>> Sapa - city in the mist

Sapa is like the pretty girl hiding in the morning when earth sleeping also, with lashes on the cool dreamy eyes still are young and fresh. In recent years, this renowned venue is ideal for honeymoon couples .


City in the mist

Someone has said that, not to Sapa with love, but only up with friends, with family. By, the cold earth of Sa Pa, charming scenery which will make people desire to mix with each other, will hardly resist the attraction of love, and if you’re apart will be another unforgettable !

Located in the northwest of the Vietnam country, Sapa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai province, is also a popular tourist destination with many beautiful scenic spots. With many tourists have come once, Sapa is a land of modest, quietly but hides many wonders of the natural scene, there are many interesting discoveries.



Engulfed in heavy clouds floating, Sapa as a magical city in the mist, paint a natural scenery picture


The natural scenery of Sapa is combined with human creativity with the topography of the mountains, green forests, the paintings are arranged in a harmonious composition form a land of many scene romantic appeal. Who may once more, then the farm poetry, music and pictures are subject Sapa desire is enough to stop where land and the sun will kiss .

Sa Pa is one of the rare places in Vietnam with snow. There are the time, snow fall consecutive than 12 hours, a thick gloves. Engulfed in heavy clouds floating, Sapa as a magical city in the mist, paint a picture charming natural scenery landscape. Here, things are invaluable resources that cool fresh air, bringing many diverse nuances. So besides the rich fruit, tourists are satisfied watching mountain girls with pink skin, thinner in the sun and wind of Sapa.



Stone church in Sapa


Sapa coloring climate temperate and subtropical as well as Da Lat, Ba na … Weather in town one day four seasons, but have felt the season where there are clearly other places. In the morning, you can garden, up the mountain to feel the weather is like spring with flowers blooming forests.At noon the weather like in summer, sunlight is gentle enough to make girls pink cheeks. Afternoon clouds and mist falling feels fresh and cold for the night sky as the cold of winter. At this time, next to a kitchen fire odor corn, potatoes, and you will feel warm most of Sapa.

Sa Pa origin of name: “Sa” is the sand, “P? ” is the bank. Old days no Sa Pa, inhabitants of this land is for the “sand” . Therefore, local people who also say “Sa P? shopping.” Two words “Sa P?” Westerners pronounce no sign, so the Sa Pa. Also Sapa today, before a circuit module to the muddy red water, the locals called “Hung Hu”, “Hung” is red, “Ho” is the streams, red streams.

Venue for climbers

Go Sapa, many young people are eager to once again look at and above the conquered Phan Si Pang mount high 3.143m on Hoang Lien Son range. Phan Si Pang was dubbed the roof of Indochina. Call Hoang Lien Son, because only on this mountain Hoang Lien(celandine), a precious medicinal herbs, rare.

Also, Hoang Lien also focused a lot of valuable wood species, precious and rare birds such as partridges, bears, monkeys, chamois. There are nearly 900 species of plants, including medicinal plants and 173 species and 37 mammal species recorded in the “Red Book of Vietnam” to be present at this famous forest.



Hoang Lien Son range


If tourists want a trip hiking time interesting, climbing is appropriate in September from the previous year to March next year. But Phan Si Pang is the most beautiful late February, when the mountain flowers begin to bloom. You will clearly feel the fragrance of mountain flowers such as peach, plum… weaving in the wind sweeping in, in the mist.
Total time climbing mount of only about 2-3 days , even with the expertise and good health can make in a day. A provision for the climbers here are not litter in the forest, to protect the environment. If you forget, could be fined heavily or be reminded of other visitors immediately.

Conquer a mountain is much easier than the Hoang Lien Son Mountain in Ham Rong adjacent Sapa. Any visitor can also up to the panoramic view of the town, the Muong Hoa valley, Sapa, Ta Phin is hidden in the smog. Located at an altitude of nearly 2000m, Ham Rong mountain from center about ten minutes the walk. From here you will see four towns spring cloud, the prototype of many paintings, photographs have won international awards.



Terraced fields in Sapa

Beyond the terraced fields is a harvest of golden color, swirling the endless circle, full of life. Left side, the Ho village as a mirror of the sun, dark red that afternoon. Besides the natural beauty of nature, beautiful place thanks to the hard man’s restoration. Up Ham Rong, travelers lost in the garden, clouds rushed tight body, flowers bright surface.
You will touch on the “kingdom” of flowers and fruits with special products such as peach flowers, peach to yellow, small yellow peach, purple plum, plum flowers, pear flowering, chrysanthemums, roses … especially with live flowers immortal time. The couple loved each other would be hard to forget those beautiful moments in arms between heaven and earth to grace this place.

In March, you will clearly feel the fragrance of mountain flowers such as peach, plum … weaving in the wind sweeping in, in the fog

Not far from Ham Rong mountain, visitors can find your heart again compiled minutes before settling old church right in town and goes from town to the northeast on the road to Ta Phin cave is a monastery was built near full stone, in a hillside clear, cool. Walk through the monastery three miles to our north Ta Phin cave, stalactites make a lot more interesting shapes like the fairy dance, the fairy seated, far fields, sparkle woods.

It seems from the church to the monastery and the cave is an experience in the real space and time to forget the worries, permanent fatigue. If you want this to feel better, you can reach the famous ancient rock. 8km2 rocks extending nearly 200 blocks is a sequela of the presence of history here. The stone carvings of the many strange inhabitants of ancient wedge ago thousands year that many archaeologists have not been decoded.





There appear strange patterns on the rocks with different shapes: the ladder, the people, the road and written … concentric rings are quite similar to the sun symbol, featuring male and female mating – the proliferation symbol and many of the strange markings. October 1994 Sapa ancient rock is the Van eager recognition information is historical and current national state is being proposed as UNESCO world cultural heritage.

Discover the beauty of ethnic

Speaking to Sapa is said to have more floor area rich cultural diversity, but very personal with festival festival as “Roong poc” of Giay Ta Van people. Festival “Sai San” – the mountain bike of Mong people, festival “Tet nhay” of the Red Dao people, all of which took place in January, February lunar year.



The colourful market of Sapa


Sa Pa’s fair, a meeting point of many ethnic groups meet on Sunday in the town of Sa Pa has been a most interesting visitors here. A bold but fair beyond national identity that tourists often visit to the Bac Ha market which is known for are still kept intact, and ticket bearing the features of the highland peoples of Vietnam.Bac Ha market is not just a place to buy and sell the other markets where exchange and local exchange of goods with goods from other provinces, and where the exchange of cultural encounter between the local peoples. Tourists come to see very clearly this market culture of the ethnic market.

Once down the mountain, the girls, the grandmother, mother and child are blooming with the new colorful dresses of all colors, they see this as the festival down the mountain. Bac Ha market is a special place for men dating young girls of Highlander meet every week hard working.

People in remote areas go grocery must from a two days before the fair, so on Saturday night with fun people together by the folk songs of the Mong boys and girls, the Dao, by the sound lips musical instrument, flute, pan-pipe of Mong people, with the bowl filled wine of older people … All both sweet ferment but very fervid of the Sa Pa mountains. Here, everyone was so charming, had missed each other, so it also called “Cho Tinh” (Love market).






Sapa town about 12km on the road to Lai Chau, we will meet the Thac Bac (Silver waterfall) with poured water from a height of 200 m form the mighty bass jungle sounds. All are contributing to a Sapa as romantic and fanciful. For many years away forever Sapa, you still remember a quiet Sapa, a lyrical Sapa as a dream deeply in nostalgia …

>> Vietnamese water puppet

The soul motherland on characters
Water Puppet is a unique art which has it origin in the delta of the Red river in the tenth century. The farmers in this region devised a form of entertainment using what natural medium they can find in their environment.

Vietnamese water puppet


In ancient times, the ponds and the rice paddies after harvest were the stage for these impromptu shows. This art form is unique to North Vietnam and only finds its way to the world stage in recent years as a result of the normalized relation with the West. Today the Thang Long puppet troupe is the most well known in Ha Noi.

Modern, water puppetry is performed in a pool of water with the water surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface.

The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in north Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets.

The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore.It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren.

Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted. Legends and national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist.

>> If you have only 24 hours in Hanoi

My friend was a tour guide said that many foreign tourists alone a backpack to Hanoi. Many people and only 24 hours to "live" with the city, so after leaving Hanoi they wrote on many forums, "complained" that they are almost in contact with Hanoi as a destination , but can not touch a corner of the soul of Hanoi.


So today, if you only have 24 right now in Hanoi, I will volunteer to lead you, do you really live with the capital of my country, feel with all their senses on a city has a long thousand years old.



West lake in the early morning


Must get up early. Start with an early morning routine at 4 am, I will catch you and carry you across the West Lake, where the romantic mist just like a thousand years. In the early summer, when Hanoi was not the sound by a vehicle, you will also find time to smell ethereal lotus in the breeze cool.But step into the Quang Ba flower market, you will have the opportunity to reach the heart of Hanoi. Because in this land, flower kiosk is impress point on the street, and each fresh flowers vase is always the habits of the family in Hanoi.



Quang Ba flowers market


Like all other wholesale markets, the largest flower market in Hanoi, which meets at midnight, but the intervals 3, 4 is the busiest hours. The people jostle flowers, flower jostle people, call each other, laughing voice tumult. You can not do is consecutive press the camera shots.

And you can chat with people year-round care for the suburban flower fields, so each morning, the flower vehicle to fit about on the streets of Hanoi, embellish for the capital a thousand years, I sure, you hardly find in other vibrant cities.



Bat Dan noodle

Daybreak, I'll take you to the most famous noodle(Pho) shop in Hanoi city on Bat Dan street or Hang Dong street to taste noodle famous the world of Hanoi, watching each doorway of the Old street open to welcome a new day. Then more wonderful if you and I mixed in along the master of the position Quarter, down the Hoan Kiem lake in the morning.

I will tell you about turtle tower, the sacred Ho Guom Turtle lake has in legend, has a rare animal in the world today but there are clusters of red ear turtle invasion habitat. In the middle The Huc bridge, I'll tell you about "special" lake of my capital.

Hundreds of lakes in the city is really good examples in that little city has been. And so, people in Hanoi are very proud of the lake in the city.



Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and Ba Dinh square


Then I will lead you to visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. The Vietnam we used to call them by lovely names: Uncle Ho. Visit the Mausoleum is a chance for you to learn deeply about a national hero of our country who has gained worldwide recognition.

If you are a lover of literature, I will take you to "explore" a winding lane in a small town Bui Xuong Trach, where the writer Nguyen Huy Thiep lived quietly for years.

Nguyen Huy Thiep is one of the famous writers in Vietnam, is also the author of works translated into many languages ​​around the world (hence, perhaps he is the writer of Vietnam has received a lot of money earnings pen unit from the foreign publishers).

If you can not refuse, man and wife will invite you to eat a lunch with the vegetables in the garden of the house and stories of cultural transformation in the interesting tone slow but fascinating.

If you love word painting , I'll put you on the the Vong Thi village edge of Westlake, met Bui Hanh Can, 91 year old, who painted very special word of Hanoi. Any word or poet even an idea that Bui Hanh Be certain that draw, you will notice a surprising, unexpected to fun.

If you are a lover of books, I will carry you round the Bat Dan street, where have ancient books warehouse in the heart of Old town of old teacher named Phan Trac Canh. House No. 5 is always closed the door, turning as before busy street every inch of gold ground , about ... 10 tons of old books filled every corner, along the entrance stairs.

Books in many different fields, there are rare special edition, like the book "Souvernirs de Hue" in French in 1867 from the author Michel Duc Chaigneau has written memories of Hue the carefully wrapped. The book "Han van tan giao khoa thu" published in 1928 and "Five natural order" in 1929 also remain intact.

The owner of the "private library" was also collected books about Hanoi is quite impressive. Many foreign researchers such as Professor Yao Takao or spouses archaeologists Kikuchi Seichi and Abe Yuriko ... also be looking to "house books " thanks to him to find the books for the study.



Hanoi opera house


Afternoon Hanoi, I will lead you run across the Hanoi Opera House and do not forget to turn over Trang Tien street. Then I take you to the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, where I will have plenty to tell you about the traditions and history of Hanoi.

March / 2010, 82 doctoral stele was built in 1484 to 1780 has been recognized as a UNESCO heritage materials in the world and every stone that has become the first world heritage site of Ha Noi.



Temple of Literature - The first university in Vietnam


Leaving the Temple of Literature, I was driving slowly on Hoang Dieu street, and show you the simple house where Vo Nguyen Giap general lived with his family several decades. "Giap general " - certainly the name that you know, he tied the war to protect the people of Vietnam.

When the city lights up, I will join you to walk the final steps of a day in Hanoi, through the OQuan Chuong city gate - a single city gate remains have been restored to become a "stranger" . And I'll tell you about the city gates was lost, the battles of the Army's capital to defend every inch of land is much loved.



Quan Chuong city gate

Dinner has arrived. I invite you to Cha Ca (fried fish) restaurant - a place already on a list of "10 places needed before death". Origin ups and downs of this restaurant is a story I think will surprise you there.



La Vong fried fish

Then we're on Long Bien Bridge - the bridge turned 100 age, became a familiar symbol of Hanoi.

Just walking on the bridge, heard the Red River waves gently pat around me and to the bitter cold wind rushes typical winter Hanoi taken into the collar. I want to stop here to offer you a cup of coffee in a cafe on the Thanh Nien street, so you look back down the line the busy street.



Long Bien bridge and Red river


The experience in short 24 hours, I believe you have touched the depths, touching a corner of the soul and the Thang Long land :).

>> Visit the Co Loa citadel

Who ever read the history of Vietnam can not be unknown to the Co Loa citadel, Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong. And who has ever read the fairy tales, legends Vietnam can not be unknown to the legend My Chau - Trong Thuy. I went to Co Loa on a sunny day, with a little curiosity and desire to return to historical roots that existed thousands of years.

Thorough Chuong Duong bridge, follow the 1A National Highway to 10 kilometers that the Duong bridge. Go through bridge is the Yen Vien town, turn left on Highway 3, go 5km to the junction turn right, go 2 km further is the Co Loa ruins.

Despite being the center of the capital not far, but when set foot on land in the old capital I still feel really weird. Open space, fresh air. Co Loa immediate embodiment for the image of a northern village, with river wharf and yard of communal house from member countries, ancient banyan tree by the breath of life with modern, with "miscellaneous" culture seems less invasive to life here.





Co Loa was the capital of the Au Lac feudal, under King An Duong Vuong is about the 3rd century BC and the Van Xuan state under Ngo Quyen 10 century AD. This second capital of Vietnam after Phong Chau (Phu Tho province today), is the capital of the Hung Kings.

According to archaeological documents, this is where ancient forests, the transformation of nature, all into the ground, the only evidence left large tracts of peat, ancient trees ... extended over local from Dai Bi through Cau Ca, Dai Da, Hoi Phu to Lo Khe.

Co Loa relic located on the territory three communes as Co Loa, Duc Tu and Viet Hung, Dong Anh district (Hanoi), the center of Hanoi capital about 17km north.

Unlike other historical monuments, Co Loa is a relic area spread over a large area. Co Loa citadel legend of nine spiral, but based on the traces still exist, the scientists found the three rings, which are within the interior can be made later, under Ngo Quyen dynasty.

Circumference outside cycle is 8 km the city, within the 6.5 km, within the 1.6 km area of ​​the center up to 2 km ². City was built by the method of digging trenches to cut it anywhere, to anywhere up, cumulative build up to it. The outside powers, steep, in mangoes to hit it hard, the type that is easy. Rampart high from the 4 m-5m, there are still 8 m-12 m. Rampart feet wide 20m-30m , rampart surface wide 6m-12m. Volume of earth dug up an estimated 2.2 million m3.

From the inner ring - the center of the Co Loa ruins - i went along the village way to "spin" back out to the perimeter. Over thousands of years with rise and fall of history, with the change of the nature of creation, the old hillock now only the average mound about 2 m high, but according to the specific elders in the village is like going through all three walls round it takes nearly a half-day.



Ngoc well


Co Loa relic of the past in the present, consisting mainly of home, temple, mosque as typical Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong (Thuong temple), the Ngoc well, Princess small temple and the palace reign .

Through the village gate, that inner gate, is to Co Loa communal house. According to legend, it is the old foundation, where all officials in the court meet and talk the old days then in here horizontal board "Ngu Trieu Di Quy"





Inside the "Ngu Trieu Di Quy" there are many archaeological relics dating back thousands of years, especially the bronze arrows from the An Duong Vuong.



Bronze arrows from the An Duong Vuong

Next communal house that Princess small temple - princess My Chau shrine, lies nestled under the old ancient banian tree. Temple am little short life as princess of pity for "the heart to make the top." In temple have human rock no head, who also told that the My Chau statue.

Princess My Chau statue is a natural stone appearance headless human. Legend has it that after My Chau change to the big rock to drift on the Duong Cam beach, in the east of Loa, people in citadel bring a hammock carry to root of banian tree that hammock break, rock falls, went up am worship on the spot.



My Chau - Trong Thuy legend


Through My Chau temple to Thuong Temple that An Duong Vuong Temple, legend building on harem base ago. This temple was revived in the early 20th century, with two stone dragons at the steps of the temple are relics or Tran dynasty or Le. In the An Duong Vuong temple in the new cast on the same occasion as the building temple. Before the temple is Ngoc well, legend is where Trong Thuy suicide because of remorse. This well water that washed pearls, the pearl brings light multiplies!

The population of the Co Loa historic, Thuong Temple (Temple Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong) is the most notable visit. The temple was built in 1687 King Le Thanh Tong Hi, standing on a hill past the king's palace.





Before the temple gate with two stone winding dragons, hand beard, exquisitely carved, representing the Le sculpture.

Through the three door temple gate, entered the temple the trees is an open ventilate space, fresh made everyone feel cheery soul, peace of mind.

Step inside the temple is a wide space to turn the altar of the promotion of literature and martial arts, from the head court, the Kim Quy genie and Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong.





Rock embankment in the citadel foot, the ceramic sprayed of citadel edge, the winding ditch, mounds complex, tortuous terrain that Co Loa today not only has become a cultural legacy, a testament to the creativity, technical proficiency as well as the ancient Vietnamese culture in the struggle against foreign aggression and retention country, but a an ideal destination for tourists from everywhere to explore cultural values, the familiar image of a peaceful village in the North of Vietnam.

Every year on the 6th lunar month, residents of Co Loa held a solemn festival to commemorate those who have the build up citadel, especially grateful to An Duong Vuong, who gave birth to the Au Lac feudal .