So you are wondering about your first ever travel blog: how to start, reach first readers and eventually earn money to travel long-term like digital nomads? This post is for you!
My piece of advice: Don’t pay too much time for travel blog name generators and try to get a domain and server in early weeks. Let’s get deep to the core: Travel blog writing, because it is useful travel blog posts that people visit your website and become loyal readers (Come on, don’t be a travel blogger without a single fan but your mom, it’s solitude!)
Best Tips For Travel Blog Writing
So I finished a very book on writing (Copywriting: Successful writing for design, advertising and marketing by Mark Shaw). Usually I would write a general book review like Brave New World, When Breath Becomes Air or Guns, Germs and Steels, but the author suggests some of the very useful tips to improve the writing on a blog and from my experience they all work well to boost your content in the blog. So what are they?
Set a clear goal
I started this blog 6 years ago to keep my travel journal and notes to celebrate a wild twenty-something time. Then the blog grew into guides useful for my friends and other travelers who have never been to the destinations I have been to. It’s a prime time for the travel blogging industry, when some bloggers claimed to earn six-figures and make travel blogging become a dream job for an amount of travelers, myself included. So I try to learn SEO and write anything I could without a clear goal but … to earn money to travel some days. I was hit hard and burned out without any well-paid results eventually. My persistence was gone after merely one year or two, which was not enough to build a loyal reading community. I learn that lesson well and try to establish a clear goal, try to kick off with 21 posts in my 2021 new year resolutions and keep the wheels rolling frequently. Any newbie blogger should set a clear goal initially to reach for the star eventually.
Write frequently
Don’t leave your “home” too long, as readers may miss you on the first day, they may try to revisit to see you on the second day and they soon switch to other travel blog websites and forget you the days after and after, just because you leave them alone first. Just kidding! But bloggers should treat their blog like plants, watering everyday on social media and feeding with blog posts once or twice a week to nurture the readership.
Be authentic
Let’s keep in mind: Unique, original and relevant content is the best way to engage the readers. So write about your experience, or at least your own research plus opinion. Let the reader see “you” in every sentence, which is also relevant to your travel blog ideas, theme (or “niche”) like adventure, food exploration or independent travel guide or solo female travel,…
Find your tone of voice
This is kinda difficult, but I believe you can finally find it too, like I did. As a newbie in the blogging world, I was hardly able to keep the voice in the blog. I tried so many “voices” which I got inspired by other best travel blogs to follow. It took a long time until I got to the point where I could write freely like I speak but it’s still formal enough to be considered a good travel blog writing. Your tone of voice is a powerful tool. Find it and you find your way to reach the reader’s heart.
Think about your readers
I guess my “relationship” with the readers changes significantly when I start to think about them first, before writing a piece of words. Remember, my very first posts were like my own journal, they were for MYSELF only, something like what I did on day one, day two in Con Dao island, this place and that place. Yeah, but now I see that kind of writing is more suitable for a book in which people would love to dig for leisure and inspiration. On the internet, it sounds strange but people are looking for solutions and answers to their ultimate curiosity (well there are tons of silly but truly human questions that you may run into when doing research, like women asking google whether it is 5 or 6 or even 9 months in pregnancy that they could take a road trip!). So think about your reader first, relentlessly help them get a better life via your recommended solutions and answers, and you will be rewarded at the end of the day.
Listen to your readers (and answer them as quick as possible)
Most of your blog visitors are human (the other, I guess, are bots from search engines, which are good, and unexpected visits from spam tools, which are bad, very bad!). Where there are humans, there is social connection, so the eager readers may leave comments on your blog. Well, it’s a chance to make new friends. It is also rude not to answer somebody trying to start a conversation with you in real life, right? Some comments even get you ideas to improve the blog or help you update the outdated information in blog posts. That is among the reasons we should thank our readers. (Thank you for reading this post, deliberately or accidentally, whatever, it’s fate).
Pictures and Videos for a lively blog
It’s true, despite the fact that search engines love words (as they can conveniently apply a multitude of algorithms to improve the search result – their main ‘merchandise’), we humans love pictures and videos. So don’t hesitate to add more of your photographs. Many years from now, posts will be like journals and albums, they make you feel happy and nostalgic when looking back. Videos are welcome now and vlogs become more and more popular in the audience’s top choices for media. Producing vlogs now is more convenient than ever. Your smartphone can record videos? That is a good start for the vlog you should know.
Let’s turn your blog post into the best of the world
That means when a reader accidentally comes into your blog from anywhere all over the world (maybe from results of search engines or other websites, on the cyber world), let’s give them the best answer they have ever read. I used to think short is good, but now I see a long but full answer is better, save your reader time from the frustration searching around and you have their loyalty someday. Besides, don’t be afraid of proofreading the last time before hitting the “publish” button, as you can save readers’ other frustration about your grammar and typos in the post.
First and foremost or Last but not least?
Both, well I mean you should put your main ideas/ points/ messages of the posts in the first and last paragraph at least, so that even a quick scanner-reader may get it and have more reasons to stay longer and grasp your solutions through the whole post. Try highlighting the sub-topic via headings and your writing surprisingly turns into a marvelously readable post.
Chua Chan mountain, the second highest mountain in southern Vietnam, is your perfect choice to hike. Here we go!
Introduction
So where is Chua Chan mountain, and why it is so special that become one of HCMC citizen’s most favorite mountain hiking spots?
Located in Dong Nai, Chua Chan mountain (aka núi Gia Lào) is about 100 km away from Saigon. As 837 m high, it is also the second-highest peak in the southeastern region of Vietnam, just after Black Virgin Mountain (núi Bà Đen) in Tay Ninh, whose height is 996 m. It was recognized as anational heritage site in 2012.
It is interesting that Chua Chan used to be a volcano (so typical is the conical shape), and you may see it when taking a bus from Saigon to Phan Thiet as it is located close to the mainway.
In Vietnam, wherever there’s a mountain, there are temples or pagodas. Sharing the same fact, Chua Chan is home to three main pagodas: Buu Quang, Linh Son, Lam Son.
Pagodas at Chua Chan mountain
Linh Son pagoda (aka chùa Ông Ngộ) was initially a small altar in a stone cave back in 1952. More than a decade later, the official pagoda worshipping Buddha was constructed in 1965, just 150 m away from this spiritual site. The story around this stone cave is quite interesting but warning for dare hikers: it was actually connected to a larger cavern, which is housed to a multitude of little streams running toward a small pond. From this pond, a person could hike downward within 3 hours to the foot of the mountain at Ong Don (Ông Đồn). In the 2000s, there was an enthusiastic hiker traveling through the cave, unfortunately killed by rock falls. Since then, the cave mouth was closed to prevent any similar accidents. The facility of the pagoda is well comfortable for visitors sheltering overnight.
Sharing the same history as the aforementioned Linh Son, Lam Son pagoda (aka chùa Cô Ba) was built in 1955 as an altar in the case then developing into a full spiritual structure later. The interesting fact of this pagoda is that buddhist nuns have been at the helm of this temple since 1970. At the height of 250m altitude, Lam Son is also housed to various remarkable religious statues and a spectacular vista toward Gia Ray town far far away.
Located at the height of 600m altitude, Buu Quang (aka chùaGia Lào) is the highest among the three pagoda at Chua Chan mountain. The history of this temple dates back to the early 18th century, when a zen master named Ngo Chan traveled to this mountain and set up a pagoda in a cave called “dragon cavern” (Long Cốc). Later, he moved to Dinh mountain, but the indigenous people thought he reached the peak of the way, so they closed the cave mouth. In 1845, a monk named Buu Chon came and opened the cave to lead a religious life in seclusion. Nearly a century later, two geologists Van Ngo and Sau Cao discovered the site, and have a monk at the helm of the pagoda, which has been succeeded by generations of monks up to now. The pagoda is conveniently approached, as located close to the cable car station.
Drive or Ride to Chua Chan mountain
There are 2 main routes, depending on your transportation: the fastest way is to ride a car/ bus following the expressway, while travelling by motorcycle to enjoy a ride of freedom on 1A highway is not a bad option. Compared to the Ba Den mountain motorbike route, the distance between HCMC and Chua Chan Mountain is shorter, saving more time when your ass is tortured on the motorbike.
By the way, both hiking routes to the summit (tick off Saigon – Chua Chan transportation route to better navigate the Chua Chan hikingmap integrated above) are also less heavy breathing than the famous summit of Tay Ninh province. So Chua Chan summit has recently been one of my favorite camping sites in the South.
Hiking route A: Starting from the cable car station – Pagoda complex
This route offers quite a comfortable experience, but less natural vibe. Moreover, you will have to pay an entrance fee of 15,000 VND when following this route (Fortunately, the other route B is a local trail and free of charge as no one owns the gate 😀 )
Trails from cable car station to the summit (2018)
Instead of hiking, you can buy a ticket to go up by cable car! With 1 km in length, the cable car system hosts 72 cabins (8 pax /cabin), constructed by an Australian company. The surrounding is so colorful with flowers and plants neatly grown and well maintained on a daily basis. A return ticket costs 160,000 VND/ adult and 90,000 VND/ child (0.9m-1.2m) and free for under 0.9m but charged as an adult if s/he is taller than 1.2m.
The beauty of nature on Chua Chan mountan (2018)
Still decide to hike? You will travel through various pagodas, some of which are mentioned above. The rest stops are located from time to time to serve a multitude of pilgrims and visitors climbing uphill and down hundreds of stairs. As long as you have money, every comfort can be bought from the side vendors.
Vendors by the staircase
The stone staircase upward the pagoda is steep and fully occupied with stores and food stalls. Some vendors might ask you to buy some goods, especially incense and candles if you are Vietnamese or Asian as they think you come to pray.
2018
Despite the fact that stores ruin the sacred atmosphere of a pilgrimage, they are beneficial somehow that provide travelling people with delicious food and cool drinks, along with clothes, shoes, souvenirs. Someone says it also hosts so-called “spiritual services” including palmistry and fortune telling cards. Entertaining in karaoke rooms and resting overnight in hostels are also available.
Yeah, I think the “very special village” plays very well a role of the dedicated food street in a manner of “staircase to heaven”
Hiking from the upper cable car station (2018)
The trail
After leaving the cable car station behind, you start following a paved trail, which is lined with cajus and other lush trees. Be noticed that sometimes forks show no direction signs, and the general advice is to opt to the wider routes as they are likely towards the peak. If you go the wrong way then it is also a very short time to realize that situation and come back, which means, you may get lost, for a while, so no worry.
Upper cable car station
This station is very close to two points of interest: Buu Quang pagoda (I thought this transportation was built mainly to serve the pilgrims) and paragliding cloud base (I took off several times there, a very challenging spot for any rookie pilots for sure). You can buy bottled drinks and ice-cream by a vendor inside the station during the daytime for at least 15,000 VND for a 500ml bottle of coke. But for the first time hiking, my friends and I experienced pretty bad weather and finally decided to pitch tents here. How remarkable it was there!
Indeed, the station is hardly occupied by campers but we did it and enjoyed a wonderful night. The next morning, someone told us that the night watcher thought it was the devil as he heard our laughs but failed to see us. LoL! I will tell you the detailed story in the “night trekkers” part below.
For night trekkers
As we planned to camp at night, the experience was totally different from day hiking.
It was a little bit weird.
Starting at 10 PM at the foot of the mountain (10,000 parking fee/ night at a nearby house), we saw no one while taking step-by-step to the peak, but some prayers when we were close to the pagodas. Dogs were everywhere and they were barking fiercely but nicely without any bites.
The vendors were just resting on beds or hammocks but you hardly see them, little altar along with the smell of incense. After the pagoda, we experienced a complete darkness of the trail. It should have been one or two hours to hike uphill to the summit, while the weather turned worse and worse. That’s why we half-heartedly pitched camps in the upper cable car station.
If you don’t want to take risks (due to weather or so) then camping in the cable car station at night is pretty ideal but you may need a permit.
Taking off from Paragliding Cloud Base (2020)
Chua Chan Paragliding Cloud Base
Flying games has so far become one of the most sought-after adrenaline activities for thrill seekers around the world. They don’t come at cheap price, but are frequently mentioned in the bucket list of most world travelers, say skydiving in Fiji, ballooning in Turkey, Laos, or bungee jumping in Macau, New Zealand. People are often willing to pay a fortune, even when they travel on a budget, for their once-in-a-lifetime experience: flying.
If you have ever wished to fly in Vietnam (of course, not by domestic airline), we have both good and bad news. The good news: there are paragliding services in which you will be a passenger, flying together with the experienced pilots. The bad news: There are very few “airfields” to take off in the S-shaped country.
Though the mountainous terrain of the North seems to offer more opportunities to paraglide, the situation in the South contrasts, due to the popular terrain is a vast delta dotted by several mountains once being volcanoes, one of which is Chua Chan. By the slope of this mountain, a small cloudbase airfield was established for the local paragliding community as well as curious visitors who would love a romantic flight accompanied by high-trained pilots.
As a rookie pilot years ago, I myself took off here for the first time and admired the majestic view from above. Trekking would not give you that experience. It is completely different. It’s high, fantastic, yet a bit scary when your feet are entirely up in the air, not heavily stuffy like in a closed cabin of a commercial plane with limited window-sided seats. Paragliding offers passengers a remarkable panoramic experience, no limited sight. Turn your head and you can freely admire the whole stunning landscape with the bird-view toward the surrounding regions, a train rolling far away, a green forest of cashew trees at the foot of the Chua Chan mountain. It is definitely a must for dare travelers who seek a high dose of adrenaline in extreme sports in Vietnam.
En route to the peak, you probably stop by a cottage hosting many hammocks for beautiful resting. Actually, when we came here in 2018, we saw a little garden full of baby pine so it is hopefully expected to be very green the following year. (I didn’t follow this route in my 2021 trip, so I have no idea how it has progressed so far).
You could set up camp and cook there, a lot of campfire traces on the ground and you can collect big stones nearby for a temporary campfire. From this cottage, it may take you one more hour (or less, depending on your stamina) to reach the summit, completing the hiking route A. Congratulations!
‘Electricity Pole’ Hiking Route B: Easy game, less vendors, more nature
This route takes about 2-3 hours trekking with a lot of short breaks to refresh on big stones, under green canopy with great views towards a small lake far far away. Less stamina required (and more time to rentertain at the summit).
There has been no commercial complex yet here (Ba Den summit now is occupied by the recreational park of Sun World – a significant property of Sun Group, the brand behind Fansipan Legend in Sapa, Lao Cai and Ba Na Hills in Da Nang). Last but not least, the service for camping in Chua Chan is excellent.
Like Ba Den, at the foot of the mountain, there are a couple of locals who provide rental service and rest stop, parking lots. You can simply bring along a load of money and rent everything, from tents (diverse sizes), mattress, sleeping bag, flashlight, campfire kits, and other popular outdoor gear. Travelers resting on hammocks here, chilled drinks in hand, chit-chatting with companions before/after a hike are frequent on the weekends and holidays here. You can even get showered with a little additional fee.
Often called “electricity pole route” of Chua Chan, the hike here bears a resemblance to that of Ba Den mountain, with a rock-stacked trail following the utility poles to the summit. The path is clear, lowering the risk of getting lost, while sometimes surrounded by a dense canopy of local trees, some of which are banana, cashew and bamboo.
A wide array of signs to raise the community’s awareness of environment protection are also erected or hung on trees and poles along the route, like the trekking in Ma Thien Lanh and Ong Rong of Hon Son Island, Kien Giang. So the path is kinda clear to navigate in the daytime, but the possibility of getting lost at night should be highly considered. I would recommend hikers to start climbing from around 4PM, as the sunset is great while you are on the slope, navigating everything easily.
You would also pass a water reservoir near the top. This essential supply is usually used by frequent hikers to refill water, which is absolutely a big plus compared to Ba Den mountain. Boiling this water with a camp kettle and you are no longer worried about dehydration in case the carried water is low.
Campsite at the summit of Chua Chan mountain
Depending on the season, the land is colored by green or yellowish brown look-like burnt grasses or lush plants. The breezes lure you into a calm nap with floating clouds rolling by near and far.
It also provides a spectacularly panoramic view downward the neighborhoods below. (This is absolutely different from camping by the beach, like the campsite in Ho Coc, Ba Ria-VungTau).
The campsite is pretty large, possibly hosting up to more than a hundred hikers without problem. The strong wind is definitely a great factor to consider where to pitch camps.
So if you travel in groups or family camping with more than three tents, erecting in the open is ideal, as the tents cover themself against the wind.
Only one to two canopies? Let’s set up among big rocks or behind a line of trees to protect your campfire better.
The fuel is often available, but requires some effort to seek after all. Wandering around and you may come across a few dry logs scattering here and there over the summit.
Note: The dry elephant grass is a super flammable material and should be used carefully, especially when your site is surrounded by the high density of grass. Any carelessness could set the accidental fire and the spread is rarely well controlled then, as the grass is FLAMMABLE!
At the highest rock there is a pyramid etched with the mountain name and altitude “Chứa Chan 837m“, attracting a multitude of hikers to check-in at dawn (and sunset).
Sunrise ….…Sunset
Jump on this to pose and the panorama is such a well-deserved reward for the whole tiring trip uphill before.
Bringing home some souvenirs, why not!
If you go downhill on route A, some souvenirs for family at home (and colleagues in the office) would be great to celebrate after the trip. It’s definitely crunchy banana chips with ginger that is a specialty as you see many many of them on the way back and local vendors.
“What’s your plan”
A typical itinerary and time schedule for a day trekking should be like below:
5:00: Departing from Ho Chi Minh City
6:00: Have a breakfast (in Bien Hoa city)
9:00: Reach foot of the mountain, park your motorcycles (if any), prepare your backpacks and get ready to start the staircase journey.
9:30: Starting the hike, head to the pagodas
10:30: End of the staircases, reach the pagoda, take rest then start the mountain trekking
12:00: At the summit, have lunch, take nap
14:00: Start descending
15:30: At the foot of the mountain, have drink and relax
16:00: Ride back
17:00: Have dinner in Bien Hoa city
17:30: Continue riding back to HCMc
19:00: In HCMC
For the night hiking, generally share the time schedule, if you departs from HCMc at 16:00 then you’re likely to reach the peak at midnight and welcome the sunrise at dawn on the next day (luckily you see a stunning sea of cloud) and get back at 8:00 then arrive in HCMC at 14:00 same day.
What kind of outfit should be good for the hike?
Pants and long sleeves are better as the trail has a lot of tall grasses that makes you irritated, along with mosquitoes.
Weather does matter. We had a very bad rainy night and couldn’t make it to the summit, so, you’d better watch out for the weather forecast before departure. The dry season starts from December to April, and rainy season is between May and November. It’s safe to trek in the dry season but packing along a raincoat is usually a good idea.
The path is easy to go, and it may have a little muddy terrain in the rainy season that probably makes you fall.
It is extremely comfortable to wear sandals in the rainy season. Normally, trekking shoes play pretty well, too.
Wanna protect your skin? A sun cream is perfect, though mostly you are covered by the shade
If you plan to camp overnight then an extra clothes to change is advised as it keeps you dry while the cold and fog at night may make you get sick.
Hiking Chua Chan Mountain on a budget
100,000 VND Gasoline
35,000 VND/ a bow of Pho (good option)
10,000 VND/day parking fee (per motorcycle)
200,000 – 300,000 VND self-prepared meal for one person at peak/ camping
30,000 VND water (3.0L)
10,000 VND raincoat
320,000 VND in Total ($15)
Chua Chan mountain photos
2018
The Upper Cable Car StationA flower pot by the upper cable car station
2021
Further Reading On Trekking & Camping
Stunning views, cozy campfire, friendly talks, we all love trekking and camping experience. I also list some selective stories and tips below for your further reading.
Creating a backpacking checklist is very important step before getting on road. This article will provide you necessary in-depth information about the essential must-bring items that will be in need for your daily activities as well as ensure for your safety during your trip in various situation.
For a long time, the extraordinary summit – Fansipan mountain has drawn a huge attention of massive travelers, both Vietnamese and foreigners, who would love to make arduous treks or simply take cable cars to the peak station to admire the beauty of breath-taking scenery above the cloud.
Introduction about Fansipan Mountain
In short, Mt Fansipan (Phan Xi Păng in Vietnamese) is the highest peak of Vietnam and The roof of Indochina. However, the height of the mountain has slightly changed: It was 3,143 metres (10,312 ft) in 1909, but is 3,147.3 metres up to now.
Why Fansipan called … “Fansipan”?
Fansipan meaning is one of the best-kept secrets in Vietnam. Actually, when you ask some Vietnamese, they mostly know it is the highest peak but the meaning behind the name is another story.
Most articles on the internet suggested it should be translated in the local minority language as “Hủa Xi Pan”, which means “giant unstable rock”, based on its typical shape.
But it doesn’t end at that point. Another theory suggested that its given name means “Azalea Mountain” in Hmong language. It pretty makes sense as the mountain is well-known for the prevalence of azalea – beautiful flowers that you may run into in your trek to the summit.
The last theory of the origin of the name Fansipan proposed that the name could have been an inaccurate version of pronunciation of Phan Văn Sơn, a geography official in the Nguyễn dynasty. He helped the French colonials to map the area and set the border with China in 1905.
Fansipan weather & climate
Fansipan temperature is an interesting matter. It changes frequently and quickly, season by season, month by month, day by day, or even, within a day. So you may experience 4 different seasons in Fansipan in one day, if you are lucky enough.
Fansipan snow may be caught between November and February as this is the coolest time in Sapa and the temperature can drop to below 0°C – It is definitely safe and comfortable to take a cable car to visit Fansipan during this time.
Fansipan hiking seasons are Spring (March – April) and Autumn (September – October), when you will be able to take the best photography of the landscape along the trails, from the golden rice terraces to the evergreen shrub with brilliantly fiery blossoms of azalea. Therefore, the best time to climb Fansipan is either Spring or Autumn for aforementioned reasons.
Fansipan mountain location
As an essential part of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Fansipan is located about 9km southwest of Sapa town in Lao Cai province.
Travel to Fansipan: express bus, train or cable car?
Fansipan Express Bus may confuse you but it is actually a popular bus line offering daily drives (5.5 hour long) from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa (there is no direct bus to the summit). For sleeping beds, there are 2 options: 20 private VIP cabins (1.8m x 0.9m) and 34 soft seats (beds). Hanoi-Sapa bus departs from 7AM, 2PM, 10PM at 01 Cho Gao street, Hanoi while Sapa-Hanoi starts from 7:30AM, 1:20PM, 4PM, 10PM at 588 Dien Bien Phu street, Sapa. Price 20$ for one way. The on-bus amenity includes wifi, HD content, headphone, charging port, reading lamp, air-con, English guide, blanket & pillow, and drinking water. Free picking up from your hotel in the Old Quarter and free shower and room for your luggage at their office.
Beside the sleeper buses, traveling to Sapa by premium Fansipan Express Train is also a good option. Soft Berth (4 beds in cabin) at $34 and VIP Berth (2 beds in cabin) at $73 for one-way ticket (Note: One way ticket is available except high season). Departure from Hanoi at 21:35 and arrival in Sapa at 05:30. Starting from Sapa at 20:55 to Hanoi at 04:32. Free of charge for children under 5 year old who share parent‘s existing berths. The amenity in each Fansipan Express Train cabin includes reading lights, baggage storage, mineral water, snacks and napkins for free. On each carriage is located a minibar with snacks and drinks. It serves breakfast with cake, cafe and tea for free before leaving Lao Cai station only. More info here.
So in Sapa, you then have to take a taxi ($5 ride) to Fansipan Legend station for a cable car ride to the peak or start a trek experience at Tram Ton Pass.
Unless taxi is your choice, Muong Hoa Mountain Train, which was established in 2018, departs from the station in Sapa town and after a 5-minute ride over the valley, crossing 2 tunnels and 4 viaducts with spectacular vistas of farms and hamlets below, you will be greeted by a stunning sunflowers at the Fansipan Legend station too.
Some of us might not know that Fansipan cable cars hold 2 Guinness World Records (world’s longest & the biggest ascent by a cable car). The service runs from 7:30am to 5:30pm every day, and each cable car carries up to 35 passengers. The fantastic ride offers travelers a remarkable view high above the rice terraces and rocky cliffs via huge windows, until the towering tip above the clouds appears gradually to welcome.
Mt Fansipan Hike
Successfully climbing to the Fansipan summit is definitely a one-of-a-lifetime for intrepid travelers. Yup, Fansipan trekking experience is not for everyone. Health issues should be concerned before any decision to take part in this activity of the extreme sport. If you are not confident about your body, consider taking the cable car for your sake.
Fansipan hike tours are popular in town. Prices may vary from the tour operators (budget or premium options) and the duration of journeys (up to 4 days for the most challenging hike routes).
Fansipan 1 day trek is usually the most budget-friendly option to go for. It starts from Tram Ton Pass station at the altitude of 1900m, to the first base camp at 2,200m then continually to the second camp at 2,800 m before reaching the summit at a very hectic pace. To enjoy a more relaxing experience, go for a 2-day trek.
In 2017, I made a Fansipan 2 day trek offered by a local operator. They provided pretty good service with a couple of the experienced Fansipan guide and porter (they seem both local). We had lunch at the first base camp (2,200m high) and dinner at the 2,800m camp, took a short sleep in a shack before the early departure to admire the dawn at the summit. It’s stunning!
Beside Fansipan hike tours, you can make Fansipan hiking by yourself. Be aware to spend some pennies on these expenses – a combo of fees for trek permit on Hoang Lien mountain (prices vary so this information is for reference only) before the first steps:
Sanitation fee: 5.000 VND
Forest service fee: 150.000 VND
Entrance ticket price: 30.000 VND
Insurance fees: 5.000 VND
Porter hiring fee for guiding and loading luggage (optional): 200.000 VND
Sleeping bag, trekking essentials, and tents rental fee(optional): 70.000 VND
Final thought about Mt.Fansipan
There is no doubt that a journey to the Fansipan mountain is a must-do during your trip to Sapa town. It’s spectacular, full of amazing experience and so conveniently accessible for both leisure tourists as well as adventurous travelers.
Quick facts
1. Fansipan terrace cafe and homestay is a tranquil homestay with fantastic views overlooking valleys and Fansipan mountain. It is located on Fansipan Street, in Sapa town. A good place to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountainous landscape.
2. Fansipan Buddha statue (Great Amitabha Buddha) located at a pagoda complex on Mount Fansipan was recognized as the copper statue located at the highest altitude in Asia by Guinness World Records. Built in 2015, the 21.5-meter-tall figure is made from thousands of bronze pieces 5mm thick.
3. There is a little Asian restaurant in Berlin Zehlendorf named Fansipan Restaurant, which offers diners unique sushi creations along with delicious food & drinks from Vietnam, Thailand and Asia.
4. Fansipan outdoors is a boutique gear brand founded by Blair Kemp and runs entirely out of the founder’s Brooklyn apartment. The brand name is inspired by Kemp’s travels to the iconic Fansipan – Vietnam’s highest peak.
5. Klook sells Fansipan Legend admission tickets at 715,000 VND, which is 35,000 VND cheaper than at the ticket booth.
6. hikingvietnam.com shows a series of detailed Fansipan maps for enthusiastic hikers. Take a look!
An amazing place to stay in Cao Bang with a super cool host that definitely surprises you
“Lan’s homestay is such an ideal place for ‘workation‘ during covid quarantine”, commented my travel buddy Isaac while we were all temporarily locked down in the city due to the covid pandemic spread. And I totally agreed with him.
Surrounded by picturesque landscape with an emerald river at the front and backed by majestic mountains, Lan’s Homestay offers guests a comfortable living with well-cooked local food, clean rooms on a stilt house bearing traditionally cultural architecture, perfect internet coverage – all at a very reasonable expense that guests can hardly complain.
Truth be told. We had never expected any decent accommodation like that until every touchpoint during our stay left me with enormous surprise. I love the homestay in general, and here are reasons why this place should be in your wishlist too when travelling to world-famous Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang.
A pretty couple of puppies at the homestay
Stay comfortably and culturally
Like most traditional houses in the regions, the mansion bears an indigenous architecture: the house raised on stilts over the surface of the ground. This traditional construction is developed primarily as a protection against flooding, as well as keeping out unexpected vermin. The shady space under the house can be used for work, storage or even cattle housing.
The shared space dorm room and private room at the back
Based on the fundamental structure, Lan’s Homestay was built with comfort-oriented purpose, so it would be unlike the traditional houses above in terms of tourism standard. The upper floor provides accommodation to guests with both options: a line of rooms for private experience with windows open towards the garden at the back, and a shared-space ‘dorm room’ which is readily separated by curtains into individual blocks with so-so privacy when in need. The pros are the airy atmosphere but the privacy is definitely the cons, especially when you have small but valuable assets, and you wish to leave them at home to sightsee around at ease.
The wooden staircase towards the upper floor
One more thing to be concerned about is when staying on a stilt house whose floor is wooden, every move you accidentally make on it will sound below (privacy alert again, especially for intimate couples). In case all you need is just a brick-and-mortar room like hotels, Lan’s Homestay also provides that kind of room. Comfort without compromise!
The lounge and dining room on the ground floor
Beside the upper floor (with the poetic balcony river view at the front), the ground floor is another interesting place, playing as an in-house dining room along with a pleasant lounge. The ‘room’ is decorated with vertical hammocks and, interestingly, the indigenous three-stringed instruments (Đàn tính) which I tried to play and it was astonishingly similar to guitar. If you don’t bring along some books, don’t worry as you may find several popular titles in the bookshelf.
I and Isaac were looking up a good titles in the bookshelf. Courtesy of Trang Hinh
A cup of tea (or coffee, or chocolate flavoured malted powder ‘milo’) prepared from the catering rack by the counter would definitely be a good companion. The host told us that the filtered water here was actually sourced from the nearby streams, with a distinctive natural taste that you would rarely find in the city.
The garden by the stilt house
By the stilt house is a green garden housing various kinds of flora, including the popular buckwheat (tam giác mạch) of the mountainous provinces in Northern Vietnam, particularly Ha Giang. Its fascinating pinky flowers provide a spectacular background to immerse yourself into and selfie at will. Buckwheat flowers are famously enduring, cold and drought tolerant, easily grown in the cool neighborhood. The most beautiful period of the flowers is when they are about to wilt, transforming from the white color to the light pink and then dark red in several weeks totally. I just met them at the most beautiful week by chance. Such a good luck!
An epitome of the local cuisine: locally-grown fresh vegetable, river fish, roots, sausage (plus spring rolls for some occasions) and rice.
Indigenous food taste
For me, one of the quickest ways to explore a culture is through foooood! So after arriving at the homestay in the late afternoon, we booked a dinner full of indigenous dishes for 100,000 vnd/ pax, plus chilled beers to celebrate a day riding through the majestic landscape of Cao Bang.
There’s no fixed menu. Actually, it’s seasonal. So we had boiled cabbage, deep-fried river fish, a hot soup of carrot & potato, fried spring rolls and sausages. While the vegetables were super fresh and provided a special “umami” taste, the fish was deliciously crispy, but on top of that, the sausages delivered such a remarkable experience I guessed this indigenous taste ‘ignited’ from the seasoning ingredients popularly found in the remote mountainous regions in the North. There were up to three kinds of dipping sauce, made of onion, garlic and chili pepper sliced into fish sauce, soy sauce and salt.
No fast food here also, to be noticed. Most of the food is seasonal and requires booking in advance, so you’d better call the host to get informed about available dishes to arrange a ready meal by the time you arrive. Like other regions in the North, the diversity of food is not expected, instead the freshness of that.
Generally like other Northern provinces, the cuisine experience for a solo traveler here may cost a fortune to taste various dishes because there’s merely a few options for individuals but a group (in contrast to the scene in the South: most restaurants or food stalls serve diverse food for individuals). To conclude, travelling in the North in a group is better due to cost saving and opportunity to try more food.
Remarkable landscape and local living
Days in Lan’s homestay, time is like frozen and guests have a wide array of exciting activities to take part in.
In front of the homestay flows Quay Son (sông Quây Sơn), an “emerald” river where you will possibly find a shallow slope by the low-water bridge to do swimming as the local children frequently enjoy. The depth of the river is considerable and the water is cold, so you’d better work out a bit to warm up, as well as use some empty bottles to make a float aid that makes swimming safer and more comfortable (just like the kids here do). I went swimming in the late afternoon and the water was turning so cold that it even blurred my swimming goggles, so it seemed better to swim before sunset.
On sunny days, finding an open space to sunbathe and take a nap is ideal due to the poetic landscape and chill breezes. Fishing is also not a bad idea. The picture of an old man fishing on a bamboo boat is one of my favorites. Indeed, this boat, with a couple lines of seat and thatched roof, is used to cruise tourists across the picturesque river.
As the host revealed through her stories, the mountains behind the homestay were also available for trekking. But if forest trails are not to your taste, a leisurely hike around the village and fields is also note-worthy, as you are probably stopped by some corn field where goats and horses are grazing grass at their own pace (quite slow indeed). It is so peaceful and seductive to urbanists who are usually bombarded by annoying noises while lost among the forest of skyscrapers in the metropolises.
Ms Lan’s photographs taken during her trekking journey in Everest basecamp, Nepal
A super cool host
When we finally arrived at the homestay and were parking our motorbike in the front yard, Ms Lan, the beautiful owner of the homestay, welcomed us with a hospitable manner while she was watering the garden leisurely. That was my very first impression. The second is her ability to keep her mansion neat and clean, which contributed greatly to our experience during the stay.
The shared bathroom smelt good and clean, which was unexpectedly found in the mountainous neighborhood. She managed the service team so well that the food was served in time, and the table was cleaned up quickly after we finished and stood up. The rooms were also comfortable. Indeed, we had a problem with the lock of the first private room, and she kindly suggested we move to another better room. In her leisure time at the lounge, she also entertained us with her own interesting stories, which surprisingly revealed her adventurous past.
Having finished studying abroad in China before, Ms Lan was once an experienced interpreter working throughout the border belt of Vietnam – China, so she worked with all kinds of people, from businessman to government team, and accumulated a diverse array of experience. Drink and smoke was no problem to the lady, and her adventure stories when she accompanied clients on the journey travelling back and forth the border areas might make young backpackers jealous.
On top of that, she was a (maybe the only) person having ever completed an Everest base camp journey in the neighborhood. Her heart was weak, but her will was strong. Before the departure for the trip of her lifetime, she practiced trekking on the mountains behind her homestay now on a daily basis (the terrain looks similar to that surrounding the H’mong homestay village that I visited in Meo Vac, Ha Giang). It was tough but her stamina was improved well enough to meet the Everest trekking requirement. But the real experience at one of the highest areas on Earth still stunned her dramatically, and left her meaningful memories, which now are reminded through photographs proudly hung on the wall inside the homestay.
She has such a brave heart! You can drop by the Lan’s homestay fanpage and say “Hi” now!
Bui Vien street, where there are restaurants, massage parlors, boutique hotels, cheap hostels, vibrant pubs, unique souvenir shops, go-go bars and the best travel agencies, is such a not-to-be-missed destination in the neighborhood. Let’s explore now!
Where is Bui Vien street?
Just less than 10-minute walking from the city center and you find the most famous backpacker’s street of Ho Chi Minh City. Love Bangkok’s Khao San Road? I bet you will find yourself falling in love with Bui Vien street location (here).
“Where is Bui Vien street” is among the most common questions from first-time travelers to Ho Chi Minh city. Indeed, the trio of Bui Vien, De Tham, and Pham Ngu Lao street as the famous “Backpacker District”. Don’t miss that!
In district 1, Bui Vien street is accessible by taxi or bus. From Bui Vien to Tan Son Nhat airport, you can book a drive from Grab/Be apps for no rip-off issues or take a taxi for 150,000 VNĐ (prices in 2022).
For the cheapest option, let’s take the Bus 152 at Tran Hung Dao street (pick up here). The trip should be around 35-45 minutes depending on the traffic.
Tips to know:
On weekends, You cannot go into the walking street after 9 PM with a vehicle. Sorry!
The street is always crowded at night. Get ready for a massive influx of tourists.
Dare to join the locals & make friends! Fun triples
I super recommend you to walk and immerse yourself in the vibrant Bui Vien nightlife. Yup! Take it slow and explore the vibrant road. Let the colorful billboards and panels mesmerize your eyes.
You may run into young children performing street art like fire breathing. The loud music and hot girl dancing with poles, while the “security” men inviting you to have a seat and chill. A very bustling vibe, like Khao San Road. when the residents celebrate halloween in Bui Vien,The fun grows more and more
Most of Bui Vien street review recommend travelers to join the crowds sitting on tiny plastic chairs on the sidewalks, and immerse in the loud music with overlapping beats from a range of pubs, bars and clubs lining the street
Culinary experience
It’s such a radical challenge to pick what is the best restaurant in Bui Vien’s best food landscape.
Truth be told. Bui Vien food is various and delicious. The best of both worlds.
For Vietnamese cuisine in Bui Vien, you can try Nông Thôn Đại Việt – The Rice Restaurant (here) for tasty fresh seafood and chef’s performance in an open kitchen for amazingly instagrammable photography.
I even freely touched those living creatures before deciding which ones were the best for dining. The sauce is good, tasty and elevates the dishes.
Other Bui Vien street restaurants serves various intercontinental delicacies: curated Japanese culinary experience in Jo Sushi Bar, little bites of Greek food at Greek Souvlavki (here).
You may run into other 3-4 Indian restaurants in the area with top tastes like Chandni Chowk (here) or Namaste (here). Curry lover? Check-in Halen Indian’s curry (location here).
A mood for craft beers? I drank Rooster Beer (here). You may be attracted by the store’s red-yellow theme. The space is often crowded and quickly occupied so you may find a little rush in finishing your glasses! Take your time, as the menu lists so many choices to explore. Remember, Bui Vien beer street lovers are always welcomed here.
Cheap beers & cocktails with amazing views from the above? Check-in Le’Fê Rooftop Bar (here). Friendly staff, cool arcade games and trendy music selection awaits!
How delicious street food is will drive you mad. Let’s go with plates of snails and other seafood in food stalls sided on the pavement. And don’t be afraid to try various style of cooking: steamed, sautéed, coated in chili and salt, or grilled. You name it!
For sweet tooth, let’s pass by a street vendor and opt for a small bowl of tofu. Fill your stomach with good food now! Bui Vien night market is worth a try even once.
Tips to know: Ask the staff for the ideal parking area. You might even get free-of-charge for parking fee after paying the bill.
Is Bui Vien street safe?
The street is kept secured for tourists by undercover police & local businesses. However, be aware of the pick-pocket risks when the street gets more and more crowded at night. Here are some useful tips to keep you out of troubles and have fun safely:
Hide your valuables to avoid the wild robbery.
Ignore the sellers if you don’t want to buy something (say “no” is useless sometimes)
Staffs at pubs & restaurant will get your back when you’re in trouble
Check the price before ordering anything
People smoke Marijuana is technically illegal,
Note: Most of the locals in this area can speak English in case you need any help.
What is Bui Vien street closing time?
Bui Vien street opening hours may depend on weekdays or weekends. The bars and restaurants often start around 6 PM, get most crowded at 10 PM and dozens of bars or pubs stay open until 2:00 AM or even later. The street never sleeps during the festive seasons. Explore yourself!
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams is such a hilarious travel story. At the very first beginning, I had no idea what the story was talking about but bite-sized pieces of story revealed quickly through chapters went crazy eventually. It hooks!
It all began with the central protagonist in The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – The British Arthur Dent, a normal Earthman who tried to prevent the demolition of his house, but then a sudden event (you would be surprised but it truly hilarious reading on) that his long-time friend (a kind alien disguised) made him a fateful hitchhiker to the galaxy (actually, it was like fare dodging first) in a ‘Vogon’ ship.
Later, when the guy was put in pretty danger close, they fortunately were saved, and meeting with big boss “the president of the universe” (another ironic character but he’s intelligent to be silly, then you know) in the journey to a mythic planet which does a business of the luxury industry in the once wealthy galaxy (you would be crazy if you know the galaxy has its own economy and depression also, oh wow!).
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: Chapter Summary
From my point of view, the chapter summary for The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is kinda useless, as some chapters are pretty short. They just merely like commercial breaks, popping in to define the funny facts or to introduce the characters that would be presented in the next chapters.
Such a whirlwind for reading at the first time, yes I do suggest reading the second time for ones who have bad memories like me, arghh!) You would happen to read several chapters whose page count is only …TWO. (The shortest chapters I’ve ever read, for the book size is only the same as my little palm and it takes seconds to finish).
Age rating for the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy book: Who Should Read
This book is a comedy: there’s no blood but laughter, chapter by chapter. So if you are twenty-somethings, the book reveals how the alien travelers hitchhike (and what difference between hitchhiking on Earth and on a universal scale). The older travelers would find this is such a funny book to digest for laughter too, but, say, let’s put the sophisticated definition of the universe aside. Don’t be too logical as everything is simply improbable to understand.
And if you are traveling with kids (like camping with family), this book should be told to entertain your children well. I suggest you can add some mouth-made sound for universal ambiance that elevates the realistic sense of the book (little boys and girls like it).
Beside this original book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy series includes The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe; Life, The Universe And Everything; So Long And Thanks For All The Fish; and Mostly Harmless. So if you like the book, the other siblings may be great to look for too.
Other adaptations: Great movie to watch at home during lockdown
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy movie (2005) directed by Garth Jennings (and starring Zooey Deschanel – my favorite actress after her role in 500 Days Of Summer), along with TV Series, is also such a travel-themed movie with a taste of science fiction comedy to watch for entertainment during the lockdown at home.
Spoiler alert: the movie adaptation is “same same but different” too, so you may find it familiar with the original story in the book but at the same time, new edition in movie language, especially the ending.
So is the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy good still? Yes, sure! Reading the book and watching the movie offer different experiences. I suggest you enjoy both, because both are funny cosmic rides equally.
Not only the film adaptation, there are also The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy Game to play. So surprised at how far inspirational and phenomenal the book is. There are several choices like those from Starwave Mobile – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Adventure Game, following the story of Dent, and the other game, Vogon Planet Destructor, is a top-down shooter where you play the pilot of an alien ship en route to Earth to do something terrible to all mankind.
Conclusion
This book is original, hilarious and good one to entertain after all. It disturbs the brain with a hell of short piece of scattering information first but when you gradually grasp the flow, it is fantastic (and funnier than the iconic Brave New World).
Other Books to Read to Inspire
Guns, Germs And Steel: the thick book get us travel through time in the long period of 13,000 years before as well as explore the reason why only some regions and nations on Earth enjoy such ideal conditions to grow to powerful kingdoms, conquering the world in the Medieval Age and securing a good position in the Modern Time while the other stand no chance.
When Breath Becomes Air: The book inspires you with a single big question: “What makes life worth living in the face of death?” That lead was indeed a striking question to me too, in my search for true happiness in the lifetime. That make it count and worthy to read!
Off the beaten track destinations for those who seek desperately.
Do a query about travelling Tuyen Quang on the search engine and the result may astonish you: only 135,000 sites, but of which actually only roughly 10 sites provide enough useful information to plan a trip. What happened?
Located among famous Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Phu Tho but Tuyen Quang possesses an understated fame that attracts less visits than other provinces nearby, which means you are rarely annoyed by flocks of curious tourists. Indeed, the province has two major kinds of tourism attractions: the richness of historical sites and a couple of spectacular natural wonders that are worth sightseeing once or twice.
The province is nationwide popular for its Tan Trao Historical Site for its contribution as the Resistance base before the August 1945 Revolution. As a result, this has become a main attraction to the former soldiers and individuals who once fought during the war and now would love to go back for memory.
Curious tourists also pay visits to the area to enrich their knowledge and experience. Beside historical values to explore, the spectacular natural landscape is also a precious gem of the destination, especially Na Hang Nature Reserve. The site sports various worth sightseeing spots and is definitely a must for nature lovers.
Last but not least, those two main attractions are among the most famous destinations for common tourists when travelling to Tuyen Quang. Indeed, there are also note-worthy spots scattered in the region. Let’s take a look at those belows.
My Bang tea plantation hills (Đồi chè Mỹ Bằng)
During my first ride through the province, those tea hills in My Bang commune caught my eyes with an extreme surprise. As far as I know, the northern provinces well-known for the long-history of tea cultivation are Thai Nguyen (“Fish Hook” tea) and Ha Giang (Shan Snow tea) with successful commercials, while others like Moc Chau town, Son La have become popular destinations for tourism recently. These tea farmlands in Tuyen Quang are still a new phenomenon for keen travellers. Let’s join the first wave of visitors before the area become more and more crowded in the future
Ban Ba Waterfall (Thác Bản Ba)
Sourced from a limestone mountain range of Ha Giang at an almost 1,000m high elevation, the nationally classified landscape lies between the mountain Phieng Khang (núi Phiêng Khàng) in Ban Ba village, Trung Ha commune, Chiem Hoa district. The 3-kilometer-long waterfall features 3 levels, whose names for the first one is “Tát Củm”, the second is “Tát Cao” and the third is “Tát Gió”. Between these levels are smaller falls of 5m – 7m high. The waterfall is immersed in the rainforest with vines and ancient trees, which are even hundred years old. At the foot of the fall are fertile paddy fields by the Tày minority village hidden in the dense palms.
Phu Lam Spring (Suối khoáng Phú Lâm)
My finding about this so-called hot spring was quite surprisingly interesting. It turned out a whole area could offer that pampering experience, even local hotels (do they really just dig holes and enjoy hot baths all year round?). The most considerable facility belongs to My Lam Spring (Suối khoáng Mỹ Lâm) by Ha Phu company, located on a hill with various kinds of bathing and massage service along with accommodation. However, the recent reviews (first half of 2021) were mostly negative, massively focusing on the old facility, service and price. After all, the area is still a good choice to drop by during chill winters.
Mac Ancient Citadel (Thành nhà Mạc)
How astonishing it is, that the historical & cultural relic is indeed located at … a roundabout in the heart of Tuyen Quang city. The so-called “Citadel” is merely one of the few remaining monuments of the Mac Dynasty in Vietnamese history, scattered throughout the North. It is one of the ancient architectural wonders in this area, but sadly the restoration a decade ago took its majestic ancient beauty away.
Na Hang Nature Reserve
First of all, this is a HUGE area that may require a lot of time to explore, but if you are a true wanderer in search of true wilderness, this destination won’t let you down with a cluster of pristine lakes and waterfalls in particular, all well connected to the major flows of the region – Gam River (sông Gâm) & Lo River (sông Lô). Moreover, these two rivers join together very close to the Na Hang town. The popular itinerary for common tourists to Na Hang Nature Reserve is to start from a local homestay (near Thuong Lam market, Khuon Ha commune) to embark on boat tour cruising along Gam River to explore remarkable waterfalls like Khuoi Nhi (thác Khuổi Nhi), Nam Me (thác Nặm Mè) and the heart of the journey is the majestic Na Hang reservoir.
(In the neighborhood, there is a ethnic village named Ban Bon (Bản Bon) with emerging homestay service. During your homestay in Ban Bon, don’t miss a chance to visit Pai Po Cave (Hang Pài Bó) with locals, as you rarely find any news about this pristine cave on the Internet.)
An alternative option is to stay in Na Hang town, and start a longer route through Lo River, then Gam River, with an optional turn to Nang River (sông Năng), before reaching the aforementioned falls. Mo Waterfall (thác Mơ) is also a popular destination which is a few kilometers away from the town.
Tan Trao Historical Site
This is probably the most renowned destination of Tuyen Quang province so far. The storied cluster of the former resistance base is located in Tan Trao, a small valley between mountains and jungles in Son Duong District. The main places of interest include Tan Trao Communal House, Hong Thai Communal House, Tan Trao Banyan tree and a small jungle hut where President Ho Chi Minh lived from June to August 1945.
Tan Trao was once a temporary capital of the independent section of Vietnam, where the Vietnamese Communist Party held several crucial meetings to the founding of the nation, especially during August 1945.
Despite the fact that most of the attractions are quite far from one another in distance, the good traffic and street conditions are a plus for road trips across the province. Travelling Tuyen Quang should not be a hop-on-hop-off experience. Indeed, you’d better take your time to enjoy the splendid mountains and paddy fields en route before putting your feet in front of a remarkable waterfall or a singular lake.
I still remember a quote in the popular book “When Breath Becomes Air“.
“What makes life worth living in the face of death?”
That lead was indeed a striking question to me, in my search for true happiness in the lifetime.
Death is not a new subject to inspire people to live. When I was in university, the speech that Steve Jobs had delivered at Stanford University inspired me probably every single day, with 3 simple points of view: connecting dots, love and loss, and death. “If today was my last day, would I do what I’m doing” – the constantly obsessive question pushed me to follow my deep inner voices, personally instinctive consideration and arbitrary curiosity from time to time. To be honest, that guideline has not brought me to fancy wealth or a successful public figure in terms of social status yet, but mostly, happiness on a daily basis.
My choices were now and then controversial among my friends and family, who saw none of my intent to build a sustainable long-term career as well as serious asset accumulation. Instead, I heavily invested on my own lifestyle and so many sequent trial-and-error following my curiosity. I had wished to fly in 2018, and I finally did it in 2020 as a paragliding pilot, not passenger (it cost a big fortune from my financial savings though). For now, sometimes I still have doubts about my enthusiasm for paragliding. But I am glad that I did it. At least, I knew whether I would love it certainly, instead of questioning myself the rest of my life. Thankfully, death pushes me to lead a positively hectic life with those pivotal decisions.
Death in “When breath becomes air” is observed in another angle, which is not totally of mere motivation. Moreover, the work possesses unprecedented storytelling perspectives. Paul Kalanithi wrote “a book about death” based on his own journey as a talented neurosurgeon, whose goal was to seek meaning of living through a wide array of observing deaths and moments at the edge of mortality in operation room of the clinic, until he accidentally changed his role from subject (a surgeon) to object (a patient) in the light of one of the popular diseases that changes millions of people’s livelihood. It’s cancer!
The following are thoughtful lessons I learned from this worldwide bestseller.
Death is unequal
The author was at the mountaintop of his career and life: best job offers and a promising decent life along. It should have a real pay off for his relentless efforts from medical student to professor of neurosurgery. Indeed, it was ALMOST complete: ten years of training, as well as thousands of hours in residency, earning the respect of seniors, winning prestigious national awards, all at age thirty-six. Then all fell apart when the cancer in his body started to deteriorate.
So death doesn’t bother either your achievement, wealth or status. The life expectancy of our society might even be generous, but we individually may be shorter, due to some unexpected events, and at an unexpected time. When I was in my early twenty-something, many of my friends and acquaintances to whom death rang the bell for various reasons, from chronic diseases to sudden accidents. And each time I heard the bad news, it reminded me again that my time was limited in the universe and I should live relentlessly for my goals and values I trust, because we all don’t know “if tomorrow never comes”.
The first place you wish to come eventually is home
Every family has its own affair. Sometimes children argue with their parents and vice versa, not to mention the “infinity war” among siblings. But surprisingly, at the end of the lifetime, most people wish only to pay a visit to close friends and be surrounded by intimate family members before taking a boat to the afterlife. So death reminds us not only of our most important things, but also the most important people in our life. Take care of them, as one day you may desperately need them around.
Curiosity is your best guide
Paul knew he would never be a doctor, but a writer (he read countless books when he was teenager and Brave new world was also a work changing his philosophy about happiness, and became the subject of his college submissions essay). However, a sequence of events gradually pushed him from pens to scalpels fatefully.
The meaning of life was frequently at the top of his curiosity, his first attempt to find the answer himself was to attend Stanford University and graduated with degrees in English literature (spiritual meaning) and human biology (physical meaning). Then, he moved on to Darwin College (University of Cambridge) and graduated with the Master of Arts in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine. But the deeper he got into these majors, the more he knew that literature wasn’t the answer. Then he refused to pursue a Ph.D. in English Literature to attend Yale School of Medicine and returned to Stanford to complete his residency training in neurosurgery, which almost satisfied his curiosity afterall.
The journey of Paul teaches me that if we have not found our real passion, love or dream jobs yet, just follow our curiosity with persistence and rewards will finally come!
In intuition we trust
Despite whatever useful knowledge we learn, they are not enough to help us make decisions sometimes, particularly in emergency cases or pivotal consideration in career. Some of our choices may be based on what is often known as “Judgment call“. The phrase impressed me most, that on the verge of death, instinct is all we can lean on. Physicians make judgment calls every day, and the fact is actually mentioned in the book of Paul Kalanithi. So “believe in yourself” is not merely a cliché, but a hint indeed. When you have no idea which path to follow, let’s sincerely ask the inner “you”, as the answer may open a door to an interesting journey.
My Favorite Quotes from “When Breath Become Air”
“It’s very easy to be number one: find the guy who is number one, and score one point higher than he does.”
“A word meant something only between people, and life’s meaning, its virtue, had something to do with the depth of the relationships we form.”
“It was becoming clear that learning to be a doctor in practice was going to be a very different education from being a medical student in the classroom”
“Judgment call”
“Humans are organisms, subject to physical laws[…].Diseases are molecules misbehaving; the basic requirement of life is metabolism, and death its cessation.”
“The question is not simply whether to live or die but what kind of life worth living”
“Technical excellence was not enough.[…]When there’s no place for the scalpel, words are the surgeon’s only tool.”
“[About the standard statistic Kaplan-Meier curve that measures the number of surviving over time] It is important to be accurate, but you must always leave some room for hope”
“The days are long, but the years are short”
“Have the plan A, B and C at all times”
“[…]such close contact with my own mortality had changed both nothing and everything. Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn’t know when.”
“I struggled, while facing my own death, to rebuild my old life – or perhaps find a new one.”
“Flush in the face of mortality, many decisions became compressed, urgent and unreceding”
“Human relationality formed the bedrock of meaning”
“Hemingway described his process in similar terms: Acquiring rich experience, then retreating to cogitate and write about them. I needed words to go forward.”
“I would have to learn to live in a different way, seeing death as an imposing itinerant visitor but knowing that even if I’m dying, until I actually die, I am still living”
“Death may be a one-time event, but living with terminal illness is a process.”
“You have to figure out what’s most important to you”
“Goodness is a thing, and you can never live up to it”
“To live life to its fullest’, to travel, to dine, to achieve a host of neglected ambitions”
“Life was lived in the first twenty years and the remainder was just reflection”
Many years ago, I travelled to Phu Quoc for the first time and was knocked back right away by its spectacular beauty of a tropical paradise, but not the native Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs.
I rode to almost every corner of Pearl island on a rental motorbike with travel buddies I met in the dorm by chance and visited almost best beaches in Phu Quoc. Dogs hardly try to run faster than fueled machines and their barking is often significantly overwhelmed by the loud noise from the engine. So that’s why I have ignored these native dogs of the island: Phu Quoc ridgebacks (chó Phú Quốc), despite their nationwide renown for superior characteristics for a long time.
Many times later, the native ridgebacks were somehow out of my sight (I didn’t even plan to visit a ridgeback farm to admire Phu Quoc dog racing (đua chó Phú Quốc), which is among the featured experience in package tour on the island), UNTIL the latest trip to the island. Well, I pedaled on my bicycle at a very slow speed, and things just happened everywhere. I suddenly was the crucial target audience, bombarded by the super loud-and-clear barks of a pack of native dogs, everytime my wheels rolled by remote farmsteads or fairly populated towns and communes.
I was not scared after all. Ever heard about the dog breed’s intelligent behaviour, I knew they were ‘smart’ enough not to bite me deadly like some dangerously aggressive German Shepherd or American Bully, but to alarm the owner of the premise where they were guarding, and also frightened me out of my wits. So all I did was to suffer the almighty barking and keep pedalling without fear to get out of their sight quickly. Those were among the weirdest moments I had during the trip. Curiously, I did some research then, and it turns out these ‘little’ cute dogs with the distinctive ridgeback hair as its name implies possess an unusual origin and wisdom. So what makes this dog breed so special?
Phu Quoc ridgeback dog breed
Phu Quoc Dog Breed: Four-legged Guardians (and Hunters)
As the only native dog of Phu Quoc island, Vietnam, this rare species possesses various outstanding features compared to many other ones in the world. In Vietnam, Phu Quoc ridgeback dog is one of the four breeds national-ranked in the country along with the dingo, the Bac Ha, and the mongoose.
The special characteristic of this dog breed is the quite strange swirling ridge of hair running along its spine. This is the only feature of the three species of dogs in the world including Thailand ridgeback, Rhodesian ridgeback of South Africa, and Vietnamese Phu Quoc ridgeback.
The origin of Phu Quoc ridgebacks is still controversial in terms of scientific proof. Initially, two American scientists proposed that there is initially only the ridgeback breed in eastern Thailand and the African dogs. Thus Phu Quoc dogs are firmly rooted in the Thai breed and reached Phu Quoc Island 400 years ago. However, a Vietnamese scholar proves this hypothesis is unreasonable since at that time, Thai fishermen could not sail more than 400-500 kilometers to reach the Phu Quoc sea.
So far, it is generally believed that Phu Quoc ridgebacks originate from a French ridgeback lost on the primitive island and the breed has proliferated into wild dogs. More interestingly, the dog breed was once referred to in the “Larousse du Chien” (Larousse Dictionary About Dogs). After many years of natural selection, the island has formed a distinct gene, making them different from the rest of the world. Phu Quoc ridgebacks then have been domesticated to be helpful assistants of humans in hunting animals and fish.
As a hunting dog, a Phu Quoc ridgeback is considered to be beautiful if he is muscular, slender, tall and stately, with a hook-shaped tail. The ridge of hair on their back is very diverse, especially the shape of needle, arrow, saddle, guitar, and leaf, etc. The hair color of this dog breed also has its own remarkable features and comes in 4 color variations which are black, yellow, stripe, and spotted. Reddish-brown and golden brown are also popular colors of this breed. Hair is silky and short so even when it gets wet, the creature just needs to shake the water off a few times to quickly dry it out.
Being famous ‘hunters’ but when putting down the guard, Phu Quoc ridgebacks are such a friendly dog breed and easy to make friends. They can distinguish quickly who should be an enemy and an ally, and mostly never get trapped by toys. Try to bait them with whatever you’ve got, good food or seductive whistle, you will be surprised by how smart they are. These features can be admired in a local house, pepper farms or a Phu Quoc dog farm, where you should learn something more interesting about the native ridgeback breed and watch them show-off the hunting skills in a determined race.
Phu Quoc Dog Farm: Nurture And Preserve
Despite the rarity of native ridgebacks, you can count the number of the Phu Quoc dog breeding farm on the fingers of one hand. There once was a racetrack/breedfarm built in Cay Thong Ngoai Hamlet in Cua Duong Commune in 2000 and is the second of its kind in Vietnam after another in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province.
Nowaday, the most popular destination is Thanh Nga Dog Farm & Dog Racecourse (aka Phu Quoc Dog Conservation Centre now), often mentioned in package tours and as an add-on option for tourists who visit Tranh stream (suối Tranh). Launched in 2014, this farm quickly became a well-known touristy venue to admire a determined race course, as well as a kennel and breed reserve of the island’s most popular and recognizable animal – Phu Quoc ridgeback dog.
The racecourse includes 4 racetracks with a length of 365 metres. Filling the track are 4 dogs taking part in a race. Each competitor must overcome 12 different courses, including fences, tunnels, swimming areas and climbing walls. The Phu Quoc ridgeback dog ‘racing’ is not like the traditional dog race, because these ‘guys’ are superior to the other. The unnumbered ridgeback dogs run around an obstacle course where their distinctive skills are challenged: running through tall grass, climbing over trees, crawling under tunnels, and swimming in water. There are commonly 2 races, the first one is a warm-up followed by the actual race. After the race is over, a staff member will guide visitors around the facility and show how the dogs are raised, bred, what they can do, and finally how they live. The entire tour with the dog race included takes only approximately 45 minutes.
The admission fee is 50,000 vnd ($2.00) per person (as of 2021). The racetrack is located next to Tranh stream in Duong To, Phu Quoc and very easy to get here by motorbike or bicycle as the roads are smooth and freshly paved. The most concerning issue of this touristy destination is the poverty of dog breeding conditions. Some Phu Quoc dogs here are also available for sale. Contact staff in case you would like to adopt a puppy.
The other dog farm is a private premise of Mr Zdung on DT973 road, Cua Duong. Without a racetrack, this farm is solely for selling dogs, but you can take a visit too. The puppies look well-cared and the Phu quoc dog price here ranges from 2 – 5 millions vnd (equivalent to $85 – 215) plus shipping cost. However, Phu quoc dog prices have recently soared worldwide.
Phu Quoc ridgeback dog is a rare species
Why Are Phu Quoc Ridgeback So Expensive?
You may be stunned (me, too, when reading this story first reported in 2015) as enthusiastic buyers are believed to have to pay up to £40,000 for some puppies. Catherine Lane, a British pet lover, brought two Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs (named Moon and Sirius) from the remote Vietnamese island the previous year, and became the first person in Europe to own the dogs. Moreover, she’s also the first to breed a litter, and because of the rarity and purity of the breed (estimated around 800 dogs registered worldwide), they’re worth an astonishing £10,000 each (it’s rumored that one bid even hit £15,000). Wowww. Such a number! But the journey of the Phu Quoc parent is remarkable. ‘It was quite a drastic change: from the white sands of Vietnam to the rocky beaches of Brighton,’ said Catherine to Dailymail.
Even in the country, the Phu Quoc dog price is also exceptional when a ridgeback was reportedly asked for $15,000. If you are wondering why the hell Phu Quoc ridgeback dog is so expensive, here are some special characteristics to consider.
Natural Athletes
Phu Quoc Ridgebacks have a muscular body with high stamina and ability to run incredibly fast. With webbed feet like ducks, they can swim faster than most other dogs can as their habitat is on the island. Not to mention, they can also jump very high, and are even able to climb trees. That’s such a perfect partner to the local people, they can catch fish and hunt animals and watch out for the owner’s cattle.
Exceptional Rarity
Because they only exist on the island, the number of Phu Quoc ridgebacks is very small, even close to the edge of extinction once. There are only less than 1000 purebred Phu Quoc ridgebacks in the world, so it’s very difficult to find a purebred Phu Quoc ridgeback dog. That makes the Phu Quoc ridgebacks cost super high.
Distinctive Color
The three most expensive fur will be the tiger-striped brindle, fire gold, and like-ink black ones. Phu Quoc brindle ridgebacks must have a uniform and clear color stripes as tiger fur, while the golden ridgebacks have a magenta color and red light. The black ones must have jet black, without any other hair color. Last but not least, the more black spots its tongue has, the more valuable the dog will be.
Great Intelligence
Many people argue that Phu Quoc ridgeback is among the top breeds. Thanks to their intelligence and curious nature, they can learn new commands very quickly and be able to understand new lessons within a few weeks even when they are young. It is said that when Phu Quoc island is opened for tourists, the wild Phu Quoc ridgebacks can perform their tricks to get food from the visitors.
However, they are tragically not voted in any list of the smartest dogs. The reason is kinda ridiculous but true: they are too rare, not enough to form a standard set in the world. Phu Quoc dogs could participate at international dog shows only if there are 1,000 dogs recognized as purebred. It is an absolute requirement for breed recognition.
Absolute Loyalty
Phu quoc ridgeback dogs are among social animals, loving people and not so aggressive to strangers (as my story above mentioned). However, they cleverly never eat food from strangers – only the food from their owner.
These watchdogs can be trained to be good territorial protectors, a guardian protects their owner in any circumstances by barking or giving a threatening look, but they rarely attack the threats. (Some aggressive dog breeds would engage people in a dangerous manner, and the owner takes full responsibility in case something bad happens).
Where To Buy A Phu Quoc Dog
The first stop should be, of course, dog farms in Phu Quoc, for purebreds. In the last few years, more and more people are interested in this ridgeback dog breed, some of them becoming the kennel breeders for Phu Quoc dog lovers, as belows.
Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dogs of Southern California A Vietnamese Doctor at the helm of the kennel club in Southern California, in hope to introduce this rare breed to the community and eventually to the American Kennel Club to give this wonderful dog the recognition they deserve
Phu Quoc Ridgeback The website was established by Catherine Lane to sell her puppies in 2015, as well as to provide informative facts about the Phu Quoc ridgeback dog for the potential owners. Contact her for any update of her litter.
Phu Quoc Ridgeback Poland They were among the first Phu Quoc Ridgeback kennels in Poland and Europe at the time, after their Vietnamese friends had told them that this breed was basically non-existent in Europe. Like the kennel in Southern California, the founder also decided to start breeding this rare breed so that Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs would become appreciated and recognized more in the world.
A documentary video about Phu Quoc ridgeback dog
So, the next time you travel to Phu Quoc and see a ridgeback dog barking, just be happy as you meet one of the cutest and rarest dog of the world!
Lockdowned by covid just like a bird in a cage, I just wanna share with you a song that inspires me when I’m feeling lost in my life, even when it offers me too much comfort zone, full of warmth but boredom too.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=OFtNChII78k%3Frel%3D0
The first time I heard this song, it didn’t make any sound to me. Maybe that wasn’t time for me. But the second encounter really hit my head with a brick. What’s wrong with me?
I listened to the lyric and slowly realized how truly it reflected my mind.
“I haven’t ever really found a place that I call home I never stick around quite long enough to make it”
A nomadic journey give you a lot of opportunities to see many people, hang-out in many places and experience many more. What a colorful life! But there seems to be no place to call home. At first I was confused about finding out that I love waking up in strange places, memorably leaving there and traveling to another one to live, eat, breathe and write and then pack up and go, again, instead of staying at home. It’s unusual to a “normal” person.
The world becomes home, and the tiny home in your country becomes a “safehouse”, where you miss when you travel but stay there for a lifetime. Well, it’s not your choice. Sometimes you get homesick and eagerly wanna go back home, but when the first steps past the door, you immediately wish to return to your journey !
“I apologize that once again I’m not in love”
Love, well, is exactly the glue that sticks you to somewhere you wish to call it “home”. It’s likely to make friends with a lot of people on your way to pursue your travel goal. And some of them, luckily (or badly) hold your heart.
Once I met a girl in Da Lat – a beautiful highland town in VietNam. In the afternoon, we had a lovely time together eating out somewhere, taking joyful rides around and eventually ended up on an outside balcony looking down at the noisy streets below. Cappuccino and mocha scented in the atmosphere, freezing out. We were talkative, sharing our dreams of travel, memorable moments and destinations we’d visited. And night came and she had to go back home. I wouldn’t forget those memories.
“But it’s not as if I mind that your heart ain’t exactly breaking It’s just a thought, only a thought”.
For me, it’s more than a thought, it’s an obsession!
“But if my life is for rent and I don’t learn to buy Well I deserve nothing more than I get ’cause nothing I have is truly mine”
Travel teaches us a lot, one of the lessons is about ourselves. If I settle too long at home, then I’m jealous of the other’s achievement, their cars, house and social ranks. A life I’m renting someone’s mind and it’s not actually mine. The city becomes stuffy for me, and a great retreat is always a ride to countrysides, highlands or shores.
It’s not expensive as many ones share, and worthy looking back. Sometimes we should find some quiet, gentle moments to figure out the inner voice. I guess you will be surprised with what you conceive at that time. Let’s give it a try.
“I’ve always thought that I would love to live by the sea To travel the world alone and live more simply I have no idea what’s happened to that dream ’cause there’s really nothing left here to stop me”
These words I love most in the song, urging me to backpack and start my journey at once. Like an anchor in need when you are far far away from your dreams, because of the daily pressure and external voice noise in your mind.
“While my heart is a shield and I won’t let it down While I am so afraid to fail so I won’t even try Well how can I say I’m alive”
Most of us are likely to fail to protect our dreams. It’s true, but Hey nomadic souls, dare journey, you only live once, let wind wake you up and sun shine on your way!
