Heart of Hanoi

Using my own non-expert terminology, I like to think of the Hoan Kiem Lake area as the "Heart of Hanoi" which is must-see place in your Hanoi Tour. I think a tourist brochure would call it “the French Quarter”.

Hoan Kiem lake

1. History of Hoan Kiem Lake - The heart and soul of Hanoi

Don't let the word "lake" fool you; Hoan Kiem Lake is practically a pond. I imagine that the diameter is somewhere around 1 kilometer. The pictures don’t seem to capture how small the area really is.

Ho Hoan Kiem (or Lake of the Restored Sword) was once part of the Red river (song Hong). Throughout thousands of years of geographical changes, the lake moved eastward to its present position kilometers from the river. 

Ngoc Son temple

Before the famous historical legend of King Le Loi here, Hoan Kiem Lake used to be called Luc Thuy Lake (or Green Water Lake) since the water was green all the year round. In 15^th century, it was named Hoan Kiem Lake after the legend of Emperor Le Thai To, which is somehow similar to the story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's. . Hence, Hoan Kiem Lake is now situated inside a complex of Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower in the surroundings, making a sparkling colorful natural picture! Ngoc Son has undergone a lot of renovations, one among which was the addition of Thap But (translated as Pen Tower) on its hill, which was once called Dao Tai. Three words were inscribed on the tower: "Ta Thien Thanh" or "write on blue sky". Inside the gate a pool resembling the shape of an ink well was added. Beyond the ink well is The Huc bridge, which means "where the sun light is absorbed". The bridge leads to Dac Nguyet Lau (or "Moon Light tower") - Ngoc Son shrine. Beyond the gates to the shrine, there are two walls called bang Rong and bang Ho (dragon and tiger slate), where the names of those who passed the national test were inscribed. 

The Huc bridge

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2. Hoan Kiem Lake - The heart and soul of Hanoi

What could not be missed in this beautiful complex is the Turtle Tower, which lies in the middle of the Lake, so as to remind Vietnamese people of the Turtle God of his great assistance. It was told that King Le Thanh Tong used to fish here. Lord Trinh also built the structure to house his entourage while visiting the lake.  During the wedding season, I'd seen professional photographers snap shots of brides and grooms on the green lawns beside the water. Traditionally, at midnight on the first night of the Tet New Year celebration, the most significant moment in Vietnam's year, the smoke cloud of a millioin exploding firecrackers covered the lake like a blanket on a newborn. Hanoians didn't even call Hoan Kiem Lake by its popular name, but used a shorthand term of endearment, bo ho, "the shore of the lake." No one had to ask, which shore? which lake? Bo ho wasn't merely the heart of the city, but its lungs, and mind, and soul as well. The ‘tortoises’ of Hoan Kiem Lake are actually rare Asian soft-shelled freshwater giant turtles (the word ‘rua’ in Vietnamese covers both species). An unknown number still inhabit the murky water –occasionally a head pops up, a powerful omen of good luck for anyone fortunate to witness the event.

Hoan Kiem lake surroundings

3. Things to do in Hoan Kiem lake- the must-see place in Hanoi

That’s not to say you’ll run out of things to do (not for at least a couple days). There are dozens of things to do or observe in the areas for little or no price. For example, you can:

*Take a run around the lake

*Watch people doing what I believe was Tai Chi (sp?) in the morning. (Hint: Dawn is pretty. Get up early).

*Visit the mini-museum at Ngoc Son Temple (that's the island connected by the red bridge in the middle of the lake) and learn about a myth involving a turtle that I'm unable to recall with much clarity, (haha);

*see the water puppet show (Note: this is not on the lake, but rather in a nearby theater. Also, ask someone about the times; the shows are usually at night).

*Eat authentic food prepared by the locals

*Visit local markets

*Watch people playing a unique sport that involves kicking an object over a net in a court. (I was really fascinated by this. I was observing two teams of two kicking what appeared to be a badminton birdie. However, I am not sure whether this was a sport in its own right or if the players were actually practicing for sepak takraw)

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 Source: Vietwindtravel

Vietnam Weather - Climate

Vietnam’s weather varies from the sub-tropics in the North to the tropics in the South. The humidity is high, with average ranging around 84% a year.  Moderated by two monsoons, the average temperature (from 22 to 27) is lower than other countries also in the equatorial regions. The weather varies greatly from North to South, depending on elevation and type of landscape.

Northern weather

Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi

Northern Vietnam (from Hue up North) has four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The temperature ranges from 5-6C in winter to up to 35C in summer. The further North it is, the colder it gets. In mountainous regions in the far North (such as Sapa) the temperature some times drops below zero. Rainy months are August, October, November. February and March have persistent, light, drizzling rain.

Central Vietnam

Beach in central Vietnam

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Temperatures are high all year round. The temperature tends to be warmer and more humid than the South in the middle of the year and cooler during the dry season from November to April. Flooding may occur from October to December.

Southern Vietnam

floating market in southern Vietnam

 Has a distinct dry season (from November to April) and wet season (from May to October). Average temperature ranges from 25-30C. During wet months, heavy and short downpours may occur in mid-afternoons.

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EXPLORING THE NORTH OF VIETNAM

Traveling to the North to explore the spectacular mountainous scene, the peaks appearing from a distance like islands jutting above a sea of cloud, the forests harbor many species of wild animals, butterflies and flower. You don’t miss the chance to view the breathtaking landscape of flower blossoming seasons unique of the Northeast region of Vietnam.

 “"We don't divide the seasons into spring, summer, autumn and winter. Rather, we think of time in terms of when flowers bloom”  a "professional" flower traveler said.

 

Buckwheat blossoming season ( Tam Giac Mach)

When autumn coming ,  farmers finish harvesting their crops on the terraced fields on Dong Van Stone Plateau in the northernmost province of Ha Giang, buckwheat plants start to blossom, turning the whole region into a charming pink painting. The flower is characterized by triangle-shaped pistils and this is why local people call buckwheat the “triangular flower”. Buckwheat flowers characteristically open in pinkish white and then turn light purplish. Nobody knows exactly how long the buckwheat plants have been in the region. However, the locals often use its grain-like seeds to make their food, such as cakes and to make a kind of tasty wine.

Buckwheat blossoming season is in October- November.

 

Pristine white flowers season ( hoa cai trang)

Moc Chau is far from Hanoi about 200km is famous for a large herd of milk cows, immense tea plantations, big gardens of plum and apricot trees, and large green grass field of about 1, 6000 hectares. It also is one of the best attractions for those who are passionate about photography. When November comes, And Moc Chau Plateau is covered in vast fields of pristine white flowers. Pristine white flowers stretch across dozens of hectares covered fields, hills with a smooth white. Pristine white flowers season in the Northwest region coincide with the wedding season in October and November, so it attracts many couples coming here to take wedding photograph.

Pristine white flowers season

 

Cherry and plum flowers blossom (hoa dao, man)

After Tet (Lunar New Year Festival), the Moc Chau plateau or Sapa are covered in the pure white colour of apricot and plum flowers. As the weather starts to get warmer in the plateau and tea mountains, apricot and plum flowers also bloom. You will be delighted to see hills of plum trees, their white blooms mingling with young and tender leaves. Beautiful plum flowers are fragile and pure, but they still bloom in early spring. Small plum flowers cover the skinny branches like a beautiful scarf.

Plum flowers bloom for only a short period, about two to three weeks, so if you want to admire the beauty of this flower, you should plan to visit Moc Chau in the beginning of February.

Cherry and plum flowers blossom

 

Azaleas in Hoang Lien Son national park ( Hoa do quen)

Visitors to the Sa Pa,  tourism this occasion the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure tree native azalea blooming brilliant ASEAN Heritage Park in Sa Pa, Vietnam

Hoang Lien National Park - Sa Pa, has 30 species of azalea grow wild, where most flowers are very beautiful with the red, pink, yellow, white ...
Azalea in Hoang Lien Son mountain bloom almost all year round, especially in late spring to early summer every year.

Azaleas in Hoang Lien Son national park

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Halong bay tours - The plesant experiences

Halong Bay is a destination not to be missed for each of us, because the attraction of  Halong seem to grow over the time, and this place gives you the most interesting experiences.

That might be the charm of the legends of the islands, caves, or the adventure of exploration by kayak Bay or simply a quiet night 's sleep on board...

Let's go to Ha Long Bay and explore all the interesting above

Experience the fascinating legends:

With Halong bay tours,  you will discover the fascinating story. The advent of  Ha Long Bay myth shimmering colors. That legend of the dragon is the Jade Emperor sent men down to help the Vietnamese fight the foreign invaders. Victory, that beautiful, man in the earth dragon, creating countless islands today...

Likewise, the legend of the islands, caves etc. the area are very much concerned with the nation's history. Dau legend has it that in the war against the Yuan - Mongolian, Tran Hung Dao was to prepare many ironwood stakes here, roughly pointed to plug into the bed of the Bach Dang River. Because there are so many pieces of wood left fishermen have called Dau Go.

Vietwind Travel - Dau Go Cave

Unlike Dau Go cave, Trinh Nu cave legend of a tragic love story of a beautiful girl floating. Due to the poor, she was named landlord forced her to marry him, not a landowner agrees to name her stomach desert island. Starving and exhausted, in a rainy night, she had turned to stone here. He asked her after the news was absorbed in sailing to find her. His boat crashed ashore on a deserted island. In flashes, he looked up and realized the girl away, but the words he was called away by the wind. He kept calling the name of love forever, to the point of exhaustion, and he turned to stone. Where is petrified cave girl Virgin, hang this door has stone statues of her. Faced with a row in the Virgin Cave ( also known as Son cave ) is where the boy was petrified. Stone statue of the boy is facing hang Virgin still to this day...

Discovery  Halong bay by kayak 

With a small kayak, you can get a fascinating journey weaving through thousands of islands between the vast earth. Just waving paddles on the blue water just to admire nature poetic grandeur that will bring exciting feeling hard to describe.

Vietwind travel - Kayaking

Experience tranquility in the heart of Ha Long Bay :

Have you ever experienced a mid- afternoon on the deck to see the immense waves his door open between nature ? Do you ever wake up early and see the first sun rays on the sea, the sails rose to welcome a new day between natural pristine vastness of the sky, clouds and mountains ?

There is nothing more exciting to be able to just relax right in your own room can just see the mountains, river and mountain grandeur, located on the sun deck watching the stars, watching the beach at night... It will be a relaxed moments great when you can not forget to Halong Bay.

Vietwind Travel - Relaxing on board

The reputed service providers:

Vietwind Travel will  help you have a wonderful experience about Ha Long bay

and each minute of your journey is update into a DVD which we want special  offer for all private tour & group tour from 10 person. The most beautiful moment,  memorable of Halong  will be saved forever..

Your satisfaction is our success as "BRING SENSE TO YOUR LIFE !"

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Weather advice for your Sapa tour

Sapa is an incredibly picturesque town that lies in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in northwestern Vietnam, known as "the Tonkinese Alps". Sapa and its surrounding region is host to many hill tribes, as well as rice terraces, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. In this article, Vietwindtravel will provide you some information about Climate and Weather in Sapa as well as some suggestions about the best time for you Sapa Tour

Sapa town

1. General Information Of Sapa Weather

The climate of Hoang Lien National Park is unique to Vietnam. It is highly seasonal, with a subtropical climate in the summer and a temperate climate during the winter. Mean annual temperature for Sa Pa town is 15.4°C, with a maximum of 29.4°C and a minimum of 1°C. The warmest months are July and August, and the coldest months are December and January. Snow falls in some years on the highest peaks. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July and August. The weather is also notorious for changing frequently and quickly. It is said that only in Sapa, one can experience many different seasons within only one day.

  

Month Weather features

Weather by months

Month	Weather features
January	Coldest month, cloudy, foggy but not too wet. better from early days and gets worse to the later half of the month.
February	Very cold in early days, cloudy, foggy. Getting warmer & better towards later days.
March	Much nicer and warmer than Feb, more sunshine
April	Summer start, dry, clear, warm enough
May	Starting rainy season with quick shower occasionally, clear sky with more sunshine but little bit warm in the open at noon.
June	Warm but not as hot like other region. Clear sky, much sunshine but summer shower get more but not too wet
July	Among the 2 worst months of the year caused by summer shower
August	The peak month of typhoon and rain
September	Autumn starts, getting drier and normally very nice towards the end of the month.
October	Cool, dry, sunshine almost every day, clear sky
November	Cooler, dry. May be misty and foggy towards the end but nice
December	Wet winter starts and get worse at the later days of the month.

3. Best times to visit Sapa

Although, each season has its own special qualities and surprises, The best time to visit Sapa as well as the northern mountain is from September to November or from March to May, when the weather is fairly settled with dry sunny days and clear cold nights. During this period the temperature ranges from 15 – 25 degree Celsius. It is not rainy season in Sapa so the trekking routes are dry and bear which means added opportunity to do longer treks, and possibly conquer Mount Fansipan

And if you want to go there in winter, you can get some great feelings with the weather and sightseeing at there, Winters can be decidedly chilly, especially in the Northeast where night frosts are not uncommon from December to February, but the compensation is daybreak mists and breathtaking sunrise views high above valleys filled with early-morning lakes of cloud. During the winter months, the temperature is much cooler and it is advised to bring a some warmer clothing (good waterproof jacket, sweater, wool socks).

If you are a photographer, the most beautiful landscape in Sa Pa is:

September - October with terraced fields of yellow-ripened rice

May with green terraced fields of young rice plant

December with spring flower like peach & plum flower

Source: Vietwind Travel

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Advise somethings must-do in Hanoi for your trip

Hanoi- the capital of Vietnam, is the Asian city with European characteristics with much of its French influence retaining where you could immediately fall in love with. There is tons to do in this 1000 years- old city. However with your limited time, here ore our recommendations for things to do in Hanoi that will make your trip extra special.

1. Hoan Kiem lake - the heart of Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

A beautiful lake located in the Old Quarters with a lengthy history and legend about the first king of Le dynasty. Hoan Kiem Lake means “Lake of the Returned Sword”. Hoan Kiem lake is located inside the complex of Ngoc Son pagod),The Huc Bridge and Pen tower in the surroundings making a sparkling colorful nature picture. In the middle of the lake situated Turtle Tower.People say that there are very large, old tortoises living in the lake and it is lucky if you see one of them emerging from the water.

2. Trying Local Specialties in Hanoi

Trying Local Specialties

You can experience some adventurous things by eating some strange and unique dishes in there like snake meat (which is available in the form of a 14 course meal), Worm Paddies .If you have a chance you should try eating Soft Serve Cinnamon Ice Cream which is particular ice cream different from the usual supermarket, package we buy and very delicious with only about 60 cents.

Weasel coffee is the special beverage you should enjoy if you come to Hanoi especially for those who are interested in caffeine drink. It is made from coffee beans that have been carefully selected and digested by a weasel, then used to make coffee.

Of course, Visiting Hanoi is not completed without trying the street food like Pho, Bun Cha, Banh cuon..

3. Water Puppet Show - the unique art in Hanoi and North Vietnam

Water Puppet Show

Water puppet art is a long traditional cultural activity of agriculture-based citizens by the Red River in Northern Vietnam and has existed for a long time with unique features. The special element of water puppetry is the use of the water surface as a stage for performance. The show is about an hour long and takes place every evening.

Price: $3 – $5 depending on which tickets you get

4. The Temple of Literature - the first university in Hanoi and Vietnam

Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature is located in van Mieu Street, 2km west of Hoan kiem Lake. Built in 1070, it was considered as Vietnam’s first university in 1076. Over the years, many Vietnamese scholars were educated here. Nowadays, it is a popular place for upcoming college graduates to get their picture taken and the grounds are quite pretty

5. Hanoi Cooking Centre

Hanoi Cooking Centre

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Located in 44 Chau Long Street, nestled on the edge of Hanoi's famous old quarter and close to picturesque Truc Bach and West Lake, Hanoi Cooking class is a cooking school, and cafe. Vietnamese food, with it’s fresh flavors and wide variety, is quite delicious. If you want to make your own Vietnamese dishes , it is a wonderful place for you.

Price: $25-$50

6. Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi

The Hỏa Lò Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War . The prison was demolished during the 1990s, though the gatehouse remains as a museum.. When you come to here, you have watch an exhibit showing the awful conditions under French colonization as well as many objects, pictures depict American soldiers in there.

Price: $1

7. Hanoi night market

Hanoi night market

Hanoi night market, also known as Dong Xuan night market, is weekly held on weekend evenings in the Old Quarter of Ha Noi. It’s a very interesting place that all visitors should not miss if they have chance to travel to Hanoi. This market spreading from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan market creates a busy and crowed walking street. Local people and visitor come here for strolling, sight-seeing and shopping. You can find everything here from clothing, souvenir to recreation or food. 

8. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Located in Central Ba Dinh District, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built to dedicate the leader of the country where visitors come to express their admiration and gratitude to the national hero.

Vietwind Travel hope that we can become a partner in your trip to explore Hanoi.

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 Source: Vietwind Travel

Best of North Vietnam Tour 2014

1. General Information of North Vietnam

Northern Vietnam is one of the three regions within Vietnam (the other two regions are Central Vietnam and Southern Vietnam).Of the three regions, the oldest is Northern Vietnam, where the Vietnamese culture originated over 2000 years ago in the Red River Delta, so it is considered as “ the cultural cradle of Vietnam”. Travel the best North Vietnam with Vietwindtravel to explore the exotic cultural point of 4000 year wet rice civilization in the ancient villages along the Red river bank, to see something of the lives, customs and costumes of many of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions in Northwest, and enjoy the particular fresh and delicious specialties of the North Vietnam.

Mountains in North Vietnam

2. Best of North Vietnam Tour  Information

“Best of North Vietnam tour 2014 ” is very comprehensive tour to show you the best view of North Vietnam from cultural diversity to breathtaking scenery. You could discover Hanoi’s colonial charm to Sapa’s the mist-entwined mountains and to finally the turquoise, island dotted, Halong Bay. This tour includes all of North Vietnam’s key sites.

Hanoi in autumn

3.  The Capital City- Hanoi 

The tours will take you to visit the most interesting and beautiful places in the Northern Vietnam for sightseeing the stunning landscapes, explore the exotic culture, and enjoy the absolutely fresh and delicious specialties. You will visit Hanoi, the historical and political capital of Vietnam, lying on the bank of the Red river, is founded in 1010 by King Ly Thai To. In Vietnamese, Hanoi is usually written as two words, Ha meaning the river, in reference to the Red River and Noi meaning this inner side.  Hanoi is the Asian city with European characteristics with much of its French influence retaining where you could immediately fall in love with. Hanoi’s original characters are very much intact, preserved in traditional pagodas and temples, colonial architecture, tree-lined streets, lakes, and the ancient heart of the old town center. Visiting Hanoi, you can also enjoy the street food with the elegant, fresh and particular delicious flavor which is well-known all over the world. Hanoi is really a heaven for foodies.

4. The tranquil Villages in North Vietnam

Leaving Hanoi and its populous suburbs, you enter the picturesque provincial regions with their chequer-board patterned paddy fields. Green belts of trees and bamboo enclose villages where traditional communal houses, pagodas and temples remain hidden from view beyond the roadside fields. Men, women, children and buffalo toil together in the fields seven days a week in all weathers. The scene is one of tranquil beauty. You can visit Duong Lam ancient village located in SonTay city, 20 km far from Hanoi to explore the old unique Vietnamese houses, pagodas and customs of wet rice cultivation remains in this old village.

Sapa girl.

5. Sapa- amazing land of North Vietnam

Sapa is among the well- known beauty spots in Vietnam. It is famous not only for its landscapes but also convergence of many ethnicities living together. Coming there, visitors will enjoy vibrant dresses of ethnics as H’mong Black, Red Dao, Tay, Giay, etc. Each ethnic is different in dress, lifestyle, customs, and farming methods. Set on the slopes of a beautiful emerald green valley, Sapa is the heart of this unique piece of Vietnam. Travel to this peaceful land and meet resplendently dressed ethnic minorities at the local market, visit neighboring villages and hike through iridescent rice terraces, witnessing how the current of life has bubbled along here for centuries.

Local people in Sapa

6. Halong bay - The pride of Vietnam

 On the way you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and  stop for taking photos. You will also discover the Sapa market where the local people meet and exchange goods and culture as well as the place for young couples to date. You might certainly be impressed by the colorful costume of the minority ethics here which make Sapa become more poetic. If you are interested in learning about unique culture, custom and way of living of the Black H’mong, Giay, Red Dzao ethnic people. You can choose the home stay tour in Sapa which offer the opportunity to live with the local people in their villages lying on Hoang Lien Son Mountain and Muong Hoa valley such as Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Su Pan village… The local people will teach you cook their traditional dishes, and explain you their customs as well as the relating legends. You will take part in their daily life’s activities including reaping the rice on the terraced field in the harvest season, sewing the tradition costume or catching fish on the stream which certainly become your unforgettable memory about Sapa.

Halong Bay- magical land. 

Farewell to Sapa, you will return to Hanoi to continue the journey to Halong Bay- majestic and spectacular, the present the Nature Mother gave for Vietnam. Coming to Halong Bay is coming to a new Wonder of the world to enjoy and admire the magical creative of the Nature. Your adventure begins when the cruise boat slowly pulls away from the dock sailing towards the bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, cool salty sea breeze blowing lightly and the sights of the islands and islets rising from the sea as you approach them seems to rejuvenate your tired mind and body on this boat ride.

Fishing Village in Halong bay

The journey to explore the bay takes you into a world of vivid tales and legends of this country. In the calm blue clear waters of this pristine bay, you will see towering limestone islands which resemble human heads and figures standing in the sea facing the mainland. Besides sightseeing, tourists have the opportunity to take part in the exciting activities such as kayaking, visiting amazing fishing village, beaches, caves and grotto in Halong bay, night fishing…. If you are a foodie, you might be interested in fresh, sophisticated flavor of Vietnamese dishes. You can also take involved in our cooking class in the cruise where the Vietnamese excellent chefs will teach you to cook some unique Vietnamese dishes.

 In 2014, vietwind travel will offfer 20% for Best of North Vietnam Tour. We hope that you will have a wonderul and authentic tour when traveling with us not only for sightseeing the spectacular landscapes, enjoying the fresh and delicious specialities but also discovering and experiencing the truly daily life and customs of Vietnamese people.

  Source: Vietwindtravel

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