Bookworm haven

Bookazine is a small bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City with a big collection that prides itself on being like no other.

It offers a trip into the past with an eclectic collection including antique books on Indochinese subjects; a large variety of dusty secondhand paperbacks (that may include a classic you have always meant to read); beautiful old maps and an assortment of other interesting things. The shop also stocks postcards, posters, dictionaries, black-and-white photographs, old maps and other pre-digital-era media curiosities about Vietnam. In fact, once you enter the shop at 28 Dong Khoi Street in District 1, you are charmed into embarking on a treasure hunt. It is also easy to get lost in the reams of yellow-brown pages. For rarer works, take a deep breath and start digging into the unfamiliar assortment of old pictures tracing the nation’s colonial history and rustic works from the 19th century. The owner, Hoang Xuan Tho, is an added attraction as he holds forth helpfully on past experiences and shows you his own precious collection. “Mine is like no other. It is a witness to time. I spent most of my life finding these rare things, in the attic of colonial houses, and from friends,” he says as he shows visitors the very first hand-written translation of “Fables by La Fontaine.” The bookstore also features a good selection of books on photography, arts and science, apart from newspapers and magazines. This is a treasure trove of new and antique copies of international magazines like National Geographic, Newsweek, Time and the Economist. Other daily newspapers in English, French and even German are on sale. “I’ve got many expats dropping by for their Herald Tribune or Le Monde. Many of them are long-time regulars and we’ve become friends,” says Tho. “This is not simply a shop selling publications, but a place for book enthusiasts, whatever their background, to come and enjoy the world of culture.” thanhniennews.com

‘Mainland Ha Long Bay’ without the tourism bustle

Visit Thung Nai once and you are hooked. It will be the place you will think of almost every time you want to take a couple of days off and lose yourself in beauty and serenity that only unspoilt nature can provide.

Thung Nai Commune, the “Ha Long Bay on the Mainland,” lies on the Da River in the northwestern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, just 100 km from Hanoi. Since the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric plant on the Da River was completed in 1994, the rising waters have made the mountains on the site of the reservoir become beautiful islands. “Our village is still wild and tranquil without any effects of the tourism industry,” says Thach, a Kinh ethnic resident in Thung Nai, which houses a large number of the Muong ethnic minority people. “Most travelers come here to visit Ban Mu (Mu Village) of the Muong people and go hiking in the forest. They also never miss a boat trip, in which they can either fish or reach the isolated islands on the Da River. The commune has some remote Muong villages that are yet to have access to electricity. The only means to get in touch with them is by boat. At sunset, the river’s calm surface is soaked in purple hues as it reflects the stunning colors in the sky. Quoc Hung, a freelance photographer, says: “I have taken hundreds of photos here. I am captivated every single time by the peaceful and romantic landscape, with just three or four boats sailing at leisure on the river. The view of the ‘islands’ and the ‘bay’ is just magnificent. On full moon days the whole river is inlaid with gold.” Thung Nai is a favorite place for Hung and his poet friends who love to spend the night on the river, imbibing local wine and fish dishes. Their muses seem to have a fondness for the spot. Thung Nai is not yet equipped with professional tourism facilities or hospitalities, except for a popular house called Coi Xay Gio, located on the river banks. From Hanoi, drive along National Highway No. 6 for about two hours to get to the Da River hydroelectric dam, which is just 5 km from the Binh Thanh river port and Thung Nai Commune. Local residents will help you find the spot.

A tour to explore fishing village

Foreign tourists join an eco-tour in Hoi An and collect garbage along the beach.

Khoa, who has a great passion for his fishing village, was an enthusiastic tour guide as a teenager. After graduating from the tourism faculty of Danang University, Khoa came back to the city to establish a travel agency near Ganh wharf.

“Hoi An has more to see than ancient features,” Khoa said. His family is helping him operate the travel agency and has opened an eatery nearby to serve traditional dishes to foreign tourists.

His Eco-Tour the fishing life outlying Hoi An City has quickly become a special product for the local tourism industry. “This is an interesting way to explore the life of Vietnamese farmers and fishermen,” said President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen, who visited the city last year and spent five hours on Khoa’s Eco-Tour. “I have learned to fish, row a coracle and grow veggies, as well as enjoy Vietnamese specialties in the beautiful river,” she added.

We began our Eco-Tour on a big junk at Victoria Hotel. The crew members were Khoa and his younger brother.

After about twenty minutes a couple steered a coracle up to our boat and invited us to get in. Doug Pirie, my Australian friend on the trip, was afraid of the small coracle at first but soon joined us to row it to the deeper waters.

Khoa carefully instructed us how to cast the small square fishing net into the river and draw it back up. Pirie was excited when he caught hundreds of small fish in the net and the other travelers were eager to give the fishing a try.

The boat called on Bay Mau coconut forest in Cam Thanh commune where the deserted scenery made some visitors a little nervous. However, they were attracted by the mysterious war stories of Khoa and some elderly residents there.

Many of the international travelers were interested in collecting garbage at the coconut forest. Khoa said that he was happy to see them take off their shoes to paddle in mud and shallow water, voluntarily collecting plastic bags.

The Eco-tour has attracted over 2,500 tourists in two years and Khoa has never missed a trip. Other tourism service developers have considered eco-Tour as a new element in the travel industry. With his fluent spoken English Khoa often organizes beach camps or fun games for foreigners and tries to explain environmental awareness to them. He is introducing a new slogan “With Eco-Tours you have joined us to protect Hoi An’s environment”.

Hoi An Eco-Tour Company is located at Phuoc Hai Fishing Village, Cua Dai District, Hoi An City. Tel: 0510 3092 8900, website: www.hoianecotour.com.vn.

VietNamNet/SGT

HCM City: Fewer travellers, quieter shops

Petty merchants in Ben Thanh Market were seen chatting in groups on March 19 in the morning. “Sales have been very slow, therefore, we have no other choice than chatting, though we still have to pay tax, electricity and water bills,” said Loan, the owner of kiosk No 918.

Sales down by 40-50%

Loan said that the demand in the first three months of the year has decreased by around 50%. There are some 80 product items available at her stall, specialising in fine handicraft articles, but only chopsticks are still selling well. “Chopsticks are purchased by foreign travellers as gifts for friends and relatives, and by domestic consumers for use,” Loan said.

She added that previously, customers always purchased high-quality chopsticks, VND25,000-30,000/pair, but nowadays, they prefer medium-class products, 10,000-15,000/pair.

The situations of jewellery, clothes, footwear stalls in the market prove to be more serious. Lan, the owner of Ha Loi Jewellery shop, which is located in an advantageous position of the market, said that as the main customers of the shop are travellers, sales have dropped by 50% due to the sharp decrease of number of travellers.

Not only the petty merchants in Ben Thanh Market, most of the shops specialising in selling souvenirs to foreign travellers in the central areas of HCM City like Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, Mac Thi Buoi, Le Thanh Ton and Dong Khoi also complain about want of customers.

Thien Xanh Tri, owner of Ky Nam Fine Arts Articles Shop, said that previously, he got the profit of VND20-25mil a month, while he now can earn VND3-5mil only. The main clients of the shop, travellers from Asia (Japan and South Korea) who purchase leather handbags, belts and wallets have dwindled in number. “I foresaw slower sales, since it is now not the high season. But I could not have imagined that sales would drop by 60%,” he said.

Fewer tourists

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), in the first two months of the year, 688,753 foreign tourists arrived in Vietnam, 10.3% less than came during the same period of last year.

Nguyen Quoc Ky, General Director of Vietravel, said his turnover from foreign travellers has decreased by 40%.

In order to lure more travellers to Vietnam, VNAT has launched the promotion programme ‘Impressive Vietnam’. However, travel firms say that the programme has not helped much.

“Travellers contacted us right after ‘Impressive Vietnam’ was launched on websites. However, they did not receive the tour fee reductions as promised,” the staff of a travel firm said. Nguyen Thi Khanh, Head of the Tourism Division under the HCM City Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said that involved parties have not been able to reach an agreement on tour fee reduction levels applied to different markets. Travel firms still have to directly negotiate hotel room and service fee reductions with hotels.

As such, while the involved parties of the tourism industry are still discussing tour fee reductions, the number of tourists coming to Vietnam continues decreasing, resulting in the withering of the tourism-service retail industry.

VietNamNet/TT

Hotels spoil plan on low-cost tourism

The VNAT announced the strategy after foreign tourist numbers plunged 12 per cent in January to 370,000 and analysts predicted things to get worse. It announced a national campaign to last until the end of September under which tour package prices are to be cut by 30 to 50 per cent to attract foreign tourists to the country.

It sought a commitment from travel agencies and hotels to cut room charges by up to 50 per cent and persuaded Vietnamese airlines to join.

Seventeen hotels and 14 travel firms in HCM City signed up, promising to offer discounts of 30 to 50 per cent.

But only a handful have so far honoured their commitments, though with much lower discounts than promised.

The Bong Sen-Sai Gon Hotel was one of the earliest to reduce room charges, offering thus far 10 to 25 per cent discount to 50 groups of foreign travellers coming through travel firms.

Tao Van Nghe, general manager of the five-star Majestic Hotel in HCMC, said his hotel too had reduced tariffs but he was worried about the programme’s efficiency.

The HCM City Tourism Association said the discounts of 10 to 30 per cent did not make a "strong impression" on tourists when many countries in the region were offering up to 80 per cent rate cuts.

Defending high rates

The hotels that have failed to honour their commitments justify their action.

Some said they did not honour their commitment because they were still waiting for the Government’s incentives for those involved in the campaign, mainly related to taxes and electricity and water prices.

Dietmar Kielnhofer, general manager of Sheraton Sai Gon - which is not part of the campaign - told Viet Nam News that since all businesses and market segments were affected by their own set of market conditions, rather than participating in an overall rate reduction strategy, the hotels chose to support the initiative by individual case-by-case discussions.

"We are meeting with our stakeholders and customers to access each and every one of their business and market situations, to work out how we can best partner them at this time. This is a very detailed approach, but one we feel ensures what we do at this time is relevant and appropriate for each and every one of our partners," he said.

"For this type of protracted economic crisis, there is no one-size-fits-all solution."

Nguyen Duc Quynh, deputy executive director of the Furama Resort Da Nang, said Furama had not participated in the campaign because its room prices were already reasonable.

"To ensure the hotel’s profit and staff’s income, we have maintained the current rates but sometimes we make some reductions for group tourists," Quynh said.

Some hotels did not want to reduce their prices because it could affect their prestige, while others were afraid that if they cut tariffs now, they would be unable to raise them in the future, he said.

Globally, tourism was hit badly last year and analysts forecast a zero or negative growth rate in the first haft of 2009, adding Viet Nam would be similarly affected.

"It is fair to say that business is not as strong as last year for the entire hotel market," Keilnhofer said.

"I do feel Viet Nam is in a more sheltered position and so the market here may not feel the severe affects that some other Asian centers may feel, however there is certainly a reality to the conditions."

To stimulate growth, the Government needs to be more proactive in marketing Viet Nam overseas and drive the tourism sector more aggressively forward, he said.

It is imperative that the tourism ministry, in conjunction with the private sector, pulls out all stops to generate a positive, tourist friendly image of Viet Nam, he added.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Ba Na telpher named in Guinness World Records

According to Ba Na Hills Company, the operator of the telpher system, the Guinness World Records organization has recognized two world records related to the Ba Na – Suoi Mo telpher system: The world’s longest one-wire telpher network in the world (5,042.62m) and the telpher with the highest gap between the lowest and the highest stations (1,291.81m).

This telpher also holds the record for the largest departure station in Southeast Asia, which has entertainment facilities, a showroom of photos and objects about Ba Na’s past and present. At the last station, visitors can see one of the largest sitting Buddha statue in Asia, which is 27m high, in the Linh Ung pagoda.

With a total investment capital of VND300 billion, the Ba Na telpher has 24 pillars, 94 cabins, and can serve 1,500 visitors per hour. It takes only15 minutes for visitors to go from the foot of Ba Na Mountain to the Ba Na ecological tourism site, at 1,487m above sea level. This tourist site experiences four seasons within one day, and has an abundant fauna and floral system.

It is expected that Ba Na will welcome approximately 1 million visitors a year, compared to 200,000 in the past, when the telpher was not built.

Hai Chau /VNNet

Hoi An launches Light Off Hour – periodic tourist product

VietNamNet Bridge – Authorities in the central city of Hoi An have decided to hold a monthly “Light Off Hour” on the lunar 14th night, to join the Earth Hour Campaign 2009 organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as well as to launch a new tourist product for the ancient town.

Tourists look at colored lanterns in Hoi An.

Light Off Hour is themed on previous events “Night in Ancient Town” and “City Without Motor” which are gradually losing their significance after eleven years of implementation. The new program aims to provide calmness as the city is lit with the sparkling lights of colored lanterns hanging on the corners of the streets, said Nguyen Su, Chief of Hoi An’s Party Committee.

All light bulbs and unnecessary electricity equipment will be turned off in the city for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 28. Residents and tourists are encouraged to join the program and to use environment-friendly light, such as candles and lanterns.

The evening will also feature a flower lantern festival, traditional music show on the river and ethnic instrument performances.

In July the city plans to recreate Hoi An City as it was in the early 20th century, said Su, adding that tourists will experience the daily life of ancient Hoi An’s residents with trading activities and traditional costumes.

VietNamNet/SGT

Loc vung flowers make Hoan Kiem Lake blush

VietNamNet Bridge – After one month in yellow, loc vung trees on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, blossomed last night, turning the area around the lake into a sea of red.

VietNamNet/VNE

Hoi An Riverside Resort

The resort is an ideal base for travelers to Hoian ancient town, offering guests a taste of traditional Vietnamese culture while providing the very best in accommodation, facilities and service.

Direction

Located on the bank of the Do River, surrounded by green fields, 1 km away from Cua Dai Beach, the Hoi An Riverside Resort is a bit of paradise on earth. Enjoy a bungalow in the heart of Vietnam.

Accomodation

Vietnamese Style Room:

Vietnamese style room with garden view.
All rooms equipped with luxury bathroom with beautiful bathrobes from KhaiSilk, three telephone sets, mini bar, AC and fan, satellite TV and Balcony.

Japanese Style Room:

Japanese style room with garden view.
All rooms equipped with luxury bathroom with beautiful bathrobes from KhaiSilk, three telephone sets, mini bar, AC and fan, satellite TV and Balcony.

Superior Riverview:

Larger room with river view. All rooms equipped with luxury bathroom with beautiful bathrobes from KhaiSilk, three telephone sets, mini bar, AC and fan, satellite TV and Balcony.

Deluxe Riverview:

Big room with river view. All rooms equipped with luxury bathroom with beautiful bathrobes from KhaiSilk, three telephone sets, mini bar, AC and fan, satellite TV and Balcony.

Facilites & Services:

Restaurant & Bar

Song Do Restaurant:

Dine amid the elegant and refined surroundings of the Song Do Restaurant and delight in the very best of authentic Vietnamese and international cuisine, innovatively prepared by our experienced chefs. Compliment your meal with a superb Chateau Margaux from our well-stocked wine cellar.
Restaurant has capacity between 120 to 150 seats with large choice of exquisite cuisines and there is an extensive menu selection to tempt your taste buds.
Open daily from 06:00AM to 10:00PM.

Pool Bar:

Opens daily: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Soak up all the sunrays you need, cool off with a swim or just laze around with your latest book and a cold thirst quencher. And if you feel a little hungry, just check out our menus for large delicious snacks.

Faifo Bar:

Opens daily: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Faifo Bar is also a perfect place to escape from the heat of the day, relax with a cup of tea or a snack, enjoy your favorite drink and watch life goes by. A wide selection of cocktails, wines & beers is available. It is the ideal venue for a casual rendezvous.

Leisures & sports

Sport:
Relaxation and leisure are readily available to you at the Hoi An Riverside Resort. Whenever you prefer to be active or just relax, offering a whole range of sport and recreational facilities to suite everyone.
Riverside Sense Spa :
* Oriental Massage (60 minutes)
An ancient traditional art, by exerting pressure on specific points of the body and by manipulating muscles and ligaments, the spine is elongated and relieved of tension. The sense of well-being as energy and flexibility are brought back into your body is extraordinary.
* Foot Massage (45 minutes)
A traditional Vietnamese foot massage is highly recommended to aid relaxation and promote a sense of well-being. Reflex points, relating to the organs in the body, can be found at the ankles and feet. It is a natural and traditional way to balance the body, stimulate the blood circulation and reduce muscle tension.
Add a session to any Massage for increased energy balance . 25 minutes US$ 10
* Facial Treatment (45 minutes)
The traditional way of purifying and nourishing your face using L'Occitane natural products and soft pressure point massage. This relaxing facial treatment will make your skin silky smooth, giving you a fresh and healthy feeling. Our Facial Massage is popular with men and women of all ages.

Amenities

- Swimming pool
- Bussiness centre
- Tea/coffee making
- Satellite stations
- IDD telephone
- Large standing shower
- Heater temperature and towels.
- 24-hour room service
- Beauty salon
- Tennis court
- Massage
- Sauna/steam-bath
- Karaoke
- Laundry & dry-cleaning service
- Internet & Email service
- Fitness room
- Restaurant
- Car parking
- Souvenir shop
- Tours operations
- Luxurious massage room
- Jacuzzi
- badminton
- Courier, parcel and postal services
- Money changing service
- Limousine service
- Baby-sitting service
- Transportation facilities
- Major credit cards accepted
- Private bathroom
- Hair-dryer
- Tour Desk
- Gymnasium


(www.smiletravelvietnam.com )

Vietnam travel news

MICE travel registers a festival increase

The early days of the Lunar New Year Festival are witnessing the local MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) travel segment growing strongly as companies have chosen the new year season to organise trips for their staff to several destinations around the country.

HCM City-based Saigontourist Travel Service Co. says a group of 400 travellers made a two-day trip to Binh Chau and Vung Tau in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on Monday. The company will put on a "Premium MICE trip for a group of 60 travellers to Thailand next week.

Cannon shots set off culture fest in southern province

Nine cannon shots were fired at the opening of the culture-tourism festival at Nghinh Phong Park in Vung Tau City on Monday. Three cannons facing the sea shot nine cannon balls in different colours, producing different sounds. The province also fired 15 cannon shots on the fifth day of the lunar year in Xuyen Moc District, which hosts a Ho Chi Minh Trail museum.

Caravan tour takes students across East-West Corridor

A caravan tour called "Students and Tourism – East-West Economic Corridor" picked up its first 200 students from seven universities and colleges majoring in tourism in Da Nang last weekend.

During the four-day tour from Viet Nam to Laos and Thailand, the students were able to visit several tourist sites including Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and the Lao Bao border gate in Viet Nam, Savannakhet Province in Laos, and the northeastern province of Mukdahan and northeastern town of Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. The tour cost US$100 per person.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Dam Sen Cultural Park

After hard work and study in schools, Dam Sen Park wants to contribute to help pupils?to relax. Dam Sen wants to create a playground for pupils and merrily welcomes teachers to take sightseeings in the park and implement extra-curricula activities here. Dam Sen's Tourist Operating Department has orgainzed some tours for this demand....

PROMOTION TO COMPANIES, ENTERPRISE, SHOOLS REGISTER TO TOURIST OPERATING DEPARTMENT:

1. Promotion to Nursery Schools:
- Discount 50% entrance and games ticket.
- Free 1 teacher for 10 pupils.

2. Promotion to Primary Schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools:
- Discount 25% for entrance and games ticket.
- Free 1 teacher for 10 pupils of Primary School.
- Free 1 teacher for 20 pupils of Junior and Senior High School.
Note:
- Only 20% teachers of the quantity of pupils will be pay as the pupil?s tour price.
- 50 pupils will have 1 lively tour guide.

3. Promotion to Companies, Businesses, Organization of Enterprise:
- Discount 25% entrance and games ticket.
Note:
- Only apply for group of 50 people and over.
- This program is until Dec 31, 2006 (except holidays).

Â

PROMOTION TO TOURIST TRAVEL COMPANIES

1. Promotion to Nursery Schools:
- Discount 40% entrance and games ticket.
- Free 1 teacher for 10 pupils.

2. Promotion to Primary Schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools:
- Discount 20% for entrance and games ticket.
- Free 1 teacher for 10 pupils of Primary School.
- Free 1 teacher for 20 pupils of Junior and Senior High School.
Note:
- Only 20% teachers of the quantity of pupils will be pay as the pupil's tour price.
- 40 pupils will have 1 lively tour guide.

3. Promotion to Companies, Businesses, Organization of Enterprise:
- Discount 20% entrance and games ticket.
Note:
- Only apply for group of 50 people and over.
- This program is until Dec 31, 2006 (except holidays)

In addition, Tourist Operating Department organizes many programs for companies with preferantial prices such as:

-Meeting, Conference, Seminar.
-Meeting to customers, Present new Products, Company''s Company, Party at the end of the year,...

-Organizing Folk games, Exercise Games, Regatta with Dragon-boats, Pedal''eau racing, Dam Sen Cultural Park has many airy, private places such as Oasis, Musical Fountain and Laser Performance Stage, De Men Square and luxurious conference room are suitable for your private programs.

For futher information, Please contact to:

Dam Sen Cultural Park.
Tourist Operating Department.
Add: 03 Hoa Binh St., Ward 3, Dist. 11, HCMC.
Tel: (84-8) 858 8868/ 884 1195.
Fax: 84-8) 963 3073.
Email: damsenpark@hcm.vnn.vn

Website: http://www.damsenpark.com.vn

(Vietnamtourism)

Hanoi - Sapa - North west - Halong kayaking

• Rates: $890 - $1250
• Departure: Ha Noi
• Return To: Ha Long
• Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
• Destination To Visit: Ha Noi --> Lao Cai --> Bac Ha --> Can Cau --> Sapa --> Tam Duong --> Lai Chau --> Son La --> Mai Chau --> Kim Boi --> Bai Chao --> Ha Noi --> Hai Phong --> Ha Long --> Ha Noi.
  

The highlight of this tour is discovering the daily lives of the ethnic group in the mountainous areas of Vietnam North west, also enjoying your biking trip to this villages. Before finishing the tour your will have an relaxing time with kayking in one of the most beautiful Heritage of the World - Ha Long Bay.

Tour Prices:

Include:

-Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and mountain bike
-Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner
-Accommodation: twin sharing room
-English or French speaking guide
-Entrance fee to indicated sights
-Boat trip and kayak boat

Excluded:

-Other meals, tip, drinks, single room supplement, personal expenses

Tour Program :

Day 1: Ha Noi Arrival

Welcome at the airport by your local guide and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, climb into a traditional cyclo (pedicab) for a 90-minute tour of the colonial city’s traditional “36 streets of 36 wares” in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake vicinity. In the evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show before dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi City tour -Lao Cai (B,L,D)

Half-day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and traditional stilt house, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Pay visits to typical Vietnamese places of worship. Just before lunch, tour Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon visit to the Ethnology Museum and then time for you to test the bike with assist of our mechanic to make sure you have comfortable and good bike for the big journey. Transfer back to the hotel for shower. After dinner at the restaurant in town, transfer to the Hanoi railway station for the night train up to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Day 3: Lao Cai - Bac Ha (B,L,D)

Arrive Lao Cai early in the morning. Breakfast at the local restaurant and drive for 20 minutes before getting on your bike for a whole day biking up to Bac Ha through small routes. Arrive Bac Ha in late afternoon, check in hotel. Dinner and Over night at Sao Mai hotel in Bac Ha.

Day 4: Bac Ha - Can Cau - Bac Ha (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer up to Can Cau to visit the market of String H’mong people ( Sartuday only). After market and some shopping, hop on your bike for down hill riding from Can Cau to Ba Ha with stop to visit the Castle of King H’mong near Bac Ha. Lunch will be at the hotel. Afternoon, an easy hike up to the Hmong village and the school for Ethnic Minorities groups in and around Bac Ha.

Day 5: Bac Ha - Lao Cai - Sapa (B,L,D)

An easy morning to visit Bac Ha market( Sunday only), one of the biggest market of Ethnic Minority people in Northern Vietnam take place every Sunday. Lunch at the hotel or local restaurant. Afternoon, we get on our bikes again for cycling downhill to Bao Nhai for a boat trip to Coc Ly (3 hours). Drive up to Sapa and check in hotel upon on arrival in Sapa. Dinner at local restaurant and over night at the hotel in Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa (B,L,D)

Set off on a light and easy cycling down into the lush Sapa Valley to explore the Black H'mong and Red Dzao villages. Return to Sapa at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Sapa - Tam Duong (B,L,D)

Strolling through the market early in the morning in Sapa, where you will meet many different ethnic minority communities such as Black H’Mong, Red Dzao, Dzay or even Xa Pho. After the market, you will drive up to Heaven Gate and start riding down hill through most spectacular road to Tam Duong with stops to visit villages of different Ethnic Minorities en route. Arrive in Tam Duong in late afternoon. Free time after check-in until dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Tam Duong - Lai Chau (B,L,D)

Depart Tam Duong in the morning and follow a remote road, we bike along the river to the Chinese frontier. You will visit small Red Dzao, Black Dzao, Man (Khmer), Black H'mong and Ha Nhi villages. Picnic lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lai Chau.

Day 9: Lai Chau - Son La (B,L,D)

Today is sure to be one of the highlights and most challenges of the trip as we will travel along one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam. Cross many mountain passes, including Pha Din—a famous Indochina War site. Drive up on the top of the mountains and cycle down to the other side of mountain rages. We’ll also have a chance for a refreshing swim in the Black River and a stroll through the meadows of Kh'Mu village. Arrive in Son La at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Son La - Mai Chau (B,L,D)

Morning: after breakfast, you will leave Son La for Mai Chau, the road mostly going down hill. Stop en route to take an easy hike to Co Tang village to visit Black H’Mong group. Lunch en route and from here, start to cycle 35 km through a pristine forest preserve along the road. Arrive Mai Chau in late afternoon. Dinner and over night at Thai Bungalow house.

Day 11: Mai Chau (B,L,D)

Full day cycling to explore Mai Chau valley and villages surround with picnic lunch en route. Return to the village at the end of the day. Evening enjoy traditional folk dance. Dinner and over night at Thai Bungalow house.

Day 12: Mai Chau - Kim Boi - Bai Chao - Hanoi (B,L,D)

Today, we say goodbye to the family where we spent 2 nights. Drive up to the top of the hill of Thung Khe then cycle down hill to Kim Boi. Lunch at Kim Boi. Continue with our bike again to Bai Chao. Drive back to Hanoi and arrive at the end of the day. Dinner free and over night at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi - Hai Phong (B,L,D)

Morning, we’ll leave Hanoi and cycle along the top of dike road, rice field and villages of the Red River Delta to Bat Trang ceramic village. This is a village where we can visit to the most famous artist and might have a chance to paint on some productions. Shopping is easy and recommended here, if it is heavy for your hand luggage, shipping is possible. Continue to one of the most beautiful ancient Temple located right on the bank of Red River. Picnic lunch in the garden of the Temple. Afternoon, we will follow the dike again to Hai Phong city. Arrive Hai Phong and check in hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Hai Phong.

Day 14: Hai Phong - Ha Long kayaking (B,L,D)

Morning after breakfast, we leave Hai Phong for Halong Bay on our bike, crossing 01 ferry boat and arrive around noon. We will leave our bikes behind and board a traditional wooden junk and begin an exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations. An excellent, fresh seafood lunch will be served on the boat while cruising to the first point, where is a floating fishermen village. We will have safety instructions before starting with our kayaks, paddling for 2,5 hours through the most dramatically limestone formation, a giant cave, beaches and hidden lagoons. Relax and swim on a small beautiful beach upon on arrival. Dinner and overnight on a comfortable and charming junk.

Day 15: Halong - Kayaking - Hanoi (B,L)

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and early swim, we will slip on our kayaks again for 2 hours paddling to explore hidden lagoons, isolated beach, floating fishermen village. Meet the Junk at lunch time and motoring back to the harbor in Halong. Transfer back to Hanoi by vehicle. Farewell dinner at the restaurant in town and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 16: Hanoi departure (B)

Free until transfer to the airport for flight out. End of trip.

Saigon Phu Quoc Resort

- Saigon Phu Quoc Resort commands a prime beachfront location on lagoon facing the open sea.- Saigon Phu Quoc Resort commands a prime beachfront location on lagoon facing the open sea. The area's white sands and crystal clear waters provide an excellent sanctuary for the abundant marine wildlife and wide-range of recreational activitives.
- The resort offers 90 stylish suites, rooms and bungalows with various configurations. All guestrooms feature an entrance area, a stylish bathroom with separate bath and shower, living/bedroom and balcony with superb panoramic sea-views.

Direction:

A 10 minute bus ride from Phu Quoc Airport, 40 minute bus ride from An Thoi ferry. Guests are met at the airport and taken by a shuttle bus to the resort.
- By Air: Vietnam airlines ATR72 aircraft flies from/to Ho Chi Minh City daily (3 – 5 flights a day) and from/to Rach Gia (1 flight a day).
- By Sea: High speed ship ply between Rach Gia and An Thoi in the South (2 hours 30 minutes, 4 boats/day), Ha Tien and An Thoi in the South (1 hour 15 minutes, 1 boat/day).
Contact: 084-77-878655/084-77-877742/084-77-878678/084-77-879455 (From Rach Gia) and 084-77-980666/084-77-846180/084-77-980444/84-77-981000 (From Phu Quoc) to book your high speed ship ticket.

Accomodation:

Panorama:

- More images 24 rooms/ 9 double and 15 twin bedrooms, 33 m2 + 11 m2 balcony. Panoramic/Garden view, private bath-room with stand Jacuzzi, satellite TV, air-con, safety box, mini bar, welcome drink and fresh fruit, health scale, IDD telephone line, doctor on call. Private beach and swimming pool. 16 Panoramic view rooms.

Star Cruise:

- More images 24 rooms/ 9 double and 15 twin bedrooms, 33 m2 + 11 m2 balcony. Panoramic/Garden view, balcony, private bath-room with stand Jacuzzi, satellite TV, air-con, safety box, mini bar, welcome drink and fresh fruit, health scale, IDD telephone line, doctor on call. Private beach and swimming pool. 20 beach view bungalow.

Family/VIP bungalow:

- More images 28 rooms/ 12 double and 16 twin bedrooms. 33 m2 plus 11 m2 balcony offer beach front, compliment daily fresh fruit, newspaper. Sea view/ Garden view, private bath-room with Jacuzzi, or bath tub, in-house internet line, satellite TV, air-con, safety box, mini bar, welcome drink and fresh fruit, newspaper, health scale, IDD telephone line, doctor on call. 10 Sea view bungalow rooms.

President suite II:

- More images 05 bungalows en-suite 2 bedrooms and 1 living room in the area of 66 m2 plus 11 m2 balcony with sea view. Sea view/ Garden view, bar, kitchenette, out door terrace, private bath-room with stand Jacuzzi, in-house internet line, satellite TV, air-con, safety box, mini bar, welcome drink and fresh fruit, newspaper, health scale, IDD telephone line, doctor on call. Children playground.

President suite I:

- 01 seaview wooden bungalow, 77 m2 plus 11 m2 balcony. 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, bar, kitchenette, out door terrace, private bath-room with bathtub and stand Jacuzzi, in-house internet line, satellite TV, air-con, safety box, mini bar, welcome drink and fresh fruit, newspaper, health scale, IDD telephone line, doctor on call. Children playground.

Room Amenities

- Two ways airport transfer
- Buffet breakfast
- Kitchenette
- Out door terrace
- Private bath-room with Jacuzzi
- Living room & dining room
- Children playground
- In-house internet
- Satellite TV
- IDD telephone

- In-room safety box
- Air-cond
- In-house bar
- Mini-bar
- Daily fresh fruit
- Newspaper
- Welcome drink
- Health scale
- In-house music
- Doctor on call

Facilites & Services:

Restaurant & Bar

Saigon Restaurant:

- A contemporary Asian seafood restaurant located on a first floor of the central building with superb views out to sea. The restaurant serves daily breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner as well as snacks.
- The a la carte menu features many dishes prepared meat and fish specialties on the charcoal grill, sushi and sashimi, noodles and soups as well as breads, parties, cakes and ice cream.
- Seats: 200 (150 indoor, 50 open-air)
- Open from 6am - midnight.

Poolside Terrace:

- Located between the central building and the sea, providing popular poolside snacks, light meals, ice cream, pastry and cakes, and a colourful array of cocktails and drinks all day. Saturday evening features a lavish barbecued buffet.
- Open from 8am - midnight.

Meeting Facilities

Conference facilities:

- The resort features a ballroom for up to 200 seats with business support and telecommunication facilities.

- Convention Equipment
· Slide Projector
· Overhead Projector
· Movie Projector
· LCD Projector
· Xerox and Roneo machines
· Tape Recorders
· Camera
· Microphones
· Movie Screens
· Flip Charts
· White & Black Boards
· VCR (VHS/PAL) with a monitor
· Television
· Speakers
· Background Music
· Typewriters

Business Center:

- The only high-speed internet access in Phu Quoc island.

Leisure Activities

Beauty:

- “Beauty salon” provides hair care, cutting and treating, for men and women as well as manicures, pedicures, facials and make up.

Water Sports:

- Parasailing, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Scuba Diving:

- Diving is similar to the rest of Vietnam whereby there are not the large pelagics, Mantas or Sharks. Hower the hard and soft corals here are pristine and the mass of small islands to the south of Phu Quoc are home to a huge variety colourful reef/coral fish, many of them endemic to the Vietnamese waters. The mysterious Dugong has even been sighted here.

Sport and games:

- Badminton, kite flying, beach volleyball, table tennis, billiards, table football, gym.

Shopping:

- Located in the lobby area, selling fashionable garments ranging from T-shirts and shorts to gym bags and towles, contemporary fine art and attractive handicafts and souvenirs.

Biking/Horse-riding:

- The mountainous hinterland at Sao beach is ideal for biking and horse back riding.

Mini golf: - Play a hole and putting green with a beautifull mini golf course
- Sunset cruises and excursins are also available.
(www.smiletravelvietnam.com)