Myanmar souvenirs – What are the best items to buy when travelling?

Myanmar souvenirs – What are the best items to buy when travelling? https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/where-to-buy-souvenirs-in-myanmar

Every time we travel to a novel destination, which makes each trip so special is not only the beauty witnessed, the lessons learned, or the experience encountered but also the meaningful items we bring home. They are the souvenirs that are characterized and unique, not similar from regions to regions. If you intend to travel to Myanmar, this blog will give you a hint of the best Myanmar souvenirs to purchase.

Being a small country in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is such a quiet and calm destination, unlike its neighbor, Thailand. The country is also well – known for the golden spirituals sites and rich cultural identity. In addition, there are plenty of supermarkets, outdoor local markets, department stores that are always open to welcome visitors to come at any time.

Here are the top 6 best souvenirs in Myanmar for you:

Jewelry

It might be a surprise to many people that Myanmar has a huge and rich source of gemstone mines which include rubies, jade, sapphire stones. As a matter of fact, Hong Kong, Thailand, or India, the key gem trading centers of Asia, import colored gemstones from Myanmar.

 

A wide selection of jewelry in a local shop in Myanmar

Averagely, the price you can get for jewelry in Myanmar is lower comparing to those countries. The jewelry made from these valuable materials and sold in Myanmar are not of good quality equally, so as the price. It means that there is a high chance that you buy a very beautiful and looks sophisticated piece of jewelry at a reasonable or even cheap price but it will contain gold inside. But the contrary is not always true neither, not all more expensive products are of ensured quality though.

If you long buy jewelry in Myanmar, it is advised that you have a basic knowledge of them, such as how to check the quality by their appearances or the quick techniques to examine the real quality. If you do not have the knowledge, you should search for some government-guaranteed centers or stores to buy jewelry from.

Longyi

Longyi is the name of Myanmar’s traditional skirt. It is a long and wrap-around skirt, worn comfortably by both women and men. When it is worn by men, Longyi is referred to as “Pasu”; while by women, Longyi is called “Htamein”. This costume is not only a traditional item but it is also helpful. Local people wear it in order to protect their bodies from the intolerant heat of the weather. Thus, during your trip, you can buy Longyi and use it just like the local people do.

 

A typical shop selling Longyi with numerous styles

Longyi skirts are sold at different colors, patterns, and sizes so it will be easy for you to choose. The most common material used to tailor the Longyi is silk, hence you should find them in silk shops in Myanmar.

Sand paintings

Sand painting is said to be an art in Myanmar. It has been around since 1975 and gradually develops as time goes by. This art has its root in Bagan, following a serious earthquake which caused a number of pagodas to be destroyed. Then, many artists in Bagan were inspired by this aftermath to start depicting and painting the religious scenes, monks, and Buddhist symbols by sand.

Nowadays, sand paintings are not only about religious contents but also about daily life and objects. The paintings are intriguing to travelers by both the special material and the great virtuosity of the artists when creating them. You can find them from the vendors on the street at a cheap price to the galleries at a higher price.

 

An artist is concentrating on painting a sand painting to sell

Puppets

Just like many countries in Asia, puppets in Myanmar play an integral part in their culture. Here, puppets are known under other names: Marionettes or Yoke Thé. Marionettes, the string puppetry, has been the traditional form of puppet performance in Myanmar since the 15^th century. Through these puppets, morals, victories, tales of wonder are told and passed from generation to generation.

Marionettes are too pretty to miss buying as a souvenir and it is certainly a lovely item to display at your house. Besides that, if you are keen on watching a puppet show in Myanmar, you should come to some famous tourist attractions. For instance, in Yangon, this kind of art is performed in the National Museum and Htwe Oo Myanmar Puppetry Home.

 

Puppets are displayed at a local market in Myanmar

Tea

Why is tea a popular item to buy in Myanmar? To your concern, a major part of Myanmar’s agriculture is attached to cultivating tea leaves. Furthermore, tea became a close friend to all of the Burmese people a long time ago; and it presents in their daily life. If you travel to this country, you can easily catch the sight of local people sitting on the sidewalk, in a vendor to drink tea at any time in a day. Because of this reason, the Burmese want to share this tasty drink with foreign friends and produce tea as presents.

You can purchase the dried tea leaves to make tea at home; however, it might be of a little strange taste to foreigners, especially those who come from Europe, American, or Australia. Hence, you should buy the tea powder mix sold in small sachet instead.

 

The tasty tea mix brand to buy in Myanmar

Suggested Myanmar tours

• Essence Of Myanmar 12 Days
• Highlights Of Myanmar 8 Days
• Classic Myanmar 6 Days

 

In summary, buying Myanmar souvenirs will not be challenging if you follow this blog. I am sure these presents will be meaningful and also great gifts for your friends and family back home.

 

Minh Vu – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »

Hoi An tours & The perfect travel guide to Hoi An for 2021

Hoi An tours & The perfect travel guide to Hoi An for 2021 https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/hoi-an-tours

If you are truly planning Vietnam tours 2021, it is recommended to put Hoi An tours on your list. Hoi An is a well-preserved heritage site which was used to be the trading port town dating from the 15th to the 19th Century, mostly for Chinese, Japanese, and European businessmen. It explained why the architecture here is the blend of indigenous and foreign style. Many people put it into their bucket list due to the charm of the ancient walking town, the lovely beach paradise, the good nature of locals, and the amazing culinary! 

 

The charm of Hoi An ancient town

How to get to Hoi An

Hoi An does not have an airport, so most visitors come here via Da Nang airport which is 30km away. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Jetstar and Bamboo Airways operate loads of domestic flights coming to Da Nang from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and a few others from Da Lat & Nha Trang. As Da Nang is located in the Central region, those are short-haul flights – about 1,5 hours each.

Some people choose the railway for the experience to get to Hoi An, but not from the major cities like Hanoi or Saigon because it will take more than a day to reach here – pretty tiring. Ideally, board on the train from Hue city (about 3 hours) is a great idea while you can travel through Hai Van pass – an unforgettable sea view from your cabin! 

 

Take a train from Hue to Hoi An

The best time to visit Hoi An

Hoi An (like 2 other nearby tourist destinations – Hue & Da Nang) has 2 main seasons: a dry and a rainy one. The dry season starts from March to September which is sunny and humid. The rainy season from October to February is with a high chance of typhoons and floods in the old town. Consequently, February to May is the best time to visit Hoi An to avoid rain and the summer heat.

Hoi An accommodation

There are also several options for accommodation from the local guesthouses to luxury resorts. Most of them are assembled the authentic Hoi An houses or with boutique style. What you should question is where to stay – near to the old town or on the beach? The distance between the town to Cua Dai or An Bang beach is about 4 – 6 km but it would be a little issue for those who do not fancy walking or riding a bike. Let’s take a look at the following recommendations:

• Near to the old town: Atlas Hotel, Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa, Little Boutique Hoi An Hotel, La Siesta Resort & Spa, Almanity Wellness Resort, Anantara Resort, etc.
• Near to the beaches: Palm Garden Resort, Boutique Hoi An Resort, Victoria Resort & Spa, Sunrise Premium Resort, etc. In these places, the shuttle bus is normally free offered so that you can easily travel to the town but there is a fixed schedule.

 

Palm Garden Resort

Things to do in Hoi An

Now, you want to know things to do in Hoi An. Below is what you needed

Walk/bike around the walking streets

Cars are never allowed inside the old town area which is just so convenient for the walkers. It is also easy for those who love cycling slowly around. I myself, have been traveling to Hoi An 3 times and each time, I never walked around the ancient streets less than twice.

The streets here filled with tailors, vendors, galleries, boutique restaurants, authentic coffee houses, etc. All are painted in the bright shade of yellow and decorated with multi-colors lanterns. The paperflowers in the summer make Hoi An harmonious in any painting! The words are spread, many more people coming to this small and it gets more crowded every time I come back. So ideally, take a stroll in the early morning where it is still tranquil.

 

Hoi An walking streets

My Son Sanctuary

It is a holy land to recall the Champa people’s glory days dating from the 4th to the 13th century. My Son was an important political center that consists of more than 70 structures devoted to Hindu gods and goddesses. Sadly, the great damage of this complex was made by wars and time. However, as the local authorities have been trying to preserve it, it is able to welcome guests every day and to remind them of the great Angkor Wat of Cambodia.

 

My Son Sanctuary

Visit the countryside

Hoi An has more to offer than just the small area of the walking streets. Some people find it more peaceful to have a day explore the countryside, the fishing villages or the handicraft villages like Tra Que (vegetables & herbs), Kim Bong (carpentry), Thanh Ha (pottery), etc.

 

Tra Que village

Join a cooking class

It is no doubt that gastronomy plays a crucial part in Vietnamese culture and it is praised on many famous travel magazines, by the chef or food experts. You can learn to cook some traditional dishes in many other cities but it is always different in Hoi An. Imagine you board on the sampan boat to the vegetable gardens and the local markets to pick up the fresh ingredients; then come to a local house inside a garden, cook, and enjoy what you just make with a local chef. Red Bridge or Hoi An Waterwheel are two outstanding classes with great staff and great reviews.

 

Hoi An cooking class

Have a tailormade shirt

As a port, Hoi An was welcoming Japanese, Dutch, Chinese and Indian to trade silk. So that somehow relates to the fact that tailor-made clothes in Hoi An have become well-known nowadays with good quality and style made by the skillful tailors. There are plenty of shops in the old streets. You may want to drop by Yaly, Thu Thuy, or A Dong Silk showrooms. You will get a measure and choose the material, colors, type of clothes, come back a couple of times to do the fitting until it is perfect for you. The whole process would take around 1-2 days and cost very reasonable.

Suggested Hoi An tours

• Hidden Beauty Central Vietnam 6 Days
• Classic Central Vietnam 5 Days
• Cooking Tour In Hoi An

 

Daniel Nguyen – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »

Top 5 must-try Luang Prabang street foods

Top 5 must-try Luang Prabang street foods https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/luang-prabang-street-foods

Founded approximately 1200 years ago, Luang Prabang was the very first capital of Laos. It is no longer the capital of Laos but still remains the best tourist attraction in the country. If you ever have the chance to visit Luang Prabang Laos together with other neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, you must realize that it is among the most charming riverside towns. In this blog, I am going to share my experience with the rustic but so tasty Luang Prabang street foods. 

This town locates in the North of Laos, on a peninsula formed by the Mekong River and Nam Khan River. Visiting this place made me have the feeling of coming back to a time – to what is really ancient. It is because the local people of Luang Prabang have done a really good job of preserving the architectural and artistic heritage. Thus, it is exceptionally authentic. Luang Prabang city center is not huge, which will make your food journey easy as a piece of cake and even if your traveling schedule is running short.

 

The authentic Luang Prabang town

BBQ with Laos style

I had traveled the whole country and could confidently assert that you will not be able to find the well-known restaurant chains here, such as Italia/American pizza, beefsteak, fried chicken, or Korean/Japanese food that often. It is different from Thailand or Vietnam, where there is an abundance of choice as for when you travel but want to find something for your meal that is not the ordinary food for the locals. Hence, having tried the BBQ with Laos style was such a life-time experience for me. 

To be honest, I did not have the intention to give this a try; eventually, I was invited by my friend to this BBQ restaurant. I hardly saw any foreigners in this place, so I guessed this was totally authentic. I was so impressed by the quality of the food prepared as well as how they grilled the meats. There is a buffet tempting in front of my eyes with pork, beef, vegetable, and even seafood. You must wonder about the sources of seafood as Laos has no beach border; then all of the seafood is imported every day from Thailand, and apart from Vietnam. As a result, there is no need to question the freshness and sanity of those foods.

 

The unique grill and hotpot “machine”

The grillers were the combination with hot-pot function operated by charcoal underneath. It means that you can eat 2 styles at the same time. You can enjoy the BBQ at a reasonable price, starting from 60,000 kips (around US$8) per person. Also, you can find some BBQ restaurant alongside the river banks, next to the old town.

Barbecued sticks

This type of food is sold by vendors or sidewalk stalls and the place where you can find it easily is at the center night market. They make the barbecues from pork, fish, egg, or chicken wings and the meats are usually on a skewer or between 2 bamboo sticks. Laos people also eat animal organs and other animal parts as well, which are not so familiar to Western culture. Even to me, I had no idea which part of the animal I ate because they made it into sausages with appealing red skin and smoke smell. The local seller did not speak any of English; apparently, I could not communicate and ask her what that was. Nevertheless, the stick was still tasty in any way. 

Although this type of food will not make you full, it is certainly a fun experience even if you do not know what you are eating.

 

A typical barbecue stall on the street

Khao Soi

Many Southeast Asia countries cook their own traditional noodle soups. Laos also have their own type called “Khao Soi”, which is more popular in the Northern part of Laos, like in Luang Prabang. It can be described as the flat rice noodle served with pork broth, bolognese of minced pork, tomatoes, garlic, and fermented bean paste. When the seller presents a bowl of Khao Soi to the customers, they always bring along a plate of herbs which will be added based on personal taste. You can also add more sour taste from lime or spicy taste from chili paste according to your preference after the bowl is brought out. 

Laos Khao Soi is not the same as Thai Khao Soi, as the latter is a coconut curry noodle soup. What makes Laos Khao Soi stand out is the meat Bolognese that is cooked by adding a special kind of fermented soybean paste. A bowl of Khao Soi can be a perfect choice for your breakfast or lunch since it is so easy to find in the local restaurants in Luang Prabang.

 

The simple but tasty bowl of Khao Soi

Pork Larb (Lab)

Larb is basically a kind of salad made from meat, and Pork Larb (aka Larb Moo) is one of the most common appetizers in Laos. Many people think that Larb originates from Thailand as you can find this dish is so common and popular in every Thai menu. In contrast, Larb has its root in Laos and has made its way to Thailand and some other countries. 

Larb can be made from not only pork but also from beef, buffalo, chicken, or duck. Still, pork is the most used ingredient. When I did a research about Larb, it is interesting to know that the meat in the dish can be cooked or raw; nonetheless, I went for the safer choice, which is to try the cooked one. A typical dish of Larb Moo combines ground pork with many types of herbs such as cilantro, scallions, mint, fresh lime juice; and 1 more important ingredient is rice powder. Finally, a plate of Larb Moo would not be complete without the wrap of fresh cabbage. You should find this dish in a proper restaurant rather in a sidewalk stall in Luang Prabang. This is one of my most favorite dishes that can be made at home since it requires no special ingredients!

 

The Pork Larb can be eaten with rice also

Fresh fruit shake and fruit juice

The weather in Luang Prabang is hot all year round. Therefore, it gives rise to the demand for fresh and cold products. Luckily, I found stalls of fresh fruit, fruit shake and juice in almost all corners in Luang Prabang; and of course, they are not too expensive to purchase. After every meal, I often bought a box of mixed fresh fruit, mainly with watermelon, yellow melon, dragon fruit, and mango. For the fruit juice, there is always a menu in English for foreigners to order together with a fixed price. This is such a good way to ease your thirst, to finish your meals, or to supplement vitamin while traveling.

 

Just pick and you will have a chilled cup of fruit juice!

Suggested Laos tours to Luang Prabang

• Jewels Of Laos 13 Days
• The Elephant Journey 10 Days
• Laos Overland 7 Days

 

Despite its calmness and quietness, Luang Prabang is still a small, ancient, and lovely town to visit. You do not need to spend too much on food but still can find numerous good Luang Prabang street foods. Make sure to try my list when you are in Luang Prabang tours!

 

Minh Vu – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »

Why should you travel to Vietnam after the COVID-19 crisis?

Why should you travel to Vietnam after the COVID-19 crisis? https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/travel-to-vietnam-after-covid-19

It is already a couple of months since we first heard about COVID-19, now it is spreading all over the world and by the time I write this, some countries already figured out how to slow down the pace. It is certainly a difficult and stressful time for people around the world, probably the most disruptive and challenging that we have ever faced in our lives. Apparently, tourism and travel are mostly affected by this pandemic when countries are closing their borders; people have been canceling their trips and do not know when they should plan again. But we always keep looking to the brighter side when it is soon over and travelers start to pack up. Don’t think too much about where to go, because here below I will show you why you should travel to Vietnam after the COVID-19 crisis.

 

The endless natural beauty of Vietnam

Vietnam is a safe country

According to the latest update on 11th May, Vietnam has 288 confirmed cases in which 249 people have recovered and discharged from hospitals, other patients are getting better and no death at all. It results from the quick and proactive reaction also the preparation for necessary actions from our Government. Many travelers who already infected without knowing about it, entered Vietnam, be treated, and came back home healthy. 

Road-related deaths kill more people than the disease in Vietnam. Additionally, 14,000 annual traffic fatalities occur on the motorbike. Most of our guests who book the Vietnam package tour have been using our private van/minivan with our experienced drivers – some have been serving guests for more than 10 years. 

The little crime that exists generally in the form of pick-pocketing, prostitution, or illegal drug use, but the levels of these crimes remain relatively low compared to other regions of the world.

 

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city were allowed to end social distancing on 23rd April

Vietnam visa is like a piece of cake

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam continually proposed a 15-day Vietnam visa exemption for citizens of 5 European countries which are the UK, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. Their next visit must be 30 days after their last enter to Vietnam. 

For people from other countries, no worry at all, it is really easy to obtain your Vietnam visa in either of 2 ways: visa on arrival and E-Visa. 

With the visa on arrival, the application covers 3 simple steps as follows:

• Applicants need to access to the website of a Vietnam visa center, and register in advance by completing an online form, and making payment of service fee to such center;
• After a certain period of time, normally 2 working days, they will receive a visa approval letter via email;
• Then they will use the letter to pick up the stamped visa at the landing airport. They also have to pay the stamping fee at this time. 

For the electronic visa, it takes 3 working days for processing, costs US$25 and is granted for single entry visits for a maximum of 30 days to nationals of the 80 eligible countries. You can see the detailed guidelines on this Government official website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. When you arrive in Vietnam, you do not need to pay any other visa costs and it also saves your time at the airport as well thus it recently is the preference of several tourists. 

 

Vietnam visa

Vietnam is beautiful!

No one comes back home without tons of amazing photos of Vietnam’s beautiful nature. We have almost every kind of natural landscapes, from the towering mountain ranges, the lush forests & national parks, the terraced rice fields, the biggest natural caves, thousands of stunning waterfalls, lakes, rivers, sand dunes and the long coastlines with multiple lovely beaches, etc.

It also comes with the architecture which you can find in the Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary, etc. or a lot of Buddist temples from north to south. 

 

Halong Bay is one of the most famous Vietnam holiday destinations

The culture

Vietnamese culture is unique and very much alive daily. If you travel to Vietnam during the Tet holiday (Lunar new year), you can easily encounter a Vietnamese woman wearing Ao dai – our traditional customs. Coming to every monument or temple, you will hear about the rituals, the folk tales which express our belief. More interesting, you can have lunch at a local home and witness how we prepare food for a simple family meal, how to start the meal, how to share food or how we worship our family ancestors, etc.

With 54 ethnic groups who live in specific places, you have a lot of things to see while traveling, like the hill tribes in Sapa mountainous area, their colorful clothes, their traditional houses, their food, etc.

 

Sapa is home to five ethnic minorities of Vietnam

The cuisine

Vietnamese gastronomy is famous all over the world, sometimes it is the goal for some travelers. You might hear of Pho noodle, banh mi, fried spring rolls, sticky rice… – all signatures of Vietnam food.

What more cool is Vietnamese street food! From the main dishes to the snacks, you can easily find it on the streets of Hanoi, Hoi An, or Ho Chi Minh city. It feels just so right when you sit in a low chair waiting for your green papaya salad while surrounded by the local eaters. 

Vietnamese coffee just tastes so good. Black coffee, with condensed milk, with coconut milk or egg coffee – those are must-try!  

 

The delicious Bun Cha

It is affordable

It is hard to find a place with all the above things yet the cheap price. Vietnam is one of a kind. 

Hotels are from US$20 for a night if you are a backpacker, and from US$45 if you are looking for an upper 3-star hotel with the centrally located place. Street food is US$1-2 for a dish, and a full meal at the restaurant costs you US$10 per person. Transportation/taxis are everywhere at a reasonable rate. 

Suggested Vietnam tours 2021

• Vietnam Cultural Highlights 14 Days
• Tonkin Elegance 8 Days
• Classic Central Vietnam 5 Days
  
  

 

Daniel Nguyen – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »

Light up your trip with Thailand lantern festival

Light up your trip with Thailand lantern festival https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/thailand-lantern-festival

Thailand is no doubt a really attractive destination for having plenty of festivals celebrated all year round. After the most famous Songkran Festival (Thai New Year Festival), many visitors are eager to join the Thailand lantern festival in fall with the breath-taking photos of thousands of burning lanterns flying into the sky.

 

Thailand lantern festival is celebrated in the fall

The lantern festival in Thailand

Here are the top 5 most frequently asked questions for the lantern festival in Thailand:

1. When is the lantern festival held in 2020? The light festival is held on the full moon day of the 12th lunar month every year. This year, the lantern festival may fall for 31st October 2020
2. Where is the lantern festival in Thailand? The lantern festival is celebrated nationwide. Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Bangkok are the best places to see the festivals in the country.
3. How do people celebrate the lantern festival? Loy Krathong is the Thai name of the lantern festival. Here people release lotus-shaped baskets that are decorated with candles and flowers onto the rivers.
4. What is special about the light festival in Chiang Mai? Yi Peng is another light festival held on the same day as the Loy Krathong in Northern Thailand, mostly in Chiang Mai. Lights are set into the sky lanterns that are decorated with good wishes and prayers. People then release the lanterns into the air.
5. How to join the Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai? You can go online to purchase your entrance tickets. There are two places for Yi Peng Festival: Behind Mae Jo University, costs from US$300/person – this is mainly for locals and Chiang Mai Culture Art & Design from US$200/person – this is considered to be more delightful in the open air.

 

The lantern festival in Thailand is to represent optimism and new beginnings

Loy Krathong Festival

Loy Krathong literally means “floating basket”. These lanterns are hand made with the banana trees, banana leaves, flowers, and incense sticks. You can make you own or buy one for around 50-150 THB depending on the size and shape. On the day the festival occurs, you may find anywhere to sell this beautiful lantern.  

Loy Krathong has been celebrated throughout the country for centuries with the purpose to mark the end of the rainy season. People will gather around lakes, rivers, and canals to pay respects to the god of water then release the beautiful lotus-shaped rafts.

In Bangkok, the main Loy Krathong celebration has been held at Asiatique since 2013. Long ago, it was held along the banks of Wat Saket in the Old City which is still a popular place for travelers. For anyone around Khao San Road, head to the nearby Phra Athit Pier. If your hotels host a Loy Krathong event at their swimming pool area (contact your hotel for more information), you can try your hand at Loy Krathong, without fighting your way through crowds of people outside the public area.

 

The handmade lanterns are releasing

Hotels located along the Chao Phraya River are especially popular. They often have Loy Krathong events combined with a special dinner and fireworks; such as Anantara Riverside Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, or Shangri La Hotel Bangkok. 

Yi Peng Festival

Thousands of burning lanterns lighting up and filling the night sky is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai, as well as an impressive moment that many visitors desire to have in their Thailand tours.

Historically, the Yi Peng Festival was the special holiday celebrated by the Lanna Kingdom of northern Thailand. Many believe that the time of the 12th full moon is when the moon will appear at its fullest and brightest that make the perfect time to wish for good fortune for the new calendar year.

As the release of the lantern at the water festival, the releasing of the lantern is considered as an act of releasing your bad luck into oblivion. 

Normally, a huge lantern release event takes place at Maejo University about a few days before Yi Peng. During the actual Yi Peng festival, Three Kings Monument, Thapae Gate, the Old Town moat area and the Ping River are the main locations where celebrations take place. You can choose to spend time at a rooftop bar to escape the crowds and see tranquil lanes with candles. 

 

Yi Peng Festival

Tips for a successful releasing your lanterns in Chiang Mai

1. Purchase your favorite one as early as possible to avoid the sold-out when thousands of people seek for the lanterns on the day of celebration.
2. You can consider buying the bigger lantern as it is easier to release than the small ones. 
3. Write your wish on the lantern before lighting it up and sending it to the sky.
4. As the paper is very thin, be careful not to tear the lantern.
5. Launch the lantern on your own is quite hard, do not hesitate to ask for help surroundings.
6. Do not forget to make a wish, light incense, and wait until the lantern is suitable to fly to the sky.

Suggested Thailand tours 2021

• Classic Thailand 7 Days
• Bangkok To Chiang Mai 4 Days
• Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days

 

Linh Chu – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »

3 suggestions for Vietnam itinerary one week

3 suggestions for Vietnam itinerary one week https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/vietnam-itinerary-one-week

Vietnam is a long country with many beautiful destinations and it could take about one month to deeply discover its landscape and culture. It would be a very difficult job to choose which places to go as one week is probably not enough. Still, you can have a good insight into the country with different itineraries. I have listed here below 3 plans that you can consider for your Vietnam itinerary one week.

 

Discover the regions of Vietnam

Classic one-week itinerary – A glance at Vietnam

This itinerary will be suitable for guests who want to get a bit of everything and to basically understand and experience the country. Your trip will start from Hanoi, the capital with rich history and culture to breathtaking landscape Halong, from the lovely peaceful town of Hoi An to modern and Ho Chi Minh city, enjoying specialties of all the areas.

 

A glance at Vietnam

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Your first stop in Vietnam is to fly into Hanoi, the capital, and also the main airport for flights coming into Vietnam. You can also start your trip from the South by flying into Ho Chi Minh.

After arriving Hanoi, a free day to rest and relax is highly recommended. However, if your flight lands early in the morning, you can easily take a Hanoi walking tour in the Old Quarter or sit on a relaxing cyclo tour to discover the vibrant streets of Hanoi. After that, enjoy a water puppet show (about one hour), a traditional folklore art of the country which will surely entertain you for the night.

Day 2: Spend a full day discover the historical sites of Hanoi

It is very necessary and important to arrange a Vietnam guided tour with a private transfer and English speaking guide (or another language you’d like) to understand more about these places and be able to visit more.

Here below are the most popular destinations that you should visit during your city tour in Hanoi.

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh – the national hero who devoted his life to the Independence of Vietnam. The visit can be combined with a visit to President Palace, House on Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda.
2. Temple of Literature, a temple dedicated to Confucius, was also recognized as the first national university in Vietnam.
3. The Museum of Ethnology displays many artifacts of different ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
4. Hoa Lo Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

 

Hoa Lo Prison

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay

You will drive about 3 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay and then get on a Halong overnight cruise. There are 3 bays that cruises operate tours: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and many types of cruises from budget to luxury cruises that suit your need and interest. Whichever bay/cruises you choose, you can basically experience activities such as visiting Halong Bay caves, kayaking, and enjoy the breathtaking of the bay.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Da Nang

You will disembark the cruise about 11:30 am – 12:00 pm. Then you can join in the shuttle bus to be back to Hanoi and then get a taxi/private car to Hanoi airport and flight to Da Nang. Actually, there is a closer airport to Halong Bay which is Hai Phong airport with only one flight departing around 15:30 pm from Hai Phong to Da Nang. From Da Nang, you take a private taxi/car to Hoi An. Since arriving early around 18:00 pm, you can spend the night discover this peaceful small town.

Day 5: Spend a day in Hoi An

You can spend a day relaxing and discovering the town or join a biking tour of the countryside area of Hoi An.

 

Peaceful Hoi An town

Day 6: Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh half day tour

There are many flights from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh per day and I think the one at 10:00 am is the most suitable one. Upon arrival Ho Chi Minh, discover the highlights of the city such as the War Museum, Independence Palace, Post Office, Cathedral Church, and Ben Thanh market.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh

Mekong Delta is definitely worth visiting even if you have one day. You can discover the lush delta with many activities such as visiting fruit gardens, local cottage industry, enjoying a local rowing boat through a small canal. A Mekong Delta day trip often arranges activities at My Tho/Vinh Long/Ben Tre which is about 2,5 or 3 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh city.

You will be back in Ho Chi Minh city around 18:00 and you will be able to fly home if your flight is around midnight.

Vietnam one week itinerary for family

The family may not want to travel too much by plane, so focusing on typical areas such as North Vietnam tours is the best option.

 

North Vietnam tours

Day 1: Hanoi arrival + Cyclo tour

Upon arrive Hanoi, take a good rest before discovering the busy streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Your kids may tired to walk, let’s book a cyclo ride (about 1 hour), meandering through vibrant streets and watching the world go by.

Day 2: Half day city tour or Bat Trang ceramic village – Street food tour

You can choose one or two below suggestions:

1. Half-day Hanoi city tour: Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature & Hoa Loa Prison.
2. Bat Trang Ceramic village: Having fun with clay and mold under the instruction of craftsmen. Visiting a workshop to understand how traditional ceramic made in Vietnam.
3. Hanoi street food tour: Embarking on a culinary adventure, biting into the flavors of northern Vietnam, discovering local markets, and wandering through the alleys of Hanoi Old Quarter, trying different specialties of Hanoi from Pho, Bun, Hanoi egg coffee and other snacks.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the greatest Vietnam holiday destinations for everyone. If you have kids, it is great to choose cruise offering Halong Bay kayaking activities. Overnight on cruise.

 

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Night train to Lao Cai

After disembarking cruise, you will drive back to Hanoi and then get on an overnight train to Sapa. Train leaves at 21:00 pm or 21:40 pm.

Day 5: Sapa

After 8 hours on the train, your family will arrive at Lao Cai station which is 30 km Sapa. Booking a private car/taxi beforehand is highly recommended as you will reach Lao Cai quite early in the morning (5:00 am – 6:00 am). Sapa is a great place to enjoy the most beautiful landscape in northwest Vietnam. Also, it is so interesting to learn about different ethnic groups who live on the mountain, trek to the village of Lao Chai and Ta Van. Then back to your hotel in Sapa for rest. There are many local Sapa homestays if your family wants to have a more authentic experience.

Day 6: Sapa – Hanoi

You will spend half-day to discover the other attractions in Sapa such as Fanxipang Mountain, Silver Waterfall. There are more routes for people who like to do more trekking.

There are several options to go back Hanoi: by private car, by night train, or Limousine shuttle bus. I would highly recommend taking the shuttle bus as it is very comfortable and cost-saving. Bus leaves around 15:00 pm and costs around US$ 15-20/per person.

Notes: The best time to travel to Sapa is from May to September when rice is planted on the field. If you travel in March/April, Mai Chau/Pu Luong is an alternative.

 

Rice terraces in Sapa

Day 7: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi – Flight home

If you still have one more day in Hanoi, Ninh Binh (100 km south of Hanoi) is really worth visiting. Taking a Trang An boat trip and biking around the village are the main activities that the area offers.

>> Suggested Vietnam tours: Tonkin Elegance 8 Days

Vietnam one week itinerary for adventurers

For adventurers, Vietnam is the ideal destination with diverse kinds of landscapes, mountains, hills, ocean, island, karst caves, and deltas. North Vietnam is often praised for its unique natural and cultural features. For nature, the most famous one is the world heritage Halong Bay. However, many other places such as Sapa, Ha Giang, Ba Be, Cao Bang are all worth to visit with magnificent landscape and culture.

 

For adventurers, Vietnam is also the ideal destination

1. Ha Giang is home to many ethnic minorities including Hmong, Dao, Tay, and famous for the most rugged territory of Vietnam. This area is located closer to the China border. Dong Van Plateau, Meo Vac, Ma Pi Leng pass are highlighted.
2. Cao Bang is the most famous attractions with Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave
3. Ba Be Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam. Enjoying a relaxing boat trip and hiking to the local village are the main activities here.

 

Relaxing boat trip on Ba Be Lake

Note: Be expected to spend a long time on the car/bus when you decide to travel to this region. Even though, the view on the mountain will never disappoint you.

>> Suggested Vietnam tours: Spirit Of Northeast Vietnam Adventure 7 Days

 

All above are the 3 suggestions for Vietnam itinerary one week for different groups with different interests and recommended tours. When planning your Vietnam tours 2021, it is always better to look at the weather and other factors to customize your trip. If you find the itinerary above doesn’t match your trip, please share with us your expectation, and then we will design the trip just for you.

 

Van Do – Travel Specialist

#Indochinavoyages #Indochinatours #Timlee #Vietnamtours #Myanmartours #Cambodiatours #Laostours #Thailand tours

Read Full Post »