Handy Hoi An travel tips

With ancient houses, immense Cua Dai Beach with turquoise water and interesting experiences, Hoi An has been always one of the most fascinating destinations in Vietnam. Owning information and having good preparation for Hoi An travel will will be useful for your trips to the World Heritage's city. 
How to get there 

Hoi An

Hoi An is an ancient and small town of Quang Nam Province, but the ancient town is quite near Da Nang City. Therefore, it is definitely convenient to travel Hoi An after enjoying wonderful time in Da Nang - the worthiest city to live in Vietnam. Traveling by bus, train, or by air to Da Nang and then take a taxi or get on Bus No.01 from Da Nang bus station, or hire a motorbike to approach Hoi An are the best options. Otherwise, from Hue City, there is a tourist bus departing from Hue to Hoi An. By the way of transportation, Vietnam tour packages of Da Nang to Hoi An will be much easier and more convenient. 
Where to stay 

Thanh Binh Riverside

Hotels in Hoi An are abundant. Howerver, Hoi An homestay is more favored by tourists. These homestay service is available near Hoi An Ancient Town. Just from about 300.000 VND (equivalent to about US $14), lovely, large enough and clean houses always welcome tourists from everywhere, along with hospitable local people. Accommodation near Cua Dai Beach is dominated by luxury resorts with fantastic view and atmosphere. Here is suitable for tourists who enjoy traveling for pleasure. 
What to see 

Cham Island

Hoi An Ancient Town is portrayed by unique traditional architectural works with many second-to-none stopovers which are looking forward to tourists' exploration. Japanese Covered Bridge, Quang Dong Assembly Hall (Guangdong Assembly Hall), Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujain Assembly Hall), ancient houses, Hoi An Museum of Trading Ceramics, and Hoi An Museum of Folklore... After a long time of getting around the ancient town, coming over a cafe to allure into the slow pace of life in Hoi An, or exploring small alleys to reach Hoai River are among should-not-miss things to do in Hoi An. In the evening, walking along Hoai River to contemplate ancient houses with shimmering and vivid lanterns, or getting on boat and dropping candle flower on Hoai River, or visiting Nguyen Hoang Night Market must be noted in list of where to go in Hoi An. That will be unforgettable memory of any Vietnam holidays to the ancient town in the Central part of Vietnam. Hiring a bike and experiencing community travel in Tra Que Vegetables Village, Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village... to immerse in local life and explore interesting cultural and traditional customs. Do not miss Cua Dai Beach in the list. Cua Dai Beach - the convergence of three rivers (Thu Bon River, Truong Giang River, and De Vong River) is a fantastic place with turquoise water, white sand and azure sky. Another famous beach in Hoi An is An Bang Beach. An Bang Beach used to be voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a pristine beach with primitive charm and serenity. The beach is often favored by most tourists who love serenity of the sea and fishing life. Meanwhile, Cu Lao Cham Island is an ideal stopover for tourists who adore exploring. The island is about 15km from Cua Dai Beach. It takes about 20 minutes to travel by high-speed boat (about 120,000 VND or nearly US $6) to the island, or about 1 hour to reach the island by boat (about 30,000 VND/pax) departing at 8:00 am from Cua Dai Beach. In the island, there is service of homestay and guest house with convenient facilities. Scenery on the island is beautiful, pristine and charming as Bai Bac, Bai Ong and Bai Xep with white sand strand-shaped rocks. In addition, there are some famous stopovers such as Hai Tang Pagoda and Cham ancient well... 
What to eat 

Cao Lau

Hoi An cuisine is depicted clearly on almost streets in Hoi An Ancient Town. Let's come to Thai Phien Street and Hoi An Market to enjoy delicious and cheap dishes of Cao Lau and Quan Noodle. Ms. Buoi's and Ms. Nga's chicken rice restaurants on Phan Chau Trinh are best places to taste the dish. Coming over street vendor's stalls in the ancient town or near Cam Hoi Bridge to eat a wide range of cake such as dumplings, Vac cake and Dap cake... Ba Le Alley on Tran Hung Dao Street is another must-visit place to explore Hoi An cuisine. In the evening, if tourist walking along Hoai River's bank, do not forget to taste some kinds of sweet soup here. Cua Dai Beach will be an ideal place to enjoy delicacies of seafood. There are many reasonable-price store with fresh and delicious seafood. 
What to buy 

Hoi An Ancient Town

In Hoi An shopping tips, lantern ranks first. It is seen as a typical souvenir in Hoi An. Some big lantern shops are preferred by tourists who come here to order handmade lanterns with colorful and lovely beauty. Having a pair of sandals or dresses made in the fastest time will bring interesting gift for friends and relatives. Green pea cake and chili sauce are good options for gifting. At the end of the tour, do not for get to take the last photo of Hoi An that you are impressed most. 

Top famous bridges in Vietnam as local pride

Vietnam has possessed a series of unique and outstanding bridges as the density of rivers. These bridges in Vietnam are associated with many valuable cultural and historical events. Let's discover Top 10 bridges as Vietnamese people's pride in Vietnam travel with AloTrip – an official website of AloTrip International Limited. Travelers will be provided with useful information presenting a balanced view of Vietnam culture, history and all what one may expect when traveling the country. 
Nhat Tan Bridge 

Nhat Tan bridge

Nhat Tan Bridge is the biggest cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam. The project of Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi has a length of 8.3 kilometer long. The bridge section of Nhat Tan Bridge is 3.7 km, including the main bridge spanning Red River is 1.5 km long. It is the cable-stayed bridge with constant spans and 5 pillars. Each span has 11 couples of staycabled to support the capacity of the bridge. With high requirements of technique and fine art, Nhat Tan Bridge is designed and constructed to become a new symbol of Hanoi capital. Five span towers symbolize five entrances to enter the inner city. Being built from 2009, Nhat Tan Bridge was inaugurated on January 4th, 2015. The bridge has a total investment capital of 14,000 billion dong. It took 6 years to complete the construction. The bridge connects the city and Noi Bai International Airport and Flamingo Dai Lai Resort – one of the best the resorts in the world. The advent of Nhat Tan Bridge is the symbol of Vietnam and Japan friendship, as well as creates favorable conditions for tourists of Vietnam tour packages in Hanoi. 
Long Bien Bridge 

Railway in Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien Bridge is the first steel bridge spanning over Red River in Hanoi. Long Bien Bridge is not simply built to serve the local transportation, but also a long-lasting historical witness. Undergoing the damage of time and war, the bridge has existed heroically along with the development and modernism of the capital. Long Bien Bridge links Hoan Kiem District and Long Bien District of Hanoi City. The bridge was built by the French (1898-1902). Initially, the bridge was named after the name of General Governor of Indochina, Paul Doumer. Later, it was renamed Long Bien Bridge. The bridge is 2290 meter long with a central single railway. To construct the bridge, it wasted 3000 native workers, 40 French managers, engineers, experts, and foreman. The total cost of the bridge was 6.2 million franc. Long Bien Bridge is over 100 years old. It owns many historical values of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general. 
Bai Chay Bridge 

Bai Chay Bridge

Located in Quang Ninh province, Bai Chay Bridge is the first flat cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam. The bridge is located on National Road No.18 with a length of 903m and a width of 25.3m. The bridge connects Hon Gai and Bai Chay. The bridge spans over Cua Luc channel, separating Cua Luc Bay and Halong Bay. This bridge is the first cable-stayed structure with a flat surface of Vietnam. At the same time, Bai Chay Bridge also sets a world record in the main span length (435m). The bridge was designed and constructed by Japanese contractors. 
Truong Tien Bridge

Truong Tien Bridge

Truong Tien Bridge is the first bridge spanning Perfume River in Hue. Like Long Bien Bridge across the Red River in Hanoi, Truong Tien Bridge is the first bridge across the river in Hue, near Hue Citadel. Truong Tien Bridge is also one of first bridges constructed in Indochina in late XIX and early XX centuries with new and modern technique and materials from Western countries. The total length of Truong Tien Bridge is 402.60 meters, designed in Gothic architectural style. Images of spans arching reflected into Perfume River, girls in white and violet Ao Dai, boats on the river under the bridge with beautiful melody and words of eternal romantic poem, red phoenix flowers, or the shimmering bright image the bridge at night are beautiful memories in mind of tourists on Vietnam holidays in Hue. 
Dragon Bridge 

Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is one of Vietnam bridges owning most awards. Dragon Bridge is the 6th bridge spanning over Han River. It was inaugurated on March 29th, 2013. The bridge has a length of 666m with six lanes. The total investment capital is 1,700 billion VND. Dragon Bridge is one of the most highlights in Vietnam tours to Da Nang. Dragon Bridge was proposed to the World Record Guinness for being "the longest steel dragon". Dragon Bridge gained international FX Design Awards 2013 and Lighting Design Awards 2014 for being one of world excellent lighting design works. At the award ceremony of Excellence Engineering Excellence Award (EEA) in the US, Vietnam Dragon Bridge was named for Grand Award, along with 7 works and projects of the United States and other countries. Unlike other bridges in the world, Dragon Bridge with unique design facsimiles the shape of a dragon curving above Han River towards the South China Sea. Dragon Bridge emerges on prominently with brilliant yellow color. The dragon's head highly heads straight out to sea, as affirming the image of the dynamic city and taking the image of Da Nang City across the world... Being regarded as the symbol of the worthiest city to live in Vietnam, Dragon Bridge is an outstanding venue to organize important events of the city, Vietnam and region. Also, it is indispensable attraction in Da Nang travel. 
Han River Bridge 

Han River Bridge

Han River Bridge in Da Nang is the first swing bridge in Vietnam. The bridge was contructed from 1998 to 2000. It was designed and built by Vietnamese architects and workers, and it is the only swing bridge in the country. Han River Bridge connects two main boulervards of Da Nang City (Le Duan Street in the west and Pham Van Dong Street in the east. Han River Bridge is 487.7 meter long. Everyday, at 1 a.m the bridge will turn 90 degrees to let big ships easily travel. At about 4 a.m, the bridge will return. Han River Bridge and other famous bridges in Da Nang become top attractions in Da Nang City. Along Marble Mountains, Han River Bridge is a sacred symbol of the city with meaningful beauty. 
Thuan Phuoc Bridge 

Thuan Phuoc Bridge

Thuan Phuoc Bridge is the most modern and longest suspension bridge in Vietnam. The bridge has a total length of 1,850 meters, linking two banks of bays in Da Nang. Bridges are among the most highlights in Da Nang City. They not just create favorable conditions for local people to travel, but also for the city’s development, and creating unmatched beauty in the city with unique architectural ideals. Thuan Phuoc Bridge from all sides brings a sense of modernism, charm, and marvelousness. The bridge is located in a prime position, which facilitates to develop Vietnam tourism potentials in Da Nang and other neighboring localities. 
Phu My Bridge 

Phu My Bridge

Phu My Bridge is the biggest cable-stayed bridge in Saigon. As being the largest cable-stayed bridge in Ho Chi Minh City spanning Saigon River connecting District 2 and District 7, with the total investment capital of 2076 billion dong, Phu My Bridge was inaugurated to build on September 9th, 2005 and completed in 2009. Phu My Bridge is not just a key project of Vietnam, but also the most modern cable stayed bridge in the world. The most modern part of the bridge is the technique of cable stayed. Few bridges in the world own the technique. These above bridges in Vietnam are not just symbolizing the development and face of each locality, but also possessing meaningful cultural and historical values.

Exploring Bai Tu Long National Park - Treasure of nature

Halong Bay becomes so popular to tourists all over the world. And, not far from the outstanding World Natural Heritage, there is a famous national park with a quite similar name. It is Bai Tu Long National Park. The national park is about 20km from Cai Rong Town to the east, and about 60km from Halong Bay to the northeast. The often praised attraction is captivating many natural explorers all over the world to come and discover. To help tourists closer to the nature, AloTrip, one of favorite travel agents in Vietnam with its official website – alotrip.com, will give more details about Bai Tu Long National Park, one of the best national parks in Vietnam to tourists, especially to those who adore exploring the wild nature in Vietnam tour packages to the northeast.
Bai Tu Long National Park is a national biosphere reserve area in Bai Tu Long Bay which is a fascinating attraction in Halong Bay. The national park possesses unique and stunning natural landscapes. Coming to the national park, tourists will be overwhelmed by the pristine and spectacular beauty of the nature with lines of islands running along the coastline. Tropical jungles cover all mountainsides with immensely green trees, appealing tourists. It makes tourists forget all about life's worries to enjoy and immerse in the nature. Many limestone grottoes float on the sea's surface with various and strange shapes, creating pleasure to tourists when they contemplate, and enriching their imagination.

national park in Bai Tu Long Bay

Situated in Bai Tu Long Bay and near Halong Bay - World Natural Heritage, Bai Tu Long National Park is regarded as a biosphere "treasure" amid the Northeast's sea of Vietnam. Bai Tu Long National Park has a total area of nearly 15,800 ha, including about 9.660 ha of the ocean and 6,125 ha of islands. It owns 1,909 species of animals and plants with 72 fauna species and 30 floral ones listed in Vietnam Red Book. In the East, Bai Tu Long National Park is adjacent to a strong-wave ocean, while in the west, the seascape is so serene with water calm and peaceful waters. Therefore, the national park is seen as a wall that protects the local people living in Van Don Island from hurricanes of the sea.

urtle in Bai Tu Long

The national park comprises some main islands. On Ba Mun Island, jungle is the habitat of many precious species such as python, catamount, monkey, pangolin, and gecko. Here is also a place where the density of ungulates is highest. It is seen as the biggest natural wild animal protection in the Northeast of Vietnam. The floral system on Ba Mun Island is very diverse with 780 higher plants such as valuable timber species. In 2010, Ba Mun Island became the largest center for sea animal rescue in the Northeast. The center is caring and feeding many wild animals such as bears, red-face monkeys, long-tail monkeys, urchin, three-line turtles, etc. These animals were rescued by rangers of Bai Tu Long National Park from trafficking wild animals by waterway.

National Park

Leaving Ba Mun Island, tourists will come to Tra Ngo Lon Island, the largest island in the Halong Bay attraction. The island has a special geological structure. In the north, there are mountains; in the south, there are caves, grottoes and fishing farms. All of these scenes make the area more captivating. In the center of this island, it is Cai Lim area where there are many typical and featuring values of mangrove ecosystem. Nutrition here mainly comes from sediment on the mountains. Thus, it takes hundreds even thousands of years for Tra Ngo Lon Island to own an abundant mangroves ecosystem as now. Entering deeper in Cai Lim area, many scientists evaluate the area is a place of many second-to-none vegetations compared to other mangroves in Vietnam. Tourists have to overcome dense and lush green bamboo forests to reach diverse mangroves of coccoloba uvifera (or sea grape trees). The "sea grape trees" grow with high density, many generations. Besides, there are hundred-year-old sea bean sprouts. The deeper tourists enter the area, the more they discover many amazing things. That will be an amazing experience in any Vietnamtours to national parks in this country.

Precious plant

Leaving Cai Lim area, tourists will overcome a "matrix" of waterways created by thousands of islands in the national park. The coral reef of Bai Tu Long National Park is an important marine ecosystem with exclusive features in scale and area. There are two most ideal areas in the national park to enjoy and contemplate the coral reef, Mang Khoi and Dau Cao. To preserve and develop sustainably the ecosystem, special features of the national park, many activities are organized to raise the awareness of people and actively to research and seek methods for tourism development in the national park.
Bai Tu Long National Park is really a worthy place to discover in Vietnam holidays. Not only does it possess a diverse but unique flora and fauna system, but also many spectacular mangroves which are seen as among important mangrove ecosystems in Vietnam. Along with Bai Tu Long National Park, Cat Ba National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park are also should-not-miss places in tourists’ natural exploration tours in Vietnam.

Sapa brocade - colors of Vietnam ethnic groups

Sapa, one of the most visited destinations in almost Vietnam tour packages, is a name evoking unforgettable memories in tourists' mind. It is not just the land of majestic mountains and immense white flowers forests, but also the residence of many ethnic minority groups with unique cultural colors of brocade. That is so fantastic when popping in Dao people's markets in Sapa the most attractive thing is ladies' vivid costumes. The colors of Sapa brocade not just create the hidden charm of ladies, but also become a traditional culture of ethnic people in Sapa. For local people, brocade has an important meaning in their daily as well as spiritual life. Brocade is used as decorative items, and keepsakes of love... 

Ethnic costume

In Vietnam tours to Sapa, tourists will easily meet Dao ladies in brightly red bandanas or hats, and rainbow-like dresses. When entering local villages of Dao people, tourists will be lured into small of beautiful stilt houses with flamboyant brocade items decorated in these houses. These houses are places where many unique cultural features remain, from distinctive festivals to traditional brocade embroidery. Dao women can embroider anywhere and unleash their creativity to weave artistic brocade products. In terms of embroidery skills shown in colorful brocade, it proves the talent, ingenuity, diligence and industriousness of Sapa women in particular and mountainous women in general. From little girls to ladies all are taught to make eye-catching brocade. When these ladies are in married age, they embroider necessary costumes for their wedding in accordance with traditional customs. Embroidering to create beautiful costumes indicates not just the adroitness of local women, but also the long-established cultural features inherited over generations. Each patterns on brocade tinged with their love for working, for hometown, and for villages. 

Ethnic costume pavilion

Brocade in Sapa is traditionally made of cotton and flax yarn materials found in the forest. Its patterns are also dyed with natural colors. The patterns on the brocade fabrics often follow traditions of each ethnic group. Brocade weaving tradition is preserved and inherited through skillful hands of women in families. In present-day life, Red Dao people in Sapa remain their own traditional cultural identity. Previously, brocade was created to meet the needs in daily life, to use as dowry and in festivals. Todays, when Sapa tourism and economy are more developed, Sapa brocade products are favored by most tourists. Sapa brocade products gradually bring to local people a new and better life. These special products are often sold in Sapa markets, or along the roads to Cat Cat Village or Ta Phin Village. These brocade products vary from vivid dresses, bandanas, handbags, wallets, or some interesting decorative items. Obviously, the development of brocade as tourism products contributes to the preservation of traditional cultural values. 

Red Dao ethnic people

Along with other values, brocade is improved by local ethnic groups to become a culture featuring unique identity, enriching Vietnam culture. Apart from owning a humble and quiet beauty, hiding in itself the magic of a foggy town, Sapa possesses an irresistible charm - colorful unique culture of Vietnam ethnic groups, which is manifested through exclusive and subtle brocade products. Brocade is an indispensable souvenir when enjoying Vietnam holidays in Sapa. The contours of motifs shown on brocade are the essence of culture imbued with national identity, which makes Sapa brocade unique among other brocade products in the region. Embroidering brocade items used in daily life is an indispensable work. If a woman does not know how to weave or embroider, it means the family will not have clothes to wear. It is a very valuable skill and has a deep root over the development process to become a traditional handicraft. Coming to Sapa and seeing local ladies sitting on rocks along route and embroidering bring to tourists an interesting feeling about local people and daily life’s culture. By dint of the dedication featuring cultural identity of brocade products in Sapa, more and more tourists come to visit and explore the land and people here.
Source: AloTrip

Mekong River Delta floating markets - Precarious life

Floatingmarket is a form of market appearing on main rivers. In this market, both buyers and sellers use boats and canoes for transporting. In Vietnam, floating markets are situated mostly in Southwestern region. The unique markets have existed for a long time in Mekong River Delta. In Vietnam tour packages to travel Mekong River Delta, travelers will have a chance to discover the unique river life, which is one of the most outstanding attractions in Vietnam, as well as one of the most stunning images in the country. From Tien Giang, Can Tho to Ca Mau everywhere is full of bustling life with life on river. Cai Be Floating Market in Tien Giang, Phong Dien Floating Market, Phung Hiep Floating Market in Can Tho, and Thoi Binh Floating Market in Ca Mau are among famous floating markets in Mekong River Delta. Compared with floating markets in Mekong River Delta such as Phong Dien Floating Market and Cai Be Floating Market, Thoi Binh Floating Market in Ca Mau is smaller and less bustling. Yet, each floating market has its own unique characteristics and local specialties.

Cai Rang Floating Market

The cultural, economic and social factors are fundamental backgrounds creating second-to-none features in floating markets and remaining their existence over the time. In Vietnam tours to these special markets, travelers will witness the hustle and bustle of merchants' boats exchanging and trading. Almost these boats measure weights of 2-3 tones. These boats carry agricultural products and items from rice, salt, fish sauce to household tools to other provinces throughout the country. Besides, there are smaller boats carrying home-made agricultural products trading here. From orchards in Tien Giang and Can Tho, boats of fruits move to Ca Mau to trade. To recognize which kind of goods sold on boats, customers just look at a long pole attached to the deck. The pole looks like a "billboard" in front of stores showing things to sell. This "special marketing" style makes the floating markets so exclusive and attract a great number of travelers going on Vietnam holidays to southwestern area. By looking at things hung on these poles, buyers know what kind of goods that the boat carrying and selling. Meanwhile, on boats from Ca Mau to Cai Be and Can Tho, there are products as local specialties carried.

Market in Cantho

In Vietnam travel tours to the floating areas, travelers will have chances to explore life and culture of local people. The all-year-round life on boats is not easy at all. Exchanging on boats on rivers is the only way of making their living. The sellers have to undergone many difficulties to maintain their life. Due to the lack of land for living, life of merchants is always attached to boats and rivers, which is unstable. They can dock in Phong Dien today, but tomorrow they will sail to Sa Dec or Ca Mau... To them, life is a series of arduous days and struggles for difficulties on rivers. Their life on river is always affected by rivers and natural changes. Children living on boats with their parents do not have any chance to go to school; they have to participate in earning their living. The scenery is numerous in these floating markets. Yet, spiritual life of local people on boats is so diverse and special. By dint of trading in different places and communicating with different people, merchants know how to live and treat each other right. Therefore, in spite of lacking literacy, these local merchants treat their customers in an extroverted and hospitable way. Merchants on rivers have strong belief in fortune. They believe that if the beginning is good, their trading day will go smoothly. Thus, when customers come to these Mekong River Delta attractions to buy, they are always welcomed in the warmest manners. In each morning, the sellers wish to meet a customer who will bring luck to their trading day. To seek the luck, at the beginning of the trading, sellers often give a quite high rate that buyers will bargain, which makes the trading more exciting. When sellers and buyers agree the rate which is bargained, goods will be purchased with the satisfaction of both sides.

Chau Doc Floating Market

When the sun goes down, merchants anchor their boats overnight next to each other and continue their trading journey in the next morning. Clearly, no one knows each other, but these merchants just make some greetings, and then they become friends. They dine together and talk about daily life of each other. Some from far orchards in Sa Dec and others from Ca Mau, all of them become friends in a couple of minutes, even become close friends of each other, even intimates or in-law relations. In Tet holiday, many trading boats cannot come back their hometown. On the 30th day of lunar 12th month, they cook an offering meal to invite their forefather to join the New Year and pray for the best things in the New Year. Many families on boats docking next to each other hold a Tet holiday together, which is so cozy and happy. They contribute what they have to celebrate the New Year. In spite of being far away from home, they think that everywhere is their hometown and their family. The affection of merchants with each other makes them feel more consoled.

floating market in Can Tho

Trading on rivers is so wanderous and full of ups and downs. The lives of merchants are more difficult today, as supermarkets spring up everywhere, the purchasing power and selling pressure of the floating markets have dropped. However, the floating markets in Mekong River Delta still exist in spite of the increasing modernization. Only when the rivers dry up, then the floating markets no longer exist. That is the local people's philosophy of life.

Winter is the best time to travel Sapa

AloTrip, a new emerging professional travel website in Vietnam (alotrip.com) is a great vacationers’ companion in all Vietnam tours. Winter is regarded as one of the most favorite time to travel the country. During the season, many destinations in Vietnam, especially in Sapa , attract a large number of travels from everywhere to come and have amazing experiences on weather of the tropical – climate country. On providing travelers coming to Sapa in winter as well as other seasons with smooth and memorable trips, AloTrip recommends some information to support tourists in Sapa travel plan. 

Sapa

Sapa is a stopover quite near Hanoi, about 370km to the northwest. It has long been well-known as the convergence of beautiful nature, unspoiled villages and moderate climate. The town entices travelers by its all-year-round beauty along with profound and unique cultural features. The foggy town has been chosen by almost of families, couples and groups of friends to have fantastic and unforgettable vacations. In winter, many points of interests in Vietnam are quite less visited, but Sapa always appeals tourists, even all year round. Are you wondering when the best time to travel Sapa is? Actually, it is not easily to define when the best time to travel Sapa. Simply, in each season, Sapa is beautiful in its own ways. It also depends on the hobby, travel purpose and emotion of each traveler. If having a chance to visit Sapa in spring, you will be lured into the romantic and stunning scenery everywhere in Sapa. In spring, Sapa is covered by beautiful sunlight, wind, and fresh atmosphere featuring characteristics of mountainous region. 

Sapa overview

Visiting Sapa in this season, you will be overwhelmed by fantastic and poetic landscapes captivating thousands of travelers and photographers. In spring days, everywhere in Sapa from streets in town to hillsides and mountainsides is portrayed by exotic gardens of peach blossom and apricot blossom. In addition, travelers will be enticed in a wonderful natural masterpiece of roses on Ham Rong Mountain. Therefore, spring will be the best time to travel Sapa and admire the beauty of colorful flowers. In summer, Sapa looks like a small European city with mild climate and fresh green vegetables. Summer will bring travelers a distinctive experience on the weather of a tropical – climate country. During summer months, travelers come to Sapa to escape the sweating heat in delta areas. Summer in Sapa is so comfortable with elegant sunlight and cool breezes, along with fresh and charming natural landscapes. Compared to spring or summer time, Sapa in autumn is less colorful, but still possesses its own features. In autumn days, Sapa looks magically in foggy atmosphere. Travelers can capture many unique photos of Sapa with stilt houses hiding behind trees and terraced fields. From September to October, Sapa is covered by gold-like terraced paddy fields, which captivates many adventurous travelers and those who want to take weird and toxic photos of the striking scenery. 

Topas Ecolodge

Absolutely, autumn is the best time to visit Sapa and admire breath-taking landscapes. Meanwhile, many travelers believe that winter is the best time to travel Sapa, with all graceful and romantic scenes. In recent years, travelers come to Sapa more in winter to witness and observe the incredible view of Sapa when snow falls. Roads, houses and plants all are covered by snow, which creates magnificent and wondrous atmosphere here. If coming to Sapa in late November when the winter comes, the weather in Sapa is colder, but not frostbitten. In the early morning, all small Sapa Town seems to be "floating" or "hiding" amid clouds and fog. You have to stand closely to see people's face and surrounding area clearly. Yet, the air here is always extremely fresh, which brings a sense of comfort and tranquility to travelers who want to escape from the hustle and bustle life in big cities full of noise and dust. In winter, Sapa Town hides inside fog and snow. Coming to Sapa in cold weather will make you feel as if you were wandering in a north European country. In addition, winter months are ideal time for couples to celebrate the most important day in their lifetime. In the middle of winter, travelers from tropical-climate places come to Sapa to contemplate snowfall, grass and trees covered by white snow ice. This makes Sapa more spectacular, extraordinary and fascinated. 

Ta Van Village

Sapa is also an ideal vacation spot in Vietnam tour packages for couples to enjoy their memorable honeymoons. Many honeymoon tours to Sapa are operated by almost travel agents with multiple choices and affordable prices. Travelers will have meaningful holidays in Sapa, which marks a great milestone in their family life. Otherwise, those who like economical holidays can book one of hotels in Sapa to organize their creative and meaningful honeymoon by themselves. Your married life will be beautiful and interesting with a beautiful beginning. Sapa is beautiful all year round with unique and interesting features. To answer the question when is the best time to travel Sapa it may depend on aesthetic “Guu” and favor of each people. Where to go to enjoy senses of coziness of happiness in your big day? Are you wondering where you are going to travel this winter to make it unforgettable? The ideal destination looking forward to your presence is Sapa, in winter months. Let's come to Sapa to feel happy, comfortable, and do not forget to travel with your family, friends or lover. It will be the perfect time to travel Sapa!

Da Nang – an ideal destination for 2014 winter

AloTrip is a new leading travel website in Vietnam (alotrip.com) and a reliable companion in all Vietnam tours of vacationers. Acknowledging a new tendency of tourists – traveling overseas in winter, AloTrip recommends tourists to pay a visit to Da Nang, a wonderful beach city in Central Vietnam. The city is also seen as the worthiest city to live in the country. The following useful information may support tourists in planning Vietnam trips.

Vietnam travel in winter becomes a popular tendency of globetrotters. Specifically, in recent years, travelers from all over the world visit Vietnam more, especially on winter holiday. They often draft their travel plan to Vietnam early. During the season, airlines, resorts and hotels in Vietnam offer a wide range of special discounts for tourists, especially in Da Nang City, one of the most favorite Vietnam destinations all year round. The city fascinates tourists not just by its wonderful beaches but also a profound and various culture, and hospitable local people. Beaches in Da Nang are chosen by most of tourists since its convenient transportation, favorable climatic conditions, wonderful seascapes and landscapes, and professional tourism services.

Da Nang is one of the most best-loved destinations inVietnam all year round. The hot period in Da Nang does not witness too high temperature, ranging around from 28-30 degree Celsius. Winter months from December to February are thought to be a good period to travel Da Nang, the temperature is about 18-23°C. Such places as Ba Na Hills and Han River are ideal sites in the city suitable for popping in during winter time. With the latitude of nearly 1500m, Ba Na Hills has the average temperature of about 20°C, which makes tourists feel comfortable. Here can be seen as a new heaven of Vietnam tourism. Da Nang – the city by Han River attracts tourists not just by its fresh and green atmosphere, turquoise water, majestic landscapes, but also diverse cuisine and high-quality service. In addition, in winter months, the temperature in Da Nang is relatively comfortable with a little cold, which is warm enough for tourists from the North, and brings new experiences to those from the South when coming to Da Nang.

Danang beach at night

Situated on the Central strip of Vietnam, Da Nang possesses many outstanding attractions. The city is very near other famous Vietnam destinations as Hue, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi AN, etc. Tourists will be overwhelmed by top Da Nang attractions such as Linh Ung Pagoda, Ngu Hanh Son Mountain (Marble Mountains), Non Nuoc Beach, Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula, Hai Van Pass, and Cham Sculpture Museum, etc. During winter days, these tourist sites are covered by a new and colorful coat, which appeals tourists to explore. In Vietnam tour packages to these attractions during winter months, tourists will not worry about their bodies always sweaty like in summer. They will feel relaxed and comfortable with cool breezes from the sea and fresh air on trekking mountains.

Cable car in Ba Na

In autumn and winter days, strolling around craft villages as Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village brings a different feeling to tourists. Exploring the village existing for about 200 years ago brings tourists a new and exciting experience. When visiting here, tourists have a chance to choose valuable and unique souvenirs carved sophisticatedly from small stones, or decorative items made from huge stone blocks. All of these items are created by skillful artisans. In Vietnam, there are many traditional stone carving villages, but only Non Nuoc Village beneath the foot of Marble Mountains can connect the traditional handicraft to tourists, and expand its reputation to the whole world. In addition, Ba Na Hills is a should-not-miss place in Da Nang. The area is famous for majestic landscapes and owning one of the longest cable car systems in the world. Ba Na Hills cable car is constructed to replace the rough and craggy road to the area. The system has 86 open-design cabins with a speed of 6m/s, which helps tourist have experiences on outside weather at the latitude of over 1000m. From the the foot to the top of Ba Na Hilll, it takes about 30 minutes along with many services of entertainment and resort in Ba Na Hills.

Fireworks Competition in Danang

What an amazing holiday if tourists come to Vietnam in winter, but still feel a bit of hot wave of summer, leading them to immerse in cool seawater and soak in the beautiful sunlight on beaches. All features of Da Nang weather in winter make beaches here indispensable in Vietnam holidays. The city owns many marvelous and charming beaches as Non Nuoc Beach, My Khe Beach and My An Beach, and Son Tra Peninsula. Among beaches in Da Nang, My Khe Beach is well-known as one of the ideal destinations for relaxation in Asia. Forbes, the American travel magazine voted My Khe Beach as one of six most beautiful beaches in the world. Continuing Vietnam tourism journey in Da Nang, tourists will drop by Museum of Cham Sculpture, the largest museum of Cham culture in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia. Constructed by the French, it specializes in collecting, storing, and displaying relics on sculpture of the Champa kingdom found in Cham towers and ramparts in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands. Visiting the museum will recall tourists a heroic and wealthy history of Cham Kingdom.

Cham Museum in Danang

Besides, cheap travel cost in Da Nang is an advantage of the city. Only with about 500 thousand dong, you can easily find a comfortable middle-standard double room near Han River, or My Khe Beach. Coming to Da Nang in winter, tourists should not miss to taste delicious and cheap street food and local specialties which are famous throughout the country, such as fresh spring roll (boiled pork and vegetables wrapped by rice paper), noodle with fish pies, jellyfish mannequin, Quang noodle, and many other delicious local dishes. It will be a mistake if Da Nang cuisine is not explored in this journey. Obviously, Da Nang cuisine is not as sophisticated as Hanoi cuisine, or not as diverse as that of Saigon, but it has unique culinary features of Central Vietnam. All appear in Da Nang, from chicken rice in Hoi An to complicated cakes of Hue. Tourists can easily meet these dishes on streets of Da Nang. If having more time in the city, they can drop by Con Market and Han Market to explore the street culinary world in Da Nang. Go strolling in Da Nang at night also gives tourists a chance to enjoy fresh seafood parties. However, things make tourists always want to visit Da Nang again is the friendly and professional attitudes of local people, from taxi drivers, seafood sellers at the seashore to hotel staff. There will not be unsettled situation making tourists uncomfortable. With above mentioned ideal characteristics, Da Nang will be an exciting and perfect destination in this winter. Have a good travel plan, pick up your pack and come to the city, many interesting things of Da Nang are looking forward to your discovery.