Monday, July 25, 2011

Ba Trai Dao Beach(The Three Peaches Beach) of Halong Bay


These islands are located is 22km from south of Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. This island consists of three small mountains with the height of 23m, seen from afar, resemble three peaches(Ba Trai Dao).
To the Ba Trái Dao Beach, it costs 10 hours by cruise from Bai Cháy Tourist Wharf. It has that name as Ba Trái Dao Beach (the three peaches), features three small sand beaches embracing small islands. These islands, seen from afar, resemble three peaches. Tourists take bath in this beach only 2-3 hours in a day as in other time the beach is lapped by tides.

Legend has it, that fairies escaped from Heaven and came here for sight-seeing and swimming. The youngest fairy, who was very pretty and virtuous, fell in love with a young fisherman. The young fairy stole three peaches from Heaven for him, that if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. But while she waited for him on the island, the King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into stone island. Chastised, the young fairy had to return.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Thuan An beach - Quiet and simple beach


Thuan An village, about 13km from Hue, lies beside Hue’s only beach of note. It’s within easy reach – if you feel energetic, it’s a pleasant cycle ride. The road runs alongside the river past several interesting pagodas and commune houses, and a local market at No village. From there, you cross a bridge to the long sand spit and lagoon where the Perfume River finally enters the sea.
 
Thuan An beach is situated near by Thuan An mouth, where Huong River runs to Tam Giang lagoon and then to the sea...Plenty small boats, junks drift up an down the river in the left of the route, and on the right there are houses, temples, pagodas, rice field, and gardens successively spread out....

In the beginning of the 19th century, King Minh Mang named the place as Thuan An, assigned to build Tran Hai frontier post for the defence of the Capital.
Thuan An is a very enjoyable place for all tourists after a full day to visit Citadel, mausoleums, pagodas, and Hue scenery... Thuan An is also the place, where Hue people gather to enjoy the fresh air and sea-bathing in summer time. Intensive activities of the beach lasts from April to September, while Hue temperature being fairly hot.

Sometimes, tourists are very crowded, and there are not enough places for their camping.

Besides sea bathing, tourists are able to visit Thai Duong temple, where Thai Duong Goddess is very esteemed by villagers or visit the temple devoted to the whale, the sacred animal of the local people.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tra Co beach


Tra Co is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Located in Quang Ninh province, next to Vietnam - China border, Tra Co - a good and charming place for vacations is only 8 -9 kilometers away from Mong Cai town.
Tra Co Beach is a famous tour attraction in Vietnam with broad fine sand beaches stretching for 17 kilometers from the cape named Got in the north to the cape named Ngoc in the south. Tra Co situates on the outer edge of the island. The coastline is bordered by 3-4 meters high sand dunes and peaceful fishing villages. The beach is shaded by a range of casuarina, protecting the village from the wind and the sand. Tra Co beach is an ideal place to spend holidays. If you spend your holiday on the fifth month of the lunar calendar, you can have a chance to take part in Tra Co Communal House Festival organized from the 30th of the fifth lunar month to the 6th of the sixth lunar month..
Weather:
Tropical monsoon climate. It’s hot and has a lot of rain in summer, in winter it’s cold and has a little rain. From May to September, it is the hot and rainy season, from November to March, it is the dry season. So there are enough four seasons in a year: spring, summer, autumn, winter.
The average temperature in Tra Co is 22° 7C, although it tends to fall below 20°C from December to March. The hottest months are June and July when the temperatures reach 26 and 28°C. In July and August, there are many storms and typhoon. Therefore, you should not go on holiday on these months.
How to get there:
Tra Co Beach can be reached by boat from Hai Phong to Mong cai (206km) or from Hong Gai (132km). From Hanoi, you can go by bus, then following Highway No 18 to Tien Yen - Hon Gai and after that turn to Road No 4 to Mong cai.
Specialties:
Tra Co is abundant in seafood: fish, cuttle- fish, crab, shrimp, especially Tra Co is well-known for local dishes made from king- crab.
Sightseeing:
When you come to Tra Co, please visit Tra Co Communal House, which was built in 16th century and Tra Co church built in 1880 and since then it has gone through many restorations.
You can also come to visit Dong Hung town - China.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Quat Lam beach


Quat Lam beach tourist area, Giao Thuy district - Nam Dinh planned 58ha wide, officially went into operation in 1999.
Center to form two natural lakes, each lake is about 10ha. Future reservoir embankment road to be fenced and allowed to build hotels, restaurants, fishing, boating and water parks offer ...
image
Along the beach, the concrete road was built close to the water's edge. Quat Lam has attracted many economic sectors to invest in building. Overall planning of beaches separated by the cell to build infrastructure. The first plastic road was built along the coast has attracted many investors to build high-rise hotel with hundreds of rooms. Many hotels have conference hall full of hundreds of delegates to the seminar. Quat Lam is busy building expansion to form the bustling urban foot waves.
Quat Lam beach to the sea, you will be satisfied with the sea specialties that natural gift for the waters here with much cheaper price compared to other beach resorts in the country such as shrimp - crab - squid ... is processed into various specialties bring bold style of Nam Dinh.

What matters more is the style of restaurant service, hotel very polite, attentive and hospitable.

To fan you can admire the great church of Vietnam's most ancient style architecture to French participation in church ceremonies and cultural activities of Catholics here. Visiting Reserve Xuan Thuy wetland - the only point of U.S. Ramsar, international importance is a large alluvial located south of the Red River area with a total enrollment is 12,000 Ramsar Convention ha, of which non-swampy area there are more than 3000ha of mangroves. This is Vietnam's largest bird park, "the platform of the international migratory birds," with over 200 species, of which nearly 100 species of migratory birds and over 50 species of waterfowl.

From Hanoi, you can come by bus from the fan bus fan adjacent bowl or go straight to the train station in Nam Dinh. From Hanoi, Nam Dinh city 90km. Nam Dinh bus station from the bus about 40km fan. (With the car until buyet Quat Lam beach).

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Om beach - pride of nature - Phu Yen


As modem development continues to devour the natural world, more and more people look for antiques or a pristine destination to experience life in a way more similar to the way our ancestors lived. When mentioning famous beaches around the country, right away people think of Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Vung Tau. But these days, Phu Yen Province is more frequently mentioned by visitors and is listed in tours by local travel agents due to the province’s unspoiled destinations.

There are two ways to reach Om Beach, by land and by waterway. For the first way, from the center of Tuy Hoa city, National Highway 1A leads to Song Cau Town. From there, ask a local the way to Vung La, a fishing village in Xuan Phuong commune.

By waterway, boats can be hired from local fishermen in Song Cau town or Nhat Tu Son town. The boat ride is about 90 minutes and should cost VND100,000 per hour for a four-seat boat and about VND1 million for a bigger one.

In which, Om Beach is a stop that any tourist coming to Phu Yen Province should not miss in order to wallow in the temptation of nature. Belonging to Xuan Dai Bay, Om Beach is rather an obscure name to tourists in Vietnam, which is why it has resisted industrial development, human settlement or any services. The beach feasts visitors a totally brand-new feeling different from other beaches with a natural world separated with outside world by peace, silence and primitiveness. Om Beach is divided in two by an isthmus with the front beach boasts with an endless sandy beach under shade of coconut trees and the back beach hugged by two hills.

Just a meter or so under the salt water is sharp and jagged coral so swimmers must be careful to avoid injury. However, there is swimming and bathing in crystal-blue water and a chance to admire the colorful reef and schools of fish. More importantly, there are many giant rocks in diverse shapes near the beach that are great background for girls in bikinis to pose for many photos. Om Beach can be reached from the center of Tuy Hoa City by taking National Highway 1A to Song Cau Town. From here, ask a local the way to Vung La, a fishing village in Xuan Phuong Commune just 600 meters south of the beach. Boats can be hired from local fishermen at Song Cau Town or Nhat Tu Son Town about six kilometers south of the beach. The boat trip takes about 90 minutes.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Hon Chong Beach


Hon Chong is located on a stretch of rocky mass of land famous for the thousands of smooth rocks stacking on one another. There are two clusters of such rocks in the area called Hon Chong. The first is further out in the ocean and the second is located near an islet called Sat Thon. The cluster in the ocean is most impressive since there are large boulders stacking on one another seemingly out-of-balance, yet remaining stable.

There is a boulder as large as a small hill supporting another boulder as large as a small house at its peak. On the side facing the shore, there is an imprint of a large hand with five fingers clearly outlined. The locals call this rock Hon Chong or the Husband.

The cluster with the name Hon Vo or the Wife is not far away. The rocks in Hon Vo cluster are as large as those in Hon Chong, but the they are closer together. A somewhat romantic person explained that this name came about because the rocks here snuggle against one another.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Vietnam Destination: Visiting Hue, Vietnam’s last imperial city

Vietnam Destination: Visiting Hue, Vietnam’s last imperial city: "Situated on the Perfume River, Hue is a relaxed and peaceful city full of lakes, canals and lush vegetation. Once th..."

Cua Tung - The queen of beach

Located in the coastal district of Vinh Linh in the central province of Quang Tri, Cua Tung Beach is the nation's "Queen of Beaches", arousing the curiosity of many tourists to come and experience its beauty.
The one kilometre-long beach is not particularly long or wide, but the water is gentle and clear. Two underground rock formations, Mui Si and Mui Lai, encroach on the sea, creating a small bay that shelters the beach from strong waves and tides.

The beach is surrounded by a belt of basalt and stone mountains that resemble a huge comb passing through the hair of the waves. On the hill grow green orchards of jackfruit, pineapple, banana and custard-apple.

While the central region is known for its harsh weather, with dry winds from the southwest and major storms from the sea, Cua Tung Beach is protected by Mother Nature, out of the wind on most days, and the bay offers safe harbour for fishing boats.

The first foreigner to set foot here during the time of French colonialism saw the area’s potential for developing resorts. At that time, Vietnam was divided into three regions and the central region was known as Annam. Ernest Albert Briere, the governor of Annam from 1891-97, was one of those who fell in love with the place, and he built a palace here in 1896 to spend his holidays on the beautiful beach.

The palace was transferred to King Duy Tan (1900-45), the 11th king of the Nguyen Dynasty, who ascended the throne at age 7 and bridled at living in confinement in palaces under the control of the French. He travelled extensively around the country, and Cua Tung was one of his stops.

King Bao Dai (1913-97), the 13th and final Vietnamese feudal king, often traveled from his capital in Hue to Cua Tung to enjoy this amazing beach.

The Frenchman Andre de Laborde, who had a deep understanding of this land, described Cua Tung as a gentle sloping beach which is part of the green highland 20m above sea level. From the slope, people can see the changes in the colour of the sea and sky. Shades of blue change hourly under the sunshine, surprising anyone who has the chance to witness it.

The sea here is so shallow that a person can run about half a kilometre from the shore and the water will only be up to their chest.

Nearby Cat Son village is a short stroll along the beach. It has been famous for hundreds of years for its fish, drum-making, carpentry and mother-of-pearl inlay. Here, you can dine on cuttlefish, prawns, lobster, butterfish, mackerel, Chinese herring, and other kinds of seafood cooked in the local way.

To the south of the beach is the estuary of the Ben Hai River with Hien Luong Bridge just 10km from Cua Tung Beach. The bridge lies on the 17th parallel and formed the border between North and South Vietnam between 1954 and 1975.

This symbol of separation and loss in wartime is now one of the links between Vinh Linh and Vinh Gio districts in the province. Boarding a boat at the base of the bridge, travellers can see lush rice paddies, bamboo and casuarinas trees along the river banks. The slow rhythm of life, the whisper of the wind and the rippling of the water, all bring a feeling of peace.

About 30km offshore from the beach is Con Co Island, a 4- sq. km island with a coastline of about 8km and an average elevation of 5-30m above sea level. At the centre of the island is a 63m-high mountain which was a strategic position during the time the country was divided. Though it is isolated from the mainland by heavy winds, soldiers braved the strong waves and enemy attacks to carry food and weapons to the island.

Lush forests and fruit trees cover the island, including hardwoods with resin as red as blood. In autumn, the bang (Malabar almond) trees also turn red, making the island even more picturesque.

Since 1989, 4,000 coconut trees, symbolising the 4,000-year history of Vietnam, have been cultivated on the island. It is also the home of a small rattlesnake that is used to steep in rice wine to make medicine for treating backache and other ailments. Black and white sea cucumbers as big as a toe are found in the surrounding waters and make a good dish that also has medicinal properties.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Thinh Long beach

Thinh Long is the new beach of Hai Hau, Nam Dinh, located adjacent to the Quat Lam beach (which has the famous Nam Dinh), close to the Xuan Thuy National Park. Passing Nam Dinh City by National Road 21 to the town of Hai thinh, Hai Hau District, you will come to Thinh Long Beach. The beach here is long and the beaches of concrete as a small dike, the last yard is a small fishing village.. Where the bright morning, afternoon -  the small boats ashore to bring the fish, shrimp, crab provided for visitors. Thinh Long as well as other beaches of the North - muddy silt cool, but still there are many travelers want to feel peace.

Thinh Long has been developed as a swimming beach in recent years. This is a smooth sandy beach stretching for several kilometers to the sea in the shade of Casuarinas trees planted by the seaside. Seafood is abundant, inexpensive, and delicious. Thinh Long Beach is on the way to be coming a prime destination for sun seekers.

Arriving in Thinh Long, you will see a different air that is pure and quiet. Green fields with a lot of farm produce locating at the other side of the breakwater stretch as far as the eye can see. Standing on the slope of the breakwater filled with the row of casuarinas and sniffing the wind blowing to your faces, you will feel very cool and a salty odor will fondle on the surface of our skin. The sea is very deserted. The sand-bank is cleaned out with footprints. That is the chance to contemplate original works made of sand by sand crabs. You can look for a family restaurant in order to have lunch with seafood, especially the course of fried fish together with steamed rice. Although your lunch is simple and the caterer's behavior is over familiar, you will recognize their enthusiasm and hospitality. In the afternoon, after taking a rest, you should go around the sea. 02 ends of Thinh Long beach are 02 gathering areas for fishing. And the afternoon is the time when fishermen prepare for tomorrow sea voyage. The people here are very friendly and complaisant. You can learn the way to mend the net and the process of sea voyage, even you can be invited to fishermen's houses to spend the night and "have dinner with their family".

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tinh Gia beach - can not be ignored

Not known as Sam Son, Do Son, Hai Hoa Cua Lo beach, but tourists again conquered by definition wild and clean water, and the hospitality of the people honest and rustic fishing.

This marine area tourism trips with dust, especially the young people preferred to explore and adventure. Hai Hoa is located about 200km from Hanoi, Thanh Hoa city about 45 km .. Not many services have developed as other places, but the atmosphere here is spacious and peaceful. Blue sea, reasonable prices. A number of hotels that travelers can choose from Hanoi ACB Green, Ocean Hotel, Highlands Hotel ...

Visit temples Dao Duy Tu Nguyen Binh Commune, Tien Pagoda Stage, Lach Bang Temple, the temple in Quang Trung Hai Thanh commune, Son Island Attorney with the area of An Duong Vuong, My Chau and Trong Thuy ... ancient relics such as Fort Hai Tinh, Thanh Ninh said.

Going into the summer, watching sunrise waking up on the beach do not forget to stop at the fishermen's boats filled with produce of the sea, can be purchased on the spot. Specialty here is the production of marine organisms such as crab and squid in addition to ... to the Thanh Hoa city, visitors can choose to buy rolls and sour, coconut. When buying seafood should be aware of the need to sell, to get a bargain price accordingly.
If you choose to Hai Hoa Hanoi can ride - stop in the town of Cong Vinh and hold on to ride Hai Hoa sea about 3 kilometers. Or buy tickets at the Giap Bat bus station for $ 70,000 per person to the town to continue down the motorcycle taxi journey to the sea harmoniously.

In addition, travel by train also many choices. Buy tickets Hanoi - Thanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa down at the station, then by car to the town of Cong then go on a motorcycle taxi.
Those who bought tickets to fly the Hanoi - Vinh, then by car back to Tinh Gia (This may not be very convenient.)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Ham Thuan Nam Beach

 Few people know that, in the south Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan has many beautiful beaches, stretching in the districts of Ham Thuan Nam.

This area don't have many large resorts or hotel as Mui Ne.The tours in Ham Thuan Nam are rarely. But it's very lucky cause visitors come to have picnic will also enjoy the beauty of pristine nature. The beach is very clean, amazing blue.  Go along the Tien Thanh coast or Thuan Quy coast, you also see white long sands mixed with Casuarinas
 
Ke Ga lighthouse at a height of 65 m above sea level, has long been the pride of the local tourism industry. . This is the lighthouse was Chnavat French architect design, built from granite in 1899, has 184 spiral stairs. To the top of lighthouse, visitors will see all the great views one side is Ta Cu Mountain  with large forests and the other side is blue was blue .
 
The coastal sand is more beautiful with the white flower and the big ancient trees. The new tourism place Rock Garden s since 2005, as well as a unique individual Located in an area of 3 ha, it includes the rugged rocks with lines, shapes carved by the waves strange so over millions of years. Rock garden there are bungalows built in the ancient Vietnamese architecture, folk and rustic, to put people closer to nature.


 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Doc Let Beach


The place gets its Vietnamese name of Doc Let because if you want to reach to the sea, you have to cross high sand dunes and if you are not strong enough, the sand would seem to hold you back and quite a few people to lag ("let" in Vietnamese) to the destination.

The place gets its Vietnamese name of Doc Let because if you want to reach to the sea, you have to cross high sand dunes and if you are not strong enough, the sand would seem to hold you back and quite a few people to lag ("let" in Vietnamese) to the destination. However, there is a great compensation for you once you have finished your conquer of the dunes.

In front of you now would be a wonderful beach with fine, smooth, and pures and the blue sea with tiny waves. The sand beach runs as far as 10km from Dong Hai Village to the Cement Factory of Hon Khoi.

Doc Let is not only an ideal swimming beach, but its natural landscape is also quite attractive to tourists. Islands of every sizes and shapes off shore into two bows hindering the wave. The big island from afar looks like a sunbathing girl.

Not far to the north is the famous Van Phong Bay, one of the future tourist spots that the international Tourism Organization OMT has surveyed and highly assessed the future development of tourism of the area.

To the south, beyond the Cement Factory is Hon Heo, the former revolutionary base with so many heroic exploits that have not noted down in history. Also, only 2-3 kilometres from Doc Let, tourists can visit the fishing village of Ninh Thuy, the salt fields of Ninh Diem or take a rest in the shade of the coconut palms and poplars or at windy shops beautifully decorated for a drink and other sea specialities such as fresh crabs, sentinel crabs, oysters,...at their own will.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Cua Dai Beach - The pristine beach

Cua Dai literally means the 'big sea mouth'. Cua Dai beach is located in the area of Cam An Ward, about 4km to the north-east of Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province. Cua Dai Beach is over 3km in length and up to 300m in width. The beach boasts fine white sand, clear and blue water, moderate slopes and small waves, which make it ideal for recreational activities like swimming and other sea sports.

This beach is closest to Hoi An, is very beautiful and is well worth a visit to cool off when the heats starts to get to you. The only eyesore are the bizarre changing huts and bungalows. It is an incredibly long beach with loads of room to wander off for a bit of personal space, which is so difficult to find in Vietnam. If you spend a day at the beach and elect to take a deckchair, you will be asked to buy either a baguette, some lovely pineapple or a drink, otherwise you will have to pay for the seat. All these prices are inflated, but the pineapple in particular is delicious.

After visiting the relics in the old town, visitors can go to Cua Dai to enjoy sea food specialities in an ideal environment of immense sky and sunshine. The Cham island lying on the horizon also comes in view in clear weather .

In the shady palm-lined road bordering the beach stand some large seaside resorts such as Hoi An Beach Resort or Victoria Resort, where lodgings built in Vietnamese traditional style are available. On summer holidays, the famous beach of Cua Dai cools off those heading to Hoi An.

The fine sands of palm-lined Cua Dai Beach (bai tam Cua Dai) are popular at weekends, but can often be deserted at other times. Safe swimming is usually only possible between April and October, but it's nice to walk or jusl hang out here. This is a monster beach that continues all the way up to Da Nang city, an incredible 30km of pristine white sands. During the full moon, people wander around until late at night. Fresh seafood and refreshments are sold at a line of kiosks that lead to the beachfront.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Lang Co Beach


Geographical features

At Hai Van Mount foot there appears the beautiful Lang Co beach, whose sand banks are 1.5m – 10.5m from sea level. The sand banks gradually change their height to 5.0m-23m from sea level, with total stretching line of 8 – 9 kilometers.   

Climate

Typically Vietnamese, Lang Co has a monsoon tropical climate, with two main wind directions, northwest one in winter and southeast one in summer. The annual average temperature is 25.2oC. Tourists should be known that it is hottest in June and July (aprx. 41oC), and coldest in December (aprx. 8.8oC). Annually, the beach has an average rainfall of 3,368 mm.

Seen from above, Lang Co beach looks like a picture of beautiful cristine nature. As you may know, Lang Co is famous for its magnificent natural landscapes surrounded by mountains, tropical jungles, and the boundless blue sea with waves coming to the 8 or 9 - kilometer immaculate and fine sand, absorbing thousands of tourists. The picturesque sea view brought great inspiration for King Khai Dinh to write the epitaph “Royal step-over temple” and issued the decree to order the Ministry of Public Works to build a summer palace for recreation here. Lang Co beach is stretching along 1A Highway, easily found and favorable for tourists’ dropping off. For those fond of sea entertainment, this is actually a good choice thanks to the sloping sea, fine and clean sand, great moderate waves. Suggested activities are swimming, diving, sailing or more simply, relaxation by lying down on beaches.

What is more, Lang Co is also popular for diversified beauty spots and delicacies. Right next to Lang co seaside is Hai Van Mount and Hai Van Quan, a famous Vietnam’s sightseeing. Along the mount foot, Lang Co sea is filled with coral, king shrimps, and numerous seafood of values. Inside the area, there lives a majestically captivating “Pearl Island” – Son Tra, where exists a series of wild species and flora. What lives behind the seaside? That is Bach Ma (White Horse) Mount and Lap An damp. The latter, with a quiet rounding road, is an ideal bicycle-riding place for those enjoying a mediative space. A number of other magnificient beauty spots, such as Bat Cave, Elephant Stream, Nhi Ho Fall, Dream Fall, etc. are extra activities for tourists to try after a busy day of joyful seaside entertainment.

Resorts
Lang Co beach resort is classified as the best by the Economic times. The resort was designed with Hue traditional garden house architecture and well-equipped with modern facilities meeting the international standard. It has 88 guest rooms, in which there are 57 deluxe villas & Suites designed in Hue traditional structure & 31 Budget rooms, 200 persons restaurants with European & Asian food & lagoon’s fresh seafood, Billiards bar, Pool bar, Health Club with Gym, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Tennis, Massage-Sauna, Karaoke, Beauty salon, Beach Volley Ball, 02 Bars: Lobby & Tropical Terrace, Banquet, Meeting & Conference venues seating up to 40-300 persons with 02 private rooms, Business center with full secretarial services, Souvenir shop - Sea & Lagoon Excursion. All the best services are welcoming you, ensuring that you will soon come back at least once.Sea FestivalsThe beach annually holds a sea festival with hundreds of seaside activities, introducing its beauty to tourists elsewhere. Year by year, Lang Co festival promises to improve in terms of both contents and scale. Normally, it is an opportunity for tourists to witness an overwhelmingly magnificient and eventful atmosphere with impressive and joyful sea games. No travellers could say no to this very chance of enjoying life!

"Coming up mountain to see White Horse Hero, going down to sea to meet Lang Co – lady of beauty" is a popular saying of seasiders since Lang Co beauty is compared to a young graceful lady. With excellent sea potential, Lang Co completely deserves the brand of "Lang Co – a sea legendary". Sooner or later, Lang Co will be well-known not only for a wildly poetic beauty but attractive sea services as well.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Vung Tau beaches

 Vung Tau  is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is 140 km² (54 square miles) including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism in Vietnam. Locating near Ho Chi Minh city and Binh Duong province, Vungtau associates with these two places to create a triangle of power economy all over the country.

The main reason to visit Vung Tau are its beaches. There are four of them.

Front Beach (or Bai Truoc), West of the city center is not recommended for swimming.
Rear Beach (or Bai Sau), is where you have to go to find a place to stay. Hint: if you come here with the hydrofoil or with a bus from Saigon, tell the taxi driver to take you to "Rear Beach" -- not to the town Center, as I did and later regretted. Unless you are coming on a weekend you will easily find accommodation. Close to the beach you will find some places to eat, but for a better offer take a taxi and go to the town center.
 If you come to Vung Tau to do some tourism, here is a list of places to visit:
The Statue of Jesus, this huge hollow statue sits on top of Nui Nho mountain. From here you see a nice view of the ocean. Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda. 12 miles (20 km) from the town center, it attracts pilgrims from all the country. Niet Ban Tinh Xa Temple of Nirvana. the most beautiful pagoda in Vung Tau. It lies 2 miles (3 Km) from the city center, and was completed in 1974.

Pineapple Beach (or Bai Dua) in the southeast coast is the smallest in Vung Tau, but probably the beach with the cleanest waters. From here you can also see spectacular sunsets.

Foreigners' Beach (or Bai Dau) lies northwest of the town. This rocky beach is popular among tourists because of its calm waters.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Mui Ne beach – a naturally gifted sea Cape


Whoever visiting Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province could not help a journey to Mui Ne – a gracefully seductive sea cape!
Introduction
22 kilometers North Eastern Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province, Mui Ne is a group of beaches, such as Ong Dia beach, Front beach and Back Beach.
The name “Mui Ne” derived from the fact that fishersmen get in here to hide the storm on their fishing days. “Mui” means cape, and “Ne” means hiding. Tourists can easily be attracted by the deep blue of the sea, the goldern of the sun and sand, all converging in warmth and purity.
Quick look
What makes Mui Ne a different fascinating seaside painting? The answer consists of quite a few elements, such as beautiful beaches gently sloping to the sea, gentle breezes, pure sea, blue sky, and cristine reddish sand dunes. More importantly, though grown up from a distant seaside far from the highway (with scattered poor fishing villages) to a community of hundreds of high-quality resorts, Mui Ne is still called the “Desert of golden sand”. Still, visiting Mui Ne, you can see by your own eyes the fishing village “Mui Ne” – a typical Vietnam’s fishing seaside land in its daily life.
What is more, the all-the-year-round sunny weather facilitates any swimmer.
Zoom
Mui Ne is a precious gift of Nature, with the most beautiful sand – banks in Vietnam. The sand gathers together making the endless accumulated hills. Sand hills have been sources of inspiration for numerous photographers for years. Standing on top of the hills, you can easily feel the cool winds from the sea. Seldom can tiredness so quickly disappear!
Among others, Ong Dia beach is the finest one in Mui Ne, the beauty of which is revealed in the ever cristine state, long-lasting sand banks and coconut-palm paths. As one of the best seasides in Vietnam in terms of both natural beauty and sea entertainment kinds. Just take a holiday here, you will have chances to taste a series of delicious seafood, and enjoy various interesting activities, for example, swimming, boat sailing, sun bathing, surfing, golf, scuba-diving and snorkeling, hunting, sight-seeing, or hide into a charming and relaxed night life with live music or local sea festivals. If you would like to try something more uniquely typical Mui Ne beach, you could spend time visiting the oldest towers in Vietnam, Ponshanu or
Mui Ne sand
Phu Hai, 1,200 years old, which are luckily to be located here. Those are the work of Cham people. As years have gone, leaving time raveges down on here, their solid existence is the firm witness of Cham culture improvement. For further sight-seeing, tourists may take a walk to Ong Hoang Storey, Rom Island, or Mui Ne Sand dune (or in other words, Flying Sand dune).
Flying Sand dune is one of the longest Sand banks stretching a series of kilometers and areas. Its name derives from the main golden color with the existence of hundreds of years. Why is it “flying”? It is the answer that makes it differ: the shape changes hourly, daily, monthly, etc. due to the wind, which absorb a number of tourists elsewhere. The dunes are frequently tectonics of different shapes: animal, lying lady, etc. Also, its varied color, such as red, white, pink, whitish grey, and reddish grey, etc. are inspiration of so many artists, among whom is Y Lan, who has created such a new special kind of art – sand painting. This is one of the brand new unique modern kinds of arts in current Vietnam, truly worth your discovery!
Thanks to Sand Dunes, the premium special element of Mui Ne seaside, the local government has built Binh Thuan’s special tourism product, that is, modern golf on sand with planted green confetti, poplar, etc. The golf zone is a part of a qualitative resort area, hostel system, great destination of relaxation for all tourists.
I have asked a number of foreign tourists to Vietnam the same question, “What do you like most in Vietnam?” The most frequent answer is Beaches, and one of the top seaside around Southern Vietnam is Mui Ne! You should also come and feel the beautiful sea, long sand dunes and fresh breeze yourself!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Enjoying picturesque beauty of Ba Dong Beach


Ba Dong Beach stretches nearly 50 kilometers over three communes in southern Tra Vinh Province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, with the very picturesque beauty, beautiful long beach suitable for bath and holidays...
Ba Dong Beach belongs to Truong Long Hoa Commune, Duyen Hai District, approximately 55 km from Tra Vinh City. Ba Dong coast is lined with pristine white sand for 10km, with clear and fresh air.
During the colonialism era, the French built a resort and used it to rest and swim. This resort is also enjoyed by Vietnamese who spend weekends and vacations there.
Unfortunately, wars have destroyed all the road system to Ba Dong Beach. Tra Vinh Province authorities are now evaluating the possibility to rebuild the road system. Tra Vinh tourism office also plans to renovate and exploit Ba Dong seaside resort and turn it into an attractive tourist site in Cuu Long River Delta.
Upon arriving at the oceanic site, you will surely be taken by surprise by the breath of salty sea air that is so distinctive to the sweet scents of fruits that pervade the delta's environs. The beach's tourism potential began to be tapped in early 20th century when the French colonialists built a guesthouse there for local officials to spend their weekends.
From the hotels and restaurants hiding themselves among the poplars rustling in sea wind, you can look beyond at the far sea,where fleets of fishing boats are sailing industriously to bring back inexhaustible resources to enrich the country. In this resort, you can savour many types of fresh seafood at surprisingly cheap prices. Ba Dong Beach hosts numerous seafood restaurants specializing in typical southwestern Vietnamese cuisine fished directly from the ocean. Specialties include crab sauce eaten with bananas, carambola, girdle cakes or rice rolls and boiled meat.
The beach is dotted with bungalows and cots ranging in prices, which offer tourists a chance to lay back and unwind to the rhythmic sound of undulating waves. You can play on numerous sand dunes on the beach. Other places of interests here is a lighthouse, shrimp lakes, and small islets.
On the beach that stretches as far as the eye can see, you can fly kites, play sports, meander among numerous sand dunes or drive motorbikes fast enough to get thrills otherwise hard to attain elsewhere. As night falls, you can sleep in "underground houses" built during the war to avoid shells and bullets. They are protected from above by luxuriant trees.
From the beach just 7 kilometers away rests an imposing mangrove forest. A light wind invigorates beachgoers with its fresh and clear breezes. When famished from the physical activities, you can indulge in a range of culinary delights offered right on the beachside.
Ba Dong is currently an attractive spot for short holidays for numerous average-income tourists in Tra Vinh and neighboring provinces. The whole of Ba Dong Beach is picturesque, colourful, exciting and lively with tens of thousands of tourists from everywhere who come here for sightseeing and relaxing.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Do Son Beach, a worth-visiting place


If you are staying in Hai Phong Province, a visit to Do Son Beach is worthwhile. It is a great privilege of Haiphong to be given by nature the beautiful beach of Do Son.
Being is one of the well-known beaches in the north of Vietnam, Do Son is a small peninsular formed by the stretch of Rong Mountain to the sea. Ranges of mountains and hills with forests of pine trees cover this lovely beach. In addition to that natural beauty, the human-made infrastructure here is admirable with restaurants, hotels, houses, roads and water supply as well as a perfect electricity supplying system. The zigzag roads along the mountains, and pine forests make the beach a rare beauty in the tropical region.
It is considered "a tourist resort", only 20 kilometres away from Hai Phong City and 123 kilometres from Hanoi capital. The sea resort town is composed of tree zones, each having bathing beaches, hills and forests. Around the hills are French-style constructions looking towards the sea. Since 1975, many large hotels and guest houses have been set up over the town and Do Son has become a weekend sea resort for Vietnamese and foreigners.
Immediately upon setting foot in Hai Phong, the French turned Do Son into a summer resort for their expatriate community and the Vietnamese upper class. On summer days, Do Son is alive with tourists from all over the world. They mainly come here to spend time on the beach, relax, and hike. From Do Son, tourists can conveniently sail to Cat Ba Island, to Ha Long Bay, to Dien Bien, Long Chau, and Hon Dat Island.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Cua Lo Beach with the picturesque beauty


Situated in Nghe An Province, on the shore of the East Sea with the Cua Lo estuary in the north and the Cua Hoi estuary in the south, Cua Lo Beach is one of the nicest beaches in North Vietnam with its white sand and clear blue water.

Recognised as one of Viet Nam's most beautiful beaches by the World Tourism Organisation, Cua Lo is defined by its natural assets: Cua (estuary), because the Lam River empties into the sea to create a shallow and clear shore, and Lo (jutting), after Lan Chau Island, a long strip that spears the north-east corner of the bay. In the summer, winds from the west mix with sea currents to wield two seasons in a day. The beach becomes packed with tourists during the summer high season.
The picturesque beauty...
Just 18km from Vinh, a busy border crossing with Laos, Cua Lo, an up-and-coming coastal resort in central Nghe An Province, is luring domestic travellers from both the north and south. Stretching over 10km, Cua Lo Beach is well known for its smooth sands and sparkling, salty seawater. More and more tourists are coming to the beautiful beach with rows of casuarina and coconut trees. The seawater at Cua Lo is clean and highly salted. Cua Lo is one of the best beaches in Vietnam. Not far from the beach are 3 islands: Hon Ngu, Hon Chu, and Hon Mat with natural and primitive landscape which is very attractive to visitors.
Cua Lo is also famous for its beautiful islands such as Lan Chau, north of Cua Lo, and Song Ngu to the southeast. These two islands protect Cua Lo Beach from heavy storms and strong winds coming in from the China Sea. 20km from the beach, the Quynh Nhai Island group is made up of many smaller, picturesque islands. Beachside boat operators service trips to both islands, both of which take about 10 minutes one-way.
Nowadays in Cua Lo, a number of rest houses and hotels, and the modern services system is constructed to meet the need of the travelers. The town's main drag – Binh Minh Street – runs along the beach for 10km. With hotels on one side and a natural casuarina forest on the other, the road remains shady all day. Both sides are under the careful watch of local authorities. The forest serves as a natural barrier against beach erosion, and provide a cool cover for sun-soaked tourists. In an effort to preserve Cua Lo's natural beauty, hotels must be low and stilt houses peak out from behind the tree trunks.
To reach Cua Lo, you can go by ship, train or car. You can take a yacht to go on the Lam River to reach Giang Dinh and visit the homeland of great poet Nguyen Du. In Cua Lo, you can also contemplate the scenery of Hong Linh mountain, visit the tomb of Mai Hac De and Kim Lien village - the motherland of President Ho Chi Minh. Once in Cua Lo, you can visit the islands by boat, climb the mountains, dive, and visit historical and literary sites such as the temple in honor of Nguyen Xi in Nghi Hop Commune, the Trung Kien Pagoda in Nghi Thiet Commune, and the Hoang Van family altar in Cua Lo. From Cua Lo, you can go about 2km west to reach historical and cultural relics that are of special architectural styles. Those include the temple worshipping Nguyen Xi - a talented commander of King Le Loi, the temple worshipping mandarin Nguyen Su Hoi, the Dao Ngu pagoda, and many beautiful places like Quan Tung mountain.
Eye the future path...
Founded in 1994, the town of Cua Lo has developed rapidly to house visitors. The town now has modern infrastructure and transportation systems, and many entertainment and tourist resorts and hotels. Cua Lo always has a festival on May 1 to welcome the first tourists to the beach for the summer holiday. At the festival, tourists can take part in traditional games and tournaments.
"Cua Lo was Nghe An Province's fastest growing locality last year. Local authorities are drafting plans to expand tourism facilities and services to lure more tourists," said Mr. Ho Duc Phoc - current chairman of Cua Lo People's Committee.
Also, four large-scale tourism projects are in the works: a tourism, commerce, and sport complex, slated to open next year; an ethnic cultural village and a children's park, which are both still in the planning stages; and a night market in Cua Lo’s Nghi Huong Village, will be set up soon.
Cua Lo marks its 10th birthday in August 2008, Nghe An province opened the town’s biggest ever tourism event with a view to turning Cua Lo into a typical sea travel centre of the central region. To diversify tourism products, Cua Lo town is trying its best to become a centre linking tours and cultural-historical sites of Nghe An Province with other neighbouring provinces such as Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh. The town has set up a centre introducing and selling tourism products and a centre giving consultancy to tourists so that tourists can visit places of interest and landscapes in Nghe An in the quickest way.
In terms of security and safety for tourists, the Cua Lo town has built a warning system for tourists and a rescue centre, including excellent swimmers. High-speed boats have also been bought to serve tourists.
With such efforts, the Cua Lo town is able to meet the needs of a large number of tourists during the upcoming summers and bring comfortable and relaxed days to tourists.
It is worthy of saying that Cua Lo has gone from a sleepy beach town to a summer hot spot, pairing seaside activities with eco-adventures.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ca Na Beach – the “Sleeping Princess”


As one of the most wildest and beautiful beaches of Vietnam, Ca Na Beach, the “Sleeping Princess” of Ninh Thuan province, is warmly beckoning tourists.

Ca Na beach
On the map of Vietnam tourism as well as the world’s, Ca Na is amongst the impressive names for a picturesque landscape of sea, mountain, forest, and even a Cham culture. It is this combination of natural beauty and cultural value that makes it a tourism heaven for any kind of visitors.
A quick look. Ca Na is fortunate to be granted such a favorable location, which is on the trans-Vietnam railway, right on the 1A Highway, and around 200km east of Ho Chi Minh City. It stretches as far as 10km with blue sky and purely green water. Ca Na is attractive to tourists not only for the mentioned charm, but also the ideally pure and cool weather all the year round. If staying here overnight, you will deeply feel the Ca Na night’s delicate harmony of with moonlight, hissing sea wind, and whistling waves. Do come and feel it yourself, no regret at all you would have!
Why is it named so? A legend tells that in the past, under Nguyen dynasty, there were a King and a queen who went swimming here, and found it a rare magnificent charm in the region. They then named it “Nang Tien Ca” (translated as “fairy fish”). Ca Na is the name in Cham language, and exists until these days. For the other beautiful way of calling, “Sleeping Princess”, the reason is very simple; the beach still remains wild, even most pristine as compared to others in Vietnam, and more importantly, it does look graceful and fascinating!
Deep attraction to tourists
Picturesque landscape. One side is rock, one side is the beach! On your one side is a very vast sea that normal eyes could not see through. On the other side is the mighty Truong Son mountain range with side by side upright rocky limestone mounts. Getting deep into the area is tropical jungles, where live so many kinds of rare and precious animals... Actually, it must say, Ca Na is a harmonious sonata of nature!

The rocky mountains turn up imposingly. In spring, apricot blossoms in the mountain, making up a rich source of inspiration for artists. Thousands of islets with different shapes gather together create vivid images just nearby the road.
Ca Na corals
The beach is excellent! It curls like a sickle, white sand and high salty degree. Salt in Ca Na beach is considered the best one in Southeast Asia. The beach slopes gently to the sea with the depth of one to two meters. The weather is sunny and warm all the year round. Climbing up the mountains, and swimming in the crystal – clear water in this place are very enjoyable. Also, you can take photos of rocks protruding into the sea.
Looking to the sea farthest, you may see a small islet turning up, which is called “Hon Lao”. This is a popular spot of Ca Na for numerous species of sea birds, Tien Well, and the famous Thach Grotto with 7 skulls, attracting a huge number of adventurous tourists.
Popular Sea food. Apart from Ca Na’s most famous specialties, such as salt and Nhi fish sauce, tourists are offered a great chance to taste delicious seafood, say, shrimp, crab, shellfish, etc. There are a number of beautiful tiny things here to buy for gifts, among which the most popular one preferred by tourists is the sea coral.
Besides, tourist can visit the Cham’s special structures and traditional villages, where a lot of Cham people are living with nearly genuine traditional custom, just in the nearby surroundings. This is the last but actually not least absorptive beauty of this popular beach of Ninh Thuan.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thien Cam Beach, a melodious charm


Considered as a “Heaven’s Lute”, Thien Cam is a rhythmically beautiful beach in central Vietnam, attracting thousands of tourist turns annually.

If you are wondering about a summer vacation place, Thien Cam beach (Cam Xuyen, Ha Tinh Province) should be on top of your choices. The reason is that not only does it have a wild and pristine beauty with pure environment being good for your health, but an interesting magical legendary as well.


Briefings

Located approximately 20 kilometers from the town of Ha Tinh province, Thien Cam has been well known and praised as a romantic and pristine beach recently. The beach is bound by Thien Cam Mountain, which makes a beautiful landscape of the harmony of sea and mountain. Thien Cam beach’s beauty is also added by Yen Lac Pagoda where tourists can explore the architecture style of the 13th century and contemplate the famous old picture of “The Kings of Hell’s Ten Palaces”. It has been told from generation to generation that here used to be a favour destination of the first King of Vietnam - Hung King where he could relax on the mountain and listen to the rhythmical sound of ocean.
Thien Cam beach lies in a region of monsoon tropical climate with two distinctive seasons, the hot and cold seasons. The average temperature is 22oC-25oC, and the annual average rainfall is above 2,200mm or 3,500mm in some places and 1,719 sunny hours a year.

Seen from above

When being seen from above, Thien Cam beach looks like a huge bow, stretching around 3 kilometers from Thien Cam Mount foot to Đầu Voi Mount (Elephant Head Mount). These together with Cum Nay (Great Mount) and Cum Con (Small Mount) make up huge musical instrument keys scattered along the pure Ky La stream, which curves round the hillside to flow into the sea.

Thien Cam Beach derived its interesting name from a very special legendary, which tells that when passing by the zone, King Hung took a rest at Ky La mountain (the former name of Thien Cam) where he heard the waves of the sea whispering soft and low and the pine singing in the wind. That made him imagine it like a melody created by a Heaven’s Lute. With such a great feeling, he renamed Ky La into a magic name of “Heaven’s Lute” or Thien Cam, which remains till today.

Let’s take a round trip

Thien Cam beach brings you a great opportunity of a healthy and romantic vacation. Coming here, you will surely be attracted by the pristine beauty attaching to low mountains. You can enjoy cool and purely blue sea. You can play with its small waves sweeping into and out of the silk-like fine sand banks. Even you can relax yourself by lying or walking on the fine and clean sand. Or you can go boat sailing or shipping. Only in Thien Cam could tourists hear admirable sounds of sea winds, waves, howling tree leaves striking mountain cliffs, which create sweet melodies . All these make you feel you were in a fantastic land with refreshing moments.

After satisfying with such comfortable entertainment, you can take a ship to Boc Island, which has a marvelous rock banks turning to the sea. Waves strike the rock banks all day long, making an ideal bathing site with rippling waves.

Leaving Boc Island, the ship now brings you to Tien seaside resort (Bãi tắm Tiên) at Tuong Mount foot. Among several small beaches, Tien seaside resort is the prettiest one. It is loaded with rock caves and sand banks, cross-valley full of fresh and salty water creating the tide line. Scattered along the rock side, it is bird trapper, lobster, and sea-chesnut catcher.

Back to the beach, you can go up to Thien Cam mountain and enjoy the melody of the Heaven’s Lute that Hung King used to feel. Then sliding down to the mountain foot and walking for couples of minutes, you can integrate into the religious world of Yen Lac Pagoda with the beauty of the 13th century architecture style.

Last but not least, it seems to be a good news for those who adore foods of sea. Thien Cam is the place of numerous delicious sea foods that are appreciated as the gifts of the Nature. Staying here, you can taste lobster, squid, Cu Ky bird, Nhuong fish source, and so forth, which are of uniqueness in Ha Tinh.

In central Vietnam in general and Ha Tinh province in particular, Thien Cam beach is one amongst the finest seaside. As both preserved and improved, the number of tourists to Thien Cam is on a gradual rise every year.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Nhat Le beach – a fascinating seaside landscape



On your North-South journey in Vietnam, there’s a very beautiful seaside landscape that you should not miss when passing by central Vietnam, that is, Nhat Le beach, Quang Binh province

Overall view

Still, on your supposed North-East journey, it’s quite easy to realize Dong Hoi, a nice small town of Quang Binh province alongside Nhat Le River. You may see a nearby beautiful beach, named Nhat Le, and a green Bao Ninh peninsula full of coconut tree shadows & fishing boats on the other riverside, making a fresh water-color painting. After only ten-minute drive across the river bridge, you now have a chance to relax yourself in a magnificent fairy landscape of beach, long-lasting sand banks, blue sky, blue sea, and green coconut tree rows!

Climate

Dong Hoi in general and Nhat Le in particular have a monsoon tropical climate with two seasons, dry and rainy ones. Average temperature is 24.6oC, with the lowest of 7.7oC in January, and the highest of 42.2oC in June. The average humidity is 83%/year. In the scorching hot days of dry season, Nhat Le beach is considered Vietnam’s Sahara Desert, somehow stimulating travelers.

Let’s take a round trip

Taking a tour to Nhat Le beach, you may enjoy a series of interesting relaxation activities. On arrival, you should take a walk alongside the romantic mirror-like Nhat Le River, and let your soul leisurely “drift” with the rippling river waves, so as to feel a poetic sparkling Nhat Le. The early morning is ideal time to enjoy yourself on the long-lasting sand bank, which is compared to “Sahara Desert of Vietnam” to know how hot and sunny it is in Quang Binh, before dipping into the very cool, fresh and blue sea water.

Not only could you go swimming, but take part in a number of other exciting entertainment types as well. For example, go sand-skating with your friends on nearby sand caverns, boat sailing on the vast clear sea, parachute jumping on the sea, enjoying hundreds of special seafood only found in Vietnam’s central sea zone, and so forth. Believe me, you will soon miss the pure and eventful atmosphere in this beautiful seaside!

Besides, Nhat Le is also famous for a great deal of beautiful cultural activities and historical sight-seeings. After a series of exciting entertainment kinds, tourists may independently travel around Bao Ninh seaside village, joining an interesting fishing festival, listening to the enchanting folk songs, contemplating a traditional gentle dance -“bông chèo cạn ” performed by graceful local girls, or visiting fish, tortoise, and trionychid turtle raising farms west of the town, etc. Nhat Le’s cultural tranquintences may lure you from daily busy thoughts and tensions.

For history explorers, a few minutes should be spent on visiting and praying for Mother Suot Statue right in Bao Ninh sand village), a heroic Mother during Vietnam war. A very moved historical site of enormous significance that worths your visit is the place where Uncle Ho Chi Minh and other Vietnam’s high-ranking politic officials stopped by in 1957 during the war against the US. If you would like to come back to the space of Quang Binh’s heroic war in the gone days, you should visit the old Quang Binh village. This has witnessed the severe but glorious fights of the local Vietnamese, attached to a system of underground houses, kindergartens, schools, health-stations, and so on. Returning from the village, the remained emotion of tourists is the profound admiration to the locals’ struggling spirits, and limitless withstanding.


Tourist activities

* Nhat Le beach: Swimming, sun bathing, boat sailing, sand skating
* Surrounding places of interest:

* Mother Suot Monument

* Quang Binh Historical village

Friday, March 4, 2011

Ti Top Island and Beach


Ti Top Island from a distance
Got its name from Ghermann Titov, a former Soviet Union hero, Ti Top Island displays a beach shaped like a crescent moon and sand that has been washed to a snowy white by the tide.

An interesting story...

In 1962, this tiny island had the honour of receiving a visit from astronaut Ghermann Titov, a hero of the former Soviet Union, accompanied by President Ho Chi Minh. To perpetuate the remembrance of their visit, Uncle Ho named the place Ti Top Island. It has now become an attractive beach for tourists and has various of tourist services.

Thirty-five years afterwards, in 1997, Ti Top returned to the island having his name. Deeply moved, he wrote in the souvenir book of the Management Board of Halong Bay: "My deepest thanks to destiny, which has allowed me to come back to this tiny island.” It has become a beach attracting many visitors.

Then being an attractive island

Located about 14 km east from Bai Chay Wharf, Ti Top Beach takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island. Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, as well as its alluring landscape.

The beach boasts pristine white sand, clear and blue water and small waves, which make it ideal for recreational activities like swimming and other sea sports. At present, there has a
[Ti Top Beach]

Ti Top Beach
bar in the island which also provides swimming costumes, floats and lukewarm shower. Fresh water was carried to the island from inland. Swimming at Ti Top Beach is really enjoyable. After swimming, you can enjoy fresh sea food specialities in an ideal environment of immense sky and sunshine.

This beach is very beautiful and is well worth a visit to cool off when the heats starts to get to you. If you spend a day at the beach and elect to take a deckchair, you will be asked to buy either a baguette, some lovely pineapple or a drink, otherwise you will have to pay for the seat. During the full moon, you are able to wander around until late at night.

The island has become a popular tourist destination. On summer holidays, the famous beach of Ti Top Island cools off visitors heading to Quang Ninh Province and you will surely have a chance to join in an interesting journey to the natural wonder...

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Dong Chau Beach, a wild beauty

Visiting Dong Chau Beach, you will immediately realized that the beach has reserved much of a wild beauty...


The Beach is located in Dong Minh Commune, Tien Hai District, 30km far from Thai Binh City along National Road 39B, and some 145km from Hanoi. The total area of this tourist spot is about ten thousand km2. The centre of this tourist spot is Dong Chau Beach with the length of 5 km, green pine forests and small clear beach.

Several hotels and guest houses are available for visitors to stay in when they come here to relax. The hotels and guesthouses have been built in coconut
[Vanh Hillock]

Vanh Hillock
groves and huge gardens, you will surely feel that they are so pleasant!

Crossing the sea, about 7 km off land, is Con Thu (Thu Hillock) and Con Vanh (Vanh Hillock) with the white sandy beaches, you can enjoy the fresh and cheap seafood here. Although Dong Chau is not ideal for bathing in the sea, it is so interesting for tourists to visit the hillocks by ships or motor-boats from Dong Chau Beach. They look like two blue waves in the sea, emerging from a 5 ha islet, which lures people for its lush forest, green casuarinas-trees, small but picturesque and quiet beaches.

Thu Hillock which has an area of 19 km2 with finely white sand, green pine forest, and the small beach is an ideal place for visitors to go on holiday, have a picnic and relax. Coming here, the tourists can enjoy themselves with such activities as fishing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, etc.

Vanh Hillock has an area of 15 km2 with salt flooded forest which is the place for many species of rare birds to come such as storks, pelicans, teals, etc. Therefore, it is an attractive place for many reseachers to visit this islet every year.

The best of Dong Chau Beach is pure air, soft winds and good climate, which are good conditions for relaxation and convalescing. Seafood is good to taste and reasonably price. Coming to Dong Chau tourist spot, you can enjoy the fresh air filled with wind from the sea. Moreover, you also have chance to visit some historical place such as Nha Ba Temple, and an Action Unit of Northern Committee before the August Revolution.

If possible, let’s once pay a visit to Thai Binh Province, you will be able to not only sun-bathe in Dong Chau Beach, but attend Keo Pagoda Festival and visit Dong Xam Silver Village as well.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Pristine Phu Quy Island



Phu Quy Island is a tropical paradise set in a volcanic crater, rising from the sea off Binh Thuan Province.

Phu Quy Island, whose name means "rich and precious," lies about 100 km to the east of Phan Thiet City; close to the international maritime route and on the continental shelf. The Island is an important stop between the mainland and Truong Sa (Spratley Island) archipelago; 20 km further away. Its a “floating base;” providing services to ships fishing offshore via its seaport on Trieu Duong Beach.

Only 32sq.km and with a population of 20,000, Phu Quy Island occupies a small dot on the map of Binh Thuan. The locals call it Hon Thu or Mackerel Island, because from the southwest direction, the islet looks like a cod emerging from the sea. Within a few years, Phu Quy has changed drastically, due to the burgeoning seaport at Trieu Duong Beach. The buildings are climbing higher, and an asphalt road, instead of the old sandy path, now circles the island.

Phu Quy has preserved its natural features – the warm sand glistens with shells and coral and the water is teeming with sea life. This tiny islet has huge unexploited tourist potential. It still has no rated hotels, but tourists can enjoy a peaceful night under the starry sky and explore nearby caves. You can eat fragrant corn cobs and fresh fish grilled over a roaring campfire. Coconut orchards provide shade for camping and coconut milk and copra for meals. Diving is also a possibility. According to locals, the sea floor around Phu Quy is covered with coral and rocks that are home to many sea creatures.

In the island, several pagodas and temples such as Linh Quang, Cao Cat, An Than have been recognized to be cultural -historic relics. Linh Son Tu (Sacred Mount) Pagoda, is the oldest pagode on Phu Quy. It was built in 1747 in the time of King Le Hien Tong (whose regal name was Canh Hung the 18th) on Cao Cat Hill, in Tam Thanh Village. The pagoda has preserved many documents about the life of the local islanders as well as many ancient cultural objects. Oddly shaped mountains and caves pepper Phu Quy Island’s interior. On top of Mountain Cao Cat, Linh Son Pagoda rests peacefully under a banyan tree. Located here is another worship site, with a statue of "Kuan Yin," the goddess of compassion. At the summit is a lovely panoramic view of the island's beaches and immense rock formations.

Phu Quy Port

The island is surrounded with white sandy beaches and 9 islets, of which Hon Tranh, Hon Den, Hon Trung are attractive aqua tourist spots. Hon Tranh, a small island shaped like an S, is half a kilometer to the South-East. The island contains beautiful mountains and long, pristine beaches. Hon Tranh also has excellent scuba diving and snorkeling in its pink coral reefs. The highest point on the island is Mount Cam Dat, at 106 m. Phu Quy has thick stands of tall trees and long, pristine beaches. Only the rocky, northern half of the island is inhabited, with a population of 20,698 people. The southern end offers long, deserted stretches of sandy beaches.

Visitors arrive at the wharf, and travel a narrow road, flanked by densely packed houses. The first stop is Van Tam Thanh, a peaceful locale with red, basalt soil; once covered by pineapple plantations. Here you can view the skeleton of a gigantic whale that the local people worship as "Ca Ong", or the "Lord Whale."

Phu Quy is an important in-between logistic destination linking the mainland to Truong Sa archipelago. It is a “floating base” providing services to ships fishing offshore. With such an important position, people built a light house guiding ships going out and coming in. The island’s lighthouse, built in 1997, sits on Mountain Cam. The lighthouse is one of only two in the country that runs on solar energy.

If having a chance, you should not miss the trip to discover the underlying beauty of Phan Thiet City by once setting your foot into the space of pristine Phu Quy Island...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Cu Lao Cham, the beautiful offshore island


Cu Lao Cham is known as a beautiful island with various wild animals and legendary landscapes.

The large island consists of eight islets, 20 kilometres off the coast from Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province. Cu Lao Cham Island has wonderful sand beaches, forested hills and the sea. With primitive landscape, the island is ideal for camping, swimming and scuba diving to enjoy the corals and beautiful marine life.

At the summer, if you reach for the island by normal boat, it takes 2 and half hour, but only 30 minutes by speed boat. There are 10 guesthouses for tourists who don’t want to spend the night in a tent on the beach. Transport from the mainland to the islet is quite comfortable.

History

Cham islands are supposed to be the first place where Cham people landed, coming to Quang Nam Province from Indonesia (small monuments, dikes and basin to grow up rice on terraces are hidden in the forest, 17th century pagodas and small temples in the two villages). Therefore, being well-known since earlier Cham domination (from 4th to 14th century), the island became one of the main port of Champa Kingdom. Situated some eight miles offshore Hoi An, it was also part of Hoi An historical international trading. From 15th century till the beginning of 20th century, the old city was a meeting point for international vessels and junks.

According to archaeologists, Cu Lao Cham first settled there 3,000 years ago and established business contacts with external countries some 1,000 years ago. Up to now, Cu Lao Cham has preserved many architectural constructions which date back to the 18th and 20th century. They include the shrine dedicated to Than Yen Sao, built in 1843 at Bai Huong and Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1753 on the western hillside of Hon Lao. Still, Cu Lao Cham has more to offer. After a three-hour canoe trip, one may hop over to the famed Well of the Cham people.

Topography

The island comprises an archipelago of one large island and seven smaller islands. The largest island - Hon Lao, covering 1,317 ha, is circle shape at the high of 500m. There are nice beaches at Bim and Ong beach. The topography of Cu Lao Cham Island is dominated by two peaks: a 517m peak in the centre of the island and a 326m peak at the western end. Natural forest here covers 532 ha of the nature reserve, equivalent to 35% of the total area, while plantation forest covers a further 30 ha.

Biodiversity values

The island is a place where shelter for value swallow birds. The natural vegetation of the islands is lowland evergreen forest, that is natural with a lot of woods and rare animals.

Scientists report the occurrence of macaques Macaca sp., monitor lizards Varanus sp. and pythons Python sp. To date, 265 vascular plant species have been reported from the nature reserve. Furthermore, a species of swiftlet Collocalia sp. is reported to nest on Hon Kho within the nature reserve.

Cu Lao Cham is also home to salanganes, birds whose nests have long been considered a delicacy by aristocrats and the wealthy. The nests may cost as much as US $4,000 per kilogram. In a beautiful day, tourists are able to see cliffs where salanganes build their nests and talk with salangane-nest takers.

Around the island has a lots of color corals under the water. Situated in a salty-water area, this square-bottom well, amazingly, provides clear fresh water all year round. Enjoyable extras include white-sand, pristine beaches and captivating attractions evocatively named Bai Ong, Bai Bim, Bai Chong, Bai Bac, Suoi Tinh, Cau Mo, Suoi Ong and so on, where tourists can relax, go hunting, fishing even fishing octopuses.

Visiting Cu Lao Cham, you also have chances to view the sea swallows' nests clinging to the towering cliff. Cu Lao Cham wins kudos for its seafood and delicacies (octopuses, lobsters, fish's fin, abalone, kaki, hind, cholonia's eggs, bird's nests) and fascinating souvenirs (pearls, conches, tortoise-shells).

Moreover, you can take a tour to Lang beach for seeing some interest places as such Au Thuyen-a shelter for boats at bad weather, a 100-year Tay Tang Pagoda remarking the Puddhism that came here for long time ago, Ong temple - a place worshipping a big fish burried here.
Close to Hoi An town, Cu Lao Cham really cherishes high potential for tourism development.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Non Nuoc Beach - One of the World's Beautiful Beaches



Nuoc Beach gently slopes towards the calm, clear, blue sea; the clarity of the water attracts visitors who come to bathe and enjoy the seafood. This fine sandy beach with sunshine all the year round makes it suitable for tourism in all four seasons.


Da Nang has a coastline of 30 kilometres long, famous for many beautiful seashores stretching from the north to the south such as My Khe, Thanh Binh, Tien Sa, Son Tra and so on. Non Nuoc Beach also pertains to Da Nang Sea and has been voted as one of the most beautiful and attracting beaches of the planet, 2005, according to Forbes, the leading magazine of America. This beach has gentle slope, mild waves, and purely blue sea water during the four seasons. The unpolluted water source here has attracted a number of tourists coming to bathe, enjoy local special sea foods and take a rest for weekends. The beach Non Nước is also a place that exist precious and rare seaweeds such as gracilarias "yellow thread" and glacilaria "screw" that have high value of exporting.

With green water and white sand, Non Nuoc Beach stretches five kilometers along the shore of Hoa Hai Ward at the foot of Ngu Hanh Son (The Marble Mountains). The beach is
famous for its seaweed, which reaches exportation standards. Many five-star hotels were built in Non Nuoc to accommodate the domestic and foreign tourists in the area. Together with its feature of wave degree, climate, weather and salinity, Non Nuoc Beach is suitable for water sports, especially surfing. In 1993, there took place an international champion with the participation of nearly 40 athletes from many countries around the world.

Along the beach, on the white sand is a forest of age-old casuarinas which is shady, green and is waving in the whistling wind. This is an ideal place for resting and camping. When the darkness falls and the moon rises, you can set yourself free on smooth benches along the beach to listen to melodious sounds of the waves and enjoy the occult space.

The beach is managed by the Non Nuoc Tourism Company that has three hotels with more than 100 rooms on the beach. They provide entertainment services including photographs for souvenir, handicraft shops, massage, restaurant, tennis and some gymnastics. A chain of tourism resorts is planned to cater for international tourists including seaside hotels and restaurants, especially an international standard golf court.

Besides convalescence and bathing, tourists to Non Nuoc Beach can also combine their journeys with traveling the relic Marble Mountains, which boast some ancient pagodas and sacred monumental caves, go around fine art stone handicraft villages right at the foot of the Mountains or go boating on Co Co River (Stork Neck River) to enjoy peacefulness of the Marble Mountains.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

My Khe Beach, a beautiful beach in Da Nang



My Khe Beach is recognised as one of the most ideal beach of Da Nang City, international tourists came here for convalescence and relaxation...

Da Nang has a coastline of 30 kilometres long, famous for many beautiful seashores stretching from the north to the south such as My Khe, Nam O, Xuan Thieu, Thanh Binh, Tien Sa, Son Tra, Bac My An, Non Nuoc. They are calm seas with green water during four seasons, not being polluted with 60% salination and high safety. With 900 meters in length, My Khe Beach is the most crowded of Da Nang beaches and popular to local people.

My Khe Beach is located about 6km east of Da Nang and about 24km north of Hoi An. It is a nine-kilometre stretch of smooth sand with an average width between 50m and 70m. The gradient is gentle, and its sheltered position in the lee of the Son Tra peninsula softens the autumn winds that restrict swimming further down the coast.

It is an ideal and huge beach with smooth sand and a slight slope. Behind the beach is a dark green poplar forest, and beside, the Kinh River carries crystal water to the sea. The beach has coral, abundant plants and creatures along bankside and under sea. Especially, the beach is next to the city centre, in roads easy to come and by various means of transport. Sea water in My Khe is cool with little wave so you can bath all year's round, especialy in summer from May to August. The lack of large waves, less than average pollution, and an annual mean temperature around 25oC, makes it a safe place to swim for adults and children alike.

The beach has hotels, pleasure-houses and various abundant services, creating favourable conditions for tourists to relax on the seashores. There are 50 well-equipped and comfortable bedrooms and lots of services in My Khe hotel. Many luxurious seaside villas with over 100 rooms are available for families. You can come here to play and rest at weekend. Around the hotel area, there is plenty of seafood restaurants and stalls, and large numbers of local vendors traverse the beach selling all kinds of foods and drinks. Coastal specialties like shrimps, crabs, fish, cuttles, etc. in hundreds of small shops are at reasonable price. They can be irritating sometimes – if they are too persistent, you should ignore the nuisance since that is the best strategy.

American soldiers occupied a part of the beach before 1975. They established some premises for their relaxation and recreations. With some enabling conditions such as being near the city’s center, large space, beautiful landscapes, and qualified services (hotels, restaurants, vehicles keeping site, fresh water bathing, sunshade and buoy lease), My Khe Beach is now convenient for developing kinds of services such as fishing, water-skiing, diving, yatch race and so on.

Moreover, the safeguard team of Da Nang seashore work from 5 a.m to 8 p.m every day to guarantee safety for visitors to bath and relax on the beach. There has been a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting the beach.

Han River suspension bridge was completed, it links the east to the west area, making transportation possible. As a result, My Khe Beach becomes an attractive resort, a really very good beach!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cat Co Beach


Visiting the large beach of Cat Co, which is separated by a small range of mountain, you can swim in the blue and warm water, so clear that you can see the golden sand bneath.

The white-sand Cat Co beach make a great place to lounge around for the day. They are about 1 km southeast from Cat Ba town over a steep headland; and can be reached on foot or by motorbike.

Cat Ba is the biggest island (100 sq. km) out of the 366 islands on the Lan Ha Bay. It is a tourist spot, attractive for its natural beauty and wonders endowed by nature. Right from the moment you set foot on Cat Ba gangway, looking afar to contemplate the enchanting scenery of immense sky and magnificent mountains and breathing the fresh air from the sea, you will feel comfortable and your tiredness after a long trip will disappear. Surely, you want to go on with your journey at once.

Cat Co Beach is separated by a small hillock that can be climbed over in about 20 minutes. However, you can take the easier route along a new wooden seaside walkway around the mountain. The beach offers simple accommodation and camping.

The mountain adjacent to Cat Co Beach has a tunnel and fascinating caves and grottoes, such as Hang Luon, Khe Sau, Trung Trang, Gia Luan and Kim Cuong. Visiting these caves and grottoes you will get the feeling of the explorers, discovering the wonders and mysteries endowed by nature. The fauna living on the Cat Ba National Park is diverse: 20 kinds of animals, 69 kinds of birds, 20 kinds of reptiles, rare wild white - headed langurs. Coming out of the caves and grottoes you should spend a little time to contemplate the sunset over Lan Ha Bay. On the golden background of the horizon and the dark blue of the sea, the heaving islets become multiform, the white sea-gulls hover and sea-eagles make circles in the sky, all beautifying the immense and fascinating space, and enchanting the visitors.

Cat Co Beach is a tourist spot, attractive for its natural beauty and wonders endowed by nature.