New road to improve access to northern tourist attractions

The nation's Roads Directorate is planning a new 78km road to take in My Dinh, Ba Sao and Bai Dinh. It will pass through the northern cities and provinces of Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh and Ninh Binh.

Tourists cruise along a river en route to visiting the Huong (Perfume) Pagoda on the outskirts of Ha Noi. The Road Directorate has agreed on a plan to build a new 78-km road linking tourist sites such as the Perfume Pagoda and Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province to Ha Noi.

Nguyen Van Quyen, the Acting Director, said that the four-lane road, with a speed limit of 100kph, was an extremely large project that required complicated techniques and careful calculations.

The most economical approach would cost VND3.4 trillion (US$161.9 million) but this would require taking land from the Van Long nature reserve. The other option would cost VND4.3 trillion ($204.7 million).

The road would help the North-South transport network and link up tourist destinations, such as Bai Dinh and Huong pagodas, to Ha Noi.

Located 93km south of Ha Noi, Ninh Binh has a diverse landscape, with the Trang An eco-tourism complex boasting mountains, caves and lakes.

Roughly 3.6 million people have visited the province in the first six months of this year. Tam Coc-Bich Dong and the Bai Dinh Pagoda have also created quite an impression.

Ninh Binh aims to welcome 6 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, by 2015, an annual growth rate of 10 per cent

Huong Pagoda, better known as the Perfumed Pagoda, is said to be Viet Nam's most famous pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers.

Every year, the site welcomes more than 1 million pilgrims and tourists from across the country, who arrive at the sacred cave to pray for a happy and prosperous year, or simply to admire its picturesque beauty.

Built in the late 17th century, the pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70km southwest of Ha Noi.

Quang Nam – Land of Culture, and extraordinary people

Quang Nam is not as noisy as Da Nang, and not as quiet as Hue, it always attracts tourists with its own cultural value and simple people. You should pay a visit to Quang Nam to explore the land ofCulture, and extraordinary people.

Thanks to traders, missionaries, Chinese and Japanese crossing the border gate of Hoi An, Quang Nam people had a chance to expose to Western culture. The interaction of many different cultures is expressed in forms of folklore. Coming to Quang Nam, tourists will have interesting experiences and learn about Quang Nam people’s life, immersing in an ancient space of Hoi An Ancient Town recognized as World’s most favourite city in 2012 by Wanderlust Travel magazine. Hoi An impresses tourists with ancient houses covered by moss. Visiting the ancient town, tourists will surprise with an isolated world hiding away from everything and destruction of time. You cannot listen to any sound of engine or see any colourful advertising board here. In addition, tourists will have a chance to contemplate the sacred and mysterious beauty of My Son tower temples. My Son Sanctuary is not influenced by Indian architecture. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious monuments originally consisting of more than 70 structures. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. Bricks are main material for the construction of the Cham Towers. However, it has been unable to figure out the reasonable explanation for the linking material, brick baking method, and construction method of the Champa. Even these days, this still remains as an attractive secret to contemporary people. Up to now, Quang Nam still preserves the unique historical and cultural remains of the past along with rich human values. Some of the typical cultural sites include: Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Holy Land, Tra Kieu Old Champa Capital, Cham Towers in Khuong My and Chien Dan, which record the remains of Sa Huynh, Champa and the Dai Viet civilization. These historic monuments bring not only cultural value but also important historical value. Tra Kieu ancient capital, Khuong My tower, Chien Dan Bang An, etc features Sa Huynh culture, Cham culture and Dai Viet culture. Quang Nam is also famous for unique custom and festivals. Festivals in Quang Nam is very diversified and abundant. The value of cultural characteristics of Quang Nam land is accumulated in festivals, custom and spiritual life in daily activities of ethnic communities who live together in this land. Quang Nam festival is an entity that includes a variety of ethnic, history, religion and cultural elements. It is usually organized in a smaller sphere than the northern festivals but is very diversified, plentiful and unique at all. Besides, Quang nam cuisine is an attraction to visitors. Some of famous dishes here are Quang noodle, Cau Mong burnt veal, snail, Steamed Pork Bun, etc. Phu Ninh Lake

An ideal weekend in La Gi

Attractive not only due to its endless bending sand dunes in La Gi Town in Binh Thuan Province, the locality also lures tourists to its forest, mountain and river areas and of course its tales of legends.

A view of La Gi Beach and Ke Ga lighthouse in the distance Thanks to road improvements, tourists can easily reach La Gi as it is only 150km from the city. Its location is the reason why many tourists from Bien Hoa, HCMC and Vung Tau choose La Gi Town as a place for a weekend escape as well as regular guests from Phan Thiet. La Gi differs from Vung Tau or Phan Thiet with their luxury resorts and hotels. It is more of a primitive and tranquil landscape. After visiting the sand dunes, people should head to Ke Ga lighthouse which was constructed by the French over a century ago. Or you can head to a local fish market where fishermen gather on the beach to offer some fresh codfish, squid and crab at good prices. Local people gather at a fi sh market on the beach early morning La Gi also boasts Thay Thim Palace which was recognized as a national heritage for its architecture of Champa people in 1997. Legend has it that a hundred years ago under the reign of King Tu Duc, a couple were beheaded unjustly at the palace. Animals and even gods bemoaned their deaths. Thus, local people built a tomb for the couple and came to pray for them annually on the seventh lunar month. That day is a traditional festival of the location. Later, King Tu Duc exonerated them and requested that a large palace was built in their honor. A weekend break to La Gi with beautiful landscapes, culture and people can be a good memory and real treat for tourists.

Domestic travel in autumn, which spot is attractive?

You will find the answer when finding by clicking “Google” or browser through fan pages, Fan page for travel-lovers. This is the “West North yellow season” with hundreds of invitations o visit paddy fields in Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Son la…There has been so many waves of yellow rice overlaying together up to the mountain summits, which vibrates the deep souls of travelers.

Now ther have been so may vehicles to travel to the West north like going backpacking by motorbikes or register tours of travel agencies so that you can easily give the best choice for your many pockets. In comparison with so many other destinations, the time for travel is very important because it decide whether your travel is successful or not. The West North only grows one season of rice for a year at different times so that rice is yellow as its period. Rice in Spa, Quan Ba ripens earliest, the next ones are Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Su Phi…According to local people, the wonderful period is from the middle of September to the end of October when localities are in the rice summers. In this occasion, the weather is so dry that it is comfortable and easy for travel, especially when you want to go backpacking for travel.

Terraced fields in Sapa

There are so many routes that how much time you pass through, you are always surprised at the breathtakingly wonderful landscape. Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai) is such a wonderful destination. Terraced fields in la Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh-the national-standard beauty spot where you can travel as much as you can. Some one compares Mu Cang Chai in rice harvesting season like as a yellow terrace to the heaven, some other praises it as a splendid musical instrument  

 

Never-ending yellow fields

Each layer of yellow waves is stretched out from valleys to hillsides and extends for foggy and high summits. Bands of colors change from strong green, light yellow, shining yellow to brown yellow, which as a brand of shining silk in the autumn. When viewing the Tu Le valley and breath full of the perfume of ripe rice to conquer the hill top Khau Pha in the foggy, you will feel the fresh vitality spreading in our hearts.

Formed hundreds years ago by La Chi, Dao, Nun communities, Hoang Su Phi terraced paddy field ( Ha Giang) was recognized as national vestige. In the harvesting season, hundreds of great engraved tracks on mountains shine a never-lasting yellow. Rice stretches on terraces and wrings on yellow mountains which is as picture-like green.

Elected as one of the seven gigantic terraced fields in Asia and in the world, Spa is in the dreamlike yellow mature over mountain villages like Trung Chai, Sa pa, Ta Phin, Lao Cai, Ta Van..Nothing romantic like in an autumn morning when travelling on zigzagging ways which are full of countryside perfumes and we suddenly catch an immense yellow paddy field in the winds.  After a four-day trip to the West North with my friends, simple ways and gaze with waves of fogs in early mornings. With unchanged ways, roofs, pictures but the feelings of being taken breath away are still like those when I first came to the West North of Vietnam, said Mr. Hoang, an experienced backpacker.

 Not only the green brand of silk or light yellow or shining yellow ones, there is also colorful reflections of our life. It is that the smiles of children, gentle and up bright looking of elderly people and happiness shining on young women’s faces in highlands are unforgettable memories in our life. You will feel nowhere is as beautiful as our country so that whenever we’re tired because of life in the city, we craze for a pack of sticky rice Tu Le or a crispy beef castle hang on the kitchen…The yellow autumn always wait for you! 

Ao dai – profound impression for tourists

After undergoing so many changes, “aodai” has become the unique beauty and pride of Vietnamese. To have the position as nowadays, “aodai’ has also undergone so many remarkable historical events

Every country in the world has some traditions, culture or innovations to be proud of. For example, China has famous procelain, Japan has many modern electric machines,..and so does Vietnam. "Ao dai" is one of very profound impressions about Vietnam. We are proud of "Ao Dai" because of its history, beauty, the significance of the attire upon Vietnamese women and all things that it shows for pure beauty.

First, the description about "Ao Dai" is the reason for its expanding throughout the country in a very short time compared to the country's history. About the origin, "Ao Dai" originated in Vietnam, meaning "long dress" is a traditional attire worn by Vietnamese women since the early 1900s and is still worn today.

The very interesting thing that: like "Ao Dai", Vietnam is a long country on the Far East coast of Asia.This thing makes it become more respectable for Vietnamese people with a full love for the country. It appears to flatter every figure. Its body hugging top flows over wide trousers that brush the floor. Especially, comfort has not been forgotten at the expense of fashion and beauty. Splits in the gown allow the wearer freedom of movement and despite covering the whole body to make it comfortable and easy to move.

The history of “aodai”

People can’t define the exact year of origin of “aodai” because “ao dai” is always considered as the national costume of Vietnamese and it has undergone so many historical ups and downs, time and the exchanges of culture to have the position as nowadays. However, by looking through the images engraved on Ngoc Lu copper drum, people can see the images of “aodai” and women costumes with 2 split pieces.

  

Giao Lanh Aodai, the original form of aodai

Why people say that the costume with 2 split pieces is the mage of aodai? That’s because of the strong and unique point of “aodai” is the two split pieces. In spite of thousands of years of changes, the only thing can characterize aodai Vietnam with another cultures is the two split pieces. Many people say that aodai Vietnam is the copy of Cheongsam- a kind of costume of Chinese people. However, Cheongsam appeared in 1920, Vietnam aodai has existed for so long before. This proves that “aodai” is a cultural aspect of Vietnam only and only Vietnamese people have.  

Modern “aodai” in the timeline

After Hanoi college of Art was opened, there was many dedicated artists with this national costume and they changed the design of aodai to be more suitable for young people. Aodai Le Mur is the first version, Le Mur is a name in French of Cat Tuong artist who made a great improvement with four – split piece into 2 split ones.

Then, artist Le ho improved Le Mur and this version of “aodai” is welcomed in Da Nang housework fair. Up to 1960s, Dung – a designer in DaKao Sai Gon developed a form modern costume with 2 short sleeves .

  

  Aodai in the past

Modern Aodai

  

 

Ao dai has been worn not only by Vietnamese people but also by worldwide-famous designers who use “aodai” as the source of creative inspiration for their collections in international stages. In the newest collection inspired from Vietnam, Emillio Pucci has released very modern ad luxurious designs. This is the very important improvement of “ao dai” when it is welcomed with the other respect. “Aodai” will soon be the symbol of culture and fashion not only the symbol of traditional costume any longer.

Although Vietnamese pepple don’t wear “aodai” as a casual costume in the past, “aodai” has still been as a luxurious costume in important events, in parties or as uniforms in some companies. Especially, when people gather in their families and go back to their homelands, “aodai” affirms its position as the most suitable choice for them to wear.

Dining etiquettes of Vietnamese

Each country has its own way of organizing and tasting meals. Also, Vietnamese have their own beliefs and habits of eating.

Vietnamese usually have breakfast, lunch and dinner without tea or coffee break in between. Because most Vietnamese are early risers, breakfast is eaten before 9, though many restaurants serve breakfasts until much later. Foods for breakfasts are as diverse as you can imagine. Some of the most popular are the “notorious” pho-noodle soup; baguette stuffed with pate, ppq porked and veggies; rice congee with minced pork; banh cuon (rice crepes), xoi (sticky rice). Contrary to the Western diet, breakfasts in Vietnam involves more salt than sugar.  

Bowl of fish sauce is an indispensable element

Lunch is served from 12-1 p.m. Most office workers have lunch at one of street stores where they can choose a main dish-fish, beef, pork, chicken or tofu with side vegetables and steamed rice. Some others order lunch box from a nearby restaurant if they want to avoid the heat and traffic. Lunch in Vietnam is quick yet does not lack any nutrients.

Dinner is the main meal where family gathers and report back their day. Women are usually responsible for preparing the meal, with or without the help of their mother or daughters. Some better-off families have a dining table while the rest, though you may find it bizarre, have dinner on the ground floor. It is Vietnamese tradition to share food while eating.

As a result, the whole family circumvents a tray of food, each with a bowl of rice and taking food from the common dish. Dinner foods usually include one or two main dishes such as stewed pork, steamed chicken or fried fish; one dish of boiled or stir-fried vegetable and one bowl of broth. Steamed rice is considered as inevitable in most meals.

Time for gathering and sharing

  Eating out is not a habit of Vietnamese until recently and nowadays, it is popular in cities ad better off family only. Eating out used to take place on the occasion of daddy receiving salary, or family celebrating an achievement or weekend gateway. However, as modern life leads to lesser time and interest for cooking, eating out is also in the sharp increase.

Vietnamese also have the habit of organizing meals together; members in families gather in time and have close depend on others, which is totally different from Westerners because they ignore to talk during the meals. In the contrary, Vietnamese really like talking during the meal and talking during the meals is the crucial need of Vietnamese because it is also the time for them to gather, express their interests about health, life and share experience of working together or freely discuss about some of their favorite problems.

Foods are delicious while the weather is not good that the meals aren’t delicious. Good places for having meals without good friends make them feel that the meals aren’t delicious.

Vietnamese are both simple and casual. Normal etiquette apply in dining time and fewer expectations are placed on foreigners. If you are invited into a family dinner, make yourself at home and open your eyes, ears and mind to learn about this special aspect of Vietnamese culture

The Sparkling of Dray Nur waterfall

The waterfall is created by the water of Krong Ana and Krong No Rivers. There's a cave underneath the waterfall that brings exotic experience to the adventure travellers.

The 30m falls, which are also known as Cai or Vo (wife), originate from the Krong Ana River. According to a ancient story, a long time ago, a man of Kuop Hamlet fell in love with a girl who lived on the other side of the Serepok River.

Their love remained hidden from their parents until they were inseparable. Unfortunately, they were in a sort of Romeo and Juliet situation, where the two families were old and bitter rivals. Naturally the parents did not approve, and all their efforts to stay together seemed destined to fail.

So one night, rather than being separated, the couple committed suicide in the Serepok River. Suddenly, there was a thunderstorm, water leaped up from the river and sounds came from the forest. The next morning, the people of the hamlet were surprised to see that the river had been separated in two, isolating the two families.

Ever since then the one river has been two: the Duc (husband) creates the Dray Sap Waterfall in Dak Nong Province, in the central highlands, while the Cai (wife) river feeds the Dray Nur waterfall in Dak Lak Province.

Water still flows down the falls in small streams, only to be united at the bottom. Many say that the sound it makes are echos of the delights and reproaches of that “star crossed love”.

These are some photos of the waterfall.

King Bao Dai’s Palace

Located on Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, Bao Dai’s Palace is a charming structure with a European renovated architectural style that helps beautify this romantic city.

The old palace, also known as Palace III, belonged to King Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) in Vietnam’s feudal regime. It was built from 1933 to 1938 according to a design by a French architect and Vietnamese architect Huynh Tan Phat. The palace has been evaluated as one of the most beautiful architectural works in Da Lat with a hamorny between pine forests and parks, Thuong Uyen (royal garden), Ai An Forest and a small lake. 

During his reign, King Bao Dai used the palace as holiday house during the summer. During his holidays in the palace, there were always a regiment of imperial guards, a train of cars called “Cong xa biet dien” and private airplanes to serve him and his family. In 1948, when the French persuaded Bao Dai to serve as “head of state” and then established “Hoang trieu Cuong tho”( Domaine de la Couronne in French) in 1950, Bao Dai’s Palace was renamed “Biet dien Quoc truong” (the palace of the head of state). 

Bao Dai’s Palace is imbued with the European renovated architectural style.

A room of King Bao Dai for receiving guest.

A great pair of elephant’s tusks are hunted by himself.

Lobbies in Bao Dai’s Palace communicate with each other. 

The showroom of images and belongings of King Bao Dai.

Bed room of Princess Phuong Lien and Prince Bao Thang.

Bao Dai’s Palace was designed with 25 rooms with a system of well-disposed flat roofs. After entering the main gate is the great hall with eaves to shade the car park. The ground floor was used for parties and meetings with foreign guests and government officials. The palace also includes working rooms, King Bao Dai’s office, a library, rooms for entertainment and a large dining room. The working room was designed with small architectural miniatures to create a hamonious combination between the living space inside and nature outside through doors and steel framed windows. At present, in the reception room many precious objects of King Bao Dai are displayed, including a painting on Angkor Wat presented by Cambodian King Shihanouk, and three tiger skins and an elephant’s tusk hunted by himself.

The first floor of the palace was used as the private space of the royal family with bedrooms of King Bao Dai and his wife, Queen Nam Phuong, and their three daughters and two sons. Near the bedroom of the king stands a beautiful tower called Vong Nguyet (waiting for the moon). The bedroom of Prince Bao Long who was selected to ascend the throne was painted yellow and all decorations have the same colour.

The garden on the grounds of the palace.

A tourist poses for a photo in royal dress. 

Visitors are interested in a classic car placed outside the palace.

Foreign tourists record images inside the palace.

/Bao Dai’s Palace attracts a large number of visitors.

Outside, to the right of the main gate and in the back of the palace are small parks with a style often seen in French palaces. Around the palace are small paths shaded by pipe trees.

When visiting the palace, tourists will feel the solemn, close and warm space of the palace where imprints of a historical character, the last king of the feudal regime that existed for over thousands of years in Vietnam, are preserved.

An afternoon on Lap An Lake

Being a part of Lang Co Bay (in 2009, Lang Co Bay was ranked as the most beautiful bay in the world), Lap An Lake is famous for its charming beauty. The best time to explore Lap An Lake is in the afternoon.

Lap An Lake has an area of 800 hectares, near Phu Gia mountain pass. Because of its attractive beauty, it has been a familiar place to many photographers. Nowadays, local people take advantage of the lake to breed oyster. This has effect on the environment and ecosystem a little bit. Lap An Lake is one of famous tourist spot in Thua Thien – Hue city and is considered as the Elysium. The water in Lap An Lake is very clear. Sitting on the boat, you can see the bottom of the lake. Surrounding the lake, there are roads curving around the foot of the mountain, which makes charming landscape. Lap An always attracts a lot of travelers by the blend of colours of sky and mountain. If you have a chance to contemplate the dawn here, you will never forget. It will surprise you by its picturesque beauty. Lap An has an important role in the protection of coastal areas and it is home of many valuable marine species.

An excursion on still water in Van Long

Experiencing an excursion on still water in Van Long is very comfortable and great.

Since 1999, Van Long has been known as the largest wetlands in Northern Delta, spreading over nearly 3,000 hectares of seven communes in Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh. Scouring to see langurs with white legs Until now, according to Mr Tilo Nadler’s report, director of Cuc Phuong Animal Rescue Center, there are still more 40 langurs with white legs. Nowadays, the number of langurs in van Long is the largest all the country. However, tourists is quite difficult to see them.  If you have a chance to see them, you will be surprised by their fash movement on vertical cliffs. Contemplating the natural beauty and storks flying Storks are the most popular birds here. Local people really like these storks because they eat yellow snails that are very dangerous for agriculture. It is interesting that a stork ccan eat a kilogram of snails. Storks here have long beak and legs so when they fly, they are very beautiful. Many photographers often come here to capture beautiful moments of hundreds storks flying on Van Long at sunrise. Being considered as  “the bay without wave”, Van Long has a tranquil and peaceful beauty. Travelling here means leisurely contemplating the nature to relax for your tired soul.

Green village rolls out bamboo bicycles

For those seeking refuge from the bustling tourist town of Hoi An, this ecotourism village offers a quieter vacation spot. Instead of cars and motorbikes, bicycles fill the peaceful streets.

Float on: Tourists can ride bamboo boats called coracles through the forest swamps. Cam Thanh Village outside Hoi An Town is a favourite eco-tour destination for visitors. They love its 30ha of nipa palm forest and handicrafts made from palm and bamboo. Soon, they will have a choice of riding around on bamboo-frame bicycles being produced by a village craftsman – green bicycles in a green village. The village, which has a population of 2,000, offers bicycle tours, trips in primitive coracles, floating trips among the palm trees and visiting craft people making traditional bamboo furniture. Cam Thanh is an option for visitors visiting Hoi An along with craft villages making lanterns, silk goods, timber furniture and pottery. Visitors can pedal along 5km of winding flat roads around the tranquil village, just 3km from the major tourism hub of Hoi An. Bikes, available for rent in Hoi An, are the perfect stop-start way of travelling throughout the area. Eco-friendly: The village offers a range of sustainable bamboo transport options, on both water and land. The nipa palm forest shadows the Thu Bon River, where tourists can explore the wetland ecological system in coracles, craft of woven bamboo covered with pitch that date back to prehistoric times. The forest swamps are home to shrimps, fish and bird life. Tourists can use nets or lines to fish from the odd little craft. If they like, they can spend a full day in the forest. Lunch can be prepared on site, hopefully heaps of grilled fish and prawns caught in the morning. Pham Vu Dung, a Hoi An tour operator, said the combination of bicycle rides and fishing from coracles was a unique combination that appealed to visitors. For the past 100 years, villagers have been planting nipa palms to protect the village from the Thu Bon River when it floods and to make handicrafts. Simple life: A traditional thatched roofed house in Cam Thanh Village. The forest, which is part of the world recognised bio-reserve Cham Island, has also helped protect the village from storms, while, at the same time, created a stable income for the villagers. Craftsman Vo Tan Muoi, 71, and his son Vo Anh Tan, create unique bamboo furniture and can also build houses using bamboo and palm leaves for the roof and walls. "Local people used to make their houses from bamboo and palm. A house with walls made of split bamboo panels and palm-leaf roof can be used for 30 years," Muoi said, adding that the structures kept cool in summer, but warm in winter. He said new-style buildings had gradually replaced the old-style houses. But villagers preserve some old houses to please the tourists. The old man said his family produces furniture, souvenirs and interior decorations from bamboo. Muoi's son, Vo Anh Tan, has even created a bamboo bicycle and unique decorations. "I have replaced parts of the steel frame with bamboo for those who would enjoy such an unusual environmentally friendly vehicle in a green village," Tan said. "However, I just started production last year and the new design is still being tested." Tan also creates many other objects from bamboo, including beds, sofas, jars, and an old manual telephone. The whole village is drawn into the craft work in its different stages. Vo Tat Thang, 40, who began the trade at the age of 12, said the bamboo was soaked in water for six months before being left out to dry in the sun for 10 days. "The process helps eliminate termites and wood-borers. Palm leaves dry in about two weeks and can then be used," he said. Thang said he and a group of 10 craftsmen often made traditional houses from bamboo and palm leaves to fill orders from around the nation. "We have built bamboo houses at many resorts, restaurants and cafes following orders from owners. The houses create are unique in the days of concrete and steel," he said. "Each house can be completed in 15 days for a cost of VND400,000 (US$20) per square metre," he said. "We get local householders to finish the processes to save time and create more work for our neighbours," he said. The traditional houses are free from iron. "All bamboo panels are tied together with bamboo string, while beams and posts are locked in with bamboo nails." Huynh Anh Phien, 61, earns around VND100,000 ($4.8) a day from processing palm. "It's a hard job, but the craft earns more than rice farming. We plant palm trees and harvest the leaves after five years. The main crop is between February and June." Vo Thi Thuong, 45, makes VND150,000 ($7) a day working in the palm forest cutting leaves and putting them out to dry. "I've lived well for 20 years by growing palms. They need careful care in the first five years to grow well," she said. "The forest protects the village from landslides during the October flood season." Vice chairman of the city's people's committee, Truong Van Bay, said the green tours can not only provide income for villagers, but help preserve the district's green heritage. "There are plans to build a craft production centre on 15ha in Cam Thanh Village to display the arts and crafts we make," Bay said. He said the centre would be near the village entrance, making it more convenient for tourists and villagers. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, head of the city's trade and tourism office, said Cam Thanh Village was the best local village to explore by bicycle. "The forest of nipa palm, which connects with Tra Que Village and Cua Dai beach, is a full-day tour option. Tourists can also learn how to plant vegetables and rices with farmers in Tra Que before testing their skills on bamboo and palm furniture production at Cam Thanh," said Thuy. She said Hoi An hosted 1.6 million tourists last year, including 600,000 foreigners, who enjoy its peace and beauty. Mark Wyndham, who runs a motorbike adventure tour company based in Hoi An, said the town was safe and easy to live in. "I lived for a long time in Ha Noi and HCM City, but Hoi An is the right location for me to do business. I find life here very comfortable and was given a residential permit from the city's administration," he said. The evergreen rice fields, friendly people and quiet life in Cam Thanh inspired Jean Cabane, 64, from Nimes in France to settle in the area four years ago. Japanese Hirukawa Yuki found the ancient town a good place to live when he gave up the fast-paced life in Tokyo two years ago. "Local people treat us like friends. There is no space between us. They shared our difficulties from the first days we moved to Hoi An. My neighbours even invited me to a party with their family for Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, Yuki said. "Life is so easy. I love the peace and quiet and the smile of local people." Meanwhile craftsman Muoi and his son keep producing bamboo furniture from their bamboo house in the centre of the village. Tan expects to soon finish two bamboo bicycles as prototypes for mass production.

Conquering Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang

For those who love to explore the highlands, “the happy path” is a really special journey. To reach Ma Pi Leng Mount, visitors have to pass the high mountain passes such as Bac Sum Pass, Heaven Gate Pass, Can Ty Pass…

Ma Pi Leng Pass is in the complex of geological park of Dong Van (Ha Giang), which is recognized as a global geological park. Explaining the real mean of this name, the local people said Ma Pi Leng means “horse’s bridge of the nose”. It expresses that this is a craggy Pass that horses are afraid of going through.

Ma Pi Leng has a height of approximately 2,000m, a length of 20km, connecting Dong Van district to Meo Vac District, based on ancient sediments formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

Looking down from Ma Pi Leng, there is a winding river named Nho Que that is just seen as a thin yearn crossing ravines.

Nho Que river is looked down from Ma Pi Leng

Nho Que river originates from Nghiem Son mountainous area (Van Nam-China) that is called Pho Mai river with a height of 1.5000m, flowing to the Northwest-Southeast.

Nho Que river flows into Vietnam from Seo Lung village, Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, and it continues to flow through Dong Van town, Ma Pi Leng, and Ma Pi Lung…then be into Gam river at Na Nat, Ly Bon commune, Bao Lam district, Cao Bang province and flowing downstream.

Dong Van Plateau

It is about 12km in length from Ma Pi Leng to Nho Que River below. Therefore, It takes you about 30 minutes to reach the Nho Que river by motorcycles or cars. The road to Nho Que river is so dangerous. But with the youth, this is a great challenge that they want to conquer once in their life.

Looking down from Ma Pi Leng, the scenery becomes more intriguing and majestic that enchants every visitors coming here.

Visitors take photos to keep memories on " Happy Path"

Ethnic children

Coming here, visitors not only admire or conquer the majestic beauty of mountain, but also learn daily life of ethnic people here.

Ha Giang is a really tourist attraction for anyone who love to explore nature and people.