Taking Luang Prabang tours

Luang Prabang is an unquestionable requirement be terminus for guests amid their Laos visits. Luang Prabang pulls in guests with tranquil magnificence of a Buddhist focus and numerous intriguing exercises.

Luang Prabang Monks

Luang Prabang has many temples, ancient temples which was built over many dynasties. Visitors in Luang Prabang will be familiar with the images of monks in orange robes walking in a long line through the ancient streets in early morning. Visiting this old citadel, visitors should try to get up early to watch these images to have peaceful feelings.

Besides exploring old temples and pagodas, visitors can take a tour to many unique monuments and beautiful sightseeing. Visitors can start their tour Laos in Luang Prabang with the Pak Ou cave including the Join Theung and Tham Ting limestone cave. In these caves, visitors can see 4000 ancient Baddha statues carved over 3000 years ago with different sizes and shapes. For those who are fond of taking photos, this place would be a paradise with many wonderful views.

Luang Prabang Tours

For those who want to learn about Laos culture, they should not miss the National Museum of Luang Prabang which was known as the Royal Palace. This place built in 1904 is the home of many precious wooden sculptures and exquisite art works.

Night market is a place that visitors can not miss when they are in Luang Prabang. The food market is located in an alley on Sisavangvong, near an ancient temple. The aromatic taste from grilled chicken, grilled fishes will please visitors. Moreover, visitors should try Laos papaya salad which is made from papaya, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers with garlic sauce. This is the favorite dish of many visitors. Besides, visitors can stop at souvenir market to buy many lovely things such as colorful brocade scarfs, colorful umbrellas, and paper lanterns.

Once taking Laos holidays in Luang Prabang, visitors will remember a peaceful capital which offers them unforgettable feelings and interesting experiences.

Source: http://www.vietnamtour.alotrip.com/

Experiencing Vietnam cultural tourism with AloTrip

Acknowledging a new trend of globetrotters – Cultural Tourism, along with the desire of bringing unforgettable memories in Vietnam travel to tourists, we – AloTrip, one of leading travel websites in Vietnam (alotrip.com) hope to be a reliable companion in Vietnam trips. The following useful information about this new tendency may support you in travel plan to this beautiful country.

Festival in Sapa

Tourists coming to and back Vietnam are not just enticed by charming Vietnam beaches and newly 5- star hotels or resorts, but also cultural attractions. One of the motivations triggering the desire of people’s traveling is to seek new horizons, have new experiences, and broaden knowledge. Apparently, tourism, since its birth, is tightly associated with culture. Yet, in each regions of Vietnam, culture is depicted differently, which arouses curiosity and stimulates discovery of travelers. Thus, Vietnam cultural tourism was formed. In Vietnam travel, the tourism is appealing a great number of both international and domestic tourists, especially those who adore adventuring and exploring outstanding civilizations in Vietnam and in other Asian countries.

Chirlden in Bac Ha

The trendy cultural tourism is categorized into nine main types. Type 1 is Sense of Place. Tourism products of this type are non-material characteristics reflected through senses about colors, sounds, light, tastes, or elements forming the national culture. These senses will create a strong emotion in tourists with unforgettable memories about Vietnam trips. Type 2 is called Festival and Event Tours. It is a tourism product taking advantage of cultural festivals and events to set up suitable Vietnam tours for travelers. Type 3 is entitled Cultural Heritage Tours. This product uses cultural and historical values in the heritages to serve tourists. Type 4 is Cultural Trails Tours. In each tour’s stop, there is an evidence for a wealthy or weak period of a culture. Type 5 is Modern Cultural Tours. Exploited products have both cultural and historical values of intangible and tangible works as modern world heritages, themed festivals, music events, and political, religious and sport events, etc. All of them are built up to appeal more tourists. Meanwhile, type 6 is characterized by Farm Experiences-Homestay Cultural Tours, which creates favorable conditions for tourists to experience a countryside life in Vietnam. Type 7 is Gastronomy Cultural Tours, which is based on the exploitation of traditional cuisine’s quintessence in each region. By dint of this, tourists have a chance to study and taste traditional dishes of Vietnam cuisine. Type 8 is Languages Cultural Tours. This kind of tourism is suitable for travelers who want to broaden their knowledge about Vietnamese language. Finally, type 9 is Handicraft Village Cultural Tours. All values of craft villages will be explored and introduced to tourists, which creates an opportunity to learn about traditional products.

Hue Citadel

 In Asian countries, especially in Vietnam, cultural tourism becomes prominent. With a mysterious and vivid culture, the country becomes one of world top destinations fascinating Western tourists. Historical sites, religious architectures, practiced customs and festivals, etc. come into being as tourism products. Such famous cultural tourist centers in Vietnam as Hanoi, Hue, and Hoi An… are always named in tourism promulgations. When exposing to another culture, tourists are not just immersed in, but also can discover colorful and unique traditional customs. That is why foreign tourists are interested in “bird’s cages” along Nha Trang beaches, avidly come to mountainous areas like Sapa and Mai Chau to experience on overnight homestay, enjoy mountainous specialties, admire gentle dances of local people, or excitingly get dressed sophisticated brocade skirts and shirts in their Vietnam holidays.

Hoi An Overview

Each country has its own original culture which portrait unique features. Vietnam is characterized by Eastern agricultural culture. As Vietnam is at a crossroad of many cultures and thoughts, the unique identity of Vietnam culture is continuously developed, exchanged and reconciled exotic elements and indigenous ones. According to historical process, cultural elements are crystallized in tangible values of artworks, architectures (palace, royal tombs, pagodas, temples, shrines), and archaeological monuments... These elements also found in intangible values such as languages, art, festivals, cuisine, traditional costumes, manners of communication... The values are existing throughout Vietnam and in every Vietnamese people. It explains why Vietnam possesses 1/34 of the world's culture.

Inside My Son sanctuary

In many Vietnam tour packages, cultural tourism activities are organized based on regional characteristics. They are the Southern Folk Festival, the Dien Bien Travel (Northwest cultural festival associated with political events), and the Central Heritage Path (folk festival in combination with tours to cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO). These festivals and events fascinate many tourists domestically and internationally. Among them, the Hue Festival is considered the most outstanding cultural tourism activity in Vietnam. The festival is regularly held every 2 years, with the support of many countries. It is an occasion for Vietnam to introduce tourists about folk culture, especially Hue royal court music - an intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO, and Nam Giao Offering Rite. In addition, the images of Vietnam tourism will be better in the eyes of international friends through cultural impressions. Tourists will have unforgettable moments when enjoying and soaking up the Gong cultural activities in Central Highlands, tour homestay in Mekong River Delta, or getting around Hanoi City… This will make an important contribution to the development of tourism in Vietnam not just by wonderful and impressive landscapes and seascapes, but also time-honored cultural values. About The Author: Nguyen Manh Dung runs AloTrip.com . Indochina now becomes a highlight tourism destination than ever. Travelers may come across many sites online that provide tours in Indochina and find differences in the price. AloTrip Travel however displays affordable prices with so many options to choose. Tourist can check this out on AloTrip.com.

Dalat autumn melody invites tourists

Each season in Dalat city retains a unique and particular beauty; apparently, only when touching the autumn, the wonderful land just becomes engaging and much more romantic than ever. All of the hillsides or steep mountains has been fully covered with colorful flowers and evergreen pine forests. This is the best time to visit Dalat.

Flower Garden in Bao Dai Palace

Located about 320km from Saigon to to the west, with an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, Dalat used to be regarded as "A Little Paris" of Europe in the French colonial period. Different from the severe sun and wind in Central or the tropical climate in South, the city of "thousands of flowers" retains the temperate climate year-round. What could be much more wonderful than being able to escape the heat in Saigon to immerse a peaceful Dalat. In particular, the weather in Dalat is only cold a little bit with the soothing sunshine, which is extremely suitable for leisure and relaxation. Aditionally, it would be appropriate if tourists go cycling or walking around the city of love. The pace of life here seems zephyr-like and gentle by vague slight winds in the autumn. Just slowly moving, tourists feel all "flavors" of the autumn surrounding. Dalat has long been inherently an appealing destination in Vietnam travel attracting the great number of domestic and international tourists. From the unique architecture to the dreaming natural and delicious specialties, Dalat always leave a strong impression to tourists who participate in Vietnam tours.

Nam Phan restaurant

Taking part in any Vietnam tour packages to Dalat, tourists could not ignore Xuan Huong Lake. It is unofficially considered as a symbol of the "city of Eternal Spring", a beautiful artificial lake located right in the heart of Dalat City. The lake is covered by a cool evergreen of pine forests, charming lawn, and colorful gardens. In the fall, the surface is extremely clear and calm like a mirror reflecting wonderful scenery around. With a circumference of about 5km, 25 hectares wide, the crescent moon-shaped lake stretches over 7 kilometers passing through numerous famous attractions in Dalat, such as Dalat Flower Garden, Yersin Park, Cu Hill... Early morning and sunset is actually the best time to admire Xuan Huong Lake thanks to the gentle wind and airy space spreading all over the lake. It has also become an ideal rendezvous for numerous couples, friends, or families.

Truc Lam Temple

Along with Xuan Huong Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Dalat city is also the "must-see" sight in Dalat umtumn. Covering an area of about 320ha, far about 7km from the city centre, the lake is located adjacent Phung Hoang (Phoenix) Mountain and Truc Lam Zen Monastery. It is considered as a complex concentrating beautiful scenery and diverse tourism services in Dalat. Tuyen Lam Lake is one of 21 tourist areas reaching national stature in Vietnam. It still retains numerous small oases and has been sheltered by the vast pine forests. In particular, when it gradually becomes cold, the smog gently diffusing all over the surface of the lake, and condensing on the evergreen pine forests makes any tourists feel incredibly fluttery as having escaped from daily concerns. Thanks to the picturesque scenery with lush greenery, the immense pine forests, it becomes an enchanting tourist destination worth setting foot on.

Xuan Huong Lake

The nature favourably bestows on Dalat the moderate climate, making it a heaven for numerous species of flowers. Dalat always ties with the diverse colours year-round. All of paths to the city are full of colourful flowers. Autumn is the season of mimosa and wild sunflowers. Though not owning such gorgeous beauty like other flowers, these flowers are equally bewitching thanks to the glamorous golden. Yet none in Dalat known exactly when the wild sunflowers and mimosa has been considered as a symbol of ulterior love and beauty of the humility. Mimosa flowering season is also the peak tourist season of Dalat. Tourists to the beautiful city even just to admire the bright yellow flower clusters standing out on the white spindly foliages. As a wild species, only growing in the forest or along the roadsides, mimosa is one of the indispensable symbols of Dalat.

There are numerous beautiful names to refer the poetic city, such as “City of Flowers”, “City of Love”, or dreaming city... Nature and Dalat people has long gone into the fully poetic artworks. Only when setting foot in here, tourists have a chance to profoundly admire the highland bringing much its love and legend. Dalat autumn thus strongly lure both domestic and foreign tourists.

Ho Chi Minh City rendezvous for passionate tourists

Even at first glance, Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon has left a deep impression on foreign tourists as the most dynamic and hurly-burly urban in Vietnam with gleaming streets, activities and entertainment lasting till late together with the lines of cars rushing around the streets like never-ending. Ranges of shops with the great deal of colorful and varied products contribute to fame "Saigon - shopping paradise". Numerous bars, stores and restaurants with fascinating menus make the Saigon's culinary become an indispensable cultural characteristic for tourists. However, deeply hidden in the excitement is a liberal life but harmonizes, with the longstanding customs and habits of traditional culture which have adapted to the life for reclaiming the land and early interfered with the culture of the region and the Western.

Ben Thanh Market

Ho Chi Minh City is the gateway to tourism, a major and largest tourist center in Vietnam thanks to the varied system of facilities and services. The climate in the city is fairly pleasant creating the tourist season year-round and facilitating to much stronger develop Saigon tourism. Saigon nowadays retains hundreds of pagodas, temples worshiping thousands of national heroes, the remnants of the liberation of the city and country, which are respectfully preserved. They are also the alluring tourist attractions in any Vietnam tour packages to Ho Chi Minh City. Over 1,000 temples, temples and shrines built over time has been the wealth property on culture, art and architecture. Tourists will find here the largest and most beautiful pagodas in the country which skillfully combined between modern style and traditional pagoda architecture. Owning the diverse and abundant architecture, numerous pagodas have been recognized as historical - cultural relics of the city and the country.

Ho Chi Minh City

The architecture of Saigon - ancient Pearl of the Far East has been preserved and embellished, becoming the exciting sights in Ho Chi Minh City. The French have left a large number of various and wonderful architectural works. It can be said that there are not numerous metropolises in Southeast Asia possessing as many architectural forms and Western art style as in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City. Typically, the headquarters of Municipal People's Council built under Third Republic France architecture, State Bank under the influence of Art Nouveau, Children's House with Neoclassic style, Nha Rong Wharf under Indochinese style, Central Post Office under Chiet Trung architecture, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica with Roman style, Huyen Sy Church under New Gothic architectural style... Besides, there are numerous contemporary works inspired from the Vietnam traditional architecture. In the crowed city, tourists will be surprised with boulevards shaded hundred years old trees, the greenery parks, and tranquil villas. Beside the new skyscrapers in the city center, tourists will have the chance to visit Cholon (Chinatown) with the bustling ancient towns, commercial activity and production bustling over day and night.

reunification palace

As a tourist center and the largest tourism gateway in the country, Ho Chi Minh City has retained the relatively developed system of infrastructure and tourist services, from the entertainment centers, transit systems to museums, hotels and restaurants. Tan Son Nhat International Airport, one of the primary international airports in Vietnam located in Ho Chi Minh City is always ready to meet tourists' demands of movement. Vietnam Visa service here is also extremely convenient facilitating tourists' trips much easier and faster. Thanks to the diverse museum system, Ho Chi Minh City maintains more museums than other provinces in the country. The exhibit contents of the museum are fairly bountiful not only on the local history and culture, but the whole South, the country and Southeast Asia as well, offering huge interesting knowledge. However, the most attractive tourist spot in the city remains Cu Chi Tunnels, a unique works in world military history, a symbol of the iron will and the intelligence of citizens in American resistance. Equally illustrious is the Can Gio mangrove forest with ship breaking battles on the Saigon estuary, which today is a great eco-tourism with the endless green mangroves.

Gate to post office

Taking part in HoChi Minh City tour, tourists could hardly escape to be overwhelmed by the system of the markets, supermarkets and commercial centers of the city. The abundant, diverse and colorful goods full species from the common to the famous deli's all over the country, from domestic products to the international brands globally reputing. Most of stores here often beautifully decorated, especially the stores of handicraft and fashion, each looks like a tiny work of art. Ben Thanh Market, a symbol of Saigon, is considered the largest retail market in the city. Tourists can find all sorts of items here, from budget to luxury, especially food products which are most selective. The friendly and open-minded citizens are always looking forward to welcoming tourists from all parts of the earth to the city.

Notre Dame Cathedral

As the center of the fertile lands of the South, the convergence of people from all over the country and the gateway to external world, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam travel. Ho Chi Minh City tourism has played an important role to promote the image of a beautiful Vietnam country to international friends.

Investigating Laos culinary

Lao cooking is rich and different. When taking Lao visits, guests will always remember wonderful dishes which produced using basic and regular parts, for example, harsh fish soup, bugs, larb, etc...lao dishes characteristic the mixture between unique conventional taste and present day taste.

Rice in bamboo tube

Rice in bamboo tube

Rice in bamboo tube is the typical rice of Lao ethnic minorities. Rice in bamboo tube is made from sticky rice, the staple food of Lao people. Rice is put in to a bamboo tube sealed with banana leaves. Then, the tube is burned. The bamboo sticks for cooking must be fresh, not too young nor too old. Rice in bamboo tube are sweetness and have the flavor of bamboo. This kind of rice is served with grilled forest pork and chicken, but many people love eating it with peanut salt.

Larb

Larb

In Laotian, larb means luck. This is the traditional dishes and also the national dish in Laoss festival. Larb is made from animal meat, usually from beef, deer or buffalo. Meat is minced with chopped mint and mixed with lemon juice. Larb is often served with fresh herbs such as basil, coriander, etc.

Insects

Insects

Similar to Cambodia and Thailand, Lao people also enjoy dishes made from insects such as crickets, ant eggs, spiders, belostomatids. With the skillful hand and creations, many tasty dishes have been made with different methods from deeply fried, steam to grill. Dishes from insects are rich in protein, attractive and fancy.

Savannakhet grilled chicken

Savannakhet grilled chicken

Savannakhet grilled chicken is famous for its appealing aroma. However, visitors do not need to go to Savannakhet to enjoy this dish, because grilled chickens are sold in many places in Vientiane, or Luang Prabang. Chickens are cleaned and clamped in skewers then placed on hot coals until they are cooked.

Papaya salad

Papaya salad

In Laotian, papaya salad is called Hung Tam Maak. The green papaya will be scraped into fiber then mixed with lemon juice, shrimp paste, eggplant, pepper, and chili. Once enjoying this dish, visitors will never forget its special taste with the spicy aroma of sauces.

If visitors take Laos holidays, they should not miss the chance to explore the unique culinary of Lao people.

Source: http://www.vietnamtour.alotrip.com/

Vietnam Airport Transfers in Hanoi

Method for move at air terminals in Vietnam or Vietnam auto rental may be among first things to worry about wheneveryou go on a trek in Vietnam. Here are a few advices for visitors about exchange vehicles at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi.

Vietnam Airport Transfers in Hanoi

Noi Bai International Airport is 35 km away from the centre of Hanoi. Depending on the traffic condition, it takes from 50 minutes to 1 hour to reach the airport. There are some options for means of transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi as below:

- Public bus: Bus number 7

Its easy to find the bus stop, just 200 meters from exit door. Get on bus number 7. The final stop of this route is at Cau Giay hub for bus (at the gate of University of Transportation and Communications). From there, tourists can move to other places in Hanoi more easily because of shorter distance. The bus runs regularly. There is a bus picking passengers up every 15-20 minutes. Price for a ticket is quite cheap, 7,000 VND for a turn. However, the bus is quite crowded so its difficult to carry much baggage. Large tourist groups may have to divide into 2 or 3 smaller groups to get on bus. One more disadvantage of using public bus is that after getting off at the last stop, you still have to catch a taxi or motor taxi to your final destination.

Airport Transfers

- Airlines bus

VietnamAirlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines and Vietjet Air all have their own transfer buses to meet and see of tourists at a fare price of 40,000 VND. The route of Vietnam Airlines bus is from Noi Bai Airport to address 1 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi. On the way from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi, the bus goes after 30 minutes since the flight landing. On the reverse way, the bus departures before the flight take off about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The time depends on tourists schedule.

Besides, tourists can catch private buses of other provider outside of Terminal 1 such as Dai Nam, Noi Bai service, Viet Thanh.

- Taxi

Six taxi labels which have license to operate at Noi Bai Airport are Mai Linh, Noi Bai, Venus Thang Long, Viet Thanh, Dai Nam, Taxi Group, Noi Bai Airport Taxi. The taxi price can be calculated based on kilometers which can be seen for more details on board of each taxi carrier at Terminal 1, or range from 350,000 VND to 380,000 VND for private car of 5 8 seats.

Hope tourists be satisfied with the services of Vietnam Airport Transfers.

Source: http://www.vietnamairlines.travel/

Vietnam sustenance society outline

Vietnam sustenance society is framed in the characteristic lifestyle. It is a peculiarity of material society, as well as a profound gimmick. Through the peculiarities of cooking, individuals' capability and respects, behaviors and traditions in sustenance will be reflected. 

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Vietnam is a farming based nation, in this way, Vietnam nourishment society is impacted by the Wet Rice Civilization for a great many years. Rice assumes an imperative part in life of Vietnamese individuals. In addition, as being spotted in South East Asia with ideal states of nature, atmosphere and geology, Vietnamese individuals has been produce a plenitude of eatables, which gives great conditions to the innovativeness of food in Vietnam. Over the span of building and creating the nation, Vietnam experienced an arrangement of durable wars and masteries, particularly a 1000-year Chinese mastery, and the French imperialism, the sustenance society of Vietnam was impacted and more broadened. Sustenance of Vietnamese got to be more advanced and different, incompletely focused around the Chinese food, however remained it remarkable gimmicks of Vietnam. It was the provinciality of the French helped the differences of Vietnam nourishment society. Vietnamese off and on again ask why the Western individuals can make due by consuming bread step by step. Most vacationers coming to Vietnam are so astonished at the vicinity of rice and numerous dishes identified with rice, which makes the extraordinary of gimmicks in Vietnam nourishment. Numerous pagodas and sanctuaries in Vietnam use rice for adoring, as it is accepted that rice originates from the Mother Goddess Worship. Numerous major Vietnamese dishes and snacks are produced using rice, for example, rice porridge, steamed rice, glutinous rice cake, Banh Chung, particularly plain rice which is the fundamental dish in Vietnamese day by day supper. What's more, Pho is produced using rice. It implies that rice is the inside of dishes in Vietnamese cooking.

Vietnamese food also expresses the mental life of Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people have their own way to enjoy daily meals. All dishes of a meal will be laid on the tray at the same time with a small bowl of fish sauce or soy sauce in the center of the tray. By this way, a typical Vietnamese daily meal will have the presence of all family members. While eating together, they can share their opinions about some of dishes; even other daily topics are also discussed in the eating time. If having chances to explore the Vietnam food culture, you might really excited when learning about sauces in meals of Vietnamese people. You might be astonished when witnessing all family members using a bowl of fish sauce together, which creates the unique characteristic of Vietnamese food culture. Some people think that the bowl of fish sauce reflects the solidarity. Some others believe that fish sauce makes great contribution in forming the cultural feature of Vietnamese food.

Bun Thang

 Vietnamese food culture varies by regions from the north to the south. In Northern Vietnam, Vietnamese food is characterized by light and balanced flavors as the harmonic combination of many ingredients. Northerners has been using many kinds of meats like pork, beef, and chicken to cook; besides, some kinds of freshwater fish, crustaceans, and other mollusks like shrimps, crabs, and oysters, etc. Many famous dishes of Vietnam are cooked with these ingredients such as Bun Rieu. Northern Vietnam is seen to be the cradle of Vietnamese civilization in general and Vietnamese cuisine in particular with many notable dishes like Pho, Bun Rieu, Bun Thang, Bun Cha, Banh Cuon, etc. Then, food culture in Northern Vietnam became popular in Central and Southern Vietnam with suitable flavors in each regions. In Central Vietnam, the topography is characterized by mountains, thus, the regional cuisine of Central Vietnam is famous for its spicy food, which differs from two other parts with mostly non-spicy food. Hue cuisine is typical Central Vietnam’s food culture. Dishes of Hue cuisine are decorative and colorful, which expresses the influence of Vietnamese royal cuisine in the feudal period. Food in the region is often decorated sophisticatedly and used with chili peppers and shrimp sauces, namely, Bun Bo Hue, Banh xeo, or Banh beo, etc. In Southern Vietnam, the region is characterized by warm weather and fertile soil, which creates favorable conditions for planting a variety of fruit, vegetables and livestock. Thus, food in the region is often added with garlic, shallots and fresh herbs. Particularly, Southerners are favored of sugar; they add sugar in almost dishes. Here, there is also an influence of western and Asian cuisines on southern food, such as influences from Chinese, Indian, French, and Thailand.

Xeo cake

Vietnamese food culture put the spirit on top priority with daily meals being seen as family reunion meal in which people gather happily after a hard working day.

Source: AloTrip