Hotel in Hanoi Reference

What makes the food sounding bizarre and peculiar? Certain eating cultures seem to be bizarre to us but normal to the eaters. The answer can be obtained between “tasty” and “nasty” foods, to which it makes not much difference as it’s merely a letter difference. That means certain foods that we classified as strange foods are instead exotic delicacies for others. It’s simply concluded here that the cuisines may be objectively regarded as crazy and bizarre, but they appeal as normal and usual delicacies to their respective eaters.

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The first delicacy is available in Hanoi and the second is available at certain restaurants in Vietnam and Cambodia. If you’re wondering around the “Snack Street” in Wangfujing Night Market, Beijing, China, you may see the street vendors selling deep-fried scorpions/baby scorpions in sticks (the third image). Again, this crazy delicacy seems to disturb my appetite and I would find it to be disturbing….

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Anyone here, are you hungry? How about some live wasp? You can see this local delicacy selling at the morning market in Vientiane, Laos, and also in Vietnam. Are they appealing yummy to you?

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Don’t be surprised if you find some cockroaches in your plate! I’m sure you’ll yell at this crazy food. To me, I think this cuisine is abnormal and I’ll admit though, this delicacy causes me vomiting.

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Are you hungry for these insect-rich delicacies? Do you want some bowls/ plates of them? For your information, termites, ants and palm grubs are eaten by Columbian citizens, and sometimes they may ground up ants as a spread on their breads. In Philippines and in parts of Africa, people eat grasshoppers, mole crickets, locusts, dragonfly larvae, katydids, ants, water beetles and June beetles, whereas in Japan, people eat zaza-mushi (aquatic insect larvae), semi (fried cicada), sangi (fried silk moth pupae), inago (fried rice filled with grasshoppers) and hachi-no-ko (boiled wasp larvae). The delicacies may come with breads, pizzas, burgers, noodles, soups, side dishes or flours made from bugs, worms, pupae or larvae. They seem to be delicious for certain individuals to dine, but how dirty are they? They may carry an abundance of microbial flora, and might be infected with E.coli. and salmonella.

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Tags: Around, Bizarre, Controversial, Delicacies, Strange, Unusual, World
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Article by John Andrew

Vietnam a colorful, historic and cultural country is one of the favorite tourist place in the world.

Each Vietnam city has its own story and a no. of tourist places. Some of the famous tourist cites of the Vietnam are…

Ho Chi Minh CityHanoi (Capital of Vietnam)Hoi AnDalatCentral HighlandsSapaMy Son and more.

Among all the cities Hanoi (Capital city of Vietnam) and Sapa are the most famous tourist’s places of Vietnam.

Hanoi is the capital of city and the second largest city of Vietnam. It is located on the right bank of the Red River.

Hanoi has a vast history and has had many names throughout the history. Its one of the main cultural centers in Vietnam as it has the imprints of most of the Vietnamese dynasties. The city hosts more cultural places than any city in Vietnam, and its history has been well preserved for more than past 1,000 years.

The famous landmarks Hanoi are

1- Old Quarter2- Lakes3- Colonial Hanoi and4- Museums

Sapa lies near the Chinese border. In reality the majority of the tourists are arrive in Sapa from Hanoi via Mai chau.

Sapa is a mountainous town and have beautiful scenery which is the main reason of tourist’s attractions. The paddy fields rolling lower slopes to then Hoang Lien Mountains makes the most impressive physical landscape.

Sapa is the best place to feel nature and to observe the relationship between humans and nature.

As Vietnams Train System is the mains service of domestic train and is cost effective compare to airlines and any other way of transport system.

Travelers can choose to travel in any class to would like to from first class air condition, comfortable soft seats to third class hard seats.

Vietnam Trains are so comfortable and reaches to all parts of the country. The only problem with the Vietnam trains is that you need to book your tickets in advance for the weekends as there will be a huge crowd of passengers for the weekend tours, especially the weekend trains from Hanoi to Sapa should be booked 3-5 day before.

For tourist its better to book their tickets to from the local train ticket booking agencies this save them lots of time. The booking agencies will tell you the timings and will also inform you if the timings changed.

The train journeys are full of fun and great experience in themselves you might meet the local people and could know the interesting facts and stories about the people and places of the city.

Trains from Hanoi to Sapa are the ideal way for independent travelers to get around and see Hanoi and Sapa from the ground level.

Tags: From, Hanoi, Sapa, Tour, Train, Vietnam
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Police Cars in Hanoi (Vietnam)
On BBC website, I saw a picture of the recent flood in Hanoi (VN). I remember a remark that somebody said to me about 13 years ago when I was still in Vietnam, “In Western countries, they build sewerage of a new city before building houses, but in our country, it’s the other way!”
However, my story for you is about the police car in that picture. A few policemen were trying to push it forward in “Hanoi downtown river”, the word POLICE (in English) was right in the front of the van, in a large size.
Do you know what I mean? Well, in South Vietnam, from 1975 to 1985, everybody around me tried to hide the truth that they were able to speak English.
We were told that all English speaking people would be suspected as spies for the USA, especially people who spoke English in American accent. So, speaking English in VN those days was something very dangerous, it might make you watched and put to jail for a very long time. Russian was the most important foreign language in schools and the Soviet Union paid lots of money for text-book publishing. Everyone believed that people who could speak Russian well would be the most important heading people of Vietnam.
Because my parents were exiles in America, they called me “bad life-story person” and my children were not allowed to learn Russian! They had to learn English with teachers who were always bad treated at work like “half-enemy”. Nobody knew what would happen just a few years later.
You might be very surprised if you knew that in 1986, rich and powerful communist families in Vietnam did their best to make their children become students in English classes. All Russian text-books were sold from schools to vendors for …wrapping!
The principal of a large high school, who accepted very much of bribery to do that for those powerful families, one day had to hide himself in my house to avoid talking to a police colonel awaiting him in the school office, with five armed policemen in a police car outside. The colonel just wanted his son to be transferred to a class where they would teach him English instead of Russian!
Showing my wife the picture of Hanoi flood, I laughed and said, “Fighting against America for half of a century, just to learn and speak the language of America!”
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The Hue Traditional Crafts Festival, to be celebrated from April 29 to May 3, will be the key event for tourists this year and will build on the achievements of previous festivals. It will specialise in the arts of bonsai and gastronomy with the theme of Vietnamese gastronomy in the tranquillity of Hue’s gardens.

Festival goers will be immersed in the conspicuous cultural ambience through Vietnam’s divine culinary and bonsai arts. Cuisines from distinct geographical regions across the country will be featured: the culinary specialities of the south, the delicate cuisine of Hue with its royal meals, vegetarian food and popular dishes to be served in the city’s splendid gardens, and the authentic tastes from the north.

Visitors will also have chance to meet prominent culinary researchers and experts, talented bonsai artists, antiques collectors and other artists in the country in the variety of fascinating artistic programmes and community activities.

For the national year of tourism in 2012, hosted by Thua Thien-Hue Province, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch many tourism programmes.

For example, the department will organise tours to discover the treasures of Hue and help tourists understand the legacy of the Nguyen dynasty by experiencing the culture and visiting pagodas.

Let’s Experience Hue will introduce tourists to Hue festivals, crafts villages and royal life. Tours take visitors on various routes through the provinces and allow them to discover the heritage of the city. For those who want to relax, there will be walking tours that take visitors to forests, to rest by Lang Co Beach and to discover ancient houses.

“Thua Thien-Hue is an attractive destination for tourists as tourism is the key industry of the province,” said Phan Tien Dung, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

“In 2010, Hue received 1.5 million visitors, 700,000 of which were foreigners.”

At the conference, a co-operation memorandum was signed between Hanoi’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department and its counterparts from Thua Thien-Hue Province and HCM City.

A similar conference for the same purpose will take place in HCM City on January 19.

———

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Tags: Conference, Promotes, Tourism
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Article by Lechanjsc

Tags: Absolute, Days, From, Hanoi, Vietnam
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We all had a heavy breakfast at the hotel before proceeding to our bus for a short city tour around Hanoi.  Off we went to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which, quite ironically was in Hanoi, and not in Ho Chi Minh.  A lot of tourists lined up to see the remains of the former leader and we had to go quietly and in single file, to view his corpse.  Numerous soldiers were on guard to signal the tourists to stop talking and refrain from taking pictures inside the tomb.  Thus, we were only able to record our moments at this tourist spot when we were already outside the mausoleum.  It was another chilly morning, but our happy countenance made our group pictures cheery and warm.  This visit to Ho Chi Minh’s tomb reminded me so much of our visit to Batac, Ilocos Norte in my country, the Philippines, where we viewed the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos.  Both corpses were intact, seemed very well-maintained and the faces of the former leaders peaceful and serene in their glass casings.  Our pictorial sessions were cut short though when our tour guide reminded us that we had to catch up with our 12:30 Noon flight for Ho Chi Minh, since we still had an approximately 2-hour drive to reach the Noi Bai Airport.  We said our goodbyes to our tour guide, and were shortly on the plane to Ho Chi Minh thereafter. 

            It was almost three in the afternoon when we got to meet our new guide in Saigon.  It was very humid in this city, unlike in Hanoi which had cool weather at this time.  In contrast to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh only had 2 seasons – wet and dry, which is much like the climate in the Philippines, but it was like summer when we were there!  We had to check in our things at the Windsor Hotel first, then we proceeded to have the city tour.  First stop was the War Museum where we got to see vintage bombs, bullets, tanks, choppers, armory and gory photos of Vietnam’s past during the war against the US. 

Check out other related links to this article:

Exploring and Enjoying Vietnam Part 1

Exploring and Enjoying Vietnam Part 2

Exploring and Enjoying Vietnam Part 3

Exploring and Enjoying Vietnam Part 5

Exploring and Enjoying Vietnam Part 6

Tags: Enjoying, Exploring, Part, Vietnam
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Article by John Andrew

To Discover Sapa Vietnam travel, you can get on a coach from Hanoi or rent a private car driving in 8 hours

to reach lao Cai and go up to Sapa Town. The best way to travel to Sapa is booking a train ticket from Hanoi

. Spend an overnight on adventurous train travel to Sapa in a woonden deluxe cabin with A/C and soft

sleeper bed and catch a bus uphill to a 4 season-Town of Sapa Vietnam.

The train from Hanoi to Lao Cai – Sapa depart nightly and arrive very early in the morning or vice versa

(normal departure time from 20h15 – 21h55 from Hanoi and arrive in Sapa about 5h00 Am). The train will

welcome tourists from Ha Noi railway station at 120 Le Duan Street and Tran Quy Cap station, just behind

120 Le Duan streets, Hanoi Capital, Vietnam. You must show your Sapa train booking at the main entrance

to check in and the Sapa train will re-check your Sapa train tickets and lead you to your train cariage

parked inside the railway Station Vietnam.

The trains from Ha Noi to Lao Cai named SP1, LC1, LC3; AM: LC5 and from Lao Cai to Ha Noi named PM:

SP2, LC2, LC4; AM: LC 6 daily run. The daytime trainsets offer only hard seats and cheap train tickets,

whereas Travelers enjoy soft-sleepers, air-conditioned, four-berth cabins or VIP cabin just for a couple on the

night trains provided Sapa train ticket carriers:

Victoria Train to SapaVictoria Express train is the best in terms of comfort and service from Ha Noi to Lao Cai, Victoria Hotel’s

“Orient Express” train offers one restaurant and two luxury sleeping carriages, all with air-conditioning. This

is part of the normal run (LC5 and LC6) between Ha Noi and Lao Cai.

Tulico Train to SapaTulico train offers comfortable, air-conditioned soft sleepers. While this is not a luxurious train, it offers good

alternative transportation to Sa Pa from Ha Noi. It has soft sleepers, A/C and four-berth cabins. You are

provided with one bottle of water, a small snack and a napkin.

Green train ticketIn the LC5 and LC6, there are Victoria Cabins, Tulico Cabins, Friendly Cabins, and Ratraco Cabins. All of

these are alternatives for Travellers to Sa Pa from Ha Noi. Ratraco train is one of the best trains to Sa Pa

with wooden cabins.

Friendly Train tickets to SapaFriendly train, like the Tulico train, is not a separate train, but offers soft sleepers, A/C and clean four-berth

cabins in 2 carriages which go with local trains (LC5 and LC6) between Ha Noi and Lao Cai. You are

provided with one bottle of water, a small snack and a napkin.

Livitrans Train tickets to SapaTo serve tourist requirements, the Livitrans train is also part of a regular train with 2 carriages in SP1 and

SP2 which offers A/ C, soft-sleepers and clean four-berth cabins.

Friendly train ticket to Lao Cai – SapaFriendly train is wooden carriage, soft sleeper A.C cabin with soft 4 berths and two toilet at either ends.

Each berth is equipped with individual reading lights, baggage storage and spacious trunk for suite case and

hand luggage. The train provide also water and cold tower.

Fansipan Train tickets to SapaThe brand new Fansipan Express train has just been introduced to operate routing Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi

with 4 fully decorated carriages with high standard soft sleepers with airconditioning wooden cabins. Each

berth is equipped with reading lights, baggage storage, flower, mineral water and napkin.

King Express Train to SapaNew generation of tourist carriage runs Hanoi-Laocai-Hanoi, sister carriage with Fansipan Express. King

Express train features VIP (2 berth), Deluxe (4 berths) as well as the Superior cabin.

Sapaly train ticket to sapaThe Sapaly Carriages have featured wooden panelled cabins connect with SP1 and SP2

(Hanoi-Laocai-Hanoi)

All the train carriers departs from Hanoi railways station from 8h20 PM – 22h45 PM and arrive in Lao Cai

train station, 30km to Sapa town at about 4h30 Am – 6h00 AM next day. You can contact

Trainticketdeliver.com for your best Sapa train bookings suitable for your travel plan.

Tags: adventure, Experience, From, Hanoi, Sapa, Train, Travel, Vietnam
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Article by Victor Tuszing

Vietnam is a country located on Indochina Peninsula, in southeast Asia, and is nowadays a rising star on the travel market from many countries, vacation packages to this destination being more and more requested by tourists. Due to its location, a travel to Vietnam is an exotic journey which features a large variety of interesting things to see and to do like tropical nature, majestic sights of rice fields, a large variety of wildlife, visits to Buddhist temples and ancient palaces, tasty and spicy foods, wide sandy beaches shadowed by palm trees, trips to exciting tourists attractions like caves or isolated islets, and many, many others. An important fact that attracts many tourists in this country is the great accommodation offered by a multitude of modern hotels and resorts that feature excellent amenities. Most hotels in Vietnam are pretty new buildings because the tourist industry has been destroyed in the 60′-70′, during the American-Vietnamese war, and revived after the ending of the Cold War, when a few renowned travel agencies started to offer again vacation packages to this country and to build lodging units.In Vietnam are many great vacation spots where can be spend shorter or longer holidays. In north are densely forested mountain ranges, where can be visited villages and seen how lives the local tribes, but also in that region is located the Red River Delta, which is 15,000 square kilometers large and an excellent territory for rice cultivation due to the alluvial deposits. Even if the delta is densely populated, there can be observed many exotic animal species like white-pincer shrimp, golden apple snail, Chinese white tench, nutria, yellow snail, tiger fish, and others. In the southern part of the country are mostly coastal lowlands and are located two of the major attractions of the country, Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon) and the Mekong Delta. Nature lovers have to know that in Vietnam can be taken trips to a wide range of natural wonders like two World’s Natural Heritage Sites (Halong Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park) and 6 World’s Biosphere Reserves – Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Cat Tien, Cat Ba, Kien Giang, Red River Delta, and Western Nghe An. A another vacation spot which attracts many holiday makers is Hanoi, the capital city of the country, located on the right bank of the Red River. This city is one of the oldest capital cities in the world (around 1,000 years!), so it features a multitude of cultural and historical attractions. But in the same time, Hanoi is a modern city which welcomes its guests with modern hotels and resorts, most of them being upscale accommodation units. Some of the most luxurious hotels in Hanoi are Hotel Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Hotel Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Hotel Sheraton Hanoi, Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Hotel Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, or Hotel Hilton Hanoi Opera (all this being 5 star resorts), but there are also many good 3 star hotels, that offer also excellent lodging, like Hotel Anise Hanoi, Hotel Serenade, Hotel Fortuna, and Hotel Melia Hanoi.When holiday makers leave their hotel rooms interesting tourist attractions rise at each step. Some of the most visited points of interests are the Grand Opera House, The Presidential Palace, Cathedral St. Joseph, National Museum of Vietnamese History, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Center, and other cultural buildings. There can be found also many karaoke bars, dance clubs, restaurants (the Vietnamese food is considered as one of the tastiest in Asia!), and shopping areas like Vincom City Towers, Big C Thang Long Supercenter, Ruby Plaza, Parkson Viet Tower and Trang Tien Plaza, where are offered for sale genuine brand products at very affordable prices. All this make the capital city one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam, so most hotels in Hanoi are occupied year-round almost up to the last room! There are many tourists that have not enough time to visit also other vacation spots of this southeast Asian country, so some of they are planing a new travel to Vietnam to enjoy better all wonders that this exotic land has to offer.

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Article by John Andrew

Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south. There are many means of transportation connecting Ho Chi Minh City , which is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large of visitors to Vietnam and Hanoi Capital, the polictis, cultural and economic center of Vietnam.

To explore Vietnam’s hidden charm and natural beauty by train from HCMC to Hanoi , you can plan one of your best vacations to connect on a spectacular train travel. The classic Vietnam tour is offered with the great rail journey from HCMC to Hanoi Capital crossing Nha trang, Danang, Hue, Ninh binh and the magnificent northern parts of Vietnam.

Asian Travel and Tours JSC, who are based in Hanoi, will take care of all your HCMC , Vietnam train bookings and provide you with Vietnam train timetable and fares professinally. They do this through Vietnam National Railways who have done a lot for the advancement of the rail transportation system in Vietnam.

The train facilities that are being provided for tourists preferring to travel by Vietnam train are pre-processed and pre-packaged supply of food to the passengers along with refined mineral water bottles. Other facilities that are being provided are ticket covers, trolleys and plastic cups. There are no better professional tour operators than Asian Travel and Tours who can confirm your Vietnam train tickets easily. The tickets are available at a promotional price being offered by from Hanoi Capital or HCMC to all other Trans Vietnam cities.

Train travel from HCMC to Hanoi is a great option for all travelers to see the natural countryside of Vietnam by travelling comfortably. You are offered trips on new trains that are equipped with modern air-conditioned cars and berths for comfortable overnight journey. Some Saigon trains to Hanoi even have VIP cabin. The train tickets include government tax and transportation insurance. In addition to the HCMC, Vietnam train bookings, you can book special train tour promotion in HCMC or Hanoi to reach various tourist destinations in Vietnam through Asian Travel and Tours who are the specialists in train travel and tour package all over Vietnam.

HCMC and Hanoi Vietnam are a land of rich and natural beauty. Tourists will get a good opportunity to experience the picturesque scenery of the whole country from the South to the North. Travelling by train is a very affordable and saved way in Vietnam. It will cost you much less than flying or renting a car or going by bus. You must be aware of the Hanoi Vietnam train time table and HCMC train timetable and fare accordingly to plan your journeys.

The major route is between HCMC to Hanoi will stop over at Nha trang station, Quy Nhon, Danang, Hue, VInh, Ninh Binh and ends at Hanoi train station. In return, The trains from Hanoi to HCMC will stop over at Ninh Binh, Vinh, Phong Nha cave, Hue, Danang , Nha trang and ends at HCMC station.

For long distance travel, it is advisable for you to use Vietnam train bookings in air conditioned soft-sleeper cabin. Soft seats are fine for short distance only. If you are not pressured with time and you are not travelling overnight, then the soft seat is ideal. With air conditioned coaches, you cannot take photographs of the scenery outside. If you would like to record your journey by the Vietnam train, you have to book train ticket in non-air conditioned trains. Hard sleepers and hard seats have to be avoided altogether as they are usually crowded and uncomfortable. The best time of the year to travel by train is in the autumn season. The weather is cool between September to March next year.

Tags: Charm, Discover, From, Hanoi, HCMC, hidden, Train, Travel, Vietnam
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The night is cool and crisp and we are boarding our train from Hanoi, Vietnam to the northern mountain town of Sapa. Our train is a modern overnight sleeper; clean, comfortable, and sparkling white. The rest of the station is like stepping back in time. Ancient boxcars darkened by time, are parked in the yard, and steam is rising in the air. People donning conical hats are huddled around open fires. Some squat on small plastic stools eating noodle soup with chopsticks. As I look out the window I feel as though it is 1969.

We are led to our bunks by a petite and quiet women from ODC Travel. The company based in Hanoi where we booked our four-day, three-night excursion. For $ 75 each, all meals accommodation and transportation are included in our trip to see the magnificent rice terraces and to experience the traditional lives of the hill tribes of Sapa.

It is not long until I am peacefully sleeping. Rocking with the rhythm of the train I dream of the adventure ahead. 4:30 am arrives quickly however and I awake famished and thankful for the complimentary sweet bread and bottled water.

We have arrived in Lao Cao, a small town on the Chinese border. As I step onto the platform a brisk, cold wind awakens my senses. Luckily, a van is waiting to take us the rest of the way, so we don’t have to wait in the morning chill for long.

It is a harrowing journey up the winding mountain road. We put our lives in the hands of our speeding driver who dodges herds of water buffalo, oncoming traffic and local villagers herding their oxen. Whizzing around each corner, we are thankful to not have plunged off of a vertical cliff into the deep valley below.

We arrive a little shaken but all in one piece to our hotel where we meet our guide, Xin. He is a friendly young man who grew up in the area and as we will soon learn, enjoys singing and playing the guitar. We will be spending the next two days with him as he takes us through the mountains to visit the Hmong and Dzai People who live among the rice terraces.

The morning is beautiful. The sun in shining, the chill is gone and the blue sky is full of fluffy white clouds. After some tea and a hot breakfast we shed our layers and begin our journey into the hills.

The scenery is magnificent and as we venture farther from the town, my breath is taken away by the incredible view unfolding. Thousands of rice terraces filled with water glisten in the sun for as far as the eye can see. Every turn becomes more overwhelming and I am struck with awe by the giant terraced mountains surrounding me.

Barking dogs guard their territory as we pass and gaggles of ducks waddle by following their leader with frenzied dedication. Villagers from the Hmong Tribe speed past us carrying heavy loads in their woven baskets. They walk with ease as I gasp for air climbing the steep path.

As we continue to hike, Xin tell us about the people and the history of the land and how it has changed. The Hmong village we are visiting has come to depend on tourism and he tells us not to feel pressured to give money or to buy jewelry to the people who will be approaching us. Not wanting to contribute to a begging society, I chose not to give children the “bonbons” that they have come to expect or to give money for nothing. Instead, I gladly buy some silver bracelets from a lady who invites us into her home for a glimpse of tribal life.

The house is stuffy and dark and a fire is burning in the kitchen. We huddle around the flame as Xin points out that the Hmong people have two fires in their dwellings, one for cooking the other for warmth. Many generations live together under one roof and the house consists of a large open room. It is a fascinating experience, but I feel a little uneasy to be staring at these people who have put their lives on display.

Leaving the Hmong Villages behind, we venture farther away from Sapa and deeper into the mountains. I am relieved to not have people pestering me for money and no more children asking me for candy.

We make our way to the top of a mountain, where Xin puts out a picnic lunch and we dine among a herd of water buffalo. As we look into the deep valley, children stop by for a visit and we share some cookies and fruit. It is a place of overwhelming beauty.

The contentment is short lived however, because we have a lot of ground to cover to make it to the village of the Dzai people where we will be spending the night. Being farther away from Sapa and not a part of the usual one-day tours, this tribe is less corrupted by the tourism industry. They are completely self-sufficient at harnessing water from mountain runoff for irrigation. They grow their own rice, sugar cane peanuts and vegetables. Every child attends school, they raise their own livestock, and weave and dye their own fabric for clothing. This is truly a people who are at one with the land.

We stay with a family that has four generations living under one roof. Their house, built by the hands of villagers using traditional methods is gigantic and surprisingly cozy in the brisk mountain air. It takes one year to build a home and everybody pitches in.

We are treated to a feast after we settle in and enjoy their friendly hospitality. The 94-year-old grandfather keeps my plate full, urging me to eat more and we stuff ourselves until we cannot move. After dinner, the rice wine is served and they will not take no for an answer. So it is “bottoms up all night”. Xin translates for us as we tell them about our country and they tell us about their way of life.

Later that evening we walk to visit other houses and the celebrations continue. Rice wine is flowing as we sit around the fire in their kitchens singing songs. The local people are eager to hear songs from our country and there is no getting out of belting out a tune. They applaud with enthusiasm and then Xin treats us to a traditional Vietnamese folk song before heading back to bed.

It is a cool night, but we sleep well under a thick warm blanket and awake a little groggy from the abundance of alcohol the night before.
Saying goodbye to our hosts after a breakfast of fried eggs and a warm baguette, we slowly walk to the mountains feeling the burn in our legs from the day before. We trek to the high waterfall overlooking the valley, walk through a bamboo forest, and once again witness the beauty of gigantic rice terraces.

A jeep picks us up at the end of our trek to take us back to Sapa where we sleep comfortably that evening in our small hotel. Our last day is spent exploring this beautiful town. We hike up Ham Rong Mountain to see its many gardens and stone forest, shop for fresh fruit in the market and relax on a terrace overlooking the mountains. The people are friendly and as usual, the scenery is magnificent.

Northern Vietnam is a fascinating experience. It is rich in culture and history and diverse in landscape. Vietnam will surprise you, sometimes shock you but it will always keep you enthralled.

Tags: Sapa, Vietnam
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