Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 157 of 195

Crowd-free Paradises on Earth

When summer comes, everyone dreams of an idyllic blue beach under the sunlight, smelling the warm sea breeze, washing away all daily worries, and dipping their feet into the soft sand dunes to feel the passionate sense of the sea. And that’s where we are alone with the vast ocean. Here are 10 Wanderlust Tips for true paradises, for the ocean lover.

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Dam Trau Beach – Con Dao

Recently, Con Dao Islands (Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province) have been consistently listed at the top of beautiful and fascinating beaches of Asia, as well as worldwide. Con Dao Island has been chosen by Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, and most recently, CNN. CNN voted for Con Dao as one of the top 10 most peaceful islands in Asia. The fascinating place offers visitors beautiful nature, idyllic white sand beaches, colourful coral reefs, exotic rainforests, and fresh seafood.

Among the impressive beaches of Con Dao, Dam Trau Beach is considered one of the most beautiful, with never-ending stretches of smooth golden sand, and calm blue waters embraced by old-growth forests. Some people have compared Dam Trau to a piece of soft silk across a green carpet, half forest, half sea. Along the beach there are countless cliffs with abundant formations. On a rocky outcrop extending into the sea, there are two huge boulders that look like a couple of birds. Legend has it that this is the meeting spot of Ms. Trau and Mr. Cau, characters in a sad love story that has been told by Con Dao people for many generations.

Cay Men Beach – Nam Du

Na, Du (Kien Giang Province) is an archipelago located in the Gulf of Thailand – 65 nautical miles from Rach Gia. This beautiful archipelago is the favourite destination of Northern travellers. Nam Du has not developed much in tourism and is still idyllic with 21 islands and countless stunning beaches. Among them is Cay Men. The specialty here is coconut. The beach offers lush green coconut palms stretching endlessly along smooth sand, with the crystal clear water nearby and abundant coral reefs with colourful fish. Cay Men Beach is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so the water here is calm and clear blue, and at first glance it looks like a giant lake surrounded by solid cliffs. Few tourists have come to Cay Men and other beaches on Nam Du Island, so it still remains wild and poetic. Southern travellers who are especially concerned with protecting the environment have contributed to the preservation of the beauty of this place.

Phu Thuong Beach – Tuy An

Phu Yen is associated with Xep Beach, Mon or Vung Ro Beach, but there are still many beautiful beaches that have not been frequented by visitors, like Phu Thu Beach (An Hoa Commune, Tuy An District). The beach is located in the bow-shaped coastal area, which is bordered by two Northern rocky capes in the North and the southern cape of Yen Island, in the west of the land, Phu Quy Fishing Village, where fishermen are very nice and hospitable.

If Phu Yen’s famous beaches have become popular tourist destinations, Phu Thuong is still quite primitive, with no signs of being touched by human hands. The beach is far away from the residential area, so the water is absolutely clean. The sea is calm and quiet, and it is an ideal spot for you to relax in the cool water. Then, you can walk along the beach to the North or back to the Cape of Yen Island to the South. From the tops of the Cape, we can capture the whole view of Phu Thuong Sea. Admiring the majestic natural beauty will make you feel so tiny.

Ky Co Beach – Quy Nhon

It is surely no coincidence that people have given Ky Co many beautiful names, such as “Paradise Island of Quy Nhon” or “Forgotten Paradise.” The beach here is as beautiful as any of the famous ones in the Central region.

Located about 25 kilometres from Quy Nhon City, Ky Co belongs to Nhon Ly Island Commune. Ky Co Beach recently became famous and attracted tourists with the pristine beauty of clear water, calm waves, and smooth sand stretches. The crescent-shaped coastline with three sides bordering the mountains and one side bordering the sea makes Ky Co more impressive. Indeed, at first sight of Ky Co, anyone would want to rush into the sea immediately. Interestingly, large and small boulders are naturally arranged to form several “mini” saltwater pools that could hold about 5 to 7 people, so that a whole group of family or friends can soak in the cool blue water. In addition, Ky Co also offers a series of beautiful caves when tidal water recedes. If you have the opportunity, experience the feeling and thrill of exploring these mysterious cool caves.

Ho Coc Sea – Xuyen Moc

Far from the offshore islands of Central Vietnam, about 175 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, there is a beautiful and pristine beach that attracts many visitors: Ho Coc Beach in Bien Bien Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province. Although it has been known of for a long time, Ho Coc Beach, with clear blue water, white sand, light waves and interesting rock formations, is still quiet and peaceful. Therefore, when arriving in Ho Coc, tourists can completely immerse in their own world with the waves, the sound of the sea in the wind, and all is calm and quiet. Come here – you can soak yourself in the blue water, take part in many exciting underwater games, explore the mysterious deep forest, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the white sand beach to admire the magical beauty that nature gave Ho Coc. When the sun begins to glow red on Ho Coc Beach, we can sit back with friends and family to enjoy a cosy seafood dinner and fully feel at peace in the Southern Sea. Indeed, Ho Coc is the ideal place for you to hide away from the crowds of your daily life. Coming here, you will find your heart calm before the lyrical scene of the ocean.

El Nido – Philippines

If you want to go to an ideal beach for summer parties, do not go to El Nido. You should only come here when you want to relax and explore one of the planet’s most pristine wilderness sceneries. There are bays, black cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, rich vegetation, and crystal blue beaches. There are places where the sea is as calm as a reflective surface, with no ripples, and so clean that you can look at the colourful reefs or swimming fish while you are on a boat.

El Nido is not only famous for its abundant underwater ecosystems, but also for the stretches of white sandy beaches – truly a captivating paradise. It’s Nacpan, Seven Commando, Payong-Payong, Hidden Secret, and Las Cabanas. If you are an adventurous person, you will definitely enjoy exploring the mysterious white sand beach where they have to sail through a small cliff. Sometimes you will find a beautiful landscape beyond imagination: sea-lined lakes covered by 30-metre tall cliffs. This is the most beautiful destination of the archipelago around El Nido.

Gili Meno – Indonesia

Gili Meno Island of the Gili Islands is a mysterious wonder on this list – not Bali! Located in the Lombok Strait, about 35 kilometres West of Bali, the Indonesian island of Gili is surrounded by breath-taking landscaped beaches, cool blue water, and magnificent coral reefs.

Located between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, Gili Meno is the smallest and most pristine. The sea is gorgeous in green, with an endless stretch of horizon. These are the most unforgettable days. In the quiet space, it is only you and the vast ocean, soaking in the clear water, watching colourful coral reefs or sea turtles swimming in daytime. This is another impressive feature of Gili Meno. This tiny island, where there is no dock or roads, is a paradise that every traveller dreams of visiting.

Anse Soleil – Seychelles

Perhaps you’ve heard the name Seychelles, the archipelago with more than 100 large and small islands, considered to be the jewel of the Indian Ocean, near vast East Africa. The small island nation offers white sandy beaches stretching 491 kilometres along coral reefs, and marble and palm tree forests. The Seychelles are on conservation lists and is a Natural Heritage Site of UNESCO. Among the beautiful beaches of Seychelles, the most memorable is Anse Soleil, located in the South West of Mahe Island of Seychelles. This place exudes tranquil beauty with long sandy beaches and crystal blue water. It is an ideal place for those seeking peace and relaxation in the soul. You just take a walk along the beach, enjoy the gentle sea breeze, golden sunshine on the soft sand dunes, and all of your worries will disappear. When tired, you can stop at a small beach café that caters to all of your dining needs.

One thing to keep in mind is the cost of the Seychelles. It is extremely expensive, perhaps because the island is far from the rest of the world and there are not many flights here.

Hidden Beach – Mexico

Located just off the Mexican coast, in Banderas Bay, is the beautiful Marieta Islands. These islands are better known – until people discovered a beach hidden beneath a deep hole. Known as Hidden Beach, or Playa del Amor (Love Beach), it is surrounded by hilly cliffs. The only way to see the entire beach is to look from above, and the only way to get there is through a 2.5 metre water tunnel heading to the sea. Going through the hard way and get to Hidden Beach is worth all of the effort because you have touched heaven. Hidden under the “hole” are smooth white sands and cool clear water.

Most of the Marieta Islands have never been inhabited, which is probably a great condition for nature to create this beautiful landscape. Protected against any intrusion, Hidden Beach retains the pristine nature for the visitors to experience a paradise of their own.

Baia do Sancho – Brazil

It is no coincidence that Baia do Sancho is one o the names featured on the list of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2017 by Trip Advisor. Located on the island of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil, Baia do Sancho attracts visitors with blue water, magnificent cliffs, and cute dolphins playing in the bay. The best thing here is the peace and quiet. Unlike the vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Baia do Sancho is an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation in the soul. The island immerses all of the senses of the visitor in nature: breezes of the sea, lapping waves, the salty flavour of the water, and a vast ocean scene farther than the eye can see. Explore by taking a stroll. Visitors will be amazed with the reality that they are walking in a paradise, and cannot begin to imagine how many more interesting things are waiting.

Although just a few names are listed, there are countless beautiful beaches all over the planet. This may be enough to inspire a soul to head to the sea and to inspire a heart yearning for exploration.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Diamond Sea Hotel Danang welcomed the 150,000th guest

On 22th May 2017, Diamond Sea Hotel Danang – a luxury hotel in Da Nang – marks its significant milestone by welcoming the 150,000th guest.

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On this afternoon, 22th May 2017, Diamond Sea Hotel Danang welcomed its 150,000th guest, Mr. Nguyen Huu Son and his family. This event is a milestone, marking the continuous development of Diamond Sea Hotel over the past 2 years. In an ever evolving destination like Danang Diamond Sea Hotel strives to keep delivering exceptional service and is looking forward to the next milestone.

Through this special event, Diamond Sea Hotel also expressed sincere thanks to their customers and hopes to welcome all the guests in the future

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Night Market Cuisine: Flavour of Taiwan

“Young people in Taiwan don’t cook very often. They eat lunch at the office and dinner at the night market with their family, leisurely walking around to enjoy the rich cuisine in these markets”.

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There’s a good reason that Taiwan has long been regarded as a culinary paradise and a wonder to tourists. Taiwanese cuisine is sophisticated, rich, and diverse, and showcases the creativity of its influences, a perfect blend of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and even a bit of Western, culture.

Thanks to well-developed agriculture and fishery sectors, Taiwanese cooks often use fresh, local ingredients, spiced with a bit of creativity, to create exquisite dishes for diners.

Taiwan is famous for its night market cuisine. You must stop by a food cart that sells the oyster omelette, the best representative of Taiwanese cuisine. This dish combines the seafood flavour of oysters, fatty flavour of eggs, as well as vegetables and sauces. Oyster omelette is always a popular dish for both locals and foreign tourists alike.

Walking around the market, you’ll be greeted by the faint stench of stinky tofu. Many people won’t dare to try it, but if you do, you will be addicted t this unique scent and enjoy its rich, sweet taste. It will surely be an unforgettable experience.

At food carts that sell fried and baked dishes, you will enjoy the creativity of ingredients in Taiwanese cuisine. You will encounter many strange dishes, that even after tasting, you will not be able to guess the ingredients. Tian-bu-la (tempura) is fried or baked fish paste of different shapes, served with a sweet brown sauce. Another odd dish is zhu-xue-gao, made from glutinous rice and pork, and popular among Taiwanese, thanks to the sticky rice and sweet taste of pig’s blood. The snack is covered in a layer of peanut powder and cut into slices.

Another dish worth trying at the night market is Jipai – fried chicken steak, made from chicken breast coated in a layer of flour and fried until the crust is crispy. You can enjoy the sweet taste of fresh chicken meat, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. Each food cart has its own marinade, so the taste of this dish will vary.

If you’re not fond of fried snacks, you can stop by a street cart that serves fresh beef noodles. Hand-made thick noodles are cooked with tenderloin beef and vegetables. The best part of this dish is the soup stock, with rich flavours thanks to ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Ribs stewed in medicinal herbs are a great dish for cold winter days. Goat or pig ribs are cooked with roots, herbs, and dried fruits until tender. This is a healthy dish that helps nourish the body. The sweet taste of bone broth combines with the aroma of medicinal herbs will surely warm up diners.

If you do not enjoy the busy atmosphere of the night market, you can visit Lu-Wei Restaurant, which serves hundreds of dishes made from pig ears, legs, and hearts, chicken intestines, vegetables, and noodles. You will get a basket to choose your ingredients, and the chef will cook your ingredients in a pot. The flavours of this dish come from the broth that cooks the ingredients, and each selection will have its own flavour. These flavours are the secret of the restaurant, which also makes this dish appealing.

Visiting Taiwan, you must try hot pot, especially spicy hot pot (Ma la). The spice is not made from fresh chilli, but from six types of seeds and herbs to create a strong and rich taste: anise, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, dried chilli, and pepper. The aroma of anise and cinnamon adds to the unforgettable taste of the soup. The hot broth combines seafood, beef, meatballs, fish balls, vegetables, and mushrooms, stimulating all of your senses.

Finally, have some douhua for dessert, a combination of green beans, red beans, and taro, or a glass of boba milk tea will be a perfect finale for your culinary journey.

No matter how many times you visit Taiwan, walking in the culinary paradise, the night market is always a memorable experience.

Wanderlust Tips

The stunning facial inkings of Chin women in Western Myanmar

No landscape, no delicious cusine, and no leisure… The only thing that urges me to visit this place is the legends about the last generation of tattooed women here.

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Deep in the remote mountainous region of the Chin State, Western Myanmar, there lives a tribe whose women are world-renowned for their distinctive facial tattoos. For the Chin people, the more face tattoos a woman has, the prettier and braver she is. This tradition of the Chin people began in the 11^th century and was erased in the 1960s. The traces of this traditional practice will soon disappear as the last generation of tattooed Chin women fades into history.

Journey to Mindat, Chin State

This journey is off-the-beaten-path for Vietnamese travellers, simply because I could not find all of the necessary information on Vietnamese websites. I had to find information by other foreign tourists who have visited this place.

I chose to visit Mindat Town, where Ms. Daw Yaw Shen Ying lived. She was considered a world wonder because she was the last Chin woman who knew how to play the bamboo flute by nose. This town is also home to diverse ethnicities. Mindat is home to three people: M’Kaan, M’uun, and Uppriu. Here, I could observe the face tattoos of the three different groups.

After studying the map carefully, I chose the route of Yangon to Bagan to Pakkoku to Mindat. I stayed in Bagan for three days to explore the beautiful, mysterious city, before I embarked on a treacherous journey, with less than ideal conditions. The road from Pakkoku to Mindat was a rocky, dusty mountain pass, in a poor-quality car. There were times on the road when I felt I was literally covered in dust. It was so dusty that my red coat was covered with a layer of grey afterwards. The journey from Bagan to Mindat was about 230 kilometres, which took about 8 to 10 hours, and cost around 450,000 VND.

Mindat is a small town located in a remote, mountainous region with poor electricity coverage. At around 7pm or 8pm, darkness would cover the entire town, with only a few flickering lights shining through the bamboo houses. The temperature difference between day and night was significantly different; the day was hot and sunny, and the night was extremely cold. It might have been due to the long ride, but my body was not used to the sudden temperature change. I became fatigued, shivering in the cold.

Unexpected Trouble

I encountered an unexpected problem. In Bagan, I contacted an agency to hire a tour guide in Mindat, who would help me visit the Chin women in the village. Everything was final, but the guide did not show up the next day and did not send a message. I waited for half a day, and asked the homestay owner to get me another guide. I received the bad news that “All of the guides in the area are with tour groups climbing Victoria Mountain. They will return in two days.”

I remembered the reviews I read on the blog of Western backpackers who have been here: “Don’t think you will be welcomed here without a local guide,” “Nobody here speaks English, so without a local guide you will not be able to communicate with them.” I was upset, discouraged, confused, and disappointed. But I told myself, “I’m already here, I cannot give up now.” I took a deep breath, filled my backpack with snacks, and travelled into town alone to start exploring.

At the time, I had thousands of questions: “How do I find the Chin women?”; “How do I know which house to visit?”; “How do I get them to welcome me?” But before I could panic, I started to see the Chin women with tattooed faces. They appeared before my eyes, going about their casual daily lives. An Uppriu woman, whose face was covered with tattooed dots, sat in front of her house and cleaned her traditional jewellery with her mouth. Two M’Kaan women with interconnecting D-shaped tattoos on their cheeks sat in front of a house, chatting.

Meeting each woman, I quickly grabbed some candy from my bag, bowed to them, greeted them with a common greeting, and gave them the candy. The Chin women seemed happy with the gesture, and they smiled at me, tugged on my arms, and said something I guess was “thank you.” That’s how I started to learn about them, by politely greeting them, offering a small gift, and finding ways to interact more with them and observing them. It was probably my friendly smile, my curiosity, and my bewilderment that charmed them. That was how my first day started, by observing with my eyes and my heart.

Finding the Legends

My last stop in the journey was to visit Ms. Daw Yaw Shen Yin (90, M’kaan), the last woman in the world who knew how to play the bamboo flute with her nose. Thanks to this, she became the symbol of tattooed Chin women and was dubbed a heritage of the world.

I always felt that each journey was a wonderful moment in my life that allowed me to meet the legends I had seen only on TV or my computer screen.

After several failed attempts, the flute started to sing. Miraculously, the sound was emanating from the nose of the 90-year-old woman. I pressed the button on my camera to record, quickly snapped a few photos, and then faded into silence to take in the sounds. I couldn’t remember how many times I had seen her photos on international media and wished I could meet her at least once, just to sit and listen to her play the flute.

Her son-in-law shared that she had been unable to walk for two years now, and it was difficult for her to conjure the breath to play the flute. However, one habit never changed – every time she started to play the flute, she had to wear her prettiest outfit and jewellery. It was a joy for her to wear the jewellery she had her whole life, and play for visitors. She loved them and was sad that nobody made this kind of jewellery anymore.

I found myself to be very lucky then, because this was possibly my only chance to ever meet this heritage of the world, or hear her play the flute. It was a happy coincidence that I met Ms. Yaw Shen’s son-in-law, who spoke English well. He took me around to visit the last generation of the tattooed women and told me stories about them.

He shared that this tradition originated from an old tale. A cruel king used to kidnap Chin girls in the village to become his slaves and concubines. Chin families had to tattoo their daughters’ faces to prevent them from being kidnapped. “Over the years,” he told me,” tattooing on women’s faces became a tradition, a part of our culture. The tattoos on women’s faces became a beauty standard in everyone’s mind. We used to think that the more tattoos a girl has, the more beautiful and braver she is.”

TIPS:

The journey from Bagan to Pakkoku is only around 70 kilometres, which takes around 1.5 hours by bus. You can buy bus tickets at the Nyang U bus station for 10,000 Kyats a person (around $7.50 US). You can also take a taxi offered by local agencies for 30,000 Kyats for a 4-seater vehicle (around $22 US). After reaching Pakkoku, you will need another local bus ticket to reach Mindat, priced around 16,000 Kyats per person ($12 US). This journey is only 160 kilometres, but it will take around 8 to 10 hours, due to poor-quality car and mountainous terrain.
You should ask an agency in Bagan to book a room and local guide for you in Mindat. During peak season, there are a lot of tourists who visit Mindat for mountain climbing, so accommodation and guides are always overbooked. You should be prepared that sometimes a booked room and guide can still be changed last minute.
It is advisable to prepare a small gift, like candy, to greet and make acquaintance with the Chin women. You should approach them with a sincere and respectful attitude.
Before filming or taking photos, you should bow and ask them for permission.

Mai Huong | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Attractive june promtions at Melia Hanoi

Immerse in family atmosphere at Melia Hanoi on Father’s Day and enjoy excellent flavors of delectable buffet lunch featuring lobster, oysters, sushi, and sashimi. Many special promtions in this June including International daily buffet dinner, Seafood Extravaganza promise to sastify the most demanding foodies.

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On Sunday – 18^th June 2017, from 11:30 a.m to 2 p.m, a delectable buffet lunch featuring lobster, oysters, sushi, and sashimi station with an exceptional fine dining experience will be the most brilliant idea to celebrate the Father’s Day for a hero of your family. Moreover, on this occasion, for every group of 4 adults, 1 person will enjoy the meal free of charge.

♦ Price: VND1,200,000++/adult (including free flow of sparkling wine, house wine, beer and soft drinks)

VND720,000/child under 10

Every Friday and Saturday dinner from 6 p.m to 11 p.m, the chef team at El Patio Restaurant is proud to present most expanded gastronomic selection of seafood in town, featuring the freshest and most luscious ingredients.

♦ Price: VND825,000++/adult (without drinks)

VND890,000++/adult (including free flow of draught beer and soft drinks)

VND1,170,000++/adult (including free flow of 6 red wine & 3 white wine)

Melia Hanoi also offers guest International daily buffet dinner from 6 p.m – 11 p.m from Monday to Thursday. Particularly, from Tuesday to Friday 7 p.m to 9 p.m, there will be live music at Cava Lounge. The charming voice of Tina from Cuba every Wednesday and Friday will make your evening more special when emmersing in the sounds of the great song selection brought by in-house band in a cozy atmosphere.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Art of love: Fundraising concert at Meliá Hanoi

On 14th May, at the luxury hotel of Meliá Hanoi, the Fundraising concert “Art of Love” was held with the aim of assisting young children with musical gifted as well as gathering and training “Vietnam Sinfonietta” – an orchestra of young gifted talents.

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Sunday, 14th May was highlighted by a meaningful event held at Meliá Hanoi in its sponsorship: The Fundraising concert “Art of Love”. This unique concert was one of many activities of a loving project, which is also named “Art of Love”, founded by Mrs Nguyen Thi Nguyet Thu – the famous viola artist – with the aim of assisting young children with musical gifted.

Meliá Hanoi proudly presents the concert “Art of Love” as its main sponsor. The project “Art of Love” will bring the hope and faith, full of health, wisdom and good personality for our future generation, thus they can get on well with the community. Also, “Art of love” project fosters many gifted talents, supports them in “discovering” the world of art, give them the opportunity to assert themselves with positive thinking, then confidently devote to the society as the true artists.

At the concert, the audiences have immersed themselves in a space of love, swayed to the soothing melodies performed and been sympathetic to many touching story shared. Individual movements were warmly responded by massive audience applauses. There was also a mini gallery showcasing more than twenty excellent paintings, which were created by the talented hands of many young artists with autism.

In other words, the concert itself opens the gate to the treasure of classical music, charmingly make the academic melodies become the alluring “spices” to the spiritual life of individuals and families.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Off-Season Travel: Traveling to Feel

Why must we go to the sea in summer and climb a mountain in winter? Why only on Tet Holiday do we think about relaxing and travelling? During high season, we must fight against the crowds and fear being charged with high prices. Even after the journey, you wish you’d stayed at home and watched TV. It is much better than travelling and getting exhausted. The solution to this is off-season travel – which has become the choice of many people. Here’s why going against travel trends is a perfect choice.

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Why should you travel off-season?

Travel is time for you to relax, not be fighting against crowds. However, at some well-known destinations, such as islands in the summer, rushing through crowds is unavoidable in the high seasons. If you travel off-season, your trip will be perfect as you walk along the quiet beach, feel the peaceful, ordinary life at the place you’ve come, instead of hustling on the beach with a lot of people – such as last July in Sam Son Beach, Thanh Hoa. In the middle of high tourist season, Sam Son welcomes about 70,000 people, mobilises 10,000 labourers, and fills up 15,000 guest rooms. Imagine – from day to night, the beach here is always crowded with visitors. Vung Tau, Nha Trang, and other destinations are no exception.

Meanwhile, travel expense during off-season is only half that of the high season, with more efficient services. Moreover, airlines, hotels, resorts and travel agents often have great promotions to compete for and attract a smaller amount of tourists. Vu Thuy Linh of Hanoi, age 27, has just boasted to her friends that she booked a flight ticket for 2.5 million VND for a three-person family. In addition, because it is not high season, hotel rooms are guaranteed for early check-in and late check-out in accordance with flight times. Flight routes with expensive fares, such as 3 to 3.5 million VND from Hanoi to Phu Quoc at the beginning of the year, are now available for 1.5 to 2 million VND.

In addition to the benefits of price and service, off-season travel brings many exceptional and interesting experiences. Sometimes the high season is not the most beautiful season of certain destinations. Such is the case with Phu Quoc Island: the most ideal time for travelling there is from the end of October to April. During this time, Phu Quoc Island is in dry season, with blue skies, golden sunshine, and a peaceful ocean. Even though summer is the rainy season on Phu Quoc Island, the number of visitors is higher, and the price for rooms and flights increases. Therefore, instead of travelling in the summer, you could visit Phu Quoc Island in the winter or at the beginning of spring to admire the beauty of the nation’s Jade Island.

Things you need to know when you travel off-season

♦ Pick a suitable time. When you travel off-season, picking a suitable time is very important. To avoid risks with the weather, you should follow the weather forecast of the arrival destination to book trains and flight tickets accordingly. We do not need to travel when the weather is most ideal, but we also do want to avoid rain and storms. Bad weather conditions could make the journey difficult and dangerous and could lead to cancellations.

♦ Make a plan. After choosing your travel dates, you need to make a detailed plan as soon as possible. A detailed plan will help you prepare for accommodation, flight, train tickets, and departure dates. This makes your reservation process more convenient and economical. Moreover, the early planning will give you more opportunities to “hunt” for promotions of airfare, hotel rates, and travel agents, negotiate more beneficial accommodation conditions, and tour routes for the journey.

Suggestions for Off-Season Travel Destinations:

♥ Phu Quoc Island: For off-season travel to Phu Quoc Island, as we mentioned, October to April is the most beautiful season.

♥ Dalat: Go to Dalat after Tet Holiday (February, March, April) and when the high season of summer passes (November, December).

♥ Danang: Travel to Danang in spring (from December to February). At this time, the average temperature is between 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, with mild sunshine and cool wind.

♥ Sapa: Travel to Sapa at the beginning of the summer (from March to June). The weather is a little cold and a little sunny. Avoid travel on holidays or the days before Tet.

♥ Nha Trang: Travel to Nha Trang in summer and spring (from January to April). The high season for Nha Trang tourism is from June to September, so you should avoid these busy months. October and November is rainy season.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

How should youth “travel”?

“Don’t see traveling as a way to save your life, or to escape from reality. The trip will not help you resolve all of the problems in life. Travelling is a very good way to learn. However, to live a happier life, we need to give more, we must create a new set of values, and do useful work to make our lives more significant.”

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Hi Rosie Nguyen, would you mind sharing the reasons that lead to your passion for travel?

After my first inexperienced trips, I realised that traveling allows us to discover the world and ourselves. The lessons gained from the journey are priceless. Besides social knowledge and living skills, travelling helps us to overcome our limitations, broaden our “comfort zone,” become courageous to try new things, which helps us understand ourselves better and become more confident. And for youth, experience is necessary.

Would you mind sharing your more memorable travel experiences?

After years of travelling, it is difficult to pick the most impressive experience. In Myanmar, I was extremely surprised with the enthusiasm of the people when I asked for road directions. Some were even willing to lead me to the place I needed to go. When in Hong Kong, I fell in love with the most spectacular trekking roads in Asia – one side is bamboo forest with rustling wind, and one side is a pretty fishing village nestled at the foot of a mountain. In Australia, I went scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef – dream destination of divers worldwide – and I was amazed when diving deeper among the school of fish swimming around and above me in a circle; it seemed like I was in a colourful rainfall. Each destination is charming in different ways.

Could you share with our readers the difficulty you faced when you decided to quit your job to travel and write?

Actually, I did not quit my job for travelling and writing. I switched from a full-time to a part-time job as a freelancer, after publishing my first book and being recognised by readers in this profession. I must make it clear because many young people have told me they want to leave school, quit their jobs, and pursue their passions. However, they have not really prepared for this, and they were confused and did nothing to build a firm foundation to ensure they had a safe place to land after “taking the leap”.

After making the decision to leave my job at an international group, I researched and studied a lot. I understood that when quitting a job with a salary of tens of millions (VND) a month to pursue writing, I would encounter financial difficulties. However, this challenge is not as difficult as pressure from my family. When they found out I had left my full-time job, they disapproved strongly. Even some relatives called and said: “You cannot let your child live aimlessly like that and ruin our family’s reputation.”

However, I didn’t let myself be shaken by others’ viewpoints. Instead, I studied materials and considered my current situation. I earned enough to make a living monthly from writing, along with saving my money. I have enough skills, knowledge, and qualifications; I have connections with different communities and social activities to not be separated when not working in a group. And I have a backup plan in case I fail. And finally, I decided to pursue my passion for writing. It has been almost two years since then and I have contributed to valuable social activities, introduced two books with a wide reception, and have had more time for truly meaningful things in my life. To have a job suitable with your passion is a great gift you can give yourself. And I am happy when I live with this gift.

Would you mind giving some pieces of advice to the young people who are irresolute between the many choices in their lives, after quitting your job for travelling has become a current world trend?

Although I am a travel blogger, I never encourage young people to quit jobs or leave school to travel. It is a fact that many young people idealise the journey; consider it as their passion, their purpose of life, their everything in life. Some are addicted to travelling, travel one destination to the next, see it as a way to save their life, to escape from reality. The trip will not help you resolve the problems of your life. Travelling is a very good way to learn. However, to live a happier life, we need to give more, we must create a new set of values, and do useful work to make our lives more significant.

I want to repeat again the words I wrote in What is the Value of Youth?

“Experience helps us become more confident, helping us to face the difficulties in life. Because sometimes, sleeping by the road, in the bush, helps us strengthen our stamina. Sometimes saving every amount for the trips, we will learn how to manage our financial situation for a long journey. After experiencing days and months of aimlessness, we will learn how to keep our soul peaceful and stable throughout our lives.” Therefore, for the young people who have a passion for travel, I want to say: travel when you can, but learn how to go on beneficial travels.

I know that you have published two books Trekking in Asia and What is the Value of Youth? While Trekking in Asia is about tourist experiences, What is the Value of Youth? shares the experiences of how to “learn, work, travel, and read” in life. What are the reasons for this difference?

For me, each book is a journey of learning and growing. Trekking in Asia as well as What is the Value of Youth? are both long journeys of transformation. When I began to write Trekking in Asia, I realised there are many young people who have a passion for world discovery, but do not know where and how to begin. In Vietnam, there are a lot of travel books talking about stories on the journey; however, none of them give directions and details about trekking. Trekking in Asia was born as a response to this demand. Regarding What is the Value of Youth? I aimed to write about a social issue: the 20s crisis, the panic when many young people don’t know what they like, what they are good at, and their passion. With the book, I shared my experiences on the journey as I overcame this crisis and became “famous.” Whatever topics I wrote about, the purpose I always wanted to resolve was a specific problem with a profound value, spread good and positive things to have more fun in life, and create a new set of values through my writing.

Would you mind sharing with readers your future plan?

My upcoming plan is publishing the third book about happiness, and completing a fourth one – a fiction book, different from the three former ones. This year, I hope to have a long trip to explore South Asia, from Sri Lanka to India to Nepal.

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences with the readers of Wanderlust Tips. We wish you success on your future journeys.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Music of Communal Houses

“The Communal House is the cradle of culture, a place to keep spiritual memories and the history of the Vietnamese community alive, and where the traditions of Vietnam are still followed.”

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The small auditorium of Le Space is dark and filled with many foreign audience members. The stage is quite simple, not all sparkles. The artists walk out calmly in dark clothes, not scrambling, waiting for their moment to play.

When the music begins, it immediately transports the soul of the Vietnamese festivals, with Cheo, Vi (free style singing), and Dam (poetry delivered in song) in the small communal house courtyard. It is boisterous and exciting. The room seems to quiet with the past memories of the communal house, and past fetivals rush back through the gongs, drumbeat, and virtuostic beats.

At the beginning of every spring, when the flowers are blooming, people usually gather in the communal house courtyard to enjoy the traditional festival with lively and lavish performances. As such, the communal house is also the place where people nurture and sustain Vienamese forklore that has been forgotten in the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Colourful life on the stage

The beauty and sophistication of folk art enable people to see a colourful life on stage, performed on a small and simple mat in the communal house. The front yard of a village’s Communal House, people can be amazed by the cheo’s paillard charater “Thi Mau” in a fun moment with her family’s servant “Anh No”.

With the exciting drumbeat, the stage at time becomes a joyous spring festival, and at times becomes a sorcerer who scares off ghosts. It’s ridiculous and humorous. In the same place, There is also a depicted large space where Ho Nguyet Co is struggling with the tragedy of her life. There is a character that is indispensable but no one take notice; it is called “ mass character”. The people sits as the background, play simple instruments, responds to the character, and juggles to make performances more charming. Sometimes the artist doesn’t need to pretend to be anyone at all; they just sing with reduplicative style and musical skills that make the audience feel like dancing to the sound of music.

“Music of Communal Houses” on Le Space’s stage presents slices of each folklore of Vietnam, but they are rich excerpts, expressing ecstactic moments of the artists. We can see personality, destiny, tragedy, and the mood and climax of the narrative performed by the most simple means.

Nurturing the Imagination

Folklore has an extremely powerful and magical language that allows it to present a narrative and stories of lives in a simple way on stage, with a language of body shape and convention.

To express themselves with this language, artists have to perform a high level of acting with no sound effects, light or modern skill. It is simply performed by movements of the hands, legs, facial expressions, and supported by several traditional instruments.

To study conventions of the traditional stage, we should look at Cheo and Tuong (classical dramas), especially a Tuong’s excerpt “Ho Nguyet Co Becomes the Fox” which is one of the most impressive. In the excerpt, she uses a whip to ride horses, chases the traitor to get back the pearl (which keeps her human), is startled upon seeing her reflection in the stream, and screams in pain seeing her body changes. Then, she is unable to communicate in human’s language and has to turn back into an animal.

People’s Artist Minh Gai makes audiences feel the sadness. The beauty of silk costumes also shine on the stage in this famous excerpt. Nguyet Co is shown as graceful when she is on the saddle, and when she struggles in her transformation from a human to a fox. The costume is comfortable, even for the stunts. After the performance, the endless applause seems to say that the traditional story still has value. People can imagine the actions, personalities and senses of the characters through this work. The play moves both artists and audiences to tears.

Music instruments – The Soul of Communal House Art

The sound first catches the attention of the people. Over time, these traditional sounds have become a highly refined art. Artist Xuan Hoach spent his lifetime discovering the sounds of national instruments. Since 1940, silk strings have completely disappeared because of the “expansion” of nylon and iron wire, which modernised traditional instruments. Even in Van Phuc Village, which once provided silk wire for most of theatres in Hanoi, silk wire is no longer made.

With the help of director Nhat Ly – who brought the contemporary play “My Village” to the stage – artisan Xuan Hoach began making silk into string once more. It’s a very difficult and arduous process. In 2010, he succeded and many artists came to know “the sound of silk,” as it is often called.

For Xuan Hoach, in formality, the most precious and unique of traditional instruments is the rustic one. It means that all factors that make an instrument must fit the Vietnamese style. He uses materials such as bamboo, wood, coconut shell, and dried gourd shells.

It is said that folklore is not a stagnant pond; it flows like a river. The destinies, the stories, and the personalities of the folklore still touches every modern citizens’ hearts. It flows silently, and enduringly nurtures the Vietnamese soul in its particular way.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Saigon travel tips

If you’re thinking of traveling to Saigon (HCMC), these tips will help you maximise your stay in this vibrant city with some of the most hospitable people you’re ever likely to encounter.

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Notes on Saigon’s Weather

Saigon has two seasons: rainy and dry season. When wandering around Saigon during the rainy season, which lasts from May to November, pack an umbrella and raincoat – especially in the afternoon.

The dry season lasts from December to April, when temperatures can rise up to 40°C. Be sure to stay hydrated, wear a hat to avoid sunstroke and apply sunscreen regularly. The heat reaches its peak from noon to 3-4 pm.

Preparations for tours around Saigon

The districts at the centre of Saigon are always bustling regardless of the time of day. Walking is a great way to get a feeling for the dynamic life here – both flip-flops and trainers are suitable for this activity. And if being on foot is not your thing, then buses, motorbike taxis or rickshaws are convenient ways to get around the city.

During Saigon’s rush hours you need to calculate in delays.

Go to the cinema any time of day

Watching films at night is popular with international visitors. And there are plenty of cinemas like CGV’s sweetbox, Lotte Cinema’s bed cinema, Starlight terrace cinemas on Le Cong Lieu to delight film lovers. Screenings are scheduled until 1am.

Experience Saigon’s cuisine at night

Saigon is a sleepless city. A trait of the city you will see most clearly when immersing yourself Saigon’s nightlife. You can eat your way through Saigon at Ben Thanh Market, Tay Bui Vien, Thu Duc University Village Night Market or Hanh Thong Tay Night Market – where an abundance of dishes and drinks from various cultures are available.

Taste Hu Tieu Go Noodles

After a night out it is easy to find a bowl of Hu Tieu Noodles on your way home thanks to the rhythmic sounds from the bamboo sticks on the carts tha sell them.

For 10,000-15,000VND you will be served a a plentiful portion of Hu Tieu with smooth white noodle, accompanied by wonton dumplings, bean sprouts, garlic, chive, slices of tenderloin, beef meatballs, xi quach (stewed pork bone), topped with freshly fried onion and pork rind and a few slices of lemon and chili.

Getting around Saigon

The most convenient way to get around is on a motorbike. Most of the hotels in the city rent out motorbikes with fares from 100,000-200,000VND per day.

But if you are not familiar with the roads in this crowded city, taxis are also a good choice. It is recommended to choose a reliable taxi brands like: Vinasun and Mai Linh, with fares of 15,000VND per kilometre. Online services like Grab and Uber are also available.

If you want to find cheap transport, buses are the number one choice. Currently, Saigon has about 30 bus routes in District 1, 24 of which stop at Ben Thanh Market. Fares per route are 5,000 VND per ticket (under 18 kilometres) and 6,000 VND per ticket (over 18 kilometres).

Website for bus route map:

http://buyttphcm.com.vn/RouteFinding

Notes when visiting Saigon

Look after your personal belongings when going out to avoid being pickpocketed. You should not take food or drinks offered by strangers in public places to avoid being swindled. Handheld purses, handbags and cameras should be looked after carefully. Money should be separated into many pockets.

When renting accommodation, it is recommended to make reservation sat prestige hotels. If you choose to stay in inns with a lot of windows, you should not leave your purse or clothes with money inside near the windows. Before going out, you should put identity papers or money in safes of the hotel.

You shouldn’t eat at restaurants near bus stops or train stations because the food there is neither delicious nor hygienic and often costs twice as much as the food elsewhere.

Wanderlust Tips |Cinet