Wednesday 25 May 2011

Alova SailsHalong Bay One Day Tour



Halong Bay One Day Tour with Alova Sails

Tour Overview
One day tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi with Alova Sails. Halong Bay – the world heritage in Vietnam – a must for tourist to visit. If you just have one day for visiting it, you will feel pampered and enjoyable, our tour will bring you the feeling of stay there longer. Coming back to Hanoi around 20h00. That is a good time for dinner or enough time for you to prepare for a night train to Sapa or a late domestic flight.
Tour Itinerary:
7:50 – 8:40: Our modern bus and tour guide pick up at your address, start an interesting trip to Halong Bay, on the way, passing Bac Ninh province where Folk Songs – the traditional singing are very famous. You can take photos of the green rice fields in the countryside. Stop for a rest at the local shop where some disabled children are working to make the lovely hand made products.
12:15: Arrive in Bai Chay tourist wharf, welcomed by crew on Alova Sails and enjoy welcome drinks, take photos
12:45: Start a dreamy cruise to stunning scenery with thousands of limestone mountains and have seafood lunch (we serve you with Vietnamese traditional dishes, in case you are vegetarian, we have other food options for you) while cruising through the emerald water passing by the Dog Stone, the Burning Incense islet, stop at fishing village for kayaking or sit in a bamboo boat rowed by locals (Only book with us you can have a chance to be on bamboo boat). After that visit Fighting-Cock rock and the Heavenly Palace (Thien Cung cave) - which has opened to the public since 1998 with stalagmites and stalactites. Back to Alova Sails. Our staff serves you cold tissues and fresh fruits.
 
16:15: Back to Tourist wharf and get on bus to Hanoi.  

20:00: Arrive in Hanoi. Our tour guide and driver say goodbye to you at your address.





Trip Notes:
Food: In Halong, It is mainly seafood; please let us know if you are vegetarian.
Itinerary is subject to change upon weather conditions and operating conditions, with or without prior notice

What to bring:
- Swimming suite
- Sun glasses, Sun cream and Pets repellent
- Pair of Shoes for trekking to Cave.
Tour Price:            35 USD/ person/trip
 Contact: www.goasiatravel.com    info@goasiatravel.com


Tour included:

Pick up and drop off at your hotel with modern bus with air-conditioner
2 bottles of water/trip/person, welcome drink and fresh fruits
Enthusiastic, experienced driver & English speaking guide in the whole trip
Seafood lunch & entrance fees and safe, beautiful Alova Sails (We focus in making toilets clean, comfortable chair in restaurant, panorama window for photos, bench on sundeck to relax and watch the bay dotted with some green trees, staff in uniform)
Kayaking or bamboo boat rowing – the only service hosted by GAT. That left you the unforgettable experience and photos.

Tour excluded: Drinks, insurance, and others not clearly mentioned above

Note:
If you do not want to go kayaking or bamboo boat, we reduce 2 USD/person/tour

 For any more details please contact: www.goasiatravel.com    info@goasiatravel.com


Monday 23 May 2011

Mai Chau Tour - A quick approach to ethnic’s culture



Tour Overview

Being the nearest ethnic minority community to Hanoi, Mai Chau, the mountainous townlet of the Thai people. Here is one of the most picturesque regions of Vietnam's Northwest and the Pu Luong Natural Reserve. It is an area with outstanding beauty and biodiversity. You can spend just 2 days to be part of the nature. Go ahead.
 

Tour outline:
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong with boating on Ma River for the unknown villages
Day 2: Pu Luong – Mai Chau – Hanoi, enjoy the traditional show by Thai ladies

Tour itinerary:
Day 1: Amazing approach to Mai Chau and Pu Luong (L,D) (170 km):
Depart for Mai Chau in early morning, transfer to Lac village, and the home of a Thai ethnic minority group. After lunch, you can wander around the houses to see the daily life of local people. They specialize in weaving brocade products and are happy to show visitors their skills. Take a drive of 15kms and board a rowing sampan to paddle along the Ma River stopping en-route to visit some of the nearby ethnic minorities villages. Again boat ferries across the river, we hit the road to Hang village where we will be having dinner and stay at their traditional Thai house on stilts.

Day 2: Mai Chau stop again with traditional music show by local Thai ladies (B,L):
Breakfast at local house, then at 8 am starts our trek inside Pu Luong Nature Reserve (back on some of the same routes) then take 3 hour walk to the place where our car stop and transfer to Poom Coom village for lunch. After lunch, enjoy the traditional music show by Thai ladies. Leave Mai Chau around 15h00 for coming back to Hanoi.

Trip notes:
Food:
All meals, which are indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of this trip. While in big towns we will enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in fine restaurants. Once we travel away from big towns, the emphasis will be on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce.
Homestay-unique experience:
Homestay in villages is simple in term of bedding condition and toilet, clean and located beside a spring with a good view. We will sleep on beds with mattress, clean sheet, pillows and mosquito nets. Toilet is usually flush-style. The hosts are very friendly and eager to please. Usually, the host family or guide will cook meals for you, but will not join in out of respect for the guests. If you prefer to them to eat with you, you need to ask the guide in advance to make the arrangements
Tour guide:
The tour will be led by one of our tour guides who are experienced in guiding. He has been carefully selected and trained in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding by the government. You will have a great time traveling with him.
What to bring:
Sun block, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, sleeping bag (optional), flashlight, rain coat, toiletries, original passport.
Note on client safety:
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.

Tour Price:
Tour Name: Mai Chau Tour - A quick approach to ethnic’s culture
Duration:     02 days and 01 night
Rate:              90 USD/person
Tour included:
  • Breakfast and Home stay and admissions
  • Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
  • Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle and/or a Jeep with an experienced safe driver.
  • Boat cruise on Ma river.
  • The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
  • Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

Tour excluded:
  • International flight tickets and airport tax.
  • Visas, insurance.
  • Dinners, except as specified above.
  • Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
  • Others not clearly mentioned above
 Contact: www.goasiatravel.com
 Mr. Martin: info@goasiatravel.com

Sunday 15 May 2011

Fansipan Mountain – How to conquer the rooftop of Indochina



Location: Fansipan Mountain is located 9km south-west of Sapa Townlet in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range.
Characteristics: Fansipan is branded “the Roof of Indochina” at the height of 3,143m; Fansipan is to be approved as one of the very few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.
The topography of Fansipan is varied. Muong Hoa Valley, at the lowest altitude (950-1,000m), is created by a narrow strip of land at the base on the east side of the mountain.

Geologists say the Hoang Lien Mountain Range, with Fansipan as its highest peak, did not emerge in the mountainous North West of Vietnam until the neozoic period (circ. 100 million years ago). Fansipan, a rough pronunciation of the local name “Hua Xi Pan” means “the tottery giant rock”. The French came to Vietnam and in 1905 planted a landmark telling Fansipan’s height of 3,143m and branded it “the Roof of Indochina”. Very few people climbed to the top of Fansipan at the time. Then came the long years of war and Fansipan was left deserted for hunting and savaging. The trail blazed by the French was quickly overgrown by the underbrush.
It takes six or seven days to reach the 3,143m summit, the highest peak of the Indochina Peninsula.
In 1991, Nguyen Thien Hung, an army man returned to the district town and decided to conquer Fansipan. Only on the 13th attempt did Hung, with a H’Mong boy as his guide, conquer the high peak by following the foot steps of the mountain goats. Scaling the height was meant to satisfy his eager will and aspiration to conquer the mountain without expecting that his name would be put down in the travel guidebook. After that the Sapa Tourism Agency started a new package tour there. It seemed the Fansipan Tour was meant only for those who wished to test their muscular power.
The summit of Fansipan is accessible all year round, but the best time to make the ascent is from mid-October to mid-November, and again in March.


Foreigners like best to book Fansipan tours between October and December, as this period is more often than not free from the heavy rains that obstruct the jaunt. But the Vietnamese prefer their tours to the peak of the mountain from February to April, as it is not so cold then. However, the best time for the trek to the mountain is from the end of February to the start of March, when the flowers all flourish and the climbers may behold the carpets of brilliant blossoms, violets and orchids, rhododendrons and aglaias.





Fansipan Conquer 3 days 4 nights Tour by Go Asia Travel
Tour Programme:
Day 1: night train to Lao Cai Station
GAT'bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you for the overnight train to Lao Cai Station. Enjoy the experience the
Romance of overnight train travel (SP3 21h50)
Private t ransfer hotel – railway station
Guide : english speaking
Accommodation : Oriental Express 4 Soft sleeper A/C cabin
Meal: Not applicable

Day 2: Lao Cai - Sapa, Fansipan peak conquering (B,L,D)
After breakfast, the bus will take you to Ton Station which belongs to Hoang Lien Son natural reservation center at the height of 1,800m above sea level. You
will follow the forest path with small bamboo trees along to start your conquering over Fansipan peak. Stop for a picnic lunch then continue your trip. At
17h00 you will stop for camping, firing and stay overnight in small tents at the height of 2,200m.
Private transfer: Lao Cai - Sapa
Trekking : 5-hrs trek
Guide : English speaking
Porter: provided
Meals : Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation : Camping

Day 3: Fansipan (B, L, D)
6h30 am: After breakfast, we will continue our trip to conquer Fansipan peak (3143m). 10h30: You will reach the top of Fansipan peak, taking photographs and celebrating your victory. After that, you will come back to the height of 2,800m for lunch.
Afternoon: We will follow the path down for camping, having dinner and stay overnight at the height of 2,200 m.
Trekking : 5-hrs trek
Guide : English speaking
Porter: provided
Meals : Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation : Camping

Day 4: Fansipan - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will come back to Sapa by Sin Chai road. The bus will take you from Sin Chai to Sapa at 13h00. Have lunch and take a rest, shower in Sapa and foot massage at the hotel. Have dinner. Our tourist guide will take you to the train back to Hanoi . (SP4 21h00)
Private transfer: Sin Chai - Lao Cai - Sapa
Trekking : 5-hrs trek
Guide : English speaking
Porter: provided
Meals : Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Freshen up service and foot massage : included
Accommodation : Oriental Express 4 Soft sleeper A/C cabin

Day 5: Hanoi arrival
Arrive in Hanoi Station at around 5h30. Be picked up and transfer to your hotel. Our tour ends
Private transfer: train station to hotel
Guide: English speaking
Notes to start:
Fansipan Climbs: Climb a 3413 ASL Mountain in just two days takes some effort, endurance and plenty of high spirit. The night will be spent in tent with toilet tent provided. The trip is not recommended in bad weather due to safety
The camping ground : Our camp for the evening will be in a very small clearing on the mountain enclosed by bamboo. You will be provided with twin shared tent, sleeping bag and air mattress.
Altitude: Fansipan is almost 3150 meter above sea level. The risk for altitude sickness is very low.
Trails conditions: One of the things which make Fansipan at challenging experience is the lack of prepared trails. The conditions of the trails very much depend on the weather conditions, and will be slippery in rainy weather.
Walking hours: Depending on your route the walking hours can vary from 6 – 11 hours per day. Normally the summit day is long, with start early and return to the camp late afternoon.
Camps: There is only 1 prepared camp at Fansipan. All other overnight places are small, without any facilities.
Sanitary conditions: In one camp simple toilet facilities has been made.
Equipment: We will provide you with the necessary camping equipment. To climb Fansipan we strongly recommend good walking boots or shoes. Furthermore a warm sweater and a rain jacket are necessary.
Food/water: Our guide and cook will prepare delicious food on the way. We use ceramic filters to purify our drinking water.
Weather: As mentioned the trail conditions will be difficult in rainy weather. It is not recommendable to climb Fansipan in heavy rain due to security. If
GAT believes that the fitness of the group do not meet the requirements of the weather situation, we do have the rights to cancel or re-schedule the trip.
The transfers In Hanoi , Our guide will accompany you to the train to show you your cabin and tell you how to deal with night train traveling in Vietnam .
In Lao Cai, our guide will meet you at Lao Cai Railway Station in the morning of the first day. He also sees you off at Lao Cai Railway Station on the third day . When you get back to Hanoi on day 4, you can easily find a taxi to get to your hotel
Note on client safety We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
Price: contact:  www.goasiatravel.com

Tour prices include:
Pick-ups and transfer by A/C vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
Permission
Return train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (Oriental Express 4 soft sleeper A/C cabin)
The service of experienced English speaking tour guide.
Entrance fees for all tourist sites and environment sanitation.
Sleeping bag and mattres in mountain, daily water
Meals (as specified in the itinerary).
Camping on the trek and light
Porters and cook
First-aid equipment, medicines, walkie-talkie.
Freshen up service and foot massage
Certificates for having conquered Fansipan peak.

Tour prices do not include:
Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
Insurance

Friday 13 May 2011

Emotion Halong Cruise 2 days 1 night - www.goasiatravel.com

Day 1: Arrival, cruising in Bai Tu Long Bay (L/D):

08.00-8.15: Take a 3-hour scenic drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay (not included)
11.45: Arrive in Halong Tourist Wharf
12.00: Transfer to Halong Emotion Boat by tender
12.15: Welcome cocktail – cruise briefing, safety instructions
12.30: Check in the cabin
13.00: Vietnamese lunch served on board, while cruising towards Bai Tu Long Bay, passing Yen Ngua Island, Luon Cave.
16.15: Explore the mystery of Sung Sot cave. one of the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
17.12: Stop at Titop Beach, enjoy one of optional activities:
Available activities as:
· Swimming at Titop Beach
· Climbing up to Titop Peak
· Relaxing on sundeck
· Kayaking (require before check in Emotion Cruise)
Requested activities as:
· Massage
· Diving
18.00: Back to cruise, stop at Luom Bo Area.
19.00: Have bufffet dinner
21.00: Leisure time, enjoy the comfort in your cabin.
Optional:
· Enjoy chatting at Bar.
· Enjoy night fishing.
· Relax and spend a romantic night on Emotion Cruise
Meals: Lunch, Dinner


Day 2: Cruising in Halong bay and back to Hanoi (B,L)
6-6.30: Practice Tai Chi on the Sundeck
6.30-8.00: Start your day with a light breakfast
8.15- 9h30: A fantastic cruise on the bay, passing Dinh Huong Island, Fighting Cock Island, Dog Island. Arrive in Ba Hang Floating fishing village, a peaceful village. Visit local houses, fish farms, schools and chat with friendly fisher men.
9:45: Check out
10:00- 11:00. Have brunch and clear bills.
11.30. Back to the Tourist Wharf
12.00: Departure to Hanoi ( not included )
16.00: Arrival in Hanoi, end of tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
Tour Included:
- Welcome cocktail
- Entrance and sightseeing fees
- French/ English speaking guide onboard
- All meals mentioned above (01 Lunch, 01 buffet dinner, 01 light breakfast and brunch)
- Insurance onboard.
- Tax and service charges
- Luxury cabin with Air-conditioner, private bathroom, hot water, shower, standing cabin

Tour Excluded:
- Transfers & hotels
- Optional requested services: such as massages, beauty services, music performances, diving… Barbeques and other specific wishes can be made on prior request only
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Beverages
- All service non-clearly mentioned in the inclusions list



 Contact GAT travel

Saturday 7 May 2011

International tourist arrivals to Vietnam continue to rise


HANOI -- More than 460,000 international visitors traveled to Vietnam in April, a 6.3 percent rise against the same month last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

This brought the total number of foreign arrivals during the first four months of the year to more than 1.9 million, a year-on-year increase of 10.5 percent.

Despite the recent earthquake and tsunami, Japanese visitors to Vietnam still numbered 177,000, surging 21 percent against the previous year's same period.

Vietnam also saw remarkable increases in the numbers of tourists from China, up 20 percent, U.S. arrivals rising by 6.8 percent, South Koreans by 6.6 percent, French tourists by 6.3 percent and Australian visitors 5.7 percent.

A strong brand name would be established for tourism in Vietnam during the next four years to promote the country's attractions, said director of the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Van Tuan.

The administration planned to hire a consultancy firm to carry out the strategy, he said, adding that this was the first time promotion would be conducted by a professional agency.

Chairman of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA) Vu The Binh said efforts to create a Vietnamese brand should focus on what was unique about the country. He said he believed one thing Vietnam could be proud of was its spectacular landscape.

Binh said it was also important to identify potential markets. To date, Vietnam's traditional markets were people from Northeast Asia and Western Europe, but another promising market was the country's own region of Southeast Asia.

In countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, people from within the region accounted for 70 percent of visitors while in Vietnam, the figure was not even close to 20 percent, he said.

“A strong and effective brand name requires close co-operation between authorities and hotels, airlines and tourist companies,” said Saigontourist Marketing Manager Doan Thi Thanh Tra.

“Such co-ordination can help create attractive tourism services and products, a key factor for the success of our hospitality industry.

“A brand name will not work if foreign tourists cannot book air tickets or hotel rooms are not easily available,” she added.

Tourist companies were attempting to build their-own brands to attract more international tourists, she said.

The tourism industry aims to welcome 5.3 million foreigners and serve 30 million local tourists, earning about US$5 billion from tourism revenue this year.

News from Chinapost


Friday 6 May 2011

Con Dao Island- Top ten romantic destinations in the world for 2011

Con Dao Island- Top ten romantic destinations in the world for 2011


Viet Nam's Con Dao Island has been named as one of the top ten romantic destinations in the world for 2011 by the UK's Lonely Planet Magazine.

Other islands on the list were Yemen's Socotra in Yemen, Australia's Torres Strait Islands, Japan's Yacyana, French Guiana's Iles du Salut, the Republic of Korea's Ulleungdo, Panama's San Blas archipelago, Chinese Taipei's Penghu, the Bay archipelago and Hog island off the coast of Honduras and Uganda's Ssese.
Con Dao Island has a strong political and cultural history. Under the French, Con Dao was used as a major prison for opponents of French colonialism.
Con Dao National Park, one of the country's top six biodiversity hotspots for both land and sea, contains thousands of plant and animal species, and provides a range of eco-tourism options.
The island is home to playful black and brown squirrels, many species of native and migratory birds, and even endangered marine animals like the sea cow, green turtle and hawk's bill turtle.
According to many travel companies, in the wedding season this year Con Dao was one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for young couples.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Tour to all the most beaches of Vietnam