Bui Vien street, where there are restaurants, massage parlors, boutique hotels, cheap hostels, vibrant pubs, unique souvenir shops, go-go bars and the best travel agencies, is such a not-to-be-missed destination in the neighborhood. Let’s explore now!
Where is Bui Vien street?
Just less than 10-minute walking from the city center and you find the most famous backpacker’s street of Ho Chi Minh City. Love Bangkok’s Khao San Road? I bet you will find yourself falling in love with Bui Vien street location (here).
“Where is Bui Vien street” is among the most common questions from first-time travelers to Ho Chi Minh city. Indeed, the trio of Bui Vien, De Tham, and Pham Ngu Lao street as the famous “Backpacker District”. Don’t miss that!
In district 1, Bui Vien street is accessible by taxi or bus. From Bui Vien to Tan Son Nhat airport, you can book a drive from Grab/Be apps for no rip-off issues or take a taxi for 150,000 VNĐ (prices in 2022).
For the cheapest option, let’s take the Bus 152 at Tran Hung Dao street (pick up here). The trip should be around 35-45 minutes depending on the traffic.
Tips to know:
On weekends, You cannot go into the walking street after 9 PM with a vehicle. Sorry!
The street is always crowded at night. Get ready for a massive influx of tourists.
Dare to join the locals & make friends! Fun triples
I super recommend you to walk and immerse yourself in the vibrant Bui Vien nightlife. Yup! Take it slow and explore the vibrant road. Let the colorful billboards and panels mesmerize your eyes.
You may run into young children performing street art like fire breathing. The loud music and hot girl dancing with poles, while the “security” men inviting you to have a seat and chill. A very bustling vibe, like Khao San Road. when the residents celebrate halloween in Bui Vien,The fun grows more and more
Most of Bui Vien street review recommend travelers to join the crowds sitting on tiny plastic chairs on the sidewalks, and immerse in the loud music with overlapping beats from a range of pubs, bars and clubs lining the street
Culinary experience
It’s such a radical challenge to pick what is the best restaurant in Bui Vien’s best food landscape.
Truth be told. Bui Vien food is various and delicious. The best of both worlds.
For Vietnamese cuisine in Bui Vien, you can try Nông Thôn Đại Việt – The Rice Restaurant (here) for tasty fresh seafood and chef’s performance in an open kitchen for amazingly instagrammable photography.
I even freely touched those living creatures before deciding which ones were the best for dining. The sauce is good, tasty and elevates the dishes.
Other Bui Vien street restaurants serves various intercontinental delicacies: curated Japanese culinary experience in Jo Sushi Bar, little bites of Greek food at Greek Souvlavki (here).
You may run into other 3-4 Indian restaurants in the area with top tastes like Chandni Chowk (here) or Namaste (here). Curry lover? Check-in Halen Indian’s curry (location here).
A mood for craft beers? I drank Rooster Beer (here). You may be attracted by the store’s red-yellow theme. The space is often crowded and quickly occupied so you may find a little rush in finishing your glasses! Take your time, as the menu lists so many choices to explore. Remember, Bui Vien beer street lovers are always welcomed here.
Cheap beers & cocktails with amazing views from the above? Check-in Le’Fê Rooftop Bar (here). Friendly staff, cool arcade games and trendy music selection awaits!
How delicious street food is will drive you mad. Let’s go with plates of snails and other seafood in food stalls sided on the pavement. And don’t be afraid to try various style of cooking: steamed, sautéed, coated in chili and salt, or grilled. You name it!
For sweet tooth, let’s pass by a street vendor and opt for a small bowl of tofu. Fill your stomach with good food now! Bui Vien night market is worth a try even once.
Tips to know: Ask the staff for the ideal parking area. You might even get free-of-charge for parking fee after paying the bill.
Is Bui Vien street safe?
The street is kept secured for tourists by undercover police & local businesses. However, be aware of the pick-pocket risks when the street gets more and more crowded at night. Here are some useful tips to keep you out of troubles and have fun safely:
Hide your valuables to avoid the wild robbery.
Ignore the sellers if you don’t want to buy something (say “no” is useless sometimes)
Staffs at pubs & restaurant will get your back when you’re in trouble
Check the price before ordering anything
People smoke Marijuana is technically illegal,
Note: Most of the locals in this area can speak English in case you need any help.
What is Bui Vien street closing time?
Bui Vien street opening hours may depend on weekdays or weekends. The bars and restaurants often start around 6 PM, get most crowded at 10 PM and dozens of bars or pubs stay open until 2:00 AM or even later. The street never sleeps during the festive seasons. Explore yourself!
Off the beaten track destinations for those who seek desperately.
Do a query about travelling Tuyen Quang on the search engine and the result may astonish you: only 135,000 sites, but of which actually only roughly 10 sites provide enough useful information to plan a trip. What happened?
Located among famous Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Phu Tho but Tuyen Quang possesses an understated fame that attracts less visits than other provinces nearby, which means you are rarely annoyed by flocks of curious tourists. Indeed, the province has two major kinds of tourism attractions: the richness of historical sites and a couple of spectacular natural wonders that are worth sightseeing once or twice.
The province is nationwide popular for its Tan Trao Historical Site for its contribution as the Resistance base before the August 1945 Revolution. As a result, this has become a main attraction to the former soldiers and individuals who once fought during the war and now would love to go back for memory.
Curious tourists also pay visits to the area to enrich their knowledge and experience. Beside historical values to explore, the spectacular natural landscape is also a precious gem of the destination, especially Na Hang Nature Reserve. The site sports various worth sightseeing spots and is definitely a must for nature lovers.
Last but not least, those two main attractions are among the most famous destinations for common tourists when travelling to Tuyen Quang. Indeed, there are also note-worthy spots scattered in the region. Let’s take a look at those belows.
My Bang tea plantation hills (Đồi chè Mỹ Bằng)
During my first ride through the province, those tea hills in My Bang commune caught my eyes with an extreme surprise. As far as I know, the northern provinces well-known for the long-history of tea cultivation are Thai Nguyen (“Fish Hook” tea) and Ha Giang (Shan Snow tea) with successful commercials, while others like Moc Chau town, Son La have become popular destinations for tourism recently. These tea farmlands in Tuyen Quang are still a new phenomenon for keen travellers. Let’s join the first wave of visitors before the area become more and more crowded in the future
Ban Ba Waterfall (Thác Bản Ba)
Sourced from a limestone mountain range of Ha Giang at an almost 1,000m high elevation, the nationally classified landscape lies between the mountain Phieng Khang (núi Phiêng Khàng) in Ban Ba village, Trung Ha commune, Chiem Hoa district. The 3-kilometer-long waterfall features 3 levels, whose names for the first one is “Tát Củm”, the second is “Tát Cao” and the third is “Tát Gió”. Between these levels are smaller falls of 5m – 7m high. The waterfall is immersed in the rainforest with vines and ancient trees, which are even hundred years old. At the foot of the fall are fertile paddy fields by the Tày minority village hidden in the dense palms.
Phu Lam Spring (Suối khoáng Phú Lâm)
My finding about this so-called hot spring was quite surprisingly interesting. It turned out a whole area could offer that pampering experience, even local hotels (do they really just dig holes and enjoy hot baths all year round?). The most considerable facility belongs to My Lam Spring (Suối khoáng Mỹ Lâm) by Ha Phu company, located on a hill with various kinds of bathing and massage service along with accommodation. However, the recent reviews (first half of 2021) were mostly negative, massively focusing on the old facility, service and price. After all, the area is still a good choice to drop by during chill winters.
Mac Ancient Citadel (Thành nhà Mạc)
How astonishing it is, that the historical & cultural relic is indeed located at … a roundabout in the heart of Tuyen Quang city. The so-called “Citadel” is merely one of the few remaining monuments of the Mac Dynasty in Vietnamese history, scattered throughout the North. It is one of the ancient architectural wonders in this area, but sadly the restoration a decade ago took its majestic ancient beauty away.
Na Hang Nature Reserve
First of all, this is a HUGE area that may require a lot of time to explore, but if you are a true wanderer in search of true wilderness, this destination won’t let you down with a cluster of pristine lakes and waterfalls in particular, all well connected to the major flows of the region – Gam River (sông Gâm) & Lo River (sông Lô). Moreover, these two rivers join together very close to the Na Hang town. The popular itinerary for common tourists to Na Hang Nature Reserve is to start from a local homestay (near Thuong Lam market, Khuon Ha commune) to embark on boat tour cruising along Gam River to explore remarkable waterfalls like Khuoi Nhi (thác Khuổi Nhi), Nam Me (thác Nặm Mè) and the heart of the journey is the majestic Na Hang reservoir.
(In the neighborhood, there is a ethnic village named Ban Bon (Bản Bon) with emerging homestay service. During your homestay in Ban Bon, don’t miss a chance to visit Pai Po Cave (Hang Pài Bó) with locals, as you rarely find any news about this pristine cave on the Internet.)
An alternative option is to stay in Na Hang town, and start a longer route through Lo River, then Gam River, with an optional turn to Nang River (sông Năng), before reaching the aforementioned falls. Mo Waterfall (thác Mơ) is also a popular destination which is a few kilometers away from the town.
Tan Trao Historical Site
This is probably the most renowned destination of Tuyen Quang province so far. The storied cluster of the former resistance base is located in Tan Trao, a small valley between mountains and jungles in Son Duong District. The main places of interest include Tan Trao Communal House, Hong Thai Communal House, Tan Trao Banyan tree and a small jungle hut where President Ho Chi Minh lived from June to August 1945.
Tan Trao was once a temporary capital of the independent section of Vietnam, where the Vietnamese Communist Party held several crucial meetings to the founding of the nation, especially during August 1945.
Despite the fact that most of the attractions are quite far from one another in distance, the good traffic and street conditions are a plus for road trips across the province. Travelling Tuyen Quang should not be a hop-on-hop-off experience. Indeed, you’d better take your time to enjoy the splendid mountains and paddy fields en route before putting your feet in front of a remarkable waterfall or a singular lake.
A fantastic spot for weekend camping (and selfies)!
For a long time, Ho Coc is famous for its picturesque coastal road with beautiful sea and beach resorts as well as local restaurants hidden inside casuarina forest in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.
Sunrise in Ho Coc beach
Half a decade ago, the route was still a sleeping beauty, pristine and secluded. Years later, the construction of coastal resorts began to develop, awakening the “lady”. The earliest five-star resort was The Grand Ho Tram Strip, along with its brother Ho Tram Bluff golf course. They were striking landmarks standing alone by the massive beach that ignited the dream for a luxury holiday at that time (My dream came true 5 years later in a Fam Trip in the role of an editor working for a luxury magazine).
Far far away is The Grand Ho Tram resort
Time flew by and most of the constructions were suspended, leaving behind a coastal landscape full of abandoned areas with long lines of fence and wall and “unauthorized person is not allowed here” signs.
The restaurant-cum-campsite
However, covid is a game changer and Ho Coc as well as Ho Tram now look like Mui Ne at its primitive stage, with awakening power and a cluster of high-end residences and resorts drop on, side by side. The pivotal development stuns me considerably as a traveler who has observed the region for quite a long time. One of the latest five-star beach resort in the neighborhood recently – Meliá Ho Tram is such a popular choice for luxury leisure experience.
For years, the coastal route is still one of my favorites but I have not stayed overnight here since 2014. Even before, I merely chose well-equipped motels. This time I picked a camping site in Ho Coc to practice some camping skills. Here is what I found.
The campsite at a glance
Indeed, this was originally a restaurant but now the owner expands the service to meet the new demand as camping is now kinda trendy in Vietnam recently.
Modern travellers seek to immerse themselves among natural backgrounds, around a campfire with grilled food and acoustic music (they often prefer portable bluetooth speakers in case there’s no guitarist in the band).
The entrance to the wooden bridge is “guarded” by a couple of old cannons
Back to my time camping here. To be honest, I did enjoy the solitude at night here. How immersively natural it is! The site also houses a crowded pack of dogs and somehow, they were really noisy during my night in the tent.
Boiling water for morning coffee
Imagine how annoying it was when they barked and howled all night, but in contrast, these “guardian angels” made me feel safe and sound, at least in case some thief plans on my belongings.
You may wonder where is the best position to pitch your camp: on grass, sand or wooden platforms, in open areas or under a canopy.
Here are my thoughts: grass and sand are best as they are like a natural mattress, contributing greatly to your good sleep in a tent. But don’t stay on high grass or bushes as they attract reptiles and insects. Grass is usually wet as fog drops on at dawn, so it is also humid and cool.
A pack of dog left its track on sand
Sand is perfect for campfires, they are soft too, like a good mattress under the tent floor.
The wooden platform is often used as a balcony for view by the lake (the upper platform indeed is used for ceremonies during gala dinners or large group celebrations). It is dry to camp but the open area means the tent is fully exposed to sunshine and gets pretty hot after 9:00 am till sunset.
During dry days, I prefer to pitch my tent under the shade of a canopy for fabric protection and cool fresh atmosphere. However, this location turns pretty badly in the rains and storms.
The problem is trees act as lightning rods in thunderstorms while branches also potentially fall during and after heavy rain and storms. So it depends on the weather and the number of members to choose a suitable area to camp.
Wood pile for campfire
As a restaurant originally, the camp site is able to serve you seafood, chilled drinks and refreshments, which is very convenient in case you don’t prepare adequately.
Sandy yard for group campfire
The bathroom area is just brick-and-cement built but clean, like ones you see in restaurants on most of the public beaches in Vietnam.
Parking space is huge, ready for big groups of travelling buy cars, pick-ups
Last but not least, the campsite is super clean and clear, as the ground is frequently cleaned by staff. It definitely elevates the outdoor experience and is also a good reason to stay in a paid campsite.
The host’s lodge – where you can buy stuff like chilled cokes and take bathroom
The littering at natural sites across Vietnam like popular mountains, streams or waterfalls is very concerning. So while local awareness is still a controversial problem, I recommend staying at a paid site for a good experience instead of being annoyed by piles of trash.
The camp site has a cluster of hut for individual and group dinning
Activities at the campsite
The first moment of the day, I recommend a stroll or yoga exercise by the beach, not to mention the selfie at dawn. Very fresh and clear. Panoramic vista will definitely knock you out. It was such a very gorgeous sunrise that I couldn’t stand staying inside my tent.
A yoga on the beach at dawm, why not ?!
Then you might consider taking photos around the campsite and I bet you would not miss the wooden bridge floating on the laguna with nice wooden seats as well. Actually I had a wonderful coffee time there, happily enjoying the early sunrise as well as seeing myself on the reflective water surface like a giant mirror.
For teambuilding, the host also provides an inflatable boat for rent at a fee of 200,000 vnd/ hour (I don’t know whether lifevest is free of charge). It is such a pity that there’s no rental camp available here, so you have to pack all on your own.
The inflatable boat for rent
Reasonable fee for “camp-aholics”
The owner charges 60,000 VND/ person for a night at the site (last updated on March 2021). Remember camp check-out at 10:00 am, in case you would like to stay longer, all pay in advance and free to leave no matter what time.
The parking fee may vary, depending on the size of the vehicle (my bicycle cost zero, while my findings on reviews show that a car was charged 60,000 VND for parking).
Other campsites in the neighborhood
Beside Ho Coc, there are also some spots in Ho Tram allowing travelers to put up tents like Lê Minh Hồ Tràm,… They are indeed beach lodge & restaurant with extended facilities for camping so the basic facilities like restaurant and bathroom are usually available for daily use.
The fee may vary, you can contact via phone number on the map app in advance to get more information and potential pitch for good bargains.
Merely 45 minutes away from Rạch Giá port, Kiên Giang, Bamboo Isle (Hòn Tre) is a small yet pretty, promising island to travel. But whether a little bit off-the-beaten-path destination is always among good choices for all? Read the story below to find out (with some useful tips & guidance included)!
My story
On my road trip by bicycle to Mekong Delta as well as the cluster of islands in the region, Hon Tre seemed very promising: small, good review but little coverage on the internet, which probably meant no overtourism yet. So I embarked on a boat of a local transport company for less than an hour to reach the island, with camping intention in mind.
The journey reminded me days in the popular islands in Vietnam like Cát Bà, Phú Quý and Côn Đảo
The sunset was stunningly gorgeous, the sea bird even followed the boat while small waves embraced the moving vehicles. It reminded me of days in the popular islands in Vietnam like Cát Bà, Phú Quý and Côn Đảo.
Transit service price list in Hòn Tre
Right the first steps on the island, I was advised (quite compulsory for a traveler) to register for covid 19 report at the checkpoint (say, you will have to write down your syndromes if any, the departure and some personal information for contact in need, which is popular in Vietnam these days).
I rushed quickly around to enjoy the twilight in time
On my arrival, the taxi bike first approached to have me travel to some guest houses or certain destinations around on the island (the price list is written in Vietnamese sadly). As I had the bicycle along and my own plan to enjoy camping, the taxi rider friendly suggested me to the only beach on the island: Chén Beach (Bãi Chén). It was sunset but almost turn to twilight in minutes. So I took my chance to ride around and enjoyed the moment as quickly as I could.
Cycling around Hòn Tre is a real challenge!
Uphills and downhills, steeply and perpetually. So adventurous, so exciting. The journey required me to maneuver swiftly, to change gears smoothly or miss the momentum, resulting in walking uphills. The brake sometimes was so hot that it smelt like burnt metal.
The construction at the pristine side of the island
It took me around half an hour to ride on coastal road, exploring through communes with local life, food, public park, forested cliff by the gentle sea, as well as “the other side of heaven” – the waste factory construction, close to trash dumps, which were still burning with toxic smoke.
By the time I visited Chen Beach, it was twilight. The accommodation facility was still a work-in-progress, so there was no overnight option but a little chance to go on camping (which depends on the owner’s will, in my case, it was a failure officially, but you might be lucky).
Camping on Chén Beach of Hòn Tre: Better think twice!
I gave up the camping idea after minutes to persuade the host. My last enquiry was to find accommodation at a reasonable price. Returned and I explored a couple of guest houses around the town center, which is marked by a gigantic government complex, and found one matching my budget eventually.
It is an interesting fact that this is the ONLY in the area (a cluster of island including Nam Du & Lại Sơn) located an ATM (of Agribank). That’s quite lucky for me as I supposed every island probably was set up an ATM for tourists and locals.
How to reach Hon Tre
Inside one of the well-equipped guest cabin of Superdong ship
There are various choices but the premium is Superdong, you have a large air-conditioned cabin, decent seats, but the schedule is one-shot per day: only at 6:45 from Rach Gia (to Hon Tre at 7:20).
The cabin of the local shipline operator is jam-packed with passengers.
There are other local boatline operators with more flexible schedules like Muoi Dung, Khanh Dung with 4 departure times (7:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00). Same price 70,000 VND/ pax. These locals even nod to transport small vehicles (like the 100/150cc motorbikes which are very popular in Vietnam), but their boats are old and small, jam-packed with frequent passengers and loud hard sound from the open-hooded engine at the back.
Passengers enjoy the sunset on the front deck
The speed was so slow that some men even sat on the cabin roof (along the front deck as usual). I had used to take on Superdong before (the trip to Nam Du) so the local taste was my call this time and it turned out to be such a memorable experience.
Accommodation
There’s probably no hotels but 4 – 5 motels among choices. A few ones look old and rustic while the other is standardly neat and clean, price ranges from 180,000 VND (fanned room)/ 200,000 VND (air-conditioned) up to 400,000 VND (air-conditioned double beds). All gather at the town center (just one kilometer to the west of the port) so you should find no problem getting a bed safe and sound.
Attractions
Chén Beach in twilight time
After a late afternoon around, I found Hon Tre less attractive to wanderers partly due to its lack of interesting destinations to nail in: There’s only a church in the isle and a pristine Chén beach. Furthermore, the beach is not really joyful to swim in, except for some selfie shots with an abandoned path on stilts (plus no accommodation available) and that’s all. My greatest moment was riding on the coastal road, painted in such a beautiful sunset.
Food
A bowl of rice noodle (bánh canh)
As not really struck hard by waves of mass tourism, the island is basically different from the other, like there’s no “tourism market” (mostly serving tourists with specialties and various seafood) by the port. Instead, a local market is located beside the public park, selling normal stuff and street food.
The local market is located beside the public park, selling normal stuff and street food
The price is expected to be the same as inland, some more reasonable. The price for 1kg of jackfruit ranges from 20,000-30,000 VND, a rice noodle bowl (bánh canh) costs 25,000 VND, while a glass of condensed-milk-mixed-bean-paste is surprisingly only 10,000 VND.
Moving on next day?
Superdong ticket agency on Hòn Tre – inside a cafe by the port
In case the island get you bored soon, so you may like to get up early next day and rush to the cafe close to the port at 15 minutes to 7:00, to get boat tickets to Lại Sơn (aka Hòn Sơn) or Nam Du, or return backward Rạch Giá. Remember to drop by the covid 19 checkpoint for reporting before embarking. Have a nice trip!
A pleasure hiking for a spectacular panorama and camping overnight in the pristine “paradise island”.
Compared to Ma Thien Lanh mountain (Núi Ma Thiên Lãnh), Ông Rồng is definitely less challenging with just 250m high above sea level. The entrance to the trail is just less than one kilometer in distance from Bac Beach (Bãi Bấc) and marked with a small guide signboard.
The name “Ông Rồng” (the Dragon) is actually derived from the ancient cycad at the top, whose shape looks like an aggressive dragon, grandly lying on the giant rock and watching all over the island.
The life span of this best-known cycad is estimatedly up to 300 years old, by counting the number of whorls on leaf scars on stems to determine how many annual or biennial leaf productions have occurred.
Just a stone’s throw away is a couple of “fairy” rock tables. The rumour has it that on calm nights, this is where fairies gather and play chess and have entertaining drinks together. Indeed, the gentle flat surface of the grand rock at the mountain top allows hikers to pitch camps overnight.
The hiking only takes one hour for a leisure roundtrip, which makes it surprisingly ideal for common females. It doesn’t require a good stamina base and the trail is also as clearly guided as Ma Thien Lanh routes. It is such an excitingly immersive experience! However, it is advised not to trek after early sunset (5:00 pm) as some guide signs drawn on rocks may be rarely visible in pitch dark.
The hiking goes through a primeval forest with a dense canopy and little open spaces (mostly near the top, which is located on giant rocks requiring hiker’s maneuvers) so it is pretty chill even at noon and the echo of insects and birds would awaken your ears. From time to time, hikers may come into a wild jackfruit tree or java apple.
Somewhere on the trail, there would be signs of heavy erosion on slope, which exposes the enormous roots of ancient trees and interestingly creates natural staircases for easy access, but I bet it is still rough and slippery on rainy days.
However, there has been no rest stop yet, even a refreshment vendor, coffees or a pagoda (Indeed, there was only one rest stop that had been under construction in April 2021).
So hikers had better prepare adequately beforehand, at least a few refreshments and several bottles of water for vital needs during the hike, as well as sporty dressing with “breathing” clothes for more comfortable experience.
For the sign boards guiding throughout the trail, instead of the words of encouragement like those in Ma Thien Lanh mountain, they are often reminders to protect the local environment through discouraging litter as well as raising the community awareness with some concerning facts of harmful impact of plastic to nature. Most of the messages are written on decorated wooden badges, beside some acrylic sheets.
The local hosts usually offer a guided tour for only 200,000 vnd but now it is indeed possible to hike on your own. So it’s your call to support the local economy or travel on a budget.
Why so many backpackers choose hostel to overnight. The answer with dozen of tips to book a perfect hostel is included in this hostel guide.
Hostels is A Place to …
Meet other travelers, save travel budget and offer a very cosy atmosphere. Most of them locates in backpacker hubs, which are usually very close to downtown so it’s also easy to explore around.
I remember my first stay in BeePub – a hostel in Da lat, Vietnam. It was great to me: Live music at night, cool bunk bed and I met 2 amazing Australian roommate girls, took them around to explore local food. How freak their faces were first time seeing a balut. So crazzy !
Most of my buddies have no idea what the hell ‘hostel’ is so this guide is to break the questions: why your stay is so cheap !!
A hostel in Con Dao, Vietnam
Hostels in Southeast Asia
My general reviews about this kind of accommodation in the SeA.
It’s in Malaysia where hostels are very cool along with Thailand. I love these two countries, they offer many good stays with reasonable prices that surprise you.
Vietnam is just a new guy to hostel world. There are many hostels in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city but it’s hardly to find out in other province.
Cambodia is also a good country of hostel.
In Laos, hostel is very cheap.
I’ve not been to Myanmar and Indonesia so no idea what they looks like
In BSB, Brunei capital, there is only one hostel (it names “Youth Center”), powered by the authority but most of the time it’s closed (I don’t know why, I had a night outside lonely for this).
Philippines is just average. Maybe because I stay in quite cheap hostel in Manila.
What Is A Hostel ?
Hostel is a kind of budget accommodation where most people stay in dorms filled with dozen of bunk beds. I think the idea coming from Dormitories in University, but applied to travelers, whose first priority is to save as much cost as possible while meeting other like-minded is a pleasure.
Most of hostels have 3 options: private room, dorm room and (sometimes) female room. While dorm room is perfect for solo, private room with two bed is great way to save even more budget when you travel in group or couple.
Why Hostels?
I love hostel because It’s full of interesting people and dozen of travel stories, inspiring and lovely.
I love hostel because it helps me stay on a budget.
(And you? Leave your ideas in comments below)
How Much It Costs in Southeast Asia (Cheapest Region In The World)
The price of hostel in Southeast Asia is various. So I just follow the cheapest options to compare.
Brunei: one dorm names Youth Center “Busat Belia” – the only and cheapest stay in BSB (10 B$/ night) but very uncertain (whether it’s open? I don’t know).
Malaysia and Thailand are super good compared to its price. They are my favorite.
Lao, Phillippines, Cambodia and Vietnam is quite equally cheap. I can even stay in ultra-low hostel/ homestay with just 3 USD/ night.
Singapore is the most expensive. I could only find 15-SGD hostel in Little India neighorhood. Most of bunk bed starts from 20 SGD/ night.
a hotel with built-in dorm room in Hua Hin, Thailand
How To Choose The Best Hostel For You
Location
It’s usually that hostels are stick to downtown or backpacker hubs, so no worry about the location. However, if you purposely want to live near some attractions for quick moving around, it’d better consider the hostel location.
Check-In Times
If you’re usually taking red-eye flights like me, it’d better search for a hostel with 24/7 receptionist service or you likely to couchsurf … on street. (I did one in Kota Kinabalu, it’s romantic but I was worn out after a flight, it’s too bad)
Security
If you don’t want your luggage lost, check the security system, whether locker area is monitored by CCTV, or the lockers are still good. Some hostels provide you with key to room areas. It reduces the chance of outsider stalking your belongings. You should buy your own locks because some of lockers may not be built-in or equipped with locks.
Tips: Some cities like Manila, the criminal rate is high and you can not trust the lock, so raise your alert and try not to show your expensive stuffs unpurposely to your roommates.
Rooms
The more people in dorm room, the cheaper you pay. (So the private is costly here if you travel solo, but sharing room is also a great idea to save budget). If you are solo female then looking for female-only dorms.
Toilets
In my opinion, bathroom is one of the most important areas that you should check just after your bed. Nice or terrible, it makes a great impact on your living in hostels.
So check whether the faucet is good, toilet and shower are seperated (the smell may affect), and there are any alternatives (in case the room is full and your stormache is in hell). If toilets are bad, ask the host to change the room.
Lounge
There are a lot of interesting stuffs to enjoy and people to chat here. Lounge is a real landmark of a hostel, it makes up community aspect, compared to cold ambiance of hotels.
It possibily has TV, DVD player, books (I love travel-inspiring ones), board games (nice to make friends), and big couches to rest after a travel day. In the end, this is a great place to meet other people and exchange travel stories.
Note: This is usually also the strongest wifi signal area.
Hostel Bar
You may want it or not, just depending on your style. You love quietness then avoid hostel with bar, but if you love more social atmosphere with some noise and music then bar is perfect.
The drink is usually affordable compared to other bars in downtown (maybe because these built-in bars generally serve budget travelers). Get some shots and few steps to the bed is a great idea for some bad days in your trips.
Kitchen
Three reasons why to book a hostel with a kitchen:
First: If you don’t enjoy local food, then a kitchen may help you produce what you like (or edible).
Second: Eat-out sometimes is very costly, cook is much cheaper.
Third: why not warm up and make friend with other travelers by hosting a meal and people cook together. It’s a brialliant idea, you know!
Note: hostel rule but no one would tell you: clean your mess before leaving kichen.
Free Breakfast
Along with kitchen, as a budget traveler, I always prefer free-breakfast. You can save a lot, especially in high-cost countries, though it’s just sandwich and some jam, cereal and coffee. Some hostel won’t offer free (mostly in Vietnam, too bad).
Free Wifi
I don’t think you will choose a non-wifi nowaday. Free WiFi is becoming standard in hostels but ones in remote areas. Some hostels equip computers but whether it’s weird, charge to use or occupied every time. Some countries with bad internet, the situation is even worse.
Washing Machines
Most of hostel I’ve stayed don’t have washing machines but outsourcing third-party laundry service. There’s no difference because we all have to pay, whether for using machines or laundry services.
How To Find A Good Hostel
Traditional: Walk around
I usually walk around backpacker streets to ask for a bed in several hostels, check the facility before booking. You may even find a good deal that is not available in any booking platforms.
Modern: Apps
Booking a hostel is incredibly easy these days. I prefer hostelworld.com for hostel, along with other booking website like agoda, booking,… to check best price before booking. It’d better read reviews of other travelers to expect the hostel conditions.
Booking may ask you for a small deposit. It sometimes doesn’t work (some Chinese hostels may relocate you when you visit the hostels, but mostly host obey strictly booking rules).
Small Tips to go
Remember to take hostel business card, which usually show its location and address. In case you get lost, show the card to the local and ask for help.
In shoulder and low season, it’s no need to booking ahead in some traveler hubs but festival time (I got full hostel when I visited Chiang Mai for Yi Peng, so tired walking for the other).
Snores and a lot of annoying factor is real in dorm rooms so you should bring ear plugs and a sleeping mask to sleep. (I always bring ear plugs, no problem).
Read the hostel’s policies clearly to avoid misunderstanding when you stay.
A weekend getaway selected by French, just 80km from Hanoi.
Tam Dao is such a well-known destination thanks to its poetic scenery and spectacular cool climate all year round. Its name means three highest mountains (or “islands” on the cloud) named as Thien Thi, Thach Ban and Phu Nghia, which constitutes a basin where the cloudy town is situated, just a stone’s throw away from the borderline of two provinces Vinh Phuc and Thai Nguyen.
Tam Dao town in the evening
People in the capital usually seek to travel here for leisure experience on the weekends, especially during the summertime and occasional hot days since the average temperature in Tao Dao is approximately 18 degrees at any season.
The location and climate here bear a surprising resemblance to Genting highland, which is less than 60km from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. However, the small Malaysian town houses a cluster of considerable high-end resorts, hotels and residences, as well as huge luxury plazas and recreations, while the infrastructure in Tam Dao is still in development with a diverse array of private-built villas, homestays and restaurants.
Welcome to the cloudy town
Travel from Hanoi to Tam Dao town: bus, drive or ride?
Due to the highly invested infrastructure, travelling back and forth between the tourism town and Hanoi is kinda convenient. This popular route is expectedly busy on the weekends, you’d better pick some weekdays instead. A cluster of busline operators are ready to carry you on budget for 50,000 – 70,000 vnd/ pax and up to 130,000 vnd/ pax for premium ride (usually labelled ‘limousine’ – the hell knows why) for one-way ticket. Just hop on the bus, take a nap for an hour and open your eyes to witness the little “sleeping beauty” Tam Dao town.
Driving a car to Tam Dao town these days is super convenient with quick and clear route: From Nhat Tan bridge, follow Vo Nguyen Giap road (AH14) – (same route to Noi Bai airport), then into the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway, and out at the intersection with Highway 2B.
Lacking of proper parking space is still a problem in the tourism town
For riders, the journey is also no big deal (but still tricky a bit and requires opening the map app often as there is no straightforward route). The shortest route I recommend is to follow Highway 2A – Nguyen Tat Thanh road – DT31 – Highway 2B.
The main road connecting to the town – Highway 2B is beautiful and wide with clear lanes divided (but its middle thin strip was pretty bad during my ride in April, 2021). At the end of the highway, there is only one beautifully-paved climb to Tam Dao, about 10km long with steep slope drive (ascending sharply upwards the town at 1,000m high latitude) and continuous hairpin turns, requiring steady steering.
It is also greatly noticed that Tam Dao town is actually located on the basin formed by mountains higher on the east, and the road follows a mountain crest on the western side of the whole range. As a result, the best time to ride or drive to the town is in the late afternoon, so that you are at the climb in time for a gorgeous sunset on clear days. I also urge you to admire the sunset when you are in town. Bet it would be worth your efforts.
the accommodation in town is not fully indexed on booking platforms – search on site to get good price
How to find accommodation in Tam Dao, smartly?
You should have a little deep pocket to consider accommodations in Tam Dao which range from 400,000 – 700,000 VND/ night on weekdays while some villas or premium homestays cost up to 1,500,000 vnd. All might rocket during holidays and weekends, so don’t be surprised with the findings when you seek cheap accommodations on various booking platforms.
Making reservations in advance to grab your rooms quickly is definitely recommended since the availability is extremely scarce in the town which is small yet a victim of overtourism. Imagine just a wave of eager tourists flock, there will possibly be few rooms left. I still remember how aggressively crowded it was at the central park during the holiday. Tourist next to tourist, motel next to hotel (and) next to homestay, food stall next to restaurant. The little signs written “fully booked” hung at the doors and gates.
It is interesting that the accommodation in town is not fully indexed on booking platforms, which means travellers actually have opportunities to get a bed as long as you spend time to seek and the good luck finds you.
The town is often aggresively packed during holidays
What to do in (and around) Tam Dao town
Sightseeing activities are very promising in and around the mountainous town, which may take you the whole time on the weekend.
Tam Dao ancient church (Nhà thờ đá)
Built in 1937, this intact structure joins many French buildings left in the town, most of which were almost destroyed during the wartime. It is such a fantastic site with a nice view to watch all of Tam Dao nature, as well as take part in religious ceremonies of Christianity.
Telecommunication tower (Tháp truyền hình)
The 93m-high tower is located on the Mang Chi peak (Đỉnh Máng Chì) of Thien Nhi mountain at 1400m high. The trail up to the mountain is quite challenging yet romantic with a dozen kinds of flowers that may surprise you: Orchid, mexican sunflower and a handful of other wildflowers. The spot provides a panoramic vista towards vast stunning surrounding areas of clouds, mountains, forests & villages.
Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc)
At the height of 50m, this attraction is the most beautiful waterfall in Tam Dao. Hidden in a mountain, the romantic waterfall also offers a nice watch towards surrounding valleys.
Cloud Bridge (Cầu Mây) and Sky Gate (Cổng Trời)
While Sky Gate is within a walk from French Church, Cloud Bridge is located right at the conjunction of the side road and main drive. Both offer the visitors a worthy experience: spectacular panorama of surroundings in clear sky as well as humid days with “sea of cloud” by chance.
Tam Dao Tinh Vien Van Son (Chùa Vân)
Located by the slope drive upwards the town, The impressive pagoda was built in 2009 with a religiously peaceful atmosphere along with the beauty of green surroundings. In particular, you can also stay overnight here.
Tam Dao National Park (Vườn quốc gia Tam Đảo)
Tam Dao National Park houses a diverse array of flora and fauna, consisting of hundreds of species, with a great deal of rare and valuable plants and animals. An interesting place attracts those who love forest hiking. For convenience, you can book a Tam Dao trekking tour to conquer peaks in Tam Dao national park or take part in bird watching tours for indigenious rare bird types or insect or plant research tours as well.
Tam Dao golf & resort (sân golf Tam Đảo)
If you are a golfer and seek some leisure to pamper, it’d better take a look at this course. Its ideal location among the mountains of Tam Dao offers year-round chilled temperatures and gives golfers a more comfortable feeling despite the fact that it is a tropical Asian golf course!
Opened in 2007 at the foot of the mountain en route to Tam Dao town, The Tam Dao golf course was designed with the natural land contours and local flora and fauna to create a visual treat for golfers. Massive mountains in the backdrop frame each hole, giving the best impression to seduce golfer’s eyes. The golf course plays through a series of lakes and streams, making it one of the most scenic golf courses near Hanoi. In case you don’t play, a sip of coffee in the clubhouse with the open view towards the green golf course is also worth your morning.
Xa Huong Lake (Hồ Xạ Hương)
Hidden among mountains which are close to the golf course, Xa Huong lake is a great choice when you want to immerse yourself in nature and moments of peace, as wilderness is the most attractive feature of the lake. In fact, Xa Huong is an artificial lake built in 1984, covering an area of 83 hectares. Both tourists and locals find it an amazing hub for leisure fishing, entertaining with Stand-Up Paddleboarding and absolutely camping on weekends. Don’t miss it!
A memorable ride can fool you in the mysterious mist even in daylight, en route to the resort from the French colonial era with dozens of old houses now abandoned.
For me, traveling by motorbike to the resort area of Mau Son mountain range (dãy núi Mẫu Sơn) was a tough, rough but irresistible ride, especially when wheels were rolling on a small road side by majestic cliffs.
Turning my head and I admired a panoramic vista towards green slopes dotted by local terrace fields with one or two lodges nearby sometime. The area is said to comprise up to 80 mountains one after another, boast rich flora and fauna with 1,500 wild plants and animals, and also home to a small population of the ethnic minority groups of Yao, Tay and Nung.
But I could not be distracted like that for long, as the road condition was not well maintained, the potholes are frequent obstacles, along with U-shaped curves, misty scenes ahead and slippery surfaces due to the high humidity, coupled with the considerable chill in the air freezing my hands on the handlebar. Pre-checking your motorbike/ car thoroughly before the trip is absolutely a must. Imagine the vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere – that’s a terrible situation you would’nt like to come across at all, trust me.
The closer to the top Mau Son resort, the more we came across deserted villas, resorts and wine cellars built by the French in the 1930s, all immersed mysteriously in rusty mist. That’s such a memorable ride to challenge the rider’s maneuverability.
Welcome to a French resort once upon the time
A popular story spreading on the internet tells that, around seventy years ago before the road to the resort existed, there were only two ways to the top: walking or riding horse. At that time, this panoramic area attracted the French to Mau Son for relaxation, since the weather was cool all year round. In addition, the Dear Mountain View of the northeast was the gateway to China, where the French already built a military base in the early 20th century to guard the border.
To make way for the French settlement, the site’s original inhabitants, a group of the Dao (Yao) ethnic minority, were relocated. Only authorized personnel were permitted to enter the base. Later, Mau Son tourists were welcome to the hill station. The great milestone was marked in January 1936, when Dr. O.Pflot, a student of the famous bacteriologist Dr. Alexandre Yersin, visited Mau Son. Some local people believe that the doctor first came to Mau Son to collect traditional medicinal herbs cultivated in the region. Later He petitioned Mr Tholace, the then French governor of the north, for permission to build tourist villas at the site. In 1936, he got the go-ahead to buy land and start construction, which required thousands of local people working on the project, from breaking to carrying stones to build a number of massive villas.
Today, these villas have crumbled to ruins. Blocks of moss-covered stone are scattered throughout the site, and lie among the old foundations, where it’s still possible to identify the houses’ former kitchens, fireplace and staircases. Like a sleeping beauty, after almost five decades, it was all but forgotten. Until 1987, motorbikes were not even allowed onto the torturous road up the mountain like a bending snake.
Mau Son was waking up eventually when the residents of the surrounding area first came to admire the views, followed by visitors from China and lowland Vietnam.
When is best time to travel Mau Son?
For “snow hunters” – the tropical-born travelers who rarely see white cold flakes, the winter spans from November to March with the average temperature ranging from 7 – 13 Celsius degrees. Sometimes it drops down to below zero (and snowfall as a result) in January, so this is absolutely the best time to travel to Mau Son mountain to admire miraculous snowfall.
Summertime, from April to October, often experiences foggy scenery because of the heavy rain coupled with a temperature range around 15 degrees. We travelled to Mau Son on late April and the journey was very tough after all. Travelling should be most pleasant on September – the shoulder season!
Courtesy of Isaac
Best way to travel to Mau Son
Just 30 kilometers to the north-east of Lang Son city, you can rent a motorbike at the hostels and ride yourself to the mountain, following 4B highway then turning to the provincial road DT237B. Riding until you see an intersection where a old mansion named “Đền cổ Mẫu Sơn” located on the left, turn that way to the top.
Following 4B highway then turning to the provincial road DT237B. Courtesy of Trang HinhThe creepy mist surrounding Mau Son ancient temple (Đền cổ Mẫu Sơn) during our trip. Courtesy of Isaac
Driving will be very challenging, so be well prepared before departure as the road is narrow, dotted with continuous u-turns from time to time, rough terrain also, and possibly experiences unexpected conditions owing to the severe weather. Ultimately, drivers should keep a moderate speed while watching for vehicles coming from the opposing direction.
What to see in Mau Son
Mau Son wine cellar
The very first attraction to us was the wine cellar “Mẫu Sơn Đỉnh” with the architecture look like a miniature of a castle. It was a pity for us that the gate was closed silently, and everything was dimmed in heavy fog. There are here a couple of sets of stone tables and chairs, playing an ideal for a rest stop to the top. We couldn’t help posing some photographs ourselves there, resting among the heavy fog before departure to town at the top.
Courtesy of Isaac
According to the letters on the outside wall, the wine here was made of the pure water from the mountain which enjoys the comfortable chill all year round at Mau Son 1000 meter high in altitude, combined with the know-how in fermentation and distillation of Yao ethnic group as well as the technology from Scotland. I definitely have to try on my trip to Mau Son next time.
The cloudy resort
Due to covid impact, the town was less visited recently by eager travelers. Indeed, Mau Son mountain is well-known for its distinctive feature: snow. In a tropical country like Vietnam, snow is usually a good reason for any slightly high altitude destinations to attract curious wanderers, like Sapa, Lao Cai or Meo Vac, Ha Giang in Vietnam, during unusual extreme cold weather. The thick fog coupled with the serious lack of visitors turned this place into a “ghost town” scene like in horror movies, which partly attracted our curiosity.
Shelter in a local vendor’s hut and heat the body by warm food. Courtesy of Isaac
What we did enjoy (like most of the time traveling back and forth the mountainous routes of Northern Vietnam) was to shelter in a local vendor’s hut and heat our body by warm food like roasted meat, sausage, sweet potato, egg and dried fish, while sipping hot tea (sometime it’s not actually tea but a mix of various indigenous herbs good for health).
The vendors usually sell local specialties, like wild lemon, hand-picked plum, harvested honey and even spirits.
Less tourists meant less stores and hotels open, so finding a toilet in that situation was tricky for us, too. We had to ask around, navigate through the misty neighborhood and luckily find one (not well cleaned indeed). The service infrastructure in the low season of tourism was terrible, at least, for us!
Staying overnight at Mau Son resort: Should or Should not
We parked by a homestay. It looked old, abandoned with blurred windows, a little rusty in metal components – all still in progress of degradation due to the long exposure to the high humidity. The situation was universal among most of the buildings in the area. While praising the ancient architecture and basic comforts at reasonable prices, most guests having stayed overnight complained about the degradation of the common accommodation at Mau Son.
Limited to some local specialty dishes like sturgeon fish and chicken, the food served at the local lodges also costs considerably (double or even triple priced) due to the isolated location of Mau Son resort. I bet one experience that would be very ideal during a chill and mist here: herbal bathing (we did several days later in Sapa and it was definitely note-worthy, like bathing in a hot spring but also absolutely different).
In our case, we planned to stay overnight at first, but our reality proved it was not ideal. The isolation of the town meant we had few choices of entertainment here at night. Worse, the thick fog blurred our vision that we could only see within several meters even in the late afternoon (we had to use the location feature of the map app to navigate around the town, imagine what would happen when it went dark!) In addition, the fusty old hotels weren’t attractive enough to get over the obsessive seclusion and high price of food (we were travelling on a budget).
I wish to come back on sunny days, when everything is dry and comfortable with spectacular vista, instead of a misty “ghost town” like the creepy ‘Silent hill’ video game series.
The telecommunication tower was ‘lost’ in the mist
If you have serious intention to stay, the consideration limited to a few motels and hotels like Hương Sơn, 9 Gian, Cẩm Tú Cầu, Bạch Trà Sơn, Xứ Anh Đào and Yến Yến. No outstanding one, they are all so-so.
Other attractions nearby
Yao Village
In Khuổi Cấp, Yao ethnic community is believed to successfully preserve its own customs and tradition. On a daily basis, visitors will come across Yao women wearing black trousers with broad legs and hems embroidered with yellow patterns, while men wear black coats decorated with embroidered thick wool thread lines of light green colour. The herbal bathing is also a must here, beside local alcohol drink production.
Mau Son Ancient Spiritual Site
Located at 1,190 meters high above sea level in Lặp Pịa commune, Mau Son ancient spiritual site (Linh địa cổ Mẫu Sơn) worships the guardian of Mau Son mountains, requires a long adventurous hike from the village, following the trail cutting through primitive forest, whose the scenic landscape is worth a try. To reach the site, departing from Lang Son city, following 4B Highway to DT236, then head to Lặp Pịa school. From here, you’d better have teachers here hire a local guide and well prepare for a 2 – 3 hour trek.
Sung Peng Waterfall
This off the beaten track Sung Peng waterfall (Thác Sùng Pèng) is located less than one kilometer away as the crow flies straight ahead from the resort town, but the ride is another story as it might take hours to circle around the mountain to reach the fall. Considering a few photographs taken here, it is suggested that this place may still rarely be visited by tourists. What is it promising? The landscape is stunning for sure: a high thin fall flows water like a dedicated silk during summertime, down dozens of rock levels, surrounded by the indigenous wilderness. I bet camping here is definitely great for nature lovers. Let’s add the box in to-travel list now!
To reach Hua Hin, you can depart from Bangkok – The capital city of Thailand with several means to choose at your demand.
Hua Hin is a tranquil city to the south of Thailand. It’s really renowned for beaches, delicious food, interesting tourism destinations and many distinctively exquisite sights. That’s reasons why tourists, both domestic and foreign, always choose this city for their holidays.
There are 3 main ways to get to Hua Hin: by taxi, by bus or by train.
1. By bus or minibus
Bus and minibus are the most preferred ones of top tips to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin on a budget. If you choose bus to move from Bangkok to Hua Hin, it takes about 3 hours with the ticket price of 8$.
To reach Hua Hin by minibus, these figures are respectively 3,5 hours and 6,3$. For those who want to cut down traveling costs, bus and minibus are great choices because you can get to Hua Hin quickly, especially for people who only have little time to spend in Thailand.
Usually, minibus to Hua Hin will depart from Monument Victory station and you need to take one another 30-minute minibus from the airport to this minibus station. The final destination of this minibus is Sasong Rd..
One more thing you should remember is that minibus space is rather small and narrow. Therefore, if your luggages are too much or too big, no minibus can accommodate them. This minibus doesn’t run after 7 o’clock in the evening.
If you move to Hua Hin by bus, you should take the Roong Rueang departing from Suvarnabhumi airport and arriving at Hua Hin Soi96 station. You can easily buy tickets right at the airport.
You must know that the bus frequently starts departing in the early morning and the waiting time is quite long (about 30 minutes -1 hour). At night, it doesn’t run anymore so you should jot down this.
Hua Lamphong train station
2. By train
Moving to Hua Hin by train is considered to be one of the most interesting experiences when you’re in Thailand. From the train windows, you can see a lot of picturesque sceneries. Among these top tips to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin on a budget, train is a must-try means for the best of your journey.
You should go to Hua Lamphong railway station in Bangkok to catch the train heading to Hua Hin. The total time (both waiting time and trip duration) is estimated at about 5 hours. The ticket price is based on your needs (the first class 5,8$; the second-class 3$ and the third-class 1,3$).
You can buy in advance or go to ticket office to buy them. You also keep in mind that there’s no train departing at night so if you’re coming to Bangkok in the nighttime, you should take taxi or find some shelters until the morning light.
3. By taxi or transfer
If you travel to Hua Hin from Bangkok, it will take a 2.5-hour driving for approximately 199km distance. The cost for moving by transfer or taxi is about 70$ at least. If you’re travelling with your family, accompanied by abundant luggage, children or old people, you should take private transfer for the best. If you travel alone or travel in group, you can find another options to make yourself feel at ease.
When you’re planning for your trip to Hua Hin, remember to book in advance a transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin. If not, you can catch a taxi instead, but it may cost a little bit more.
An extremely compelling experience awaits you on Hòn Sơn.
One of my favorites during trip on Hòn Sơn is to enjoy swimming in turquoise sea with diverse marine world and also take part in continually trekking on steep trails through dense forests with giant and ancient trees to reach the top of the mountains and enjoy panoramic vista towards the coastal road bending like a snake, clusters of coconut, emerald sea ornate with rocks like eggs in various sizes, all under such a blue clear sky. In Hòn Sơn, these activities are possible to be experienced within one day. Fantastic!
My typical schedule with a trekking option in mind: wake up early at 5:30 for sunrise, then have a cup of coffee at 6:30 while reading news online (the 4G coverage in the campsite is awesome). Around 7:00 (maybe later if the news is so interesting), it’s breakfast time and a lazy break to automatically sort out new stuff in the stomach. Full energy, full eagerness, let’s get trekking: I will follow trails to the top, enjoy the stunning view, return to the accomodation after 2-4 hour trekking to have a small lunch before swim in turquoise water and sunbathe on a big rock with coconut. That’s sooo nice!
During my trip on Hòn Sơn, I picked Ma Thiên Lãnh peak for the first day, and Ông Rồng for the day later. There’s no identical experience. That’s why you should try both, but don’t be too excited to rush hard: it would destroy your mood. One trek per day is a perfect schedule. Your body needs an entire rejuvenation, your memory should forget a bit so that two treks wouldn’t look too familiar!
The guidance is quite specific in both route, so it is unlikely that you would get lost unintentionally. The trails are clear path, with small signboards hung interestingly on the trees, some are even made of wood with colorful hand-written letters. They plays not only the guidance but also raising trekkers’ awareness of protecting local environment by not littering during the trip.
As you would hike through primitive forests, it is very cool and moisture most of the time: at noon, you are even under dappled shades of the tall plants. Your nose will be attracted by good fresh smell, while the natural sounds – bird, cicada, crawling swarm of ant and so on – echo closeby.
One attention: it is advised to start the trek before 16:00 as the light rays rarely penetrate through forest canopy with high density, which increases the risk of getting lost as well as low maneuverability in the pitch darkness.
Beside the similarity, each trekking route also carries some fascinating distinctive features, revealed below, firstly, Ma Thiên Lãnh. (you may like to use the pictures for guiding reference).
Ma Thiên Lãnh trekking route
On Hòn Sơn locate 7 mountains attached one another, among which Ma Thiên Lãnh becomes the most popular as the highest peak of the isle at 450m high above mean sea level, as well as the most storied mythologies. It is rumoured that once upon the time, the “fairy yard” at the peak and cluster of caves were the shelters of anonymous anchorites to practice meditation. Time flew and all mysterious stories became bygones. Nowadays, Ma Thiên Lãnh plays a “must” experience for whoever visiting Hòn Sơn and the well-positioned guidance aids more attraction to this well-known sight.
I started my trek from the entrance near Xếp Beach (Bãi Xếp) with more natural settings than ones close to the downtown. However, at very first steps, you will be served with a series of cement (or neatly stack-rocked) staircase as there are few residents living on the slope and growing plantation of mango, banana, soursop and so on.
At the very beginning of the journey, you will notice different faunas, this kind of pineapple includedThe guide signs are drawn very close to one another so that the trekkers are unlikely to get lost (unless the visibility is low when it gets dark)(Left) “Thạch Tiền stream 250m”; (Right) “100m”“The legendary tree – 500m”(Left) “Hammock rest stop – 50m – Thạch Tiền stream”; (Right) “Ma Thiên Lãnh 1100m”The trail leads through the local plantation: do not havest the produce, such as banana or mangoThe hammock rest stop of an old lady. You may take a short break and enjoy some refreshment while swinging at ease on the hammocksThere are even 4 guide signs at one area – no chance to get lost!The stacked trunks with natural holes on the surfaceThạch Tiền stream, where pipelines are installed by the locals to collect water for daily use“500m”“Legendary tree – 500m”The stunning scale of the legenary treeThe intersection: Go left (the alternative entrace close to the downtown) or go right (continue to the top of the mountain)The trail becomes more challenging due to the erosion. “Dangerous area”, says the sign.(Left) “Dangerous area”; (Right) “Come on, I <3 U”A passageway is made magically of two giant stone block, one of which is an ideal shelter for campingRed words says: “standing rock – Towards Ma Thiên Lãnh”(Left) “2/3 already, c’mon folks”Follow the arrow, it’s very close to the top“Are you hungry”, asks letters on the rock.(Left) “Welcome”“(You) made it successfully”A religious poem written on the rock, which is rumouredly of anchoritesA narrow passage in the cave is naturally set up by giant rocksClimbing on the ladder, then rock by rock. There is actually an altar of worship insideThe final ladder to the top!
More pictures at the Ma Thiên Lãnh peak:
A speedboat far far away
On the way back, I went down at the aforementioned intersection, followed the trail to the entrance close to the downtown and was very surprised at the restaurants and rest stops along the path. The signs were also very clear for guidance!
Back to the intersection and follow the alternative route to downwardCrossing a small stream to reach a pagoda. There is a steep concrete driveway here for motorbike traveling downward, or you can follow the sign along the trail to the local’s rest stopThe path is clean and clearStretching feet on the hammock at Mr Thanh’s rest stop
Mr Thanh’s rest stop made a deep impression on me: so natural friendly, so cool with tiny colorful decoration as well as a menu of varrious and delicious mountain chicken dishes, from hot pot to steam or stir, soup and salad.
A washbasin is installed on the stump, with running water from the streams and a big wild mushroom (it look likes wooden) at the footTiny handmade flower pots around the rest stopDecorated swing for the selfiesA cycad tree (cây thiên tuế) in the garden. “Cycads are seed plants with a very long fossil history that were formerly more abundant and more diverse than they are today” (Wikipedia)
Tips: To get fresh and hot food plates on arrival, remember to call for booking before hand (at least 30 minutes) so that the friendly host (they are a family actualky) is able to well prepare and serve you at best.
My recommendation for a short break without chicken meals in case you don’t plan to have lunch here: swinging on a hammock with a cool coconut!
Hammock relax or a table full of hot dishes of mountain chicken?
Leaving the rest stop to continue downward, I noticed there were plenty of artificial constrution on this side, so it is generally less natural.
An observation hut on stilts within a garden of cashew treeA male mountain chicken walking aroundBushes of bamboo and pipelines collects water from streamsA curve at the end of the path, which joins the motorbike route from the pagodaA homestay is being constructed on the hillside with the spectacular vista of the island’s natureThe entrance is not too far from the downtown, where an old lady sell refreshment and you can aid her life by buying stuffs
