated just behind Ba Dinh Square and the Presidential Palace, the Botanical Gardens are a great place to get away from the sometimes debilitating humidity. Hundreds of tall trees cast shade throughout a lot of the park, as was the idea of the original French creators. Banyan, coconut, and palm trees tower above the walking paths that encircle two lakes and several indigenous and imported plants flank the outsides. Hanoi parks are usually a good mixture of French organizations and Vietnamese applications. There are wide, open spaces throughout the Botanical Gardens that are used for football, evening dance classes, kickboxing lessons, exercise, karaoke, or a game of Vietnamese Da Cau – a skillful shuttlecock kicking game that features in all parks in Hanoi and also throughout the country. While the lakes are too small for the usually ubiquitous swan boats, there are many interesting facets to the park including a small island with homes for pigeons, a full outdoor gym, many art pieces, and several enclosures for animals such as peacocks and monkeys. Botanical Garden 4. Peace Park – Cong Vien Hoa Binh The theme of peace runs throughout a few of Hanoi’s parks. Reunification Park was built to honor the amalgamation of South and North Vietnam, while Peace Park features references to reconciliation throughout. Visitors are greeted by a giant crane, an international symbol for peace, while at the back of the park stands a tall statue of a woman holding a row of doves above her head. As far as green places go, there aren’t many here. Peace Park feels like a very manufactured, but very well-planned park, with vast areas of the tiled floor being put to use by couples and families who rent rollerblades from the park entrance. Skating and of course, jogging are popular here, and the three lakes are vast enough to jump into a swan boat and pedal out into the middle for fishing.  Peace Park is probably the furthest park away from the Old Quarter but the clean atmosphere, coupled with the fact that it is never busy, means that it is worth the bus or motorbike trip. Peace Park 5. Red River Park – Bai Da Vuon Hoa Song Hong Located just on the banks of the Red River, this park in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district is a hidden gem, one that almost no tourists will have heard about. Down a few dusty, largely unmarked roads you will find a wide, unshaded park full of life, whether it’s among the flowerbeds or on the huge grassy field. This park belongs to a very small group of Hanoi parks that feature enough space to play full-team sports as well as host picnics on its soft lawn.Red River Park Adults tend to leave their kids (with a supervisor) at the impressive playground while they meander around the park and take romantic-looking selfies in front of the vast fields of flowers. Whole days out in Vietnam can center around the taking of selfies in various positions, and other Hanoi parks and attractions cater to this cultural need too. However, the choice of the backdrop at Red River Park in particular is pretty diverse, with many windmills, cars, and little houses built to create the perfect selfie background.

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Thien Cung Cave

Thien Cung Cave

There are numerous incredible places to visit in Halong Bay. One of the most interesting and legend-filled caves to explore in Halong Bay is the unique winding pathway through the "Heavenly Palace," Thien Cung Cave.[incredible_toc]1. What is Thien Cung Cave? Continuing the form of naming Halong Bay caves in dramatic fashion, Thien Cung Cave translates to Heaven Palace Cave for its mythical purpose of housing the Dragon King. After its initial discovery, the cave was lost for years amongst overgrown jungle, eventually proving heavenly again as it provided sanctuary for a French fishing vessel caught during a storm in 1993. This Heaven Palace Cave was opened for tourism shortly after this and is now one of the most well-known caves in Halong Bay. 2. What is the story of Thien Cung Cave? Every rock has an imaginative story behind it throughout the Halong Bay caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Me Cung Cave, or Luon Cave and Thien Cung Cave is no different. According to legend, the Dragon King married his human wife, May, here in a ceremony lasting a rather self-indulgent seven days. This was presumably followed by a lifetime of insomnia as the newlyweds decided to raise 100 half-dragon, half-human children in their new house, mass-bathing them in the inner ponds of the cave. This devotion to their kids would be the end of them eventually, as May left Thien Cung Cave with 50 of the kids to discover new lands, while the Dragon King stayed with the other 50 to better improve the lives of people in Halong Bay. The selfless act earned the Dragon King and his kids an honourable petrification in the cave, and now many stalactites and stalagmites are said to resemble the 50 children and their father who stayed behind. Halong Bay Panorama 3. What can you see in Thien Cung Cave Thien Cung Cave really does have a special place among the Halong Bay caves. Its rediscovery was widely celebrated and work to engage tourism in the cave began quickly. The overgrown entrance to the cave was cut away and a walkway was built, meaning visitors now enter through a narrow gap in the rock; the proverbial eye of a needle; to enter Heaven. Various colored lights were installed around this Heaven Palace Cave to emphasize the curves and contours of the rocks, while also providing a beautiful atmosphere of the kind you might find in Heaven. It took tens of thousands of years for Mother Nature to craft the beautifully shaped rocks into ones depicting the Dragon King’s children and the whimsical guests at his wedding. This included other dragons, baby elephants, pythons, eagles, and dancing lions, all of whom apparently got on just fine with each other for the whole week-long ceremony. The most impressive rock formations are the four pillars, the floor-to-ceiling towers that hold up the roof of Heaven in the Dragon King’s imperial home. This is close to a trio of stunning reflective ponds in the final chamber, where if you listen closely, you might hear the beating sound of a royal drum. This is what happens when the wind blows through small gaps in the rock, contributing to the overall otherworldly atmosphere. Thien Cung Cave 4. Where Is Thien Cung Cave? Thien Cung Cave’s location just 4km from the pier means that it is one of the closest caves to the mainland and also one of the most accessible. This is the reason why Halong Bay day trips favour it and why it features so heavily on itineraries that allow for 4 on the bay.  Halong Bay day tripThe Halong Bay day trip offered by Incredible Asia Journeys is a great way to see the majesty of this beautiful Cave. Contact us now to get the best offers and hot deals!

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Luon Cave - The Picture of Paradise

Luon Cave - The Picture of Paradise

Luon Cave is an amazing spot in Halong Bay! If you're planning a kayaking adventure in Halong Bay, you should check out Luon Cave. It's perfect for a 2-day, 1-night, or even a 3-day, 2-night kayaking trip. The cave is a favorite among travelers because of its beautiful lagoon, tranquility, and the peaceful escape it offers from the hustle and bustle of the larger cruises outside the lagoon.[incredible_toc]1. What is Luon Cave?Translating to ‘Tunnel Cave’, Luon Cave sits about one kilometer away from the Amazing Cave in the center of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay. Luon Cave is one of the most spectacular wet caves in all of Halong Bay, meaning that it is only accessible by kayak or local sampan boat. The actual ‘cave’ bit of Luon Cave is only about 60 meters long, opening with one mouth onto the ocean and the other end onto a glorious grotto, enclosed with high rock walls dressed with verdant trees.Panorama of Luon Cave2. What do I do at Luon Cave?Being one of the most beautiful Halong Bay Caves, the natural splendor of Luon Cave and the environment around it gives it an amazingly tranquil atmosphere, one in which visitors to the cave love to unwind. The mouth of the cave looks almost man-made; cut out of a perfectly flat piece of rock, with several interesting rock formations almost dripping into the water from the cave ceiling above.It is not so much the ‘tunnel’ part of Tunnel Cave that makes it a popular destination, but the open-air grotto that serves as its garden. 60 meters from the sea, Luon Cave opens up spectacularly into a picture of pure serenity. Jutting limestone walls enclose the magical area, where Benjamin fig trees, banyan trees, and orchids cling to the steeped and sheer mountain faces, with emerald water reflecting the color of the greenery around it.Impressive kites and colorful kingfishers can be seen nesting in the trees high above, while some mischievous monkeys make their home here, swinging between the dangerous branches in search of fruit.Luon Cave can only be explored by kayak and sampan boat during Halong Bay cruises. Although it is one of the more popular Halong Bay caves, the absence of big ships adds to the wonderful quietness of the cave and helps it retain its whimsical aura. Kayaking in Luon Cave3. What is the history of Luon Cave?Fossils found in Luon Cave affirmed its habitation by humans thousands of years ago; freshwater snail fossils indicate that they were farmed in small quantities by the original humans living in this area. Halong Bay’s caves were a good spot for habitation because of the shelter and cool air that they provided. Luon Cave, in particular, has a rich food supply within its brackish waters, with prawns, squid, cuttlefish, and snails flourishing, along with several varieties of birds attracted by the abundance of small fruits. 4. What tours visit Luon Cave?Cruise in Ha Long BayMany Halong Bay tours feature Luon Cave as an excursion in their itineraries. Tour operators like Syrena Cruise, Indochina Sails, and Aphrodite Cruise feature the cave visit in their Halong Bay 3-night 2-day cruise as well as their Halong Bay overnight cruise. An exploration of this cave usually lasts about one hour and is held on the morning of the third day, often your last activity before you re-board your cruise ship and head back to the harbor for your transfer to Hanoi.

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Kayaking in Halong Bay

Kayaking in Halong Bay

With all the tranquillity on offer when cruising around Halong Bay in the shadows of the vast, limestone mountains, the thought of shunning all of the activities and remaining on your junk boat just might cross your mind. Let's explore more about cruising and kayaking in Halong Bay![incredible_toc]Some tourists do indeed come exclusively for the cruise and prefer to unwind onboard rather than engage in any activities. This is fine, of course, the time is your own, but activities like cave exploration, expeditions to farms and villages, swimming and, especially kayaking in Halong Bay are strategically organised throughout your itinerary to maximise your enjoyment of the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.Panorama of Ha Long Bay1. How do I kayak in Halong Bay?Most tour companies have cruise ships fitted with racks of kayaks and oars. It is very rare to find a tour without a kayaking excursion, even on the shorter Halong Bay day trips where you get about 4 hours on the bay. The crew will explain the simple techniques for kayaking and show you exactly the area in which you should be doing it. Kayaking in Halong Bay comes with a few mild cautions, so make sure you listen to your tour guide:• Holding the oar the right way might seem like a no-brainer, but many people grasp it with hands too close together or too far apart. Your hands should be just over shoulder-width apart and the concave part of the oar should be facing backwards.• Don’t be afraid to use some force – the best kayaking trips are the ones you come back from with aching arms!• The initial confusion of steering left by using the right side of the oar and vice versa can be a little frustrating at first, but you will get the hang of it after a few minutes.• Avoid cave entrances as the water here usually has a strong current that is capable of drawing you in if you get too close.• Keep a good distance between other kayaks to avoid unnecessary collisions.• Wear the life vest provided at all times.2. Where are the best places for kayaking in Halong Bay?The openness of the region means that there is virtually no end to the great number of spots for kayaking in Halong Bay. You’ll have to abide by the strict tourism routes that the Halong Bay authorities enforce to protect the bay, but there are still a great number of places where tours stop to kayak. Here are just a few:2.1. Vung Vieng Fishing VillageWhile some tourists opt for a relaxing bamboo boat ride around the tiny, colourful floating village of Vung Vieng, kayaking while requiring more effort, offers you much more freedom. The surrounding mountains and a nearby rainbow arch that opens up into a beautiful wide expanse are some of the things to see around here.Vung Vieng Fishing Village2.2. Luon CaveAnother outstanding area to go kayaking in Halong Bay is Luon Cave. Luon Cave features a short tunnel that opens up into a stunning enclosed grotto with emerald waters, reflecting the colour of the tree-topped mountain walls. The open-air nature of the Luon Cave offers a very quiet, soothing atmosphere, one that should not be missed.Luon Cave2.3. Cap La IslandAccording to some Halong Bay reviews, a great alternative to kayaking in the sometimes rather tourist-heavy Vung Vieng is Cap La Island. This area is in one of Halong Bay’s sister bays, Bai Tu Long Bay, which contains the small fishing village of Cap La along with the same amazing island scenery as Halong Bay.Cap La Island2.4. Dark & Bright CaveIf it’s a more adventurous kayaking trip that you want then perhaps opt for a tour that ventures to the Bright and Dark Cave in Halong’s other sister bay, Lan Ha Bay. A kayaking expedition here involves rowing through a long, pitch-black cave that requires a head torch, before rowing through a shorter, brighter cave into an enclosed grotto that resembles the one at Luon Cave. Again, this is the less touristy alternative to kayaking in Halong Bay. Check out Lan Ha Bay 2 Day 1 Night Cruise to add Dark & Bright Cave to your bucket list!Dark & Bright Cave3. What should I bring for kayaking in Halong Bay?It might seem obvious but water sports like kayaking can result in you getting mildly wet, yet a lot of people neglect to think of this when they pack their phone, wallet and camera on the floor of the kayak next to their feet. Water quite easily runs down the oar when it’s lifted out of the water and a small pool will usually settle around your feet. This is really not a problem as long as you leave your valuables on the cruise.Suncream and Sunglasses are highly recommended in most seasons, especially around midday when the heat is on and there are very few shadows in which to seek refuge.A strong rowing buddy is probably the best accompaniment when kayaking in Halong Bay as they can really help you nip around the various islands and grottoes. Children under 5 are not recommended to paddle but are welcome to sit in the boat and soak in the views. 4. Which tour should I choose for kayaking in Halong Bay?The vast majority of tours offer kayaking as an excursion so really you can opt for any. The areas where these tours operate their kayaking differ though, so if you want to go to a specific cave or fishing village mentioned above then search for that place before booking.Incredible Asia Journeys goes to the beautiful Ba Hang Fishing Village on our Halong Bay day trip, while many other companies that offer overnight tours go to a variety of other places. If you’re really into kayaking you can book a specialised tour where kayaking in Halong Bay is prioritised, offering visits to several different areas over the course of three days, such as the one offered by travel Vietnam.V'spirit CruiseTo know more about what is special about Halong Bay, drop us a request to book now your Halong Bay boat trip to discover it by hand!

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Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave

In this blog, Incredible Asia Journeys will provide detailed information about Sung Sot Cave, one of the most famous caves in Halong Bay and unmissable on any Halong Bay cruise tour![incredible_toc]1. What is Sung Sot Cave? Visitors to Sung Sot Cave in the centre of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay are always guessing how it got its name. Hang Sung Sot translates to ‘Amazing Cave’ or ‘Surprise Cave’ (which share the same translation in Vietnamese) because of its French discoverer who exclaimed “Grotto des Surprises” when walking around the inside for the first time. Halong Bay Panorama 2. Where is Sung Sot Cave? Sung Sot Cave shares its home island of Bo Hon with another cave, Hang Trinh Nu. The entrance to the cave requires a 20-meter walk up some steps and through a tunnel of trees, but the moment you arrive, you will be provided with free air-conditioning courtesy of Sung Sot Cave’s system of recycled cool air.  Surprising Cave / "Sung Sot" Cave 3. What do you do in Sung Sot Cave? The Amazing Cave is split into two chambers; the first one is known as the ‘Waiting Room’ and the second is referred to as the ‘Serene Castle’. The Waiting Room features smooth walls and many stalactites hanging from its high ceiling, illuminated by colourful lights that add to the magical atmosphere of the grotto. Walking through the narrow passage to Serene Castle, Sung Sot Cave opens up with a flood of light entering through a hole serving as the exit. Here we can find very interesting rock formations originating from tens of thousands of years ago that are now referred to as the things that they (sort of) resemble. If you squint (quite hard) you can make out many animals such as a bear, dragon, elephant and a climbing monkey, with other depictions like kissing couples and Happy Buddhas strewn throughout. Surprising Cave/ "Sung Sot" Cave As with most areas of Halong Bay, Sung Sot Cave comes with a whimsical backstory. Next to the entrance to the Serene Castle is a horse-shaped rock with an accompanying sword-shaped rock, said to be the petrified possessions of Saint Giong who protected the local residents by having elaborate battles with invading demons within the cave walls. Visitors exit Sung Sot Cave through the ‘Royal Garden’, an outside area of banyan trees, birds and occasionally monkeys that gives a great view over the Halong Bay landscape. Passengers will re-board their cruises after walking down the steps and along a romantic wooden walkway attached to the outside of the island.  Many cruises in Halong Bay give you a chance to discover Amazing Cave. Here are some of them:  V'spirit Cruise, LaFairy Cruise, Hera Cruise,  Indochina Sails, Bhaya Classic Cruise, and Carina Cruise. 4. What is the History of Sung Sot Cave? Historians believe the history of the Amazing Cave dates back about 470 - 520 million years ago when intense tectonic plate shifting in the Halong Bay area created vast limestone mountains, large parts of which were eroded by long periods of heavy rain followed by extreme heat.  In the period between 67,000 BC and 9,000 BC, water seeping through gaps in the limestone mountains created its vast caves. Amazing Cave is one of Halong Bay’s largest caves and its stalactites and stalagmites are the results of tens of thousands of years of gradual dripping. 5. How do I visit Sung Sot Cave? The cave is situated in the centre of Halong Bay and is a usual stop-off on any itinerary in the region. You can visit Amazing Cave on most long day cruises (the kind that gives you 6 hours on the bay rather than 4) and a lot of Halong Bay 3 days 2 nights or Halong Bay overnight itineraries feature Sung Sot Cave as a highlight.You can also like other blogs about other destinations you can explore in Halong Bay cruise tours:Ba Trai Dao BeachMe Cung CaveTitop CaveThien Canh Son

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Bac Ha Market

Bac Ha Market

It’s the sights, smells and sounds that will hit you first upon arriving at Bac Ha Market. The weekly Sunday market is a sprawled mass of vibrant, clashing colours located about 70km east of the mountain hub of Sapa Town. The vendors at Bac Ha Market are all classed as members of ethnic minorities in Vietnam and while there are 54 ethnic groups throughout the country, only a handful visit this particular Vietnamese hill tribe market. [incredible_toc]The H’mong are by far the largest hill tribe in attendance and the market is a great opportunity for the many people from each H’mong sub-category (Red H’mong, Black H’mong, Green H’mong, Blue H’mong, White H’Mong and Flower H’mong – depending on the colour of the clothes they wear) to sell their wares between each other and to tourists. Many companies offer Sapa Tours From Hanoi and then Sapa to Bac Ha Market, but there is also the option of a couple of local buses or an adventurous motorbike ride through the stunning mountain scenery. If you opt for the latter, you might want to start early in the morning to save time. People of the Hmong hill tribe don’t have the same luxury transport, so they start out VERY early in the morning at around 4 am, carrying their wares on their shoulders for the 20 or 30-kilometer trek to Bac Ha Market. Tribes further away than this put in some serious effort, with some leaving on Saturday afternoon in order to make it to Bac Ha by Sunday morning. Bac Ha Market 1. Bac Ha Market - A Local Festival This level of dedication for a market might seem a little excessive, but to the H’mong, Bac Ha Market is more than a place to buy and sell wares. After a week of arduous farmwork or housework in their villages, Bac Ha becomes a place where local villagers can let their hair down with a day of festivities and drinking. The Vietnamese hill tribe clothes that the H’mong and other tribes sell at Bac Ha Market are not the ones that they wear all the time, as the elaborate, beautiful patterns go to waste when the only eyes on you for most of the day belong to a herd of buffalo. Bac Ha is awash with the colours of different traditional H’mong clothing every Sunday, as a festival atmosphere descends on the place and women dress up to vie for the best outfit on a show. Men, in comparison, meet friends and family that they only see once a week, traditionally getting drunk off rice wine and going home strapped onto a horse for safety. The weekly occasions of Bac Ha Market mean that families save money all week and go on a bit of a spree, buying necessary items as well as some treats for the kids. There is a stigma that the market is a bit of a tourist trap, but in fact, it is an essential business and social outlet for the Vietnamese hill tribes who run it. Bac Ha Market Festival 2. Best Bac Ha Market and Sapa Tours To help you get a closer look at the beauty of Bac Ha Market and Sapa, Incredible Asia Journeys highly recommends our 5 best tours to Sapa. With many interesting things to discover with Sapa and Bac Ha Market tours, you may get more memorable trips than ever before in the northern area of Vietnam.Please click on the name of the tours to see the detailed information you need to know to have a wonderful trip!Sapa Trekking & Bac Ha MarketSapa Trekking Tour with TrainSapa Cycling & Trekking TourSapa Trekking Tour with BusSapa Cycling Tour With HomestayBest North Vietnam With Sapa Tour 3. What to Buy at Bac Ha Market? The range of choice is staggering and most tourists walk around for an hour at least before diving into the haggling. The section that draws the most attention is the one selling Vietnamese ethnic minority clothes, and justifiably so. The eye-catching rainbow of textiles on display is immense and any item of Vietnamese hill tribe clothing makes a great souvenir for anyone back home. There’s also the livestock section if you feel like investing in a horse, buffalo or pig, while tools, simple electronics, art, pottery, handicrafts, Vietnamese textiles, jewellery, and handbags are sold at some of the other stalls around. Food is an immensely popular priority for tourists at Bac Ha Market as the variety is large and very exotic. This is also the case for members of the visiting hill tribes, who don’t get much of a chance to try other food outside of their village. Dog Market in Bac Ha 4. Get yourself a bargain in Bac Ha Market The answer to the question of what to buy at Bac Ha Market is really dependent on your haggling skills. If you’re good, you’ll be leaving with more stuff, and although some stalls have signs saying that their merchandise is fixed price, bargaining is still the usual way to do business among the H’mong people. If you have a tour guide then they can help you translate, but if you’re going solo then just remember to shop around first as there are many stalls selling the same product. Be confident when haggling for a price and don’t feel pressured to buy anything when you’re crowded by 4 dazzlingly dressed ladies shouting numbers at you. "Dat qua" (“dat kwar”) is a good phrase to use, meaning ‘too expensive’, as well as ối giời ơi (“oi zoi oi”), meaning ‘oh my God’; this should brighten up the vendors’ day and you might get a slice off the price. 5. Dos and Don’ts of Bac Ha Market - Remember that Bac Ha Market was not created for Westerners to leer at ethnic minority tribes nor should it be today. - Give the locals space as they go about their business and show respect by giving and receiving money with both hands. - You will probably be taking thousands of photos of all the Vietnamese hill tribe clothes so remember to ask for permission before snapping pictures of people’s faces. - Don’t ignore people who try to sell you their wares, just politely decline and move on. - Remember that the value of a dollar between you and a member of a Vietnamese hill tribe is wildly different. - Haggling is good, but be lenient; a dollar more for a souvenir would make no difference to you but would help the vendor provide a lot more food for their family. 6. What to bring to Bac Ha Market? Bac Ha Market, Sapa is largely outdoors and covers a vast area, so comfortable shoes and an umbrella for the rain or sun are good ideas. There are so many exciting photo opportunities at Bac Ha; from the artisan stitching on the Vietnamese ethnic minority clothing to babies, puppies and truly bizarre bits of ware; bringing a camera is a must. Plenty of disposable cash would be great as you have no idea how much you will buy beforehand. Remember to bring many bills of different denominations unless you want to hear the universal groan when you try to pay for a 25,000 VND bowl of pho with a 500,000 VND note. Prepare essential things to explore Bac Ha Market  7. Where to stay at Bac Ha Market? For anyone wanting to stay overnight on Saturday to get the most amount of time out of Bac Ha Market, you can book a hotel or homestay in Bac Ha Town. There are a good number of homestays around the town and these are a great way to get a cheap room with friendly service, coming with free inside information from a local. This is a very small town and besides a quick look around the old palace and temple, there’s not too to do, so try to arrive fairly late on Saturday if this is where you want to stay. Sapa Town is the usual place to stay and the options for accommodation there are practically endless.  Homestay in Bac Ha Market

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The weather in Halong Bay in May

The weather in Halong Bay in May

There is a tendency from tourists to assume that Vietnam is one perennial summer, punctuated by rain but not by any snaps of cold. Days here can be stifling, and nights a sweaty struggle to find the aircon remote in the mass of crumpled bedding. The South in particular deals with higher temperatures and less variety than the North because of its proximity to the equator. However, this is not true of all of the country.[incredible_toc]Halong Bay could almost not be further away than Ho Chi Minh City, which flirts quite relentlessly with the sort of danger that living close to the equator can bring. As a result, the Northern weather is a lot more placid, meaning Halong Bay in May is, overall, a great time to go. Here, we look at a breakdown of the May weather in Halong Bay.May is the best time to experience kayaking on Halong Bay Cruise1. The temperature in Halong Bay in MayThe big question on everyone’s lips when coming to Southeast Asia is; "how many degrees hotter will it be there?" Well, you may be glad to know that the May temperature in Halong Bay hovers around an acceptable 28°C (82°F), meaning trips to the UNESCO World Heritage site won’t be marred by family arguments over the rotation speed of the fan.This is roughly 5°C hotter than in April and roughly around the same as in June, making the temperature in Halong Bay in May one of the hottest year-round. That being said, it is in no way an oppressive heat, and passengers on its cruises won’t feel the need to shelter inside for most of the trip.The water offers a much better alternative. The water temperature in Halong Bay is about 27°C (80°F) in May, meaning that entire days can be spent swimming around the beautiful caves and islands with no burning desire (excuse the pun) to get out.2. Sunshine Hours in Halong Bay in MayThe fog that descends on Halong Bay during the winter months creates its ethereal beauty. By the time May comes around, however, this fog is largely gone, replaced with blue skies and a beaming sun for an average of eight hours a day. The bay truly sparkles at this time of the year, and the places to be are either the sundeck or the water around you.The visibility here at this time is some of the best all year. With no mist around, views from the boat can stretch to the horizon. Some places like Titop Island, Coconut Island, and Me Cung Cave provide Instagram-perfect photo opportunities of junk boats in front of Halong Bay’s amazing limestone cliff scenery.Sunshine in Ha Long Bay in May3. Rain in Halong Bay in MayTeetering on the edge of the wet season like an excited child about to cannonball into a waterfall, May in Halong Bay tends to be a little wetter than previous months, but a lot drier than the official summer months of June, July, and August. The difference is slight, resulting in the tail end of the month copping quite a bit more rain than the start.However, as with most countries that feature a wet season, rains are usually very sudden and dramatic before swiftly moving on. Any rain that does make an appearance tends to be a flash-in-the-pan situation and nothing to be concerned about before booking. You will still have a lot of the day for business as usual in Halong Bay, with maybe just an hour of refuge required from your cabin.4. Halong Bay in May: Peak-Season vs Off-SeasonAgain, May likes to straddle the line a bit when it comes to the question of when to travel. Officially, May is the beginning of the off-season, with fewer tourists coming to Vietnam to avoid the deluge of rain. However, this is a small window of opportunity for anyone traveling to Halong Bay in May, as companies tend to offer off-season to compensate for the lack of foreign tourism. Shopping around for the right deal at this time might produce some very attractive results.It should be noted that while foreign tourism falls, domestic tourism rises. The end of the Vietnamese school year in May brings lots of families to the Northeast of the country, but time is usually a constraint and customers tend to opt mostly for day trip cruises in Halong Bay. Foreign tourists can still grab a good deal on the overnight cruises or the Halong Bay 3-day 2-night tours.5. Best Cruises in Halong Bay in May5.1. V'spirit CruiseV'spirit Cruise is one of the best 3-star cruises in Halong Bay and always offers the best deals. V'spirit Cruise gives you a wide range of experiences such as cave visits, Tai Chi exercises, swimming, squid fishing at night, and kayaking. You will be very pleased with the good services, clean accommodation, and your memories in the legendary Halong Bay with V'spirit Cruise. The cruise is a good choice for solo travelers, a family, a couple, or a business. Contact Incredible Asia Journeys to book this Halong Bay cruise with premium offers and hot deals!V'spirit Cruise5.2. Aphrodite CruiseLaunched in 2012, Aphrodite Cruise offers tourists the best 5-star services with 17 cabins in 4 different classes. The Aphrodite Cruise will make your trip to Halong Bay more interesting with many outdoor activities on both a 3-day 2-night cruise and a 2-day 1-night cruise.Aphrodite Cruise5.3. Paradise Luxury CruiseExactly like its name, Paradise Luxury Cruise is a 5-star luxury cruise offering tourists the best chances to discover the beauty and fresh atmosphere of Halong Bay.  The cruise is fully equipped with modern facilities. Also, you will have a chance to enjoy Vietnamese foods as well as many interesting activities including Tai Chi exercise in the early morning, swimming, and kayaking to discover the hidden beauty of Halong Bay.Paradise Luxury Cruise's Room5.4. Jasmine CruiseJasmine Cruise (belongs to Heritage Line) provides a comfortable place for your relaxation with good facilities like a bar, pub, jacuzzi, spa... and a variety of watersports. Jasmine Cruise will lead you to discover mysterious caves, floating markets, and beautiful islands in Halong Bay including Sung Sot Cave, Tien Ong Cave, Cua Van Floating Market, and Titop Island.Jasmine Cruise5.5. LaFairy CruiseLaFairy Cruise not only helps you to discover the well-known limestone karsts, caves, and beaches of Halong Bay tours but also takes you to the less accessible areas like Ngoc Trai Area with a sandy beach, and tranquil warm water. The cruise prepares you with yummy Vietnamese dishes and the most comfortable and fully-furnished cabins.LaFairy Cruise5.6. Hera CruiseHera Cruise is the only 6-star cruise in Halong Bay. With 11 spacious cabins, Hera Cruises gives you the best services and the most interesting and remarkable experiences in the beautiful Halong Bay with 2-day 1-night cruises.Hera Cruise6. Halong Bay in May - What to BringAll those sunshine hours and that high temperature is going to require some serious protection. The sundeck is likely to be a very popular spot on the cruises around Halong Bay in May, so load up on sun cream and get out there as early as possible. Light, airy clothes would be the best to pack, as well as both flip-flops and comfortable walking shoes, should you choose to hike up Titop Island or Me Cung Cave for that great view. Swimming suits are another essential as water temperatures are very inviting, and don’t forget sunglasses for the piercing Vietnamese sunshine.Titop Island7. What to do in Halong Bay in MayMay weather in Halong Bay is often very hot for Vietnamese passengers, but foreign tourists like the differences in temperature from their home country, meaning they’re usually a lot more active on Halong Day boat trips. As mentioned before, Titop Island and Coconut Island offer perfect views of the limestone karst scenery, but passengers will want to get to the water, either in it or on it. Swimming is a pleasantly languid pastime in May and kayaking will require intermittent shade breaks to avoid overheating.Anyone indeed suffering from the higher temperatures could always spend more time in the cooler caves, or opt for a sampan boat ride from a local as opposed to a self-rowed kayak. Even spending time in the boat is not a bad idea, as fans and aircon are persistent sights on tour boats nowadays.Kayaking in Ha Long Bay

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How To Get To Halong Bay From Hanoi

How To Get To Halong Bay From Hanoi

Halong Bay is the most popular destination nowadays for all travellers when they come to Vietnam. The outstanding karst outcroppings in Halong Bay are made of 3000 years of chemical reactions between dripping water and limestone. It is truly an outclassed and unforgettable experience. Located in the Northeast of Vietnam in Quang Ninh Province, Halong Bay is about 180 kilometres away from the Hanoi City Center. [incredible_toc] Most of the people’s concern is how to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi. This article will give you some idea about the means of transport to find the answer to how to get to Halong Bay Vietnam.1. Shuttle Bus 1.1. Local Coach How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi with a Local Coach? There are many means of transportation such as buses, airplanes, trains, motorbikes, bikes, etc. However, the coach is the most popular, helpful, and easy for everyone to move from place to place. All you need to do is just check the time of the coach, get a taxi to the Coach station, buy a ticket (or you can buy online) then you can travel by coach easily. Normally, for the trip to Halong Bay, almost of coaches will have the same route and depending on Coach Providers, you will have to go to the My Dinh Station or Gia Lam Station. For example, if you travel with Kumho Viet Thanh and Phuc Xuyen Limousine, you have to go straight to My Dinh Station (which takes about 45 minutes by taxi from Old Quarter). Nevertheless, if you travel with Dai Phat Limousine, you could go to Gia Lam Station (about 30 minutes from Old Town). Get to Halong bay from Hanoi by Local Coach What is the duration of the local coach? The journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay by a local coach usually takes about 4.5 – 5 hours’ drive (including the short break in the middle way). The price for a one-way ticket can be from USD 5$ – USD 10$ depending on the quality and size of the coach. The earliest coach can start at 06:00 am and the latest one is at 20:00. Some of the coaches will leave every 1 or 2 hours depending on Coach Providers. The first coach comes back to Hanoi at 12:00 and the last one is at about 21:30. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Everyone knows that local coaches will be cheaper than other transportation. You do not even have to know the way to the place; you just need to choose the correct route for the coach. Along the way, you also could see the beauty of landscapes and take some photos. However, there are several difficulties with a local coach. Firstly, most of the local coaches are for local people so that is the reason why the salesperson and drivers only speak Vietnamese. You could have some misunderstanding during all the time travelling with the local coach or when you meet your stop, they could not understand you well. Secondly, the local coach stations are not in the Old Quarter. Normally, you have to take a taxi to get there and it takes about 45 – 60 minutes depending on traffic. It is also an inconvenient thing. Finally, since the local coach has departed time quite early sometimes you could not know if they cancelled the coach or not. You will not have an enjoyable holiday if you always be in a hurry and worry about the time of the coach. The local coach may not run as the schedule because they try to get more customers on the ways to fulfil their bus for better benefit. 1.2.Luxury Bus How to catch this to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi? Besides the local coach, there are luxury buses also known as tourist buses considered the best way to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi, which provides high quality and has a smaller size than a local bus. With the luxury bus, you will have a better service; and feel more comfortable and convenient than the other one. The luxury bus provides 9 to 16 seats such as Ford Transit, Mercedes Benz, D-car, etc and some have free wifi. This kind of bus serves foreign customers so they mostly pick up passengers from the Old Quarter.Some luxury buses are available at the local Coach stations; others offer a pick-up service in your hotel. You could find this bus through tourist bus agencies or book directly on the website of the common bus or call them. Get to Halong bay from Hanoi by Luxury Coach What is the duration of the luxury coach? For the luxury bus, it does not pick up the passengers in the middle of the way or along the way. You just only have a short break about 15 -20 minutes on the way. Compared to the local coach, the luxury bus will take less time to travel from Hanoi Center to Halong Bay about 3 – 3.5 hours. The price for this kind of bus is about USD10$ to USD20$/way/ticket/person depending on the brand name and instant service on the bus. There are several good brand names such as Hoang Long VIP, Minh Anh Limousine or Ha Vy Limousine. They will depart around 07:30 to 08:30 depending on the provider’s schedule. What are the advantages? As a luxury bus serves foreign tourists, the salesperson and driver could speak a little bit of English (enough to understand the easy sentences and common problems while travelling with them). If you only spend a one-day trip, the luxury bus should be a perfect choice for you. Furthermore, you do not need to go too far to catch the bus. It is very easy and convenient to book the ticket and you do not need to worry about its service. It is definitely better than a local coach. 2. Private Car/Taxi 2.1. Private Car If you travel with a group, or family or even you just want to have your own private area, a private car or taxi would be the second option for you. You will have more space to put your luggage along with you; and can chitchat with your companions. Especially for the businessperson, the private car is a good choice if you want to work on the way. You could book a private car on the website of a famous and good company, for example, Viantrans and get the price. You also can call directly to book the car with them. The driver just cannot understand simple sentences enough to communicate with you. The price range is from USD100$ - USD 150 $ for 2 ways depending on the brand name of the car (sedan, SUV, or Van) one way or round trip. Normally the price includes the parking fee, driver fee, petrol, and tolls fee. The duration of the private car would be around 3 – 3.5 hours almost the same as the luxury bus. You could leave at 08:00 or 08:30 according to your schedule. 2.2. Taxi Similar to the private car, a taxi also considered being the second option for a private transfer. Despite choosing a good brand name for private transfer above, you could choose a reliable taxi including Xanh SM, Hanoi Taxi Group, Mai Linh Taxi, ABC Taxi, etc. The price is from USD 80$ - USD 100$ for 1 way depending on taxi size and the taxi driver could not speak English as well. What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a private car/ taxi? As mentioned before, if you are the one who does not want to follow something with schedules or if you like privacy, a private car/taxi would be a perfect choice for you. You could have time to take some nice photos, you could work all the time travelling without any disturbance from others. However, besides the advantages, you may have to deal with some hidden dangers that we could not predict. For example, we are not sure if the driver may overcharge you more for some reasons along the way. You are alone and you do not know what to do because you also could not communicate well with them. It seems not a good idea for those who travel for the first time and have no idea or experience with a taxi and the route before. Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi by Taxi 2.3. Motorbike If you are a motorcycle traveller; you love adventure and love to conquer the road, the motorbike is not a bad idea to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay. You could have a valuable chance to discover every local thing you see along the way. You could manage the time effectively by yourself during a 3.5 – 4-hour drive with different routes as well. This is your holiday, your schedule and your time so you can decide to do anything you like, so choose the best time to visit Halong Bay to have a great trip. Besides, the price of a motorbike is much cheaper than a private car or taxi. How to rent a motorbike? Nowadays, it is not hard to find a motorbike-renting store. You could find many shops in the Old Quarter from manual motorcycles to the automatic ones. Some of the shops provide also motocross for travelling on a special route. They can speak English quite well and they can give you some advice when you choose a motorcycle. You could see some websites for motorbike renting or James Hanoi motorbike. Otherwise, you could ask the hotel to give you some suggestions. There are several brand names of motorcycles such as Honda and Yamaha common to rent. The price of renting and depositing this motorcycle for one day is around USD6$ - USD20$/day depending on different motorcycle types and schedules. They will ask you a photocopy of your passport besides the rent fee and deposit. What are the disadvantages of the motorbike? Easy to see that if you would like to travel by motorbike, you must always make sure that you have enough health conditions and good driving skills. Just imagine with 180 km distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay, if your motorcycle has any problems, you have to find a place to fix it. Moreover, what if it rains hard along the way? There is a very high possibility to have an accident and get lost because of the weather. In conclusion, the motorcycle is not a smart choice for those who do not have experience and may not a good idea when travelling to Halong Bay. There is one more thing the cruises in Halong Bay depart in the schedule so if you are late you cannot catch the cruise and that is not easy to book the cruise on arrival because most of the cruises are needed to book in advance. 4. Railway Vietnam has an old history of Rail transport and it is a very interesting experience when travelling by train. If you would like to gain a deeper knowledge of the local people’s lives in Vietnam, you should choose to travel by train. You could have a great opportunity to see the landscape on both sides along the way in the bumpy train. 4.1. How to get the train? Travelling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, there is just only one train departing per day from Yen Vien Station, Gia Lam. It takes about 30 minutes from Old Quarter to the train station (about 9 km away). They have two kinds of seats: hard seats and soft seats. The price would depend on which kind of seat you choose. Normally it is USD 4.5$ for local people and for foreigners would be USD 15$/one-way ticket and leaving is at about 05:00 am. Otherwise, you could choose the Gia Lam Station and travel with Halong Express. The journeys with the train would be around 05-07 hours long and it’s quite safe. Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi by Train 4.2. How to book the train ticket? You just need to access an online website for the information and go straight to the Yen Vien station, call the hotline number +84 19001224 or +84243 995 2588 to book a ticket 24/7. 4.3. What are the disadvantages of the train? Besides the local atmosphere you could have, travelling by train is not a popular way compared with others. You have to wake up early in the morning, take a taxi to the station and spend that long to travel to Halong Bay. In addition, after arriving at Halong Station, you have to take a taxi to transfer to the hotel or harbour. Moreover, the price is higher than other transportation and you also have to spend more time with this. If you just have a one-day trip, the train is not a good idea for you. 5. Airway Nowadays, air transport is quite common with everyone. If you have a good budget and would like to save time in spite of waiting 3 or 4 hours on the shuttle bus or coach, travelling by aircraft is not a bad idea. You could receive a luxury service and a comfortable journey with much beautiful sightseeing from the sky. 5.1. Helicopter How to get the helicopter? Airbus Helicopter has the EC 155 B1, which can carry a maximum of 4800kg and 12 seats (minimum is 06 people). You will take a taxi to Gia Lam Airport (a small airfield which owned by the military) and your flight will depart at 09:00 am. It takes about 45 minutes from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The price for one person from Hanoi to Halong Bay is USD 440$/way/person, from Halong to Hanoi is USD 390$/way/person and round trip is USD 770$/person. What are the disadvantages of the helicopter? As you may know, travelling by aircraft is not for some people who have heart disease, height fear or fear of small spaces (Claustrophobia). The helicopter is quite small and it is not friendly to the environment and expensive but not always available as well. 5.2. Seaplane Besides the helicopter, you can have the second option for travelling by air: Seaplane. This is not a new transportation in other countries. The seaplane is even more popular and definitely safer than traditional aircraft. Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi by Seaplane Why should you travel by seaplane? In Vietnam, seaplane service is provided by Hai Au Aviation with three Cessna Grand Caravan 208B – EX amphibian aircraft. You could have professional tourism and personalized service when travelling by the seaplane. From the check-in process, you will have a VIP welcome service from the well-trained team; especially International pilots. Along the journey, you will have a valuable chance to see the magnificent view of limestone and mountain ranges in Halong Bay from the sky within 60 minutes. It should be an unforgettable memory that you've ever had before. Furthermore, you could use 3G, 4G and take some nice pictures of all the breathtaking sceneries you like as well as all the other digital devices that are allowed when travelling by seaplane. How to book the seaplane?As mentioned above, you could check the website of Seaplane Vietnam to see further information about Hai Au Aviation or call directly to their company at +84 962 069 689 to get suggestions and assistance. Normally, they offer 2 flights per day: one is at 10:00 and 14:00 for winter time. Summertime will be between 09:00 and 14:00. The price range is from USD 175$ - USD 385$ for a one-way trip depending on the timing and season. Round trip is around USD 350$. The passenger could bring 07 kg hand luggage and need at least 03 pax when travelling by the seaplane. The duration of the trip is 60 minutes including 15 minutes for you to fly around the Bay and glimpse the beautiful landscape. To summarize, there are 07 different ways to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay: local coach, shuttle bus, private car/taxi, train, helicopter, and seaplane. Each one has advantages and disadvantages but overall, you should choose the means of transportation depending on your schedule, the size of your team, budget, and purpose of travel. You have to decide which transportation would be suitable for you because it will influence a lot for your whole trip and you do not want to ruin anything from the beginning. If you just only have a one-day trip and do not have much time to look around the sightseeing, the shuttle bus would be a perfect choice. On the other hand, if you are a business person and you want to work in a private space along the trip, the private car must be your first option. Otherwise, if you are a big youngster group and want to have an interesting experience on the road, you could try a motorcycle and you can conquer the road together, explore new places, and have nice photos back home to show to your family and your friends. In my opinion, a shuttle bus (luxury bus for tourists) would be the perfect choice for the trips to Halong Bay because of the convenience as well as the reasonable price and the service that you will have.These are some best tours from Hanoi to Halong you may be interested in:Halong Bay Day TripHalong Bay 2 day 1 night CruiseHalong Bay 3 day 2 night Cruise Check the different cruises at  Halong Bay Cruises and Lan Ha Bay Cruises provided to you by Incredible Asia Journeys to choose the best option for your group in Halong Bay.

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