Once I was trolling along the coastal line in Vung Tau, right below the statue of Jesus Christ, and see two boys around a little hole. I asked them what they were doing and the answer was to catch mantis shrimps.
I’ve eaten many mantis shrimps in Viet Nam. The first time I’ve enjoyed them was years ago, in a mixture of chilly and other delightsome spices. I can’t speak the names but very love the way they color and spice up dishes.
You should try some shrimp dishes, spiced up, and served hot with dipping sauces, which is very popular in Ho Chi Minh city. The vietnamese call them Tom Tic. (spell like ‘tome tik’)
Mantis shrimps were so differently delicious from other kinds of shrimp. There is just a little fresh in body. After cooking, it turns out to be closer to that of lobsters than that of shrimps, more chewy and tasty. It takes more time to uncover the crust but the reward is worthy.
People love them not only by taste but the nutritious reasons. I saw some website says that “mantis shrimp protein content of up to 20%, fat 0.7%, and contains vitamins, chlorate, inosinic acid, amino propionic acid and other nutrients”. Tons of nutritious spills is merely in a fillet of mantis shrimp.
I also catch them alive, moving their limbs on vendor tray in a certain market, fresh and funny. But the moment when they are still in the dark hole (and in comfort too, I guess) until people pull out and serve us? No, so how I was eager to watch a couple of boys doing this task.
I’ve already asked for instruction and the boys positively providing useful information, if you’d love to have a try.
Two little boys trying to catch a mantis shrimp
To catch mantis shrimp, you need 2 things. First: a rob made of a tie and a long shell. Second: patient to walk along the shore and seek for any suspecting holes.
After located, use your handmade rob and drop the shell deep into the hole, until it touches something moving: it’s a mantis shrimp (or something else?).
The shrimp will try to catch the bait and you just keep pulling slowly until you see half of its body out of the hole.
Finally, use a big spoon to surely you make it completely out of their comfortable hole and get into your containers (a bag/ box with water inside).
Get the mantis shrimp into the container
Now you know how to catch them. Collect a full bag and have some cook make it into fascinating dishes. Haha!
One more thing. A gallery below is of the other interesting creatures I saw along the shore in the same day, and I don’t think they are edible as mantis shrimps, haha, but it’s still worth a look
When I received a potato crisp pack from the girl, then I realized that “Giving” means “taking somehow, somewhere and sometime later, by chance”.
Here’s my story
At the end of my busy day of Nghinh Ong festival, I was resting on a hammock, in the local coffee shop, which locates nearby the central park of town. It was a exhausting day and I was really really burnt out. I just wanted some rest, preparing for the next day.
Everybody occupied their own hammocks, ready to take a sleep after the long day of activities. I was sleepy and nearly shut my eyelids down, then I noticed 2 girls looking around. They seemed finding somethings like a power socket for their smartphone. I know it’s freaky but it looked like all the sockets were occupied and there was only one left, hanging right above my hammock and just enough to power one device.
No mount or any graber was available. In a moment of thinking, she covered her phone with a plastic bag and hanged it to the electric wire. Well, there was her friend’s left.
And at that time, I asked them if they would like to use my backup power device. I was very happy to help and not to ask for anything in return. I was completely fulfilled. And I slept.
Early morning, my phone alarmed and I woke up, looked around and saw them talking to each other. The first festival activity would take place 3 hours later and I remained sleepy. So I chose to stay on my hammock and enjoyed more lazy time because the hammock-sleep was likely to make my back ache.
They packed belongings quickly and I asked for their itinerary. They said that they would embark a boat to Thanh An isle. They had not visited there ever and many one suggested them visit it. (I have to admit that: I’ve never put my feet there, though I’ve visited Can Gio many many times, haha).
They kindly returned my power device and thanked a lot. But what made me surprised that they open their backpack and take me a potato crisp pack (one like Pringle’s) as a return.
I was confused a bit, I really didn’t expect to receive anything for my deed, but eventually they paid me. So I received the gift happily and we said goodbye.
And then I start thinking I should do something for free to fuel my trips.
The Idea: you can travel for FREE when you offer FREE service
I’ll break it down.
People always love receive something free: products , lessons or services… and today most of the corporations take advantage of the human weak point to strike us with tons of commercials and we suspect any free offers.
In other words, many people think that “when I take a free one, I HAVE TO pay back certain amount of money or favors, or something that you somehow will mention later..”
The key of the strategy is you offer your service in volunteer spirit. You help them to resolve their problem well and there’s no price to charge. It depends on their choices.
And when people see your deeds are good, friendly and volunteer, they adore you. They will help you as a return, happily and deliberately, because they think they should do it for themselves. Helping people always freshen the heart.
So kindly reveal your goal, perhaps they will help you in the ways that you won’t ever think of. It’s simply “give and take” principle and you can apply for your journey with your own “free offers”
How to live the “Free service” lifestyle
Easily, make a banner showing something like “teach swimming, guitar, cooking,… for free”. What you know that it’s useful and you’re able to give lessons.
Put it somewhere people can see.
When someone call you for your free offers, just do it with your passion and a spirit willing to help people, a kind of volunteer work. Just make sure they must be TRULY free offers.
You’ve got to consider the fact that someones will pay you nothing (yes, it’s completely true). However, most people will admire your behavior and ask you if they can help anything.
In my opinion, the strategy is more effective in countryside or remote areas where people are not fighting against “free-but-actual-commercial” offers by the corporations.
My Con Dao travel story covers how I met some travel friends, got to amazing trails, beaches and coffee around island and a sacred night in Hang Duong cemetery.
After a night onboard, I head toward the town for accommodation. My bike stopped at a garden-like hostel, with a sign board “Uyen’s house” in simply black-and-white style. After few minutes check-in, I went to dorm room. It was nice.
My next-bed roommate was an 40s-something woman, she traveled alone. When I asked her recommendations, then she showed me some trails in national park, where to ask for permission papers and for most, where to get the useful map, just on the table near the receptionist area.
The map is provided by national park headquarter, with helpful information and guidelines, marking where to spot dugongs, sea turtles, mangroves,… around Con Dao. There is also a mini map of the town. I loved the map.
Leaving my backpack at dorm, I headed to the national headquarter to obtain trail pass permission. There was a lilypad pool and some ducks welcoming me there at the first sight.
When I reached the tourism center, there was no one inside, but a sign with telephone number, I dialed, minutes later, a officer in green suit showed up, consulted me where should I go, what to expect there and finally, what trail I’d like to go.
He said I could only receive one permission paper per trail, no multi-trail paper was available and everytime I’d to hike another trail, then I had to back for the permission. It was inconvenient a bit, but I thought that in case I got trouble and wouldn’t be back dorm for days, then they knew where to find me.
The first trail I attended was to Ong Dung beach, the shortest one in the national park trail system, easiest to reach by bike and just 30 minute hiking on stairs to see the beach. Most of tourists follow that trail.
I loved the first touch of national park. So green, cool and quiet ambiance. I thought I’d been lost in green for decades while walking on the trail. There are 4-5 signboards telling hikers some facts of the forest, which is very informative to read.
When I almost reached the beach, three dogs suddenly appeared and barked me, making me afraid of passing at first. However, after a while, they seemed not likely to bite me, so I just slowly walked through them. That’s so brave, haha!
The ranger station is a big stilt house whose basement is also a kitchen and recreational room with some hammocks. In front, there’s a herb garden. From here, you can see a still sea with a beach full of rocks. I spotted some mangrove plants available there.
I met a couple of traveler, who seemed to go on a snorkel tour provided by the forest ranger. However, they had some confusion with the service price. I got to the ranger station and asked for details, then consulting them, hopefully they got the nice price.
Following the road to the end, I also joined the other trail route to other side of Ong Dung beach, it was longer than the first one and more quiet, the beach was wilder and more incredible but some camping people left trash around.
The beach was not for swimming, many sharp rocks scattering along the shore. I just go around for photography and swinging on the hand-made swing. So airy, like a bird.
I spent most of my morning on two those trails, so when back to the town, no food stalls opened, I had to buy instant noodles and cook them in the dorm kitchen. It was cool when you are full.
I made friend with a man, he had been in Con Dao for several days, taken some cruise trips, wandered around the town for food but when I showed him the map of national park, he sensed missing something, that’s why the next day he decided to join my trail hiking, I thought.
In the afternoon, I went back to the headquarter to obtain another permission to Dat Tham trail. This was even longer than Ong Dung one. Most of the time I was walking alone. There’s a small cave used for worshipping Holy mother.
When I stepped around, I was the only one, the surrounding was quiet, cold, so scary. Gruuuu! After seconds, I decided to go out of the site. If someone appeared, maybe I was stunned at that time.
Walking through many beautiful plants, I saw many amazing creepers, very unique pose they were. And some kind of colorful mushroom, ideal for photos. It took me a lot of time for photography there.
Finally, I heard the sound of waves touching sand beach. But firstly, I saw an construction site. So I turned left, and stepped downstair to a small waterfall, the flow led me to the mangrove and an open sea. It’s not one for swimming, but still a good place for camping with a nice sandy beach.
I was not sure whether that was Dat Tham or Bang beach, so I returned to the site and found some one who could give me the answer. That was a group of worker, and the site was forest ranger station construction. He confirmed me the beach was Dat Tham, and there’s a T-intersection in the trail, which would lead me to Bang beach.
So, I went back to that T-intersection and kept walking a while to Bang beach. The route was very sloppy, which was easy to step downward but very stamina-consuming on the way back. The beach displayed a clear water, full of coral pieces and round stones. A nice spot for sunset, as well.
It was quite fatigued when I was out of the trail. Feeling hungry, I rode back to the town eating some refreshments before taking shower, getting dress for Christmas Eve buffet.
I spotted a nice coffee, well-decorated in Christmas style. I ordered an Earl Grey tea pot and excitingly asked for photographing the shop. The bartender was nice, he let me do my job while preparing my tea. The atmosphere was lovely and warm with Christmas color.
Tea pot on the table and I poured into a white cup. A dark yellow water quickly filled up with nice steam. I had cake, sipped tea and enjoy photos I’d taken along the trail. That was my Christmas away from home, feeling so merry when I was there.
When I went back to the dorm, just some people stayed there. It was dark with few lights on. 30 minute to the buffet opening, so I took the shower in a hurry and joined the party with my older friend. He informed me that 2 people would accompanied us. Not to wait long, I met them. They were a mid-age woman and a young girl, so fitting with a man and me.
The Christmas Eve party held in Infinite coffee, just a little walk from the hostel – A beautiful place for not only drinks but you can play a pool game inside. We prepared dish, have beefsteak, chicken cooked, with some ham rolls, salad and breed also. A bottle of white wine was order, an incredibe accompanion with delicious foods in merry space. That was a wonderful night by travelers.
After that, we went hostel, resting a bit and got ready for night visit Hang Duong cemetery, where the heroine Vo Thi Sau, a sacred monument. Hundreds of people come here every day and more at the weekend, holiday to worship the dead. I think it’s a must-try experience, even though you’re not a Vietnamese.
Weird food is always a funny topic to be mentioned. It’s like a challenge for travelers. “Dare you try this crazy dish?” “Oh, come on, dude. You can do it” and then looking at faces with different emotional expressions.
In the festival, when I was wandering on my beloved bike, then I noticed a signboard mention a dish “pig eye soup”. Oh come on, it’s truly WEIRD FOOD. I ran away, for 1 minute, then I turned back. I think that this was an awesome way to enrich my travel experience. By the way, I had a story to tell.
It was a small stall, some man sat and enjoy their meals, somethings like boiled intestine, sliced and served with fish sauce. Well, it was definitely a must-try experience, I thought.
I ordered “eye pig soup”, of course, compared to the intestine, this seemed more frightening to taste. It takes long to prepare, around 15’. The waitress brought me the plain soup first with julienned ginger topping, then a plate full of herb, vegetable,… a lot of green ones.
Finally, our protagonist showed up, the boiled pig eye. In fact, it was not only black pig eye but a steamy part of skull including the eye.
OK, now what? Have it!
is it weird enough ?
I would try to describe it to you. I think one of the most important tips to enjoy a weird food is not to imagine too much, especially as if it is a living one, I mean we shouldn’t think of a living pig staring at us in this case.
So I started enjoy my dish with full of responsibility. Meat was the same as other part (fillet, shoulder,…) so it was easy to swallow. Skin is at the middle of chewy and cracky sense. I think most of the people would enjoy this part of the dish, along with the meat.
The hardest session was when we had to penetrate through his/ her eye with a fork and pull out of the hole. It was a scary moment. A few people can do it (except for the local, they’ve made it for decades). Its taste? Well, it was like a very thin cartilage, intense liquid. It was delicious in a very different way. I think it would be more tasty if it was not an eye but it IS an eye, so it’s scary.
Another part is sinus, I don’t know anything to call a name, but it was quite similar to cracky seaweed. At first moment I used the fork to separate edible material off the skull but finally I was surrendered because of its intensive sticky nature. By-hand is an advised solution.
The key to enjoy the dish is to take advantage of green herb, soup and hot chili in fish sauce to make it more easy to taste, swallow and digest. One of the reason why I love Vietnamese cuisine is because it requires so much sophisticated combination and the result that can make you surprised.
Con Dao prisons is very well-known. Actually, the island was built for only purpose – imprison. So it is interesting to do a short trip. I also covers the previous night when I had chance visiting Hang Duong mass cemetery at night. Very memorable moments in these.
It was raining, no lightning, but grey clouds covered whole sky, which was very suitable for a day exploring somethings haunting.
There are several prison. The first one, locating in town is Phu Hai. You can park your bikes/ cars right at front of the prison. There’s a ticket booth to the left of the gate. Ticket price is 20 000 (12/2016), you receive a receipt allowing you to visit the other prisons and a badge as a souvenir.
When you open the gate, it sounds a metallic echoing, very heavy. I still remember that sound. It left me an very impression on what I would explore – a mass prison where thousands of people tortured, jailed to dead. Yes, death smell.
The gate opened. No one inside. I and my friend, we were only visitors at that time. It was scary whole the time when you just alone there. On the contrary to the outside, it is very silent here. I remind stepping very gently as a cat, because you can hear every sounds even it is not loud at all.
Welcome you – a church at the center of the yard, painted in yellow, a popular old color in colonial era. The door open slight, it is weak lit inside. No light on, just few outter ones from windows. The room is transformed into a meeting room with lots of chairs and several pictures depicting the life in the prisons, how prisoners survived, how they fought and how they died. Watch these pictures gives you more clues when exploring the site.
Out of the church, you can walk around to explore dark jails with some statues inside, posing prisoner activities. When you’re getting in these places, just alone, see them, (bravely) touch them, then you know how scary it is.
I didn’t dare stand inside the jail, just rights at threshold, admittedly that my mind would blow up if someone locked me in, facing the real-scale human-like statues, with a twilight background produced by windows above, brain overwhelmed by dozens of pictures of tortured people. That’s too much for an memorable experience. But I was lucky, my friend didn’t play joke on me. Thank you! haha
There are a big tree in the yard, and many plants around, which you can spot a sign “heritage tree” below.
The first complex includes 2 collective prisons, one clubs, one isolated jail area – one man each room, a dining hall with a large kitchen nearby. There is also a rocky yard, where it is said to be a place punished prisoners were forced to break the rocks as a slave labor. A poem attached on the wall, composed by Phan Chu Trinh, a well-known patriot in Vietnam last century.
The next prison complex is Phu Tuong, where you can explore infamous tiger-cage prisons. The door is far more bigger, fitting vehicles to pass through. Every walls are made of cement and blocks of stone, which their height is very remarkable, armed with sharp broken glass pieces. It is more easy-to-get-lost here because the path is difficult to locate a bit.
Compared to the prison in Phu Quoc, I feel Con Dao version is harsher. There are a lot of monuments built around the island, memorizing the attempts to prison break and sail off, many ones dead, very few ones made it and many many people, both known and unknown, passed away here and buried in mass cemetery Hang Duong. The most topical martyr is Vo Thi Sau.
My roommates and I paid a visit to the cemetery at previous night. Yes, though it was at night but many people, both the martyr relatives and pilgrims, gather there to worship the dead. It is like a giant park, breezes blow cool and the whole park is medium lit by some lamp posts, indulging in fantastic white light.
It is very sacred atmosphere in the neighborhood. Especially, when you approach Vo Thi Sau – heroine’s tomb, you’ll understand what I mean. Very religious moments at the tomb. People burn incenses, delicate offering and hard pray. The smell of burning incenses, praying sound echoes. My friend would pray for a bit. Many people comes here to pray, they strongly believe in the heroine.
There’s a monument that you’ll see it from far sight, accompanied by two holy cross and surrounded by walls. That’s the main hall.
The cemetery is just 1 kilometer away from the downtown, via a very open field, no light at night, road sides lined trees.
I was shocked after the visiting, it was too religious, too sacred. A bit distress. You’ll know more about how war ruined the human. How beautifully they fight for their ideals, and how people treat each other when they pass away. That how much peace we need in this world. So much confusing, but, memorable.
The Con dao travel guide covers how to get to and get around the island, some facts about night on ship, foods and what to do to explore the paradise.
My first time in Con Dao was so amazing that I decide to write a “short” travel guide. Hopefully it helps you plan for your trip. This is a beautiful remote island in Vietnam that any travelers should visit once-in-a-lifetime.
Travel to Con Dao
A. Air
There’s no budget flight on HCMC-Con Dao. The only airline is Vietnam Airline, national fleet, price ranges around 80 usd/ one-way. The airport is quite far from the town, so if you’ve booked hotel, kindly request them a transit.
B. Boat
Cheap but not reliable due to the sea condition, Boats are still chosen by most of people travelling to Con Dao. You’d better call to check the availability beforehand, and watch out the cancellation in rough weather days.
a) Cat Lo – Ben Dam boat
The cheapest (but more adventurous – I warn you!) way to get to the island is to secure a seat on a ship in Cat Lo port in Vung Tau. It runs every two day, so you should check the schedule beforehand (The green box is route Con Dao-Vung Tau, Blue box is Vung Tau-Con Dao)
The ship start at 17:00 and the arrival should be at 6:00 the next day for both route Vung Tau – Con Dao and vice versa. Sometimes you’ll reach the port at around 8:00 if the sea is rough the previous night.
There are two ship operating:
– Con Dao 09: a big ship with 238 vacancies (200 beds and 38 seats). I traveled to Con Dao in the ship.
– Con Dao 10: smaller ship, vacancies only 148 passengers (108 beds and 40 seats).
There’s a cafeteria onboard, which offers instant noodle for 20,000vnd and purified water for 10,000 vnd, opens until 19:00 when it’s getting windy and the deck becomes more and more up-and-down.
Note: On the way to port, there’re several vendors selling cheap local food. Before departure, you can walk nearby neighborhood for better food than poor menu onboard.
It’s quite clean, a lot of officer onboard. Night on ship will not a good news for those who are stuck with seasick. You’re likely to vomit and it will weaken your health a bit. So if you’re not healthy, take a flight please, for your life.
Cost
If you’re on Con Dao 09, you’ll pay 85,000vnd/ seat and 150,000vnd/ bed. Con Dao 10 is more expensive: 200 000/ bed and 125 000/ seat (2017). You can have seat anywhere you like, someones even stretch their legs over the nearby seat to sleep. You can bring hammock if you want more comfort.
For vehicle, it costs 50,000 vnd/ motorbike + 60,000vnd loading fee (onboard and offboard). Your gasonline tank will be empty before loading onto ship. The ship departs at 5:00PM, so you have to be at the port one hour beforeif you’d like to bring along your bike.
For ticket, buy here:
In Vung tau city: 1007/36, 30/4 street, ward 11. Telephone (Vietnamese) 064.383.8684.
In Con dao town: Vo Thi Sau street, near Con dao market. Telephone: 064.383.0619.
Email (quite useless): vetaucondao@gmail.com
You’re required to provide your ID card, passport to buy ticket, and the vehicle license for your bike.
Note: From Ben Dam port to the town center, you have to travel 12 kilometers so if you don’t have any vehicle, so the motorbike taxi would charge you 50,000vnd for a ride. Remember to write down your hotel name along with address because few drivers speak English.
b) SuperDong Speedboat
Since July 2017, another option is to take a speedboat of Superdong in Tran De, Soc Trang province (Mekong Delta). The daily schedule is 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM departing at Tran De (Soc Trang), returning from Ben Dam (Con Dao) and vice versa.
Check the Speed boat Price (it’s more expensive than Ben Lo, Vung Tau)
Get around Con Dao
Small fact: Con Dao is actually a group of 16 islands. The largest island is known as Con Son.
There are many way to explore the island.
Walk: Just by walking, you can even explore beautiful sea, visit prison complexes, have meals and so on. The village is small scale so all the points of interest are close to one another ridiculously. Jogging in the morning and evening is recommended.
Motorbikes: I love this option most – as a guy loves roadtrip ah ha. The price is very cheap: 100 000 vnd/ day, no fuel cover, cheaper than mostly rest of Vietnam. The bikes are new, but remember to get your tank full of gas or you have to drag your vehicle (which is not romantic at all) because the petrol station have limited hours: 6:00-11:30 and 13:30 – 20:00.
Motorbike taxis: They are mostly honest. However, I think you should also check the distance, and bargain price before get on. Good guys – Bad guys – Who knows. These man are very useful guide, but because the fact that few of them speak English, so it’s not really useful if you cannot communicate in Vietnamese.
Taxis: Most expensive, I didn’t choose it. You are on a beautiful island, full of wild landscape. Why do you have to be stuck in a metal box?
Bicycle: Town is small, so if you don’t walk, you can ride a bicycle, but just around the town, OK. out-of-town roads are extremely rough and sloping. Know what to expect you!
Where to Stay in Con Dao
Although there are many good accommodations in Con Dao, most of them are quite expensive if you travel alone because only are just private rooms available. Price range from 20-40$. You can find Phi Yen hotel, Con Dao island hotel, Anh Dao easily. They are all popular to most of taxis.
If you have money, then Six Sense is a upscale resort that can satisfy all you need and your standard. (Ok, I’ve never been to there, I just heard people saying so). A night there costs you only 500 – 2400$.
I chose the only dorm in the island – Uyen’s house, very budget if you travel solo, only 10$ and it’s very beautiful, new so the equipments are still very fresh.
Con Dao, it’s famous for 3 things: a national park and a big historical jail and a island, there are many activities to do, which may take you a whole week to well dig into each one.
a) Swimming
As a small island, Con Dao obsesses just several nice beach to swim perfectly, the other are beautiful, but too rocky, which makes it impossible for swimming around but ideal for camping and snorkel.
The closest beach is right at the town, walking for minutes and you get there. The water is clear enough and the sand is nice.
Further and quieter is Dam Tre beach. Just few local and hikers pass by. The water is clear as crystal, sand is very nice and smooth, while the beach is completely even, suitable for sun-bathing
b) Trail Hiking
I did completely two routes, and to be honest, I did love them. That was a chance to refresh your lung, paint your eyes with green sceneries and enrich your experience with wild friends, like monkeys and birds.
Hiking alone offers you more sense of adventure. A lot of scary things like cave explore, stuck in trail when it’s twilight, be some robinson-moment on a nice beach at the end of the trail,… very tempting!
c) Wandering in historical sites
To be honest, I was frightened when entering Con Dao jail for the first time. It was quiet, dark, illustrated with human statues in real scale. If you read the history, this is where thousands of revolution people died, like a mass death. It’s haunting.
Beside the jail complex, Hang Duong cemetery is also a sacred destination where hundreds of pilgrims visit daily at night. You won’t forget the moment there.
d) Diving
As a remote island, untouched by most of human activities, and still well preserved, diving in Con Dao is quite popular. There’s several diving center with PADI registered mark on. Signing up for a diving course is recommended.
e) Cruising to surrounding islets
The wild life in surrounding area is still very dynamic. You can go to port, ask any fishing boats for a cruise tour, bargain for the best price, and step on, explore islets.
f) Roadtrip
There’s only a coastal road, so it’s thoroughly worthy a ride to enjoy beautiful shore of the island. You’ll see birds spreading their wings in the sky, sun brightening the sea and wild plants coloring the roadside.
Roadtrip is very cheap, you can rent a bike for only 5$/ day, plus 1-2 $ for fuel. The experience on road will be amazing!
What and Where to eat in Con Dao
Food is expensive. We had a half of boiled duck and 4 soups, costing 320,000 vnd in total. A buffet for 340,000/ pax, and a bowl of Bun rieu for 25,000vnd.
You should have breakfast/ lunch in time or no one would sell you anything. However, dinner is very relaxing, most of restaurants stay until midnight.
If you run out of budget then some instant noodle packs are saviors. A pack cost 7000vnd, double will be likely enough for an active day.
Most of Con Dao specialities are gifts or snacks like: almendron nuts, Oyster soups (not really special), Sea foods (snails, lobsters, fishes,..). I think echinus sauce and peanut worms are the two most unique that deserves a try (but requires a taste after all).
There are some nice local coffee shops to check in. I pick Infinite and Lacasa if you like somethings cool, price is a bit higher than average.
The local drink is also good to try. I bought a sugarcane juice for 10,000vnd, the 1.5 liter bottle of water also costs me 10,000vnd.
The safety
One of the best things in Con Dao, and other islands like Phu Quoc is no theft threats. I haven’t heard any news report about crimes in the island, and you don’t worry about your bike if you leave it on road (but your luggages). That’s pretty good compared to the land.
One more thing to notice: when you jump on boat for a cruise, remember to check for any life vests available. Some boat owners won’t provide the safety equipments like that so go on or choose another provider is your call. Be careful!
I’ll share you my finding accommodation story and include some budget tips which I come up with after joining in the festival last week (with some painful and unforgettable experience).
Accommodation is not developed in Can Gio yet. There’s no dorm rooms for backpackers, few hotels for tourist. Hostel is usually people’s choice when they travel here.
I love Can Gio. It’s peaceful town by the sea. I’ve visited it many times and painfully admit that room price is quite high while the comforts are poor. Even more, when the festival is at peak, most of hosts purposely increase the room charge. The situation has remained for years
For me, I usually stay in a very budget hostel, with mostly no comforts but pillow, blanket and private bathroom – very limit interior equipments. They charge 5$/ day for a person and 6$ for two.
My first day charged 5$ and the hostess told me that she would charge up to 20$ for the next day (festival peak) and some tourists have accepted and booked rooms already.
I get around and make a survey, the hostels in town generally charge 15-20$/ day. In a countryside like Can Gio, I consider they are quite expensive.
Years ago, there’s no running water in the town, so clean water is in lack, it’s ok. But nowaday, electricity and water are provided widely, there’s no reason to remain the same price without any improvement.
So the next day, I decided to pack up and go out with a belief of “everything will be alright”.
It was quite hard for me because I had all luggage in my backpack, which I put on my shoulders, get around to find activities while managing to find somewhere to rest during the intervals.
Finally, in the evening, when I was enjoyed myself on a hammock, I asked a waitress if I could stay for a night. Luckily she answered: “30.000 vnd”. I didn’t expect to be free, but merely 1.5 usd/ night with an agreeable hammock, strong wifi signal with food-and-drink available anytime, I booked it at once, and order a coconut to celebrate my finding.
The only shortage of the hammock-night accommodation: there is no bathroom and if you would like to go to toilet, well, feel free to talk with the sea because there’s no public toilet at night. (on day, you can locate a very dirty-and-smell restroom behind. I tried and I just ran away right after my nose sounded an alarm “please don’t torture me in that hell”).
After secured a place to rest at night, I headed for boats which were chosen to set floating flower lanterns onto the sea. After that, I disembarked on a local house which bypass through the Whale temple.
I found out that there’s a public room for pilgrims and locals who stay for a night, with public bathroom as well (just requires donation after used). However, I noticed that most of the people settling there were elders. I don’t think it’s suitable for young travelers, except for cases that we are strictly sticking to a very limited budget.
Some tips you should pick up:
Avoid festivals if you’d like to reduce accommodation budget
No need to book rooms in advance, you come first then you take first.
Ask for staying in temple for free in festival (if you’re lucky enough)
The coffee shop offering hammock-night stay locates next to the central park.
Vung Tau is a beautiful and crowded city. It’s just 120km away from HCMC so you can easily take a short trip there at the weekend. A great spot to entertain! I usually take a short bike trip to Vung Tau as a retreat after days of hard working. The quick travel guide will be very useful for your first time experience the city.
The city at dawn
There are many beaches to sunbathe, nice coffees to have cosy seat and sip, stunning landscapes and historical spots to discovery and get some fresh air among many mountains right inside the city that you can even have a good hiking day.
1. Get in
Vung tau street
Bike: The city now is well connected with other regions because of the very good transport network which offers you 60-80 km/h on your motorbike. Take your bike, and follow A1 highway over Dong Nai bridge and turn right in the intersection, then keep going on 51 highway until you reach Ba Ria, then turn right again, get your full throttle and 20 minutes then you’re rolling on the city roads. The total time is 2-3 hour, depending on your riding experience. I love this option most of all.
Bus: The ticket is around 60,000-80,000 vnd, and you have to catch ones in the EAST bus station (292 Đinh Bo Linh street, ward 26, Binh Thanh district). You will arrive at Vung Tau bus station (192 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, ward 3).
Hydrofoil: The best way is to get onboard a hydrofoil and 1,5 hour later, you’re checking in Vung Tau. So buy ticket and go at Bach Dang port (1A Ham Nghi, district 1) and disembark at Cau Da port (120 Ha Long street). Ticket price ranges from 50,000 – 200,000 đ. There’s an official website to book cheap ticket, it’s initially in Vietnamese, so remember to change language to english by click on the English flag at the top right corner.
Take a look at my transportation guide-map for more detail
Bike rental: It is known that you can rent bike from most of the hostel/hotel in the city. The price ranges from 150,000 – 200,000đ/ day, 25,000 – 40,000đ/ hour.
More eco-friendly option is twin bicycle, which charges 15,000 – 20,000đ/ hour. It’s ideal to get one with your friend and pedal around the city ‘til night, completely fresh and sporty. Chit-chat together is fun, too.
Taxi and bike taxi: The taxi fee in Vung tau is more expensive than HCMC, and there are some scam alert. Bike taxi always welcome you at any intersections . Sometimes they follow you, especially when you are walking alone. You have to bargain half price of what they suggest, or you should use google map and tell their the distance with your price suggestion (usually 5000-6000 đ per kilometer).
2. What to play
Taking stairs to hike location at Bai dau church
Entertaining games: Tho trang (While rabbit) theme park, really exciting for hard-core game or just painting some statue while enjoying eventful ambiance with rides, play ground and mascots.
Sipping coffee: Though Vung tau is not famous for café, seaview is a good reason to find a seat and enjoy gentle breezes and landscape. Some coffees are even offering creative indoor spaces.
Swimming or sunbathing: take a look at four main beaches: Bai Truoc (front beach), Bai Sau (Back beach) and the other are two quiet, no safeguard beaches: Bai Dua (pineapple beach) and Bai Dau (Strawberry Beach).
Playing golf: There’s a resort including golf club and they offer golf courses. It’s Paradise beachside resort, locates at 01 Thuy Van, Nguyen An Ninh Ward.
Greyhound racing: The most exciting racing tournament for Greyhound – a kind of racing dog. You can enjoy the race at Lam Son stadium, 15 Le Loi street, from 19h15 – 22h30, Friday and Saturday every week. Entrace ticket: 50.000 – 100.000/ pax, you can bet on the dog you love and have a chance to win prize legally.
Hiking: The three best location to take a hike is The Lighthouse (starting from Phan Chu Trinh street), Jesus statue (Thuy Van street) and Big mountain (Tran Hung Dao street). There’s also a short hike route right inside Bai dau church.
Take a walk at dawn is ideal choice
3. Where to visit
Jesus statue
There are many sightseeing locations in town. I pick top 10 for you to check-in.
Jesus Christ’s statue: the most well-known landmark and it seem that if you haven’t check-in here, it’s considered as you’ve not been to Vung Tau yet. Many people get here everyday so it’s very crowded, you queue up to take a short stair to the statue shoulder. This is a really incredible pananoma view of the city. By the way, there’s some old cannons remaining the city history as once a powerful fortess.
Worldwide army museum: love guns, this is the best place to take a close look at guns, most of them are old ones, remind you something once upon a time. I love history, but to be honest, I love the art pieces lying in guns more. So interesting.
Villa Blanche: It belongs to the last emperor of the country – Bao Dai, it’s just a villa, like other one. In my opinion, the special points are historical value and architecture, a bit.
Buddha Statute pagoda: The two most outstanding architecture to notice are the giant buddha statue and the eight-side tower where they store relics. It impresses people by dozen of statues. Yes, statues everywhere.
Homay park: another amusement park on the top hill. You have to take a cable cabin , price? 300.000 vnd/pax. I don’t really enjoy it. How about you?
Hon Ba (Ba isle): A small pagoda, famous for “the road among sea” that is only available on low tide days, usually in mid-month of lunar calendar.
Back/ Front beach: the back one is ideal place for sunrise and the front is great for sunset. It’s all because of their location.
Bai dau church: I once visited here and love it for windy architecture which makes it cool everytime, the church shapes perfectly and you can even make a short trek to the Saint Mary statue nearby.
Xom luoi seafood market: Vung Tau is a coastal town, so it’s really good place to enjoy seafood. You can come to the market and watch those creature are lively moving. Take some of them, along with coal, set up fire and have wonderful roasted seafood night.
A victory monument at the intersection
4. What to eat
Seafood: This is the first choice for most of traveler when they take a visit to coastal city. The local seafood is fresh and you can choose to buy these creature alive and take home to cook or order prepared dish to enjoy at once. Ganh Hao at Tran Phu street is quite famous for seafood dish with reasonable price.
Banh khot: a well-known dish in Vung Tau, beloved not only by the local but also tourists from other province who come to enjoy the city. The cake is crispy with fresh shrimps on surface, served along green vegetable and tasty dipping sauce.
Snail: Vietnamese love snail, and Vung Tau is also a good choice to enjoy the food. Various kinds of snail, cooked with different recipes make it delicious and mouth-watering.
Salted egg yolks cake: A favorite snack of girl – Yes, many friends of mine know it and most of are girls. I’m wondering why the food is so attractive to, mostly, girls. You can try it in Nguyen Truong To it, look for keyword “Banh bong lan trung muoi”.
Noodle: the ingredients are various make it worthy to try. You can choose among noodle or rice noodle, chicken or seafood, and you can even enjoy a high-throwing technique performed by the cook.
Dove soup: another food that is delicious but merely a few people know and enjoy it, which served in some food stall at Do Chieu street.
5. Extension
If you take time exploring around 2-3 days, there are 4 popular names nearby:
Con dao is a part of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and you can buy boat ticket from the express port to get there. It’s available anytime. Con dao is a real hidden gem, best place for luxurious lifestyle, historical research, or advanturous trek. The local beaches are nice. You should stay here for at least 3 days to deeply discovery most of polular locations and enjoy foods. It’s noticed that price is high because of the island isolation from the main land.
Long Hai is another choice if you’d like to explore nearby neighborhood, beach is not excellent but landscape is great for shooting, I was impressed by beauty of Nuoc Ngot bay and Minh Dam mountain. Food is delicious and cheap.
Long Son island is famous for oysters. There’s nothing beautiful here but oysters. You should come here for oysters, I strongly recommend the food because it has become the island trademark, and indeed, they are usually fresh and smell good, with a slice of lime, mustard, scallion,… OK, save it later, my mouth is watering.
Ho Tram – Ho Coc: these spots are quite far from the city, about 40 km in distance. Most of the great resort of Ba Ria locate there. Nice sand, blue sky and gentle sea with quiet ambience. Ho Coc is occupied by resort, offering luxurious experience while Ho Tram is cheaper and more affordable, mostly chosen by the local.
I love Dalat not just for its stunning landscapes, or old architectures but also for best foods. They’re not just delicious but very creative. Every times having a chance to meet the town, I am going to be surprised that there’s a new dish in town to check-it-out. Dalat is really the competitor of HCMC for food war, if it happens.
Tôi yêu Đà Lạt, không chỉ bởi khung cảnh đẹp như tranh vẽ hay những tòa nhà cổ kính, mà còn bởi ẩm thực. Không chỉ ngon miệng mà còn sáng tạo. Thị trấn luôn làm tôi bất ngờ mỗi lần trở lại. Luôn có món mới để ăn thử. Với tôi, Đà Lạt là một đối thủ đáng gờm của Sài Gòn, nếu có “chiến tranh ẩm thực”.
From every corners, every streets, you just take few steps out-of-door and there are always some delicious foods waiting for you there, the aroma guiding you to a certain street vendor and you hear a friendly local calling for you.
The below are my best delicious foods and the locations I usually check-in whenever I visit the flowery town.
Nem nuong (roasted meatball)
My first impression of the dish is so colorful that it looks more delicious. The food is the combination of red well-roasted meatball, fresh green veggies, white/ orange pickles, little crispy plain rice paper rolls and yellow dipping sauce.
How to enjoy the food? You spread the fresh rice paper even in your hand, put in all the ingredients above and wrap skillfully into beautiful rolls. Then dip it into the sauce and have it will all your feelings.
The meat balls are perfect, kind of roasted fresh meat. Crispy fried rolls make it sound tasty, veggies and pickles play an important play in balancing the taste. The sauce is gentle, not too strong like most of the ones we experience in Vietnam, so you can take a deep dip before letting your mouth do the rest. How delicious it is!
Price range: 40,000 đ/ pax and 8,000-20,000 vnd for drink
Best location to visit: I usually have nem nuong in Ba Hung restaurant at 328 Phan Dinh Phung street. I’ve seen many tour guide taking their tourists there. It’s said that the restaurant has started the business for over 10 years and now it’s really a trademark for Nem nuong of Dalat
Best time to enjoy: the restaurant opens from 9:30 AM to 9 PM so you can have the dish anytime you like.
Bun bo (Beef rice noodles soup)
It originates from Hue, though the local adapts very well into their own taste. It remains traditionally rice noodles, aroma and soup but the veggie is changed a bit, not water spinach but a mixture of the fine-chopped, I guess they are salads, sprouts and banana buds.
When you enjoy the food, it’s optional to add some spices to your bow of noodles: a slice of lemon, chilli peppers, chili paste or even some salty fish sauce if you requires stronger taste.
You can also order a block of chopped stewed pig leg, it’s delicious, fatty and gets you full quickly.
Price range: 20,000 – 30,000 vnd/ pax
Best location to visit: Ap Anh Sang, near Xuan Huong lake
Best time to enjoy: in the morning and afternoon, beautiful sunrise and sunset make it more colorful and it’s cool to have a hot soup at that time.
Banh uot long ga (Steamed rice pancake with boiled chicken coop)
Usually, when you have the pancake in HCMC, it includes pork bologna slices, fermented pork rolls, boiled sprouts and basil. the local people have their own recipe, that they use boiled chicken for toppings.
I’ve heard that even the pancake recipe is also different from ones in HCM, which makes it more unique, tasty and chewy. The chicken meat is torn apart well and innards are cleaned and flavored thoroughly, then remain marinated so that there’s no annoying taste left.
The result is you will be served a dish with full of perfect taste, smell and look. You will enjoy a-bit-chewy pancake, well-shredded chicken meat and chewy innards (if you think they are no problem to you). Don’t forget well-prepared dipping sauce to make it spiced up.
Price range: 15,000- 30,000 đ
Best location to visit: Tang Bat Ho street, near Da Lat central market
Best time to enjoy: it seems the food is served from 2 PM – 5PM so arranging your time wisely.
Banh trang nuong (Roasted rice papers with toppings)
It’s said that if you don’t have roasted rice papers yet then you’re considered as you’ve never been to Dalat, because the town is so famous for the food. Many people believe that the roasted rice papers originates from Dalat with its full nature.
I admit that though tasting many versions in HCMC, I still fall in love with original one in the highland town. It’s thicker and much more toppings than ones in HCMC. The ingredient includes oil-cooked scallion, quail eggs, grounded meat, tiny shrimps and other additional toppings (sausages, cheese,…).
The dish brings you feelings of crispy, tasty, a little salty and good smell of toppings. If it’s served hot, then even steam flows rise up attractively.
Price range: 10,000 – 20,000 đ/ pax.
Best location to visit: vendors in Nguyen Van Troi street
Best time to enjoy: the vendors usually start their business from 2 PM to 10 PM, but for my own experience, when the sun goes down completely and the atmosphere gets cooler, then the roasted will perfectly warm up your taste.
Banh mi xiu mai (meatball soup with bread)
I didn’t know the existence of the dish until my friends took me to the vendor in the beautiful morning to enjoy together. Many visitors there so you are expected to quickly occupied the table.
The food nature is meat ball, but instead of roast method, the local cook it with soup and add some topping like pork skin, bologna and chopped scallion. You can spice up with some soya sauce and chili paste. Usually you enjoy it with a load of warm cracky bread.
Price range: 10.000-20.000/ pax including soya drink
Best location: 26 Hoang Dieu street
Best time to enjoy: in the morning, it’s cool and having some hot soup dish is a great idea.
Banh canh (noodle soup)
I found that one of the most reason we have delicious food in Dalat is cool ambience. Therefore, hot soup foods are always my recommendation, especially it’s rainy day or night.
Banh canh, which comes from Phan Rang – a hot and dry city of central Vietnam, is brought to Dalat to contribute to the food diversity of town with all its original favor except for accompanied veggies.
What are inside a bow of banh canh? They are white gentle-chewy noodles, very clear and delicious soup, well-done stewed blocks of meat. The toppings make it for attractive with fine-chopped scallion, fried sliced onions. the dish is served so hot that you can sense the tasty white steam and engaging aroma that haste you to enjoy it right after.
It’s usually my favorite breakfast when I stay in hostels nearby. It’s really a full-of-energy commence for a long day of exploration.
Best location to visit: Xuan An restaurant, 15A Nha Chung street
Best time to enjoy: the dish is only served from 11:30 AM – 9 PM, if you come in the other time, there are alternatives (bun bo, mi quang)
Xap xap (Dried beef salad)
This seems the best beloved and popular in the highland town. I love dried beef salad. I usually enjoy it once every two weeks with my friend. It’s strange to hear ‘Xap xap’ for the first time, until enjoyed the dish then I realized it’s just an other version of my favorite (it’s called ‘goi kho bo’ in HCMC).
I admit that it still remains the original taste as one I have in the city, but some of the gradients are added. It comprises julienne of green papaya, dried beef, gentle-grounded roasted peanuts, some slices of basil and tasty sop pouring over. The main difference between original dish and Dalat version is the addition of seasoned pork/ cow innards.
I think you can ask not to add innards if you’re not a fan of weird food and enjoy the original taste instead.
Price range: 20,000 – 30,000 đ/ pax
Best location: near Xuan Huong lake
Best time to enjoy: every time you walk around the lake and feel hungry for veggie-intended food.
Barbecue Buffet
What makes barbecue party become a perfect choice when you’re in Da lat? The chill weather. Imagine you’re served a glowing stove, drying your hands while picking up food and put them on the grill until it’s ready to be consumed. Woa! That’s nice, right?
The restaurant serve a wide range of food from traditional barbecue like seasoned pork, chicken, beef, oyster… to hot pot with plenty of ingredients to choose without minding price. It’s considered as a cheapest option compared to other barbecue restaurant in town.
Remember that you should only pick enough food because you would be fined for 50,000 VNĐ/ 100 gr leftover.
Price range: 99,000 VNĐ
Best location: 1 Hoang Van Thu
Best time to enjoy: It opens daily from 4:00PM – 11:00 PM and you should visit early for the best.
Sweet buffet
Dalat is a paradise for sweet-tooth folks because of its variety of fruit jams and preserve, and L’ang Farm is one of the best brand in the field. It’s good to know that they hold daily buffet of sweet jams and tea for visitors.
It’s quite cheap, and you’ll have great chance to enjoy most of the popular and delicious jams of Da Lat and a cup of hot green tea or artichoke while having a comfortable seat and take a look down to the central market, which is always crowded and colorful.
Price: 39.000/ pax
Location to check-in: L’ang Farm store 2nd storey, 6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street.
Best time to enjoy: 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM, I usually occupy a seat in the evening to enjoy sunset in the city. It’s so cool at the time that a cup of hot tea seems perfect choice after a long day of riding around the highland.
Kem bo (Avocado smoothie with ice-cream ball topping)
Another choice for sweet-aholic is avocado smoothie in different recipe. As usual, we order a glass of avocado smoothie and it is a mixture of avocado fresh, milk (condensed or fresh), a little white sugar. Put in your straw and suck!
In Dalat, the local add a white ice-cream ball into the smoothie and make it different a bit. You can choose to tear a part or complete the ball with a spoon and enjoy the taste of avocado enhanced with cream. Nice experience.
Price: 15,000 VNĐ
Best location: 76 Nguyen Van Troi street
Best time to enjoy: When you feel hot and bored with original avocado smoothie recipes.
Linh Quy Phap An is a well-known destination these days in south and central highland Viet Nam.
Many travelers are eager to check-in the pagoda to enjoy its unique architecture and beautiful landscape – a combination of green tea plantations and huge white cloud layers, which offers visitors nice photos and peaceful atmosphere.
An attractive destination
I’ve heard of it many, many times when travelers from all forum and social networks overwhelm their walls with information, pictures and posts of the pagoda with japanese-like architecture. As a religious site, it requires quiet ambience, but its early fame makes so much noise.
My travel style tend to searching for adventurous, nature-intended trip so the pagoda was not in my mind for long. Until a day, my friend suggested a trip within 500 kms, covering many natural hot spots and including the pagoda. I’d never been there before, so let’s go.
Interests?
Peaceful and Fantastic!
Those are adjectives I attribute the temple for the first time visiting there. Located on a remote highland, among tea and coffee plantations, Linh Quy Phap An is a hidden gem recently discovered and quickly become one of the famous destinations in Bao Loc, Lam Dong (just 2 hours away from Da Lat).
My very first impression is how tough the route challenges us (I and my friend). We missed the turn while google maps showed us right there. Indeed, in remote areas, you shouldn’t trust 100% in google map because of plenty of tolerance (which is likely up to 3-5 kms). Therefore, remembering some Point of interests is advised. I would update some guidances to the temple, hopefully they help you well.
That’s route tracking. Challenge but exciting! After so many wrong turns, along with “Oh my god, it must be here, but it is actually NOT here” and finally you come to right place, as described in pictures and guidances, I bet you would shout for joy “We did it”. That’s a emotional moment.
The second attraction lies at the routes via plantations. There are two options, you can go up by bike or on foot. I recommend walking on stairs to the temple due to it green surroundings: the old tee plants with little beautiful flowers welcoming you, waving in the blows. It’s cool and clean, green and quite, you can even listen to the bird singing.
Another thing I love is durian and avocado trees side the route. There are many many durians and avocado above your head, they are hung there, pendulously and invitingly. I wish I had asked for permission to climb up and take down some. It would be my great travel experience there.
Now we get to the temple. I admit that I’m not interested in religious structures, I love nature and the temple is an invincible harmony of artificial works and nature touch. A superb scenery!
It’s was an gray day, but it’s still very gorgeous: The far far away cloud rolling by, you can even see the raining storm in other area. There’s a zen garden graveled white and bonsai stones. In the air, you listen to the wind chimes sounding melodiously. The open space really make me ease and stress away. I think this is a best place to have a zen course.
However, there’s a problem: the temple is outnumbering travelers, visitors, which makes it less quite and clean. Littering appears along the stairs and the hall is no longer sacred due to the disturbance outside – the black side of travel.
My Youtube clip for more experience: https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ELmMYpbwh8
Is it cheap?
Our bike trip cost us around 500.000 vnd (25usd) for one-day exploration include visiting the pagoda. Break it down: 300.000vnd for fuel, 200.000 for meals, parking,… if you rent a motorbike, plus 100.000-200.000vnd, and no entrance fee to pagoda, it’s completely free. That’s all for the trip.
There’s some traffic police station on road, so expect to give away some more cash if you get caught, especially when you’re going within Dong Nai province.
Somethings you should notice
The path is quiet challenging. You’re expected to be a skillful riders because it’s narrow, the width is not enough for 2 bikes countering. As a compensation, you’re likely to feel exciting after conquering it.
The stone stair takes you 15 minutes, among some old tea plants and other kinds of flora. They keep it cool and comfortable even when sun heat directly at noon.
It’s religious site, so dress up with appropriate clothes (long-short sleeve, t-shirt, trousers instead of skirts…) There’s no cafeteria, so bring along some stuff to supply your staying.
How to get there?
The website reveals the address: village 4, Loc Thanh commune, Bao Lam district, Lam Dong province.
It’d better with a map guide to Linh Quy Phap An pagoda from Bao Loc city:
