Thinh Pham

Author: Pham Thinh

  • Travelers I met in Laos

    Travelers I met in Laos

    What makes your trips memorable? Adventures, Food, Attractions or People? For me, it’s people who I met in Laos fatefully inspiring me to travel more and more by their stories.

    Willfrid

    A traveler from French, who visited New Zealand as working holiday visa, which I’m aiming for.

    He told us his story. He loved soccer, and premier league was his favorite, so he wanted to learn English. And then he applied for working holiday visa of New Zealand.

    Landing on a strange country with no English, but after 6 months making efforts to learn day by day, he could finally well communicate with local people then deciding to extend visa for 6 months to travel across NZ. He also showed us the destination used to film Lord of the Ring series (Hobbiton, right?).

    His love for travel starts from a very common reason: hating 9-5 circle, as he said “people get up everyday, go to work, back home, then prepare for the next day, go around at the weekend then it’s monday again” and “I don’t know what I should do”.

    So the 18 months in NZ changed his mind so much, now he’s studying aerial engineer and wish to work for Emirate.

    Willfrid emphasized me that the best way to learn new language was to face it everyday. And the first 6 months he studied in local school was to solve language problem, then it’s done and he enjoyed the life.

     Nicole on the right

    Nicole

    Another French who cycles around the world for 3 years, with his girl friend (we didn’t meet her in Laos).

    The most cool stuff is his modified cycle, which allows him to ride very comfortably. (I did think I should learn to create one to travel the world, LOL!)

    Nicole reminds one thing: to be a decent travel blogger, you have to make a very very INTERESTING things, and he had done well with actually two aspects: his cycle and his journey.

    Hope Nicole finish his journey, I still follow his fanpage for updates.

    You can take a visit him at frogsonwheels.net (he has just changed to a very eye-catching theme, wow!)

     Ming is at the center

    Ming

    A Taiwanese woman cycling through Vietnam, China, Lao, Cambodia. We first had a short talk with her on the way to Phonxavan. She was tanned by the sun, covering her head with a red checked scarf, all luggaged put at back with plastic-proof.

    She told us that she could only keep pace at average 60 km/ day due to mountainous terrain and Laos possessed many zig-zag passes, differing from China, where straight slopes were omnipresent.

    And for the most interesting, she didn’t use social media and hardly updated on blog. Well, it seemed she could pay whole attention to every details on roads.

    She reminds me of my dream to bike around the world years ago. Yes, crossing border with cycles is much easier than motorbike (in my country, a traveler rider are doing his trip on his own motorbike and it’s such a time-money-comsuming journey. However, it’s still very cool!

     Isaac

    My buddy – Isaac

    Well, he’s totally planner-in-chef of our Lao trip. Full-time rider and human windshield also (he blocked all strong winds against us on roads, well, LoL).

    We all had crysis of youth, fed up with routine of 9-to-5 and really thought a getaway was the best solution. It’s proven to be a right choice eventually.

    Together, we made effort to conquer challenging passes, celebrating every milestones at rest stop with our favorite energy drink M150, enjoying delicious local food, playing bargain game, taking photographs for each other, riding in a pitchblack lonely night from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, dealing with polices and sharing back up charges on Viet – Laos bus.

    Simply, he’s a great travel partner.

    Leon – Mokdovan

    the 23-year-old traveler made me surprised when he set up a hostel in Luang Prabang after a long journey. I saw many pictures in frame hung nearly every walls in the hostel, most of them are smiles of people from India, Nepal, Laos,… His guide for any points of interests in the town is super clear and details, you would know most of places to go after 5′ presentation! Yeah !

    Leon proves me that at very young age, you can do what you want, if you love it definitely!

    Last but not least, it’s a Vietnamese community which supports us eagerly.

    It’s happy to hear Vietnamese spoken overseas. This is my most pretty trip that I ate Vietnamese food in Cambodia stop, stayed in Vietnamese hostel in Vang Vieng and be helped by Tuan – a Vietnamese boy in Vientiane. Everyone was so friendly and supportive. A big thank to them. It’s warm and welcome so much.

  • 1001 Excuses to Travel: The Only Reason to Stop You Travelling Is… You

    1001 Excuses to Travel: The Only Reason to Stop You Travelling Is… You

    A trip around the world is definitely an awesome experience but someones of us reject the idea with common excuses to travel.

    Though I am a solo traveler, sometimes I still invite my friends to travel with me when they confide that the the rat race ruins their life, and they are not actually living but existing, which is a inevitable bridge to hell, and they just want to hit “escape” button.

    However, all I receive are just excuses below:

    1. Study – “I love travelling, but university is my dream, so, thanks”

    It may sound crazy but I know some bloggers study to travel. They learn hard, try to score a decent scholarship, and fly to the country, spend time studying then traveling in the breaks.

    This is a sustainably slow travel that you can add qualifications into your resumé while tripping, and when you turn back home for a professional career, it’s easy.

    2. Work – “I’ve got to build a sustainable career, and travelling overseas would steal my chance”

    How you define a dream job? Good salary, social reputation or high value network, etc. You’re right, if they are really what you LOVE. I know some not bitten by any travel bugs, and staying at home is their optimum choice, but if you possess a heart of adventurous journeys, just put it in right track, for your sake.

    Turning your journey into a SUSTAINABLE CAREER is definitely best way to lead a satisfactory life that you’re not ever regretful. Be a sailor, tour guide, dive master, electric engineer, photographer or like me, a travel blogger, … just be creative and persistent. I know that every thing sets out f*cking hard, but it’s worthy, just look back to the rat race, and you have reason to follow the lifestyle.

    3. Relationships – “You’re kidding, my family won’t let me do” or “my boyfriend/ girl friend threads to break up”

    This is a typical excuse, even I also got trapped at first, but gradually I learnt to deal with them successfully, of course with a lot of tear drops if you’re kind of sentimentality.

    Our family loves us, so they seek to keep us Safe from the DANGEROUS WORLD (it’s ironically the world is safer than we worry at home). I was reluctant for a long time due to my family, but then I slowly realized that we could compromise to follow our heart while easing beloved people.

    Just show them your travel plan, make trips with friends, keep in touch via social platforms and everything you can come up with to prove that travel is safe and you’re alright, if something happens, you know how to deal with it, your last resort in some bad situations,…

    And for love, space is a challenge. If you believe your relationship is incredibly inextricable, you will have a chance to test how strong it is. I know there will be millions of teardrops down, but do you want to know whether a forever love exists?

    4. Money – “Simply, I don’t have money”

    Ok you win. But listen, most of us never have enough money to do anything we’d love to right away, so we SAVE and WORK.

    Maybe you look down on people who accumulate every bucks every day, but after a year, those pennies become a fortune that funds them entire a year of travel. Some choose to score oversea jobs to travel, the opportunities are endless.

    So if you’re planning to save and take off, remember to cut off unnecessary stuff, little entertainment, limit your eat-out, train your cooking ability (an interesting method to ease stress FYI, especially with your favorite music).

    Working oversea sometimes requires some certain certificates. Go for them, and your can fund your trips while take care of the career sustainably!

    I know this would be a hard time for everyone, and your life will turn boring at the beginning, saying goodbye to familiar routines is like climbing Mt Everest, but when your adaptive ability is developed, you’ll get used to it and acknowledge the meaning of minimalism. Don’t worry!

    5. Making friend – “I cannot make friend with strange people”

    So you just like me, an introverted person, solo traveler, travelling alone countries by countries and it’s so pity that I could not start conversations with strangers at the beginning.

    But It’s okay, my friends. We’re not hero afternight, but most of heroes even learn to overcome their obstacles and push forward. You should travel with a friend, a social butterfly, who is a bridge connecting you and the rest of the world.

    You should also put yourself in attempts to open your heart, getting started with ones who share your interests. I usually talk about trips, my favorite destinations and listening to answer from the opposite, and when I see similarities, I’m just stick to it, and most of those talks go overnight.

    6. Food – “You know, I taste the local food, but they’re so weird, I prefer my favorite at home, also, no allergy”

    Ya, for allergy, make sure you prepare some note/ signboard in local language (using google translate, easily) and show it to the cook in restaurant. Done!

    I know some countries offer a long list of weird food but what about the other, the local can consume it, so can you, except for allergic ingredients. Also, you can learn to cook if the taste is not as you expect, and share your dish with other guys. Who will reject those delicious offers?

    7. Language – “I don’t speak local language, how I can do it”

    We have bad and good news. Here’s the bad “digesting a new language is the hardest task in the world”, and good news? “We can learn it”.

    Learning basic phrases to trade and greetings is not a big deal after all, but it’s very effective in daily context. In Lao trip recently, I and my partner learn Lao while we lazily rode via quiet mountains and practised as much as we could at local market.

    It’s mispronounced at first, maybe you have to be back to English sometimes, but you will improve the linguistic ability by the time. Then the local will gradually be impressed and you’re warmly welcome.

    8. Solo – “Travel solo scares me out of my mind”

    You can choose whether solo or with friends, which depends on your style. Actually, solo travelling doesn’t mean you have to do all on your own, it’s so lonely. Instead, you just have your own plan of where and when to stay, then just go with the flow, ask to join the other group, which is very surprising sometimes due to unexpected experience.

    If you’ve never travel solo, just give it a try. You’ve never known what you love until you do it, practically! So don’t be scary, people are willing to help.

    9. Safety concern – “Is it safe?”

    No, haha, but it’s great. If you’re not kind of adventurer, then just an ordinary traveler, it’s okay, no big deal.

    So how to minimize the risk? Stay at home, but even that, you’re still not safe: traffic accidents, catastrophes, terrorism, next-door dogs (just kidding !!)… blah blah, so the risk is quite equal to all over the world, except Middle East, right?

    Just take it easy, make a plan, contact anyone who can help you at the destinations, via your facebook networks, your friends, your friends-of-friends, some local-traveller connectors like couchsurfing,.. get the contact and make sure you can reach them in need, that’s all!

    The last resort is to manage to the embassy to have their value support due to your citizen rights. I’m so lucky that I’ve never had to get to embassy, but when you’re in trouble, you know ones to call.

    10. Reluctancy- “Sound great, but I’ll travel later”

    Reluctance is the greatest enemy of the pioneers and travelers, I mean if you love a girl, you’ll be lonely forever if you just “I will tell her I love her, later”. Understand?

    If you love travel, just embrace it, give it a room, feed your travel bug with a bucket list, plans to travel there and deadline (you’ll be likely to love this kind of deadline, woohoo).

    So don’t travel later, just I’m going to travel to [your bucket list destinations] on [your flight date] and go for it. Just do it!

    11.

    12.

    …

    1001.[your excuses here]

    Every excuses you will find out exact answer from experienced travelers, but follow your heart or continue living a boring life, it’s you choice! If you’re not ready to travel, then stories from people travelling may make a bigger impact on you

  • Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    One of the most exciting adventurous roadtrip I’ve ever made. It’s quite dangerous if you’re not well-prepared so I note some important tips help you to finish it !

    Gasoline station

    When planning, we thought that the route was very long and tough, stiff uphill, and the fuel would be much more consumed than usual, the gasoline station might be rare because of mountainous terrain.

    However, when we were on road, we found out something:

    The gasoline were quite close to one another, just 30-50 km, so no need to bring a back-up fuel container. And even if there was no nearby station, you can buy gasoline at mostly groceries in villages, at higher cost.

    Road condition: rough and muddy, challenging and relaxing

    There are two directions from Kasi to Luang Prabang city: follow 4/4C highway and you get extreme biking experience – sharp curves and steep roads, both and stick to highway 13 via Phoukoun for much relaxing riding.

    At first, we followed highway 4 and it was so much challenge: heavy rains, erosion, big deep holes on road and low temperature condition, especially when wind blowing strong made it extremely hard to handle. And we fell off on road, sliding 4-5 meters away, a van passed by but there’s not collision. We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding.

     We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding

    Since then, we rode more carefully. More and more tough the route was. Once there’s a heavily eroded part on road forcing me to walk and my partner slowly moved over. It’s very cold and wet. My body kept shaking.

    The second erosion, where we nearly reach the peak, was much more worse. There was even a local team with technical vehicle to flatten the road so that traffic flow was enabled. So adventurous it was, I even saw a cliff by my side.

    When we headed back from Phonsavan via highway 13, everything was more easier. The main problem was just dense fog at certain height, when you’re down, it gets clear.

    Your bike condition

    Another problem we faced was our rental bike. Though we had checked and done some fixing, it’s still very worn-out to carry both of us climbing over high and slippery slopes, while suffering a lot of hole-hitting on road. After the trip, he deserved a praise.

    If you wish to do a roadtrip like us, please have your bike checked thoroughly for your own safety.

    Temperature

    It’s a little bit cold, around 20 celsius degree at peak, with heavy rain. We only put on rain suit to block wind and keep our body warm, just shaking a bit when strong winds blew through.

    After all, you need to keep dry because wetness will make it more terrible.

  • Travel Review: H’mong Homestay Village in Meo Vac, Ha Giang

    Travel Review: H’mong Homestay Village in Meo Vac, Ha Giang

    Beside the majestic natural landscape that could take your breath away, Ha Giang is also the home of various ethnic minorities with their indigenous tradition and culture that await to explore in a homestay experience like nights in this H’mong village in Meo Vac.

     Mr Isaac (left) was working while Ms Trang Hinh was posing at the homestay veranda

    Slow-travelling coupled with homestay experience is a fantastic idea: you wake up early in the morning and take a deep breath and stroll around to enjoy the spectacular surroundings, before sipping hot coffee to get ready for a new day coming.

     Wake up early in the morning and take a stroll around

    Working. Travelling. Reading new books at leisure. It depends on your plan for a few days there. You may even request a seat to join the local’s meal, everyday, along with informative conversations about the lifestyle, traditions as well as cultural aspects.

     The entrance of the H’mong homestay village in Pa Vi, Meo Vac. Photographed by Trang Hinh

    So when my travel buddy Isaac suggested a homestay village in Pa Vi, Meo Vac, I was really eager to explore.

    In fact, homestays are usually scattered here and there, and every host has his/her own stories to entertain guests. So a WHOLE village doing homestay business really sparked me.

     Which homestay is your choice?

    I did homestay in Dong Van town, but not ever in Meo Vac. How did they do and whether it was “same same but different”, or there would be anything new revealed unexpectedly. Our plan was simple: overnight in a homestay and have dinner with the host.

    The first call from Isaac to a homestay, which used to host him months ago, returned an unexpected response to our budget travel lifestyle: the price was far above the range we were willing to pay.

    So I did a search on both map app and booking platforms, the results were better. So we called and confirmed the booking, but the host refused to cook dinner. So we came up with a fusion: stay here but order dinners somewhere else but in that village. It worked!

    So we had a cozy night, full of indigenous food like local beef soup (Thắng Cố bò), dried pork (Thịt lợn gác bếp) and veggie stir-fried with onion (rau xào tỏi). The food got chilled quickly due to the low temperature at night so we rushed to finish a bit. But it was still yummy and got us full.

     Homestays capture the characteristic architecture of the H’mong ethnic with a double-tiled roof, brick-and-mortar wall, wooden pillars and dry stack stone fence

    We came on a weekday, so the atmosphere was kinda quiet and we enjoyed all the sense of solitude ourselves. Isaac told me that the village was wide awake on the weekends and holidays, as both tourists and locals gathered to celebrate, sing and dine in groups.

    On some special occasions, the festivals would likely be held in the community cultural house with massive attendants. So it seems I should have another date with this village.

    After a good sleep in thick blankets, we were welcomed by the comfortable chill in the air that morning and eager to have a cup of coffee for ourselves. Isaac was working while I did a stroll around the village to sightsee every corner.

    Most of the homestays capture the characteristic architecture of the H’mong ethnic with a double-tiled roof, brick-and-mortar wall, wooden pillars and dry stack stone fence, while the others are upgraded to modern aesthetics with cement walls painted to look like natural wood and iron gates.

    There is a huge parking lot at the main entrance to the village with a guard booth, but on weekdays, guests are allowed to ride into homestays (the internal streets are so narrow that they are almost suitable for walking and riding small two-wheeled vehicles.

    This village is connected to the general electricity network, so the facility remains very stable and guests are hardly annoyed by the loud noise of the family-run generators in remote regions.

     On some special occasions, the festivals would likely be held in the community cultural house

    Besides, it is also designed with three separated areas named A,B and C, linked by paved internal streets, giving a sense of the urban planning development like metropolitan neighborhoods.

    Some might argue that this modern structure would destroy the local culture. But from my point of view, during days riding around the mountainous provinces of the North, a well-planned infrastructure indeed improves the local living.

    Many travelers, both Vietnamese and foreigners, praise the region for its beauty of the spectacular landscape and rich culture, but ignore the harsh weather and poor soil for cultivation – “the beauty of poverty”.

    The improvement in facilities really offers us a comfortable experience, an add-on after rough rides with dense mist, low temperature and slippery roads by rain.

    You can meet many H’mong people in this area and have a meal with them. Meo Vac Clayhouse seems like a dominant homestay as it occupies a cluster of buildings and offers all-in-one experience for guests with a wide array of services including accommodation, coffee, herbal baths and massages, cocktail bars and a souvenir store,… yet the price is premium.

    There are mostly 20 homestays in total with various styles in this area, so take your time!

    A cozy night in the H’mong homestay village Pa Vi during holidays
    (All below pictures was photographed by Isaac on January 2021).

  • Stopped by traffic polices in Vientiane and how to deal with them

    Stopped by traffic polices in Vientiane and how to deal with them

    Rental bike means sometimes you get caught by local traffic police. I did once in Vientiane, and tried to deal with it. Below is my story and some tips, hopefully it’s useful for you.

    The last day in Vientaine, after an extreme bike trip from Phonxavan, we took a visit That Luang and Patuxay. While we were stopping at an intersection, a police officer pointed at us, look like we just wrong lanes. However, he possibly saw our confusing and thought we were foreigners then waved us toward their booth.

    As usual, he asked for our papers, of course, we didn’t have bike license because of bike rental but we did have a international biking license . We had experienced the similar situations before, so consciously asked the reason why we got caught, what we’d done wrong? (we knew riding without a license was illegal, but what about the other).

    However, he insisted on pointed at the booth like we had to park our bike there and get fined. My friends said in Lao “we don’t speak Lao, we speak Vietnamese”, so he turned to his few Vietnamese. Suddenly he sneakily took our bike key. Ok, he won!

    This is like a typical bribe situation in Vietnam, as well. So this is how I dealed with:

    After having our key, they aggressively wrote a paper to push us to pay fine 200,000 kip in a certain office (I didn’t even receive an address) and forced us to sign the paper, my friend did it and I couldn’t stop him on time. Ok, police won second time.

    Note that, the fine paper usually includes 3 pages, one (official, written in ink) is kept to check the number of cases, one for you to pay your fine, and one for data storage. However, they wrote in only one paper like a receipt without any duplicate paper below. That’s so specious. I knew they were acting, but it’s okay.

    I tell you one thing when you face the similar problem: you have the right to delay the fine until you understand clearly your situation and how much you should pay, whether the officers are authentic or fake by asking for their identity (they do have as they ask yours),… so if a right officer will explain clearly the reason why he stops you, have a genuine identity, blab blab blab.

    My advice is to try to delay and make everything clear, your penalty reason, the officer identity,… while deciding whether you would bribe him or contribute to that country national budget.

    Another things you should show them is you have time, don’t rush, don’t act like you have few minutes left for flights,… act like you have a day, and willing to talk friendly.

    After minutes acting, the older officer (who speaks very few vietnamese) waved us back to the booth for negotiations.

    “200,000 kip and take your bike back to hotel”, said he.

    “Sorry but we don’t have 200,000 kip, 100,000 kip only, we run out of money, this is our last day, we spend all money,…”

    “150000?”

    “We only have 100,000 kip, please”

    “…”

    “Ok, deal!” I put money on the table and he covered them with the note book. Done. The deal was closed.

    Of course I could have better deal, at 100,000 kip, or the best, 50000 kip, maybe (Tuan, the receptionist in hostel advised me to bribe them only 50000 kip in case getting stopped). However, it depends on certain situations.

    The less power they have, the more money you could save.

    In my case, the officer had taken the key, so we couldn’t get the bike in any circumstances, they have more power in this negotiation. I also unconsciously revealed that we’re on last day in Vientiane (emergency). He had 2 advantages. So he had more power to deal high price.

    150,000 kip was spent in Laos for traffic police, a perfect piece in our Laos travel experience.

    I know some people get angry when they’re stopped by polices, but you always have right to know whether what you’ve done is wrong, and decide to bribe or do legally.

    For me, bribing is like a negotiating game, a chance to train your bargain skill, you aim for the best price, you have advantages/ disavantages and the other have the same. Try to make a perfect deal and have fun. That’s travel!

    For the last, I even gave them a smile and said “thank you” in Lao. I had a good deal, they had money. And it’s a games.

    I sum up some tips when you face traffic polices:

    1. Always bring important papers (licenses) to show police: I suggest only bring copies in your wallet, in worst cases, you can get back to hostel to get the genuines if it get serious. It reduces the possibility you lost paper due to robberies on street.
    1. When getting stopped, be friendly and politely ask the officer for their identity first, then the reason why they want you. Show your paper but don’t give them immediately. Possibly they will use them against you, force you to bribe them.

    Instead, try to make it clear as much as possible: who are they, their identity cards, what wrong you’ve done, (if you firmly know you violate rules, how much you should pay, any alternative payment options, where you pay, when deadline is, is there any more convenient options,…).

    1. If you decide to pay for your violation, then you have all information in need.
    1. If you decide to bribe, take your time, collect all information, your advantages/ disavantages and theirs, then ask how much you can get it done. Of course, the very first number is like hell, but you have right to bargain for the better. I usually start from the half of what they offer, then, depends on your power, you can finish your deal at your wish.

    The key is patience, persistent and appropriate manner.

    1. Close your deal and say goodbye. You do well.
  • Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Vang Vieng

    Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Vang Vieng

    So you’re backpacking Vang Vieng, a heaven for outdoor adventure, stunning landscape of caves, waterfall and ranges of mountain? This post is for you

    Accomodation

    We stayed in Chillaos hostel, quite a great place, we had a nice breakfast, enough for an active day, a billiard pool and soccer table to have fun together.

     Free Breakfast of Chillaos

    There’s no lounge but a space like a restaurant, just a few books on shelf. The shared bathrooms were clean and well-equipped, only for 5 usd/ person.

     Sunset over potholes on the road

    Biketrip

    Vang Vieng is really a great destination for short bike trips around the town. The roads like trails, so rough, potholes but very pure nature. I did love our biketrip in the rain, while sunset shine over head. It’s simply breathtaking, it’s beautiful !

    The gasoline price is higher than the capital, fixing service is available widely. If you can not afford buggy trips, then bike trip is also a good alternative.

    Vang Vieng is also a popular spot for 2nd bike sale. A lot of sale sticky posts on the hostel wall. Many of them are bought in Vietnam. Price ranges 200-400 usd/ bike.

     Buggy drive crossing the wooden bridge

    Activities and Attractions

    There are a lot of adventure games in Vang Vieng, but most of them are at a cost: Balloon, paramotor, buggy drive, rock climbing and tubing – the most famous.

    I read an information revealing getting on a balloon in Vang Vieng considered is very dangerous because of the lack of safety warranty. Is there anyone review it?

    We also missed Blue Lagoon due to time limit. It’s quite pity but I don’t think it would be beautiful in rainy season.

    To play all Vang Vieng, you need a big chunk of money. They are really suitable if you want to hold a teambuilding contest.

    Also, the weather also should be considered thoroughly, we saw a balloon ascending in a foggy day, which means you can not see anything beautiful while paying around 80 usd/ flight. Tubing in a flood sounds dangerous not adventurous anymore.

     Kaeng Nyui waterfall

    If you wish to spend less, there are some low-budget options: you can access Kaeng Nyui waterfall for 10000 kip/ person, and sinking enjoyably into water flowing strongly over a cement trail like a mini dam. Elephant ride is also available but you shouldn’t join it for natural violation concern.

    The wooden bridges crossing river the opposite river bank cost 10,000 kip. They are very romantic.

     Signboard leading to caves

    On the other side bank, there are a lot of caves to explore, most of them charge entrance fee about 10,000 kip, collected by locals (I think there’s no agencies working in these caves but the local purposely do)

    We also met a group of local playing spots at the end of Ex US airport, I think you could join them.

    For ones loving religious destinations then a temple at the center will be a good place to find quiet moments in your soul. But I think Vang Vieng is the best for outdoor adventures.

    https://instagram.com/p/BWqrxKnFgqL

    Food

    We tasted some specialties here: Boiled bamboo shots, Larp (a mix of veggie and buffalo meat), with a special sauce. I didn’t enjoy them at all.

    There are three popular street foods in Vang Vieng: Fruitshake, pancake and burger, around 10,000-20,000 kip/ dish. I also saw a foodstall selling fruitshake for 5,000 kip. Fruiteshake of Vang Vien is a bit not as sweet as those of Vietnam.

    There are also other dishes, I found a good restaurant opposite Army barracks guesthouse, they cook very delicious dishes, I had a wonderful Pad Thai (we’re late so fewer choice), 20,000 kip/ dish, it worths every pennies. Below is a page of menu, hopefully it’s useful. I also note a Korean restaurant offer 15,000 kip in market.

    Note: Instant noodle is called “Wii Wii” in Laos

    Small note for smokers

    I saw a warning “ DO not smoke in the street… you have to pay pine of 5 million kip” but you can do in bars, just not on street.

  • Biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island

    Biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island

    I’m just too excited to show you my findings: two biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island.

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/embed?mid=1qCBzR0avHVknUo07mBsTagxatqp7FIC6

    Coastal route and National garden route

    Coastal route

    It starts at the port, then go through a mangrove, following a glance at the sea.

    It’s beautiful at sunset, when the surroundings painted in orange and the sun like a giant spotlight, while the water is still and reflects the sky. It’s breath-taking moment and I bet you would stop for photographs to your instagram collection.

    The road is generally good, but some area will be a little bit rough, especially when you reach residential neighborhood.

    Following the road and you’ll see dramatic cliffs, amazing curve surprising you with stunning landscape. Silhouette play a main road in this natural painting, especially during sunrise and sunset.

    National-garden route

    The road takes you through Cat Ba National garden, where you pay a visit to the entrance, buy tickets and join the hiking into the forest.

    Most of the time you will be surrounded by solitude atmosphere, trees, sometimes joined by condos above spreading their wings with friends.

    There are two caves: one you have to pay at the entrance, the other, Quân y cave, you will pay none if you enter at the end of the cave, which there’s a sign sided the road.

     The wooden bridge in Gia Luan neighborhood

    At the end of the route, take notice and you will see a wooden bridge on the right, there’s a path where you can ride down to access. It’s worth a try due to the romantic view.

    Combining two routes and you will have a:

    Perfect loop!

    Biking tips:

    Remember that there are few lights sided the roads, be careful when you’re out at night.

    There are few repair shops on coastal road or when you’re in national garden area, but still people ride by, wave them and use your body language your bike broken-down and need repairs, they will tell the shop to have your bike fixed.

  • Cat ba – Tuan Chau: Vietnam’s most amazing ferry route

    Cat ba – Tuan Chau: Vietnam’s most amazing ferry route

    The ferry brings you from charming Cat Ba island to Tuan Chau – a luxurious landmark close to Ha Long city via Ha Long bay within one hour, when stunning landscape in a very comfortable pace is expected.

    I love the route, at the first sight.

    Compared to those I’ve been to, it is the best! Giant rocks on waters like big guys guarding, evergreen. Still water as massive mirror and you have time to enjoy those, sound great right ?

    Get to

    From Cat Ba town, there’s a road crossing through national garden to the Gia Luận pier, where they hold ferry route to Tuan Chau. On the way, you will experience the evergreen and somewhat solitude on the road surrounded by trees, plantations and local garden.

    Note: I encountered three snakes: two alive and one dead, so be cautious when riding by.

    What to do on the ferry

    The trip takes approximately one hour in total, so you’d like to spend your time wisely.

    Sightseeing: the landscape is of the the most beautiful in Viet Nam, so you should have a seat on deck and eyes on incredibly natural formation

    Have some food: due to the long ride, there’s actually a mini food court where you can have some refreshments.

    Selfie: the second floor is a great spot for your selfie as it provides wonderful 180 degree background, don’t forget your stick or have your companions make it.

    Sunbathing: on sunny days, benches on the deck directly heated by sunlight are the favorite ones of people love tanned skin.

    Photography tips

    Corridors on the second floor is the best place for landscape, where your pose touches the sky, rocks and water, they are all perfect for your album. Don’t miss it!

    Also, you can take top-down shot to the below people and things.

    Budget and schedule reference

    A bike + rider cost 100,000 dong

    Passenger 80,000 dong

    There’s a cafeteria at the pier where foods and drinks are served around 20,000-40,000 dong.

    For more details, you can see the table below:

  • Lan Ha bay Cruise Tour for One-day: The review

    Lan Ha bay Cruise Tour for One-day: The review

    Lan Ha bay cruise tour for one day is such a must-try experience in Cat Ba island. I did it, and these are some reasons why you should do the same.

    I add some tips in case you give it a try.

    1. Schedule

    This is a full day trip. The tour starts from 8:00 and you disembark at 17:00 so, except for the sunrise at dawn, you will experience the bay in mostly every hours on day with so many colors and themes of landscape and sun.

    Tips: There’re transit minivan coming to pick you up at the booking agent office. No hassle!

     Bánh Đa Cua – local spectialty

    There’s no breakfast included but usually free-breakfast of hostels served after 8:00, so if you feel hungry, it’d better getting around early and have some food before. For me, I have Xôi (sticky rice), Bánh dày (round sticky rice cake) or a bowl of local Bánh đa cua (local crab rice noodle), they were all awesome!

    When the cruise turns back in the late afternoon, the transit will get you straight forward your hostel, so when you’re back on the minivan, make sure you can look out and mark your accomodation so that the driver drops you by

    2. Price

    Price depends on the agency you book the tour, ranges from 350,000 – 380,000 vnd/ pax.

    The experience covers from cruising, kayaking, lunch, drop you by remote beaches and eventually take a walk around Monkey island.

    I find it reasonable and worth a try. I know Cat Ba is a beautiful destination but without eyes to Lan Ha bay, you miss a lot of stunning experience.

    3. Experience

    I’ll tell you what surprises me most!

    The landscape, well, Lan Ha bay (or former Ha Long bay complex) was such a beautiful touch to my every senses. Green, Rocks, Sky – exquisite harmony!

    We saw a big fish, no, giant fish, and there’re only two in the bay.

    We kayaked for over one hour. That was the first time I’ve been on a kayak, and got used to it quickly, then we moved around, through caves, find shades among rocks and greens, when the time stood still.

    We settled down for a while and jump for joy, well, off the ship, for 1-2 second I didn’t remember and landing on the cool and clear water. We even saw jelly fish and make jokes when guiding people to circle around a imaginary jelly ones (because, you know, it’s said that jelly fish bite hurts you much).

    Then we had lunch onboard surrounded by fantastic scenery, open talks about experience, many fellow travelers on the cruise, all around the world and stories keep flowing out of mouth like waterfall.

    (Well, it’s a bit annoying when someones keep saying “you know, five years ago, it’s such a heaven on earth, I’ve been there at that time, now, I can’t recognize it anymore.)

    After lunch, we took a lazy time resting then heading to a site where offers three tiny beaches (Ba Trái Đào isle). The cruise stopped in deep water and we swam ourselves toward those sands. It is very exciting and relaxing when you lie on the beach, among majestic rocks and an open sky, such a luxurious experience.

    The final stop, Monkey island is also amazing when we caught a beautiful sunset, the sand was super fine and monkeys were very friendly (I shook hand with a guy) despite warning that you shouldn’t tease them much or you’ll take claws/ bites.

    For hikers, there’s a challenging mountain not far from the house by the beach, you should be careful when climbing up, the rocks are quite sharp but the panoramic view on top is super worthy.

    4. How to buy Lan Ha bay cruise tour (one-day)

    This is one of the most popular tours in Cat Ba so you have no difficulty asking for it in any hostels, remember the price range as I mentioned above so that you won’t be rip-offed.

  • Nam Du archipelago travel guide

    Nam Du archipelago travel guide

    1. Get in

    A. Sai Gon – Kien Giang

    It’s better to take a sleeper bus, starting at 23:00 so that you would wake up in the next day at the harbour and take the earliest speed boat trip to the island.

    I prefer Phuong Trang open bus due to the wide range of departure time and a flexible transit directly to the harbor. The cost is 150,000 vnd/ person.

    There are two speed boat operators: Superdong and Ngoc Thanh. Superdong service: departs at 6:15 and it takes 2,5-3 hours to Nam Du with 210,000 vnd/ person (2018).

    All bus and boat are required to book in advance and receive the ticket 30 minutes beforehand.

    2. Get out

    The last speed boats leave Nam Du at 15:15.

    The last Phuong Trang bus to HCMc will leave at 23:00.

    Bear in mind the schedule to plan your leaving.

     Nam Du harbour from above

    3. What to do in Nam Du

    Cruise tour

    You can book cruise tour at any hostel/ hotel receptionist, with two options: a full-day trip for 250,000 vnd/ person, departing at 8:00 AM and visiting 3 isles: Hon Dau, Hon Mau and snorkel site. A half-day trip will cover the two last, you will leave the island at 13:00, only 150,000 vnd.

    Life vest is limited, especially in common daily tour because the cruise crew will try their best to get as many guests as possible, sometimes, outnumber the amount of life vests. Therefore, you may love to be first people onboard and get yours.

    Private boat to island is also available, for 75-100 usd/ day. If you don’t have much time, or wanna some private moment, more flexible schedule, this option is for you. Contact through hostel, too, and tell them you’d prefer private tour.

    Usually, the agency will offer 75 usd/ half day and 100 usd/ full day but you should bargain down to 50 usd for half day tour and 75 usd with a full day tour. It’d better be clear with agency about what isles you would visit and how long they would take you around. A full day should start at 8:00 and half day at 13:00, all ends at 17:00 as common tour.

    Bear in mind that the tour may not be available if weather stays bad, so watch out weather forecast to plan the trip.

    Cruise review

    Hon Dau, Hon Mau are two popular destinations of daily tour. These are residential isles, beach is beautiful with nice, tiny and colorful rocks, water is super clear, and if you come there in sunny days, you would see how amazing they are.

    The last stop is a snorkel site, but the coral reefs is not as beautiful as those of Phu Quoc isles, it’d better snorkeling under sun (at noon) because the sun light will lit up the surface underwater, making it more fantastic and the temperature would be comfortable than in the late afternoon.

     

    4. Accomodation

    There are many options: motels, homestay, dorms.

    The only dorm cost minium 150,000 vnd/ person for a 8-bed room. A private room range from 150,000 vnd/ night with fan, and over 250,000 vnd/ night with room equipped air-conditioned.

    My choice was Khang Vy, a motel locates at the intersection toward fishing village. The room is clean, and equipped air-con, for 250,000 vnd/ night.

    There’re many touts asking whether you’ve booked a room and suggesting theirs. Most of first time visitors would choose to walk for a while (avoiding tour traps), but finally, when they’re fatigue, the decision is made for touts.

    Tips: check the room, check the price but consider your experience, you may not be back in future so make your first impression good!

    Read more: Hostel guide for newbie backpackers

    5. Food

    The seafood worth your tries due to the variety of creatures. I suggest you spend 50-100 usd to cover most of delicious food in the island. It’s worthy for your curiosity and exploration.

    We try a specialty: “lẩu cá xương xanh” (green skeleton fish hotpot), only 150,000 vnd/ 2 people and it’s very delicious. You can buy other kind of seafood and have them well cooked right at the local food-stalls, with a beer and a view towards the sea, it is simply a amazing experience.

    A bowl of “bún thịt” only costs 20,000 vnd/ pax, so much cheap. We also bought a tiger beer for 18,000 vnd – same as mainland.

    One of special jam drink of the island is “đá me”. You will be attracted by vendors stirring a hot brown mixture.

    If you travel deeply enough into fishing village as we did in Bai Ngu, then you will find out more local food with more reasonable price compared to those at the harbour.

     The shore

    6. Ride around

    The cheapest bike rental fee is 150,000 vnd for 24 hour. You’d better ride around the small island without any refuel.

    However, if you tend to check every corners then possibly you should buy more fuel from local grocery with 25,000 vnd/ litre

    I spotted some bicycles for rent also, it’s also ideal to take cycling as the coastal road is relatively short (over 20 kilometers I guess). Keep in mind that there are slopes upwards and downwards.

    Coastal road

    Rent a bike and ride around the island is a must-try experience as the landscape is incredible. The cliffs, the shore with colorful rocks, lines of coconut, blue clear-as-crystal water with far far away fishing boats, evergreen forests. You will miss these ones if you don’t ride.

    7. Photography spot

    These amazing pictures above are shot at some spots:

    – “the harbour”: on the way to lighthouse, there’s a site which you can photograph entire shore below. People call it “sky gate”.

    – “Xich du”: at Hon Mau, follow the road to the end, there’s a local restaurant with beautiful props as in my photos.

    – “the shore”: you can spot these shore after leaving Bai Men few miles towards Bai Ngu fishing village. Stick to the sea side and you’ll spot it.

    8. Conclusion

    The island is such a wonderful travel site: good food, beautiful scenery, small enough for short trip. The big disadvantage is it requires permit for foreigners, but if you can make it, then it’s completely worth your effort.