Tips for travelling in Laos

The land of million elephants’ has always fascinated tourists with its original temples, wonderful waterfalls, strange Buddha statues and last but certainly not least, the friendly people here.

Transportation

The main mean of transportation in Laos is ‘Tuk Tuk’ and ‘pickup’ ( a type of small trucks). Car schedules are always available at any bus station or travel company.
Some tips to save your time and money when traveling around in Laos:
- Share tuk tuk with other visitors
- Buy pickup tickets one day in advance and should not buy round – trip tickets

When to visit?

Visitors will need at least 5 days to visit all the most famous destinations but normally, people will spend 8 to 9 days for the trip. Travellers may visit the country at any time in the year. However, you need to know exactly in which season you will visit so that you can decide what to bring, sunscreen or a raincoat.

Cuisine

Basically, Laos cuisine has many things in common with its neighbor, Vietnam. Some dishes that visitors should try when visiting Laos are the grilled dishes, sausages or sticky rice. And Beer Lao, which is hailed as one of the best type of beer in the Southeast Asia, would be a perfect option for drink.

What to bring?

- Passport
- Laos guidebook
- Hat, gauze mask, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Drugs
- Insect repellent
- You can use Kip (Laos’ currency) or USD  in Laos but it is advisable to use Kip.

Places to visit

Among all those destinations in Laos, Luang Prabang is the place that deserves spending your time and money the most. Visiting this ancient capital, you will have the chance to discover lots of magnificent temples such as Wat Visunarath, Wat Mai, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Aham or Wat Sene temple.

Also, don’t forget to visit the top of Wat Tham Phousi in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset over Mekong river and the panoramic view of Luang Prabang. Doing some shopping at the night markets (which are open from 5p.m to 10p.m), buying some souvenirs or trying some original dishes would be great options. Other no less interesting places are the Royal Palace Museum, Tat Khuangsi waterfall, Pak Ou caves, Phanom  and Xieng villages which located on the other side of the river.
The temples are located quite close to each other and are open from 8a.m to 5 p.m. If you want to get inside the temples for visit and praying, you will be charged a fee.

Xieng Khoang, which is home to the famous Plain of Jars, is the second suggested destination in the journey to conquer the ‘Land of temples’. After having discovered this amazing place, if you have time, you may also want to wander around in Ang, Lat Sen and Sua villages to know more about the country’s life and culture.

There is a daily bus from Xieng Khoang to Luang Prabang every morning.

The most recommended mean of transportation for discovering Vientiane is bicycle (with the leasing fee of around 1USD per hour). There are many famous places for you to visit in Vientiane including Patuxay statue, Black Stupa, Pha That Luang, Wat Simuang (also known as ‘Mother Temple’, where the monks tight some small red threads on the wrists to bless their people) or Sisaket temple (a museum with thousands of large and small Buddha statues).

By Gray Line Vietnam

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Places that cannot be missed when visiting Da Nang

Da Nang, the young city, is changing every day. From the city with only one symbol which is the bridge over Han River, there are now 3more ones which are Rong and Tran Thi Ly bridges along with Ca Chep Hoa Rong statue. Da Nang impresses tourists by its friendly people, beautiful beaches and delicious food.

1. Fire and water breathing Dragon Bridge

The dragon bridge, an alternative to the traditional spinning bridge, is the new symbol of Da Nang. No visitors coming to Da Nang without visiting this bridge to take photos and watch the bridge breathing fire and water. The bridge was inaugurated in March, 2013 and voted as the bridge with the most original design in Vietnam. The bridge spans over Han River connecting the two banks. There are also 2 other bridges over this river which are the spinning bridge and Tran Thi Ly bridge.

The ‘Dragon’ breathes water and fire in every Saturday and Sunday. To be more specific, at 8:50 pm all vehicles are banned from crossing the bridge and at 9 p.m, the dragon starts breathing.
You should arrive 20 minutes earlier to have a better view.

2. My Khe beach

Relaxing and playing on My Khe beach would be such an amazing that you’ll never forget. This is one of the six beaches that have been voted as the world most attractive beaches by Forbes magazine. Visiting this beach, you will have the chance to take part in many sea sports such as scuba diving, fishing, surfing or beach football, etc.

This beach is really safe to swim in thanks to the professional rescue teams. Rescuers work from 5 am to 8pm every day.

3. Stunning food ( Quang noodles, Xeo cake, ricepaper rolled with pork)

Central Vietnamese cuisine is really excellent with numerous dishes. The vegetables here taste quite exotic and interesting. You should totally try some famous dishes here which are Quang noodles, xeo cake, ricepaper rolled with pork, cha bo and Cam Le dry sesame cake. Thanks to the diversity of ingredients, Quang noodles in Da Nang is much more delicious than in Hoi An. You should totally give this dish a try when visiting Da Nang.

4. Ba Na Hills

This tourist site is really famous with many entertainment venues. Ba Na impresses tourists by its cool fresh air. The temperature here is 6 to 7 degree lower that in the city. It is sunny but doesn’t make you sweat. There are many activities for you to join in Ba Na hills, it would take you a whole day discovering this place.

There are many interesting places for you to discover in Ba Na. French village with the simulation of French architecture would be a good suggestion. While some tourists find the restaurants in this village hard to resist, some are in favor of its square with the beautiful fountain. If you have to time, you should also visit the wax museum or try climbing a mountain.

If you are a flower lover, you should totally visit Love garden (Le Jardin D’Amour). This is such a beautiful garden with thousands of types of flowers. A lot of youngsters have visited this garden to take some beautiful photos. Walking around while listening to French love songs would really help you relax.

5. Son Tra peninsula (the ecological garden of Da Nang)

Located 10 kilometers away from Da Nang city, Son Tra peninsula is considered as the primitive jungle of the young city. From the top hill on the peninsula, you can have a view of the whole city with the long beautiful My Khe beach. It usually takes you around half the day to explore the peninsula.

This peninsula is also an ideal place for photography lovers. What could be a better place to have the most beautiful photo than an island with numerous beaches and fishing villages.

6. Hoa Phu Thanh waterfall

Hoa Phu Thanh tourist site is a new sports tourism destination in Da Nang. Visiting this place, you will have a chance to slide down the waterfall with a rubber boat. This is a brand new type of extreme sports in Vietnam. From the summer of year 2015, the site has added a sport called ‘Zipline’, which is really interesting.

Sliding down a waterfall gives you a brand new and challenging experience. You would have a lot of fun playing this game, especially when you go in a group.

7. Ngu Hanh Son Mountains

The name of the mountain literally means ‘five elements mountains’ in Vietnamese. It is a cluster of 5 smaller mountains named Kim, Moc, Thuy, Hoa and Tho. Not only is Ngu Hanh Son a spiritual tourism destination, it also has such a stunning natural landscape.  If you visit these mountains in the middle of lunar February, you will get to take part in a festival called ‘Quan The Am’.

You are sure to be amazed by the beautiful cluster of pagodas on the mountain along with the breath – taking Huyen Khong cave. There is a small sightseeing tower on the top of Thuy Son Mountain. You can see the beach and other mountains from this tower. To fully understand the history of this place, you are advised to hire a tour guide.

8. Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass is a beautiful destination located on the boundary between Hue and Da Nang. The pass runs along the coastline of the beach with many curves. Looking from the Pass, the whole city along with Cu Lao Cham Island would come into your view. When you get to the top of the mountain, you should stop by ‘Ai Nam Quang’.

You can also see Lang Co beach with beautifully white sand in Hue from the Pass. Hai Van Pass offers visitors many beautiful scenes that cannot be found elsewhere.

9. Love brigde and ‘Carp turns into dragon’ statue

These along with the new chain of boat restaurants are the new symbols of Da Nang city. The bridge of love would be the perfect destination for couples. What sounds interesting here is that once the padlocks are locked, there would be no key to open, which implicates eternal love. Couples can stand at the bridge and watch the original fish dragon statue.

10. Dragon boat, yacht

Visitors always find going on a yacht on Han River great marvel. They love watching Da Nang by the night. They serve food and drinks on the yacht so you will have to eat on the yacht in order to take part in this evening voyage. The yacht has a bar and a café on the top.
Dragon boat on Han River are held nightly with 2 trips, one trip from 6pm to 7:30 pm and the other from 8pm to 9:30 pm. Going on the dragon boats, tourists will get to see Han bridge at night and watch the Dragon bridge breathing water and fire. In summer, you are advised to book tickets 2 weeks in advance if you go in a group.

By Gray Line Vietnam

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Hanoi Old Quarter destination

Hanoi Olad quarter is the famous sites for foreign and domestic tourist in Hanoi Capital. I’d like to introduce some sites, where you should visit and enjoy Hanoi cuisine. We’d like to lead you to some famous  address in the Hanoi Old Quarter below:

Dong Xuan market: It trades in something in the rush with many kind of goods. Almost they ‘re wholesale price. If you buy something retail, it’ll be little more expensive. Market will help you understand about ancient market and sence of trading in Hanoi.

Quan Chuong Gate: This is one of 5 gates of ancient imperial citadel existed. It was maintained to race against time.

Dong Xuan street: It’s place, where you can enjoy street food with Hanoi flavor, such as: noodles in crab chowder, noodles and snails, chicken and rice noodles, Pho… Foods has price from 25000vnd. 

Lemon Tea shop: You can find lemon tea shop on every street in Hanoi Old Quarter. Especially, Cho Gao street and Dong Thai street are place famous with Lemon Tea shop.  Here is also cooler than Hoan Kiem lake. Beside lemon tea, they also sell sweetened porridge.

Bach Ma Temple: Ancient temple associate with legend of building Thang Long imperial Citadel. This is also one of defending sites of Capital. If you’re interested in history, this sites is must-visit destination.

Noodle on Hang Buom street: Although restaurant on Hang Buon Street is not as delicious as restaurants on Hang Manh Street, these restaurants is very cheap. It’s suitable for backpacker and student with 25000vnd/ 1 bowl, Noodle retaurant on Hang Manh street is about 60000vnd/1 bowl.

Ancient Traditional House at 87 Ma May street: This house still keep the the way of Hanoian’s life with architecture of Hanoi in 20th century early. 

Café Shot 60 Phat Loc street:  this is new shop with unique decoration  and suitable for photographer . After stroll around  in morning, you can drop in here  to enjoy coffee.

Draft beer on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street:  This is address for young people after hard-working day to enjoy animated space and refresh yourself. 

Hong Lam Sugar at 11 Hang Duong: trust address to buy meaning gift for your friend.

Snail-boiled on Dinh Liet street: Enjoy it in the night, the stores open from 4:30PM. It’s close address for visitors stayed in Hanoi Old Quarter. 

Nguyen Sieu with fried pig’s tripes and Pho:  restaurants open from 19h in the night. The restaurant,  located opposite with Aucoustic Café at 7 Nguyen Sieu, is very delicious with fried pig’s tripes or fried Pho. 

25 Hang Ca street is address for delicious bread . Although it is small street bread stores, it still attract many customers with the traditional flavor of Hanoi. 

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The destinations that cannot be missed when visiting Laos

Laos is the ‘Land of a million elephants’ and home to numerous temples of original architectures. Laos is sandwiched between Me Kong river and Truong Son mountains. The most attractive tourist sites in this country are Vietiane,  Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng town with spontaneous natural scenes and adventure tours. If you have time, you are advised to visit Chum field in Phonesavanh (Xieng Khuang). Also, you should not overlook any temple in Laos. You are sure to find the temples here very special and different from the ones in Cambodia or Thailand. If you visit the country in April, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the traditional splashing water festival - the most interesting festival in Laos.

Vientiane – the capital of Laos

Vientiane is located on the bank of Mekong river and became the capital of Laos in the mid 16th century.
This is also home to numerous national relics in Laos such as That Luang – the symbol of sovereignty and Buddhism.

Must – visit destinations in Vientiane:

Wat Sisaket temple: The temple which was built in 1818 by King Anouvong is one of the oldest temples in Vientiane. It is situated in the central of an old city. Hundreds of small houses and 6840 Buddha statues can be found at the temple. The temple welcome visitors everyday from 8 am to 4 pm.
That Luang Stupa: It was first built in the 3rd century on the order of the first governor of Vientiane – Mr. Phaya Chanthabouri Pasitthisack. The Stupa is 45 meters high and surrounded by 30 small stupas. That Luang Stupa is believed to be preserving a holy relic of Buddha. Today, it is the most important cultural relic of Laos.

Hor Pha Keo museum

The museum was built as a temple in 1656 by King Sayasetthathirath and rebuilt in 1936. The temple was turned into a museum in 1970. It is now preserving numerous national collections and Buddha sculptures. From the terrace of Pra Keo lake, people can have an overview of the Royal Palace.

Patuxay Gate

The monument which was built in 1957 is probably the most stand – out destination in the centre of Vientiane. It is located on Lanexang avenue. Visitors can get to the top of the monument and have a stunning panoramic view of Vientiane.

Xieng Khuang Buddha garden

The Buddha garden which was built in 1958 displays a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. Xieng Khuang  is located 28 kilometers from the South of Vientiane on the bank of Mekong river.
There are also some other tourist destinations that you can visit such as Wat Simuang temple or Tri Pitaka library.

The main transport in Vientiane in particular and Laos in general is tuk tuk. But note that it would be really difficult to find a tuk tuk when you go out late at night since almost every family in Laos has their own car.

By Gray Line Vietnam

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Phu Quoc – one of 10 world best destinations for honeymoon

According to a reputation travel newspaper – Roughguides, 20 ideal honeymoon destinations were elected in short list.  Phu quoc – Vietnam honorly ranked No.8 in this list.

Top 10 destinations ideal for honeymoon include: Treasure, Jamaica; Santorini (Greece), Buenos Aires (Argentina), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), Venice (Italy), The Great Ocean Road (Australia), Kerala (India), Phu Quoc (Vietnam), New Orleans and Louisiana (USA), Bagan (Myanmar). According Roughguides, Phu Quoc has been known over the world, yet the level of development and urbanization is still low. However, tourists coming here still enjoy the fresh air, unspoiled natural scenery with white sandy beaches of stunning and warm blue water. Phu Quoc is also the best place for snorkeling to see coral and some interesting tour in An Thoi island ( South of Phu Quoc ).

There is no wonderful place with beautiful views of the sunset than Dinh Cau Bridge in Phu Quoc. There is no word to describe the beauty of this place.  Only when witnessing the sun slowly sinks into the sea, you know the peace of heart. Also, also you can take a seat on some vendor shops to enjoy drinks the peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

Sao beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with white sand and half moon shape. It’s well known to foreign tourists over the world. To get to Sao beach, you have to cross though the Long Beach Resort and swim without any fee.

Enjoy crab at Ham Ninh fishing village, this village is far away from Duong Dong about 15km, you could drive a motorbike.    This village is quite simple, if tourist wants to explore culture, their living and enjoy seafood.

By Gray Line Vietnam

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