Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 119 of 197

Share the love: Religious diversity

Miriam Beard, a famous Historian from USA, said: “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” The world is wide and travel gives us the chances to experience religious diversity.

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PHAM QUANG TUAN, NHAN VIEN MARKETING – BHUTAN HAS CHANGED MY CONCEPTIONSOF LIFE

Every month, I always spend time on my passion for travelling while staying away from work, that’s why people lovingly call me “Tuân Cuồng Chân” (Tuan loves travelling). I love nature and everything it brings to my life, and it is the initial reason for my travelling passion. Furthermore, the religious culture of every country I have been to always arouses my curiosity by its thrilling, magical elements and enables me to broaden my horizon.

Among many countries I have been to, Bhutan brought me the greatest surprise, and the trip to that land also changed a lot of my conceptions of life. Faith and belief in Buddha is one of the major factors that leads Bhutan to use GNP (Gross National Product) instead of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to evaluate the development of the nation. In this small nation, the number of pagodas and monasteries are more than that of residents’ houses. People here hold an unshakeable belief in Buddha. Meeting people who live a life of peace and dignity, not driven by greed for money and power, has changed my view of life and strengthened my belief in goodness. Their sincere smiles and friendly handshakes have broken the barrier I built when setting foot in this faraway land.

THUAN NGUYEN, NHAN VIEN PR – MARKETING – THE APPRECIATION FOR RELIGIONS OF BURMESE PEOPLE

Of the many countries I have visited, Myanmar is the land that has left me with a lot of emotions. It was so wonderful that from the first moment when I arrived, I felt peaceful and safe. There are thousands of Buddhist sites around the country. And one of the must-see attractions is Bagan – the ancient capital and the holy land of Burma (The previous name of Myanmar). I came to Bagan on a summer’s day; the weather was so hot that our tour, which aimed to admire the sunset and sunrise in the hot air balloon, was cancelled.

However, like “The Old Man of the Frontier Loses his Horse”, I had more time to visit and learn about the temples and pagodas in Bagan. 2,000 Buddhist sites remaining until the present in Bagan amazed me by its architecture and the harmonious features of magical sites.

Burmese people highly respect and preserve their traditional culture. That is why they not only hold their strong faith in religion but also fully appreciate Buddhist works. They keep their custom of going on foot to temples, pagodas, and stupas; when meeting monks on the road or in pagodas, they will stop and bow their head. They send their children to the monastery to learn the sutra and attend courses. Living in a country bearing a culture influenced by Buddhism, Burmese people are very kind and friendly.

NGUYEN HIEP, AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER – EMOTIONS AROUSED IN THE HOLY LAND OF CHRISTIANITY

I have travelled to many European countries, of which there are three destinations bearing the prominent features of Christianity: Notre-Dame de Paris, Sagrada Familia, and last but not least, the most impressive one, the Vatican. Notre-Dame de Paris is located on Île de la Cité by the Seine in Paris. The feeling when admiring this work in the late afternoon was so peaceful; every fabulous carved line of the architecture appeared more surprisingly beautiful under the sunset.

The Sagrada Familia bears a very different structure. At first, the church looks incredibly powerful and prominent. Situated amidst the square structures in Barcelona city, the church with huge soaring diamond-shaped towers reaching the sky exuded a gloomy atmosphere, though the sun was so bright in Barcelona city.

The Vatican is where the religious culture has left its mark. It is not only a massive structure but also the symbol of belief and prosperity of a major religion in the world. Although I was not a religious devotee, when coming here, immersing myself in the flow of Christians performing rituals and singing out of their Prayer-Books in Italian, the language I did not understand, I suddenly felt a belief and respect for God rising in my heart.

DIEM PHAM, RETIREE – CULTURE AND RELIGION INFLUENCE THE LOCAL CUISINE

I love travelling and have been to many countries in Asia, Europe, and America. During the trips, besides visiting historical relics, majestic natural attractions, I also got chances to enjoy and find out about the local food. I think it is one of the special features of different destinations. The cuisine of each country has distinctive flavors, but neighboring countries’ food culture often influence each other. In Asian countries, rice is considered the staple food in a daily meal.

Meanwhile, in Europe, people prefer cheese and it appears in many dishes. Islam countries in The Middle East do not eat pork, while Hindu nations do not eat beef. Geography, culture, and religions have contributed to the process of forming the characteristics and flavors of food in different destinations.

However, among those food cultures, I still love Vietnamese food the most; it is the food of the country where I was born. As a Buddhist, I love vegetarian food. Though there is no fish and meat, the vegetarian meals on the full moon day or the 1st day of the month are always adequate and nutritious. It brings my soul a sense of peace and serenity.

Wanderlust Tips

Share the love: Street Cuisine

Street cuisine is as much a part of the local culture as the people and if you want to feel like a local your curiosity can pay off. Sweet or savory, small snack or full meal, the variety alone can be a draw for anyone adventurous whose on unfamiliar turf.

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1. BUI HUYEN CHI, SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER, FRANCE

EXPLORE CUISINE IS TO LEARN ABOUT CULTURE OF A COUNTRY

I was born in a family that shares a passion for travel, so travelling is always in my blood. Till now, I have visited 40 nations, most of which are in Europe. Every year, I also try to spend time exploring other famous destinations like Cuba,Morocco, Jordan, and Israel.

Having travelled to many countries, besides Vietnamese cuisine, I have a true fancy for French food, maybe because France is where I am currently living and working. France is known to have a diverse culinary; all the senses are aroused when we enjoy the food which is not only delicious but also fragrant and beautifully decorated. The French are picky when choosing drinks that are suitable for different kinds of food and mealtimes. They will use different kinds of wine for apéritifs, main course, and dessert.

Besides food, drinks are another strong cultural aspect of a country. When in Cuba, a Cuban cocktail is what you need while listening to the local vibrant and passionate melodies, sensing the intercultural intersection of Africa and Europe in this land.When in Jordan, sitting with the nomads and enjoying a cup of black tea mixed with the thyme that grows wild in the desert,we will understand more about the sincerity and hospitality of the local people and their country.

2. TRAN XUAN BACH, POST-GRADUATE, NEW ZEALAND

MELBOURNE IS THE LAND OF MANY CULINARY CULTURES

Every country I have travelled to left me with different impressions, but when talking about food, Melbourne (Australia) stays in my mind as the most impressive country.I have lived in Melbourne for such a long time that it seems to be my second hometown. Also, it is the place where I started my career of researching about food culture, so it has left me with so many memories. In my mind, Melbourne is the land of many culinary cultures, from the East to the West,from the North to the South. Each region features its own distinctive cuisine characteristics. In Sunshine, Footscray, and Springvale where the Vietnamese live, you can find many kinds of Vietnamese food, even balut (food). In Fitzroy,where Italians live, there are many Italian restaurants and famous cake shops. Or St. Kilda is where people create the most unique cuisine; you can find an abundance of amazing food. Melbourne is the original place of Australian coffee, and I am really into coffee.

I lived in Australia for 5 years and in New Zealand for nearly 2 years; therefore, I have acquired quite a lot of knowledge about New Zealand’s cuisine. Though New Zealand’s food is not as diverse as Australia’s, people there often useing redients originated from natural products. New Zealand’s lamb is held in high esteem throughout the world, while Bluff oysters have earned a reputation as some of the finest in the world. In addition, Pāua is not only delicious and nutritious, but its shell is also considered the most beautiful in the world. New Zealand’s wine is well-known for its special and distinctive flavours.

3. PHAM PHUONG THANH, TV EDITOR, HANOI

THE TIME SPENT IN DA LAT AND ITS CUISINE’S FLAVOURS STILL REMAIN IN MY MIND

Working as a journalist and having a strong passion for travelling, i have visited many provinces in Vietnam. Among all of the destinations i have travelled to, da lat is the place that has brought me the most interesting experiences and left me with the deepest memories. Early this year, my close friends and i travelled to da lat; it was the first time i came to the city of thousands of flowers and poetic Xuan Huong lake.

Da Lat amazed me from the first moment i came to by its fresh air, hospitable people, and diverse cuisine. Until now, i still feel great nostalgia for da lat, i miss the hot soy milk, sweet-smelling grilled corn, and spicy crispy girdle-cake at the street vendors in da lat. I still remember the fresh strawberries. I picked in an organic garden and the BBQ party with my beloved friends at a pretty homestay. They were such beautiful memories; a sweet feeling comes into my mind whenever those memories flood back.

I am pretty sure that those who visit da lat will have nostalgia for it when leaving. And i want to tell those who have not been there that: “while you are still young and enthusiastic, do not hesitate to take your bag and go to Da Lat”.

4. NGUYEN THUY LOAN, OFFICE STAFF, HANOI

WHEN IN BANGKOK, YOU REALLY SHOULD TRY STREET FOOD!

Bangkok is a paradise of street food, which is tasty and cheap. I was really fascinated by the array of street food stalls and vendors along the road. The food attracts visitors by its diversity of ingredients, decoration, and appealing flavours. Above all, it is sold on the streets, so it is very easy to find and enjoy the food.

Familiar yet exotic, it was the first feelings that arose when I enjoyed Pad Thai. Though being an ordinary street food, it is also considered as the symbol of Thailand. The blended flavour of fresh peeled shrimp, bacon, chicken,boiled egg, and different kinds of vegetables (bean sprouts, bok choy, Gai lan, or broccoli) makes this dish stand out among various kinds of Thai cuisine. Up to now, Pad Thai is not only a favourite food in Thailand, but has also become popular in many countries in Asia.

In general, Pad Thai and many other street foods in Bangkok feature simple yet elegant and strong flavours of the Eastern culinary culture. Visitors can feel the familiar tastes of their hometown when enjoying Thai dishes, and it is one of the reasons why Thai cuisine has become so famous in Asia.

Wanderlust Tips

Exotic market fairs around the world

Markets located in different regions often have distinctive features, which contributes to their culture and identity. Travel to exotic markets with wanderlust tips to explore the cultural diversity of the world.

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THE WITCHES’ MARKET IN BOLIVIA

Mercado de las Brujas is the witches’ market which can be found in the capital La Paz of Bolivia. This market is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres above sea level, specializing in providing wizard products used to make amulets. Mercado de las Brujas is a special feature of the religious and cultural life of the Bolivians.

The market opens daily from 9.30 am to 7 pm. Here, you can find one-of-a-kind items such as llama fetuses, dried frogs or toads, to name a few. Among those exotic items, the llama fetus is the most favourite one because locals believe that it is able to protect humans by dispelling evil spirits. In addition, students who want to wish for luck during their exam will buy stone amulets with a carving of an owl on it – the creature which symbolizes wisdom, or the sun – the symbol of energy. Products are also used to cure diseases; for example, coca leaves are said to be effective on a wide range of ailments such as headache, stomachache, or nausea.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Exotic market fairs around the world

Aymara women wearing the traditional dress, black hat, and gown while doing their business is another Bolivian cultural feature of this market. People call these women Yatiri, medical practitioner, and believe that they have the power to connect to a different world. Therefore, when someone is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, they find Yatiri and these medical practitioners use different parts of an animal to make an amulet to pray to God to cure the disease.

GO TO THE MARKET TO BUY…BRIDES IN BULGARIA

The bride market fair in Stara Zagora takes place 4 times per year on different religious holidays during spring and summer. The bridal market has been passed through many generations, and it is a special custom of the Kalaidzhi people who have nomadic habits from ancient times. They believe that it is an occasion for them to meet, exchange thoughts, and is an opportunity to find their soulmates. Today, the majority of Kalaidzhi people do not follow these nomadic habits, but the bridal market still survives as a unique and distinctive cultural feature that draws the attention of many visitors.
Young men and women who take part in this fair are very young, ranging from 16 to 20 years old. People often say that this is a vibrant and colourful market which is always filled with music. Girls apply their make up carefully and wear beautiful clothes to attract the men they like, while men also dress politely and concentrate on finding their true love in the crowd.

In addition, some girls try to draw attention by climbing on a car hood or a high stage to show their singing or dancing talents. If they feel their hearts flutter, they dance together to get to know each other better. And without much delay, some couples even get married at the end of the fair. The grooms are supposed to pay GBP2,200 – 4,300 (approximately 72 to 140 million Vietnam dong), and the cost may go up depending on the number of guys pursuing the girl.

GET LOST IN THE SPICE MARKET IN INDIA

People often call Khari Baoli the biggest spice market in Asia. This market is located near the Red Fort of Old Delhi. On narrow streets, the dim light covers the whole space of the market, creating special ambiance which makes it even more special. In the stalls, there are many kinds of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, anise, turmeric, and many other spices.

The atmosphere filled with the fragrance of countless spices sometimes confuses visitors while looking for the spices needed. However, visitors should not worry as hospitable store owners will help you select exactly what you need.

If you are in love with the colourful stalls and want to take photos, you can ask for permission to stay a little longer on the narrow path between these opposite stores filled with all kinds of attractive spices.

When visiting Khari Baoli, wandering on long streets, smelling countless wonderful aromas mixed together, and listening to the noise of the crowd, you will be fully immersed in the special cultural feature of India.

In addition to famous spice stores, Khari Baoli provides many kinds of food, fruits, and well-known local cuisine.

THE CONTAINER ARTBOX MARKET IN THAILAND – A PARADISE FOR THE YOUTH

The Artbox market in Bangkok, Thailand originally took place on one single occasion. However, thanks to its unexpected success, organizers decided to turn it into a mobile market. Artbox is a top choice for energetic people, and visitors are attracted by its vibrant atmosphere. Shopping and food devotees can find an abundance of exotic accessories and clothes, or indulge in many delicious food options.

In addition, the Artbox market is also where many exciting live music performances take place regularly. Young artists of Bangkok often come here just to show their talents, not to earn money. Or you can visit artistic booths have your portrait drawn, and create lifelong memories.

The container Artbox market opens from Friday to Sunday, from 4pm to midnight. However, it is still recommended to check their website for updates before travelling to Artbox because it only opens on selected weekends of the month.

Its location also changes regularly but often only a few walks from train stations.

DUBAI GOLD SOUK – WHERE GOLD IS SOLD IN KILOGRAMS

The Gold Souk is known as one of the most famous destinations for tourists in Dubai, UAE. This market is located along Sikkat Al-Khail road in Deira and home to 500 booths that are only several tens of square metres. It has become famous due to the splendid, sparkling space filled with a thousand kinds of precious stones and metals displayed in stores. Visitors can find all kinds of luxury jewellery made of pure gold such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and exquisitely designed items to order.

The Gold Souk is always bustling with visitors because the gold price here is said to be the lowest in the world. Gold is often sold in grams or kilograms instead of mace or tael like in Vietnam.

The best time to visit this market is the evening as it is much cooler. It is when stores turn on their lights which shine and make all the countless jewelry items sparkle.

Wanderlust Tips

The season of Silver: Back Artocarpus

The golden silver-back Artocarpus with rosy flesh grown in Quang Binh is the most well-known across Vietnam. It not only can be served as fresh fruit but also cooked with many ingredients to create surprisingly perfect food.

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The northeast monsoon rustles the tree leaves on the branches which are covered in sunrays. The shadow of the silver-back Artocarpus tree was so huge that no midday harsh sunlight could reach the village’s small path. Gathering to play under the tree’s shadow, bareheaded muddy children tried to use a rod to pick the ripe silver-back Artocarpus. After tasting the tartness of this fruit, they would put them into their T-shirts and take them home to their moms, who use the fruits to cook a delicious soup, despite that the fruit sap may stick to their clothes.

The most famous silver-back Artocarpus is the one grown in Quang Binh. The fruits with soft fuzz grow in small pretty clusters, have yellow peels and rosy flesh when they are ripe. In the traditional cooking method, people often crush silver-back Artocarpus in Vietnamese water spinach soup, or use it for the fish cooked with sauce to create the sourness, saltiness, and greasiness, which is suitable to eat with cooked rice. The sliced silver-back Artocarpus is placed at the bottom of the pot, then a layer of fish is put on it, and again a layer of silver-back Artocarpus on the fish. For the next step, people add spices including galangal, lemongrass, chili, pepper, and Vietnamese caramel sauce. Finally, a layer of silver-back Artocarpus is put on top. The water is poured into the pot; you cook until there is only a little water left in the pot, and you smell the fragrance of the fish rising in the air. Fish cooked with sauce and silver-back Artocarpus tastes best when it is served with hot cooked rice. With white aromatic soft cooked rice, a salty slice of fish, and the sour greasy silver-back Artocarpus full of fish taste, the dish is so delicious that it can only be compared to some of the best cuisine in the world.

Due to the love of silver-back Artocarpus, people create many dishes in which these fruits are used as an important ingredient, such as the sweet and sour sliced silver-back Artocarpus served with flat and brittle sliced pig ears, crystal-eyed catfish cooked with silver-back Artocarpus, or spare ribs cooked with silver-back Artocarpus, to name a few. Each dish has its own attractiveness, but all have a fresh cool flavour which features the sweet and sour taste of the silver-back Artocarpus which ripens in the golden sunshine.

The article featuring exclusive content contributed by LUK LAK VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Address: 4A Le Thanh Tong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Phone: 0943 143 686

Wanderlust Tips

Interview with Mr. Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya: Vice President-sales of Bangkok Airways

In an interview with Wanderlust Tips magazine, Mr. Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya shared the prominent development plans of bangkok airways and gives his opinion about the mice tourism potentials of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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So far, Bangkok Airways has operated flights to more than 20 destinations in Asian countries including Vietnam, where the direct service from Chiang Mai to Hanoi has just been inaugurated. Why did Bangkok Airways decide to launch this flight?

Chiang Mai has a lot of potential and advantages to develop tourism. It has good tourism services bearing local identities, which is suitable for travellers who love to explore. Initially being the capital of the ancient Lana Kingdom, Chiang Mai has preserved many Buddhist architectural sites and temples which feature unique cultural values such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chiang Man. In addition, this city has various beautiful natural sceneries, diverse cultural history, and delicious cuisine. Chiang Mai also has many ideal places where young people can follow the trend of taking selfies and share these moments with family and friends.

Another special reason for us to launch direct flights from Chiang Mai to Hanoi is that Vietnam is now considered one of the three fastest growing economies in Asia, with the GDP growth expected to be 7.1 percent in 2018. It has a large population, and many middle-class people earn between USD1,500-2,000 per year. Moreover, Vietnam is experiencing a period known as the golden population structure, which means that more than 66% of the population is considered to be of working age. Also, young Vietnamese people are extremely interested in exploring the world and have a great passion for travel.

After Bangkok Airways opened the direct route between Hanoi and Chiang Mai, the number of tourists travelling to Chiang Mai has increased significantly. In line with this momentum, how does Bangkok Airways plan to expand and develop the Hanoi – Chiang Mai route?

We are really honoured to witness the success of the direct flight between Hanoi and Chiang Mai. The number of passengers is a very positive indication even more so because it is still in the initial stages. Bangkok Airways is currently operating a 70-seater ATR72-500/600 aircraft to serve daily direct flights from Chiang Mai to Hanoi. In the near future, we intend to increase the number of flights because the frequency of flights is more important than the size of the aircraft. If the deployment of direct Hanoi-Chiang Mai daily flights is successful, we will certainly put the Airbus 320s and the Airbus 319s in use, which is larger in size and features more amnesties, reducing flight time and providing the best comfort for passengers.

Besides the advantages of beautiful nature, diverse culture, and great cuisine, Chiang Mai is also highly evaluated to develop MICE tourism. What do you think about this?

Chiang Mai is a convincing showcase of a destination where long-standing tradition, ancient cultural roots, and fertile ecology are incorporated into the development of MICE products and services, while modern world elements are adopted and adapted to make their products and services more sophisticated and unique for MICE visitors. The city’s gentle pace provides a perfect platform to become a creative city, drawing the attention of young and fresh talents to incorporate their future perspectives. A strong MICE community with active collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors in Chiang Mai also presents an even brighter prospect for the city to become an attractive MICE destination.

One example of such new and dynamic development of Chiang Mai is its remarkable 110%-growth in hosting international meetings in just 5 years. From a mere 10 events in 2013, the number grew to 21 in 2016 and 2017, according to the statistics of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

In addition, one key strength of this city is convenient access. Chiang Mai International Airport is the country’s third largest one, handling 10 million passengers a year and serving 31 scheduled airlines. It operates 50 daily flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with a flight duration of only one hour. Moreover, it serves direct flights to China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In December last year, Chiang Mai began to serve directs flight to Doha (Qatar), raising its international access for MICE visitors.

Why did Bangkok Airways and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau – TCEB select the 4 CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) to implement a MICE tourism promotion strategy?

The economy of CLMV countries is growing rapidly with the total population of almost 200 million people. They are also open economies which facilitate foreign investors. Importantly, as the economy grows, the number of people who are capable of paying for high-end MICE tourism services will increase, and the demand to travel through Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam will also increase. Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways is a long-standing and well-known airline in the CLMV travel market, with a large regional network in CLMVs featuring 200 flights a week. Therefore, we believe that Bangkok Airways can contribute to the development of MICE tourism by utilizing the network of connecting between Thailand’s MICE cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, U-Tapao (Pattaya) with CLMV countries.

Thank you for sharing this meaningful information with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you only success with all future endeavors.

Wanderlust Tips

Ninh Thuan: Nostalgia for the land of golden sunshine and dry wind

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The bright golden sunshine, crystal clear turquoise water, and hospitable locals evoke a sense of nostalgia to those who have visited Ninh Thuan. I fell in love with the land at the end of the central coast after days of exploring and creating beautiful memories of a harsh yet beautiful and extremely peaceful land.

PHAN RANG, NINH THUAN – STRONG WIND AND EXTREMELY HOT SUNSHINE

I visited Ninh Thuan in the early days of September. Arriving at Cam Ranh airport, I picked up a taxi to travel to Phan Rang – Thap Cham, the capital city in Ninh Thuan province. It is about 70 kilometres from the airport. The land located near the end of Central Vietnam welcomed me with its golden sunshine, which was a little hot yet not uncomfortable. When the sun went down, the city suddenly became so tender, as if the dazzling sun at noon had never ever existed. The wind blew gently and the air was cool until early in the morning. Occasionally, the rain poured down for a few moments, just enough to dispel the heat, but not too much to disturb people from walking and working. As it is located in the South Central region, Ninh Thuan often has sudden rainfall much like the weather in Saigon and the southern provinces of Vietnam.

During the few days I spent in Ninh Thuan, I was very interested in the energetic and harsh weather of this land. The locals here burst out laughing when I mentioned this to them. They said I was lucky to visit at the time I did, when the peak season of Ninh Thuan ended not too long before I arrived. For a long time, this place was called “the land of strong wind and extremely hot sunshine”, because from the beginning of summer to August, Ninh Thuan’s weather is always hot, while rain is scarce.

Though the summer weather is extremely harsh, the people of Ninh Thuan are not hot-tempered or difficult; they are really sincere and nice. Renters, food vendors, taxi drivers, and even passersby are willing to help or simply smile nicely at us as a way of greeting a visitor from a faraway land. The cost of living here is quite affordable; prices are much lower than in large cities in Vietnam. I remember one night, my two colleagues and I visited a famous restaurant. We only spent VND150,000 for a delicious dinner which consisted of three duck noodle dishes served by a kind waiting staff.

Phan Rang – Thap Cham is a small city, mainly considered as a transit place for travellers passing through to larger, more popular tourists destinations in the province. The outskirts of the city are surrounded by white salt plains, sparkling in the sunshine. Visiting the residential area, it is common to see many mossed houses which feature yellow walls, green doors, and the architecture of more than half a century ago. Vast vineyards that stretch over many miles with ripe fruit hanging on the truss are a particularly attractive feature here. In the midst of a sunny afternoon, we visited a vineyard, went under leaf-covered grape trellis, held scissors to cut each cluster, and then put them into a trolley. Occasionally, we picked a few fruits and put them in our mouths, which helped dispel the heat of the weather.

In Phan Rang – Thap Cham, there is only one famous tourist attraction, which is The Po Klong Garai Towers. The monument which is located on a hill looks prominent amidst the industrial streets of the 21st century, thanks to its isolated position and extremely eye-catching red bricks. Three main towers, the fire tower, and the gate tower built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries were devoted to worship Po Klong Garai (1151-1205) – the king who has a lot of merit in the ancient Cham kingdom. Not much restoration has been done to the tower, as the people want to keep it intact. Therefore, until now, it is still in the original shape which bears the imprints of time and history. Tourism is not really developed in Ninh Thuan, which is also an ideal aspect which helps to maintain the classical beauty of The Po Klong Garai Towers. The locals, especially Cham people, often come here to worship, pray, go for a walk, or record traditional dance performances.

Arriving in Ninh Thuan because of work, I was privileged to be immersed in the pace of everyday life in Phan Rang – Thap Cham. For me, this is the best city to live in, in all of Vietnam. Though it is modern enough to look like a young, urban city; it doesn’t have the same hustle and bustle as Saigon or Hanoi. I loved the evenings when the cool breeze blew in Phan Rang. After dinner, people often flocked to the city square. Kids ran around, adults walked or found a place in the roadside bar, drank a glass of water, and listened to live music. Time seemed to stop or elapse slowly; people relaxed and temporarily forgot all of their worries.

W.TIPS

CLIMATE

Ninh Thuan is hot, dry, and windy. The dry season lasts all year round from December to August; from June to August is the harshest period. The rainy season is only from September to November.

TRANSPORTATION

Ninh Thuan does not have its own airport. In order to travel there, you can fly to Cam Ranh – Khanh Hoa airport or Lien Khuong – Da Lat airport, then continue to travel by car or taxi.

ACCOMMODATION

Phan Rang – Thap Cham city is a convenient place for you to visit famous tourist spots of Ninh Thuan. Hotels and hostels are the preferred accommodation with a variety of options ranging from affordable to luxury.

VISITING

In addition to the famous sites of Ninh Thuan mentioned in the article, you can visit many other beautiful places of the province such as Rai cave, Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Chu beach, and Nui Chua National Park.

SOUVENIR

In Ninh Thuan, you can buy grapes, products made from grapes, handicrafts, or pottery made by the Cham people as gifts for your family and friends.

Varadero: The ocean paradise

The Cuban girl looked at me and gave me the nametag, necessary information, and she said:
– Nĭ Hăo. (“Hello” in Chinese)
As usual, I responded very quickly:
– I am not Chinese, i am Vietnamese.
She raised her eyebrow, looked at me, and gave me a bright smile:
– Vietnam, very nice. Welcome to Cuba!

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I arrived in Varadero in the afternoon when the last rays of sunshine still lingered on the branches of Delonix regia in the airport. The airport where I arrived looked really small, and I was a bit nervous because it was the first time I went to a country which was not popular with Vietnamese tourists. However, the anxiety could not wash away my excitement for the journey ahead.

In all of Cuba’s travel guides, Varadero is a must-see place to enjoy sunny summer holidays and the immense blue sea. It is a small town featuring a 20-kilometer long headland stretching out to the sea. This town is in the perfect location to develop tourism, I think. On the headland, people have built many resorts. It is so wonderful when you can stay on the land amidst the sea. The ocean view is what you will definitely be offered in Varadero; just open your eyes and you can admire the sea. Even when sitting in the carriage, traveling along the road to the central market, stopping at any place, you can admire the beautiful public beach. Or you can see muscular young men or topless girls sunbathing and enjoying the sea breeze on the beach, or hear the Lambada music in the air bringing a sense of excitement to any visitor.

There is a word I have not mentioned until now – The Caribbean Sea. The world’s most beautiful beaches are located in this area. Cuba, an isolated island of the world surrounded by lush green beaches, will be an ideal place for you to experience summer days. The color of the sea looks very magical; it is light blue and clear along the beach, turns into emerald green when traveling to further locations, and covered in dark blue on the horizon. Honestly, I was a true Vietnamese, I also did not have much passion for the sea, but for the first time, I did not want to leave the sea. The water was cool and crystal clear, and the color of the water looked really beautiful. During the days in the resort, I often woke up late in the morning, then went bathing, eating, reading, sleeping, then eating again, and walking. One evening, I made an exception, I went to the small dance floor of the resort; everyone from children to adults went up to the stage. Here, dancing was in their blood. Seeing me standing alone, a group of young men pulled me in. Drinking cocktails and listening to Latin music, I was really in the mood for a dance.

However, you should not hold too much expectation for this small town amidst the sea. You can hardly find anything but the blue ocean, and you might not find many places or historical places to visit. I got out of the resort and boarded an old taxi to get out of town. In this little town along the sea, you can find many horse carriages on the road. Some Cubans curiously looked at me, an Asian girl. Services in Havana are much better than Varadero’s. People in Varadero often try to overcharge tourists. Maybe they think that visitors have a lot of money, while they have nothing except for their blessed blue beaches. But the way they harried and overcharged sometimes made me uncomfortable. On the way, I met an Australian named Kathy and a Russian couple; they all had the same thought.

Almost everyone was overcharged when riding the horse carriages, overcharged exchange rates, or taken on a longer route by the taxi. I think it is the consequence of the long-term embargo.

In the afternoon, I admired the sun diving into the sea and the water covered in orange. Every afternoon was as beautiful as a dream, but somehow it was quite monotonous. At that time, I just wished that people would provide more exciting services for visitors. One summer, I was in Cuba, lying on a blue chair at one of the most famous beaches in the world, watching the sunset. That was my most wonderful summer.

W.TIPS

WEATHER IN VARADERON

Like many other islands in the Caribbean Sea, Cuba has a tropical climate with two seasons. The dry season is the best time to visit because of low rainfall, moderate humidity, and excellent temperatures for visitors to visit the long coastline. May to October is the rainy season, the temperature is approximately 30 Celsius, but the Cuban sea still shimmers on sunny days.

TRANSPORTATION TO VARADERON

At present, most visitors to Cuba are Canadian, followed by tourists from European countries such as Italy, France, Spain, England, Germany, and the United States. Although the United States is located next to Cuba, due to some political issues, it takes a lot of transits to fly from the United States to Cuba. For example, when I was in Miami, only 530 kilometers from Cuba, I could not buy a ticket. That was a few years ago. It has changed since then and the good news is that for those who travel from the US to Cuba, the ticket price for a flight from Miami to Cuba is around USD200 per a round-trip flight, the fare to other cities may be higher.

If you cannot find flights to the US, flying from Canada is a great solution, you can find flights from most major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver.

TOURS IN VARADERO

Sunwing, a travel company, has its own airline in the United States that offers very affordable tours. This means that the travel company will provide you with airline tickets, visas, meals, and sleeping place. And visitors will take care of the rest expense. And I chose a Toronto – Varadero 7-day tour that cost about CAD700 (Canadian dollars – CAD. CAD1 ~ VND17,831 current exchange rate). This is a very affordable price, and it is also possible to get a discount. Generally, you will have many options.

ACCOMMODATION IN VARADERO

5-star hotels in Cuba are very expensive and there are not many options for you to choose from. Most hotels do not offer free wifi, and internet codes are sold hourly. If you book Sunwings’ tour packages, room rates and air tickets are very attractive. But it is recommended to stay in an Airbnb, hosted by locals, to have a better understanding of the lives of the Cubans.

VARADERON CUISINE

Cuban cuisine is diverse, influenced by Spain, the Caribbean, and neighboring United States. You are offered a variety of choices like the typical bugger Frita, the grilled corns with cheese Elote, the Spanish-inspired Paella cooked Cuban-style, and other famous dishes.

Tam Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips

A tranquil and verdant Croatia

Croatia, with an area of only 56,594 square kilometres and a population of more than 4.5 million people, were admired by the whole world when they won second place at the world cup 2018. Not only does it have a united football team with the slogan “small country, big dreams”, Croatia is also a popular travel destination thanks to its greenery and peaceful scenery, in which the capital Zagreb and the natural masterpiece of Plitvice lakes, are the most famous.

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CROATIA – ANCIENT VALUES MEET MODERN FEATURES IN ZAGREG

Zagreb is the capital and also the largest city of Croatia. Situated in the northwest, Zagreb bears the architecture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the 18th and 19th century. Here, you will easily find the “heart” of the ancient town area of this city – the Zagreb Cathedral, which was built in Gothic style and features two twin towers with a spiral structure that looks like they are reaching up towards the deep blue sky. The entrance to the cathedral, which appears like a masterpiece of art, gains the great admiration of a lot of visitors. In front of the cathedral is a fountain with a soaring statue of Mary, which is surrounded by statues of four golden, glittering angels. Just a few steps from here, walking along the small alley, you will find a bustling outdoor market – Dolac market. It is the most popular market in this area, which is famous for agricultural products such as vegetables, fresh fruits, simple household utensils, and homemade products. Each stall is colourfully decorated, with green being the primary colour of choice, and is arranged in straight lines, covered by umbrellas. The market is always bustling with crowds of enthusiastic sellers and buyers whose faces are filled with joy and happiness.

If Vienna – the capital of Austria – has St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Budapest – the capital of Hungary – has the Matthias church, it will be a huge mistake not to mention the Church of St. Mark in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. At the Church of St. Mark, tiles are arranged in order to highlight the coat of arms of Zagreb city and of The Triune Kingdom which includes Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Croatia. The southern dome consists of many high-artistic sculptures that make this dome one of the most distinctive arches, bearing Gothic architectural characteristics, in the southern part of Central Europe.

Along the old town, near the Church of St. Mark, there are countless fine restaurants and cafés. Necktie shops with unique window displays show the history of the necktie knot style. Having originated in Croatia in the 16th century, the necktie is an important feature of traditional outfits. Later, the tie was favored by the French as a fashion item, and today it is widely spread throughout the world.

Zagreb brings us a sense of harmony between tradition and modernity, between the past and the present. At central Ban Jelačić square, the image of blue tramcars that run amidst the ancient architecture is not only beautiful but also leaves an immense impression of the harmonization of ancient values and modern features.

THE NATURAL MASTERPIECE OF PLITVICE LAKES

Not only preserving historical architectural sites and monuments, Croatia is also a green country with countless national parks, special reserves, and natural parks. Among them, the oldest national park as well as the most well-known protected area, Plitvice Lakes National Park is just 135 kilometres away from Zagreb. It is home to many waterfalls and lakes of different heights, occupying an area of approximately 297 kilometres. After being recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, this park welcomed an increasing number of visitors and has become a favourite park among the eight national parks of Croatia.

What makes Plitvice so famous? First of all, there is an impressive number of lakes in this natural complex. This park consists of 16 lakes separated into upper and lower clusters, creating a variety of waterfalls of sparkling foaming water. People call this ‘the happy champagne’ because the splash of water dancing in the sunshine looks beautiful, reflecting the joyfulness on the face of visitors. It brings us a lot of happiness when admiring the magnificence of mother nature. Every lake has its own unique colour of water bearing different hues of blue. Sometimes, it reflects a turquoise colour which looks heavenly dreamy. In addition, some lakes reflect the same blue colour of the ocean and is so clear that we can watch schools of fish swimming at the bottom of the lake. Nearby, winding wooden bridges across the pretty blue lakes bring a sacred and picturesque beauty to the surrounding scenery. The smoke and fog lingering in the air seems to contribute to the magical beauty of nature.

For sightseeing, visitors can walk around the lakes or leisurely travel by boats. The slogan of the Plitvice Lakes National Park delivers the wishes of many people: Leave nothing, take nothing, spend nothing but time.

W.TIPS

VISA. Croatia provides national tourist visas. In addition, although Croatia has not yet joined Schengen, it has agreements with some countries and communities. That is why there are cases of exemption of national tourist visa for visitors. For example, visitors with Schengen visas, type C, multi-entry will be exempt from visa application. You should carefully check information about tourist visa requirements on the official website of Croatia before planning your trip.

CURRENCY. In Croatia, tourists can use Euro currency in some places, but people here mainly use Croatian Kuna. The exchange rate at the airport is around EUR1 ~ HRK7; HRK1 equals to VND3,800. Card payment is popular here, visitors will usually be asked to pay by card or cash before receiving bill payment.

ACCOMMODATION. When choosing a hotel in Zagreb, it is recommended that you book in the area near the Old Town because there are beautiful monuments and squares located in this area. A good 3-star hotel with favourable location costs about VND2 million per night. This area is quite safe for women to travel. However, you should always stay alert.

VEHICLES. If you use a taxi to travel, you should catch one with a metre clock and try to use a location app to estimate the distance, time, and price.

TRANSPORTATION. It takes more than 2 hours by car from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, camping is not allowed but there is a hotel. You can take a flight to Zagreb, drive to the National park. Alternatively, you can choose to fly to Zagreb, stay in Zagreb, and buy a day tour to Plitvice. A full day tour lasts about 12 hours, and prices range from EUR79 to EUR120. For travel convenience, you should choose a hotel which offers transport services from/to airport.

OTHER NOTES. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, the walking path is relatively smooth but long. The path through 8 out of 16 beautiful lakes is already 8-9 kilometres. It is recommended to pack comfortable and non-slip shoes. There are many wooden bridges which beautifully cross over the lake, but the gap between the wooden slats on the bridge is quite wide, so be careful to avoid falling down. If it rains, the road will be slippery, so you should not carry too much heavy stuff. It is recommended to take a backpack or cross-body bag.

Thanh Tu | Wanderlust Tips

Interview with Mr. Michael Piro: The COO of Indochina Capital

Join an interview with Mr. Michael Piro to better understand the reasons why he decided to stay in Vietnam as well as learn about his goals to contribute to Vietnam, which is in the process of becoming a leading tourism country in the region.

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Michael Piro is one of the leading experts in the field of investment and finance in Vietnam. With more than a decade working experience in Asia, he directly supervised the sales and rentals of high-end real estate in Vietnam with a total value of more than USD800 million, and also participated in planning and investing nearly USD1 billion in the development projects of luxury real estate in Vietnam, mostly resort and tourism projects. Currently, Michael Piro is holding the following positions:

Chief Operating Officer of Indochina Capital Group (ICC)
Member of The United Nations International School UNIS
Member of Advisory Board of Junior Achievement Vietnam – The world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Chairman of the Board, responsible for supervising the business development strategy and investment relations at Eight Four Collective.

After spending many years living and carrying out many projects in Vietnam, what is your opinion of Vietnam and Vietnamese people?

I came to Vietnam nearly 13 years ago as a 21-year-old man full of optimism, seeking a combination of love, adventure, and opportunity. I am proud to say I have found all of them in Vietnam. I fell in love with this country the moment I landed back in 2005. It was the first time in my life I had travelled outside North America, and from the moment I arrived, I knew my relationship with Vietnam would change my life forever.

Vietnam has an allure and energy that I have never experienced in any other part of the world. The country’s painful but triumphant past has created a strong sense of patriotism among the dynamic group of people. The people and history combined with its diverse and beautiful natural landscape have pulled me into a place I now call home.

The people of Vietnam are the most sincere and hospitable people I have ever met. From meeting street vendors to interacting with people at the highest level of the business and political communities, I have always been welcomed, appreciated, and accepted in this country. I have an incredible respect and admiration for Vietnamese people who have experienced so much adversity but still remained optimistic, determined, and highly motivated. It is this contagious energy from Vietnamese people that has kept me here, keeps me inspired and creative.

How many provinces have you travelled to in Vietnam? Which places do you love the most?

I have travelled to many provinces in Vietnam. To be honest, it would take me some time to remember and recount them, but some highlights of my travels in Vietnam include the Son Doong Cave excursion in Quang Binh which I did last year with US former Ambassador Ted Osius. I have had some amazing experiences in Con Dao and Phu Quoc Islands, and have taken in breathtaking views in Sapa and Ha Giang. However, overall, I have a very special place in my heart for Da Nang-Hoi An.

In 2006, I started my career in Da Nang when working on Indochina Riverside Towers and the Hyatt Regency Danang Residences. During this time, I solidified my career with the success of our projects and a personal connection to Vietnam as my two sons were born there. I am also completely mesmerized by the long and luxurious coastline in Da Nang. I still have a home in Da Nang and I have been inspired to craft my best ideas while walking along the beach and listening to the sound of the ocean.

Vietnam is truly my home now, and when I return to Canada I really enjoy my time there with family. However, I feel like I am a tourist and am always happy to return to Vietnam. I have no plans to leave Vietnam and will remain committed to promoting tourism and the hospitality here.

What do you think about the potential of tourism in Vietnam?

Vietnam has enormous tourism potential. Vietnam’s tourism has been growing at nearly 30% per annum with nearly 13 million international arrivals in 2017. The growth in international arrivals is very exciting but equally and perhaps more compelling is that domestic travellers reached just under 73 million, which suggests that with an emerging middle class and buoyant growth in the aviation industry, we are seeing a boom in local tourism. This is something we are very interested in, as we are developing more products for the local Vietnamese market.

Among many impressive projects you have conducted, your most recent project, the Japanse style restaurant chain – in which Renkon was the start, has just been launched. What inspired you to build Renkon?

I have always had a strong passion and respect for both Japanese and Vietnamese culture, cuisine, design, and style. To some extent, both cultures have played a part in shaping who I am today. During my time in Vietnam, I have spent a lot of time in the Japanese ‘Hem’s’ to explore their food, culture, and cooking techniques. I have also made a point in seeking out the best Vietnamese street food and high-end dining experiences throughout Vietnam.
In many ways, Renkon is a reflection of my journey in Vietnam, a celebration of the beautiful urban culture, dynamic hardworking people, and the constant continuity to own the future while preserving past values. The people and energy of Vietnam has inspired Renkon, and we hope it is something that Vietnam can be proud of.

Could you share the most highlighted features of Renkon restaurant?

Taking advantage of the current interest and appreciation for Japanese culture and food in Vietnam, as well as the growing base of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, our flagship concept is a modern Izakaya (a type of informal Japanese pub) called Renkon, which is the Japanese word for lotus root – one of the key symbols of Vietnam.

Renkon is situated in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City in The Refinery restaurant complex with a 3-storey walkup with street-level entry. This unique location simultaneously elicits Vietnam’s alley culture, yet also has direct access to the city’s most desirable downtown catchment area, Hai Ba Trung. As a modern Izakaya, Renkon kitchen features a traditional Japanese binchotan grill in an open counter setting, and a lively bar that delivers a unique and focused beverage program that highlights Shochu based cocktails. This includes an extensive sake selection that leverages our direct relationships with boutique Japanese producers.

Our relationships with these producers ensure exclusivity on some of the world’s best sake and, ultimately, one-of-a-kind experience in Vietnam. The menu features Japanese tapas which is meant to be shared and paired with great drinks, a concept that plays perfectly in the Vietnamese tradition of “family style” dining.

Did you face any difficulties when carrying out the project?

Now our biggest challenge is to educate the market as our concepts are innovative and not initially familiar to the local market. However, the initial response we are getting has been extremely positive and this is encouraging for us.

Thank you very much for sharing meaningful information with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you success and happiness.

Wanderlust Tips

Cayoning in Da Lat: Conquer the fierce waterfalls

For those who love adventure, the only thing that really matters is simply to discover places that others don’t normally dare to go in order to admire unique views that most people don’t see. Canyoning is such an activity; it is when the wilderness landscapes are reflected through blazing white waters and each person encounters their own limitation and invisible fear.

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Datanla is one of the largest waterfalls of Dalat (Lam Dong province), about 5 kilometres away from the city centre. Unlike most of the other waterfalls, Datanla is secluded from the outside world and surrounded by vertical cliffs and luxuriant forest. It also has relatively large amounts of water all year round. The waterfall clusters stretch along many rapids and cliffs, with descending heights from upstream to downstream falls all at various levels. This cluster is divided into 7 waterfalls on a diverse terrain which creates extremely spectacular scenery.

Our team was divided into small groups of less than 12 people, most of us were young people from Europe and the United States. Some were in their Gap Year. The instructor spoke a simple, fluent English in order to ensure participants from different countries understood commands and instructions without any difficulty.

CANYONG IN DA LAT

We gathered at the basecamp, by the side of the entrance to the Datanla tourist area. Here each person would wear specialized life jackets which held tightly the body and almost had no superfluous parts like the normal ones. The instructor demonstrated how the harnesses, belts, hooks, locks and pulleys were to be used. We then followed his instructions in order to show that we understood and were competent in completing the actions demonstrated. The techniques were very basic and easy to understand and we went through the demonstration quite quickly. Most participants grasped it quite quickly and very few had difficulty understanding and completing each of the tasks and functions of each specific item.

THE FIRST CHALLENGE: CLIMB THE DRY CLIFF AND TRY THE ZIPLINE

We started exploring the famous waterfall, of which we were informed by our tour guide that less than 1% of visitors to Datanla have conquered. We gradually understood the reason why it was so challenging. The quest started out fairly easy as we walked along a 2-kilometre stone-paved path through the center of the tourist area where there were a lot of tourists strolling along the path. Wearing our life jackets and harnesses, equipped with all the accessories, our group jokingly came to the conclusion we probably resembled superheroes from the famous Marvel comics to the other curious tourists, who were starting to take pictures of us. We passed through the first two waterfalls with ease and arrived at the 3rd waterfall. This is the end of the tourist area where tourists are allowed to sightsee and are not allowed beyond this point.

The cliff is half-dry, half-wet, almost vertical, and about 15 metres high. Looking down to the foot of the waterfall, we saw the bubbling white water rumbling, forming whirlpools, creating a small winding stream, flowing and disappearing behind the tree branches. We were instructed on where to hook the safety locks to the cliff. Standing there, everyone felt terrified by the bone-chilling altitude, steam and strong wind. “This is the first challenge, will abseil down the dry cliff at a height of 15 metres,” said the tour guide. “Keep in mind what you have learned. The cables, belts and locks will ensure your safety. Just enjoy.”

I was considering whether I should be courageous and go first, then a young boy from a Nordic country moved forward and went ahead. I spent time watching him and realized that the swing movement on the dry cliff seemed pretty simple. One end of the cable was fixed to the hook at the top of the cliff, the other section of the cable was hooked to the harness for him to grab. He was quite professional, calmly and slowly descending at a controlled speed down the cliff. Glancing at my watch, I saw this young man take only about 15-20 seconds to overcome the first challenge.

At the foot of the waterfall, another instructor submerged, up to the waist, in water undertook the duty to help us remove the harness from the cable, and then swam to the other side of the waterfall.

It was a pretty smooth start.

THE SECOND CHALLENGE: FLY ABOVE WATERFALLS

From the third waterfall, we had to walk along a stream with bushes on either side of the path. Sometimes, we had to step on mud and small rocks to move forward. The noise from the crowds of the tourist area gradually reduced. It was unbelievable that the place we were traveling through is just a few kilometres from a tourist area of thousands of visitors. It was secluded, uninhabited world.

As we came closer to the third waterfall, we heard its rumbling become louder; the water here was murky and foamy. This waterfall is higher than the first waterfall, about 17 metres, has a slight slope to the one side and has many protruding, jagged rocks covered in green moss. Our task was to swing down to the middle of the waterfall. From there, a cable was connected to the other edge of the foot of the waterfall, where another guide was waiting.
This is the part where we started to experience the temporary deafening sound and feeling of the waterfall we moved down, step by step. As we reached the part where we needed to let go of the cables, despite the screams of encouragement from the guides and teammates above, people got too confused and frightened to let go. I took a deep breath, determined to let go of the cables and let the bubbling water slap directly into my face. I choked while still hearing the noise of the waterfalls. When I let go of the cables, I felt like I still flew through the air for another 20 metres before hitting the water. At that moment, I felt really excited. We had fun trying to take photos of us making cool poses when jumping and falling into the water. However, it was too hard and we (including me) just ended up falling into the water in hilarious postures, we also had a group photo with an impressive background of the white waterfall.

Finally, everyone got wet like drowned rats but still laughed excitedly, because not everyone can do what we just did. Though we were frightened and nervous, we also overcame all of these feelings. Also as there was no way for us to go up the waterfalls. We had only one option which was to go down and back through the tourist area in order to complete the journey.

The water flowed down the waterfall, winding through the rocks and ranges of trees, in some areas, the view of the water flow seemed to be completely obscured, but after some bends, the scenery again appeared wonderful and beautiful. The waterfall appeared to broaden as we went down. Along the way, there were some parts where the water flowed calmly and slowly, our group was allowed to lay on our backs and drift downstream. It sounds like an activity on the “lazy river” in water parks, but I felt much happier because the water here was really cool and there was absolutely no comparison. At this point, the life jacket became really useful, all I need to do was just relax, close my eyes while sunshine danced through the thick pine trees of the forest.

The farther we drifted down the stream, the more difficult and challenging the trek became. However, because the scenery was continuously changing and intriguing us, we showed no signs of frustration or exhaustion, only excitement.

THE THIRD AND FOURTH CHALLENGE: CONQUER THE FIERCE WATERFALL AND THE ACROPHOBIA

The fifth waterfall is the largest, most spectacular and exciting one. From above, this area looked like a large rocky field. In order to climb down, each of us had to follow a cable which was located at the middle of the waterfall. As we already abseiled down on the first and second waterfall, we became more confident having to do it again, this time having the brutal water constantly tapping on our faces. The rumbling of the water pouring from a height of 25 metres created a buzzing sound in my ears. I had to turn my face to avoid choking on the water.

The cliffs were slippery as if covered by grease; by holding on to the rope which came from above, no one was not struck down by the water. In the next few moments my eyes went wide from shock and fear, and all I could hear was the rumbling of the waterfall. One of my teammates slipped and swung down, landing upside down, unable to move up or down, despite encouragement from the guides and teammates.

When we were just 3 metres from the water surface, I suddenly discovered a section of the cliff which bent inwards, giving me no ledge to place my feet. I said to myself, “This is it. I can’t do it. I’m stuck at this slippery cliff”. It took me a few seconds to find that the only option was to let go of the anchor wire to freely fall into the water. It may make you frightened, especially, for those who are afraid of heights and do not know how to swim. Even though I am a strong swimmer and wore a life jacket, my heart still stood still for a moment.

We overcame the high-altitude challenge once again at the 6th waterfall. Here, we only had to overcome one more challenging “game” which was to jump straight from the cliff into the water. There are two optional heights, 7 metres and 11 metres. The guide said to us briefly: “Just jump. Do not hesitate!”

However, this is easier said than done. Many people ran to pick up speed very enthusiastically (including me), but just a step or two before reaching the edge, both my knees wanted to buckle. Hesitation came at a very high cost, because the edge of the cliff below didn’t go straight down but was jagged and there was no water to break our fall. It was rough and completely dry. Just imagine, if we didn’t jump far enough away from the edge, keeping a safe distance, we could have easily landed on the hard dry surface of the cliffs. Thankfully, all of us were courageous and full of excitement. Everyone jumped and shouted in satisfaction.

THE LAST CHALLENGE: JUMPING INTO THE WHIRLPOOL

On the last challenge at the 7th waterfall, which goes by the funny name of “washing machine”, as we had to swing down two narrow cliffs, in the middle of strong currents that flow straight down from a height of 10-15 metres to a bottomless black whirlpool. The cliff was close enough so that we could rest our feet on it and then drop ourselves as soon as we were about 3-4 metres from the water surface. When nearly reaching the water surface, I let go of the rope, and let myself fall into the fierce bubbling black whirlpool below. An interesting thought popped into my head, giving me the idea that the inventor of the washing machine could only have come up with such a realistic product after having a real whirl pool, canyon experience, just like we just had. The moment I jumped into the whirlpool, as instructed by the instructor, I tried to relax my body completely, let the whirlpool swallow me completely and then “spit” me out to the next lake. After 2 seconds and then 3 seconds, I saw only solid black, the swirling of water. I didn’t get a chance to panic before the force of water pushed me up and out of the water; I saw the light of life and heard the applause of our teammates.

After overcoming the final challenge, we felt tired and cold. But the challenge was not over yet. An uphill walk through a grass field to reach the pickup point was truly miserable. We walked slowly as there were stones which were getting stuck and hurting the soles of our feet, we all look like a tired defeated army. No one laughed or joked. After nearly 45 minutes of walking, we reached the car, our belongings and clothes were all dry. As soon as we saw the car, all of us were happy to realize that the journey was really over.

We discovered a very exotic place and experienced a wonderful journey at a very popular tourist destination with Vietnamese people, hidden from crowds and the rush of daily life. Personally, I would definitely return to once again be immersed in the beautiful and ferocious waterfalls of Datanla.

W.TIPS

LOCATION

Datanla tourist area is located on Prenn Pass – on Highway No. 20, Ward 3, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province. It is 8 kilometres from Prenn and 10 kilometres from the city centre.

TRANSPORTATION

From the centre of Dalat, travel along the National Highway 20, turn down a slope which will continue for about 300 metres, after which you will arrive at the waterfall.

WEATHER

Da Lat has cool and pleasant climate all year round. You can travel here during any of the four seasons, but the best time to visit is at the end of the rainy season from November to the end of March. If you go to the falls during the rainy season, it is very dangerous, because the path leading down the waterfall is very slippery and it is also not possible to use the abseiling system to assist in going down the path.

WHAT TO DO IN DATANLA

There are many adventure games such as abseiling,kayaking, zip-lining, and canyoning.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRYING CANYONING:

– Wear comfortable clothes.
– Strictly follow the instructions of the supervisor. It is recommended to not take part in any activities without instructions, as there are some adventure games that require you to learn skills before joining.
– Do not enter dangerous areas such as whirlpools or the Death Valley.
– This game requires people with good health and strong spirit. These adventurous activities also require you to have a good understanding of your strengths and limitation in order to safely complete each of the challenges on this journey.

NOTE

There have been some unfortunate incidents which happened at Datanla as a result of visitors that went by themselves and also lacked the necessary equipment, knowledge, and assistance from professionally trained instructors. It is also recommended to avoid poor quality travel companies which lack experience and good quality protective and safe equipment for their customers. Therefore, when choosing to book adventure tours to this location, especially, the canyoning, it is recommended to do lots of research and use reputable tour companies.

APN | Wanderlust Tips