Hoi An Cuisine – slow food at its best

Whenever people mention Hoi An cuisine, they are thinking of Cao Lau (a bowl of thick noodles), chicken rice, Ms. Phuong’s Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) or more fancy dishes like White Roses sold in the old town. However Hoi An is larger than the 2 kilometre radius around the town centre. The total area of Hoi An is 30 times larger and that is not counting the nearby craft villages. And in this whole are a diverse culinary experience can be had.

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Hoi An’s cuisine seems simple at first but stay long enough and you will come to know its sophistication. Great food is not only delicious because of its flavours, but also its presentation, the origin of the ingredients and unique recipes that have been passed through the generations. More importantly these dishes must be prepared in a calm and gentle manner and cannot be rushed like fast food.

With simple ingredients you can find at any market, like eggplant and some green onion, Hoi An’s people can prepare several dishes just by giving a recipe a little twist. The most common way would be to thoroughly steam the eggplant, flatten and fry it while slowly adding sugar and fish sauce and continuously flipping it until all the flavours are absorbed. At a vegetarian restaurant called An Niem on Nguyen Duy Hieu street the chef slices the eggplant into small slices, puts them into a bowl similar to those used to serve obioidei fish, and simmers them in soy sauce and other spices. The chef lets the dish cook slowly on low heat as he is in no hurry. After about ten minutes, when the eggplant has been cooked, the chef will put the entire bowl on top of a small piece of coconut shell and serve it with some white rice to the guests. The diners, who have been waiting, open the lid right away to find a delicious smell waking up their senses.

Those who love seafood must visit the colourful An Bang Beach Village. The restaurant is decorated with honeycomb walls, Hoi An lanterns hang from the ceiling and bamboo chairs are waiting for guests. In the evening the owner even lights up some wax candles on the walls to set the mood. If guests do not know what to order the best thing is to ask for the owner’s suggestions. Similar to western restaurants, here an “item of the day” is on offer, which often depends on what the suppliers’ catch of the day was.

This particular morning, the owner’s wife bought some paradise fish. “What are they?” a customer from Saigon asked the chef. “They are delicious, but I don’t know how to explain what they are. I will make you a small dish to taste, if you like it, you can order more,” was the reply.

After quite some time in the kitchen, the chef brought out a steaming container filled with vegetables: bamboo shoots, pickled cabbage, beansprout salad, lady fingers, and of course slices of paradise fishes. After only a few bites, the customer praised: “This is strange, so different.” Her husband an overseas Vietnamese whose family is originally from Dien Ban, Dien Ngoc, Quang Nam province, grew quiet. As he ate, he gazed into a blank space as if remembering the dishes from his childhood.

After a conversation with my foreign friends who were visiting Hoi An, I accidentally discovered that most of their memorable culinary experiences were not at fancy restaurants where prices are in dollars. In fact, their most memorable experiences were always tasting dishes not available on the menus. The most interesting was when a group of French friends while biking to visit the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam, was invited by a woman who had served them food to nap in her home on a cot handmade by her.

“No other ‘restaurant’ in the world would invite you to nap there, at a place in the middle of nowhere,” my friend enthusiastically said every time he talked about Hoi An’s cuisine. But one thing you should know, if my friend had hurriedly left after eating a bowl of noodles, instead of striking up a conversation with the owner, he would not have been invited to stay. The tip to the best culinary experience in Hoi An is simple: go outside of the busy streets and let fate guide you.

Bloggers around the world share their favourite Hoi An cuisine memory.

The Kitchen Paper: A nameless restaurant at 474 Cua Dai

Mary Loudermilk from the culinary blog The Kitchen Paper calls her favourite Hoi An Restaurant “???”. The Portland-based blogger confesses that she does not know what the restaurant located at No. 474 Cua Dai is really called, because she could not find a signboard anywhere. She wrote on her blog: “We accidentally discovered this restaurant on our way back from the beach, and we came back regularly. This place has the best Cao Lau in Hoi An”. The blogger’s tip? – “Friendly staff and the non-English-speaking owner always bring you a delicious bowl of noodles and a great smile.”

Somewhere pretty cool: A bowl of soup made by a saint, in a home with a view of the paddy fields in Cam Thanh

Ariane, a PhD candidate in Literature, and Mike, a software developer, are newlyweds. Three years ago after a couple of glasses of wine they had the idea to travel the world for a year. Hoi An was one stop during their 365-day journey. In Hoi An, Ariane and Mike stayed at an AirBnb, home of a “saint” named Hoa. Ariane explained on their blog: “A Saint as in she cooks divinely and is probably the most outstanding woman I’ve ever met after my mom. I was vegetating in my bed, cussing against all Gods of the universe, holding my belly and popping Gravol like candies. I heard a knock on my door: it was Hoa with soup. A soup made of the most beautiful, gluey rice and carrots and pork broth you’ll ever taste. Because it’s good for the belly. “Eat it, eat it all” she instructed me. Well guess what… Today I feel like a butterfly.”

Lena & Ami | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Cruise ships: Enjoy the slow life

(#wanderlusttips) Magnificent cruise ships have long represented affluence in travel. Journeys across the ocean on a cruise ship feature the quintessence of the tourism industry and offer cruisers a top-notch experience.

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Living Slow “4 in 1”

Seeing a huge cruise ship, as big as several city blocks, slowly docking at the harbour, it is difficult not to envy the passengers aboard. Life on a cruise ship is a dream full of state of the art facilities: beautiful bedrooms, luxurious restaurants, charming swimming pools, elegant libraries, a gym, an on-board cinema, ballrooms, casinos, children’s playgrounds and romantic walkways on the deck.

One can relax in the middle of the vast ocean, and go on land at beautiful seaports in the Mediterranean ocean. One can cruise along the famous rivers of Europe. And it is all neatly packaged into one: transportation, accommodation, cuisine, and entertainment. These are the luxurious “4 in 1” cruises that bewitch millions of tourists each year.

A cruise ship can carry and serve thousands of people. Beautiful harbours in Spain like Barcelona often welcome a fleet of three to four cruise ships, bringing thousands of tourists to the city at the same time. The largest fleet of cruise ships often takes their passengers to the Caribbean or Mediterranean, as their weather is always ideal for visiting. It is always wonderful to visit famous landmarks after cruising on beautiful oceans like the explorer Columbus, who passionately devoted his life to the voyage and finding land he did not know yet. Famous fleets in the world from America and Europe are often deemed the masterpieces of the tourism industry. Charming, floating paradises not many people can resist.

The Quintessence of tourism

Since the early days of the water transportation industry, passenger ships have continuously been upgraded. Today they are the foundation of the most luxurious cruise ships. Passenger ships used to only serve as transportation, but now have become the vessels for adventurous voyages.

Cruises were first introduced in England circa 1840 – 1850, when a marine shipping company started transporting both passengers and goods. This opened a new horizon for European tourism. In time that followed passenger ships were introduced. At the time, businessmen and aristocrats were getting tired of the boring and repeated procedures of checking in and out of multiple hotels during one trip with multiple destinations and the long travel to get to each.

The launch of cruise services was warmly received. Passengers only have to check in once, start to unpack and relax right away and visit all of their destinations when the ship docks. This was a dream come true for wealthy ladies, who often carried many suitcases filled with dresses and jewellery. The gentlemen also enjoyed meeting on board and finding new travel companions on the cruise ships.

When airplanes came into existence in the 1960s, waterway tourism was challenged because tourists wanted to reach their destinations faster. Not long after luxurious cruise ships were introduced, with many irresistible features. In the old days cruising was a popular way to spend time and relax for the American and European aristocrats and it continues to be a preferred travel means by the wealthy today.

Between the clouds and the waves, each day’s beautiful dawn or peaceful twilight can be uplifting for passengers. In Europe and America, cruising is considered a luxurious way to travel. However, cruising is not a niche segment, like people tend to think.

On cruise ships, one can see elderly couples with grey hair, leaning on each other and celebrating their long-lasting love, or young couples celebrating their honeymoon. By the poolside, one can hear the laughter of a group of youngsters, mixed with the melodious voices of children. Single people can find a peaceful place to enjoy the scenery, while listening to a song on their headphones and letting their souls drift to a faraway land. Do not be surprised when you encounter a wedding on a cruise. Three or four generations of one family also choose cruise ships to enjoy their leisure time with their big family.

No one is bored while cruising, because as the journeys are broken up by interesting stops. The cruise also provides additional onshore tours for its guests. Tourists can spend time enjoying the comfortable accommodation on the huge cruise, or explore the world on land. World-class cruises, especially in Europe and America, are carefully scheduled to ensure the most perfect journey.

Six new amazing cruises to be introduced in 2016

In April 2016, Holland America’s new cruise – Koningsdam – will make its maiden voyage. The cruise will take its passengers to all the oceans in the world: the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the British Isles, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the Nordic Gulfs. With a capacity to serve 2,650 guests, Koningsdam is ideal for both solo travellers and big families. Everyone can book a cabin with ocean view, offering a vast sweeping view of the journey. Luxurious recreational activities are available on the cruise, including a magnificent theatre equipped with 270-Degree Panoramic LED Screens, and a cool outdoor area dedicated to those who want to make their own wine.

Also in April 2016, the Viking Sea boat will officially set sail, with its medium capacity of 930 passengers. The cruise’s journey will pass through three seas: the Mediterranean, the Baltic and Northern Europe. This is the second ocean cruise offered by Viking Sea, a brand known for its river cruises. The Viking Sea is attractive to early birds because of its classy restaurant service, which allows passengers to order food anywhere on the cruise ship. The infinity pool on this cruise offers guests relaxing moments in style and with class. A tour package on the Viking Sea includes complimentary beverage service (wine, beer and soft drinks) during meals, free Wi-Fi on board and several free tours at the cruise’s stops.

In May 2016, Carnival Cruise Lines’ new cruise – the Carnival Vista, will set sail for the first time, with the capacity to serve 3,954 passengers. This is the first “beer brewing” cruise in the world. AT the RedFrog Beer Restaurant on board, passengers can enjoy numerous types of beer from around the globe, as well as three types of beer brewed on the ship. This is also the first ocean cruise with an IMAX theatre, the pinnacle of entertainment that any cinema enthusiast has to enjoy at least once. The greatest feature for passengers who enjoy physical activity is the spectacular swimming pool with its 140-meter long tube slide, making for an excellent waterpark on deck. The entertainment and relaxation facilities on this cruise are worthy of their name: “Carnival”, and match the festive theme of Carnival Cruise Line’s products.

June 2016 will mark the launch of a new hi-tech “super cruise”, weighing 227 thousand tons and known as Harmony of Seas. The cruise is offered by a big name in the maritime tourism sector: Royal Caribbean. With an average capacity of 5.497 passengers, but enough room for 6.410 people Harmony of the Seas’ journey will take the ship through the most beautiful seas in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. This super cruise is equipped with a VOOM system, offering hi-speed internet (equivalent to internet speed onshore) for its passengers. This is a technological infrastructure that has rarely been seen on ocean cruises before.

In July 2016, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will put into operation its luxurious Seven Seas Explorer Cruise. The cruise will serve 738 wealthy passengers per journey. Seven Seas Explorer, with its “super luxury” title, includes suites decked out with high quality materials like marble and exquisite design. All suites have private balconies. The restaurant on board is a top-notch facility called “Culinary Arts”, which has a separate area for passengers to show off their culinary talents, with a collection of state-of-the-art utensils and equipment.

In December 2016, another super cruise will come into operation: the Seabourn Encore, which will serve 604 passengers per journey. This will be the most luxurious cruise offered by Seabourn. This cruise is attractive because of its classy restaurant service. Passengers will be accompanied by Chef Thomas Keller and enjoy his special menu. Thomas Keller is famous in the European culinary community for his restaurant chain that has been awarded 3 Michelin stars, a rating that many world-famous chefs are after. Entertainment on the Seabourn Encore can be found in the Grand Salon. This is a social hub for passengers to enjoy drinks and participate in workshops with special guests, including experts, explorers, chefs, scientists, performing artists, fine artists, politicians and celebrities.

Tu Boi Dao | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Nguyen Hoang Bao’s Journey on the “Silk Road”

(#wanderlusttips) Nguyen Hoang Bao (1976) goes by the nickname “Nhung Buoc Chan” (Footsteps) and is well known in Vietnam’s backpacker community. He has travelled to over 65 countries and territories across the world. He has marvelled at the deepest hyper saline lake in the world – the Dead Sea, conquered the Gobi desert in Mongolia, set foot in Tibet Buddhism’s most sacred land, and has recently returned from the legendary “Silk Road”. Hoang Bao works as a university lecturer in Ho Chi Minh City. Since starting his wanderings in 2005, he has been on numerous impressive adventures and plans to continue adding ever more amazing destinations to the list.

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One of Hoang Bao’s favourite journeys was travelling along the legendary Silk Road. On the trip he visited Iran, home to the Mesopotamian civilization, Turkmenistan, a country with a Soviet period legacy, Uzbekistan, which has four attractive heritage sites and was on top of the world in Kirgizstan and Tajikistan. Wanderlust Tips is honoured to share his story.

During your journey along the Silk Road, where did you pass through and for how long?

My journey across the Silk Road started in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of June 2015. In two months, I travelled by myself to Kuwait, Iran and five other Central Asian countries along the path of the legendary Silk Road. My journey was in the opposite direction of the traders riding camels across the Silk Road in the old days.

Why did you choose to travel in the opposite direction, instead of following the direction of the traders?

I started my journey in Kuwait for a number of reasons. The cost of the trip was the biggest issue for me. If I had started in China, I would have had to pay a lot of money to buy flight tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Xi’an, and take a connecting flight to Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, bordering China and Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. This had been the starting point of the ancient journeys of Chinese traders, who crossed the border to other countries to trade goods. However, in recent years, this region has had many political conflicts, and is not safe for backpackers, especially ones that do not speak Chinese like myself. And the high cost of the flight influenced my decision. I thought about going to the Middle East first. Currently, many Southeast Asian airlines operated new routes to Middle Eastern countries, allowing cheap labourers to travel to these countries to work. The Philippines, for example, have supplied a large labour force to this region over the past few years. The low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific offers daily flights to Kuwait, with many promotion programs. I was lucky to find a cheap ticket from Manila to Kuwait, a 10-hour flight, for just 3 USD. This was at a time when oil prices dropped and were dirt-cheap. This was the reason I decided without any hesitation and on a whim to book a flight online and start my journey from Kuwait.

This route is still unfamiliar to Vietnam’s backpacker community, and certainly not many people travelled this route before you. How did you prepare for the trip?

Before this trip, I read literature about the Silk Road, and researched attractions and cultures of the countries that I would go through. After that and about three months prior to the trip I booked airline tickets, hotels, and applied for Visas. However, Iran is dealing with sanctions from a number of countries, so it was not possible to book accommodation on popular travel websites. I had to research on travel websites like TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet to find a hotel in Iran, after obtaining a Visa at the border.

I also studied the climate of the countries I would visit. The majority of them have a hot climate, but Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are at high altitudes, so their climates are different. I decided to bring a jacket, which can protect me from the cold down to 5 degrees Celsius, and some other basic items, such as medicine, a raincoat, a camera, extra batteries, a flashlight and power adapter.

Central Asia is known for its rich cultures and beautiful wilderness. During your journey across the Silk Road, which place impressed you the most?

Iran deeply impressed me because of how secure it was, its friendly people, its world heritages, cheap transportation and diverse cuisine.

The Mesopotamia civilisation is settled here and Iran is home to many thousand-year-old architectural structures. In addition, Iran was formerly the Persian Empire, a great destination on the Silk Road for Easterners, so it has numerous invaluable heritage sites.

Central Asian countries, which were a part of the former USSR, have similar cultures, and the main religion is Sunni Muslim. A number of destinations in those countries, including Merv, Samarkand, Burkhara and Isyyk Kul lake, were frequented by ancient traders. A particularly impressive experience was when I travelled on the Pamir route, known as the top of the world. The route was extremely remote and dangerous.

Do you have any special memories of the people in the Central Asian countries you visited?

One of my special memories was when I visited a home of nomadic people living near Songkul Lake. Thanks to them I now understand more about nomadic culture in ancient times. I also participated in a traditional festival Manas at Songkul Lake, which is their most important celebration of the year. Travellers from everywhere came to rejoice in this three-day festival, featuring many traditional folk games, performances of folk songs and dances of the indigenous Kyrgyz people.

You said Turkmenistan was isolated from the rest of the world. How do you feel about this country?

Travellers frequently mention two prominent cities on the Silk Road, Merv in Turkmenistan and Samarkand in Uzbekistan. These are important destinations where Eastern traders stopped before entering the West Asian region. Merv is considered the gateway to Central Asia, on a route taken by Persian traders in the 9th – 10th centuries AD. Today there are many additional attractive destinations for backpackers, like the gate of hell burning for over 40 years, the city of white marbles Ashgabat with modern and unique architecture, or the peaceful, hospitable city of Mary. However, behind its attractive tourist attractions, the country still has many strange regulations and this beautiful country is still closed to the rest of the world.

This route is not known for leisure travel. This journey requires strength, passion and perseverance. What were the difficulties that you faced on the Silk Road?

The most difficult experience was finding transportation to cross the Pamir route. After traveling from Eshkashem to Langar, with many dangerous muddy passages, I decided to wait for a bus and come back to Murghab that night, because my departure date from Osh was fast approaching. Over three hours, only a few cars with some empty seats stopped by, and the price they asked for was ridiculous for a lone traveller to Murghab. I waited longer hoping for cheaper transportation.

Four hours passed and there were no more buses. The air turned bitter cold. I thought about hitchhiking, which was a tip I learned about in a travel book for backpackers.

One, two and then three cars passed by, leaving me stranded and covered in dust. A driver stopped and motioned that it was nearly dark, and they would not drive at nighttime and would find place to sleep before continuing their journey the next morning. It was understandable, because the road was too dangerous. Eighteen-wheel truck travel at a speed as low as 20 km/h, because any small mistake they make could result in falling of a cliff.

I was disappointed and wanted to find a place to sleep nearby, when a minivan stopped. The driver told me a price before I even said I needed transport, because he understood that only tourists like me would want to travel on a route many indigenous people did not dare to cross. So although I did not find a bus, I was relieved to arrive in Murghab that night, for a price many said I was lucky to get. We travelled over 250 kilometres of mountain pass and I had a sleepless night with the moon, stars and the bitter cold wind to keep me company.

You have travelled a lot and often shared stories. Where have you been so far in 2016?

During the Lunar New Year, I have travelled to Africa, to countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Why did you choose Africa? Where did you want to go most in Africa? Were there any difficulties in obtaining Visas to these African countries, and how can an inexperienced traveller go about that?

Africa has many large national parks, home to a lot of endangered animals. I have been interested in visiting these wild animals since I was a child. In addition to exploring these parks, I wanted to discover the traces of human origin, visit the source of the longest river in the world, and learn about the customs of the Maisai, the indigenous people living in East Africa, who have maintained their authentic traditions. I also wanted to understand the ‘dark continent’ where many people still struggle and live in slums better and see the big cities in Kenya and Tanzania.

Almost all East African countries allow online Visa applications or at the border upon arrival, so it’s very convenient for Vietnamese tourists. It’s important to get malaria vaccines and bring identification when traveling in Africa.

In 2016, where do you hope to travel to next, and why? Do you think these destinations will be hot spots for young backpackers in 2016?

My next plan is to motorcycle across Indonesia in July. Currently, visiting the sea and island destinations is a big trend for youngsters. Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are the three countries in South East Asia with the most beautiful and pristine beaches bordering emerald water. Besides its beautiful ocean, Indonesia is home to magnificent landscapes: volcanoes, historic sites, tropical forests, unique festivals, and many ethnic groups who still keep their traditional cultural identity. Many young Vietnamese who wish to explore the mysterious and challenging world around them at an acceptable cost choose to travel there. I plan to travel for 45 days to explore Indonesia and the Komodo island, one of the world’s many wonders.

Thank you Hoang Bao for the conversation. I hope you will have many more adventures with your restless Footsteps!

Ngoc Minh – Ngoc Anh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Ko Phi Phi: Paradise on Earth

(#wanderlusttips #kophiphiisland) Regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi is also known as heaven on earth. The scenery here can overwhelm visitors with its majestic green cliffs, crystal clear water and numerous kinds of fish and marine animals freely swimming in the golden sunlight.

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Ko Phi Phi is an archipelago, which consists of six smaller islands located in Krabi, Thailand. The most well known islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh both more commonly known as Phi Phi island. The island is always busy with its many restaurants, hotels, tour agents and souvenir shops. The main beach can get crowded and noisy as white sand, clear blue water and beautiful surrounding is popular with tourists. Phi Phi island is quite small and can easily be explored on foot or by bike. Numerous exciting activities are offered here including kayaking, diving and tours exploring caves. Both the sunset and sunrise on the island are absolutely stunning and romantic.

On Phi Phi you can book tours to visit nearby islands with prices ranging from 600 – 1,400 Baht. On these tours tourists explore beautiful islands and can freely swim in the clear blue ocean. Phi Phi also has an exciting nightlife, which attracts young visitors. There are often parties on the main beach, with drinks, fire dances and great music where you can mingle and enjoy the exiting atmosphere.

Ko Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most attractive tourism destinations so prices are relatively high. The main street leading to the beach is lined with seafood restaurants, with prices starting from 150 Baht. Accommodation prices for motels, hotels or resorts in Ko Phi Phi are expensive at 800 – 1,000 Baht for a motel room. To reach Ko Phi Phi fly from Vietnam to Bangkok and take another flight or bus to Krabi or Phuket. From here, you can take a canoe or ferry to the island. If you only visit Koh Phi Phi island boat rides from Krabi are your best option.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Phu Quy Island: A prestine pearl

(#wanderlusttips #Phuquyisland) Phu Quy island Binh Thuan’s tourism industry’s rustic gem and remains relatively unknown. The island is also called Thu isles or Khoai Xu isles. The prime time to visit Phu Quy is from December to June, when the weather is cool, with golden sunshine and the sea is clear and peaceful.
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Phu Quy impresses visitors not only with its beautiful and pristine scenery, but also with its people’s hospitality. You should stay on the island for at least two nights to fully explore and experience the island. Tourists can rent a motorbike for VND100,000 – 200,000 per day to ride around the island. This is an ideal location for camping or having parties with friends. A special attraction on the island is Phu Quy lighthouse, located on Cam mountain, about 3 kilometres from the port. You should obtain permission from the border guards to explore the lighthouse. Visit the 250-year-old Linh Quang temple Van An Thanh where a number of preserved sea turtles and whale skeletons are on display. Also worth an excursion is Linh Son temple on Cao Cat mountain is home to a majestic Guanyin statue.

At dawn visit Long Hai fish market to experience its bustling atmosphere and buy fresh seafood that one of the locals can prepare for you. Sunrise over Doi Thay Cape or Cam mountain makes for a spectacular scene. Tourists can rent a boat to visit nearby smaller islands such as Hon Den, Hon Tranh, Hon Trung, Hon Giua, or Hon Hai, which has had a traditional shark fishing industry for generations.

The island has many delicious dishes on offer from seafood banh canh (thick noodle soup) or banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes). The island’s most famous specialty is moon crab that has very tasty meat, but is only available when they are in season. Phu Quy currently does not have any hotels but a few motels are located here. Homestay are also an option with prices ranging from VND100,000 – 250,000 per night. Phan Thiet can be reached by plane, bus or train. At Phan Thiet port you can buy boat tickets to Phu Quy island. There are currently high-speed and medium-speed boats offering rides to the island and you should buy tickets before in case they run out. The schedule is subject to weather conditions.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Quan Lan: A quiet charm in the east sea

(#wanderlusttips #quanlanisland) This beautiful island is located in Quang Ninh Province, about 200 kilometres from Hanoi. The island is not as buys as Cat Ba or Ha Long, and has a distinct inner charm. The beautiful white sand beaches, blue sky and sea, and peaceful local lifestyle will make you want to return the moment you set foot on the island.

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Quan Lan is a part of Van Don District, which has two island communes: Quan Lan and Minh Chau. Quan Lan has more amenities, but Minh Chau has a beautiful beach and is more peaceful and quiet. The main transportation on the islands are tuktuks, motor taxis (which is expensive), or bicycles. Quan Lan island has six beaches, the most beautiful and busy of which are Quan Lan, Son Hao and Minh Chau beach. Quan Lan beach has clear blue water, is spacious, close to the town centre and perfect for group or family activities. Son Hao beach is about 6 kilometres from Quan Lan centre. This beach has smooth sand, clear blue water, offers great services, but usually has the most people. The most beautiful is Minh Chau beach, which is about 15 kilometres from Quan Lan Beach, with white sand, blue water, a pristine environment and a quiet nearby forest.

Spend time visiting Quan Lan Communal House, with its unique architecture or visit the Tan Doai fish market to buy seafood early in the morning. Rent a bike and discover the island for yourself. If time allows, you can rent a boat to visit Ngoc Vung island, with its beautiful beach, the perfect location to host BBQ parties or play beach sports and games.

The island’s most delicious food is seafood, with delicacies including peanut worms, stone crabs, geoduck and mantis shrimp. However, the food supply in Quan Lan is limited and there are few restaurants. Make reservations to avoid missing out on a great dinner. You can spend the night at a hotel or motel room with prices ranging from VND300,000 – 700,000 in the Quan Lan area. Resorts are located in Minh Chau. A more thrilling experience is camping on Quan Lan beach. The best time to visit Quan Lan is from April to September. From Hanoi, tourists can take a bus to Van Don or Hon Gai, and then take a boat to Quan Lan, with prices ranging from VND120,000 – 200,000 depending on departure point and time.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Co To: Romantic getaway for couples

(#wanderlusttips #cotoisland) Co To, one of the most beautiful islands in Northern Vietnam, is part of Quang Ninh province and a popular destination for couples looking for romance or groups of friends who want a quiet relaxing time together.

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Co To is not big but offers an array of great activities and is full of photo opportunities for tourists. You can rent a bike or take an electric car, motor taxi or car to tour the island. Couples can stroll along the “route of love”, a red brick road covered shaded by the green trees lining it. In April, you can smell the sweet fragrance of the “choi” blossoms. Van Chay and Hong Van beaches are not too crowded and both border clear blue water, have smooth sand. The perfect setting to play in the ocean’s waves. Explore primary forest, visit Co To church, the Uncle Ho statue, the lighthouse or Bac Van bridge to experience some magical moments. If you would like to be immersed in the local lifestyle join in some squid fishing at night.

In the last few years Co To has added numerous entertainment activities for tourists including Co To Park on Hong Van beach, with ticket prices at VND250,000 per person. Tourists can kayak, play water volleyball and other beach sports.

If time allows rent a boat to visit “mini” Co To island, which is a 30-minute boat ride away from the main island. The price is about VND700,000 per ride for 12 people. “Mini” Co To island is deserted and still maintains its pristine beauty, with clean white sand and clear water. Here, tourists can go on “banana boat” rides or parasailing.

After a lot of physical activity, you will need to regain energy and Co To has many delicious delicacies on offer. This is an opportunity for you to try sweet fingernail snarls, rare peanut worms, crabs, jellyfish, or mantis shrimp. You can enjoy these dishes at local restaurants or even buy fresh seafood to have a beach BBQ. Accommodation on Co To island is rather expensive, with prices ranging from VND300,000 – 700,000 per night, and motel prices ranging from VND200,000 – 300,000 per night. Hotels with high ratings include Co To Lodge, Thanh Mang and Thanh Trung.

From Hanoi, tourists can take a bus to Cua Ong (about 200,000 Vietnamese Dong), at Van Dong junction they take another bus or motor taxi to reach Cai Rong port about 4 – 5 hours away. From here a speedboat (ticket price ranging from VND160,000 – 200,000 (depending on time) or wooden boat (VND95,000/way) takes you to Co To. There are many boat trips at various times of the day, so you should research beforehand to arrange a suitable time. The prime time to visit Co To is from April to September.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Con Dao Island: Heaven on Earth

(#wanderlusttips #condaoislands) Praised by many famous travel magazines as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Con Dao still maintains its pristine beauty and rich nature. This is an isolated heaven for those seeking a different kind of experience.

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Con Dao is a group of 16 islands located in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, about 40 nautical miles from the mainland. The biggest island is Con Son known to many as Con Dao. This area is home to a unique ecosystem, with over 800 species of plants and 140 different kinds of animals. 1,400 marine animals live in the ocean surrounding Con Dao among colourful coral reefs. Con Dao has the most sea turtles in Vietnam, and is the only place where dugongs reside.

This pristine archipelago is suitable for those wanting to find heaven on earth, peaceful and quiet, without the hustle and bustle of urban life. You can rent a motorbike to visit Con Dao prison and learn more about the history of this island, or explore Con Dao museum and visit Hang Duong cemetery where the hero Vo Thi Sau was buried. The island only has one gas station. Bring backup fuel if you are planning a long trip. Con Dao’s main beaches are Dam Trau, An Hai and Dat Doc, where you can enjoy the water or sit in the shade to read in the breezy wind. You can explore Ong Dung primary forest, rent a boat to visit Bay Canh island and Dam Tre gulf, go diving to see coral reefs or watch swiftlets build their nests.

Con Dao does not have many restaurants, but and abundance of affordable local eateries. Tourists can enjoy fresh seafood like snails, lobster or red groupers. For accommodation there are many choices varying in price, from motels, cheap hotels to luxury resorts. Six Senses Con Dao Resort is famous for having hosted many celebrities and is highly praised by travel magazines for being a quality eco resort.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Con Dao Island: Heaven on Earth

Vietnamese fishing boats on a tropical Con Dao Island. View from the pier in the direction of a beach with white sand.

The best time to visit Con Dao is from March to September. This is the rainy season, but rain showers are short, cool the air and calm the ocean. Currently only Vietnam Airlines provide direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Con Dao and the airfare is relatively expensive. Another option to get here is to travel to Cai Lo port in Vung Tau, where tourists can buy a two-way boat ticket to Con Dao. The boat departs at 5 p.m. and reaches the island at 5 a.m.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Binh Ba Island: Where the blue sky meet the turquoise sea

(#wanderlusttips #Binhbaisland) Located in Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province, Binh Ba Island has also been known as “lobster island” attracting tourists with its mesmerizing beauty.

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The recently discovered Binh Ba island has become a favourite with travellers in Vietnam. Binh Ba is a beautiful little island located in Cam Binh commune, Cam Ranh of Khanh Hoa province about 60 kilometres from Nha Trang. Visitor won’t want to return home after seeing the scenery with its immense blue ocean and sky warmed by golden sunshine enriched by lush forests, and enjoyed by the locals.

If you don’t have a lot of time you can tour the island in a day. But you should really stay an extra night to fully enjoy the atmosphere. During the day, you can rent a boat to visit beaches or travel to diving spots to explore the coral reefs. It is about VND1,200,000 per journey. Travel in a group to save money. Binh Ba island is home to many beautiful white sand beaches and clear blue water. All you needs is a life vest and swimming or diving goggles to discover the underwater world. Rent a motorbike to explore the island and visit the beaches the best beaches: Nom, Nha Cu, Chuong. Quan Am (Avalokitesvara) Pagoda and Nam Hai Temple are also worth a stop as is a trip to the island’s highest spot to get a sweeping panorama view of the gulf. You should not miss the opportunity to watch the spectacular sunrise on Chuong beach if you stay the night.

Binh Ba island is known for its cuisine. Tuck into fresh and delicious seafood provided by the surrounding ocean. Binh Ba’s special delicacy is lobster and boat tours where lobsters are cooked and served on a boat are available. Better yet, if you travel in a group you can buy lobster and other kinds of fresh seafood like snails, oysters, abalone and squid, by the dock and cook yourself. You can eat at restaurants, or book a restaurant to cater to you on Nom beach. Other dishes are served on the island too, including banh canh (thick noodle soup), bun thit nuong (grilled pork with vermicelli) and banh trang (rice crepes) at very cheap prices.

There are many motels on the island, which cost about VND70,000 – 100,000per weekday, but the price can double during weekends. If you want to save money, homestay options are available for half the price. The best time to visit Binh Ba island is from March to September. From Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi there are flights to Cam Ranh airport. From here take a taxi to reach Ba Ngoi port, which is about 15 kilometres away and then take a boat the reach the island. You can also take a bus to Nha Trang and then go the port or take a direct bus to Ba Ngoi.

Hoang Linh | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

wanderlust-tips-hotel-des-arts-saigon-appointed-new-general-manager

Hôtel des Arts Saigon appointed new General Manager

(#wanderlusttips #MGallery) Mr. Carl Gagnon has recently been appointed as the new General Manager of the Hôtel des Arts Saigon the first and only five-star MGallery boutique hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

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The French-Canadian national has over twenty years of hotel management experience in the luxury hospitality industry, and having served in various key management positions in prominent properties in the Americas, Caribbean and Asia.

Befitting his leadership role, his passion for hospitality and luxury experience, he is fully dedicated to Hôtel des Arts Saigon’s sense of enchantment, through its eclectic mix of colonial and contemporary design, and of course via its bespoke service from the heart delivered by its polished and devoted personnel.

Mr. Gagnon launched his hospitality career in North America. He first joined Accor Hotels in his native Canada at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile in 2003. Prior he also worked for the F&B direction at Club Med in the Caribbean &Mexico and Crowne Plaza Hotels &Resorts.

Prior to his move to Ho Chi Minh City late June, Mr Gagnon spent nearly 14 years with AccorHotels. He served most recently as the General Manager at the five-star Grand Mercure Danang Hotel in the Central region of Vietnam. He also managed the Operations of the dynamic and vibrant Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the largest Sofitel property worldwide, worked as Hotel Manager at the Sofitel Grand Resort & Villas Hua Hin in Thailand. He likewise played a pivotal role in the re-positioning of the Metropole Hanoi into Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – one of the most prestigious properties under the Sofitel brand. The iconic hotel was awarded with multiple International recognitions and listed as one of the top 100 world’s best hotels.

Opened in October 2015, the newly built hotel is centrally located in the most vibrant district of Ho Chi Minh City, just steps away from Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the historic Saigon Central Post Office and other key tourist attractions.

Hôtel des Arts Saigon – MGallery Collection

Add: 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Str., HCMC.
Tel: (+848) 39 898 888
Website: www.hoteldesartssaigon.com – h9231@accor.com

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet