Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 107 of 195

Hello World #5: I left my heart in Vietnam

Guests from many countries around the world, known as influencers in the travel community were invited to take part in the Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! and they had an unforgettable adventure in Vietnam. After the striking trip, they talked fondly of the beautiful landscapes, Vietnamese culture and people. Be prepared to be intrigued by their honest feelings about the Hello World #5.

[rpi]

EI KYAWT KHAING – MISS WORLD MYANMAR 2017

When I was invited to come here as part of a media trip with Wanderlust Tips travel magazine, I was so happy because Vietnam is one of my favourite destinations in Asia. I have been to Vietnam three or four times, but this is my first time visiting Ho Chi Minh City and Hue. I love the place and the experience. Vietnam is home to many beautiful landscapes, delectable cuisine and interesting historical traditions. I will definitely return to Vietnam many more times in the future.

VUTHÉARA KHAM – CAMBODIAN FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER

As for me, a beautiful land not only boasts its stunning landscapes but its beauty can also be observed in the simplest things. During my trip to Vietnam, I was most impressed by the ancient alley of Hao Si Ward. When strolling around Saigon with the Hello World #5 group, we were taken to this delightfully peaceful place. An array of colourful old houses was built side by side and home to residents living slowly and serenely, providing me with so much inspiration.

In addition to the Hao Si Ward, the other narrow alleys in Ho Chi Minh City brought me an amazing variety of special feelings. In a sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the hectic city, the beautiful alleys provide a peaceful space. A picture-perfect view of children playing happily, the elder playing chess leisurely, some street vendors selling fruits and women sitting and chatting at their front doors. All of this intertwined really made for a fascinating and colourful insight into the city.

JOHN RICK – AMERICAN TRAVEL BLOGGER

This is the first time I have visited Vietnam, so I was extremely excited to discover everything about this beautiful country. I had heard many interesting stories about Vietnamese history and culture, so it was even more interesting to be able to really see for myself. An exhilarating adventure throughout Vietnam departed from the bustling Saigon, peaceful Can Gio, historic Cu Chi to the ancient Hue and the lush green Lang Co, all made me fall in love with Vietnam. I was not only fascinated by the magnificent scenery I was also extremely partial to a Vietnamese coffee. I have to admit that the Vietnamese coffee has the most incredible flavours, despite not being a coffee drinker, I drank the Vietnamese coffee every day.

CHERRIE LYNN – AMERICAN TRAVEL BLOGGER AND FASHIONISTA

My visit to Vietnam with the Hello World #5 and Wanderlust Tips travel magazine was my second trip to Vietnam. The first time I visited Hanoi. However, this time I was excited to be back in Vietnam and explore the southern and central regions. Vietnam is not only home to an abundance of charming nature and distinctive culture but also there are plenty of luxury hotels and resorts.

I was extremely impressed with the Banyan Tree Lăng Cô Resort, an architectural masterpiece that brings together a luxurious living space with the splendid natural surroundings. I love the feeling of waking up in the morning at a lovely resort with a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea in the brilliant sunshine. During my time in Vietnam, I became a big fan of Vietnamese food. I also often eat Vietnamese cuisine in the restaurants in California. However, we were excited to actually come here and eat the authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

ANELA HRNIC (NELLY) AND MICHAEL HOLASCHKE (MIKE) – AUSTRIAN TRAVEL BLOGGERS AND YOUTUBERS, CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES

NELLY

My visit to Vietnam with the Hello World #5 was my first time to Vietnam and I was really happy when arriving here. Amongst the amazing variety of unique destinations in Vietnam, I loved Hue most. We took a stroll around the historical and cultural sites and admired the spectacular landscape with the beautiful sandy beaches and majestic mountains. As it was my first time in Vietnam, it was also the first time I tried Vietnamese food. Vietnamese cuisine is exquisite with a diversity of attractive and flavourful delicacies.

I am a foodie and I have a true passion for food. My job is to taste different foods and present them to our viewers from around the world through my videos. Vietnamese food is really good and definitely ranks on the list of the best food I have ever tasted. The Hello World #5 provided an array of thrilling experiences. Many thanks to Wanderlust Tips travel magazine for helping us to have a beautiful journey. I love the rich experiences that derive from both elegance and simplicity. I hope to visit Vietnam again and see other interesting surprises.

MIKE

When we arrived at the airport in Da Nang, it was quite dark. We travelled to Lang Co and checked-in to the Banyan Tree Lăng Cô Resort when we entered the villa, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful architectural style and sophisticated design, which made me temporarily forget how tired I felt and regained my enthusiasm for the adventures. When I woke up in the following morning, I felt happy to see the beach in front of the resort surrounded by lush green nature. Initially, I only knew Vietnam through the world wonders of Ha Long Bay, but through the Hello World #5, I know that this fantastic country still has many interesting things to explore. I think Nelly and I will definitely return to Vietnam for more thrilling adventures.

AVELOVINIT PATRICE AVERILLA – FILIPINO TRAVEL VLOGGER AND YOUTUBER

My visit to Vietnam with the Hello World #5 was truly memorable as I had the opportunity to meet many lovely international friends, admire beautiful natural scenery and enjoy delicious food. Despite injuring my hand on the first day it helped me to recognise that any travel contains both interesting surprises and risks, reminding us to be careful in every situation. After all, the rest of the trip was jam packed with fun. I really enjoyed sailing on the Saigon River, visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, strolling around Hue City and taking a dip in the sea at Lang Co Beach. After returning from the trip, those thrilling moments have definitely filled me with nostalgia for Vietnam.

XAVIER RITZI AND KAITLYN HOPE RITZI – AMERICAN TRAVEL BLOGGERS

XAVIER

It is hard to say what I liked best about our Hello World #5: “Việt Nam ơi!” adventure as I loved every moment of the trip. Ho Chi Minh City surprised me with its impressive, state-of-the-art architecture, I fell in love with the beautiful Lang Co Beach and its crystal-clear waters, the ancient Hue city with its imposing temples and striking mausoleums. We will certainly highly recommend this beautiful country to anyone who intends to travel to Vietnam.

KATIE

I think Vietnam is an ideal destination for couples who are passionate about exploring or looking for the stunning beaches for a great vacation. Vietnam is extremely beautiful and has a fascinating history and rich culture. There are so many interesting things in Vietnam that we have not discovered yet. I do hope that on our next trip to Vietnam we will spend time visiting Phu Quoc Island and Hanoi.

JOANNA LEMANSKA – FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER AND SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT

I had the opportunity to visit many popular destinations in Vietnam, for instance, Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and the Southwest. When I visit a city, I like to wander through the small alleys and take stunning photos of the friendly locals and their daily lives. For instance, the vendors meandering around the train streets, boatwomen waiting for guests, old women selling hats, barbers and women selling brooms on the street. I was greatly impressed with Vietnamese beauty captured through the simplest images.

Wanderlust Tips

Fusion announces new General Manager for Fusion Suites Saigon

Ray Jingshu Zhang joins Fusion this month as the new general manager of Fusion Suites Saigon, a chic, wellness-inspired hotel in Vietnam’s largest city.

[rpi]

Zhang steps into his first general manager role after a decade of working in the hospitality industry throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The China-born, Australian national most recently worked as deputy general manager (pre-opening) of Banwa Private Island, a secluded luxury resort island in the Philippines that caters to high-net-worth individuals.

“Fusion’s focus on providing boutique, affordable luxury guest experiences as well as the opportunity to introduce Vietnamese hospitality to the world appealed to me,” said Zhang. “The strong well-being philosophy and focus on originality, that drives the company, also attracted me to this dynamic, young team.”

Prior to Banwa, Zhang was group operation project manager for Regent Hotels & Resorts from 2016 to 2018, where he managed hotel projects through their pre-opening phase in Jakarta, Montenegro, Taipei, Guam and Phu Quoc among other locations. He has also held management-level positions with IHG Hotels & Resorts in Australia, and at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.

Fusion’s newest hotelier holds an Executive MBA in Hospitality Administration from the esteemed Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, in Switzerland, and a double bachelor’s degree in hotel management and accounting from Griffith University in Australia.

“As Fusion continues to expand, we’re hiring the next generation of hospitality leaders to help drive this growth,” said Atilla Erda, Fusion’s chief operating officer. “Ray’s fresh outlook, teamed with his solid experience and education, make him the ideal candidate to lead the charge at our Saigon hotel.”

Fusion Suites Saigon is one of two all-suite hotels in Vietnam under the growing Fusion umbrella. The 76-key property debuted in 2016 with the aim of bringing daily doses of wellness to guests. Each visitor receives one complimentary spa therapy per day in a specially-designed spa based on chromotherapy (light therapy).

Wanderlust Tips

Hotel de la Coupole – MGallery receives outstanding recognition at the World Travel Awards 2019

[Wanderlust Tips October 2019] Sapa, October 15, 2019 – Hotel de la Coupole was recognised by the prestigious World Travel Awards 2019 with numerous accolades at the event held in Phu Quoc on October 12^th.

[rpi]

The awards were presented at a glittering award ceremony attended by eminent industry leaders and VIPs from across Asia at the World Travel Awards 2019. Voted by travel and tourism professionals worldwide, these awards are a recognition for the hotel’s commitment to be the leading hotel in Asia as well as the first international five-star brand in Sapa within its very first year of opening.

During this award ceremony, Hotel de la Coupole was honoured as:

Asia’s Leading Hotel 2019
Asia’s Leading Design Hotel 2019
Asia’s Leading New Hotel 2019
Vietnam’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2019

“We are honoured for these four prestigious awards and we would like to extend our gratitude to our guests, business partners and team members. We attribute these rewards to our unwavering commitment to offering the best possible experience through every single service we are providing to guests in Sapa” – Mr Jean-Pierre Joncas, General Manager.

Designed by renowned luxury resort designer Bill Bensley with sweeping views of Sapa Valley and serene rice paddy fields, the newly opened Hotel de la Coupole – MGallery integrates the vibrant colours, patterns and textures of the region’s minority tribes with the sophistication of haute couture in the 1920s and 1930s French Indochine era. The hotel features 249 modern rooms and suites with six room types that overlook the legendary Sapa valley, mountain views and town square.

Launched in 1993, the WTA acknowledges and celebrates excellence in the travel and tourism industry and is now in its 26^th year. Awards are presented across three tiers: country, regional and world awards, based on votes by the public and travel professionals worldwide.

For reservations, email HA5V2-RE@accor.com or contact (+84) 2143629999 for general enquiries and for more information, visit www.accorhotels.com.

Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine in October 2019: Awestruck by Asia

[Wanderlust Tips October 2019] Asia is the largest and most highly populated continent with the most diverse geography in the world. Many of the world’s major religions originated in Asia including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Therefore, Asia contains an ancient, mysterious and complicated history as well as a rich and unique culture. With the theme “Awestruck by Asia”, the October 2019 edition of Wanderlust Tips magazine will take you to an amazing variety of awe-inspiring lands around the world.

[rpi]

With an abundance of “best” things to do, see and eat, Asia is the ideal tourist destination for all travel enthusiasts. However, due to the sheer size of this epic continent it is pretty difficult to discover in its entirety and even more difficult to describe its exquisite beauty in just a few pages.

Buckle up and be prepared to travel with Wanderlust Tips for an exhilarating adventure throughout Asia in this fabulous October Issue. Discover the spectacle that is the mysterious Arabian Peninsula, traverse magnificent Central Asia or explore colourful Southeast Asia. Firstly, go back thousands of years in history through the article “ARABIAN CIVILIZATION: THE RISE OF AN EMPIRE” (Culture section) and discover the Arabian Peninsula. The peninsula is a land of unimaginable differences, ancient history, distinctive culture, diverse religion and many mysteries that travellers desire to explore.

Afterwards, you could explore “THE MYSTERIOUS AND MARVELLOUS BEAUTY OF CENTRAL ASIA” (Discovery section). The land filled with fond memories deriving from the boundless grasslands, the majestic mosques and the magnificent silk road.

Additionally, taking a stroll around BRUNEI – THE ICONIC ISLAMIC BEAUTY IN THE HEART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA (Destination section). Many people think of Brunei as a wealthy and isolated oil kingdom and tourism is not its strength. You could hear thousands of thrilling stories about this beautiful land but no story equates to seeing it with your own eyes once.

The article “APPRECIATE THE TRANQUILITY IN CHIANG MAI” (Destination section) will take you to an amazing destination in Thailand. Chiang Mai does not boast a bustling atmosphere with dynamic shopping and entertainment centres instead, it offers spectacular natural surroundings and a peaceful, leisurely way of life.

After a whole host of spectacular attractions around the world, we will head back to Vietnam to immerse in a wide array of inspirational stories through the “HELLO WORLD #5: VIỆT NAM ƠI!” articles (Travel Impression section).

History, culture, nature and people all intertwined and intimately connected across this huge continent which promises to bring you a plethora of spectacular and profound discoveries.

Wanderlust Tips

Get lost in exotic markets around the world

When visiting a new country, traversing the local markets is a great way for people to fully appreciate the local culture. Each place features many different markets with many unique features, allowing travellers to passionately indulge in the excitement of adventure. Wanderlust Tips will take you on a thrilling stroll around the impressive exotic markets of the world.

[rpi]

THE GRAND WORLD OF SPICES AT THE SPICE BAZAAR, TURKEY

If you are a dab hand in the kitchen or just like to experiment with new flavours, stepping into the spice market, you will get lost in a “maze of flavours”. Spice Bazaar is located in Istanbul, Turkey. True to its name, there is no spice you cannot find here. Appreciate the terrific aromas and recognise the pungent smells of familiar spices amongst an eclectic bouquet of flavours.

As well as the Spice Bazaar, there are other famous spice markets in the world; for instance, Khari Baoli market in Delhi, India offers an impressive array of spices such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, star anise and turmeric. Alternatively, located a stone’s throw from the Campo de’ Fiori Square in Rome, Italy, is home to the Testaccio market where you can find a multitude of Mediterranean spices such as fresh dill seeds, paprika, pepper and mixed seasonings.

AN EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE AT MAEKLONG RAILWAY MARKET, THAILAND

Maeklong is a local market located in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand. The market is commonly called Siang Tai, meaning “Risky Life”. Located a stone’ throw from the Maeklong train station, the 100-metre-stretching market opens from 6 am to 6 pm daily for visitors to explore and experience this unique market. The Maeklong sells a variety of items like many other popular markets.

However, the most fascinating feature of this flea market is the passing train. When the train arrives, the vendors will put their parasols and umbrellas down and clear their goods off the tracks. The train passes and people continue about their daily works as nothing happened. When the train is out of sight, they put everything back in place and get back to work. This process is repeated several times a day.

TOYOSU – THE FAMOUS FISH MARKET IN JAPAN

Japan has long been famous for its fresh seafood, so when travelling to the land of the rising sun, a visit to the fish market is a must. In 2018, the 83-year-old original Tsukiji market was relocated and replaced by the Toyosu fish market, which is around 2km from the original location. The most interesting highlight of the market is the famous tuna auctions. The auction venues may have changed, but the auction rites still remain. A large frozen tuna is displayed on the ground, the auctioneer will start the auction by ringing bells and the bidders name their price. Many visitors have to queue up on the previous night to stand the best chance of being one of the 120 people allowed to witness the event.

DALIUSHU – “GHOST MARKET” IN THE HEART OF CHINA

When night falls and families reunite, the Daliushu market starts to open. Due to the unique opening hours, the market only opens on Tuesday evenings and closes before dawn. This is the reason why Daliushu is known as the “ghost market”. The last remaining ghost market was located in the heart of Beijing, China although people’s shopping habits have changed.

This type of market has been very popular in Beijing since the end of the Qing Dynasty. The times changed and many dignitaries and advisors who formerly served the court lost their status. Those of them who were fortunate enough to retain their treasures brought them to the market to trade. The “ghost markets” gradually disappeared and only the Daliushu market now remains. Over the course of the years, the change has brought out a different side to the ghost market. Starting out as a market for precious antiques and valuable objects, the Daliushu market has now become a unique sightseeing spot, showcasing the ancient Chinese culture to tourists and locals alike.

STROLLING AROUND THE BUSTLING NIGHT MARKETS IN TAIWAN

At autumnal night, tourists can visit the famous night markets on the beautiful island of Taiwan. The bright lights, the cool air and an array of diverse stalls are the reasons for the night markets becoming so consistently frequented with visitors from everywhere around the world. Most of the night markets in Taiwan open at 5 pm and end at midnight. Besides the stalls selling delightful items, the night markets in Taiwan are also home to plenty of attractive food shops with incredibly affordable prices. Enjoying street food at the night markets is a wonderful way for visitors to learn more about the lifestyle of the locals.

If you have the opportunity to go to Taipei, do not forget to visit the famous night markets located on Raohe Street, Ximending Street, Shilin Street and Ningxia Street. In Taichung, you can visit the Fengjia night market and Zhonghua night market. When travelling to Kaohsiung, make sure you remember to stop at the Liuhe night market and Rui Feng night market. The aforementioned night markets will bring you truly remarkable experiences.

DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET, THAILAND – BUSINESS ON THE WATER

The floating markets, where goods are traded on boats, are bustling trading places of many Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. Thailand, the land of golden temples, is famous for Damnoen Saduak. The floating market nestled on the canals featuring many boats laden with agricultural products, fruits, flowers, crafts and is opened from morning until noon. In Vietnam, the Phung Hiep market is one of the largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta with hundreds of busy trading boats. Additionally, Cai Be and Cai Rang are famous and crowded markets in the Western region. In Myanmar, Inle Lake floating market is a popular tourist attraction. Visit these floating markets and explore the distinctive beauty of the locals.

AROUND THE MEDINAS IN MOROCCO

Medina is dubbed the heart and soul of the Moroccan people. “Medina” is the term referring to the old markets zigzagging like a maze. In Morocco, Medinas have been built for many years with a unique cultural history, imbued with iconic marks in each location. For example, the Medina of Fes is an unforgettable maze of aromas teaming with the smell of leather, colourful crafts and crowded transport, making it an extremely busy area. Additionally, the Medina of Marrakech is dubbed a culinary paradise that is famous for cups of aromatic mint Moroccan tea.

ADMIRE THE COLOURFUL WORLD OF IZMAILOVSKY MARKET, RUSSIA

Located in the heart of Moscow, the Izmailovsky market is likened to a miniature fairy world, built in the typical Russian architectural style. With a labyrinth of walkways, the flea market specialises in souvenirs from the former Soviet Union period, Uzbek silk weaving products, fur hats, leather, vintage cameras and traditional Matryoshka dolls. The colourful houses with little walkways make for fantastic photo opportunities. Getting lost in this wonderful little world will make you forget about your aching limbs.

GET LOST IN AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL MARKETS

Travelling to the US, you can visit the farmers’ markets with lots of products on offer. Notably, the over-100-year-old Pike Place market, dubbed the soul of Seattle city is the largest agricultural and aquatic product market in Washington State. Alternatively, the Des Moines market is held every Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa city-state selling wine, baked goods, cheese and dairy products. The Portland Farmers’ Market operates regularly, selling fresh products in Oregon. Additionally, the Santa Fe market in New Mexico State is home to the best agricultural American products with over 150 stalls, making your trip more interesting.

THE BULGARIAN BRIDE MARKET

In Vietnam, there is also the Khau Vai love market or the Phong Luu market, located amidst Ha Giang Stone Plateau. The market opens once a year, on March 27^th of the lunar calendar. The boys and girls who did not get together will meet to share stories about their lives. Today, the Khau Vai love market is not only a place for the ones that got away but also a place for the souls seeking happiness to come together. This is a unique cultural feature in the Central Highland.

Thi Thi | Wanderlust Tips

wanderlust-tips-angsana-and-banyan-tree-lang-co-conde-nast-travelers-2019-readers-choice-awards 1

Angsana and Banyan Tree Lăng Cô won Conde Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers Choice Awards

Angsana Lang Co awarded 2^nd Best Resort in Asia, 12^th Best Resort in the World and Banyan Tree Lang Co awarded 14^th Best Resort in Asia.

[rpi]

Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 32nd annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

More than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a recording-breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.”

The magnificent beachfront Angsana Lang Co was named the second-best resort in Asia while its acclaimed sister Banyan Tree Lang Co – a paradise of the sanctuary with private pool villas was awarded the fourteenth place.

“We are honoured to be recognised by the discriminating readers of Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best resorts in Asia. “In this pristine region, we have created an intimate resort offering experiences that cannot be found elsewhere in Vietnam. Sincere thanks go to our dedicated resort team, who create these unique experiences and take such great care of our guests every day. It is their remarkable service that has earned both resort’s awards, a true testament to their passion and dedication.” said Mr Brett Burton – Area General Manager of Angsana & Banyan Tree Lăng Cô.

Opened in 2014, Banyan Tree and Angsana resorts have been known for their best practice facilities of the 71-par champion golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, and an idyllic beachfront overlooking Lang Co – one of the world’s most beautiful bays in the central coast province of Thua Thien – Hue, Vietnam for an unforgettable golf break and some of the finest hospitality in Asia.

The 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.

Link to offer: https://www.banyantree.com/en/vietnam/lang-co/offers/25th-anniversary-offer

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Nostalgic tales from the markets

I am always in love with the markets, especially the Vietnamese markets because I seem to relive an amazing variety of homeland memories through my trips to there. It is undeniable that Vietnamese cultural life has always been closely tied to the markets. From early childhood, we would go to the markets with our mothers and grandmothers.

[rpi]

We visited many different types of markets, for instance, the clearly named indoor markets and the spontaneous markets that popped up along the roadside – those were the ones that attracted street vendors. Obviously, we are familiar with going to the markets during the Tet holidays. Tet markets differ significantly depending on regional culture, but no matter how much they change, the markets for Tet retain their buzzing atmosphere and hold many happy memories for both traders and shoppers. The markets are home to a cacophony of sounds, potent smells, chaos of items, an abundance of colours and the fluctuating change of seasons.

MY CHILDHOOD IN THE MARKETS

When I was a child, my house was located between two markets. We lived right on the edge of one of them and only a ten-minute walk from the other. I remember my mother often carrying a green latex basket, wearing plastic sandals, a conical hat and a flower-patterned outfit. Sometimes she took me with her and held my little hand whilst I consumed the atmosphere of the market. Paddling my little feet in the puddles on the rugged asphalt. The floor always got wet and muddy despite the midday sunshine.

My mom often went to the top of the market, the end furthest from our house, to buy things first. There was a wide array of food stalls at the top of the market selling barbecue pork, roasted meat and sauerkraut pickled in glass jars with red lids. Sometimes, my mum stopped to buy things from a man whose name I cannot recall but I still remember his stern face at the stall in front of the house. His house had blue-painted walls and the green floorboards were darkened by the “market”, more accurately by plenty of his goods. He displayed a basket of fresh green vegetables as the centrepiece of his stall, and he would scoop minced garlic and chopped red chillies into small bags for his buyers. Additionally, he also owned an indoor grocery, where they could buy cooking oil, instant noodles, soy sauce and even infant formula.

Not far from him was a butcher. Her stall was a large and sturdy wooden table with a white mica surface that displayed all kinds of red and pink flesh. Like all stalls in the market without a canvas, hers was covered with a large umbrella. Although its sole and body were rusted and the cover fabric was worn and torn, the umbrella still shielded her from the sun and rain. She had a gourd-shaped knife and a steel stick that she often used to “sharpen” the knife, the sound of metal scraping metal, was both alarming and intriguing.

The meat stall was close to the bakery. The early morning was the time when the unique smell of the market was not too strong, you could inhale the exquisite scent of freshly baked bread and feel the heat of the bread on a frosty morning. On the other side of the market was a vermicelli seller. Her noodle baskets resembled an upside-down cage lined with green banana leaves. There are many types of rice vermicelli including thin vermicelli served with marinated char-grilled pork, large vermicelli to eat with broth and even larger vermicelli that is only served as Hue beef vermicelli. There are also fresh noodles, soft noodles and noodles for soup. Instead of wearing a pair of gloves, she used a plastic bag to pack the noodles quickly before weighing.

The market was bustling like other markets. It was messy. It reeked of fish, meat, onions, garlic with an unmistakable whiff of human sweat. The chaos of smells built up from years of hardship, merriment, foolishness and simple happiness. No rice fields, no kites and flutes, no days of childhood games, the fond memories of my childhood were carved in that market.

FOOTSCRAY AND THE DISTINCTIVE SOUND OF TRADERS HAWKING

The Bilo market in Footscray situated in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia was once the busiest shopping place. However, a few years ago, the local government decided to increase parking fees and there was a fire at the Bilo market, as a result, the residents moved on the Sunshine area further west of the city. Bilo is not the real name of the market. Westerners call it by the official name “Little Saigon Market”, but for the Vietnamese community, it is still called the Bilo market after the Bilo supermarket located in its former location.

The market is amazing. It bears a very close resemblance to the branded markets in Vietnam. There are many separate stalls, all of these stalls are undercover with a parking lot. I had lived for more than five years in the western region, so I often took a tram or a train to go to the market.

There are several stalls selling fruits and vegetables. Every stall has a variety of Vietnamese vegetables and seasonal fruits, which are all fresh, for instance, water spinach, Tung Ho, mustard greens, watercress, Vietnamese coriander, rice paddy leaf, coriander, scallions and fresh garlic. Back in the day when lemons were sold by the kilo or sometimes by the number of fruits, three lemons would cost you two dollars (lime was more expensive than lemon). I once took quite a long time to ensure that I chose the three biggest and juiciest lemons, so the saleswoman looked at the lemons and said jokingly: “You are too smart! How will I make a profit?” I laughed then dropped two dull gold coins into her palm.

The meat shops here are very different from those in Vietnam. They must adhere to the extremely strict food and safety hygiene standards in Australia, so the meat is stored in freezers and refrigerators. It was at this market that I found a variety of food which was not sold in Australia’s biggest supermarkets; for instance, baby chicken eggs, pig’s tripe and even baby cow’s thighs that I bought several times to cook in a hot pot. The grocers resemble the miniature supermarkets with an array of Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Japanese and Korean spices. There are many types of fish sauce. In spite of having detailed names, Vietnamese people still called them by the logo’s printed on the bottles. Hence, there are squid type, three-squid type, three-crab type and sail type. For rice, you could buy rose rice, fortune rice, global rice and unicorn rice.

The chaotic market was not dirty or muddy, but it also had the signature smells of the markets thanks to banana leaves lining the stalls, fresh fish and Darwin crabs swimming in glass tanks. Visiting the market, I regularly hear the traders hawking:

“Get your mangoes, sweet mangoes here. Three dollars for one, come on!”

“Everyone, jackfruits, get your jackfruits, scrumptious jackfruits are here!”

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the market, men coming from many different countries around the world shipped goods and advertised fruit stalls carefully and quickly. The sounds of the traders hawking made a great impression on my memory. The traders might not have Vietnamese origin, be able to speak Vietnamese and might not eat the strong-flavoured Vietnamese fish sauce but they have such a passion for Vietnamese produce. I often took a stroll around the Bilo market to hear the buzzing sounds of the market, to indulge in the alluring scent of fruit, onion and garlic, to get a taste for the mother tongue even in a distant land and to recall the sounds of the traders hawking on a peaceful afternoon.

NEW YEAR IN WESTMINSTER

Winter in the United States was warmer that year, but it is true that Southern California was never really cold. The state was usually bathed in warm sunshine and crystal-clear blue skies during Tet. A few days before the Tet holiday, we arrived in Westminster and stroll around the Tet market in Phuc Loc Tho before getting in the car and heading north to Santa Clara. Phuc Loc Tho is not a market, it is more of a shopping centre. The indoor stalls were empty that day and only a handful of eateries were crowded for people to have breakfast at Lee Sandwich, for instance. The Tet flower market was very busy outside.

Some of the Tet flowers were brightly coloured, for instance, the cherry blossoms and the yellow apricot blossoms were beautiful in bloom. Unfortunately, the blossom of the American apricots was a little past their best – their drooping yellow petals dampened the Tet atmosphere somewhat. There were stalls dedicated to the display of orchids like phalaenopsis and paphiopedilum. The orchid baskets and even the pre-decorated orchid vases were available for buyers to take home easily, promising to bloom beautifully in the New Year. In a corner, a pile of peach branches was spread out for buyers to select comfortably, afterwards sellers charged and bound in paper tied with string for guests to take away.

In another corner, the red lily branches were brightly coloured in the warm sunshine, reminding me of the former family ancestral altars decorated with yellow daisies, red lily, five-fruit tray and incense. Tet was coming, it felt familiar yet strange. It had been ten years since I celebrated the Tet holidays with my family. I made glutinous rice cakes, cooked a tiny pot of stewed meat and boiled bitter melons in the distant Southern hemisphere.

Though I was still obsessed with the Tet markets in my childhood, this made me both happy and sad. The hustle of sellers and buyers, the impressive colours of cakes and dried fruits, the crowds of mothers shepherding their children and the sweet tune of spring melodies made me nostalgic. The bygone memories of the Tet markets gently passed like a thin smoke, but it made me – a boy so far away from home, feel teary.

A JOURNEY TO FIND FERMENTED FISH IN AUCKLAND

During the freezing cold New Zealand winter, I craved fermented fish. Hence, my whole family decided to eat “Bun Mam” – vermicelli with fermented fish together. Thus, I needed to make a trip to the market. It was an Asian supermarket, a sort of blend between a supermarket and market. The “market” was also very busy. At the top of the market, there was a row of vegetable stalls. It was still winter, so the vegetables were cheaper than that in early summer.

For instance, red and green lettuce, cabbage and Chinese cabbage were on sale for a bargain price. Yellow oranges were on sale for only 99 cents per kilogram and each person was allowed a maximum of 2 kilograms. Beansprouts also dropped to 99 cents a bag, but cucumber was too expensive. A four-inch-long telegraph cucumber costs 4,5 dollars. A small bunch of chives costs more than 2,5 dollars.

Despite its expensive price tag, the taste of Bun Mam would not be complete without chives. Unfortunately, water spinach and banana flower were not available in the winter. I bought enough meat, fish, shrimp, squid, pigskin, rice noodles and roasted pork but I could not find fermented fish. I went toing and froing between the stalls selling canned food and looked at each shelf carefully but still could not find the fermented fish. Therefore, I carried a lot of items out of the market then went to another nearby market.

The market was smaller and less crowded, but there were many Thai people shopping, so I hoped to find the fermented fish. However, I was disappointed. By that point, I could have switched to making fish rice noodles or tom yum, but I did not want to give up. With nearly a dozen kilos of food, I took a bus to Northcote – a small district in the North Coast area with an infamous Asian shopping mall. However, I still had to swallow my disappointment and go to two other large markets. Dried fish and the Korean shrimp sauce were available, but I could still not see any jars of the fermented fish. It started to rain. I went home, but my craving for the fermented fish was not over.

After I had prepared the pigskin, fried rice, rice noodles, fish, shrimp, squid and paper rolls – a food to wrap pigskin and is only served with Bun Mam, I took a bus to the central area because surely there would be a place selling the fermented fish. It took around an hour to get from my house to the centre by bus. It rained continuously and the vehicles were very crowded in rush hour. When nearing Victoria Park, I got off the bus and took another bus route heading towards K Street in the south of the city centre. Lim Chhor is opposite St. Kevins Arcade – my former workplace and one of the biggest Asian markets in Auckland. Well, I was blessed! The fifth market finally brought me a jar of the scrumptious fermented fish.

I watched the pot of boiling fermented fish in the kitchen, giving off a strong taste of my home. Sometimes, I felt that I had forgotten the Vietnamese flavours when savouring Chinese and Western cuisine more than Vietnamese dishes. There were some months when I did not eat any rice, just noodles, potatoes and bread. On cold days, I often cook ragu or baked dishes with tomato sauce and aromatic cheese.

But on that cold rainy afternoon, I was alone in the kitchen and indulged in the homeland taste of the fermented fish. Thus, I felt closer than ever to my Vietnamese identity at that moment and I was again filled with nostalgia for the trips to the markets in my childhood. Yes, there are no Vietnamese markets in the land of kiwi fruits, but there are still the markets scattered around. These markets are an iconic base of cultural fusion offering a diverse amount of cuisine. For example, dried rice noodles, udon noodles and Sichuan chilli sauce, jars of Vietnamese fermented fish were displayed on stalls in that little market on the edge of Auckland.

Alex Tran | Wanderlust Tips

Fulfilling my dreams in the rocky mountains of Ha Giang

I travelled to Ha Giang though not at the time of the early rainy season and the rice harvest or when the buckwheat flowers are in bloom. However, Ha Giang is still surprisingly splendid in August, the lush green grass stretching endlessly towards the horizon, the towering trees lining the jagged cliff edge and the bustling markets imbued with the distinctive aromas of corn wine. Visiting Ha Giang was like living in a dream and the journey back to the land of the rocky mountains is one that I have wanted to make for a long time.

[rpi]

DISCOVER THE HAPPINESS ROAD

Commencing from the centre of Ha Giang City, passing through Dong Van Stone Plateau, Ma Pi Leng Pass and Meo Vac, the Happiness Road is a 185km stretch. The Happiness Road runs through the undulating mountain ranges, hemmed in by stunningly spectacular mountains on one side and immense abysses on the others, so it can be a risky route for drivers easily distracted by epic vistas. The narrow road is only wide enough for two lanes, sometimes one vehicle must stop to give the way to oncoming vehicles. The Happiness Road is full of hair-raising bends, scooters struggle with the steep inclines, motorbikes have to restart constantly and trucks move at a snail pace.

Occasionally, you will see the Mong people walking on the side of the road whilst carrying baskets of corn and grass bundles on their backs. It was an exhilarating ride and I thought about the road a lot during my time in Ha Giang. Ha Giang is located in the north of Vietnam and home to a perilous mountain complex that sits between 800m and 1,200m above sea level.

Ha Giang also shares a 300-km-long border with China, thus it is geographically important for the country. In the 1950s, Ha Giang began to develop thanks to an array of construction works, starting with building roads. However, due to its steep mountainous topography, the construction not only required the vast amounts of materials but also would not be viable without the belief, determination, consensus and even sacrifice of the workers.

The Happiness Road is witness to all of this and becomes a strong symbol of will and persistence. Thousands of youth volunteers from the plains and the small villages contributed their efforts to expand the road. Ma Pi Leng is a treacherous and rugged pass, so the team in charge of building the road held a small celebration before working each morning to pray for safety because of any carelessness, they could slip and fall into the abyss. It is irrefutable that when the road was inaugurated, a lot of people had to be sacrificed in order to build such a unique road. All of the difficulty and hardship was not in vain, as this iconic route has brought significant happiness for generations.

Today, the Happiness Road is an important route for transporting goods from the major towns and villages to the mountainous areas. This is also the most extraordinary road in Vietnam for discerning adventurers to put their driving skills to the test on the precarious and winding roads. Additionally, photographers can appreciate the stunningly spectacular beauty with the roads snaking through the majestic mountains, the lush rice terraces, the vast cornfields and the peaceful villages in the morning sunshine.

Driving along the Happiness Road quite literally took my breath away, traversing those winding roads felt like jumping on a zip line towards the high mountains. I was also overwhelmed by the spectacular natural scenery surrounding the road. The fluffy white clouds floating across the undulating hills, the alluring Nho Que River curving around the foot of the mountain. During this trip, I came to the realisation that happiness can be found by taking my own path, in spite of its difficulties and challenges. Just move slowly and peacefully with an optimistic outlook for life. A little like the H’Mong and Dao people who still carry bundles of grass on their back diligently or herd buffaloes leisurely amidst the hustle and bustle of the daily grind.

THE DISTINCTIVE FLAVOURS OF CORN WINE, THE EARNEST SOUND OF PAN PIPES AND THE ENCHANTING FIRE DANCES

Writer To Hoai wrote a memoir of the Mong people living in the Northwestern highlands. In spite of having a difficult living situation, they always adapt and pay homage to their origins. A little is like daggers standing firm on the face of the rocky mountains. Although I cannot wholly recall his memoir, that powerful imagery still sticks in my mind, it reminds me of the communities unwavering devotion in a volatile world. After the trip, I realised that the image of the dagger symbolises the power of belief, mostly the diligence, toil and effort of humans.

Ha Giang is an undulating mountainous region, several flattened areas here were built with humans’ blood, sweat and tears. Besides the high mountainous topography, the steep slopes covered with thick layers of humus intertwined with rock are common in Ha Giang. Life here is intense, the corn and rice fields stretch from the foot of the mountains right up to the peaks. Maize in Ha Giang is not as high as the crop in the villages, despite the stunted growth and smaller grains, the quality is still quite good. It is quite remarkable for maize to grow in the rocky mountainous areas as the conditions are quite harsh, its enduring vitality is very similar to the people here.

When the harvest arrives, the grains of corn are dubbed “the pearl of heaven”. Local people deftly produce an exquisite drink called corn wine that has an extraordinary flavour unique to Ha Giang. Whether visitors to the region or old friends, everyone will merrily come together to enjoy cups of corn wine whilst sharing stories, worries and confessions. The delectable taste of corn wine slowly suffuses in the mouth, indulge in the feeling of warmth and love.

On New Year holidays or festivals, after savouring cups of corn wine, people invite each other to play pan pipes or perform fire dances. According to tradition, before performing, people usually use corn wine to spread on the pan pipes to fuse the human’s soul and the pan pipes’ soul together. Sounding the pan pipes does not resemble the vibrato of T’rungs, or the singsong of flutes, its melody is passionate and warm, making its marks on people’s hearts. The sound of pan pipes intertwined with the warm taste of corn wine in a sparse mountainous region makes it easy for people to contemplate the dark moments in their lives.

If the panpipe is the distinctive identity of the H’ Mong people, the fire dancer is a unique feature of Pa Then people that they usually perform during village festivals. They perform the dances professionally by the glowing embers of the dazzling fire. For Pa Then people, it is not just a fire dance. It is to show gratitude to the gods for providing them with a good harvest, a desire to banish the devils and a hope that fire can warm not only the coldest areas in the village but also the soul of the people.

WAVING GOODBYE TO HA GIANG IS NOT EASY AFTER DISCOVERING THE BUSTLING MARKETS

Before returning to Hanoi, I did not forget to spend a day visiting the market. The fair market is a unique cultural part not to be missed when visiting Ha Giang. There is an array of the fair markets here, but the most famous and largest market in Dong Van fair market. The market only assembles on Sunday. At the crack of dawn, people begin going to the market, they have to cross over the mountains.

The beautiful girls in colourful outfits meander along the mountains whilst cracking jokes. The market is a hopeful occasion in the heart of every person because it is not only a place to trade but also a place to share stories and meet people. People take the opportunity to tell each other stories of the past, crops, family and farming. The market is buzzing but not unruly and everyone is busy going about their work.

The market ended around 2 pm. Although it is a place that people are very fond of, they still have to begin the journey home because the road is full of obstacles. People drink a cup of corn wine together before parting, and then they shake hands firmly, smile and promise to meet again at the next market. It was not until everyone started to leave that I appreciated this act of greeting. Several unfamiliar faces waved and smiled graciously at me. Even after their hardships, people still smile brightly, remain optimistic and still have hope for the future. Perhaps that is the reason why peaceful land makes everyone feel a bit warm and fuzzy inside because despite visiting for the first time they realise their desires to follow simple dreams in life.

Returning from the market, my group and I went to the hotel to pack up our things to go back to Hanoi in the following morning. After more than a week of meandering around Ha Giang, many people talked of the iconic landscapes of Ha Giang, because it is so beautiful, a real majestic and poetic beauty. As for me, I am indeed impressed with the landscapes, but more importantly, I fell in love with the people of Ha Giang, the unique ethnic cultures and the beauty of their souls oozing from every aspect of their daily lives.

On our journey back to Hanoi, our group stopped at a roadside station on the Happiness Road, we just sat and observed the children playing. The Mong, Dao and Giay children laugh innocently without a care in the world. I gave some candy from my backpack to them and they thanked us with a bunch of flowers picked from the forest. Everything was so unspoiled and heartfelt.

A member of our group broke into song “Peaceful Sky”: “… After the long nights, the sunshine always brings love into your life, hold my hand to the peaceful sky…” Perhaps this stunning place and this exact moment is truly the peaceful sky. Inhale the faint scent of forest orchids. The forest orchids are not as brilliant as phalaenopsis or oncidium, they are small orchids with ivory petals and only a slight fragrance. Across the villages and houses nestled on the craggy mountains, I see baskets of orchids in front of the doorways.

A Mong person told me that Mong people like to build a house where they can hear the sound of the wind, mountains and forests thus immersing the soul in the freedom of the land and heaven. The place has retained a distinctive identity for thousands of years, an identity that exudes a unique and gentle melody. If someone asks me “Will you return to Ha Giang again?”, I will say “Yes”. If one day I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, I would pack a bag and travel to Ha Giang to live a life in the mountains found at the end of the Happiness Road.

W.Tips

MOVING

It takes about 7 hours to travel to Ha Giang City from Hanoi by car. If you catch a bus, you should go in the evening so that you can welcome the dawn in Ha Giang in the following morning. Ha Giang City also has many motorbike rental services for travellers to experience the roads and explore the famous landmarks.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

You can visit Ha Giang at any time of year because the place possesses a unique beauty with each season. January and February are the time for many festivals of the local people. In March, Ha Giang is more romantic with the pink tinge of peach blossom and the white of plum blossom. May and June welcome the pouring water on terraced fields. August and September play host to the ripe rice season. In October and November, Ha Giang boasts its charming beauty with the full bloom of buckwheat flowers. In December, rapeseed flowers warm the landscape despite the icy winter.

WEATHER

The rainy season in Ha Giang lasts from July to September, so you should follow weather forecasts when travelling at this time. The winter in Ha Giang begins from September to the end of the year, the temperature can drop to 0^oC, so you should pack warm clothes before starting your exciting adventure in this mountainous region.

SIGHTSEEING SPOTS

>> Pho Bang Town is close to the Vietnam – China border, nearly 5km from Yen Minh – Dong Van route. The town has an ancient and mysterious beauty with moss-covered houses and tiled roofs engraved with the architecture of ancient China.

>> Yen Minh Pine Forest: Passing through Can Ty Commune and Quang Ba double mountain about 40km, you will encounter the lush green Yen Minh pine forest, which is known as the second Da Lat of Vietnam.

>> Located in Dong Van town, Dong Van Old Town is over 100 years old and only has 40 houses. Despite experiencing the ups and downs of bygone years, these houses still retain their classic beauty.

>> With an area of nearly 3,000sq. m, the H’ mong King’s Palace or Vuong Family Palace which began construction in 1919 and was completed 9 years later. The palace has a unique mélange of architecture, influenced by 3 differing styles including Chinese, French and the H’Mong ethnic people.

>> Ma Pi Leng Pass is a 20km rugged pass located on the “Happiness Road” which connects Dong Van and Meo Vac. This is considered to be the most beautiful road in the rocky plateau. However, it is also the most rugged road that challenges the courage of even the most intrepid adventurers.

>> Located between the romantic valley, Lung Cam Village of Ethnic Culture is the residence of 61 households mainly Lo Lo, Mong and Han.

>> House of Pao is the background for the beautiful footage in the famous movie “Pao’s Story”.

>> Dong Van Stone Plateau was recognised by UNESCO as a global geopark. The place not only boasts spectacular natural scenery but also preserves the long-standing culture of the Mong, Lo Lo, Pu Peo and Dao ethnic groups.

>> Tham Ma Slope is renowned for its nine extremely sharp curves, located on the Highway 4C on the way from Ha Giang to Meo Vac District.

CUISINE

The must-try local specialities include Au Tau rice gruel, Thang Co, smoked pork, carried-underarm pork, sour Pho, Chinese sausage and Shan Tuyet tea.

Dai Trang | Wanderlust Tips

Magnificent scenery in Tuyen Quang

Located amidst the undulating mountain ranges, Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake is like a giant mirror reflecting the vast blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The imposing cliffs dotted with greenery, flowers and the shadows of travellers have created the stunningly beautiful natural surroundings.

[rpi]

From the centre of Hanoi, it takes three hours by car to reach Tuyen Quang city but it takes another four hours once in Tuyen Quang Province to reach Lam Binh District. Passing through the crowded town, the cars drive through the peaceful countryside with the flowering rice fields, crystal-clear streams and idyllic stilt houses where children play happily. The serene simplicity of the surroundings makes the distance seems shorter. With an area of nearly 6,000sq. km, Tuyen Quang Province is home to an amazing variety of beautifully spectacular mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls and caves.

Comprising nearly 800sq. km and covered in lush forests, Lam Binh District is home to many stunningly beautiful natural landscapes. Lam Binh District shares the 8,000-hectare Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake with Na Hang District. Surrounded by a network of limestone mountains, primeval forests and interesting caves, the lake promises a spectacular adventure. After taking a rest at Nam Dip homestay, I did not wait too long to visit Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake. The car coasted smoothly through the winding dirt roads; from a distance, the majestic undulating mountains curve around the right bank of the Gam River. The 99 mountains of Thuong Lam associated with the legend of phoenix flocks were vividly enchanting. The high mountains are adjacent to the silent river. There are lush green grass fields and towering trees on each riverbank.

Following the road and crossing over the steep slope, you reach the marina. The marina is a section of the lake where boats bob gently up and down on the crystal-clear water. Embarking on one of the largest boats for tourist transportation, I began my journey to explore Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake.

The boat passes the towering cliffs and the surface of the lake seems to widen and stretch endlessly towards the horizon. At this time, the sun pops up from behind the clouds and the surrounding landscape becomes shrouded in a white mist. The mist gently gathers around the top of the mountain, creating a soft white silk strip, the fog hovers in the air drifting from the alluring water surface. Sitting on the boat with the early morning mist engulfing the surrounding environment, I felt like I was being transported to another planet, such a dreamy way to start the day.

Over time, the gentle rays of the morning sunshine appeared, the mist cleared and the scene became clearer. The surrounding mountain ranges gradually appeared and the rocky islands taking all sorts of formations became visible, drawing the visitors’ attention on the boat. Only a few minutes ago, the landscape was covered with a soft white mist, but then the surrounding scenery was adorned with striking colours. For instance, the sparkling colours of the lake reflected the sunlight, the mottled grey of the nearby hills, the lush green of the distant trees and the slither of silver of the distant mountains. An array of layers and colours creates a stunningly beautiful picture that is hard to describe in words.

As a travel enthusiast, I always try to capture every moment through my camera. However, no lens is a replacement for what the naked eye can see. The photographers on the boat could not resist the wonderful sites and after a few moments of shooting, they sat down, put down their camera and just appreciated the picturesque nature. I really like to take time to stop for a few moments to fully feel the pure wildness of a place. The busy days of the hectic city suddenly drift away and only peaceful moments kept running through my mind.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, the greenery and rocky mountains also became more brilliant dazzled by the sunshine. The boat stopped near Khuoi Nhi waterfall, the water flows smoothly and gently from the top of the mountain to the lake. The waterfall stretches for around 3km with many floors, thunderous flows of water crash down, creating the white foam at the foot of the cliffs. Tiny droplets of water are caught in the wind creating a cool environment.

After climbing the waterfall and taking a well-deserved dip, my group returned to the boat to head towards Ban Phung Wharf – the ideal place for a kayaking experience. My friend and I worked in sync when rowing the kayak, so the kayak moved gently and smoothly across the water. A far cry from the large tourist boat, the small kayak allows us to snake through rocky islands, touch rugged mountainous rocks and trail our hands through the cool water. The boat sways in the wind which made for quite an adventure when trying to battle against the wind and head upstream. After the kayaking experience, our hands were exhausted, our clothes were sweaty, but we had the biggest smiles on our faces.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking scenery of Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake both in the early morning, at noon and late afternoon. The lake boasts its peculiar beauty according to the different times. For instance, the mystery at the beginning of the day, the overwhelmingly magnificent beauty at noon and the tranquil ambience with the sounds of the boats running steadily in the afternoon. Our boat returned in the afternoon, as strong winds took our boat to the shore. Closing my eyes, I could hear the wind blowing like the voice of the mountains and forests and smell the unmistakable scent of the waves.

Returning to the Nam Dip homestay, we were welcomed warmly by boys and girls in traditional costumes. Over 95% of the population of Lam Binh is ethnic minorities, including 12 ethnic groups living together such as Tay, Dao, Mong and Pa Then. Their traditional meals are served in the rustic wooden stilted houses, the food is particularly unique and delicious. For instance, you can try hill chicken, rocket pig, lake fish, forest vegetables and even corn wine made naturally from more than 50 types of forest leaves and roots. The fervent aftertaste of corn wine is rather special with its sweet aroma. Sipping a cup of corn wine and eating the sticky rice cakes with ant eggs and smoked pork whilst listening to traditional tunes performed by ethnic girls.

W.Tips

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

You can travel to Lam Binh in any season. Spring here is vividly beautiful with little green shoots and colourful flowers. Summer is fresh with the lush green forests. Autumn is surprisingly beautiful when the green gradually turns into yellow. Winter sceneries are blanketed in a white fog. However, you should check the weather forecast before your trip to avoid storms, floods or cold days when the temperature drops.

TRANSPORTATION

Located around 280km away from Hanoi capital, Lam Binh is an ideal tourist destination for short trips. From Hanoi, you can come here by bus, car or motorbike.

>> If travelling by bus, you can catch one to Lam Binh at My Dinh or Giap Bat bus station for around VND150,000 per person.

>> If you are interested in conquering the roads to Lam Binh by yourself, you should google the roads and drive carefully to ensure the safety of yourself and others. After moving from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang, you can follow 2 routes:

For the 150-km route, you can take the National Highway 2A (Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang) to Km 31, turn right to follow the direction of provincial road 190 through Vinh Loc Town, Chiem Hoa District to Na Hang District and continue to cross over 40km Na Hang – Lang Can roadway.

For the 123-km route, go along the National Highway 2A (Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang) to Km 31, turn right to follow the direction of provincial road 190 through Vinh Loc Town, Chiem Hoa District to provincial road 188, continue moving 55km along the Chiem Hoa – Lang Can routes.

ACCOMMODATION

With the aim of developing the community tourism, tourists coming to Lam Binh can opt to stay in the hundred-year-old stilted houses of the Tay ethnic group, the wooden houses of the Dao ethnic group or the beaten-cob houses of Mong people. Also, you can have the first-hand experience of the daily lives of the locals, for instance, you can help with picking vegetables in the forests, farming, catching fish in the streams and grazing buffaloes. In Lam Binh, homestays are available at Bon village, Nam Dip village, Na Muong village, Na Tong village and Na Dong village.

TRAVEL SERVICES

>> Taking an adventure to Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake boat hire costs VND500,000 – VND1,500,000 per boat depending on your travel time. The boats have 40 or 50 seats.

>> Hiring a kayak costs VND50,000 per boat for the one firstly hour; VND40,000 per boat for next hour and VND20,000 per boat for the 3^rd hour onward.

>> Enjoying the 1.5-hour entertainment program costs VND800,000.

Ly Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips

World destinations: Splendid Slovenia

Bordering Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia, the small country of Slovenia is much less talked about than its neighbouring European counterparts. However, the captivating landscapes and ancient architectural works are drawing tourists into this marvellous wonderland.

[rpi]

Just a two-hour flight from Paris, Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia is certainly a country that will surprise you. Located in Central Europe, Slovenia is bordered by Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest and Italy to the west. With such interesting geography, Slovenia is a rather delightful melting pot of European cultures. It has a population of over 2 million and covers more than 20,000sq. km with an impressive number of protected areas. According to statistics, protected nature areas account for around 12.6% of the country, 36% of the country is protected by Natura 2000 (the network of nature protection areas in European countries) and nearly 15,000 natural sites were awarded as valuable gifts of nature.

TRADITIONAL WOODEN HUTS ON VELIKA PLANINA

If you are impressed by the beauty of the Alps, you can admire a part of the Kamnik – Savinja Alps from Velika Planina – one of Slovenia’s most iconic landmarks. Velika Planina means vast pastures. The wavy lawned terrain of Velika Planina is the perfect place to graze cattle. Velika Planina is not a mountain, more accurately, it is a plateau. Farmers graze their cattle on this wonderful highland pasture as soon as spring is over. The pastures come alive between June and September each year with the enchanting sound of dairy cattle and the bells worn around their necks. These bells are used to distinguish between the leading cattle and others.

So, what makes Velika Planina one of the top tourist attractions in Slovenia? It is home to 60 wooden huts built in an architectural style unique to this region from the middle age. The pine huts are constructed in the traditional style of the mountain regions, with shingled oval roofs extending nearly to ground level. The spruce shingles used to roof the huts were carved manually instead of using cutting machines to ensure that the intact shingles were able to support the drainage system of the roofs. This traditional style of construction has been maintained over the years, just imagine the amount of effort and time required to be able to build one hut.

Velika Planina is home to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows that was modelled on the traditional architecture and located above the surrounding wooden huts. On a sunny day, tourists can feel the peaceful energy whilst admiring this impressive building perched high on the hilltop.

During the tour, the native guide will show you how to age the wooden huts due to the colour of the hut roofs. The tents with a dark-coloured roof usually black or grey are the oldest tents. The number of huts is maintained and the construction of new tents is not permitted. To build a new hut, its owner must prove that the previous hut is no longer safe to use. They must ask permission and before erecting the new hut, the owner needs to remove the old hut. Sometimes you might come across huts in different phases of their construction, one being dismantled whilst another is being constructed.

Many wooden huts in Velika Planina, including the oldest huts from the 16th century, are still being used in the summer months. To get a better understanding of this, you could visit the small museum where you will have the opportunity to listen to an introduction to the structure of the houses and take a look inside. You will be surprised to know that only men and husbands stay in huts during the summer months. Their wives and children will stay in the valley below.

These huts will be empty during the remaining months of the year because the weather conditions and food are no longer suitable for the cattle. Additionally, you can wear the unique traditional raincoats of the native farmers. Taking a stroll along the steep side of the hill will have you working up an appetite. Do not hesitate to try traditional regional dishes such as mushroom soup and cheese dumplings. Admiring the peaceful pace of life and lush greenery on summer days in Velika Planina will make for an unforgettable trip.

BEAUTIFUL CASTLES CARVED FROM FAIRY TALES

Around a 50 minute drive from the Ljubljana capital, Lake Bled is likened to the precious jade of Slovenia. Lake Bled is located in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region where it adjoins the town of Bled. It is 2,120m long, 1,380m wide and with a maximum depth of 29.5m. In addition to the beautiful fairy-tale landscape and its picturesque surrounding environment, Lake Bled has many other factors that make it a unique destination.

Firstly, Bled Island – the only natural island of Slovenia is at the heart of Lake Bled. Secondly, the traditional transportation to Bled Island is a wooden boat known as a Pletna boat or gondola dubbed as the queen of Lake Bled. The Pletna boats were used to ferry religious pilgrims across the island many centuries ago. Especially, rowing pletna boats was appreciated here, so the Pletna oarsmen have the right to inherit and ride this traditional boat from generation to generation. Thirdly, the staircase leading from the lake to the buildings above has 99 steps but if visitors count whilst going up, they can only count 98 steps.

You might wonder where the ninety-ninth step is, well tourists often step directly from a pletna to the second step, so they overlook the step submerged in the water. Fourthly, the wish-granting bell was placed in the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Bled Island. The legend says that those who ring the bell and make a wish will see their wish come true. This Gothic-style church was built in the 17th century and was renovated in pre-Baroque architectural style in 1685.

Overlooking northern Lake Bled is the medieval Bled Castle. According to official sources, Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia, first mentioned in 1011. From the high vantage window in Bled Castle, you can admire the spectacular panoramic view of Lake Bled and Bled Island. The stunningly charming landscapes are adorned with vibrant colours. Additionally, the castle has ironworks, printing works, the knights’ room and a separate chapel. Therefore, the beauty and completeness of the Bled Castle is not only the pride of the Slovenian people but also recognised worldwide. Many famous politicians visited the Bled Castle and were fascinated by the scenery here.

When thinking of the castles, Slovenia is very much straight out of a fairy tale boasting an array of castles or castle-shaped architectural works. According to statistics, Slovenia is home to around 900 castle-style buildings constructed over for centuries. Notably, the 800-year-old unrivalled Predjama Castle was officially recognised as the world’s largest cave castle by the Guinness world record books.

The Predjama Castle is carved into the cliff and connected to a corridor behind and beneath the cave. The castle’s owners had no royal ancestry but chose it due to its excellent defensive position. One of the most infamous owners of the Predjama Castle is the rebel knight Erasmus of Predjama region. Thanks to the secret passages, Erasmus fought against the imperial army for over a year. Rumour has it that that they occasionally see the ghost of the knight Erasmus wandering the castle. Exploring the castle and visiting the highest room, you will feel like the owner of the castle carefully spying on visitors. You will also have the chance to wander around and admire the poetic beauty of the neighbouring town through the observation holes in the castle.

If you have fallen in love with castles in fairy tales, a visit to Ljubljana Castle located in the old town of Ljubljana is a must. Built-in the 11th century and refurbished in the 15th century, Ljubljana Castle is used as a high fortress that overlooks Ljubljana. Featuring an array of constructions with separate functions creating a massive architectural complex, the Ljubljana Castle is considered one of the most strikingly beautiful castles in Slovenia.

EXPLORE THE UNDERGROUND CAVES – HOME TO THE BLIND FIRE DRAGONS

After visiting the Velika Planina plateau and Lake Bled and exploring the castles, your Slovenian adventure can be completed with a trip to the underground cave in Postojna. This place is truly a miraculous gift of nature with an impressive cave formation. There are countless sparkling stalagmites and stalactites in a myriad of colours and shapes. Postojna Cave has also set impressive records. For instance, the cave has been recognised as the only cave in the world with two railways running inside the cave as well as being the world’s first railway built inside a cave in 1872. The 3.7km-one-way railway is always available for travellers. It has been 200 years since the widest part of the cave was first discovered. The total length of passages interconnected through corridors and stalactites is around 24km and Postojna Cave has welcomed more than 39 million visitors from around the world.

More specifically, the Postojna Cave is home to the olm or Proteus Anguinus, also known as baby dragons, which are in danger of extinction. Residents living around the Postojna Cave past down the legend of the mysterious creature from generation to generation. Scientists also took part in finding this unusual creature. It was not until the water levels rose in the cave that this species of salamander was discovered. They look remarkably like newborn dragons with pinkish- white human like skin, a long body, a long tail and four legs. Giovanni Antonio Scopoli was the first person who documented the creatures in 1768 and they are known as Proteus Anguinus in Latin. The Origin of Species written by Charles Darwin, the pioneer of the theory of evolution also mentioned the creature living in the subterranean Postojna Cave in 1859. The image of the dragon in Slovenia is a symbol of the country and its faith. For example, the picturesque Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana always attracts visitors to take photos.

During your visit to Slovenia, you will broaden your horizons through an array of exceptional experiences, unrivalled vistas and landscapes. It might only be a short trip but it will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

W.TIPS

VISA

The visa policy of the Schengen Area allows you to enter Slovenia because Slovenia is one of the 26 Schengen countries.

CURRENCY

Slovenia uses the Euro currency.

TRAVELLING TO SLOVENIA

You can catch a two-hour flight to the Slovenian capital from Paris, France. It is also a two-hour drive from Zagreb, Croatia to Ljubljana.

TRAVELLING AROUND LJUBLJANA

From Ljubljana, you can easily visit the other featured destinations as they are not too far. For instance, it takes 90 minutes to drive from Ljubljana to Velika Planina, 50 minutes from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, 41 minutes from Ljubljana to Postojna Cave and 54 minutes from Ljubljana to Predjama Castle if you take a shortcut you can pass through Postojna Cave. To save time, you can take a one-day combined trip to Lake Bled, Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave.

WHAT TO PACK

>> The Velika Planina plateau is only used for grazing cattle on summer days. During the trip, you will have to climb the slopes and hills often, so you need to wear trainers or appropriate shoes for trekking. Don’t forget to wear sun cream to protect your skin.

>> You will need warm clothes when visiting Postojna Cave because the ground is quite cold. If you forget, you can rent a coat in the entrance area.

OTHER WANDERLUST TIPS TRAVEL GUIDE

Along the riverbank, the central old town of Ljubljana has an array of beautiful restaurants and cafes. In recent years, on summer days, restaurants and shops are always crowded with people. Thus, it is a good idea to book a table in advance at popular restaurants in this area.

Alex Tu | Wanderlust Tips

All posts by : Wanderlust Tips Team

Hello World #5: I left my heart in Vietnam

Fusion announces new General Manager for Fusion Suites Saigon

Ray Jingshu Zhang joins Fusion this month as the new general manager of Fusion Suites Saigon, a chic, wellness-inspired hotel in Vietnam’s largest city.

Hotel de la Coupole – MGallery receives outstanding recognition at the World Travel Awards 2019

[Wanderlust Tips October 2019] Sapa, October 15, 2019 – Hotel de la Coupole was recognised by the prestigious World Travel Awards 2019 with numerous accolades at the event held in Phu Quoc on October 12^th.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine in October 2019: Awestruck by Asia

Get lost in exotic markets around the world

Angsana and Banyan Tree Lăng Cô won Conde Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers Choice Awards

Angsana Lang Co awarded 2^nd Best Resort in Asia, 12^th Best Resort in the World and Banyan Tree Lang Co awarded 14^th Best Resort in Asia.

Nostalgic tales from the markets

Fulfilling my dreams in the rocky mountains of Ha Giang

Magnificent scenery in Tuyen Quang

Located amidst the undulating mountain ranges, Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake is like a giant mirror reflecting the vast blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The imposing cliffs dotted with greenery, flowers and the shadows of travellers have created the stunningly beautiful natural surroundings.

World destinations: Splendid Slovenia

Bordering Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia, the small country of Slovenia is much less talked about than its neighbouring European counterparts. However, the captivating landscapes and ancient architectural works are drawing tourists into this marvellous wonderland.

Hong Kong: Must-Try Experiences

Cracking the Code: How to Score Cheap Flights Like a Pro

6 Japanese Villages: A Journey Through Timeless Beauty

Nurgül Büyükkalay: I like to capture photos with my feelings

Centara Mirage Mui Ne: Discovering Wonderland

bearbrickbtws: Losing his phone unexpectedly led him to social media

Off-Season Travel: A Smart Choice for Adventurous Souls

5 Hotels Offering Breathtaking Views of Mount Fuji

Ray Jingshu Zhang joins Fusion this month as the new general manager of Fusion Suites Saigon, a chic, wellness-inspired hotel in Vietnam’s largest city.

[Wanderlust Tips October 2019] Sapa, October 15, 2019 – Hotel de la Coupole was recognised by the prestigious World Travel Awards 2019 with numerous accolades at the event held in Phu Quoc on October 12th.

Angsana Lang Co awarded 2nd Best Resort in Asia, 12th Best Resort in the World and Banyan Tree Lang Co awarded 14th Best Resort in Asia.

Located amidst the undulating mountain ranges, Tuyen Quang Hydropower Lake is like a giant mirror reflecting the vast blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The imposing cliffs dotted with greenery, flowers and the shadows of travellers have created the stunningly beautiful natural surroundings.

Bordering Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia, the small country of Slovenia is much less talked about than its neighbouring European counterparts. However, the captivating landscapes and ancient architectural works are drawing tourists into this marvellous wonderland.

[Wanderlust Tips October 2019] Sapa, October 15, 2019 – Hotel de la Coupole was recognised by the prestigious World Travel Awards 2019 with numerous accolades at the event held in Phu Quoc on October 12^th.

Angsana Lang Co awarded 2^nd Best Resort in Asia, 12^th Best Resort in the World and Banyan Tree Lang Co awarded 14^th Best Resort in Asia.