Category: The Vault

2016: A travel year to look back

My travel year 2016 look back all my travel memories, where I traveled, friends I met and experience i did. A useful post to glance at a travel blogger life

January – Tay Ninh, Vietnam

I started the new year with a trekking to Black Virgin summit via challenging Ma Thien Lanh route. Imagine you have to try with all your body and strong mind to get to the top. That’s what I love in mountain hiking. The moment when you see the peak after dozens of time you told yourself “I can’t do it” is really melting.

The night was not comfortable, the ground was rough, cold and hard to sleep well though the whole day was really stamina-draining. But it was worthy for a breathtaking sunrise. That was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Another small trip was to Bamboo stream in the dry season with my close friend. The landscape was very brown dried.

February – Vinh Long, Vietnam

I had no idea what my life would be at that time. I doubted what I was doing. So I rode unintentionally and my instinct guided me. I stepped away from main route – 1A highway. Instead, I chose unbeated-path to follow.

At first, I was afraid that maybe I didn’t want travel anymore, that my joy in road was exhausted. But the roads, people, landscapes and somethings new raised me up. After the trip, whenever I don’t feel alright, I think that I am just too “old” and need somethings fresh. Travel is one of my cure.

March – Phu Quoc, Vietnam

This was my life-changing trip. I hadn’t flied before, so I broke my virgin. The first time flight was memorable. When the plane nearly descended, many rocks hit the hull made me think of the death for seconds. Finally, it was alright. Thank god!

I planned to play very tight budget plan: rest in sleepbag, ride motorbike along the main island and never think of cruising to far far away isle, it’s expensive. But my fate happened in a very way, that made me believe that if I was born to travel, then I would travel.

I met a guy, we rode together, he was sick, we found and lived in a dorm, with 2 travelers. We soon made friend, next morning, we cruised to a paradise isle, one became my guru in budget travel, one became my companion and photographer, one is a chain to connect us together. I’ve believed my travel life since then.

June – Tay Ninh, Vietnam

An environmental incidents happened in the country – Viet Nam. Four provinces witnessed a severe destruction of a Taiwan company. The whole sea water contaminated resulted in millions of fish floating dead.

So I held a small program to clean some typical sightseeing spots, one of which is Bamboo stream, near Dau Tieng lake – a natural border of Tay Ninh – Binh Duong province.

The stream was stunning, the flow was amazing, the water was cool, but people littered everywhere. I and my friends, we tried to collect as much as we could to make it clean a bit, then made a clip to raise people’s awareness of the environmental issue.

July – Dalat, Vietnam

I wasn’t planning for the trip, just a friend invited me to join her ride because of the lack of vehicle. That’s my chance to first visit Dambri waterfall, which did amaze me with its natural beauty.

I met new friends, they were all wanderlust souls. We did many crazy things memorably.

I learnt much about riding, biker world,… Dalat was also a good place: good food, wonderful landscapes, dozens of spectaculars. I loved Dalat, for thousand times.

August – Bao loc, Vietnam

My friend held a trip to Bao Loc, I just simply sat in the back, following his plan. The roadtrip was perfect. We had lunch – Pho – in the most famous local restaurant in town.

Next, we headed to Linh Quy Phap An pagoda, an very attractive spots at the time, which offered a incredible panorama. It was not easy to reach the place and when we were there, I thought we was not lucky because it was cloudy. The photography was very bad.

But as a compensation, the following ride was very interesting, we took sequent turns in Da Mi pass, watched the sunset in hydropower reservoir, enjoyed the moments time stood still.

I caught a speed accident, which made me think much of the safety in my trip, and how my death may cause distressing consequences to my family. I started to stay more safer in my planning trip.

September – Can gio festival – Dalat, Vietnam

I hadn’t attended a Can Gio festival before, so I was very surprised when the experience was far more than I expected. I watched human chess matches, boat races, water puppet shows,… Those I’ve never seen before.

The stunning moment was I had courage to embark to a festival boat, and enjoyed the very different angle. That night, I slept so adventurously: no dorm, outside and on a hammock, swinging, completely local.

I helped two girls and received a snack for breakfast, which made me come up with a idea that I would help people for free and just take whatever they help or not.

At the end of the month, I also attended another trip to Dalat but in very more painful way but very memorable. Friends were great, roadtrip was amazing, especially the night in Omega pass. That was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

October – Bau trang, Vietnam

Another roadtrip to Dalat and back via Bau Trang, a mass desert road in Vietnam. I do love this road, very panoramic, very freedom, very open, very (sometimes) lonely. At some points, I see it as a road to heaven, when it slope upward to the sky.

The road is in perfect condition at the time I went through, and white sand is another plus point. You can ride max speed there, as you can see anything from far away, few roads offer that experience in Vietnam, so I highly recommend it for that.

November – Thailand

The very fateful trip. At the beginning, I planned to visit Chiang Mai for Yi Peng festival, but an distress event happened – Thai King passed away, so the lantern festival was cancelled. I joined my friend’s plan to Hua Hin, and had wonderful time here in recreational park and peaceful beach.

in the final day in beach town, we met a Chinese girl, and she told me that the festival was resumed but in smaller scale. So I headed back to Chiang Mai, conquered the roof of Thailand – Doi Inthanon summit. However, as my return flight was very conflicting, so the night when people flied their lanterns, I just watch them from my seat on the bus back to Bangkok. So sad!

December – Con dao, Vietnam

Con dao is a remote beautiful island. There are many interesting natural trails, if you love outside activities, especially wildlife, so Con dao is definitely a must-go destination.

There are also a pretty dorm I love very much. There are many books, woods and plants there. The island is also a historical landmark, so when you travel Con dao, don’t forget to visit the prisons, scary a bit but you’ll stunning walk around there.

Yeahhhhhhhh!

19 January, 2025
Black Virgin pagoda near HCMC, Vietnam

Fed up with crowd? Like to enjoy quite and religious, read my experience in the Black Virgin pagoda complex in Tay Ninh, Viet Nam and make your own choice.

If you travel to Vietnam, and stay for a week in HCM city, trekking around should be in your check list. There’s a mountain considered as the highest peak in East-southern legion at 996 m. It’s Black Virgin.

Black Virgin from far view

On a trekking to the peak of Black Virgin mountain, it’s nice to stay a night at the pagoda on the hill side. It generally offers travelers a peaceful atmosphere and good accomodation to reach the top through the “pagoda track” in the morning. The mountain is located approximately 90 kilometers to the north-western of the HCM city.

When you get there, a big gate welcomes you with big words “Khu di tích lịch sử văn hóa – danh thắng và du lịch núi Bà Đen” (cultural, history prestige – scenery and tourism zone Virgin Mountain). Well, many things in one, right? Leave the gate behind and enjoy the clean air and mass scenery. There’s a old map, if you need one:

On top of that, the pagoda is famous for its stairs. It’s about 1850 steps to reach complex, maybe you can verify it. Stalls and stops are at both side. Along the route, you observe the “cars” moving across the cable. It costs 4 dollar for an one-way ticket.

The stairs are enjoyable for a trekker. However, if you’d like to reserve your strength for the next day trek, using the cable service to quickly get to the pagoda is advised, then, on the way back, you’ll enjoy it later, when the steps take less stamina due to the sloping downward.

On the way to reach the pagoda, there is a fork and you’ll encounter a bridge over the waterfall. It’s flowing in the rainy season, usually from May to November. I loved the waterfall at first sight, and jumped down to reach it, touched it with my hand, felt the flow slipping over my fingers. It’s cool and as soft as a invisible silk. You can drink a draught, wash your face, or sit beneath a falling stream to get massaged by water. Well, everything is amazing, except for the only thing to notice: if you’d love to drink water, take it from a running flow, not a standing water area because harmful parasites are likely to reside there.

A draught from the waterfall

At the intersection, you can turn left and follow the other stairs leading to the Hang (Cave) pagoda. This route is narrow and sparse people. The landscape is clear and you can see to the horizon and plots, the massive lake nearby, and a lot of … tiny things.

Landscape from the stair view

After reaching the complex, there’s some options. If you’re tired and would like to get shower, take right turn, there’s a public shower area with rooms and WCs are included. The water sources from the streams flowing down the mountain, so it’s quite cold if you go to shower at night. It’s completely free of charge. However, if you’d like to pay for the service, there’s a donation box outside to collect money from the users.

In the late afternoon, when sun sets, you should find some resting box along the stairs and watch the beautiful cable cars moving up and down in the colorful sky. Take pics, that’s one of the most desirable moments when you’re at the pagoda complex.

Cable cars moving around

Over night requires a indentification confirm, which you have to ask for at the first room on the right, near the entrance to shower area. There’s a old man sitting there to proceed. Usually, if you plan to stay for a night only, there won’t be any inconvenience. The procedure takes only few minutes to fill out the forms. In some case, the man happily let you free from this responsibility.

By following the stairs, you would be surprised by a lot of interesting stuffs, people and stories. With a large number of people who visit here for worshiping and entertainment, making a great demand for goods. Porter service has been established. Those man who carry up to 50 kg can earn 1-1.5 usd.

The main-route stairs

And there’s also a rumor that if a person steps and then be at kneel in row until he reaches the pagoda, he might be blessed by god (or the Black Virgin). Therefore, when you see someone who’s performing strange actions like that, it’s likely he/ she is making a great effort to fulfill their wishes.

Some stalls along the stairs offer the viper’s fat, which is said that can cure burn or joint pains or whatever. They are yellow strings and swinging lightly. The other are toys, refreshment, souvenirs,…

The vegetarian meal is free of charge and will not be available after 6 PM, so if you wanna have dinner, be in time. There’s also a chamber for passengers, It’s large and you can take a rest there with a sleep bags. Because it’s a public room so be careful with your stuffs.

Vegetarian meal in the evening

When sun sets and night’s high. Everything seems quiet and peaceful, it’s great time to find some place and take a zen. It’s great to put all back and let your mind light. Deep breath and open your ears, enjoy the bell ringings, praying voices, and even, your inner voice.

You should set alarm to get up at 5:30 AM, as first sun lights begin to touch the ground. It’s so historical and sacred. The yellow as sun rises, the red roofs, trees turn to green after a long dark night and you can see a monkey jumping over above. Take a seat and observe the scenery change. It’s a moment like your life is lit up again!

19 January, 2025
The Two Cutest Coffees in Con Dao, Vietnam

After a long journey, we usually find a cosy place to get rid of tiredness and regain the balance. The coffee shops with beautiful design seems very nice to hang out. I’ve seen many Con Dao coffee shops but just really impressed by two names: Infinite and Lacasa. They are really unique in design with a reasonable menu.

Infinite cafe

This coffee includes 2 sectors with very specific style. The left house look young and modern while the right one is quite vintage. While watching the coffee, I came up with an idea that it followed a rule of design: a style of no style.

The exterior looks like a nest with a lot of brown leaves and timbers while the interior is more outstanding: it looks as if it was made completely wooden: from walls to roof. The roof is very charming with a piles of wood up-side-down.

The board is made from steel roof with a laurel wreath hanging on. They use heavy yellow as major lighting solution for interior, along with wood material, which sometimes, makes you feel not only warm but a bit hot. Hot! You know.

The price is higher than average and in some special occasion, it seem they charge very high for service: we ordered a bottle of white wine for price around over 100 000 vnd a bit but finally we had to pay 100000/ person (we are 4 people).

We experience the Christmas buffet there for 16$, the food was good, but drink was not free at all.

I recommend Infinite for ones who love somethings chaos a bit in design, like the way they combine modern and vintage.

Lacasa

Another coffee shop I visited after a long trail in national park. It’s simply beautiful.

The owner put on a modern design in every aspects from the signboard to steel-glass structure. You’ll love it if you are a fan of simplicity.

The bar is so lovely and very colorful with dozen of wine bottle arranged neatly on shelf. There are some artful light hung above, adding more beauty.

While it generally follows the modern architecture, there are still some corner of exhibiting the vintage art like paintings, racks and lanterns. You’ll love the way it is. Very simply but artful.

The price is also the same as Infinite. I ordered a pot of tea for 35 000 vnd and really enjoy my time there, very peaceful.

19 January, 2025
Something true about Yi Peng festival (Mass air lantern release)

Whether you have to pay for ticket to join Yi Peng festival?

Firstly, you have to understand the festival in depth. Following my research, there are 2 separate festivals but happening the same time: They are Yi Peng (air lanterns) and Loi Krathong (floating laterns on rivers).

While Loi Krathong is popular nationwide in Thailand, Yi Peng is actually local. They are held separately, then combined into one occasion for better organization and tourist attendance. The festival lasts for 3 days officially. However, you can visit days before to experience the local preparation works on their houses and pagodas, or extend your staying longer to access to a self-releasing lanterns event held for foreigners as I read in a website.

Most of travelers confusing the news this event is paid one but it’s proven wrong. Truth to be told, there’s a independent pagoda holding a latern releasing ground far away from the city (Maejo University). And after the attraction rising, they (initially a non-profit organization) start collecting tickets (100-300 usd).

Actually, this is a free event for all Thai people and foreigners. At the arranged time (usually 20:00) people are free to release their lanterns into the sky or drop floating ones on the rivers and praying for their wishes. Candles can be bought anywhere in the city and you can light them up and put them along the old walls as the local do.

I didn’t attend the mass lantern release so I’m not sure foreigners possibly buy one and release themselves but you can easily purchase decorated floating lanterns for 40-60 baht and so floating yourself.

For any confusion of destination and activities, consulting this schedule should help a lot.

It’s noticed that there’s no “Maejo University” mentioned in Venue column. Yi Peng 2016 is considered as least wonderful because of the King’s death event. However, it’s still worthy a look at flying lantern in the air and make some wishes!

19 January, 2025
Nghinh Ong festival in Can Gio

I got the agenda by chance when I was on the ferry. It shows that the event will take place in Can Thanh town.

By the way, I think the event is good opportunity to explore local culture as well as the mangrove ecosystem nearby. A good bargain, right?

Nghinh Ong festival 2016 agenda

The below are some shows which I think they’re interesting.

Festival agenda (with only suggested activities)

13/09/2016

8h: Pentaque tournament (Local Arena)

14/09/2016

7h: Visiting Rung Sac martyrs cemetery. (Rung Sac cemetery)

8h: Food fair (Le Thuong street)

9h: Human chess (Can Thanh market)

19h: Profesional Cai Luong shows – a kind of local musical theater performance (Lang Ong Thuy Tuong – “Whale temple”)

15/09/2016

7h30: Stilts racing (Can Thanh park)

8h30: Children drawing exhibition and lanterns making fair (Children center)

11h: Canoe racing (Can Thanh park)

15h: water puppet performance (Can Thanh park)

16h: Kite flying (Can Thanh park)

18h: Lion dance performance (Children center)

19h: Full-moon ceremony (children center)

19h: street circus performance (Le Thuong street)

20h: Light kite flying (Can Thanh park)

21h: Floating latern flower ceremony (Whale temple)

23h: Cannon art (Can Thanh park)

16/09/2016

8h: Football on stilts (Can Thanh park)

11h: Kite flying performance (Can Gio market – beach area)

13h: Boi singing (musical performance) (Whale temple)

17/09/2016

9h: Grand traditional ceremony (Whale temple)

Remember: You can ride/ drive direct there via Nha Be district (map here)or catch bus 75 – direct route to Can Thanh town (20.000 vnd/ pax, start from 7h30 to 16h30 in 23/9 park near Bui Vien street).

I’ve never taken part in the festival before. So much expecting!

19 January, 2025
Roadtrip at night to Vung Tau

I took a “red-eye” ride – roadtrip at night, from HCM city to explore Vung Tau at dawn and somethings interesting came up. Here is some facts:

1) How clean it is!

The first trial offered an exciting experience. I started the journey at 8PM, when the city was still very busy. However, 20 kilometers away from the center, on the highway, the traffic was not as dense as it’s on the day.

There’s no sunlight, no harmful fume and dust, even annoying people (if any), just you, your motorbike and the night landscape. It’s no need to wear mask like we usually do when moving around the city. Everything is quiet, clean and clear!

2) It’s scary, a bit!

Imagine just you, and maybe your partner behind, were riding alone, in the very dark cold night. Most of the time, noone were around. From time to time, you came across some people were on their way, some trucks were rushing to the port.

If you’ ve got flat tires, you must be very lucky to meet a guy who can help you fix that. Oh, one more thing, it’s believed that robbery usually happens at night. A lot of unknown dangers are out there, making night roadtrip become more thrilling.

3) And sleepy too

After a long long time riding, your body turn cold, the fairly cool atmosphere gradually get into your vessels, and it turns on the hibernation mode: you get sleepy. This is one of the reason why red-eye ride should be considered with caution.

You’re riding, but actually, it’s like an auto-pilot mode. Your reaction is slow, though you still handle it – turn left, right or keep straight- very well but should something comes up suddenly, you’re like to get into trouble.

In the first ride I happened to it, felt like I was watching TV, the scene pictured blurred landscape, fantastic motion, lights on and off somewhere as a thriller movie, you’re both actors and audience. The difference between the movie and your red-eye experience is that the ride is real. Everything is possible, and accidents should not be ignored.

4) Hot food is delicious

However, you will catch up with food vendors somewhere, with hot steam rising from the delicious-smelt soup. Park the motorbike and order a dish, wait for a while and the hot soup with rice noodle and well-done pork is served, you can ask for addition if you’d love to, adding spices and enjoy!

How delicious it is! The soup flows into your body, defrosting all the cell and soon later, you’re refreshed. Your eyes open wide and your mind become more conscious, the roadtrip should be safer than before.

It’s noted that there’s no 24h shops on the way to Vung Tau, though some food stores open overnight, the price ranges from 1-3 dollars, depends on the certain dishes and kind of stores. At that occasion, I have “Hu tiu” ( a clear rice noodle soup), which cost only 0.8 dollar. So much cheap. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to get one.

5) You’re free to do crazy things

I mean we can sing loud, do freaky poses, even… lying on the road (just kidding). At that night, we rode around the city first, the beaches were sleepless, people still wandered back and forth. Barbecue smelt delicious and looked tasty.

However, the city center looked like a ghost town, all the building, houses, stores were closed. We were two of the few people still outsite at midnight. It reminded me of “Inception” movie when the actors was walking across the street which he made himself. Sense of loneliness and freedom.

How a lovely ride!

19 January, 2025