THO HA COMMUNAL HOUSE IN BAC GIANG

The Communal House of Tho Ha is situated at Tho Ha village, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang province. The Communal House was constructed under Le Dynasty, in 1692, and on the land of about 3000 sq meter. The construction is the place worshiping the God of the village and discussion village affairs.

The construction is 27 meter long and 16 meter wide. The architecture of Tho Ha communal house is very impressive. The roof is covered with ancient crescent shaped tiles. Four corners of the roof curve up that look like scimitar sword blades.

The Communal House is supported by 48 huge pillars made of hard iron wood. The floor in Communal House is paved with blue stones. The inside decoration are beautiful motifs on pillars and frames such as dragons, clouds, lion cubs, ladies who wear long dress riding phoenix… The wood carving art is extremely marvelous reflecting the art during Le Dynasty in 17^th century.

Tho Ha Communal House, one of the best known in Northern Vietnam, was listed as National Heritage in 1964 by Ministry of Culture. The village is 60 km from Hanoi. You can do Tho Ha one day trip from Hanoi. Visit Tho Ha Communal House, old houses in the village, and how the locals still maintain traditional job of making skin for spring rolls, pottery, and Vietnamese rice wine.

One day tour Tho Ha village, Vietindo Travel

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HANG KENH COMMUNAL HOUSE HAI PHONG

Where is Hang Kenh communal House?

Hang Kenh Communal House is 2 km from Hai Phong city center. It was constructed during 17-18^th century under Le Dynasty. Hang Kenh Communal House is typical architecture for the construction during Le Dynasty. The Communal house is not only the place for worshiping village God but also for discussion village affairs.

The architecture of Hang Kenh Communal House

The construction was built in the complex of 6000 sq meter large, has 2 layer of tile roof, and 2 dragons protecting the sun on top of the roof. Front roof sides are curved shapes that look like the link between the earth and the sky.

The Communal House is 32 meter long and 13.5 meter wide, has 32 huge iron wood pillars, of which one is 2m in diameter. The base under each pillar is made of stone carved with lotus motif. Ngo Quyen King is worshiped in here. The King who vanquished Chinese invasion from the battle that was on Bach Dang River in the year 938.

Wood carvings in the construction are masterpiece created by skillful artisans under Le Dynasty in 17-18 century. All 308 carved dragons in mass of clouds are still well preserved. Dragon is one of 4 holy animals in Vietnamese Culture.

Every year, from 16^th – 18^th of second lunar month, ritual festival is held in the village. They arrange traditional games and arts such as chess, wrestling, singing folk songs at the Communal house.

Tour to Halong Bay we can stop here, Hai Phong city, for visit Hang Kenh Communal house. You pay entrance ticket. Vietindo Travel

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HIEN ANCIENT STREETS OR PHO HIEN IN HUNG YEN PROVINCE

Where is Hien streets or Pho Hien?

Pho Hien is 60 km from Hanoi center, once was prosperous international river port during 17-18^th century. You can reach Pho Hien by following National Road 5, then provincial road 39A. In olden days Pho Hien was popularly known by people saying: best known is Thang Long or today Hanoi, then second known is Pho Hien.

Why did Pho Hien become popular?

Since 15^th century Pho Hien became River commercial port, and reach top prosperity in 17^th century. Trading boats were from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Holland, Great Britain, and France. There were shops, markets, international trade representatives at Pho Hien by that time.

The business of Pho Hien came down due to domestic politics and history, international history, and the river was silt up so that in the late 19^th century the international trade port was built in Hai Phong city.

What were popular for tourism at Hien Streets?

The ancient architecture at Pho Hien is harmony of Vietnam, China, and Europe in blend. There are about hundred vestiges and historical building preserved at Pho Hien including Xich Dang Temple of literature, Pho Hien Pagoga, Chuong Pagoda, Pho Hien Church, Chinese Temples, May Temple, General Tran Hung Dao Temple, and ancient houses.

Pho Hien is also very popular for a kind of delicious longan fruit so that the farmers have to protect their fruit on the trees by bamboo basket from birds.

You can visit Pho Hien by one day trip, tour from Hanoi by bus, or by cruise along the Red River.

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CAT BA NATIONAL PARK ABD LAN HA BAY

How and where is Cat Ba island?

Cat Ba National Park, about 200 km² large, and Lan Ha Bay are under management of Hai Phong city. Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986 by Government. It is about 30 miles from Hai Phong city, isolated by the sea.

The Park mainly consists of limestone mountains with grottoes, caves, and mini beaches with soft sand. The average height of mountains are from 50 – 200 meter in which the highest peak is 322m. Some caves on the island used to be home to pre-historic men dated back 6000- 7000 years such as Trung Trang cave.

The Park and surrounded islets are characterized by lovely natural scenery and abundant fauna and flora as well as sea resources. There are 620 species of plants, 32 species of mammals, 69 species of birds, and 20 species of reptiles and amphibians in the park. Especially there are endangered white headed Vooc, or a kind of monkey, listed in world natural red book.

Why come to and tour on Cat Ba island?

Cat Ba was recognized as World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Lan Ha Bay covers the area of 7000 hectares, of which over 5400 hectares is managed by Cat Ba National Park. The Bay consists of approximately 400 limestone islets that create very gulf shaped bay. The area also divided into other small bays, lagoons. There are grottoes, caves with nice stalagmites and stalactites falling down. The bay is quite and also dotted by over hundred mini soft sand beaches  

Tourism and activities in Cat Ba National Park and Lan Ha Bay?

You can chose some meaningful activities when spending couple of days here such as swimming, kayaking, cruising around by wooden junk, cycling, trekking. There are many luxury cruises with comfortable accommodation arrange 2- 3 day tours in the area.

Vietindo Travel and Halong Bay cruise trip

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TAM DAO – SUMMER HILL RETREAT

Tam Dao means three mountain peaks including Ban Thach (1,388m high), Thien Nhi (1,375m high), and Phu Nghia (1,400m high). The mountain range is 80 km long and 10-15 km wide. 

Photo: Internet

Tam Dao is about 80 km from Hanoi city, an ideal summer resort in Northern Vietnam. Tam Dao is cool all year round with average temperature of 20 – 22 degree C, the hottest day in summer reaches 27^o C.

Photo: Internet

Tam Dao hill resort covers an area of over 200 hectare, was found and built by French in early 20^th century. They built holiday villas, post office, tennis courses, swimming pools, discotheque…

 Photo: Internet

Tourists explore Tam Dao by walking around the small town for taking photo of mountains, forest, old buildings in French styles, the Church, waterfall, traditional temples. Enjoy grilled food and green and organic vegetables planted at Tam Dao.

Tam Dao retreat weekend holiday in Hanoi with Vietindo Travel

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HOA LU ANCIENT CAPITAL OF VIETNAM

Hoa Lu was capital of Vietnam in the 10^th and 11 centuries. The district belongs to Ninh Binh province, 90 km in the South of Hanoi. Hoa Lu is one of very attractive destinations in Ninh Binh including Kim Son Catholic stone Church, Cuc Phuong National Pak, Trang An – Bai Dinh, Tam Coc – Bich Dong.

In 968 Dinh Bo Linh enthrone and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang. At that time the country was named Dai Co Viet and Hoa Lu was chosen as the capital (968 – 1009). In 1010, King Ly Thai To move the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (today Hanoi)

The capital of Hoa Lu covered an area of 300 hectare, including Inner and Outer of citadel. The citadel was surrounded by thick and high earthen walls, limestone mounts and rivers that made enemy find hard to attack. Nowadays the citadel no longer exsist, just some vestiges left like Dinh and Le temples.

Tour Hoa Lu 1 day with Vietindo Travel

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DAI LAI LAKE – WEEKEND HOLIDAY OUTSIDE HANOI CAPITAL

Dai Lai, an artificial lake, is situated by the foot of Tam Dao, 50 km from Hanoi. The lake covers an area of 5,25 sq km and is surrounded by 30 sq km green forest. There is an island of 3 hectare on the lake with the highest point of 23m.

We get nice panoramic view from top of some hills. There are also lovely artificial beaches along by clear and blue water under the foot of different hills. Lovely villas stay under pine trees.

 Dai Lai was reforested since 1984 and soon became tourist holiday destination in outskirt of Hanoi capital. The area has favorable climate; for example, cool in summer and warm in winter. Nowadays, Dai Lai lake gets more investment for luxury resorts, holiday villas, tennis and golf course. Dai Lai lake is nice place to stay away from Hanoi at the weekend.

Travel North Vietnam

Vietindo Travel

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SA HUYNH BEACH IN QUANG NGAI PROVINCE

Sa Huynh Beach is situated about 60 km South of Quang Ngai city, in Duc Pho District. Sa Huynh used to be called Sa Hoang that mean Gold Sand.

Sa Huynh Beach is 6 km long shaped semi-moon. The best season to come for holiday is from April - September when the climate is quite warm. Sa Huynh is also popular for salt making region.

Quang Ngai province is located in the South central Vietnam, 1100 km from Hanoi capital city. We can reach Sa Huynh by air, bus, or train. Tour should be 4 days including Sa Huynh Beach and Ly Son Island.

Vietindo Travel brings you tours in South East Asia

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DALAT CITY IN SOUTH VIETNAM

DALAT CITY

Dalat city is capital of Lam Dong province, around 300 km from Ho Chi Minh city in the South Vietnam. Dalat is famous for city of flowers, destination for honeymooners, waterfalls, French colonial villas, lakes, and valley.

Dalat was found by Dr Alexandre Yersin in 1893. He was trying to find somewhere cool to escape from hot and humid days in summer in lowland. The highest mountain peak in Dalat is Langbian, almost 2400 meter above sea level. From the peak we enjoy stunning view of Dalat landscape. Soon after the discovery of Dalat, dozens of luxury hotels, tenis and golf courses were built.

Located at the elevation of over 1000 meter, Dalat cool all year round so that hotels in here not necessary equipped with AC. The city is admired as little Paris. There are also 43 Calthonic Churches in the city. Dalat and surroundings are home to 20 ethnic groups like K’ho, Ede, M’nong, Giarai, Ma, Viet…

Tourist attractions in Dalat are Xuan Huong lake, former Emperior Bao Dai villas, Dalat market, Langbiang Mount, Camly Waterfall, PrennFalls, City flower garden.

VIETINDO TRAVEL

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BUSINESS TRIP AND SHORT BREAK HANOI

Where should you go after having successful meeting with your business partner in Hanoi. There are abundance of choice that Vietindo Travel can bring it to you. They are 2 day cruise Halong Bay, a visit to traditional villages, walking and visit Hanoi city, playing golf in outskirt of Hanoi where has beautiful landscape. Let’s Vietindo Travel takes care of your business trip in Vietnam.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (-/-/D)

Day 2: Meeting with partners in Hanoi (B/L/-)

Day 3: Visit Factory outside Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 4: Play Golf outside Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay on Cruise (B/L/D)

Day 6: Halong – Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 7: Departure (B/-/-)

Vietindo Travel

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Ha Giang in Gold Season of Rice Harvest

Ha Giang province becomes more attractive by the end of Autumn, October. It is the time for ethnic groups to harvest rice paddy. You can have wonderful photos of  terrace rice fields like endless yellow carpet here.

Ha Giang is a mountainous province in North East Vietnam, dotted by marvelous valleys, rivers, and terrace rice fields become National Heritage that is the great work of the locals of Tay, Nung, Dzao, H’mong… by passing time.

Domestic and International tourist love to explore landscape of Ha Giang in cool and sunny Autumn. Homestay is a good choice for Ha Giang travel. We stay in local traditional house and learn more about their culture.

Terrace rice fields are not only at Hoang Su Phi District but also right in the suburb of Ha Giang city, about 300 km from Hanoi capital city. 

Vietindo Travel

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VISIT CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK

Cuc Phuong National Park is about 120 km from Hanoi city, located in Nho Quan District – Ninh Binh province. You can buy day trip from Hanoi or you can combine 2 day trip including visit Tam Coc and Hoa Lu former citadel. Stay overnight in Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc. You can follow short or long trekking tour in the forest of Cuc Phuong.

The Park was listed as National Park in 1962. It is home to pre-historic men dated back to 7000-12000 years. Artifacts were found in caves here including human graves, stone axes, pointed bone spears, oyster shell knives, and tools for grinding.

Cuc Phuong National Park is covered an area of 22,000 ha of humid tropical montagne forest. It is home to an estimated 2000 species of flora, 117 mammal, 307 bird species and 110 reptiles. The park consists of karst mountain and lush valley. The highest peak is 650 m high.

www.vietindotravel.com 

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FAR NORTH EAST VIETNAM

Far North East was the affectionate name used before the August revolution, in 1945, to designate the Northern mountainous area of Vietnam where the Ngan Son mountain peaks reach the height of 2000 meter above sea level.

The remote North East that shares border with China, presents unspoiled landscape of rocky cliffs, numerous caves, rivers and streams.

Many ethnic groups inhabit this isolated area of North East. They are possessors of a tremendous folk heritage made of hundreds of myths, legends, and narrtives in verses. Their songs and music are closely linked to the spiritual lives of these populations.

We will visit the following provinces in the Far North East Vietnam; Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, and Tuyen Quang.

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BAMBOO SHOOTS COOKED WITH PIG RIBS

The dish of bamboo shoots cooked with pig ribs is very popular food during the Tet or traditional New Year in Vietnam. It takes time to prepare and cook the food as well as choosing the best ingredients. The food is more delicious when it is hot. Here, the following, is the way how we cook this dish.

Clean dried bamboo shoots, soak in water for 2-3 days (Remember to daily alter water), remove old parts, and then slice bamboo shoots.

Boil dried bamboo shoots with much water until water does not have brown color of bamboo shoots. After that, clean boiled bamboo shoots again.

Clean, chop ribs and pig leg into 3cm pieces then boil them. Take them out, clean again before putting into pot to stew for 1 hour. Skim off foam to have clean broth.

Heat two teaspoons of cooking oil, put dried bamboo shoots into pot, add two teaspoons of fish sauce, a teaspoon of salt, a little bit of pepper and cook for 5 minutes.

Put all above bamboo shoots into stewing pot of pork ribs, pig leg. Then continue stewing until bamboo shoots, ribs and pig leg are soft. Add spices following your favor such as pepper, chili, green leaves of onion, coriander….

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PHONG THO MARKET

Phong Tho market is held at Phong Tho District town in Lai Chau province.

It is daily market and busy in the morning. The market is the place for exchange many kinds of assential goods like food, clothing, local rice wine, animals…

Especially the market is colorful by costumes of many ethnic groups like Nhang, Lao, Ha Nhi, U Ni, Black Dzao, Flower H’Mong…

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NA SAN HISTORICAL AIRPORT

Nasan airport is a short distance from the road number 6 and about 18 km from Son La city. It was built by French army in early 1950s and soon become the target of battle field between French and Viet Minh forces in 1952.

By the time of writing Na San airport is no longer used for quite limited visitors.

Commander in chief of French army in Indochina, Salan, decided to build Na San airport in October in 1952 in order to stop Viet Minh force moving to this area.

Na San was encircled by Viet Minh till French army led by General Henri Navarre sesolved abandon both Na San and nearby colonial government headquarters in Son La, moving his troops to Dien Bien Phu, 180 km from Son La.

Travel Moc Chau, Son La with Vietindo

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MOC CHAU - SON LA PROVINCE

Moc Chau is a district in Son La province, about 200 km from Hanoi city. Before we get there we can stop to have cruise along Da reservoir, visit Mai Chau valley where the white Thai ethnic people live.

Moc Chau is located on a high plateau where is famous for green tea planting and processing. Moc Chau is still 120 km from Son La city, the head quarter of the province. Beside green tea the district of Moc Chau is also well-known by dairy products.

The beauty of this plateau is marked by green tea planation, peach and plum trees and blosooms, romantic suspension bridges on streams, houses on stilts of Black Thai ethnic group.

The Thai stsill wear their owned traditional costume of black skirts and trousers, white shirts with buttons shaped spider made of silver. Women wear black headscarfs embroided with beautiful paterns.

Travel Moc Chau and Mai Chau with Vietindo

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BAC HA SUNDAY MARKET

The Sunday market of Bac Ha is held on every sunday right in the center of Bac Ha district town. Bac Ha town is 65 km from Lao Cai city, 100 km from Sapa tourist town so that you should combine tour Sapa and Bac Ha at the weekend.

Sunday market of Bac Ha is not only the occasion for the ethnic groups exchange goods but the nice time for friend and relatives meeting after one week staying apart.

Bac Ha market is the largest local market in North West Vietnam. Local people and tourists can find so many things here such as sovernirs, clothing, animals, food, local farm products, home made wine...

It is colorful market filled with traditional dresses from different ethnic groups. The market is also the  meeting place for young boys and girls, then may become couple even husband and wife. Bac Ha local market is must-visit place when you wish to discover cultute of H'mong ethnic people.

The market is comleted by 12 noon, then people go home and gather in coming sunday. If you stay one night in Bac Ha town you should take 2 hour walk to visit Ban Pho village where is home to H'mong people. Take photo of beautiful mountain village and make interaction with the locals.

Tour Bac Ha with Vietindo Travel

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