So you travel to Hai Phong, and have no idea about the food. Well, this post is for you !
Apart from Cat Ba island, I didn’t spend much time in Hai Phong, a port city in the northeast Vietnam. Most of my time is to find good food so I will review a bit about some local food in Hai Phong.
Only three dishes, no big deal.
Bánh đa cua (Crab brown rice noodle)
Well, when I write these words, my mouth is watering, again. It is such a delicious food with unique flavor.
The bowl includes cá viên (fish ball), riêu cua (like in “bún riêu“), chả thịt cuốn lá sương xông (spring roll by leaves), nõn tôm (unshelled shrimp), nõn tôm tích (unshelled mantis shrimp) mix with rau cần (water dropwort ) and hành phi (fried onion). You can spice up with some slices of hot chilly, a little salt, sauce and kumquat.
What make it special also lies in the noodle quality, it’s brownish, very different from rice noodle as we usually consume. The smell is well delivered via smoke and it is very good to taste on coldish days due to the warmth.
quán ăn at Hàng Kênh street
I enjoyed mine in a “quán ăn” (a mini restaurant) at 148 Hàng Kênh street. It is not really a ‘restaurant’ in term of European standard, but very popular style in Vietnam, but on top of that, the quality is pretty good).
There’s one thing to notice that the pavement is narrow to park your bike, so it would be difficult to find a room for your vehicles, especially when driving. So bear in my that share rides or taxis should be better.
One last piece of information: a pax cost 25,000 vnđ and you should order Thập cẩm (all ingredients mixed) to have every aspects of the topping, apart from your own taste (some may not eat shrimp, for example).
I took a bowl for lunch and it definitely made me full till the evening. Very qualified!
2. Bánh đúc tàu (Plain rice flan)
So this is for breakfast, you can find at around No.186 Hai Bà Trưng street.
There’s a vendor there with lots of bowl in row and “bánh đúc” also. It cost 10,000 vnđ/ pax and the taste is super unique.
As you may know, the northern cuisine tastes tend to be salty, this one turns out to be a little sweet, a little sour. The topping includes shrimp and tiny blocks of su hào (cabbage turnip). You can order more “bánh đúc” if your body need more calorie for a day, but it is totally made of rice with high carb, so, your call.
The pavement is large enough for parking, there’s also a local market near by to explore.
3. Bánh mì cay
I’m not fascinated with the name, well, it’s true, except for its size: very thin.
One costs you only 2,000 vnđ/ stick and there’s nothing much to expect: pate, little meat and spiced up with hot chilly sauce.
What make it become a legend, along with its size, is the bread quality and somehow, the weather. After preparing thoroughly, the cook will roast one more time so you will receive hot sticks. I recommend eat them at site, when it is in perfect condition. If you bring them home, it would be nice to microwave again.
Bánh mỳ cay vendor
The two destinations famous for Bánh mỳ cay is Bà Già (57 Lê Lợi), Khánh Nạp (192 Hàng Kênh). It’s quite popular in the city so you may see vendors here and there.
I had them after a movie at night. The temperature was quite low and it came to right time I needed something to warm me up and fulfill my hungry dream.
4. Thạch găng (Glass jelly)
Oh, I missed this one, and I doubt that it would be a copy of “sương sáo”, “phục linh”, “xoa xoa”, which only means glass jelly, maybe the topping would be different a bit, but the nature stays similar.
By the way, if you’d like to have a glass, it should be found in almost local markets, some travelers recommend Lương Văn Can, Cát Bi and Cố Đạo markets.
The price ranges from 10,000 – 20,000 vnđ. Due to your optional toppings, it would vary the price.
So with 4 dishes, you nearly take a food tour of Hai Phong city now. Have good meals!
Luang Prabang, the ex-capital, destination of monks walking for offerings in a quiet morning, delicious and fresh food from legendary Mekong river, a place where you just wanna be lazy all days in an armchair and read Lonely planet (I mean old versions).
And if you feel cramped a little bit then a ride following river bank and enjoy a cup of hot coffee in the fanstatic evening is your choice. Here we go!
Alms ceremony monks at dawn
Get around
LP is a small town so you can choose either to walk, rent a cycle or motorbike and ride around. If you wish to travel further a bit like majestic Kuang Si waterfall (30 kilometers away), then rent a bike is a better choice, but remember you may be stopped by police.
You can share ride with people to cut cost if you travel solo. I saw many tuk tuk full of travelers. Imagine awesome people from every corners in the world gather in a small vehicle to an awesome attraction. That is totally awesome!
If your time is no rush, you should also take ferry for 8000 kip to the other river bank (we did it, it was windy and beautiful) and visit a local village, as well as the botanic garden (we haven’t been there, if you did, plz tell me how it looks like?)
Accomodation
The riverside is dominated by a lot of beautiful villas and hostels. Price maybe high here but the view is spectacular. My next time in Luang Prabang would be there absolutely!
During our trip, we stayed at Moukdavan hostel. it’s a new guy in hostelworld app with a few good reviews, so I decided to give it a chance. The hostel locates just 500 meters away from downtown, so price is cheaper, 30,000 kip/ dorm bed without free breakfast. The furniture is vintage and some wooden. Honestly, I love it, especially its host Leon and his story.
Attraction
I pick two most typical destinations in our journey.
phou si walk
Phou Si
To be honest, there’s nothing special but a highest spot to view the city. The religious complex situates on a hill at the center of the town. You will take steps to a small worship pagoda at the peak. Due to absolutely green surroundings, it’s very comfortable walking and take photograph.
You can step inside pagoda, fire incense and pray. entrance fee: 20,000 kip/ pax
kuang si waterfall
Kuang Si
The most worthy destination for its price. We had a wonderful time there explore many interesting things like bear rescue actitivies, photography, bathing, trekking. The landscape is amazing and I actually plan to return one day.
entrace fee: 20000 kip/ person and 2000 kip/ bike parking fee if you ride a motorcycle.
Food/ Fruit and drink
The ex capital impresses travelers with its variety of cuisine. We enjoyed most Lao foods in Luang Prabang because their reasonable price and very delicious taste.
The first evening we had roasted meat and sticky price at a food alley. Sitting under jumble steel roofs, brightly yellowish color from the old light and enjoy traditional Lao dishes is a must-do experience.
For fruits, we tasted Mak Tong, a sort of local fruit, very sour, so it usually include a special mix of salt, sugar and seasoning.
luang prabang fruit pineapple
Pineapple is also popular and taste is sweet, just 8,000 kip. And there’s a foodstall at Kitsalat road which sells meat soup at remakably cheap price: 5,000 kip. I see it is the best price “restaurant” in town. Note that it’s only open in the morning.
My friend really enjoy Khao Soy in nightmarket. Its smell is unique. You may want it with some Lao Beer.
There is actually a morning market, not two far from night business location. You should get up early and take a visit there, and enjoy local specialties, big fish from Mekong river, colorful sticky rice with even a pie of plan cake.
Veggie, meat and all cooking ingredients are available and incredibly fresh so it’s pity that I didn’t join any cooking class (if any). It’s better to buy some to make your own breakfast not only to save money but also to have deeper local experience. It’s absolutely worthy.
Nightlife
If you enjoy weed then a very bar named “Utopia” will be the best place to smoke. I saw an ambiance of twilight dense fog inside, it’s really an ideal destination for smoking travelers.
We decided to enjoy more luxurious style so Joma coffee at riverside is perfect. Drink costs at 15,000 usd. But remember that most coffee close at 9 PM. You should take a walk following riverside, it’s very beautiful and gorgeous with colorful stores, coffees and villas while enjoy soft breeze from Mekong.
Nightmarket is also good place to enjoy local food and souvenir. I bought a couple of natural soap for 10000 kip/ piece.
Phonxavan, land of fire and bomb in history, mysterious Plain of Jars and magnificent road trips along range of pines. Don’t miss it in your Lao itinerary.
Power cut
The city sometimes experiences power cut. When we arrived and was checking room before booking, all the lights were off. My friend admittedly was lucky because of not being trapped in the elevator at that time.
Bike rental
I saw many signboard for rentals, so no problem renting one, price ranges variously from 60,000-100,000 kip, depending on what kinds (manual or automatic shift), date and your bargain skill.
Tips: it’d better choose manuals for safety concern.
Most of Phonsavan stores closed at 8:PM. The first time visiting the city, I was surprised. You know, HCMc is mostly active by 11 PM.
Fortunately, there’s still some Vietnamese restaurant open at night, offering soup, noodle and some specialties.
Accomodation
There are few option for dorm bed but private room is very cheap, just 60,000 kip/fan room, not including free breakfast.
We stayed in Doukoun hostel, which is very large complex of motel. Room is spacious and comfortable.
As Phonxavan used to be a fierce battlefield, like Cu Chi-Vietnam, so there are a lot of bullet and bomb shells stocked inside as a interior decoration.
Phonxavan hot pot
Eat
Well, there’s a hot-pot restaurant by a Wat, quite popular with many locals having chill out. We saw a large party of employees celebrating there, so it’s possibly cheap and delicious.
One set for 2 people cost 50000 kip, including a Lao style hot pot.
The next destination is “che Hue” (sweet soup of Hue, Vietnam), 5000 kip with a big glass (I was full after it). It’s actually a hairdresser, only sell soup in the evening till night. The people are from Vietnam so you can practise Vietnamese (Hue accent). You should order Thap Kam for all ingredients mixed.
We didn’t visit local markets but I think you should do before they close at 7-8PM
At night, you can walk around guesthouse neighborhood to have Chao luon, Com, Pho. I saw no beautiful coffees in downtown.
Phonxavan plain of jars site one
Attractions
we’re heading for Phonsavan mostly for Plain of Jars. Most travelers visit Plain of jars site one as it is the largest site in area. 3000 kip parking fee/ bike and 15000 kip/ foreigner, 10,000 kip/ Lao.
After buying ticket, you can ride your bike to parking lot near the site or getting on transit car.
What you expect is a dozen of Jars scattering on hills. Inside is water pool, or bushes. Far faraway, pine forest beautify the landscape. You should go uphill to see panoramic view. It’s worthy.
A sunflower garden locates near the entrance, don’t forget to take photos.
There’s a cave, quite creepy ambiance, stones stacked stones, piles and piles, an altar at the center, it reflects a small amount of outside light.
Photography tips: visit in dry season, get up early and hunt for sunrise moment.
Phonxavan pine hills
Get out
Toward Nong Tang, there are evergreen pine forest hills among rice paddy fields which is a great spot for shooting photography.
Photography tips:
Nong Tang also is there a small lake with giant rocks scattering, a bit like Ninh Binh (Vietnam), every late afternoon, local fisherman collects produce on boats moving slowly on water.
I think it’s good for using tele len to shoot close up boat or portrait of rocks, fit also good if you wish for human portrait (ask to get onboard and shoot). A wide len for all sky, rocks and water with fishermans/ boats is good for landscape style.
If you travel Malaysia Capital and make a plan to visit Tugu Negara, so don’t ignore ASEAN Sculpture Garden in Kuala Lumpur.
Location
It is a beautiful garden along Parlimen Road, about 100 metres to the National Monument (Tugu Negara) as well as very close to the Lake Gardens and 15-minute walk from the Masjid Jamek LRT station.
Asean sculpture garden entrance
What to explore in Asean Sculpture Garden in Kuala Lumpur
You should spend 15 minutes take snap of pictures as the garden features the works created by award-winning local artists of the six founding Association of Southeast Asian Nations, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
The garden was officially opened in 1987 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN. It’s quite interesting if you know more about the meaning behind every works as there is few information at site.
It shapes twenty slabs in a curving movement from a low profile to the upwards, symbolising the growth of ASEAN during the first twenty years, created by Syed Ahmad Jamal with material including Malaysia marble slabs on reinforced concrete.
Towards Peace (Singapore)
There are six sculptures symbolising the progress in unity, growth, peace and harmony of ASEAN with 6 members together, created by Han Sai Por with Malaysia Marble.
The Gate Of Harmony (Indonesia)
The Gate symbolises communication among ASEAN countries: independent wings and pillars represent the interdependence of the nations while the concrete block implies the nations create communication, conference and harmony. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and created by Dolorosa Sinaga.
Barong-Barong (Philippines)
A modern interpretation of old type architecture popular in ASEAN region, made by Jerusalino V.Araos and of many material including steel and glass.
The progress
Progress (Thailand)
The artist use stainless Steel – an industrial material to emphasize the industrial progress of ASEAN. The maker: Itthi Khongkhakul
The Asean Dance (Brunei Darussalam)
It’s simple: to preserved the old and welcome the new. Created by Abu Bakar bin Abdul Rahman
Final thought
The garden is free entrance, beautifully green and well-maintained, so most of travelers would take a visit on their way to National monument, but it will just an ordinary visit due to the lack of relevant information on structures.
the structure needs to be maintained regularly.
In addition, these ones seem also in need of some restoration and sustain like the garden. It’s good to understand the success of the region in over the last few decades, which will match perfectly with the surrounding history site.
vNo-one travels to Kuala Lumpur to miss a visit to Batu Caves – a very attractive destination close to the capital, featuring the popular Hindu festival – Thaipusam, holding the tallest Hindu god statue in the world and the labyrinth of spooky limestone caves in Malaysia. So amazing !!
Besides, you will be given a challenge to take quite steep 272 steps to enter a giant dorm-shaped cave with numerous religious activities conducting inside and a panoramic view toward the metropolian area. Don’t miss it !
Batu Caves actually includes three main caves featuring temples, Hindu shrines and a system of small-scale caves to explore.
1 – The history
statue on a rooftop
Some quick fact to know: – The limestone forming Batu Caves is around 400 million years old.
– The caves were first used by indigenous people (Temuan) for sheltering, then by Chinese pioneers collecting guano to fertilize their vegetable gardens in early 1860s.
– Over 10 years after that, the limestone hills attracted an American naturalist William Hornaday (1878) and also colonial authorities including Daly and Syers.
– But the turning point for Batu Caves was when K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader, used it as a place to worship Hindu gods (Lord Murugan).
– In 1890, Pillai, who also founded the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, set up the Murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Murugan Swami in Temple Cave.
– The Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (late January-early February) started celebrating there in 1892.
– Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were initially built in 1920, then replaced by 272 concrete steps later.
Trivia
– Batu Cave is named after the Sungai Batu (Stone River), which flows through the hill. It is the tenth (Pattu in Tamil) limestone hill from Ampang. – Batu Caves is also the name of a nearby village.
– Batu Caves is also referred as 10th Caves since there are six holy shrines in India and four in Malaysia, including three others are Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Tanneermalai Temple in Penang and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca.
2- System of Caves
Coming to Batu Caves, you should pay enough time to visit totally 3 main Caves (Temple cave, Dark cave, The Ramayana Cave) and maybe some small caves.
Inside Temple caves
The biggest – Temple Cave, has a very high dome-shaped ceiling and features decorated Hindu shrines. Actually, it’s a joint of 2 separated caverns. The first cavern contains six abodes of Murugan carved into the walls and the second is where the temple of Valli Devanai, Murugan’s wife, locates
Entrance to Dark Caves – regularly limited access
Below the Temple Cave is the Dark Cave, with rock formations and a number of unique animals. It presents a network of intact caverns, but the most stunning things is that the harmony of thousands-of-years stalactites and stalagmites creates complicated formations such as cave curtains, cave pearls, flow stones, etc. It will blow your mind and make you fall in love at a glance.
In order to maintain the cave’s ecology, access is restricted but there’re still regular adventure trips to Dark Caves organized by the Malaysian Nature Society. Along with Dark Caves, there are a variety of undeveloped caves holding a diverse range of cave fauna like bats.
Lord Hanuman statue at Batu caves site
The Ramayana Cave, featuring the story of Rama along the walls of the cave in a chronicle sequence, is situated to the left. On the way to the Cave, there are a 15m (50 ft) tall statue of Hanuman and a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
At the base of the hill, there are Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave with full of Hindu statues and paintings, which then was renovated as the Cave Villa in 2008.
3- The gold statue
One of the reasons making Batu Caves distictive and worthy your visit is virtually the huge gold statue right beside the steep stairs to the Temple cave.
Murugan statue
For your interest, that is the golden statue of Lord Murugan, 42.7 meter (140ft) in height (so highhhh!), and merely considered as the biggest one ever in the world. It took 3 years to accomplish the wonder. Wow !
4- Annual Thaipusam Festival
A temple inside Catheral cave
The Batu Caves is a renowned pilgrimage site, mainly dedicated to the annual Thaipusam festival of Hindu community worldwide. So you have a chance to take a close up to prestigiously religious activity if you’re kind of people interested in the topic.
So this is how its take place: A Thaipusam march starts in the morning light from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in KL, heading to Batu Caves as a religious undertaking to Lord Muruga. It takes about eight hours totally and devotees are required to carry containers of milk as an offering to Lord Murugan, either by hand or in large ornamented canisters on their shoulders called ‘kavadi’.
“The kavadi may be simple wooden arched semi-circular supports holding a carrier foisted with brass or clay pots of milk or huge, heavy ones which may rise up to two metres, built of bowed metal frames which hold long skewers, the sharpened end of which pierce the skin of the bearers torso. The kavadi is decorated with flowers and peacock feathers imported from India. Some kavadi may weigh as much as a hundred kilograms” – Wikipedia
Devotees are bathing in Sungai Batu (or Rocky River), then enter the Temple cave by making a arduous climb through the center staircase while influx of worshipper and observer filling the balustrades on the sides.
Priests approach the kavadi carriers, sprinkle sacred ash over skewers and hooks on devotees’s body then carefully remove them. It’s noticable that no blood shed when people do piercing and removal, but it’s still very frighteningly watching the process.
5-Travel to Batu caves
The attraction is actually a limestone hill located in Gombak, Selangor, 13km north of Kuala Lumpurr, Malaysia. So there are various ways to reach the Batu caves:
KTM train service: Batu Caves complex is easily reached by commuter train at Batu Caves Komuter station in KL Sentral. A one-way ticket cost RM 2.6, which is the cheapest transportation.
Bus: From KL Sentral, take the monorail service to Titiwangsa station. Alight here and take the bus to Batu Caves, also bus 11/11d from Bangkok Bank Terminus (Near to Puduraya Terminus) or bus U6 from Titiwangsa
Car/ Taxi: You can drive/ take taxi to Batu Caves because it locates beside the main highway of MRR2.
6- Things to do
You will see many paintings in temple at the base
Cultural art hunting
Well, there are paintings and scenes of Hindu Gods exhibits in the Ramayana Cave and the temples at the base.
Photography
As a iconic attraction of Malaysia, Batu Caves also an ideal place to perform your photographic skills on ritual, naturally dome-shaped caves and for the best, the giant Hindu god guarding at front.
Stunning rock formation of Batu caves
Rock climb
Batu Caves is the hub of rock climbing in Malaysia recently, as you can see in Vang Vieng also. Actually, the caves locates on a limestone hills rising to 150mm, so it’s no surprising that the surrounding site offers many climbing routes scatteredly (I read that there are more than 160 climbing routes) . You should contact local adventure companies for your own safety, but some would seek to do it themselves by reaching Damai caves, locating in the north eastern area.
Feed monkey
Coming to Batu caves and I’m sure you would enjoy feeding its numerous macaques, except for someone involuntarily. These creatures may bites tourists so you can carry a stick as “weapon” against some “bad guys”.
Tour de Dark Cave
The cave is so famous that every one loves studying nature shouldn’t miss learning about the natural history in the area.
7- When to visit
The best time to visit Batu caves and enjoy all of its religious color is in late January or February when over thousands of pilgrims make their way to the Thaipusam festival.
For the other day, you should travel to the complex in the early morning, 6-7 AM is the optimum choice, when you can enjoy the sunrise and sense of tranquility before the site are overwhelmed by influxes of tourists.
If you want to see how Hindu rituals happen then notice that Prayers are held at 8.30am and 4.30pm.
8- Budget travel tips
You should notice that although the Temple cave is free, the other come with various entrance fees and opening hours.
Ramayana Cave is RM5/ pax for entrance
Travel by KTM at KL Sentral saves you most money and time.
Back from the memorable trip across mountainous country, to my best recollection, I can list 5 reasons to travel Laos. If you love these ones, why not arrange to make a trip to the heaven destination.
Live slowly
This the number one of reasons to travel Laos. If you’re drown in 9-5 lifestyle, you will love it – the country of slow pace.
In the morning, when it must be time to get up and prepare to work, local people still remain sleeping. The first morning we visited Vientiane and thought it should be a little bit crowded, well, just few people appears and it was hard for us to ask for guidance due to few people to ask.
It seems Lao people have no worries but enjoy their daily life as much as they’d like, especially when you come into remote villages, it’s 4 PM and ladies start their evening shower while men are relaxing at front.
Enjoy the slow-pace lifestyle in Luang Prabang
And we absorbed the slow-pace lifestyle when we stayed in Luang Prabang. It was magically turning us into lazy worms that we just let all the whirlwind away and enjoyed ourselves in armchairs reading books, listening to music and let dreams burst out, or felt hungry and made a ride to local market and had a full meal like nothing to worry at all.
In Luang Prabang, your soul is quite, your inner voice rises loud and all sorrows flow away through Mekong rivers.
One reasons to travel Lao is food. What you can expect the local food is healthy. Very healthy in way that you may not be familiar with. For me, it’s taste. The rest is good after all.
Most of dishes are bland, so you would need sauce to spice it up, but less intake of salt on daily basic is good, right? The popular dish we take is sticky rice, then larp, a sort of local salad made of buffalo meat with various veggie, fishes from rivers, not ones produced in industrial manner, even tiny corns that my friend joked us that they were food for pigs in her country, well, I simply thought it was produce of the traditional method.
Everyday, you feed your lungs with very fresh air.
I know downtown areas are still somehow populating but just a few walk and you soon get gallons of health-friendly air.
In Luang Prabang, if you wake up early and stick to streets at dawn, you’re likely to see monks walking slowly in row, taking offerings from the local (and tourists, too). It’s very cultural tradition and also suggested as must-do in some guidebooks.
While there’s still controvery over whether you should attend the experience while you’re not really a buddist or not well-prepared both knowledge and appearance before partaking, I think that moment your heart opens wide and selfishness is collapsed. You start the morning with something good and your day turns bright.
A life lesson metropolises won’t teach you.
Kuang Si waterfall
Harmony with nature
I used to have a trek to Fansipan – the highest summit in Vietnam. The trail was set up neatly so that all the trekkers wouldn’t get lost and worry about finding right path to the summit. They are all there: stacked stones put in the order like stairs for you to step on, two camps made of steel with well-furnished interior. I also noticed a very small detail you might ignore: in some areas, the handrails are made of cement and iron but shaped to look like thin trunks.
It’s very different in Laos, especially Kuang Si waterfall, which I prefer the way Lao people perfectly mix their artificial features along with indigenous creation. The bridge and balcony to watch the fall are wooden, and I believe most of bridges you encounter during your trip here will be wooden. Handrails, fences at the top of the fall are all produced from local wood at a very basic treatment: they simply cut off all the branch and nail them together.
We strolled streets by streets in Luang Prabang and always find ourselves surrounded by green color of old trees spreading their shades, which makes the atmosphere often moist, cool and comfortable, your mind just remains relaxed all the time.
Besides, maybe you’ve ridden through many passes in your journeys around the world but ones in Laos will give you an impression of how the purest green passes look like, fewer plantations than most of areas you’ve seen, except for Vientiane province, it is partly industrialized by overseas companies.
If you love gorgeous nature, so it should be a stick in your reasons to travel Laos
Just a stop enrouting to Dalat, Di Linh somehow, has its own identity of unique landscape and food.
Get in
The best relaxation way is to take an open bus of Phuong Trang or Thanh Buoi for around 200,000 dong.
Bike trip is good for adventure, the highway 20 condition is very good, flat and smooth, frequent bike service, so you have no trouble riding to Di Linh.
Best local food
I had a wonderful meal at a small food stall at 368 Hung Vuong. They cook very well, the dishes are cheap and tasty. I had yougurt with red artichoke flower, Xiu mai and chicken soup for only 32,000 dong in total.
There’s not popular specialty for Di Linh, and well-known restaurants in the town, also. The popular dish is Banh xeo, I saw a lot vendors offered it. Pho and Com (boiled rice) is quite cheap.
Attractions
Play as a quick stop to Dalat, Di Linh is not quite popular but still owns some attractions:
9km from downtown toward HCMc, by highway 20, the fall is abandoned now. At the time I visited, there were 2 little girls there, so I had them guard my bike and guide me to the fall, cost 20,000 dong for both. The fall was beautifully majestic and still very natural. I saw a lot of picnic leftover, so it’s possibly camping there. The fall flows fiercely in rain season so be careful when you travel that time.
Li Liang waterfall
Another waterfall, locating by highway 28, 13 kilometers away from Di Linh center. There’s not a high fall but rocks stacked not-quite-steeply, like a stream. Wild and pure, Li Liang waterfall is great for a stop and picnic, along with Bobla.
Kala
An artificial lake, 300 acre in square. It looks like a giant mirror reflecting the blue sky above, surrounded by shady pine forest. It’s quiet, poetry and fantastic. If you visit Li Liang, don’t miss Kala because they are very close to each other.
Ta Dung lake
Ta Dung lake
A huge lake just 30 minute riding from downtown. There’s nothing to do but take a tour follow highway and observe the majesty of nature from above: a combination of water, mountains and sky, like a breath-taking painting. A bike trip takes 3-4 hours.
You can follow a small road downward then rent a boat for fishing days. Price is negotiable.
Tea plantations
As many towns in highland, Di Linh offer an evergreen lines of tea on hills. You can park your bike and have stunning photography in sunny days, there’s almost no shades so it’d better pack along hats or umbrella for heat protection. You should spend 1-2 hours.
Suggested itinerary
Day #1: Tea/ cafe plantation in early morning, have breakfast in town, then heading toward Li Liang waterfall and have lunch, when it’s 3-4 PM, take a visit to Kala to shoot for the sunset. You should spend your evening eat local food.
Day #2: a bike trip exploring Ta Dung lake, you can rent a boat surfing around for whole morning. I think setting up a picnic or camp right inside the lake is a good idea for adventure. The late afternoon should you spend on Bobla waterfall.
Estimated budget for 2-day trip for couples
Because there’s no dorm/ homestay for solo traveller, so it’d better travel in group to share cost. I list the cost for two people, a motorbike, staying a room for 2 days in Di Linh. There are a few option for food.
Visiting Hanoi as a transit (to Sapa like me) and don’t have much time researching ? My ideal itinerary 24 hours in Hanoi will help you save much time and enjoy Hanoi fully
First, I don’t think we could use only one day for Ha Noi. It’s too big, too complicating, too many things to explore, from food to culture, even a street is able to get you lost in its own beauty.
But sometimes, time is not our friend, especially when we don’t have much of it. If for some reasons that you can’t take a complete Ha Noi holiday week, then my 24-hour guide hopefully useful for you.
Morning in Ha Noi
6AM (for ones flying): walk out of the arrival hall of Noi Bai airport, turn right and search for red bus of Vietjet Air or bus #86 – shutter bus to city center. Bus #86 costs 30.000 vnd, offering free wifi (weak signal) and English-speaking conductor, English instructions by voice, issued before reaching any stops, highly recommend for its useful and professional. Some time taking taxi or local bus is quite frustrating because of the infamous overcharging in Hanoi.
7AM: Breakfast with street food – if lucky, you’ll enjoy some delicious meal for only 10000 – 15000 vnd. If budget is not your problem then Pho is the best choice, Bun cha is also available widely. I had Banh Cuon for 15000 vnd in a sidewalk vendor stall near Quan Su street, and admittedly, I really like it. So delicious, so unique and so local way.
Sword Lake – a beautiful symbol of Hanoi
8AM: Sword Lake walk – see local do their daily lives: practising Tai chi, jogging, photography,… small lake round is suitable for a short run. Remember to photograph various unique tree poses as many professional photographers have done.
10AM: The Huc bridge – Ngoc Son pagoda. Famous for their landmark role in Sword lake, the religious site offer you a central point of observe the lake, some ancient trees with incredible roots, deepen your sense of local culture via ritual and other activities, historical pagoda and for the most: the giant tortoise inside a glass box, that many local respects as a character in legend.
Bun cha – Hanoi must-eat food
11AM: it’s time to have lunch. Old quarter is a real place to walk for a meal. But, you’re expected to queue for some food stalls because of the customer overwhelming. The dishes are various: Bun Cha, Mien Ngan (duck noodle soup), Com (boiled rice),… cost from 30 000 vnd – 50 000 vnd. You’re likely to be full after only a dish.
Ha noi at noon
Street view from highland coffee
12PM: getting away from sunburn and high heat. I recommend visit Highland coffee nearby, you’ll see it near Dinh Tien Hoang circle. Nice coffee, nice view, cost 40 000 vnd for mid-size local milk coffee. Very clear and quieter than crowded streets below. If you love sunbathing, take outdoor seats. Shady seats are depending greatly on time because of sun angle.
14PM: Hanoi Cathedral opens from 2-5PM. A beautiful Roman architecture to selfie. You can even join a ritual, which is quite interesting even if you’re a Christian, because of the point: the Mass performed in Vietnamese way. The other reason why you should attend a Mass that is to see a “alive” church, not just dead architectural building.
a walk in Old Quarter
15PM: Old Quarter is glowing in sunsets. A deep walk through streets is get you more understanding local lives: products, occupations, chit-chat at the end of the day. Don’t forget to have little bowls of hot sweet soup or other kinds of traditional food, they really make sense.
What to do in the evening til night?
17PM: Cooking and Dinning. You can visit Ta Hien street with dozen of street food stall. But I recommend taking a cooking class in Hanoi Cooking Centre (44 Chau Long Street). This is quite a famous destination. Some one says that “you have to eat local to enjoy local (culture)”. For me, cooking a local dish is even a better experience, and you can eat your labour fruits.
Water puppet sold at store
20PM: Shopping along stores at Ta Hien street is so entertaining. But remember to bargain hard or you’re likely rip-off-ed. Some of souvenirs are very sophisticating, like ceramics or mask, some are funny like t-shirt, some are very cultural mark like Water puppet toys.
22PM: Bar and beer. Ha noi is not a good place for night life because some strict policies (I don’t know whether government has put off them?). Remember to sip cheap beers at Bia hoi corner near Luong Ngoc Quyen – Ta hien intersection. They taste good and you enjoy watching local lives.
If you are a trekaholic, when you visit countries, what would you be? The highest summit – rooftop of the country or certain region, right?
When you in Lao Cai, a north-western province of Vietnam, don’t forget to trek the rooftop of Indochina – Fansipan summit, at the height of 3143m above sea level. The summit is always the most attractive destination for not only for the local but also travelers around the world.
And I really would like to tell you my Fansipan travel story – majestic and fanstatic!
Prologue
Despite a solo traveler, I didn’t choose to go alone this trip. Especially I heard the news that there had been a foreign trekker found dead months before. The poor guy really made an impression on how hard the incoming challenge would be. So I chose an safer option, that to go on a tour.
I booked VietDiscovery a tour of climbing Fansipan, 2-day-1-night, and price was reasonable: 50 usd, [link] the lowest one compared to the other. The introduction was good, especially when my friend suggested me a group of Fansipan hikers, which connects to the company. I believed this company was trustful.
That was my first time conquering the roof of Vietnam so it was excited but anxious a bit. I wasn’t sure that my health was able to fulfill the trip, I just kept in my that I had to make it, because one simple reason: we are born to do new things everyday and challenges make our life worthy.
Day 1 – trekking toward 2800m camp
Preparation at agency office
I woke up early, eager to the lifetime experience. Not as the day before, with a dense of fog, It was very clear, expected to have a sunny day of trek. I took a taxi bike to Sapa town for 30000 vnd. What a nice deal!
It was sunny in the city center. The agency office was very busy preparing for a trekking day, I saw them bring fresh chickens, pork, cooking oil, some veggies and water, which are necessary for a trek stop. We were also issued some personal stuff like a paper roll, raincoat, 4 bottles of water and a toothbrush along with a tiny paste tube.
“Crews” on trip
I made friend with a girl named Tra. She’s cute, big a bit and very open-minded, a typical travelers. Her English was good, I really admired her for the self-study. Ah, she also made two Vietnam bicycle trip (so shame that I haven’t made it).
During the trip, I also fell in friendship with Monica from Poland (she’s really good at hiking with an excellent base health), Daniel (and lovely Filipino guy) and Sunny (an American teacher, solo female traveler, you’ll admire her for what she’d done) and a group of young people, who are staffs from THE KAFE in Hanoi, they are cute, adorable and funny all the time.
We had a tour guide named Tung and two porters are Trung and Vac, who are just teenagers. They are very cute and I honestly miss them after trip.
Tram Ton station – the beginning
We started the journey at Tram Ton station. When you ride via O Quy Ho pass, you see a complex named Love waterfall, that’s it. The station is 1945m at height, so it’s the shortest and fastest route to the summit.
The dry day made it very easy to do trek, the path was clean and very clear to follow. Sunshine shot through leaves, coloring the ground with green. My guide said that the weather was rarely so those day, I was a lucky boy. Yeah, thank God for the blessing.
Though our crews included porters, we didn’t have them carry our backpack, everyone held a strong will and do-it-themself whole the time, so the porter’s main task was to guide and support people though.
After a short hike, we rested in a plain ground, and people did selfie, it was very happy when you were surrounded by energetic people, making the trek more funny and memorable.
There’s a stream crossing over the path at the beginning. Because it was a sunny day in dry season, so we passed it easily. Imagine its fury in rainy season, oh, so furious and dangerous!
I was impressed by sceneries here: sky was clear and blue, fantastic ambiance made by sunlight, ancient trees with giant, twisty roots, even shades also contributed greatly to the beautiful path. Some dead trees are really tasteful if you can shoot them at right angles.
Every time you climb higher, you have chances to change perspective and the landscapes are different, as well, which make it more exciting to keep going and explore something new ahead.
The path from Tram Ton station to 2200 height was quite ease and enjoyable, stairs built neatly so you hardly get lost.
2200m-height camp
This is where we had our lunch. After a long trek, any food you consume will own a beautiful taste, because you are in a great hungry pit. But we had to wait for nearly 30 minutes later that the tables were clear for us. Many trekking groups joined that day which made it quite a “traffic jam” at the camp.
There was a fatty cat walking around and to be honest, I did love it. I wanted to hug, tease, feed him (I didn’t really know his gender, who knows!!).
We did enjoy the meal, there were boild rice wrapped in silver screen, fish sauce, chicken cooked with sauce, boiled egg, cabbage,… it was not a party but really delicious, loud and happy. People were talking to one another, making the dining more “entertaining”.
We had a while to rest. I stayed awake and strolling around whistl foreign friends and Tra were talking, sharing theirs stories. I just enjoyed the precious sunbeam landing on my skin. It’s so “expensive” there, while fog were waiting all the time to hide my sun.
Here we go again!
The upcoming path would be more challenging, some of the trekkers who had just been back from the summit told me so. They said that the path from 2200 height to 2800-height camp was very hard ascending, so more fatigue. It was, as they said.
The sun was high, atmosphere drier and no more fog surrounding, no more fanstatic sense. After an hour away, we stopped another plain ground, which offers a panoramic view of mountain range, it was breath-taking and I couldn’t stand shooting a panoramic photo, here it is:
The group of young people from The KAFE – most of member are beginners, I think – were hiking slowly. They were really fatigue after a long trek because of not getting used to the pace. That’s why I think the practice before a trip is very important, especially when you do trekking or some games which require much physical strength.
The path features a cliff (indeed, it’s not a cliff but from a right angle of shooting, it makes an illusion of height). Tung – our tourguide showed us that was able to reach it firstly, by moving like a artful jumper and landing safely at the cliff, making everyone breathless.
Then Daniel joined the posing show, later is Sunny. It’s really exciting to get there, though the strong winds with its severe cold make you think carefully before putting steps.
Our group was not the same completely, someones strong, someones weak, so after all, we were usually splitted up in to 2-3 groups, guided by Tung, Vac and Trung. The stronger went first, and got the rest ground soon, then waited for the weaker.
In the late afternoon, the sun gradually turn into orange, which made the landscape more amazing. The trail was sometimes changing the color, as if neckos stick to every pieces of forest. They were all beautiful: rocks, trees, roots, bamboos, bushes,… it was cool down, and I felt so energetic again to conquer steep stairs. It’s very weary, but worthy.
Indeed, my body turned hot overtime, so, despite the very cold atmostphere at that time, I put off most of my warm clothes, but a slim t-shirt. But by the time we rest at the stop, my body temperature got balance and I had to dress up a bit to remain warm. Staying healthy when doing a trek is very important because the support is rare in remote area like mountains.
I was surprised that when we hiked high enough, it’s true that we could see the horizon at far, in a very clear day. The mountain range then piled like a giant sand dunes painted by green, so gorgeous, splendid and majestic!
2800m-height camp
When the sun was nearly down for his sleep and the light drew back to hideout, I reached the second camp, at 2800 height. Just few people of my group did it as soon as I did, so we had to wait for the rest.
It turned very cold and windy at camp. At first, I ran into a dorm to hide from the winds. But there’s a crowded fire-camp outside and there’s no reason not to join them. By the way, the fire could warm up me. So cool!
They roasted pigs and chicken. The flames were big and the smell was really tasty. I was very hungry at that time, you know. After a long trek, my body got tired and the promising delicious food was really a curse. Haha.
I tend to wash my hand with the water but when the tap was running, I pulled my hand out. The water was so cold that it was possible to make an ice-burn. There was a makeshift canteen selling mineral waters, energy drink,… but the price was double/triple so I used mine.
The campfire was very warm that I could heat my body from-top-to-toe while waiting for my group. There were a group whose members were up to 50 people, and they were very exciting sharing their painful experience to entertain the other, that was good. Sometimes I joined their joke.
What a cold night!
Very long time later, our friends reached the camp. They looked so tired, but full of happiness. The guide finally led us to our dorm and we could unpack. It was so so weary and hungry, and it went dark quickly. Someone brought along a tiny travel stove fuel by alcohol and she boiled water to make coffee while sharing some heat to the companions. It was nice.
To prepare for a definite cold night, we set up our belongs. Sunny used the heat patch for her back and really cool, I used it when I slept to find some precious warmth. Some people hang their flashlight to light up the room, which was very useful in the dinner later.
And when we rested for a while, then our dinner was served very in time. We had tofu, pork, chicken dish with small bowl of fish sauce. Very simple but extremely delicious. I found a theory that instead of having a delicious food, you can very enjoy your meal when you in a great hungry. It’s true!
After dinner, because the extremely cold atmosphere outside, we almost got into issued sleeping bag and enjoyed the warm while trying to close eyes. I recharged my devices and reviewed all the media I recorded on the day. They were so nice.
Outside, the sky was very clear with milions of stars shining bright. I loved them so much.
Day 2 – to the summit
Trekking at dawn
I just slept a bit at previous night, better than ones who couldn’t stand the freeze causing them headache and a red-eye night. I didn’t know that until the morning, they confided the truth, which made them weary quickly by the time.
Around 4AM, Tung woke us up, and prepared our breakfast. Everyone seemed awake all, no sleepy sound was made. 15-20 minutes later, everyones finished their personal hygiene and packed up belongings. Then the hot breakfast came in. After a frozen night, everyone loved the meal. It brought us heat and energy, they were not delicious dish but in our case, they were super tasty. The situation really made sense. After that, we had a hot coffee to stay awake physically.
I came out, it was really cold. The sky was super clear, promising for a nice trek. It’s very dark and we had to use our flashlight to see what ahead.
There were a group who had started before us, so crowded. However, gradually, they couldn’t keep the pace and slow down, which meant we passed them easily. It’s very dark, but my sight was still good enough to see stars above, Sapa town far far away below and they were seperated by a blurry horizon. I had to dress warmly, every pieces of my body touching the dawn cold made me frozen, a sense of cold-burn. I used a scarf to cover my nose, keep my breaths warm. It’s very essential if you don’t want to get cold easily.
The first step was not tough, but some spots would be slippery a bit due to the moisture and small stream along the trail. Halfway was good, but the rest was more challenging because there was no clear path, and we had to climb by hands as well. Some steep slopes downward really made us carefully and slow down the pace for some times. Finally, we splitted up again, when Tung waved us to stop, we were only me, Daniel, Sunny and Monica as a leading group, the other were so slow. I asked Tung whether we should wait for the rest of team but he said there was no need because the 2 porters could lead them rightly and we were late to watch sunrise at the summit. So we had to hurry up.
From time to time, we saw a small water pool at side of the trail, made of plastic screens to get water from rains and condensed fogs, it was very clear and cold, some one said it was drinkable. I tried once, but I was not sure about the hygiene, while I still reserved a lot of water.
When we saw a station lit up by orange color, my guide told us that we nearly reached the summit and just 30 minutes or so and we would put our feet on the rooftop of Vietnam.
That’s news encouraging us to keep forward excitingly.
Final steps
5:30 AM, we saw a little lights from the east, they divided the sky into two half: light above and dark below. Then everythings got clearer and we could turned off our flashlight while it was still possible to trek in low light condition.
Some times we had to climb up metal ladders, which was very cold when I touched. Some times we climbed over trees growing horizontally blocking the path. It was tough a bit. When the strong sunbeams appeared, bringing us more vision, we saw cables were moving up and down, bringing staffs and stuffs, I thought so.
When approaching 3000m in height, we saw a construction site – Fansipan legend, a tourism complex – looking like a strict fortress.
The high we were, the less oxygen we could breath, yes, it got more and more fatigue. It was really a fight against your will and the body. I just kept going and followed the tourguide, if he could make it, so could I.
Finally we made it. Yesss, we made it!!! We reached the complex at late 6 AM, so the sun rose just a bit higher. There’s a barrier blocking you, just passing it and we. Despite tiredness, I tried as quick as I could to climb upstairs but I had to wait again to recovery my stamina, it was really tough, and I had to touch the summit, I had to do it…
Fansipan conquerors
6:30AM. I was stunned by the landscape mother nature showing me then: all the clouds were staying below me, like a vast ocean that we usually enjoy at shores and right at the center, the sun was shining so bright, as it possibly blinded me but I couldn’t stand watching a sleeping beauty waking up after a long dark night.
The sun was really like a princess attracting thousand of people to watch her getting up. Wow!
My fingers was almost frozen, though I tried to heat them by sunbeam uselessly. It was too cold at the summit. I walked around and enjoyed my victory and thought of all the challenges I passed. Oh ops. I forgot to take a picture with that trophy – a paramid engraved with words “Fansipan – 3143m”.
The ground was made of wood, so it look quite natural but indeed, I didn’t expect so many man-made objects at the summit, making it like a garden that you pay 600 000 vnd to touch at ease.
I took photo for Sunny, she seemly loved the gorgeous sceneries and Daniel intentionally took photo himself – an instagram-aholic. Afterall, we had a photo together to memorize these experience. That was a moment of lifetime.
Way back
8AM, sun was high and shiny above the sea cloud. It was getting hotter while cable cars were bringing more visitors toward the summit. When the summit base was full of people, and we had enough rest to get back.
But some of us chose to use cable car, including Sunny. That was the best route to save more time and stamina, but you then had to take taxi back to town.
For the way back, it didn’t take us much time to go back because of slopes downwards. I had chance to see what I hadn’t seen when on the way to the summit due to the dark. It was really nice when you lost in fog again, sometimes alone among forest, so peaceful. And I sang my favorite, enjoyed my life so deeply. I love it, my youth, because, you only live once, so live full.
Epilogue
My first attempt was fascinating, I really enjoyed it. However, there are still other routes more challenging like Cat Cat village route or Sin Chai one, hopefully I had chances to trek these ones.
Fansipan is a must-have experience, you travelers. Book a trek tour or do-it-yourself and you won’t be regretful for what you got.
After trekking Fansipan, Biking around Sapa is also a nice choice. Rent a bike and conquer Sapa steep roads!!
The reason why I write Ninh Binh budget travel guide is a huge request of ones who have watched Kong: Skull island movie and wish to travel Ninh Binh – the background, featuring Karst scenery like Trang An, Tam Coc,..
A secret to reveal: they are just a part of majestic Ninh Binh. There are many destinations and experience waiting for you to explore. My Ninh Binh travel budget guide will include transportation options, destination list, what to do, food and drink section also, a recommend itinerary and FAQ for more handy information.
For my experience, Ninh Binh budget travel is really possible – buses and accommodations are cheap and well-equipped. So don’t miss it when in Vietnam
Top destinations to go in Ninh Binh
One of the hottest question in Sping 2017 is “WHERE WAS KONG: SKULL ISLAND FILMED (In Vietnam)?”. And the answer is among Ha Long bay, Ninh Binh and Quang Binh. So I’d recommend you visit the destinations that many scenes were filmed in Ninh Binh first.
Trang An and Tam Coc, also known as “the Ha Long Bay on land”, is famous for boat ride with skillful locals have the ability of rowing using only their feet. These two spots are quite close to each other. They are similar somehow: A river passing through rice paddy field, mountain cliffs and caves.
While Tam Coc is still well-preserved nature, featuring mostly rice paddy field and cliffs, Trang An is stunning because of the system of caves dug by the river. Someone says that these caves have been compromised for tourism service, so they are likely less natural than Tam Coc. The tour is also getting you to visit some pagodas. It last for 3-4 hours, depending on how long you spend in each stop.
Bike parking fee is 10,000- 15,000vnd. The ticket for a boat ride is 120,000 – 150,000 vnd, in case some touts telling you so. They are best visited in the morning (8AM) and last rides start at 4 PM (winter) or 5:30 PM (other seasons), when the bus from Hanoi bring more visitors to fill all the boat and your photos.
Note: Because rowers are paid minium wage and eligible for few tours/ month, so you are kindly advised to tip them or buy some souvenirs.
The next spot that you can see in film is just a few kilometers north, a large wetland called Van Long Nature Reserve, kinda rice paddy field, caves and … monkeys, yeah! 50,000 vnd/ pax.
For one loving top of height, then Hang Mua peak is definitely a must-visit destination. From here, you can view 360 degree entire region: rice paddy fields, mountains,… everythings are simply like a 3D google map. To reach the top, you’ll hike 486 steps, so had better train a bit your strength beforehand. And one more thing, the fee entrance is 100,000 vnd
Bich Dong Pagoda: a old pagoda complex with three levels in a quite steep mountains side, offering nice views, including: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas. Some temples are built into caves. After reaching the highest temple, you should climb up the rocky path to the top and enjoy the view, which is really amazing.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is also a choice of culture explorer, but don’t expect much to do, because the city now includes only some archway and temples of Dinh – Le emperor. 20,000 vnd/ pax for entrance.
Phat Diem Cathedral is once a “Vatican of North Vietnam”, built since 1874 in 24 years, mixing Eastern and Western style of architectures. A really holic place for pilgrims.
Bai Dinh pagoda complex is also a must-visit architecture, owning many labels: The biggest bell, biggest buddha bronze statue, biggest well and most La han statues in Vietnam. My experience show that: you should take a walk around here, it’s completely worthy every steps.
Cuc Phuong national park: A chance to live among forest, seeing wild life and hiking trails. 40,000 vnd/ person for an entrance fee.
Kenh Ga hot spring: take a bath and relax, it’s a hot spring, natual massage, a lot of mineral good for your health. Usually it cost 200,000 vnd/ person (boat transit + entrance fee + bathing). Bathing until you get bored!
Thung Nham bird field: Birds and birds, birds everywhere, If you love bird watching, you definitely come here! 100,000 vnd/ pax. It’s costly, I know.
Taking a Boat ride: (in Trang An or Tam Coc) is an amazing experience, offering boat riding along river through paddy fields and stunning landscape of mountain cliffs, pagodas inside caves and wet caves.
Bike trip: it’s quite flat so you could follow Trang An/ Tam coc route to explore destinations and scenery privately.
Mountain hiking: Hang Mua is a wonderful place to check-in because of panorama view. Besides, Bich Dong pagoda is also an alternative.
History tour: Hoa Lu ancient capital bring you a flash of Vietnamese history with some temple and archway.
Forest hiking: Cuc Phuon national park is a great place for trail hiking and wildlife exploration.
Bird watching: Thung Nham bird garden is a spectacular spot to view birds and other animal, as well.
Religion tour: Both Phat Diem cathedral and Bai Dinh pagoda are must-see landmarks that every pigrim should visit once
Comfort tour: Visit Kenh Ga hot spring and enjoy your day of comfort. It’s also booking a homestay and live a local life for 1-2 days, it’s very peaceful ambiance here.
Food tour: Enjoy the local specialities with list of must-eat below (along with local drink).
Recommend itinerary
Day 1: Trang An (4h) – Hang Mua peak (2h) – Tam Coc (4) (optional) – Bich Dong pagoda (2h)
Day 2: Phat Diem Cathedral (2h) – Thung Nham bird garden (4h)
Day 3: Hoa Lu ancient capital (1h) – Bai Dinh pagoda (4h)
Day 4: Van Long natural preserve (4h) – Kenh Ga hot spring (3h) – Cuc Phuong national park (overnight)
Day 5: Cuc Phuong national park (4h)
What to eat in Ninh Binh
Mountain goat (de nui) meat is a local speciality. The taste is good, and it’s usually served with fried rice. Cơm cháy is another dish of rice, specificly, burnt rice at the bottom of a pot, and you eat with pork cooked with fishsauce.
Sometimes you see duck stores, which is quite worth a try if you haven’t eaten in Hanoi. And for the last, dog meat, very popular in the Northern Vietnam. If you love animal, I don’t think you love the food, but, yeah, it’s really a weird food that you should try in Vietnam.
Some local restaurant you should try:
Cô Hoa – Bún Canh Riêu (79 Luong Van Tuy, Ninh Binh city): good rice noodle soup with crab top up and veggie, 15,000 vnd/ bowl, so cheap! De Quy 135 (Trang An str, Hoa Lu, Tam Coc area): famous for Goat dish, the cheapest dish cost only 50,000 vnd!! But the menu is in Vietnamese, and it’s hard to translate to English. Huhm Lac Hong restaurant (near Hang Mua peak): it seems every specialities you can eat here. Nice design, both interior and dishes. Price is 50,000-300,000 vnd, you should have a group to share a big meal, which you can eat many food at budget price per person.
For popular local drinks, you should enjoy Bia hoi along river bank for only 5,000 vnd/ glass. A plate of snack or peanuts is also a good companion!
A glass of sugar cane with ice is also a good pick, same as beer: 5,000 vnd. I love sweet, I do enjoy Vietnam the drink.
First thing to do a Ninh Binh budget travel – How to get there, cheaply!
Because the province is very close to Hanoi – Vietnam capital, it’d better depart from here.
Open bus: The best budget vehicle is open bus at Giap Bat terminal, Hanoi, for only 70,000 vnd (3 usd). They start at early morning, takes 3-4 hours, depending on traffic situation. Because of the strict policy in bus regulation of government, you should buy ticket in the hall. You’d better write down the destination (Ninh Binh/ Tam Coc/ Trang An/…) and show driver to let them know exact destination. Vietnamese is still not popular English-speaking country.
Taxi: Though it’s not a budget option, but taking taxi as a share ride is sometimes a good choice, because you needn’t have to transit so much, save more time. For those departure from Hanoi, it cost 65 usd/ ride and plus 15 usd if getting from Noi bai airport.
Tips: Asking people for a share ride, a 7-seat cab for totally 6-7 travelers only cost 10 usd/ person, and no transit, which means it’s better than bus (no extended time, transit budget and stress of language barrier).
Train: it’s good news that the railway now offer e-booking, you’d better choose cushioned seats with air-con for more relaxing, but cheapest option – wooden seats (or “market carriages” for better local experience, I always get this because it’s a quick ride (2.5-3 hours) so no reason why we don’t enjoy more local culture. Fee: 60,000-150,000 vnd. Check the official booking website [http://dsvn.vn/] for more info.
The cart will be strolling around, which offer meals, food and drink, even sometimes specialty cake.
Tips: there’s a canteen at the end of the train, where you could buy a cafe and enjoy landscape, too!
And don’t forget that the new train station (used by Vietnam railway now) is 1 kilometer away from the old one (referenced by most of hostel, restaurant,…).
There’s no airport in Ninh Binh.
Hiring motorbike or bicycle in Ninh Binh ?
Motorbike is the best way to enjoy the city and surrounding sceneries. 10 usd/ day/ bike, plus 70,000 vnd for fuel and (in case you want) 5 usd for a guide. It’s cheapest and most exciting vehicle.
For quieter and more eco-friendly, a bicycle would suit you, only 3 usd/ day. And you should bring more water and energy bars.
Though some guides saying that Ninh Binh is walkable because it’s small and the attractions are close, walking is quite annoying because taxi bikes are mostly asking you to buy their ride. (I don’t really like it).
Where to sleep in Ninh Binh
Dorm is quite popular in the area. You’d better stay around Tam Coc area, which is very comfortable, but there’s still some hostel in old train station (town center) good to take. I see about 7 options that you can sleep under 10 usd/ night. Private room is range from 15-20 usd/ night, double is around 30 usd/ night.
The most beloved one is Go NinhBinh Hostel, or an old train station. The room is good, Facilities are even better: “…free computers, free hair driers, free wi-fi, free paper map, free dart board games, pool table available and free car parking,…” (wikitravel.org). I do love the design, and backpacker smell here. It makes me hungry for a new journey whenever I see it. The only shortage is the location: city center, which is nothing to do at night but drinking beer and chit-chat. 6 usd/ dorm bed. So good.
Ninh Binh downtown backpacker: high view from dorm (great!), free breakfast (we can save some pennies), price is super good: 6 usd.
Tam Coc Homestay: Amazing local experience, from design to surrounding landscape, price is also good, 6 usd/ night/ dorm bed. You’ll lost in rice paddy field, bare brick and bamboo walls, dried-leaves roof and (ridiculously) a duck lake (you can feed them, ahha).
More comforts, check in Hoa lu Backpacker homestay, everything is clean, and some are free: hammock sleep, fruit picking, mountain view from 2nd-floor toward. Price is higher: 7.5 usd/ dorm night
Tam Coc bamboo Homestay: 8 usd/ dorm night, and you are living among mountain cliffs, it’s great, room is clean, free wifi. But I don’t love the design, it’s poor.
Tam Coc Bungalow: free break fast, wifi. Only 6 usd/ night for a dorm bed. River view, well-equipped.
Ha Trang Hotel: ok, it’s cheaper, only 4 usd. Not beautiful, no breakfast but wifi.
Budget tips to Ninh Binh
A typical expense for a day in Ninh Binh
Dorm: 6 usd
Food: 4-20 usd (normal or specialities)
Attraction entrance fee: 5-7 usd
Bike: 8 usd in total and 4 usd/ person (you could share ride)
Totally: Only 20 usd/ day minium expense. For 5 days discovering Ninh Binh, you need 100 usd to see Kong: Skull island film background landscape and other amazing sceneries. It’s such a cheap trip!
FAQ for Ninh Binh budget travel
Q: Where should we depart for Ninh Binh
A: from Hanoi
Q: Where can I rent a bike in Ninh Binh
A: most of hotels/ hostels offer bike rental, ask the receptionist. You should ask for helmet and go to gasonline station, get full tank and explore a full day.
Q: Where to camp in Ninh Binh
A: Cuc Phuong national park, Thung Nham bird gardens,…
Q: How long should I spend in Ninh Binh
A: 5 days is a fix time to explore most of attractions. A week is more relaxing.
Q: Where can I rent a budget accomodation in Ninh Binh
