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

Thursday, 14 April 2011

những cái " Méo" của cuộc đời

Kính gửi các bạn chút tâm sự của mình về nhưng điều trái nganh hàng ngày vẫn diễn ra đâu đó quanh ta với mục đích chính là vui:

Cái méo thứ nhất về tiền:

người ta thường cả đời phấn đấu, vất vả kiếm tiền thậm chí bán rẻ danh dự của mình vì tiền  nhưng khi về già thì không ai cần tiền, cái mà người già sợ đó là sợ sự cô đơn, sợ ko có sức khỏe chứ rất ít người sợ ko có tiền.

Cái méo thứ hai về sức khỏe:

Chỉ khi vào bệnh viên, người ta mới thấy quý sức khỏe, nhưng lúc đó thì hầu như đã muộn. Hàng ngày chúng ta vẫn đang lãng phí sức khỏe bằng việc nhậu nhẹt, hút thuốc, thức khuya, ăn uống không điều độ...

Cái méo thứ ba về quan hệ con dâu - mẹ chồng

Phụ nữ hầu như ai cũng từng là con dâu và hầu như ai cũng sẽ làm mẹ chồng nhưng cuộc đời thật éo le, họ vẫn cứ làm khổ nhau suôt 4000 năm lịch sử, điều rất méo là ở chỗ cô con dâu nào cũng chê mẹ chồng lạc hậu và tin rằng mình sẽ ko lạc hậu với con dâu của mình.

Cái méo thứ tư là ko quan tâm chăm sóc bố mẹ khi bố mẹ con khỏe

Thường là khi bố mẹ con khỏe, còn ăn được, các con ko quan tâm chăm sóc, khi bố mẹ còn đi du lịch được thì ko cho bố mẹ đi lúc bố mẹ 60 -70 tuổi hoặc là ốm săp chết rồi mới rối rít mua đường mua sữa, đi khám bệnh việc...Như thế phỏng có ích gì.

Vậy ngay hôm nay chúng ta nên làm gi các bạn nhỉ?

Trong thực tế tôi tin là còn rất nhiều điều gọi là " méo" mong các bạn góp ý thêm.

Cảm ơn các bạn đã dành thời gian đọc bài viết của mình.
Đắc Quý - GAT travel