Thứ Năm, 25 tháng 6, 2015

Top fruits must try in Vietnam



Vietnam is located in tropical zone and famous with so many kinds of fruits. There are ten kinds of fruits not only delicious and popular, but also meet the criteria for export which both foreigners and Vietnamese should try.
If you are in Vietnamespecially in durian season you should try to enjoy it for yourself.It’s easy to find durian in any markets or supermarkets of Viet Nam.The first suggestion is that you should not eat too much. Traditional beliefs say that durian has warming properties. If you eat too much at once it can heat up your body but its taste is so good. Vietnam tours private

Especially if you have any chances to visit Vinh Long, remember to try Durian Ri6. Ri6 durian of the southern province of Vinh Long is praised to be the best durian variety in Vietnam. It is named Ri6 after the name of Mr. Sau Ri, who created this variety in 1990. It has a distinctively bright yellow color, similar to the intense coloration of a Musang King durian in Malaysia. The flesh is thick and fibrous, with a strong egg-flavor that reminds me of many Thai varieties. Halong bay tours Vietnam

Mangosteen

If the mighty durian is king, the mangosteen is known as the queen of fruits. The mangosteen's semi-firm exterior shell may not be much to look at, but the soft, delicate flesh of the white interior hooks people on the first bite.

It can’t be denied that Lai Thieu Mangosteen is the best mangosteen in Vietnam with thick peel, white and sweet-and-sour segments made people remember forever. In the feudal time, Mangosteen was compared as a noble fruit and used in rich families as well as offered for Royal Family.

Mangosteen is widely available in juice form. Mangosteen juice products typically include the fruit, rind and pulp of the fruit, which contains compounds called xanthones. Although some research indicate that xanthones may offer certain benefits, the health effects of mangosteen have yet to be extensively studied.
Top fruits must try in Vietnam
Top fruits must try in Vietnam


In Southeast Asia including Viet Nam, mangosteen rind has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. According to many theories, mangosteen rind was used to make a tea for such conditions as diarrhea, bladder infections and gonorrhea. An ointment made from the rind was applied to skin rashes. Proponents claim that mangosteen can also help with the following health problems such as allergies, anxiety, cancer, depression or even high blood pressure. In addition, some proponents suggest that mangosteen may slow the aging process, aid in Alzheimer's prevention, increase energy, preserve eye health, stimulate the immune system, improve bone health and protect against heart disease.

Dragon fruit 3
Officially known as the pitaya, the dragon fruit is actually native to Latin America. It is an extremely beautiful fruit that has dazzling flowers and an intense shape and color. The dragon fruit is usually a dark red color, although some types of this fruit are pink or yellow. The skin of the dragon fruit is a thin rind. The skin is usually covered in scales, and the center of the fruit is made up of a red or white, sweet tasting pulp.

Dragon fruit is generally is a nutritious fruit that is a good source of vitamins and minerals.There are no reported side effects in consuming dragen fruit.Dragon fruit is safe for consumption even by pregnant and breast feeding mothers.

Binh Thuan is a province famous with growing dragon fruit. Binh Thuan’s dragon fruit is one of favorite fruits in some Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, China or Vietnam.

Pomelo Fresh Pomelo citrus  Fruit
There are several kinds of pomelo regionally famous for their taste and there are some famous kinds Pomelo in Vietnam like Nam Roi, Phuc Trach pomelo. Green peel pomelo is a specialty of the southern province of Ben Tre.This variety is planted in My Thanh An in Ben Tre city and Mo Cay district.Green peel pomelo won the first prize at a fruit competition held by the Southern Region Institute for Fruit Research.

This fruit is eaten fresh or is use to make juice. The pulp can be use to make salads and the peel is used to make candies; citrus peel is often used for flavoring.Pomelo is really a golden mine of vitamins. The fruit is abundant with vitamin C, beta-carotene as well as the B vitamins. Additionally it is a resource of folic acid which is required for younger ladies to guarantee the health of upcoming baby. Furthermore, pomelo includes a large amount of potassium which is great for our heart. Brand-new research has shown that liminoids present in pomelo as well as other citrus fruits avoid cancer cells from divining much better than chemical medications.

Longan 5
Longan, also known as “dragons eye” (because of a white eye shaped mark on the pit that appears as a pupil in the large eye) are soft and smaller than lychee fruits. They are brown in colour and are referred as little brothers of lychee fruits. Longans whose scientific term is Dimocarpus longan, originated in China and later spread across the globe and is now widely cultivated in Thailand, India and in several other countries of Asia. Longan is available abundantly in the summer season and can be consumed both raw or as dried fruits.

The longan grows in many provinces in the North. There are many varieties of longans. The most renowned variety of longan is the cage longan of Hung Yen Province. There are varieties that have a thick pulp and a very sweet taste called pulp longan. Water longans have a thin watery pulp and a fresh sweet taste. In the South, there is the longan of Chau Thanh (Dong Thap Province), which is fairly renowned. This variety has a watery pulp, a very sweet taste, a perfumed scent, and small black seeds, which is why it is called nhan tieu (pepper grain longan).
The longan is a tropical fruit rich in nutrients. It is used in the preparation of sweet lotus seed soups. A longan that has been rid of its black kernel then dried over a fire is called long nhan (literally: dragon’s eyes); it is one of the tonics used in the recipes of traditional medicine.

Litchi 6
Litchi is a small fruit with a sweet smell and taste, which is available in the summer. It is a small fruit packed with healthy nutrients. It has rough skin outside while contains juicy flesh inside. It is used as medicine in China.

With favorable natural conditions, Luc Ngan hilly gardens are strong in growing fruit trees, making it the country's largest litchi producer.The soil here is very suitable for planting litchis, hence producing fruits with deeply green leaves and round canopies of branches. Especially, bunches of red-ripened litchis with fine skins, very small seeds, much sweet meat, a purely fragrant taste made litchi a great delicacy of Northern Vietnam.Luc Ngan litchi products have been gaining popularity not only across the country but also have been exported to many foreign markets.

Lychee is a highly rich nutrient fruit. It contains a high amount of soluble fiber known as pectin which is beneficial to protect from colon cancer.  It contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect the body from carcinogens. Carcinogens are free radicals that are produced in the body due to oxidative stress. So lychee is effective to protect from cancer, ageing, arthritis and degenerative disease. Also, it is a great source of potassium which is important for maintaining blood pressure. Along with these, it contains a high amount of other nutrients that promotes health.

Mango 7
Mango plants are grown in southern provinces. Mangoes are divided into several kinds, known locally as Xoai Cat, xoai Tuong, xoai Voi, xoai Xiem…Hoa Loc mango is one of the most well known varieties of mango under cultivation in the Mekong river delta, for its aroma and sweetness. Hoa Loc mango has presently grown on large scale, in many provinces of the Mekong river delta like Tien Giang, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Thap, and so on. Mango Transplantation and seedling selection, application of modern techniques are done with, aiming at raising the quality and productivity.

Mango is one of the exotic fruits in the world with great health benefits. Some of the health benefits from mangoes in baby food includes protection of eyesight, fights microbial infections, easily digestible, improvement in brain development and many more.

Rambutan 8
The Rambutan, also known unofficially as Hairy Cherry, comes originally from the Malaysia peninsular, where the name Rambutan came from the Malay word 'rambut' for hair. Today, a lot of rambutan is grown in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta area. The fruit is about 3-4 cm in diameter and has soft fleshy hair over the entire surface. The peel turns from green to yellow to red as the fruit ripens. To eat: Partially cut through the skin or break open with a thumbnail and pull apart. There is a hard seed inside. Once peeled the fruit yields a flesh that is white and firm; the taste is sweet with a touch of acidity and is very refreshing.

Rambutan grows in large bunches on trees that can be as high as 20 m. A rambutan tree has broad foliage and many branches. In the southern provinces, the tree yields fruit at the beginning of the rainy season. Rambutan season lasts until the end of the rainy season, that means from May to October. The most famous rambutan fruit is grown in Binh Hoa Phuoc Village (Long Ho District, Vinh Long Province).

Rambutan fruit contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, calcium and vitamin C. This plant can be used as a medicinal fruit and have benefits for health such asReduce Body Fat, Make skin softer or Hair care.

Mandarin orange 9
Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with thin, loose peel, which have been dubbed "kid-glove" oranges. The mandarin tree may be much smaller than that of the sweet orange or equal in size, depending on variety.

Mandarin oranges are a popular citrus fruit of the orange family. They are often referred to as tangerines. The fruit is a native of Southeast Asia. It has a thin skin that is easy to peel. This makes it an ideal snack for children. Due to its nutritional benefits, the fruit is widely recognized as ideal for inclusion in a healthy diet. The mandarin is a good source of vitamins A and C. It contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. The fruit is also a good source of dietary fiber.

Ly Nhan has many kinds of sweet and well-smelt mandarin oranges but the best kind is the Quyt Huong (Perfume Mandarin) which has a distinct aroma. Previously, it was usually dedicated to the king. Ly Nhan is a district locating along the bank of the Red River . It has good soil that is advantageous for agricultural development.Unlike mandarins of other localities, the shape of Quyt Ly Nhan  is flattish. Their peels are very crisp, thin and have apricot yellow when ripe. Like oranges peels, mandarins peels have tiny otto which create a distinct perfume of mandarin.

Thứ Năm, 18 tháng 6, 2015

Streetwise Hanoi


Welcome to Hanoi! You’re in the political capital of Vietnam with a population of 7 million people. Like any big city, a tiny portion of those people are dodgy. Vietnam has vast cultural and legal differences to the west, that’s part of the reason why we love it. This means there’s some things us foreigners need to keep in mind. With decades of combined experience being backpackers who can’t seem to leave Vietnam, we’ve made a little list specific to Hanoi that we would like to share with you. We hope our experiences make yours even better & safer. Now don’t be worried, just be wary. Let’s get into it. North Vietnam tours

Crossing the street – Take a deep breath, look for a moment to commence and walk slowly and consistently across the street. They will go around you, have a bit of confidence and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Taxis - Some taxi drivers will try and take you for a ride. Hanoi Taxi Group (white, red & blue), Mai Linh (green) and ABC (white & pink) are most reputable. Ask our hostel to call you a taxi and write down the address for you.
Bia Hoi – Hanoi is legendary for it’s Bia Hoi, but be choosy. It’s home-brew made with varying levels of hygiene. There’s good Bia Hoi, and there’s bad Bia Hoi. The locals pay around 7,000vnd for a glass of good bia hoi. If you’re paying less than that, it’s probably not good. See our crew for some places to join the locals for some reputable Bia Hoi watering holes. Avoid cheap low quality product that could make you sick. Vietnam Halong bay tours
Cheap vodka – There is a reason why it is cheap, it can contain all sorts of nasties which can cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness & dizziness without even having a big night out! We see this all the time. There is a big market for low quality and fake spirits in Vietnam. VBH serve only imported Smirnoff Vodka and genuine spirits. They are more expensive, but they are safe, and they taste better. If you drink irresponsibly, at least drink smart
Streetwise Hanoi
Streetwise Hanoi

Disagreements with the locals – A rare circumstance usually involving boys and alcohol. There are 2 rules. Rule #1. – Never get involved in a fight with the Vietnamese. Rule #2 – If you’re drunk and a local does something you think deserves an act of aggression, immediately see rule #1. If a local really does do something wrong. Still see rule #1. The Vietnamese kicked China, France & the USA out of their town, you’re a small fry and they’ll treat you that way. In every circumstance, please please please see rule #1 and walk away. Peace. Vietnam Mekong river tours
Big nights out. All us backpackers understand that you never quite know when a massive night could come your way. We strongly advise that at some point during the build-up you take a moment to consider the location of your smartphone, passport, bankcards, and all your cash. If these things are in your possession when things escalate you run the risk of turning the night of your life into a nightmare. Please leave them somewhere safe before you get socially excited. There are security lockers in all rooms, and we have a safe to keep valuables in.
Getting home. Make sure you always have few a hostel cards to show your taxi or motorbike driver. Negotiate a price before you begin. Unfortunately it is rare to find a reputable motorbike or taxi driver after midnight. If you have problems, don’t make a scene, wait until you arrive at the hostel and ask night reception to assist you.
Cheap imitation tours. Be careful with Halong Bay especially. There are a number of dodgy companies that simply don’t care about your complaints after your shitty and sometimes unsafe experience. Many copycats pose shamelessly as long established reputable operators. For example there are currently 11 other places pretending to be our Castaways trip. There is only ONE real Castaways Island and it’s got a Red Buffalo. You really truly do get what you pay for. If it’s cheap, then it’s because the operator cuts corners. This means their boats can be any or all of the following: dirty, unseaworthy, environmentally disastrous, and most certainly have terrible decor. You may get lucky, but you may not. They will give you a great sales pitch and show you some great pictures, they’re experts. If you come back pissed off about your cheap shitty tour, we’ll do our best to help you, but aside from listening to you vent, giving you a cuddle and buying you a couple of beers to ease the pain, there’s not much more we can do. You’ve been warned!
Imitation hostels. Yes, you may get off a bus and a Vietnamese person with good English will tell you our hostel has closed down, or moved locations. They may even have one of our business cards. They may even get on the bus before it stops to give you some “advice”. Check online the location of our hostels, grab a card for each one, and only go to that address. If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s not. Simple.
Cash – The 500,000 note is a similar colour to the 20,000 notes! One is worth $24 the other is worth <$1. Don’t get them mixed up!
Be patient when communicating with the locals. Speak slowly, English is a very difficult language for the Vietnamese to pronounce, much harder than for Laotians, Cambodians and Thai’s. Their English is a lot better than your Vietnamese, so smile, laugh and enjoy the sign language! Even better, learn little language.
In the immortal words of Mr. T. “Don’t do drugs”. Penalties in Vietnam are so harsh we prefer not to talk about it. This is not California or the Caribbean. Weed is not ok, and harder drugs are even less ok. There is a large hemp growing industry in Vietnam and some locals will try and sell dope from these plants, but the joke is on you, you can still get done for possession, yet the plants are genetically engineered so that you don’t get you high. When it comes to drugs in Vietnam, please don’t be stoopid. As Mr. T also said “I pity the fool!”
Comply with the police. In the highly unlikely event you run into trouble, be polite, keep your cool and do what you can to remove yourself from the situation.
Vietnam is not the place to learn to ride a motorbike. If you are riding a motorbike, always wear a helmet. Pretty pretty please don’t get drunk and ride. We unfortunately have experienced a range of unfortunate circumstances pertaining to irresponsible motorbike behaviour, and because of this we would please insist you read this line again. :-)
Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We’re all a bunch of backpackers who are still in love with Vietnam. We are here to help. If we don’t know, we’ll know someone who does.

Thứ Năm, 11 tháng 6, 2015

Top things to do in Quy Nhon



Relatively unknown and free of mass tourism, the coastal city of Quy Nhon (the capital of Binh Dinh province in central Vietnam) will seduce those who love to travel off the beaten tracks.

Called ‘Pulo Cambi’ by Portuguese Jesuits who settled there in the 1620s, its origins date back to 11th century Champa culture.

Quy Nhon is also known as the birthplace of the eighteenth Vietnamese Emperor, Nguyen Hue. The city experienced a major U.S. military presence and its hinterland was the scene of heavy fighting during the Vietnam War. However, only a half-buried U.S. tank (on the beach, south of the Lan Anh Hotel) reflects this dark parenthesis of history. Centre Vietnam tours

Quy Nhon made up the main port for all military forces in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region. Almost all the supplies for the area were unloaded from ships moored in the port before being transported by aircraft.

A large number of U.S. Army support units were also based in the city and its suburbs, including a field hospital and a large supply center. MANGO CRUISE

Quy Nhon In 1975 the South Vietnam Navy evacuated its soldiers and some civilians before abandoning the strategic city of Nha Trang in May 1975, leaving North Vietnamese tanks and infantry to occupy nearly half of the territory of the Republic of South Vietnam.
Top things to do in Quy Nhon
Top things to do in Quy Nhon

Today, things have changed.

Quy Nhon has just begun to capitalize on its huge potential for tourism. At 42 km long, the coast is indeed ​​remarkable with its white sand beaches. Abundant seafood is served in local restaurants at a price that defies competition.

And if historical remnants aren’t Quy Nhon’s greatest strength, we must admit the city and its outskirts still contain some interesting sites worth visiting.

Quy NhonThe picturesque Queen’s Beach, in particular, deserves a visit.

Named in memory of last Vietnamese Emperor Bao Dai’s wife, Queen’s Beach is accessible via An Duong Vuong Street, with your back to the peninsula. Paradise Cruise Halong bay

On the way, a paved road leads to a ledge where you can see the tomb of famous Vietnamese writer Han Mac Tu, one of the great figures of Vietnamese literature. Further on, you’ll come to the famous beach where you can stop for refreshments.

Although not a good place for swimming, Queen’s Beach is interesting because of its many blue, egg-shaped, smooth stones superimposed on the small beach pummeled by waves. That is why Queen’s Beach is also called ‘Egg Stone Beach’.

Continuing on the road along the headland, you arrive at Qui Hoa Beach, very quiet and ideal for swimming. A hospital Leproserythat specialises in treating leprosy has been built nearby. In its charming garden, you can admire statues of famous French and Vietnamese doctors. Visitors are welcome.

Arguably the best spot for swimming is probably Bai Dai Beach, a beautiful stretch of white, fine sand.

Located on 13.5 hectares, Bai Dai Beach is frequented by few tourists. With a beautiful view of Cu Lao Xanh Island, Bai Dai remains quite wild. Activities available from the beach include kayak trips to neighboring islands.

The Cham towers of Banh It (20 km north of Quy Nhon, at the top of a hill that boasts panoramic views of the countryside) and those nearest to Thap Doi are remarkable for their sculptures. Despite their years, both sites are in good condition and worth visiting.

If you have time, you can also have a look at Long Khanh Pagoda, Quy Nhon’s main pagoda, built in the 18th century and famous for its 17-meter-high Buddha.

Practical Information:

- Binh Dinh Province is 1065 km from Hanoi and 680 km from Ho Chi Minh City. You can get to Binh Dinh by car, train or plane. Note that the train stops at Dieu Tri Train Station, about 10 km west of Quy Nhon.

- There is a VND 5000 admission fee to Queen Beach (plus an extra 2000 if you’re riding a motorcycle).

- You can go to the hospital that treats leprosy by turning left at the end of An Duong Vuong Street. The hospital entrance is well marked, a few hundred meters further down the road.

Thứ Năm, 4 tháng 6, 2015

A guide to souvenir and gift shopping in Vietnam


We all know that happiness is real only when it is shared. And the best way to share the happiness after your travel is to bring souvenirs and make gifts for people you love. Because only in such a way we can share our impressions and let them also feel energy of the places we saw and literally touch the culture and history of the country. And of course, don’t forget to make a gift for yourself – it will remind you about all the days and moments that you spent in beautiful and mysterious Vietnam! Are you tired of fridge magnets and need ideas of creative and valuable gifts? We are here to help you! Vietnam travel

Conical Hat
Conical Hat has become one of the true symbols of Vietnam and, probably, nobody is coming back home without the one on a head and few more in a suitcase! The hats may have different styles, depending on a region where it comes from.  For example, Tay group has distinctively red color, Thanh Hoa has only 20-hem frame, Hue’s is thin and elegant while Binh Dinh’s is thick. So not only the hat itself, but also a story behind it will be a great reminder about Vietnamese adventures! It also possible to make it with your own hands with the help of locals craftsmen. JAHAN CRUISE

Silk
Silk items or silk fabric can be a great gift for the people you love, including for yourself! Every time when the person will wear or touch a beautiful silk dress, scarf or suit, he will touch the entire history and culture of Vietnam at the same time. One of the best places to shop for silk is Hoi An, a small beautiful town located on the coast of the East sea and famous for its old traditional craftsmanship. Here you will find more than 400 silk and tailor shops with a great choice and the highest quality items .Paradise Cruise
A guide to souvenir and gift shopping in Vietnam
A guide to souvenir and gift shopping in Vietnam

Silk Paintings
In Vietnam silk is used not only for making clothes! Do you have a friend who is an art lover or passionate about Eastern culture? Then silk paintings maybe a right choice for you! You can find paintings in different sizes, colours, prices, but each of them is a real piece of art, created by Vietnamese artists using ancient traditional techniques and ornaments. Such a gift will be a great decoration for any house in any part of the world.

Guoc Moc
From Vietnamese, guoc moc is translated as sole sisters. For people here, this is not only everyday shoes, but also an important part of a history and culture of the country as guoc moc shoes for the first time were mentioned in a third century book as a footwear of a Vietnamese resistance movement leader. Nowadays literally everyone in a Vietnam has a pair of guoc moc, and these stylish and comfortable shoes will be the best gift for any fashion-monger!

War Souvenirs
There are many collectors in the world interested in collecting war memoirs, and if you know one of them (or you are the one), then in Vietnam you should definitely visit Dan Sinh Market (also known as War Surplus Market), that sells genuine and authentic surplus of Vietnam War. Here you can buy war memories from both, Vietnamese and American sides, which remain important historic relics.

Vietnamese Ceramics
Vietnam had been famous for its high-quality ceramics for centuries. One of the places where you can buy a great porcelain is an ancient Battrang Pottery Village, which is only 10km away from Hanoi, on the left bank of the Red River. Here you can not only buy beautiful items, but also participate in a workshop with local craftsmen and make a piece by yourself! Isn’t it the best gift for the one you love?

Vietnamese Embroidery 
Another stunning gift from Vietnam is a handmade embroidery. It comes from a 700-year-old tradition and even nowadays girls are expected to know how to decorate their clothes, pillowcases, curtains, tablecloths, etc. So such kind of gist will be not only a beautiful decoration element of a house, but also a great example of deep roots of Vietnamese culture.