Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 160 of 195

A Gastronomic Game

The game of gastronomy cannot be bound by Michelin stars, commonly regarded as the highest merits of the culinary arts; but rather, it is a journey of discovery to find the most unique and refined experience it can offer.

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My fate with cuisine is intertwined with my boundless passion and pleasure of enjoying food. Many have asked “What is the difference between having a good meal and enjoying it?”

It is not a simple task to give a concrete answer to such a broad question, but it is safe to say that beyond the enjoyment is the desire for exploration and discovery. The philosophy of gastronomy carries the same sentiment. Eating good food is a conditional reflex of the physical body, while gastronomy is a way of life. After all, gastronomy runs the course of using all your senses to achieve the most divine sensations; but of course, how far this will stretch depends on your personal experience.

To eat, in the simplest figure of speech, is to play and the game of gastronomy cannot be bound by Michelin stars, commonly regarded as the highest merits of the culinary arts; but rather, it is a journey of discovery to find the most unique and refined experience it can offer.

Imagine a style of dining with no particular location – a deserted warehouse, a farm or the private house of a stranger. Welcome to the secret dining club – where you are ready to indulge in a culinary experience by dilettante chefs, and to sit with strangers from all over the world, who share the same passion for exploring the art of food. It is a sweet retreat from the symbolic yet mundane paths that lead to Michelin stars.

This culinary trend began in San Francisco with “Ghetto Gourmet”, which was located beneath a dining club, and whose notoriety was spread through word-of-mouth by food connoisseurs who had grown increasingly jaded with the then current, monotonous culinary practices and standards. Along with the blossoming of the culinary industry within the last decades, this trend has, and currently is, quietly rising in various shapes and forms in the East and the West, in spite of countries and borders. A fine dining meal, which previously demanded a set style of presentation and the following of rigid rules, is no longer considered a must-have standard in a culinary trend that is vastly changing and growing. These futuristic innovators have created a revolution in the gastronomic game.

This article will briefly touch on a few exceptional experiences I have had the good fortune to enjoy during my travels in Asia.

Our first stop is Ultraviolet in Shanghai, the kind of restaurant that dreams are made of, where patrons live and breathe the parties of light, sound, images, scents and of course, the restaurant experience itself. A secretive location is selected for the dinner, which is then only served to ten patrons at the very most at each culinary performance.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself enjoying a fish dish under the sea, with thousands of fish swimming among one another; listen to the splashing and swishing sounds of sea creatures that feel almost real. As you listen to the melodious background music, you can almost imagine smelling the saltiness of the oceans, the sharpness of the seas, and of course, in reality, the fragrance of the food. Under these spatial guides, each and every one of your senses are heightened to the utmost to allow you to marvel in the delight and satisfaction of one of the most incredible experiences of your life. In this way, Ultraviolet has managed to please even the most fastidious food connoisseurs.

Chef de Cuisine Paul Pairet, a man who has stepped over every culinary boundary, will concoct inventive and stunning dishes for you, with myriad ingredients – frozen foods, canned fish and even a lemon tart, in which the lemon and the tart are layered upon one another. His unlimited inspiration has blazed a trail in the dining world. A world that was becoming way too conventional and banal. It is no surprise that Ultraviolet, no matter how mysterious and unpredictable, has managed to stay staunchly within The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, until now.

If ten patrons are too many for a meal, then Aronia de Takazawa would be the most apt restaurant for those who enjoy dinner alone as I do. Regarded as one of the smallest and hardest to find restaurants in the world, and located in an unnamed area in Akasaka district in Tokyo, Aronia đe Takazwa has just two tables on which to serve their patrons.

It is easy to believe yourself to be Alice, and get lost in the wonderland of Chef Yoshiaki Takazawa sampling bizarre dishes like foie gras crème brûlée with mango, or curry ice cream with smoked crispy Ezo venison topping. The tea party with a Gothic theme will provide explorers with a once-in-a-life-time experience. The waiting time for a table from the confirmation of your booking is six months, obviously, a puzzle not meant for the impatient; however, the joy of savoring the taste of victory is immeasurable.

Another renowned representative from the East is Da Ping Huo, an innovative location inside a building, on a platform, in the restaurant-auditorium-gallery at the arts center of Hong Kong. This is the place I frequented to enjoy spicy Sichuan dishes, to listen to the proprietress singing Opera each night, to take a relaxing stroll and to gaze at the artwork of amateur Hong Kong artists that were exhibited there. Simultaneously eating, listening to Opera and looking at the arts is such a fascinating and poetic mix of activities.

On the last stop of this journey, I will mention two of the distinguished representatives from Vietnam: Noir Dining in the Dark in Saigon and French Grill in Hanoi. While Ultraviolet opens all our senses through its meals, Noir Dining in the Dark takes us on a journey reminiscent of the endless night. When our visual sense is deprived, the olfactory, gustatory, olfactory, somatic senses and perhaps even our sixth sense, are enhanced more than ever. Even if we were provided with a guide, I believe most of us would feel like fish out of water the first time we dine in the pitch black – where sight is no longer a criterion to judge a meal, when the rest of your senses react more honestly and allow you to fully explore the true meaning of the art of enjoying food. I will let you experience and evaluate this night time adventure your own way.

My last few words will be a dedication to a rare annual performance called the Molecular Night at French Grill. Even if I have yet to participate in this fascinating event, I have to admit the Molecular Gastronomy and Mixology Night is a bold, yet wise move from the French Grill.

Even though molecular gastronomy is no longer foreign terminology to Michelin diners, innovation in the most state-of-the-art culinary techniques and a molecular gastronomy performance under the guise of a Chemist’s Laboratory is a highly original and inventive idea.

From the perspective of a person who appreciates the gastronomic journey as I do, I believe that the Molecular Night has posed a challenge for the participants in that it puts the focus on each of the ingredients used in the dishes. The main participants of the meal are no longer the patrons themselves, but also the results of these chemical reactions. The experience does not merely come from the senses but also the ingredients themselves. Instead of listening to external sound, patrons perceive the faintest and most subtle oscillation of the dishes on a molecular level. Therefore, by extension, humans are not always the key players in this gastronomic game. The ingredients are able to speak out in their unadulterated forms.

The path of exploring and searching for innovative ways to enjoy gastronomy is similar to countless scientific experiments: there are successes, and there are failures, but they cannot even begin without creativity. In any frame of reference, the future of gastronomy is always an unknown number that needs to be received, contemplated and purposely appreciated with our most refined senses.

Van Nguyen | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Wanderlust Tips travel magazine’s May issue 2017: The enchanted wanderer

May issue 2017 of Wanderlust Tips travel magazine will magnify all your emotions with adventure journeys to the wonderlands.

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The most prominent author of contemporary Danish literature, Peter Hoeg, said: “Travelling tends to magnify all human emotions.“

That is true. Whatever your profession, your skin colour, your nationality, you cannot move through the splendour and charm of Ba Na Hills and not think you are in a corner of Europe. And you do not even know how full of poetry your heart is until you see the sun shining brightly, washing away the silent darkness on the legendary Borobudur Temple.

For dynamic and adventurous travellers, expanding the senses is probably not enough. So, why not try sports on your journey to push the emotions to the extreme and challenge your limits. Surfing, white-water rafting, canyoning, paragliding or conquering vertiginous cliffs, sometimes you have to engage in challenging activities to liberate your body and your mind to feel alive in the fullest sense. Or just sit on the magnificent grandstand to enjoy the intense and heated matches of 10 outstanding sport events this year is bound to fill you with excitement.

Match provides you with a complete guide to explore the “yellow flowers, green grass” land of Phu Yen with its beautiful Cliff of Stone Plates, idyllic Xep Beach or lush Van Hoa Plateau glistening in the sunshine of this tropical region.

There are many barriers that stop you completing your bucket list. If you are still wondering and have many a reasonable pretext to delay embarking on an exciting itinerary, let Wanderlust Tips sway you with a quote from the deaf and blind writer, Helen Adams Keller – one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th Century as voted by Time Magazine: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.“

Wanderlust Tips

Summer vibe at Rex Hotel Saigon

Summer heat is spilling over. Let’s choose between enjoying and chatting in a comfortable and windy place of Rooftop Garden Bar, or dipping yourself and swimming in a cool water in the 2 pools of Rex Health Club.

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Rooftop Garden Bar where welcomes cool breeze with airy space with perfect view of the city is a really good choice for summer gathering. In addition, Rex Health Club with 2 fresh pools, cool water and the open air, located on the 5th and 6th floor of Rex Hotel is waiting for you to visit. And we assure that Pool Bar is available whenever you have demand for food services.

Summer vibe promotion has started at Rooftop Garden Bar and Pool Bar of Rex Hotel Saigon, which brings you many interesting promotions:

+ A complimentary Saigon Green Cocktail when you order 1 of the 4 special dishes of Rex: Rex Chef Salad, Crab Meat & Avocado Salad, Grilled Chicken with Lemon Sauce, Smoke Salmon Baguette.

+ The signature cocktail which makes the Rooftop Garden Bar famous until now – “Five O’clock Follies” now is served in a big jug that is only 499.000VND, and it’s enough for a group of 4 people to enjoy together.

+ Buy 2 get 1 FREE (Saigon beer or beer 333)

Let’s choose between enjoying and chatting in a comfortable and windy place of Rooftop Garden Bar, or dipping yourself and swimming in a cool water in the 2 pools of Rex Health Club. They’re all good choices for you in this summer. The promotion will be applied until 31st July 2017.

REX HOTEL SAIGON

Add: 141 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (848) 3829 2185 – 3829 3115 – Extension: 7264 – 7265
Email: rexhotel@rex.com.vn
Website: http://www.rexhotelvietnam.com/

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Solo travel: Tireless steps

Everywhere I go, I find new pleasures, and meet interesting new friends. I consider this a blessing that not many share, and the more I travel, the more I feel blessed. You know, solo travel doesn’t have to mean loneliness.

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Tam Thanh, Hoi An, Vietnam

It’s hard to find anywhere in Vietnam that is as diverse, colourful, and easy-going as Hoi An. For hundreds of years, it has remained the same, sitting on the banks of the Hoai river, with its ancient mossy roofs and peaceful pace of life. Hoi An is an extremely safe place for a solo traveller, but you won’t be lonely in this ancient city. You can roam the streets, try dozens of the city’s specialities, or sit for hours in a small café to watch flower lanterns float across the river.

On a typical day in Hoi An, you’ll wake to the sounds of bells from the trishaws on the streets. You can visit a small restaurant and enjoy the famous Quang noodles before touring the streets in the early morning. Hoi An is special because it is for everyone, from loud, energetic creatures to torn souls seeking refuge.

Follow the river and head down to Cua Dai to enjoy the sun and the wind, and visit Tam Thanh fishing village on the coast of central Vietnam. The small homes withstand many storms each year but still are always filled with laughter. Coastal people are generous, they will spend hours showing you around their village. They will show you every mosaic on their walls, and tell you about their boats, the sea, the nets and the storms of the past year.

Tips

Transportation: Many people fly to Danang because it’s easier to find cheap tickets. You can drive your car or ride your motorbike from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. In Hoi An, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle to tour around the city, Tam Thanh village, and the surrounding areas.
Accommodation: In Da Nang and Hoi An, there are many hostels, hotels, and cute little homestays that you can book remarkably cheaply. You can sleep in bunk beds in a hostel room, camp on the beach, or even sleep at a local’s home along the route. There are no hotels in Tam Thanh village, but the hospitable people here will welcome you into their homes and shower you with stories of their lives on the ocean.
Dining: There are many specialties for you to try: There are literally dozens of kinds of seafood in Da Nang and also banh mi Hoi An, Quang noodles, Dap cake, chicken served with rice and barbecue pork with noodles.

Sapa, Vietnam

Although it is no longer home to only dreamy villas built by French colonials during the last century, Sapa still makes for an attractive tourist destination in Vietnam. Located on Hoang Lien Son mountain range, with its chilly weather and majestic mountains, Sapa is home to many ethnicities and diverse cultures. Sapa is suitable for solo travellers because it’s safe and there are many things to explore.

This small town is full of activities to fill your time. You can take a walk around town and admire the church, enjoy a cup of coffee, or rent a motorbike to head to Silver Falls or Muong Hoa Valley and enjoy the view of the terraced rice fields. You can visit Ta Phin Village to learn about the weaving craft of the Dao, or visit Cat Cat Village to witness the life of the locals here.

If you seek adventure, you can attempt to conquer the summit of Fansipan by trekking there, or taking the quicker route on aa award-winning cable car, for a spectacular view of the mountain range. You can also drive a motorbike to Y Ty or Muong Hum to chase the clouds and discover the lives of Ha Nhi people.

Tips

Transportation: From Hanoi, you can take the train to Lao Cai and from there, catch a bus which will take you a further 30 kilometres up the mountain. You can also catch a sleeper bus to Sapa. In Sapa, you can rent a motorbike for only 80,000VND to allow yourself easy access to everywhere. You can also drive your motorbike from Hanoi through Yen Bai or Mu Cang Chai before reaching Sapa.
Accommodation: There are countless luxurious mountainside resorts, hostels and hotels on offer with prices from only 200,000VND per room per night. You can also stay at a local homestay. If you want to witness the lives of the locals, you can go to a local’s home and stay for one or two days, you’ll learn so much more about the local people’s diverse lifestyle.
Dining: On your way to Y Ty or Muong Hum, crossing O Quy Ho pass – the highest and longest mountain pass in Vietnam, you can enjoy all four seasons in one day. The morning is as chilly as spring, noon is as sunny as summer, the afternoon is as cool as autumn, and the evening is as cold as winter. There’s nothing better than sitting in the cold, misty night air, by the crackling fire of a roadside shop, and enjoying a cup of rice wine with grilled eggs and chestnuts. Delicacies like stewed horse meat, salmon, wild vegetables, sticky rainbow rice, and chicken are always available at any roadside shop.

Ninh Thuan, Vietnam

The solo traveller usually travels without a destination in mind. Sometimes their only companion on the dusty road is a worn-out motorbike, and they stop wherever they feel. Ninh Thuan can satisfy all the needs of the solo traveller, from the mountains and the ocean, rich with culture and wildlife to the local hospitality.

Located on the coast of south central Vietnam, where white sands and untouched beaches run for kilometres on end; you can visit Ninh Thuan year-round, but autumn (August – October) is the season of ripe grapes and Champa festivals, while summer is better known for beach activities. You can get here easily by motorbike, car, train or plane. If you’re flying here, the nearest airport is in Cam Ranh, and from here you can travel to many nearby attractions. If you’re taking the train, stop at Thap Cham station to get to Phan Rang city.

This place is best to explore by motorbike. Your first destination should be Po Klong Garai Cham temple towers, located on a hill on the outskirts of Phan Rang city. The tower was built at the end of the 13^th century by the Cham king Jaya Simhavarman III. It is considered the most well-preserved and most beautiful Cham tower in existence today. Cham people still come here during the annual Kate festival in October.

If you love the ocean, visit Ninh Chu, Hang Rai, Vinh Hy, or Binh Tien for a different experience. Adventurers to Hang Rai can bear witness to the strong waves or take photos of the green moss-covered cliffs. Vinh Hy is as peaceful as an ink painting, a place where you can discover the coral reefs on a glass-bottomed boat, go diving or surfing, and try some seafood. Go a bit further and you’ll get to Mui Dinh, where you can see a beach filled with strange rocks and a hundred-year-old lighthouse.

Don’t forget to visit the sheep in An Hoa, where you can experience living life like a nomad. You can camp on the green meadows, set up a small fire, boil a small pot of water and make a cup of coffee to enjoy the sunset. You can even play with the sheep. In a small tent in the meadows, enjoy some local specialities or some of the fresh grapes of Thai An. You’ll fall in love with Ninh Thuan.

Tips

Some Cham festivals in Ninh Thuan:

+ Rija Nagar Festival in May, the traditional new year festival of the Cham people, featuring exciting folk dances and singing of the Ka-ing.

+ Ramawan Festival which takes place at the end of June/beginning of July, which features pilgrimages of the Cham to their ancestral graves.

+ Kate Festival in October, is considered the largest and most important festival of the Cham. It takes place around Cham temples.

Some specialties of Ninh Thuan:

Phan Rang fish ball thick noodle soup, fine rice noodles with pork buns, fish salad and lamb dishes. You can also buy wine or Cham craft souvenirs.

Travel to Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Overseas travel is not usually an option for first-time solo travellers. For those who have explored every corner of Vietnam, Southeast Asian destinations are the next best choice because the cost is similar, and travelling there is convenient. Bearing great resemblance to Bali by way of its architecture, cuisine, and pace of life, Ubud always knows how to keep visitors enthralled.

Similar to Hoi An, life in Ubud starts later because people are never in a hurry, but spend time in the morning for religious rituals or shopping, before opening their shops or going to work. You’ll see that mornings in Ubud are as peaceful and quiet as the Vietnamese countryside, thanks to the cool, fresh air from the fields, even down to the sound of frogs croaking in the distance.

The terraced rice fields ub Tegallalang, are not as spectacular as Mu Cang chai, but are enough to assault your senses with the fresh scent of cinnamon and rice. If you love nature, you can visit the forest and see hundreds of monkeys, or visit the park, home to thousands of birds and the famous Komodo Dragon of Indonesia.

When in an unfamiliar city, I like to visit the central market to witness the everyday life of the locals, or visit the museums to learn about the local history and culture. Agung Rai Museum of Art in Bali displays classical Kamasan art, as well as paintings and sculptures from famous artists. Here, you can also learn to cook local delicacies or watch the making of traditional craft items.

Stop by Goa Gajaj, an ancient temple with unique architecture, or Puri Saren Royal Palace, a representative of Balinese architecture, which still holds performances every night. Must-see destinations include Kajeng Road with its signatures of visitors on the pavement, central market, or the traditional craft villages. If you’re feeling spontaneous, you can visit Batur Volcano, Tirta Empul Temple or watch Barong traditional dances at Batuluban.

Tips

You should look for a cheap airfare well in advance because this is the easiest way to get from Vietnam to Bali.
Stay at a homestay, which is cheap and allows you to witness the local culture. There are many on Jalan Kajeng and Jalan Hanoman roads.
Motorcycles are the most popular means of transportation in Ubud.
Ubud is famous for dishes with strong flavors thanks to the locally grown herbs and spices. Local cusine is served at almost every restaurant and even sidewalk shops in town; foods such as Babi Guiling, Lawar, Nasi Goreng and Sate Lilit. Shops with the word “Warung” in the sign serve traditional Balinese food.
You should wear long pants and skirts when visiting temples. It’s a requirement. You should also buy a sarong as a souvenir.
Always bargain when shopping. Stated prices are often high and locals won’t mind when you bargain.

Explore Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is a must-visit destination in Laos. Here, you can feel the tranquility of the ancient city, dotted with hundreds of temples, monks begging for food every morning, and pleasant and hospitable people. Luang Prabang has four seasons similar to northern Vietnam, you can visit year-round, but the best time of the year is always spring or autumn.

There are many ways to get here. You can drive from the capital city of Vientiane to Luang Prabang. It’s possible to drive a car or ride a motorbike around Laos, stopping by Luang Prabang before returning to Vietnam thanks to the easy customs procedures at border gates like Nam Can (Nghe An Province), Ten Tan (Thanh Hoa Province), Pa Hang (Son La Province) and Tay Trang (Dien Bien Province). There are also direct flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but the airfare is rarely cheap. In Luang Prabang, you can rent a motorbike, bicycle, or tuk tuk to explore the city for a few days.

If you wish to buy traditional crafts and in particular, silverware, you can visit the night market downtown. During the day time, you can visit the H’mong market to see the paintings of the local people. Must-see sites are of course the temples and shrines around Luang Prabang. The most visually appealing ones are Mai temple and Xieng Thong temple.

Pak Ou cave, also known as Buddha cave, is home to thousands of Buddha statues, a unique wonder of the world. On the way to Pak Ou cave, you can visit the Whisky Village to enjoy local wine and buy local handicrafts. Similar to Angkor, there’s also a wonderful place to watch the sunset in Luang Prabang, it is Chomsi Hill, which has a temple on top and a panoramic view of the ancient city.

If you visit this city in the summer, you should visit Kuang Si Waterfall, located about 30 kilometres from the city centre. The main falls are over 60-metres high, cascading down into the smaller ponds at the bottom. If you love elephant riding like in Buon Me Thuot (Vietnam), you can try this at Khammu Village.

Don’t forget to stop at a roadside shop by the Mekong River for a cup of Laotian beer, the best in Asia, and observe the sedate, peaceful life there.

Tips

1 Laotian Kip is equal to 2.7 Vietnamese Dong (27,000VND = 10,000LAK). You should exchange your cash into different value bills for ease of use. USD is also a common currency here.
You can rent a tuktuk for long trips and group with others to reduce costs. You can even take a tuktuk from the airport to your hotel.
There are many hotels and homestays here; you can stay around the riparian area for easy access to the night market and to witness the local lifestyle.
When shopping at the night market, you should bargain for only 1/3 of the asking price.
Sampling the vegetarian food here is also an interesting experience.

Visit Siem Reap, Cambodia

Many travellers believe that a Cambodia without Angkor Wat would not be worth visiting. This is quite true, because you can easily spend a month here and still not fully explore this ancient temple complex, rich with history and culture.

Modern-day Siem Riep is a haven for backpackers. It is affordable, filled with wonders to visit, has interesting homes, great food and beer, easy transportation, and kind and hospitable people. If you’re seeking a solo trip abroad, Siem Riep should be your first choice.

You can fly directly to Siem Riep, or ride a motorbike through border gates between Vietnam and Cambodia. Many even choose to take buses from Saigon, which depart at around 6 a.m., get to Phnom Penh around noon, and finally arrive in Siem Riep at 6 p.m. You only need a valid passport. The cross-border paperwork will be taken care of for you by the bus attendant. From Hanoi, you can fly directly there or fly to Saigon to catch a bus to Siem Riep.

The most convenient means of transportation in Siem Riep is tuk tuk. You can rent one from 12 – 15USD per day and you can go with a group to reduce costs. Traveling on a tuk tuk allows you to enjoy the scenery, take photos and even chat with the drivers, they will passionately share many interesting stories with you about the city.

A complex of temples is the main attraction in Siem Riep. There are more than 1,000 temples of various sizes. If you have only 3 or 4 days, you should visit the few biggest ones. Angkor Wat is the largest and most famous of them all, surrounded by fences and fronted with a pretty lake. Watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is a once in a lifetime experience. A second must-see is Bayon Temple, located at the centre of the Angkor Thom complex, with dozens of towers of various sizes. Each tower has four stone faces, facing four directions.

The third must-see is Ta Prohm, which appeared in the movie “Tomb Raider”, the trees growing out of the tombs are its most distinctive feature. Don’t forget to visit Banteay Srei temple, built with red sandstone which gives it a distinct orange hue. The temple worships the Hindu god Shiva, and the intricate bas relief carvings on the wall also give it the name “Citadel of the Women”. On your way, you can visit dozens of other temples to learn more about the history and culture there.

Tips

In Siem Reap, three currencies are acceptable: VND, USD and Cambodian Riels. You should exchange your money into USD bills with various values and Riels for ease of use.
There are many options for hostels, hotels, or homestays. If you’re traveling solo, you can stay in a dorm room at a homestay, priced at only 8 – 10USD for a fan room and 13 – 15USD for an AC room.
You should get up early in the morning to visit the temples, this way you can watch the sunrise and the sites will not yet be crowded.
You can enjoy a birds-eye view of Angkor from a hot air balloon.
Entry fees to visit Angkor are 20USD for 1 day, a 3-day package is 40USD and a 7-day package is 60USD. You should budget your time and buy your tickets accordingly. Save your tickets during your stay, and keep them as a nice memento, as they have your picture on them.
In addition to visitng the temples, you can visit the mine museum and the cultural museum to learn more. You should visit the night market, especially Phsar Chas Market, which offers unique souvenirs and merchandise. Always bargain for half or one-third of the asking price.
You can also visit the floating village on Tonle Sap lake with its floating schools. Many students here are Vietnamese.

Wanderlust Tips

Solo travel: Discover the world and find yourself

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, thinking that there’s nothing stranger than wandering the world alone? If yes, I’m sure you will smile and continue this beautiful delusion without any regrets.

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Solo travel, why not?

“Well I’m 19 now, and up until October last year I’d never even left the country due to my mother never being into the idea and expense of holidays. I’d never even owned a passport. Since October, I’ve been to Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and The Netherlands”

A young man from London, who goes by the name of Voss96 on TripAdvisor, thinks in a similar way to many solo travelers’ in that we always wonder why we went through the journey in the first place. What was the purpose of the trip? Why did this 19-year-old decide to pick up his backpack and explore the world alone, while most of his friends were eagerly beginning a new chapter in their lives and beginning their studies at university?

For Voss96, when you love traveling but cannot find a companion, you just pack your bags and hit the road alone.

For Khyn Myatt, a Burmese backpacker, solo travel is for those who cannot compromise and depend on others. “Many times I made careful plans for the group, only to waste the effort. I think solo travel is much better than traveling with people who do not share the same views and goals.”

Nguyen Le, a 31-year-old journalist in Hanoi, travels alone because she does not need a companion to help her realise her dreams. “Visiting Europe had been a dream of mine for ages. If I had waited for a suitable companion who shared the same interests, had the same budget and enough free time, my dreams would probably never have come true,” she shared excitedly. “My first time traveling solo was also the farthest, longest, wildest and greatest trip of my life so far.”

According to TripAdvisor’s TripBarometer 2015, which collates information collected from some 44,000 responses from travelers and hotels globally, 17% of travellers travelled alone for the first time in 2016. This trend is even more prominent in Asia, where 25% of over 5,000 Asian travelers surveyed answered that they would be happy to travel alone. In a smaller survey by BookYogaRetreats.com this year, 51% of those surveyed intend to travel alone in 2017.

What is the world? Who are you?

I was surprised to learn about a solo trip to 5 European countries in 28 days from a tiny, feminine woman, who shared that she went for weeks without real conversation, and has stayed at strangers’ homes on more than 10 occasions.

Le’s next solo travel experience is only a matter of time. After her first experience, she shared that traveling solo was best. For Khyn Myatt, who has just returned from a trip to the Philippines and will soon backpack through over 30 destinations in Myanmar, he believes solo travel is great!

On google, you only need to type, ‘Solo travel’ into the searchbar to be presented with quite literally millions of results. The websites share information about all manner of travel topics, from reasons to travel alone, to safety tips, to lessons learned, even how to go back to your everyday life after an exciting solo trip.

One thing that is agreed by most solo travelers is that it gives them the absolute freedom to do what they want without being dependent on the wishes and needs of others. Solo journeys will always be different and spontaneous, because travellers can just do whatever feels right. By saying, ‘Yes!’ to a spontaneous request from a new companion or by following the recommendations of a knowledgeable local, a new and completely unpredictable journey can open up before your eyes.

Thanks to this, you’ll have more interesting travels, you’ll learn more about the world, and may even overcome, or test your own personal limits. Twenty year old Brad Schrader from Texas, United States, could never have believed that he would drive his truck along the West coast for over 60 days. He still gets excited when he recalls the feeling of jumping off the famous Victoria Bridge. “You can throw yourself into many different situations to try to answer the question: Who are you? Just try to do as many new things as possible, especially things that make you fearful, hesitant or uncomfortable, because there’s no one around to judge you.” It doesn’t matter if you test your limits by going outside of your comfort zone like Brad, or by just lying alone reading on the beach, or even trekking alone in a forest.

There is a sea of information that summarises the benefits of travelling alone on the internet. There are subjects covered such as, learning to communicate and make friends; learning to accept differences and diversity; and learning to accept the small insignificant problems you might encounter. Every solo traveler considers their journey a way of discovering themselves, where they can step out of themselves and recognise desires, interests, and abilities they had no idea they had. When they return, they will no longer be the person who left.

Matthew Kepnes, who is more commonly known as Nomadic Matt, author of the New York Times best-seller ‘How to travel the world on 50USD a day”, shares that, “It’s often emotionally harder to come home than to go away.” After traveling, even though you’ve changed, “everything and everyone will be the same as when you left” This is the moment you will realise, you can’t go back to your old life and you can’t go back to your stable 9 to 5 job. Like Matt, who continued his journey around the world only 3 months after coming home, you will most likely do the same.

Wanderlust Tips

Huynh Anh: I love to backpack to gain new experiences

Huynh Anh gained his reputation as a teen heartthrob in Hanoi, and has recently proved himself in other fields like singing, acting, and even directing. Although he is busy with work, he still has time for his hobbies and especially travelling.

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We learned that you started to travel at a very young age?

Yes, compared to others, I was so fortunate to have started travelling so young. I was a Taekwondo athlete, so every year I got to visit China for training. Visiting a new destination was of course, very exciting, and even more exciting because I was so young. But I fell in love with travel when my best friend and I conquered Fansipan. We followed the Cat Cat path, which took 3 days and 2 nights. Fansipan was very underdeveloped then and the journey was difficult, but the landscape was beautiful and it was an unforgettable trip. This trip made me realize that travelling inside Vietnam could be very exciting. As an adult, I travelled with film crews to many new destinations in Northern mountainous areas and Western provinces. Everywhere I went, I was impressed with the scenery and the hospitable local people. I especially love the Northern mountainous areas like Sapa and Lao Cai because they’re so spectacular.

After so much travel, which trip left you with the most special memories?

It was my climb up Fansipan. When I visited, it was very underdeveloped and I was inexperienced, so this was a difficult trip. On our way down the mountain, I even encountered a gaboon viper. I was alone then, because our porter was ahead, and my friend was behind me. I was terrified, but I remained calm, and I picked up a stick and tossed it into the abyss. I was too young to know that it was venomous, and that’s probably why I remained so calm. Thinking back, I realise now that I was very lucky. (laugh)

Of all the places that you’ve visited, what was your favorite place?

It was Da Lat. I must say that it seems like my second home. Every year for a few years now, I’ve come to live in Da Lat for a little while. Partly it was because this was where I was acting and directing a few films, but I felt like I belonged there in Da Lat. Everything felt so familiar.

What about traveling abroad? Up to now, how many countries have you visited?

I have only been to China, Korea and Thailand. I’ve been to Thailand many times and have a lot of memories of it. In 2014, I was in Thailand for 3 months. I have a lot of friends who are filmmakers there so I visit quite often. My goal this year is to visit destinations like Tibet, Nepal or Bhutan because I really love the cool climate, the beautiful scenery and the hospitable people.

What do you think about travelling and backpacking?

I’ve experienced every kind of travelling, from backpacking to staying in luxury resorts. Every kind is fun in its own way, but now, I love backpacking more, because I’m still young, and backpacking will bring me more interesting experiences. When I’m 40 or 50, when my health doesn’t allow it, I’ll think more about luxury travel.

Hai Dang | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

08wanderlust-tips-Thanh-Duy-Du-lich-de-hoc-hoi-va-tim-nguon-nang-luong-moi

Thanh Duy: Travel to learn new things and regain energy

Thanh Duy Idol is considered a multi-talented Vietnamese artist. Beside his singing career, he is also an actor and a presenter who is always memorable wherever he appears. Despite being busy with his work, this Sagittarius always dedicates time to travel. If you visit his social media, you’ll see that travelling is an integral part of his life.

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Hello Thanh Duy, we’ve heard that you love to travel. How do you, a busy artist, manage to travel so much?

My work requires me to travel to performances, so I take advantage of this and explore the local culture. Thanks to these ‘dual purpose’ trips, I’ve visted many provinces in Vietnam.

I also travel spontaneously. When I’m visiting a new destination for a performance and discover that I have two days off, I’ll book a ticket to go somewhere. Of course this can only be done with destinations that don’t require Visas. Going abroad will require careful planning of course. I love the ocean, so I usually visit the coast. If I travel overseas, I love to visit famous cities first.

What are some destinations you would visit again, even if you’re not performing there?

I love Hanoi, Danang, and Nha Trang, but if I can only pick one place , it would be Buon Me Thuot. This is a destination that surprised me and excited me. I performed there once. My performance was in the evening, so I spent the day discovering the local culture. I was fortunate to meet a local guide and he took me to some destinations that not many people knew. Discovering a new, beautiful destination felt incredible. In the future, I will continue to bring my friends and family to Buon Me Thuot because I love the pristine, unspoiled natural beauty there.

We saw on your social media that you also love to backpack, which is often harder and riskier. Why do you like it?

Many people don’t like backpacking because they love to be pampered and have everything taken care of for them. I love to discover new things, make my own schedule, find my own way, and book everything for myself. This is how I learn new things. Backpacking trips help me become more proactive and mature. I always tell my fans to backpack at least once in their lives, so they can learn to manage for themselves in a place that is not home. It feels great to do what I want, and it makes me feel proud. I even gave my parents some travel advice so they can travel alone too.

What about travelling abroad? How many countries and territories have you been to?

My first trip abroad was around 2010. Now, I have been to every country in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, France and Australia. Overseas travel often takes more time and requires more preparation, which is a difficulty for an artist like myself. In the near future, I plan to visit Brazil to see the carnival and also to visit The Maldives.

What is your favorite country, and can you share some travel memories?

Japan wows me every time because it’s so beautiful and there are too many things to admire. However, the place I visit the most is Bangkok, Thailand. I’ve been there so many times that I’ve lost count, and if I posted a picture on facebook to tell people that I was in Bangkok, they would not be at all surprised. In Bangkok, I am almost a ‘local’ now because I know the small restaurants that only the locals would know, and the places where Thai people go to pray. Maybe because I’m so familiar with Bangkok and because it’s only one hour away from HCMC, it’s always the first place that I think about when I have free time. I’ve even visited for just one day, arriving in the morning and coming home the next day.

From our conversation, it’s clear that travelling is one of your great passions?

Yes, we have a proverb: “One day of travel can teach a basket of wisdom.” I think everyone should spend time to travel every year, because you will learn many interesting things. Every new place will give you a new experience, and more energy to spice up your everyday life.

Hai Dang | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

A family meal to kindle the love

What are your favorite moments of the day? After a hard day at work, you can shed the worries of life, and come home to your loved ones to enjoy a simple meal, whilst relating snippets of your day to your family- the little stories that can seem so meaningless, yet can impart such warmth. The heat emanating from your cozy little kitchen does not just warm the stomach but also helps kindle the love in a family.

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They say the woman of the house is the person stoking the fire of love. They possess the knowledge to prepare delicious meals, they can offer an ever-changing ‘menu’ to sustain a voracious appetite, and can ensure the family gets adequate nutrition.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A family meal to kindle the love

The secret of a family meal is stimulating appetizers. You can combine familiar ingredients such as squid and shrimp with refreshing green mango to create a seafood mango salad. Try combining it with some sesame chips and take a bite that combines coriander, mango julienne, fresh seafood, and in particular, savor the sauce that is spicy, sour, salty, and sweet all at the same time. Everyone will be eager to sample this dish and will be excited about the entree.

On a cold February day, some white rice served with hearty braised pork is enough to fill the stomach. Braised meat is often the main course in a Vietnamese meal. Braised pork with pepper is delicious, yet quick and easy to make, which makes it a firm favorite of many a family dinner. The fragrance of Phu Quoc white pepper can awaken your sense of smell, the golden-brown of the caramel sauce adds to its visual appeal, and the tender, braised, lean pork, cooked with a couple of boiled eggs, can satisfy the tastebuds. To make a delicious serving of braised pork, many women cook it in a pot and simmer it over charcoal or on a wood stove for an hour, after first marinating the meat for at least an hour. For these women, preparing these delicacies for their loved ones brings joy to an otherwise mundane daily life.

A dish loved by many young children is crab spring rolls. Spring rolls are a must-have dish during any Vietnamese festivities. The dish requires careful preparation by the chef and careful selection of the ingredients with which to cook. Inside each crispy spring, the roll is a combination of nutrition: lean ground meat, cloud ear mushroom, carrots, jicama, bean sprouts, crab meat, and egg. The rice paper wrappers must be thick enough to hold their shape but once cooked, must not be too crispy or flimsy. This will ensure the most perfect roll. Spring rolls, however delicately prepared, must be served with sweet and sour sauce and herbs.

Tofu is another popular dish in Vietnam and features on many a home cooking menu. Tofu is often prepared in very simple ways, such as boiled or fried in a tomato sauce. With a little twist, mushroom-stuffed tofu cooked in tomato sauce can make for an interesting dish. It’s a simple dish, but it requires the homemaker to choose exactly the right kind of tofu; ideally soft and rich with the flavors of soybeans. Fried golden tofu, stuffed with mushroom and cooked with fresh pureed tomato sauce is healthy yet appetizing.

If you’re tired of boiled or steamed vegetables, mix a medley of carrots, courgettes, bitter melon, and broccoli, and serve it with sesame salt. No home-cooked meal is complete without a bowl of crab soup, so simple but still so memorable. Crabmeat is cooked with Vietnamese vegetables like vine spinach, luffa, and jute mallow, offering a sweet but pleasing taste. A truly great bowl of crab soup must contain chunks of crab meat, plenty of green vegetables, and a clear broth. Crab soup is rich in nutrients, especially calcium, which is great for your health.

At the end of the meal, offer a green pomelo, rich in Vitamin C for dessert, a worthwhile companion to extend your storytelling.

Happiness is often hidden in the small moments that many are unaware of. Only when you’re away from home, eating a rushed, fast-food dinner, can you truly appreciate the value of the simple, family meal? It’s an inseparable part of life, the invisible thread which bonds a family for years to come.

Mango seafood salad

Ingredients: 150 grams squid, 150 grams shrimp, 200 grams green mango, herbs such as basil, mint and coriander, fish sauce, minced chili and garlic, and sugar and lemon juice to taste.

Recipe:

+ Sauce: Mix the fish sauce with sugar and lemon juice, and combine with the minced garlic and peppers.

+ Mix the shrimp, squid, mango, and herbs, then slowly add the sauce and toss lightly. Serve with sesame chips or shrimp chips.

Crab spring rolls

Ingredients: 50 grams ground lean meat, 10 grams of cloud ear mushrooms, 20 grams julienne carrots, 20 grams slaw, 100 grams crab meat, seasoning, pepper, spring onion, one egg.

Recipe: Mix the ingredients well until blended, roll them in rice paper (Safoco brand, 22-centimeter size is recommended), use egg yolk to seal the rolls, and fry them until golden and crispy. Serve with sweet and sour sauce and herbs.

Phu Quoc style braised pork with pepper

Ingredients: 500 grams of lean pork, sugar, fish sauce, Phu Quoc white pepper, red onion, 2 peeled hard-boiled eggs, seasoning.

Recipe:

+ Dip the pork lightly in boiling water to seal the edges and cut it into 3-centimeter cubes, marinate in fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and chopped onion.

+ Heat the sugar in a pan over low heat until brown, add cold water, and marinate the pork in the mixture for 30 minutes.

+ Put the eggs and pork in a pot, add water and cook on low heat for about 2 hours.

Crab soup

Ingredients: 200 grams carb, 100 grams spinach, 100 grams luffa, 100 grams jute vegetable, 150 grams pickled eggplant.

Recipe:

+ Puree the crabmeat and drain it to separate the juice, boil the juice until the crabmeat floats, take out the crab meat, and set aside.

+ Add seasoning to taste, add the vegetables and boil for 2 minutes, scoop the mixture into a bowl and add crab meat on top.

Special thanks to Mr. Le Ngoc Phi, head chef at Emeralda Resort, Ninh Binh, who contributed to this article.

Wanderlust Tips

8 ideal places to visit in Ninh Binh in the evening

After a day traveling to discover attractions in Ninh Binh, where you should go in the evening, what to do to have a new experience? Here are the detailed suggestions from Wanderlust Tips for so you to have a journey to discover the perfect land of Ninh Binh.

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Bai Dinh Temple at night – Explore the Shimmering Beauty of Thien Ha Cave at Night

During the daytime, Bai Dinh Temple is majestic among the mountains, standing tall in the sunlight. At night, Bai Dinh Temple has a different beauty adorned by thousands of shimmering lights. Offering a more novel experience for visitors, the local Tourism Promotion Information Centre, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Nam Thanh International Travel Trade Service JSC (Hanoi) are hosting tours themed ‘Experience Bai Dinh and explore Thien Ha Cave at night’.

Top tips: You can explore Bai Dinh Temple by tram, enjoy the beautiful view of the shimmering complex from the 13^th floor of the stupa, listen to a Buddhist sermon and explore Thien Ha Cave. Tours start every Saturday. A 2-day, 1-night tour package is priced from 1,190,000 – 1,500,000 VND per person.

Dining: Hoang Giang Restaurant, Thang Long Restaurant and Thanh Cao Restaurant.

Camping at Cuc Phuong National Park – Explore the Animal Kingdom at Night

At night, Cuc Phuong National Park has many amazing things to explore. Camping here over night, you can enjoy the fresh air and the smell of the damp earth, grass and wood. You can also explore and learn about wild nocturnal animals.

Top tips: If you do not have much experience in the forest, you can join a tour offered by the Environment Education and Services Centre. The ideal time to visit is the dry season from September to December, because in the rainy season there will be more mosquitoes and leeches. You should also bring necessary tools such as hiking shoes, flashlights, sleeping bag, binoculars, camera and insect repellent.

Dining: Bring food and water to prepare for the night.

Ky Lan Moutain – Ninh Binh’s Penjing

Ky Lan Mountain is located in Ninh Binh’s city centre, in Tan Thanh Ward, near Highway 1A and Trang An Avenue, which connects the city centre to Trang An – Hoa Lu Citadel – Bai Dinh Temple. It is a mountainous island inside a lake, which is also named Ky Lan. The mountain is shaped like the head of a Quilin looking toward the North. The mountain is 50 metres tall, and the North of the mountain has an indentation shaped like the mouth of a Quilin. Surrounding it are cliffs and lush greenery, like the beard of the Quilin.

Top tips: With its airy space and charming beauty, Ky Lan Mountain is a favourite with both locals and tourists. At night this place is lit, creating a magical landscape.

Must see: Gate of Trang An Complex is also lit in the evening.

Dining: Trau Vang Restaurant (Tran Hung Dao Street), Nhu Y Restaurant (Trang An), BQSea Restaurant (1^st Road, Khanh Thanh Street and Bingo Café (Dao Duy Tu).

8^th Street – Dining and Entertainment

8^th street, now named Cu Chinh Lan Street, is in the city centre of Ninh Binh. This is a famous dining and entertainment area of the city. There are many dining options here, from street food to big restaurants, as well as karaoke bars for entertainment. Walking along this street, you will be attracted to the countless tasty treats on offer here including hot sticky rice, rice crackers, grilled chicken feet, escargots, goat meat and steaming hot pots. The bustling streets with theirs crowds of visitors turn make for a cheerful atmosphere.

Dining: Many choices of restaurants and street food are on offer.

Ninh Binh Stadium – Experience the Idyllic Life of Local People

Ninh Binh Stadium and Sports Complex is on Dinh Tien Hoang Road, Dong Thanh Ward in Ninh Binh City. This is one of the most modern stadiums in Vietnam, hosting national volleyball competitions.

The stadium exists to host sport activities, but in the evening, it is a popular gathering spot for the youth. Here, you can walk around, choose a roadside restaurant or café, enjoy a tasty treat and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of life.

Dining: Restaurants and cafes around the stadium include Thanh Long Restaurant, Hoang Long Restaurant, Anh Khanh Restaurant, Sochu BBQ and Café Hien.

Aria Café – A Cosy and Relaxing Space

Aria Café is a unique space to relax, offering an unconventional café experience. It is also an ideal rendezvous spot for work meetings, gatherings, or simply to enjoy a cup of coffee. At Aria Café, you can choose from many seats with different purposes, from quiet corners to an outdoor green space.

Top tips: The café is located on the 1st floor of Bong Lau Event Centre – The Reed Hotel Ninh Binh (Dinh Dien Street, Dong Thanh Ward, Ninh Binh City). The café opens daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Dining: The menu offers a variety of beverages for guests to choose from.

Chookie’s – A favourite Destination for Tourists in Ninh Binh

Chookie’s Café and Restaurant is highly praised on TripAdvisor. The clean and airy space is decorated with cheerful and eye-catching red and gold colours. The menu at Chookie’s combines Western and Vietnamese cuisine, including many interesting choices, suitable for the taste buds of Vietnamese and foreigners alike.

Top tips: Chookie’s is at No. 17 Luong Van Tuy, in the city centre. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The staff is friendly and speaks good English. Chookie’s also offers services such as motorbike rentals, tours and booking train ticket.

Dining: The restaurant is famous for it burgers, sandwiches and fresh fruit juices.

Tu Tu Coffee – Experience Romantic Vintage Style

Tu Tu Coffee is located at No. 14, Lane 248, Ngo Gia Tu Street – a quiet alley near the old train station in Ninh Binh. Visitors who stop for a drink frequently hear the train horn. The sound is the reason for the café’s unique name: Tu Tu.

The interior blends elements of nature and romantic European vintage styles. The unique and striking décor was designed by the owner and features items he brought back from his travels.

Dining: Popular drinks here are Thai milk tea, blueberry shakes, peach tea and xuka flan.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

8 ideal places to visit in Ninh Binh in the afternoon

You have three days to explore Ninh Binh, where you should go and what to do to have enjoyable experience? Here are the detailed suggestions from Wanderlust Tips for you to have a perfect journey in Ninh Binh.

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Hoa Lu Citadel – The First Capital City of Feudal Vietnam

Hoa Lu Citadel is located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District. It is an important national historical and cultural relic and one of three parts of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – a UNESCO World Heritage. Hua Lu Citadel is the first capital city of the feudal state of ancient Vietnam, tied to the Dinh, early Le, and Ly dynasties. Over the centuries, the ancient citadel has preserved its historical relics including the temple of Dinh Tien Hoang, the temple of Le Dai Hanh, the tomb of the Dinh Kings, the tomb of the Le kings, Vuc Vong Temple, Nhat Tru Pagoda and Cua Dong Stel. The mountains, rock walls, and caves around them make these relics more beautiful. All elements combine to create a historic and long-standing stone citadel.

Top tips: Entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person.

Dining: Hoang Giang Restaurant, Ba Cua Restaurant, Ma Yen Restaurant (specialised in goat) and Truong An Restaurant.

Bai Dinh Temple – The Temple of Records

Bai Dinh Temple’s Spiritual and Cultural Complex is located in the mountains of Sinh Duoc Village, Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, about 12 kilometres from Ninh Binh City and 5 kilometres from Hoa Lu Citadel. Bai Dinh Temple is located next to Trang An Complex. The spiritual complex covers an area of 700 hectares, and is the largest temple in Vietnam. Its architecture represents the rich history here, with structures built on the hillside from low to high, across five levels. The temple also holds many records including housing the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, the biggest bronze Buddha Maitreya statue in Southeast Asia and being the biggest temple in Vietnam.

Top tips: Tram rides from the parking lot to the temple are 30,000 VND per person per way. Entrance fee to the stupa is 50,000 VND per person. Guided tours are 300,000 VND per tour.

Dining: A food court is located inside the complex and there are nearby restaurants including Tuan Hao Restaurant, Huu Nghi Goat Restaurant and Sy Hao Restaurant.

Trang An Ecotourism Complex – The “Ha Long Bay on Land”

Trang An Ecotourism Complex possesses a diverse system of natural limestone mountains and caves. You will be overwhelmed seeing the protruding mountains, greenery and small ponds at the foot of the rocky mountains and the mysterious caves. The Trang An Complex is rich in tectonic geology, geomorphology, archaeology and aesthetics, and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Top tips: Boats are the main way to explore the complex. There are currently two 3-hour tour routes; each covers many impressive caves and ancient temples. Fares are 150,000 VND per adult and 80,000 VND per child (under 1.4 metres tall)

Dining: Ben Trang An Restaurant (Tran An Port), De Pho Nui, Que Vu Restaurant and De Chinh Thu Restaurant.

Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex – The Second Best Cave in the Country

The Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex covers an area of 350.3 hectares. It is a part of the Trang An Ecotourism Complex – a UNESCO world natural heritage. It is part of Ninh Hai Commune located about 7 kilometres from Ninh Binh City.

Top tips: The complex offers sightseeing routes via boat, bike or on foot, which cover nearly 20 destinations. Boating rotes include: Van Lam Port – Ngo Dong Lake – Tam Coc, cave tour, Thach Bich – Nang Valley, Nham Valley – bird garden, But Cave – Thien Ha Cave. Bicycling, walking and hiking tours cover Bich Dong Mountain and Pagoda, Tien Cave, Mua Cave, Co Vien Lau Ancient Houses, Thai Vi Temple – Thien Huong Cave.

Tickets are 120,000 VND per adult and 60,000 VND per child (under 1.4 metres tall). Ferry rides to Tam Coc cost 150,000 VND each way, each can carry 4 Vietnamese or two foreigners.

Must see: Van Lam Embroidery Village

Dining: Bamboo Bar and Restaurant, Anh Dzung Garden Restaurant, Minh Toan Restaurant Father Cooking, Tam Coc Bar and Hoang Duc Restaurant.

Thung Nham Bird Park – A Sky Filled with Birds

The bird park is in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District is about 12 kilometres from Ninh Binh City. The bird park combines culture, spirituality, nature and biodiversity. Bird Valley is the most famous destination, home to over 50 thousand birds of nearly 40 species. At sunset, flocks of white storks fly home, covering the earth and the sky, creating a fascinating spectacle.

Top tips: The bird park is located inside Trang An Complex and next to Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex. To reach the bird park, follow the path from Bich Dong Temple (inside Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex) about four kilometres. Tickets are 100,000 VND per adult. You can also buy a tour of the Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex that includes Thung Chim Bird Park.

Dining: Thung Nham Restaurants inside the resort.

Van Long Nature Reserve – A Heavenly Ink Painting

Located North of Gia Vien District, Van Long looks like a heavenly ink painting, with limestone mountains reflecting in the clear blue water. Inside the mountains are 32 beautiful caves including Ca Cave, Bong Cave, Rua Cave, Chanh Cave and Thung Doi Cave. In addition to its beautiful natural scenery, Van Long possesses rich culture and history, with many relics such as Dich Long Temple and Cave, Hoa Ly Temple, Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and Duc Thanh Nguyen Temple.

Top tips: You can explore the nature reserve by boat, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The ideal time to visit is at sunset, when you can see flocks of birds returning home or see the rare Delacour’s Langur. Entrance fee is 50,000 VND per person.

Dining: Nha La Restaurant, Van Long Stilt house Restaurant, thee restaurant inside Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh or restaurants inside the nature reserve.

Thien Ha Cave – The Milky Way Between the Mountains

Thien Ha Cave is about 700-metres deep and divided into two areas: the dry cave is about 200-metres deep, and the wet cave is 500 metres deep. Dividing the two areas is a natural gate, which brings natural light into the cave, allowing visitors to see the stalactites of many shapes and colours.

Top tips: Thien Ha Cave is in Thien Ha Commune, Nho Quan District, about 24 kilometres from Ninh Binh City. The cave is located in the heart of the mountains, at a height of nearly 200 metres. To reach the cave, you need to take a boat following the canal, which brings you to the port by the cave. Tickets are 80,000 VND per adult and 40,000 VND per child under 1 metre tall. You can also buy a tour of Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex to see Thien Ha Cave and other destinations.

Must see: Thien Thanh Cave.

Dining: There are restaurants inside the Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex or you can return to Ninh Binh City for more choices.

Kenh Ga Hot Spring – Ecotourism and Leisure Spot

Kenh Ga Hot Spring is located in Kenh Ga Village, Gia Thinh Commune, Gia Vien District, about 15 kilometres North of Ninh Binh City. The spring originates from inside a mountain in Kenh Ga’s floating village. The water temperature here is 53 degrees Celsius, and it is clear and salty. This is a valuable source of mineral water and provides physiotherapy for therapeutic and medical purposes.

Top tips: Kenh Ga Hot Spring offers dining, entertainment and recreational services. Accommodation options include stilt houses (private or dorm rooms) and 2-star hotels. Restaurants here offer Ninh Binh specialties. Entertainment services are also on offer here including a pool, massages, karaoke and campfires.

Dining: Enjoy local specialties such as rice, goat, mountain snails and fish salad at the restaurant inside the complex.

Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet