Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 148 of 195

8 must-see places in Phu Yen in the afternoon

Travel to Phu Yen in the afternoon, where to go and what to do to have the most enjoyable experiences? Here are eight suggestions from Wanderlust Tips.
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1. NHAN TOWER – CHAM CULTURAL STRUCTURE

Nhan Tower is located on the Northern bank of the Da Rang River, near National Highway 1A, in Tuy Hoa City. Building materials consist of brick, with a variety of sizes depending on the location of each wall and floor. They are aligned seamlessly and very firmly bonded. Nhan Tower has an architectural style like Po Nagar Cham Tower in Nha Trang, which is built in the form of high floors. The Tower is quadrangular with four floors: the higher is smaller than the lower floor, but still in the same style. The top of the Tower consists of many layers, with the top made of a stone shaped like a lotus bud, the Linga symbol of Cham people. Inside the Tower, there is no altar, no statue; only in front the Tower there is a smaller altar worshipping Dien Phi Ngoc Cham A Na God Supreme. The altar was built in the time of the Hau Le Dynasty.

♦ Must see: Phu Yen Martyrs Memorial House; Thuan Thao Ecological Zone; Ngoc Lang Vegetable Village; Phu Yen Museum; Tuy Hoa Market.

♦ Cuisine: Chuc Xiu Restaurant (3 Bach Dang), Nam Phuong Restaurant (43 Nguyen Tat Thanh), Tung Coffee (69 Tan Da), Grilled Beef & Spring Roll Vermicelli Restaurant (94 Bach Dang embankment).

2. LONG THUY BEACH – PHU YEN’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH

Long Thuy Beach, also known as My A Beach, is located in An Phu Commune, Tuy An District, about 10 kilometres from Tuy Hoa City. The beach stretches along the edge of the water, with bright smooth sand. The seawater is blue and crystal clear, and the sea slope is gentle and sparkles under the sun. Nearby is a green coconut forest, with a light wind that rustles leaves. Together, this makes a breathtaking scenery, attracting tourists from all regions.

♦ Must see: Nearby is Ganh Ong – Bai Xep Beach, a place that appeared in the well-known film, I See the Yellow Flower on Green Grass, adapted from a novel of the same name. At present, Ganh Ong – Bai Xep is a growing tourist site, promising to be Phu Yen’s new attractive destination.

♦ Top tips: Guests can dive into the cool blue waters, take a rest under the shadow of a coconut tree, or enjoy countless fresh seafood.

3. HON CHUA ISLAND – A LUSH NATURAL CARPET STRETCHING ACROSS THE SEA

Only about 7 kilometres from the mainland, Chua Island is located in the group of Hon Dua Islands off the coast of Long Thuy Sea, An Phu Commune, Tuy Hoa City. With the special composition of small, stacked stones, as well as vertical cliffs due to the erosion of waves and thick vegetation, the remote view of Hon Pagoda is that of cool, green vegetation stretching on the sea surface.

♦ Top tips: To get to Hon Chua Island, go to Long Thuy Beach, then drive a few more kilometres to An Chan Fishing Village and then hire a fishing boat to get to the island. Hon Chua Island is magically beautiful with blue sea, white sand, golden sunshine and a very fresh, pleasant atmosphere. The Pagoda is surrounded by abundant coral reefs, with a diversity of species. These colourful coral reefs are also a refuge of many kinds of shrimp, fish, squid, and crabs. With just a diving mask and a life jacket, you can admire the amazing underwater world.

♦ Cuisine: You should bring foods and drinks when visiting the island, or buy seafood from the local fishermen then ask them to cook the dishes.

4. HON YEN ISLAND – JOURNEY THROUGH THE SEA

Hon Yen is located in An Hoa Commune, Tuy An District. From Nhon Hoi Village, you will see two small islands lying next to each other, about 100 meters from the centre. The big island looks like a huge cone, with the steep cliffs of Yen Island. The small island is Hon Sun Island. At the beginning of the month, when the tide goes down, a road across the sea is revealed that connects the shore with Hon Sun Island, straight to Hon Yen Island. With this road, visitors will have the opportunity to take a walk across the sea.

♦ Must see: Surrounding Hon Yen, there is an impressive marine landscape. In the centre, there are rocky mountains stretching out to the sea near Hon Yen Island, called Ganh Yen. Ganh Ho Chao is located at the foot of Ganh Yen with dark black rocks and a jade blue pool. On the right side of Hon Yen Island located by the Nam Hai Tomb. On the left side is Phu Thuong Beach with a stretching coastline.

♦ Cuisine: Enjoy delicious seafood like squid, cellana, and crab at restaurants in the nearby residential area. Tourists can also go to restaurants at O Loan Lagoon, about 6 kilometres away.

5. MAI NHA ISLE – “ROBINSON ISLAND” OF PHU YEN

Mai Nha Isle is located in An Hai Commune, Tuy An District, Phu Yen Province, about 27 kilometres to the North of Tuy Hoa City. Departing from the wharf in An Hai Commune or Ninh Dong Commune, after 20 minutes by boat, you will arrive at the Isle. This place will immediately surprise you with its pristine and breathtaking beauty, lush green mountains covered with grass, smooth sandy beach and clear water. The island is very isolated, so you can privately enjoy the scenery.

♦ Top tips: The ideal time to visit is from March to August, when the weather is good. On the island, there are only few fishermen’s houses; there are no travel services, no electricity, no hotels, and fresh water is rare. Here, you can explore nature, swim in the sea, and go camping and fishing.

♦ Cuisine: There are no travel services here, so you should bring enough food and water when going to the isle.

6. CHOP CHAI MOUNTAIN – STRIKING THUNDER MOUNTAIN

Chop Chai Mountain is 391 metres high, next to National Highway 1A, in Binh Kien Commune. The mountain is shaped like a giant pyramid floating in the middle of the plain of Tuy Hoa City’s outskirts. At the top of the mountain, there is a network of television and radio broadcasting towers and a military radar. During the rainy season, it is often struck by lightning; this is why people have given the mountain an interesting name – “Striking Thunder Mountain”.

♦ Must see: Around Chop Chai Mountain there are four temples built on the slopes: Hoa Son, Minh Son, Khanh Son, and Bao Lam. At the foot of Chop Chai Mountain, Phu Yen Province’s armed forces liberated the lawyer Nguyen Huu Tho in 1961 from the base of the National Liberation Front.

♦ Top tips: The road that leads to the mountain summit is quite narrow and steep. When you reach the top, you can admire a panoramic view of Tuy Hoa City.

♦ Cuisine: Around Chop Chai Mountain there are many bars serving goat meat. Goats are raised on the mountain, so the meat is very tasty.

7. NORTH FORBIDDEN FOREST OF CA PASS – THE IDEAL ECO-TOURISM SITE

North Forbidden Forest of Ca Pass is located in Hoa Xuan Nam and Hoa Tam Communes, Dong Hoa District, Phu Yen Province, about 30 kilometres to the South of Tuy Hoa City. With a natural area of about 8,780 hectares, the forest preserves hundreds of plant and animal species, including endemic and rare species.

♦ Top tips: Located in North Forbidden Forest of Ca Pass, the 706-metres-high Bia Da Mountain is ideal for mountain climbing. Visitors can climb up Da Bia Mount trails (about 2.2 kilometres). From the top of the mountain, the panoramic view of Phu Yen looks like a colourful watercolour painting with stretching paddy fields, forests, straits, bays, and green islands.

♦ Cuisine: Go to Vung Ro Bay about 6 kilometres away, there are a lot of floating restaurants selling a lot of fresh seafood.

8. VAN HOA PLATEAU – “DA LAT” IN THE HEART OF PHU YEN

Located at 400 metres altitude, Van Hoa Plateau belongs to Son Hoa District, including Son Xuan, Son Long and Son Dinh Commune. This place attracts visitors with its beautiful sunlight, wind and mist. In the autumn climate, it is always milder than in Tuy Hoa, when the morning mist covers the surface of the Phan and Phu Streams. And in the winter days, white rain drops cover all of the roads and branches. Van Hoa Plateau has a vast mountainous terrain, with many lakes and beautiful waterfalls. This plateau is especially famous for its historical relics such as: Uncle Ho Church, Spring Hall, and the Truc Bach Hospital.

♦ Top tips: From Tuy Hoa City, to go to the Van Hoa Plateau, follow National Highway 1A 14 kilometres to the North to Hoa Da Village, turn left on the road DT 643 and turn to the West about 25 kilometres. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to explore green nature and spend their time peacefully with rest and relaxation.

♦ Cuisine: Enjoy many kinds of fruits such as butter, banana, pineapple, and jackfruit at Don Market. They are all delicious and famous specialties.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Paradise Elegance: A journey of distinction

Paradise Elegance cruise with luxurious design, first-class amenities, excellent dining services, and exciting natural exploration activities … will bring you unique and memorable journeys on Halong Bay.
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Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Vice president of Paradise Vietnam: Nguyen Hong Nhat

Having worked in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years, and commited to Paradise Vietnam since 2014, Wanderlust Tips asked Vice Presedent Nguyen Hong Nhat, to share his interesting experiences with Paradise Vietnam in particular and the accommodation an the cuisine industry in general.
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Paradise Vietnam Group has quite a number of luxury cruises operating in Ha Long Bay along with a range of high class hotels and restaurants already, why did your group decide to launch two new Paradise Elegance Cruises in 2017?

As you know in regards to the two Elegance Cruises, one was launched in February and one will be launched this July so we will have a total of 11 cruises on Ha Long Bay. For our business, we are always aiming for higher standards in our services. And we built Paradise Elegance as a yacht service to meet the rigorous international standards from scale, design, furniture and cuisine to perfect services. As a pioneer in accommodation services in Ha Long Bay, we create market-leading products.

Despite being the largest cruise on Ha Long Bay, Paradise Elegance has only 31 spacious cabins, unlike other cruises of the same size that have 40 or more cabins to accommodate more guests. We hope that after an exhausting long-haul flight, Elegance provides a comfortable fully-equipped “home” for visitors to take a rest and relax.
However, I think nothing is more convincing than a real experience on our cruise. We believe in objective evaluation of visitors. Many customers have shared their wonderful experiences on reputable websites like TripAdvisor. This reliable travel community frequently ranks Paradise Cruises in the top 10 best cruises in Ha Long Bay.

Why did you decide to move from a luxury hotel group where you had worked for 10 years to a Vietnamese group?

Every business organisation has its own strength and aspects needing to be renewed, whether it is old or new, whether it is an international or Vietnamese corporation. And the two brands I m committed to are no exception, one is Accor – a multinational hotel group, and one is Paradise Group – a domestic group which has recently appeared but has seen incredible development. With its current speed of development, Paradise will soon catch up with other international groups. In fact, we have many branches in a lot of countries around the world (Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand) along with specific plans for business development, including launching our restaurants on the international market, first of which is the Asian market. My experiences at Accor are extremely helpful for me in the process of working for Paradise and making this Vietnamese group become well known internationally.

One thing I enjoy here is the flexibility in decision-making. In a multinational group, it would be much more complicated because as there are many different management levels. However, when working for a domestic group, an ideal will be quickly implemented, meaning that you can immediately verify the superiority of the initiative. There are a lot of things that I have to build from scratch, so I know there are challenges but it is also time for me to indulge in see plans turn from paper to actual training system – parts of a business which are usually already built in international groups.

In pursuing international service standards, has Paradise developed any Vietnamese characteristic in its service system?

As you know, there are only some foreign staff members in our group. Having local staff makes for a Vietnamese identity, which we would like our customers to experience.

In addition, on the cruise, some items like the wooden furniture are Vietnamese products so the visitors can learn about local products of extremely good quality that are sophisticated and luxurious. This helps Vietnamese tourists feel at home, while foreign visitors experience a beautiful and luxurious Vietnam.

One thing everyone realises is that we are very fond of and prioritise Vietnamese cuisine. I have the opportunity to go to many countries and many continents, which makes me realise that Vietnamese cuisine is really delicate and loved by many foreign people and I have found Vietnamese restaurants in every countries I have visited. That’s why we developed a restaurant system serving Vietnamese cuisine like Ngon Villa, Home Hanoi, Home Hoi An, and in August we will open Home Saigon. The food served on board offers pure Vietnamese taste. It is a unique, unmistakable flavour that we would like Paradise’s customers to experience.

Although targeting affluent customers, Paradise Group has a relatively young staff. How does this relate to the company’s personnel orientation? Does young personnel cause any difficulties in trading high-class products or services?

Although Paradise has quite a lot of business lines of large scale and we target affluent customers who are considered the most demanding, we still believe in recruiting young people. Paradise always aims to train people properly and we believe that young Vietnamese are very talented. They are willing to listen and learn so they integrate well and make progress very quickly. That is why every year we have programs to find and train talent straight out of universities.

We even recruited students just graduating from high school; our only requirement is their enthusiasm and talent. And it is important that young people have are creativity and show bold initiative. We set aside a considerable budget on recruiting and training. But we find that this is well spent because people are the core value of an organisation. Of course, important positions are always filled with experienced people who impart experience and inspiration to the next generation.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview with Wanderlust Tips, we wish you and Paradise Group success for the coming projects!

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Gastronomic adventure with 2-star Michelin Chef Thierry Drapeau

If you have never experienced haute cuisine, especially on a luxury cruise in Halong Bay, Haute Cuisine on High Seas – the convergence of essence – is an event that gourmets cannot miss.
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A FLAVOUR MAGICIAN

Getting a Michelin star is the true dream of every famous chef in the world, as this award for culinary arts’ reputation is like the Oscars in film industry or the Grammys for music. And the French chef Thierry Drapeau is one of the few top chefs in the world to be awarded 2 Michelin stars. Drapeau’s dishes are inspired by his culinary homeland Vendée, which created his famous cooking style called “food from Mother Earth”.

Thierry Drapeau has nurtured his dream to become a famous chef when cooking with his father in the kitchen as a young child. At the age of 21, he was appointed Chef de Partie at Le Bateau Ivre, a 2 star Michelin restaurant. He went on to work for other Michelin-starred restaurants including Courchevel and L’Escale before returning to Vendée in 1996.

At present, Thierry Drapeau is the owner of La Chabotterie in his hometown of Vendée, in western France – a high-class restaurant with scrumptious dishes served and revered by gourmets and devotees of pure French cuisine. His restaurant got its first Michelin star in 2006, followed by the second in 2011.

Every restaurant at this level is a different world where a chef can indulge in creating and transforming flavours. Drapeau’s culinary world is full of colourful dishes. He often uses vegetables with different colours to decorate and highlight the feature of the main food. His culinary world is full of the flavours of the Vendée region, harmonising with his memories from each journey, including Vietnam where he visited many times and which is a destination Drapeau has fallen in love with.

AN ADVENTURE WITH CHEF THIERRY DRAPEAU

In the culinary world, the Michelin star is one of the most prestigious awards evaluating the quality of a restaurant and the talent of a chef. Therefore, even if people must often book a place at a Michelin-starred restaurant a year in advance, millions of diners still dream of enjoying scrumptious food at these honoured restaurants. In Vietnam, it is more difficult because very few luxury cruises or high-class hotels are famous enough to invite such culinary artists to cook at their places. For these chefs, cooking is a performance, and the dishes they cook as well as the places they come to mark their reputation.

The Haute Cuisine on High Seas event taking place on the Paradise Elegance on 23rd August is not only an event for the elite willing to pay, but also a convergence of delicate souls and top gourmets. At the event, diners will have the chance to talk with the famous chef Thierry Drapeau, as well as enjoy French food cooked by this talented chef.

Dubbed the cradle of European cuisine, French cuisine attracts diners with its sophistication in its cooking process. Known as one of the top French chefs, Thierry Drapeau will perform his distinctive cooking techniques to create the wonderful dishes associated with his fame. Steak tartare with fresh oyster and avocado mousse, baked hake with bay leaves and saffron and smoked lamb ribs with spiced lamb shoulder are some of Thierry’s most famous dishes and guests can enjoy them on Paradise Elegance.

Haute Cuisine on High Seas is a meeting place for France cuisine, the essence of culinary culture of the Old World and high-class wine of the New World provided by Trivento – the most famous and long-standing wine producer in Argentina. Trivento’s wines have a silky yet fresh and mildly seductive aroma, often extracted from ripe fruits and oak bark, which promises to make even the most demanding visitors fall in love. There are no diners who could resist the soft, sweet taste of steak tartare accompanied by the harmonious aroma of ripe cherry, smoky coconut and blue-cherry of the famous Trivento Eolo Malbec 2013. Strong yet fresh fruit flavours mixed with traditional bitter and soft sweet tastes makes anyone who drinks this luxury wine enjoy its smooth and unforgettable aftertaste.

The harmonious combination of the delicate classic interior style and modern decoration makes Paradise Elegance a luxurious and elegant beauty and this will provide the perfect ambiance for the scrumptious food prepared by chef Thierry Drapeau, which will satisfy all your senses. Thierry Drapeau’s cooking show on Paradise Elegance is a rare opportunity for you to admire the sophistication of Michelin-starred culinary art.

Thanks to meeting all the international standards of modern equipment and sanitary conditions, Paradise Elegance is able to welcome chef Thierry Drapeau to perform, as the kitchen is the place for this culinary artist to create and transform tastes.

When the culinary adventure with Thierry Drapeau comes to the end, the Piano Lounge will welcome visitors with exciting melodious music and the strong flavour of Armagnac XO Larressingle Carate served in the shimmering smoke of the best Cuban cigars.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

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Paradise Elegance: A paradise amidst a paradise

Sometimes a journey is more fascinating than the destination itself. And a cruise with Paradise Elegance is a journey to explore the spectacular Halong Bay during which every little detail is cared for.
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A JOURNEY OF DISTINCTION

Luxury is a state of mind – so how different is a journey on which all your needs and emotions are cared for like you are an emperor? Your feelings will be fulfilled and your experiences will be more memorable thanks to the thoughtful care of the butler service in each cabin. The butler service is a personalised service at the highest level of the hospitality industry and rarely can they find such kind of services in the large cruise ship in Halong Bay. You can consult the customer reviews after the trip to find that sometimes Paradise Elegance’s visitors have said that they feel like royalty, and many tourists wish that they had booked a longer vacation.

It’s not hard to understand why a butler has such an important position that all 5-star international yachts have butler services. A butler, generally speaking, is a reliable person who always listens to you, takes care of you, and simply makes you happy. They are the person who unloads or arranges your luggage, books a restaurant, or arranges a spa appointment for you, or they may become your tour guide when you visit the mainland during the itinerary, and they may also be the one who serves you the in-room meals as to your order.

FIRST-CLASS AMENITIES

Luxury must be comfortable – this is not only true for fashion but also applicable to all other service industry areas, especially the accommodation services. Being on the large end of the scale in Halong Bay, Paradise Elegance has 31 cabins, so whether you want to enjoy a cocktail at the bar on the sundeck or rest in your spacious cabin with its sumptuous furniture and enjoy the view of the bay with its thousands of spectacular limestone islands, you will always have a comfortable space to experience your time amidst the wonder that is Halong Bay.

You do not have to sacrifice your personal needs or go out of your comfort zone to enjoy this natural masterpiece, on the ocean, sailing past cliffs eroded by waves and wind over the years and the magnificent caves of the bay, you can enjoy a peaceful sleep on a luxurious bed and pamper your body with a special treat at the cosy and fragrant spa or enjoy your favourite meal picked from an optional menu or listen to the music and melodious lyrics from well-known artists that harmonise with the melody of the sea to grant you the full inspiration of life.

FOOD ADVENTURES

There’s no end to imagination in the kitchen – so why should we limit our dining experiences at the table? Paradise Elegance lets visitors choose their meals. Without your decision, the cruise will not pre-order for you, instead, there is a rich European and Asian food menu waiting to take you on an amazing flavour adventure and you are the person to choose your favourite dishes.

Guests will have the chance to wake up all their senses with deep-fried crab springrolls, grilled shrimp lemongrass skewers served with fermented vegetable or salad of tropical vegetables with bitter, spicy, salty and sweet flavours. Paradise Elegance is the perfect culinary journey with some soft, smoky salmon ready to melt in diners’ mouths, or fine black fish eggs, or sweet Australian beef tenderloin in a sauce of famous wine. You can sip a glass of the best wine to fulfil your taste experience.

Visitors can finish their meal with the sweet aroma of sticky rice soup with coconut milk, or the unforgettable taste of banana flambé.Create your own gastronomic adventure filled with pleasant surprises, which is the privilege that Paradise Elegance offers to every visitor.

INTERESTING EXPERIENCES

Although you may be interested in feeling like an emperor or being treated like a queen on Paradise Elegance, above all, the foremost reason that brings you to this tropical country are the legendary beauty of Halong Bay and the joy of having a relaxing break after the hard work.Nature has spent millions of years building this landscape, and tourists come here only need to enjoy these natural art works. There are sun-drenched beaches, amazing hidden caves and limestone rocks stretching over the water surface like a huge natural installation. Kayaking, attending squid fishing with the cruise team in the evening, or exploring the stunning caves or simply just relaxing in your spacious cabin to admire the beauty through the panoramic windows, are what you can find on the itinerary aboard Paradise Elegance cruise.

Just the few moments when the sun rises on the sea, or when it sets on the red horizon, the magnificent view will leave you speechless. So it doesn’t come to a surprise that most of the visitors are feeling blue at the end of the trip on board Paradise Elegance, then it comes to the memories they made and story about paradise amidst a paradise, about an unforgettable journeys that they wish would continue endlessly.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

8 must-see places in Phu Yen in the morning

You have a morning to explore Phu Yen, where you should go and what to do to have enjoyable experiences? Here are the detailed suggestions from Wanderlust Tips for you to have a perfect journey in Phu Yen.
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1. THE CLIFF OF STONE PLATES

Located in An Ninh Dong Commune, Tuy An District, the Cliff of Stone Plates look like a huge honeycomb from a distance. It is a sparkling mysterious black light amidst a clear blue sky. Tens of thousands of hexagonal, square, or circular rock pillars are layered on top of each other, seamlessly aligned, and look as though they have been arranged by the human hand. Along with the time and waves from the sea, the rock pillars here are not separated or broken, but cling to each other, one layer after another, stretched to the sea.

♦ Top tips: From Tuy Hoa City, head along National Highway 1A to the North about 30 kilometres, then enter Chi Thanh Town (Tuy An District). Turn right (heading East) about 12 kilometres, until you see the Cliff of Stone Plates.

♦ Must see: Ganh Den Lighthouse is about 1 kilometre from the Cliff of Stone Plates; Mang Lang Church and Tam Giang Lagoon are located on the road from National Highway 1A to the Cliff of Stone Plates.

♦ Cuisine: The Cliff of Stone Plates Restaurant is located next to the entrance gate. Luc Thach Restaurant (Phu Hanh village) or food stalls at Dam Market are located about 4 kilometres away from the Cliff of Stone Plates.

2. XUAN DAI BAY

Located at the foot of Gang Slope in Xuan Tho Commune, Xuan Thinh and Song Cau Town, Xuan Dai Bay is formed by the Co Ngua mountain range that stretches to the sea about 15km form Xuan Thinh Peninsula. Xuan Dai Bay is impressive, with endless blue and green colours. The Bay is surrounded by peaceful villages, coconut trees, and white smooth sand intermixing with exotic rock formations. The Bay is about 50 kilometres long, stretching through many different terrains such as: the Lighthouse, Ong Cape, Ganh Den (Cliff of Black Rock), Ganh Do (Red Cliff), Vung Dong Bay, Om Beach, Tu Nham Beach, Ganh Tuong Cape, Hon Mom Island, Ganh Ba (Ba Cliff), Ong Xa Isle, and especially Nhat Tu Son Island with a miraculous underwater road connecting the coast and the island.

♦Top tips: The unique features of Xuan Dai Bay are white sandy beaches, smooth waves, ideal for vacation, swimming. If tourists want to explore the life of local people, they can go to the fishing village in the Bay.

♦Cuisine: Restaurants are located on the Xuan Dai Bay, overlooking Nhat Son Island. A few include: Nui Que Restaurant (Cau Cau town) and Vong Canh Coffee Shop (National Highway 1A, Xuan Thanh, Xuan Dai).

3. O LOAN LAGOON

O Loan Lagoon is located at the foot of Quan Cau Pass, in Tuy An District, Phu Yen Province, about 22 kilometres to the North of Tuy Hoa City. With an area of more than 1,500 hectares, O Loan Lagoon offers tranquil natural beauty with airy space, and fresh, cool climate. From the top of Quan Cau Pass, visitors will see Tu Bi Mountain (the mountain of compassion), where Tu Bi Stream flows through the canyons and pours into the lagoon, creating a romantic scene. Surrounding the Lagoon is Dong Chay Mountain, Cam Mountain and An Hai Dune, with rocky reefs protruding out of the Lagoon forming cliffs of various shapes. Lying along the water edge are casuarina forests and shelters of birds such as mallards, pelicans, storks, and ducks.

♦ Top tips: Visitors to O Loan Lagoon can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and countless fresh seafood dishes, which are prepared according to the typical flavour of Central Vietnam.

♦ Cuisine: Enjoy the famous seafood such as blood cockle, fish apricot, tuna eye, shrimp, squid, jellyfish, and crab at restaurants located near the lagoon

4. DAI LANH CAPE

Dai Lanh Cape is located in Dong Be Hamlet, Hoa Tam Commune, Dong Hoa District, Phu Yen Province, about 35 kilometres to the Southeast of Tuy Hoa City. This is site combines many beautiful scenes, with forests, sea, streams and mountains. Local people also call it Dien Cape, because the top has a lighthouse that shines nightly to help boats pass from the sea into Vung Ro Bay. At the foot of Dai Lanh Cape is the pristine moon-shaped beach of Bai Mon, with a coastline of about 400 metres, smooth slope, fine white sand, crystal clear water.

♦ Top tips: This is a beautiful sunrise viewpoint. In addition, visitors coming here will have the opportunity to participate in a game on the sea with fishermen, or to hunt eel – the fish known as “Jiaolong of the ocean”.

♦ Must see: Bai Goc Beach and Bai Tien Beach on the way from Tuy Hoa City to Dai Lanh Cape.

♦ Cuisine: Going to Vung Ro Bay about 6 kilometres away, is where there are many restaurants with fresh and attractive seafood.

5. VUNG RO BAY

Located 25 kilometres from Tuy Hoa City, Vung Ro Bay is in Xuan Hoa Nam Commune, Dong Hoa District, Phu Yen Province (popularly called Nau Land), and stretches about 16.4 square kilometres. It is surrounded by three majestic mountains: Ca Pass (in the North), Da Bia (in the East) Hon Ba Island (in the West), and Hon Nua Island in the South. Looking from above, Vung Ro Bay looks like a giant mirror reflecting all the majestic natural scenery.

♦ Top tips: Whether it is dawn, sunset or noon, Vung Ro always fascinates visitors with the beauty of nature. Coming here, visitors can relax on peaceful beaches such as Lach Beach, Mu U Beach, Chua Beach, Chan Trau Beach, Lau Beach, Lab Beach and Bang Beach…

♦ Must see: You can rent a boat to visit the famous sites of the Bay or to explore Hon Nua Island.
Cuisine: Rent a boat to go to floating rafts in the bay, where there is a variety of fresh seafood such as oysters, ark clam, sea urchin, shrimp, crab, squid …

6. PHUN ABYSS

Phun Abyss lies in Da Den Mountain Range in Hoa My Tay Commune, Tay Hoa District, surrounded by lush trees and rolling hills, creating a truly romantic landscape. The streams from Ca Pass have formed the confluence of Banh Lai River. From the upstream of Banh Lai River at an altitude of 50 metres above the sea level, these streams flow through the granite layer then erode into the valleys, creating a deep abyss called Phun Abyss. This name comes from the geological structure where the above abyss consists of layers of solid rock and the bottom consists of soft rock eroded gradually along with time and forming holes. The water from the upstream flows down to the abyss of white foam, as if under the water there is a huge fountain sprouting the water up high.

♦ Top Tips: Visitin Phun Abyss, visitors will enjoy a beautiful natural landscape with many exciting activities such as ecological tourism, mountain climbing, swimming, and camping.

♦ Cuisine: Got to Tuy Hoa City for lunch, as you will find a wide selection of dishes.

7. KRONG TRAI NATURAL RESERVE

Located 80 kilometres from Tuy Hoa City along National Highway 25, Krong Trai Nature Reserve is located in Krong Trai and Krong Pa Communes, Son Hoa District. This is where the ecosystems transform from the West to the East of Truong Son Range, so the fauna and flora are extremely diverse. The reserve covers 22,290 hectares, with about 236 species of plants, 50 species of mammals, 182 species of birds and 22 species of reptiles. Among them, there are many rare animal and plant species for scientific research. In addition, Krong Trai is also a place that preserves the traditional culture of ethnic minority people such as E De and Ba Na with festivals including Buffalo Sacrifice, Seasonal Festival, Khan Singing and Tomb Art.

♦ Must see: Along National Highway 25 to Krong Trai Nature Reserve, you can visit Dong Cam Dam – the largest irrigation works in Phu Yen Province.

♦ Cuisine: Along National Highway 25 to the National Reserve, there are many restaurants such as: Ben Song Restaurant, Mon Coffee and Thach Thao Coffee.

8. TU QUANG PAGODA

Located at an altitude of 100 metres above sea level, with an area of about 5,000 square metres, Tu Quang Pagoda is located on Xuan Dai Mountain in An Dan Commune, Tuy An District, about 35 kilometres to the North of Tuy Hoa City. The temple is located amidst an area full of white stones, so it is also called the White Stone Pagoda (Bach Thach Pagoda). The back of the temple leans against the Xuan Dai Mountain Range, while the front faces the South, overlooking Cai River (Ngan Son River) and Nhan My River. In a large area to the West of the temple, there are eight stupas to worship monks and the abbot of the temple, and it is considered one of the top unique architectural treasures in Central coastal provinces.

♦ Top tips: Standing in the courtyard, you can see the entire view of the river and the wonderful blue mountain. Surrounding the temple is a mango garden that appeared in Phu Yen poems as a typical product of this land: “White Rock Mango, Silk Ward Cassava”.

♦ Cuisine: On the way from Tuy Hoa City centre to Tu Quang Pagoda, you can visit O Loan Lagoon to enjoy a variety of delicious seafood.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

An endless paradise with À La Carte Danang Beach

At À La Carte Danang Beach, the sky, sea, and mountain seem to blend together, creating an endless paradise of the infinite beach.
[rpi] Designed in a modern style with unique new ideas, À La Carte Da Nang Beach offers its guests spacious sea view apartments as well as an array of amenities at attractive prices.

INFINITE SWIMMING POOL

For the first time in Vietnam, visitors will have a chance to take in the beauty of Danang city with bridges, clear sea, and majestic mountains from an infinite swimming pool on the hotel’s rooftop. The pool is paved with blue mosaic tiles, making the space more fascinating. Indulge in the turquoise water, sip a glass of premium cocktail while admiring the blue sea from above.

At that time, you will realize everything blend together, leaving no boundaries of time or space. Serving as a lounge area, a multifunctional floating wooden stage at the center of the pool is an ideal place to sunbathe and relax. The stage can also be turned into a lively dancing stage for effervescent parties. In addition, The Top Bar near the pool is recommended for those who love exciting contemporary experiences.

MODERN AND EXQUISITE ARCHITECTURE

Inspired by the beauty of the area as well as the local culture, À La Carte is decorated in slight and bright colors with the simplest details, giving guests a gentle feeling. The reception hall is designed as an intimate large living room while guest rooms with wooden floor, low ceiling, special lamps and mirrors make guests feel like at home.

You can choose among numerous accommodation choices from one-bed to two-bed suites (Light, Light+, Delight, Delight+, Highlight, Highlight+). Every room and suite are elegant with kitchen, a great view of the ocean, and a separate living space.

VARIOUS CHOICE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE

À La Carte offers guests with a lavish menu of Vietnamese specialties and Asia-European cuisine served at The Top Bar, FishCa, and Delicious Restaurants.

Designed in a contemporary style with an open space, the Delicious Restaurant introduces guests with different types of bread. Croissants are prepared right in front of diners, giving an interesting interaction between guests and the restaurant’s staff.

Located on the second floor is FishCa Restaurant. As the restaurant is connected with its kitchen, diners can enjoy watching professional chefs preparing their delicious dishes.

Boasting a beautiful romantic space with modern architecture, The Top Bar is an ideal place to contemplate the city at night. In front of you are the swimming pool and the sea while the sparkling city is behind you. It is enjoyable to chill out with friends at this special bar.

ATTRACTIVE SPA

Spice Spa is designed with the idea of combining the colors of common spices to create vitality and bring new energy to wall decorations and interiors. Each therapy room features its own theme, offering guests unique experiences. Here, you can also prepare herbs for yourself.

Come to Spice Spa, you will immerse in the space filled with herbal smell. It will be the amazing time to relax, renewal energy, dispel any anxiety, tense everyday.

KIDS CLUB

À La Carte satisfies their little guests with a fun and comfortable space. At the Kids Club, your children can partake in numerous educational activities with the support of friendly and humorous staff. The club’s staff are always willing to take care your lovely children and share with them memorable moments with interesting activities. Services are free for all children at the hotel.

À La Carte Hotel Danang Beach

Address: 200 Vo Nguyen Giap street, Phuoc My ward, Son Tra district, Da Nang city.
Email: reservation@alacartedanangbeach.com
Phone: (+84236) 3959 555 | Fax: +84 (0) 511 3959 556
Website: www.alacartedanangbeach.com

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Buddhist Sites/Heritage Exhibition at Indian Cultural Centre

From 17th to 28th July 2017, at Indian Cultural Centre, Buddhist Heritage Exhibition presents photographer Benoy K Behl’s photos of significant heritages and sites in the world of Buddhism.
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This photographic exhibition provides a wide perspective of the monuments and art heritage of Buddhism, from earliest times. It also takes us on a visual pilgrimage through the life of the Buddha: to the places of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and final renunciation. It presents photographs taken in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Buryatia (Siberia) and Kalmykia in Russia, China, Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Indonesia.

The photographer Benoy K Behl is a film-maker and art-historian. He has taken over 35,000 photographs of Asian monuments and art heritage, made a hundred documentaries on art history and his exhibitions have been warmly received in 28 countries around the world. He is known for his extremely sensitive photography of Buddhist art which provides a deep insight into the gentle and compassionate message of the art.

The exhibition is free of charge and open to all age groups.

Address: The Indian Cultural Centre, 63 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Open times: 10am – 12am, 2pm – 4pm (Monday to Friday)
Tel: (+8424) 3633 2083 (Ms. Hoang Dieu Huan)
Email: culture@indembassy.com.vn

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Pullman Hanoi Hotel appointed its new Food and Beverage Manager

From July 2017, Mr. Karel Volders will join Pullman Hanoi team as Food and Beverage Manager and in charge of developing food and beverage offerings as well as quality of service at La Cheminée restaurant and Mint Bar.
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Nearly 12 years working in international hotel chains such as InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and AccorHotels. Over 4 years in a number of restaurants in Europe. With totaling 16 years experience in Food & Beverage industry, Mr. Karel Volders has a wide knowledge of wine, Western cuisine, and especially the international standard of service quality.

‘I am always eager to teach motivated people and learn new things in order to grow with our team. Being multilingual and having a lot of interest in other cultures, people and languages, I easily adapt to the country I live in. As Food and Beverage Manager in Pullman Hanoi and together with my team, we hope to bring the service’s quality to a higher level so our guests could experience a 5-star services.’, he stated.

Keeping up with Food and Beverage trends and not hesitating to face new challenges, Mr. Volders is believed to bring a new spirit to Pullman Hanoi and inspire the restaurant and bar team to offer the best services.

‘Remember, no matter how hard you struggle, don’t give up and stay positive, because nothing is impossible!’, he emphasises.

Pullman Hanoi Hotel

Address: 40 Cat Linh, Dong Da, Ha Noi
Tel: (+84 24) 3733 0688

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Vacheron Constantin opens a brand new space in Hanoi

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture with more than 260 years of uninterrupted history, opens a brand new space in Hanoi, Vietnam, in partnership with Tam Son International.
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With an intimate setting and beautiful facade, the new Vacheron Konstantin space features an elegant design, highlighted by noble materials from Italy; with black veneer, lavish carpets and leather showcases creating a luxurious atmosphere according to the design codes of the Maison. This exclusive space will allow watch collectors and enthusiasts to view exceptional timepieces within a dedicated and private environment.

Here you will discover the full collection from the Geneva—based manufacture, which includes timepieces from the iconic Patrimony and Traditionnelle collections for both ladies and men. Clients can also discover complication watches like the Overseas World Eline, featuring a record of 37 time zones, with Hallmark of Geneva certification and patented interchangeable bracelets/straps and clasps in rubber and leather, ensuring unique comfort and offering three different styles.

The opening of this new space adds to another episode in the long—standing relationship that has developed between Vacheron Konstantin and Vietnam since the end of the 21th century, marked by orders since 1888 from private collectors in search of precise and qualitative timekeepers.

“We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Tam Son International and the opening of a Vacheron Konstantin space in Hanoi, situated within the Hoan Kiem District. This partnership signifies an important milestone in strengthening our retail network and presence in South East Asia. Vacheron Konstantin is dedicated to providing its clients around the world fine timepieces with the highest level of service. Now, we are able to offer this to our clients in Hanoi,” said Yassin Tag, Managing Director of Vacheron Constantin South East Asia and Australia.

“Initially set up to bring the true meaning of luxury to Vietnam, Tam Son International is proud to collaborate with Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watchmaker still in operation. Inspired by its history, its craftsmanship and its exclusiveness, we hope the Vacheron Konstantin space in Hanoi will open a window to nurture deeper interest among Vietnamese people to learn about the Swiss spirit represented by these delicate watches. Do better if possible, and that is always possible — we will continue following this famous motto by Francois Konstantin since 1819 in Vietnam,” said Christian de Ruty, Managing Partner of Tam Son International.

Vacheron Constantin