Thinh Pham

Tag: Travel review

  • Inside the new “Centre of Vietnamese Quintessential Craft Village” in Bat Trang Ceramics Village neighborhood

    Inside the new “Centre of Vietnamese Quintessential Craft Village” in Bat Trang Ceramics Village neighborhood

    A new destination to experience within the neighborhood of the “starillage” of ceramics in Hanoi capital. Check-in now!

    Bat Trang Ceramics Village (Làng gốm Bát Tràng) is long well-known for the defined craftsmanship of pottery in Hanoi as well as Vietnam, with the history back to the 14th century.

    Nowadays, the local artisans are thriving to combine the traditional techniques with modern approaches to craft beautiful porcelain artworks.

    The best experiences are not only to admire and purchase some of the finest handmade ceramic products in the S-shaped country, or immerse ourselves in century-long historical stories of the neighborhood, but also to participate in the do-it-yourself workshop to make own artworks with the helpful support of the local craftsman.

    Now you have a new destination to experience, not in the village, but not too far to check-in!

    Located in Van Giang district (Hung Yen province) but right next to the door to Bat Trang village in Gia Lam district (Hanoi), The Centre of Vietnamese Quintessential Craft Villages (Trung tâm Tinh hoa Làng nghề Việt) impresses the curious visitors with the artistic architecture inspired by potter’s wheel, which is a typical symbol of the craftsmanship of Bat Trang village.

    Spanning an area of 3,300 square meter, the striking three-storey structure features 7 spiral columns like giant potter’s wheels by the Bac Hung Hai river (sông Bắc Hưng Hải).

    Insides, the first floor is now set up to display and sell porcelain and ceramic (the price is surprisingly so affordable that we decided to buy some small souvenirs).

    By the time this building come into full operation, the floor would also be a space for art exhibition, as well as other pottery experience for visitors.

    The second floor would be used for displaying the typical products of the Crafts Village, a variety of handicrafts along with “family tree of ceramics craftsmanship”.

    It is also expected to hold auctions of finest artworks. The top floor is an theater with outdoor space for events or celebrating traditional activities.

    These floors are now in finishing stage and closed to public, so we only visited the store and some public area, but to be honest, that’s surprisingly a hidden gem more than our expectations.

    This spectacular art space is expected to fully commence in June, 2021. For now, you can drop by for a while to pick up lovely souvenirs.

  • Check-in the longest bridge in Vietnam

    Check-in the longest bridge in Vietnam

    The longest bridge in Vietnam (Dinh Vu – Cat Hai bridge) should be listed as one of the destinations to check-in, at least, once.

    Not just is the proud moment but also this scenic route gives you one more option to travel to Cat Ba Island along with the conventional mean: Ferry.

    READ MORE: Cat ba – Tuan Chau: the most amazing ferry route in Vietnam

    You will start in Hai An district and after around 10 minutes of blue sky, water and dust (ok, it’s quite brand new in 2017, so, just little dust) at high speed, sense of freedom, you will reach Cat Hai – an residential island, which is a transit to Cat Ba.

    I have to say that, at the time I traveled, it’s quite difficult to locate the way as whole facilities on land are still under construction. But, yes, it’s super suitable for sightseeing as few vehicles and tourists flocking there. And sometimes, only you who enjoy it, just you!

    Quite an un-beaten track, at the right time, heh, to explore one of the most beautiful island in Vietnam (well, don’t I tell you there’s a Wonderful Cruise Tour not to miss !!).

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

    So I give a little clue about it in the cut-scene below (handmade, please welcome!)

    The bridge is 5,5 kilometers in length and the whole complex, including modules on land should be over 15 kilometers in total. Opening in September 2, 2017, it took three years to complete, used the highest technology of bridge construction ever in Vietnam (Hell, I don’t know).

    Getting to the foot of bridge requires passing industrial port complex, where you can see giant bridge built from above and millions of containers stacked as colorful legos.

    Then you need to check google map or some Vietnamese can be used for guide to the bridge due to the various direction given, I chose this one, as some one said “take turn right at the tire and rubber company, and go straight through the rough trail.” Yeah, I didn’t locate the company until I smelt the terrible rubber in the air, and one more thing to notice, actually, it is a sandy trail as you can see.

    After a long long puzzling route, a well-done road welcomed me, I turned left (you can check google map for direction), and caught a massive intersection, of course, there I just saw the bridge and headed for it. It’s very close and no need to google map anymore!

    And this is the foot of the bridge, there the signboard tells you the name: “Cầu Đình Vũ – Cát Hải”. Ok, it should be taken into your memorable album on trip.

    This is the view toward sea from the bridge, far far the sky blends color of orange and blue in perfect manner, I was lucky for a sunny day, clearly. Everything was too good to be true: the ride, weather, scenery. So it’d better to travel there in dry season.

    After miles on the bridge, you will enjoy the next panoramic view. Well, it seems nothing block your sight for miles, again, and it’s truly the combination of something you can call “tranquil nature”, except for a few constructional sites scattering somewhere, but the rural sense, that I smelt with my nose, typically the smell of fish sauce, weeds (ok, grass, oh, one more information, they’re grassing too), land filled with ponds used for aquaculture.

    So, you get the picture! I bet that you would fall in love with the landscape if you stay there with me. It’s so exciting, so breath-taking seconds that will last forever inside me. And I wish it for you, too, dear enthusiastic travelers.

  • TTC Ke Ga resort review

    TTC Ke Ga resort review

    I had a two-day business trip to TTC Premium Ke Ga resort and here is some thoughts about the 4-star destination.

     Lines of coconut

    1. Landscape

    You will be impressed by the garden close to the reception area with fishes, plants and trees look like a stream. At the other side, look through the window and there are blocks of plants welcoming you very beautifully.

    The resort features endless lines of coconut, along with some other trees like bananas or pools full of lily or lotus, giving you sense of tropical region when walking under shade or posing for the selfie.

     Swings by the path to bungalows

    The plants are well placed, bring more color to the resort, which mainly use white tone for most parts. However, the grass is not green and vivid.         

    You can relax with swings put on most of paths close to the beach. It’s definitely an ideal props for photography due to the poetry look.

    2. Facility

    You will enjoy sunbathing on beach benches beside a small swimming pool, water is clean and clear as crystal. There’s a smaller pool for children if they love to be wet a bit.

     benches by the pool

    The beach is actually quiet, sand is good but there’s a little litter. You may be prevent from swimming when the tide is high or it goes dark soon after. Clean your body with a public shower on the way back to bungalow, by the pool.

    The public toilet is not as well-equipped as ones in bungalows. There’s no built-in bar so it’s very quiet at night.

    3. Staff

    The staff is friendly but not useful that some people complain about room service. They can help you with navigation as speaking basic English for usual need.

     Benches in a bungalow

    4. Room

    Bungalows are large enough and very comfortable. There’re two benches but the fence is so high that it might block your view.

    The bathroom is spacious and well-equipped, very relaxing. The surroundings is quiet so you will enjoy sweet dreams with out any disturbance.

    Air-conditioner is regularly maintained, turning on and whole room is cool in minutes.

     The lily

    5. Food

    I had three meals in TTC Ke Ga resort. They offer various courses with local taste. The flavor is great and very yummy (I’m a strict taster).

    In the morning, the resort holds buffet: you can go for noodle soup or typical Western breakfast like sandwich, butcher, salad along with some tropical fruits. The drinks include coffee, fruit juice and tea, adding some sugar or ice if you’d like.

    For lunch and dinner, you can order local food served with rice or some kind of noodle soup. Taste is good.

     Garden by the reception area

    Conclusion

    The landscape is very green with a quiet surrounding, featuring coconuts. There are some props to selfie like swings. The pool is clean, but the sea is rough sometimes.

    Food is good, tasty locally and various. Room is big and equipped adequately while the public toilet is normal. The disadvantage is the staff and room service.

    TTC Ke Ga resort is an good destination for a retreat or honeymoon.

    Like it book it ! By click on the beautiful image below, you start booking the resort via Agoda and I receive a small commission to run the website at zero cost to you.

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

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

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

    I love the route, at the first sight.

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

    Get to

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

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

    What to do on the ferry

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

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

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

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

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

    Photography tips

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

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

    Budget and schedule reference

    A bike + rider cost 100,000 dong

    Passenger 80,000 dong

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

    For more details, you can see the table below:

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

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

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

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

    1. Schedule

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

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

     Bánh Đa Cua – local spectialty

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

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

    2. Price

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

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

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

    3. Experience

    I’ll tell you what surprises me most!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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