One Vietnam, many realities.. A complete travel

we entered Vietnam from Cambodia via the river and we visited the following places:
Mekong delta
Saigon
Dalat,
Nha Trang,
Hoi An,
Hue,
Hanoi,
Sapa,
Halong Bay

BACKGROUND:
After a year of waiting and fearless studio finally I enjoyed the trip to Cambodia and Vietnam.
The trip lasted a month and we chose the dry season but already some 'hot in February, as usual, we discussed the trip with his knapsack on my shoulder and almost no reservation.

Our journey started in Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia and then travel throughout Vietnam from north to south including the classic destinations such as:
• the Mekong delta (Cantho and Chau Doc)
• Saigon (tour to Cu Chi tunnels)
• Dalat, Nha Trang (hiking islands)
• Hoi An, Hue (river excursion perfumes)
• Sapa (trekking villages ethnic minorities)
• Halong Bay
• Hanoi (Pagoda tour of perfumes).

Most of the transfers we have made with the Sinh Cafe bus, a tour like the other, in fact copying this successful tour operators have sprung so many others who at times offer the best travel, sometimes not and sometimes, if they have a few participants them together to share costs.

Vietnam is a country with complex cultural situations, historical and social very different to the point that one has the impression of visiting many different countries.

For this reason, put, for each city, a specific comment in this opinion and comments synthetics and some practical information to organize the trip.

? TRAVEL DIARY
Our entry into Vietnam was the Mekong through a po 'to the heart, the romantic idea of crossing a border true, a little' for the reason, to optimize the movement.

 

Border and Mekong delta

In Phnom Pehn, at the Capitol tour, we bought a package including three days of tours and two nights hotel accommodation (35 usd each) from the Cambodian capital, through the Mekong, has allowed us to visit the delta to reach Saigon ( Now Ho Chi Min).
The navigation has the great advantage of allowing you to admire the landscape with a rich tropical vegetation, villages of fishermen along the river and the passing of the peaceful life that the local is inevitably tied to the rhythms of the Mekong and he depends. It docks at the border and go down to the control of documents, to go back soon just to travel a few meters. The new stop is for the customs of Vietnam, where we are forced to pay the fee for quarantine (?) Is equal to 2,000 dong (1 usd = 16,000 dong). While the documentation will take advantage also for lunch. In the midst of chickens quarantined (in the face dell'aviaria?) Boundary also marks the return di'imbarcazione and guidance which we now propose the exchange of dollars to dong 1 to 15,000, but no one waterfall! We arrive at the port and then directly in the town of Chau Doc (pronounced Ciaudok), where we have the whole afternoon available. Immediately emerge in exploration and, I also take advantage to change dollars into dong useful to make small purchases especially culinary: hot skewers of shrimp on the river, slices of homemade cakes at the kids from school etc.. The village, very small, bonsai is flooded with all the flower beds, lanes, sidewalks and streets are covered with bonsai of all shapes and sizes! For New Year gift and use it to buy bonsai and yellow flowers, but there would have never imagined such a spectacle.

Chau Doc: bonsais, floating houses and snakes

After having consumed the good breakfast and have witnessed the passage of the dragon dance with lots of local matatona we direct all driving to the port where many small pirogues (maximum 2 people) we were eager to visit the houseboats. The piles are embedded in the Mekong ordered, clean and with all the comforts. We move in the midst of houses, surrounded by water lilies and there is also in retail trade newspaper. Course of the ritual visit to several houses with farming of fish and other products. The visit also includes an ethnic village with a mosque I would define it nice but not exceptional.

To return to port it is transferred on the bus to visit the temples on the mainland. The temples in Vietnam are of two types (regardless of the religion practiced) may be multicolored and super Kisco or traditional, mystical and sober. We have visited several of both types (in the brochure mentioning always to Lady Chua Xu is indeed very beautiful).
Along the way we visited a farm of crocodiles, interesting for those who have not ever seen but it has some 'intristito.
It arrives in the early afternoon to Cantho (pronounced sung), the largest town of the former, where advantage to shopping in a large shopping mall.
The sun beat hot and make the arduous journey on foot towards the center of the country but is worth the penalty. The center, which is also the longest river, is orderly and clean, of course, full of yellow flowers! The many restaurants offer all the specialties and are located on the main street. After a short rest at the hotel for the evening we again returned to the center for dinner and enjoy the nightlife. E 'stato molto divertente: boys and girls "in draft" that formed the pools (strictly with the motor!) And tried discrete approaches but goffi. We tried one of the restaurants recommended by Lonely P. but we were pretty bad. There are, however, removed the whim to try the snake knows but chicken is a bit 'rubbery.

Cantho: floating markets and flowers

The next day, the pier, we took the motor boat to visit the floating market. Quaint and colorful is the most popular and loose in the Delta. It 'fun to see how beautiful they are organized: every boat loads of goods were hoisted a long cane that are tied some fruit or vegetables on the basis that on sale. (from Pineapple to courgettes). These "signs" are visible from a distance and allow the search for the desired product.
Using the same boat we sent in the various branches of the river by visiting beautiful landscapes, a small factory, where the rice is processed and a cultivation of tropical fruits that we had to taste it all and more but we have had only pineapple and bananas, and myself that I was deluded to eat papaya and mango! Returned to the pier, after having lunch at Cantho, continue by bus to Saigon with stop at the covered market Vinh Longe where we tasted candied fruit striking and, in theory stop the bonsai garden in My Tho seen only in passing.
-> Saigon Late afternoon we arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Min official name but used only in the north) into the the Sinh Cafe. We arrive just in the area of independent travelers that Phan Ngu Lao (pronounced fangulào). The road is an alternation of travel agencies, shops and hotels. And 'Saturday and all the hotels are booked or occupied. We begin the pilgrimage along the streets around but the only room that is free is really dilapidated and costs 10 usd. The humidity there sticky clothes and makes him even more unbearable weight of the backpack. Stanchi nervous and decide to stop for a night. Through our German friend, known along the trip, we booked for two nights after a clean and decent room in a side alley for 5 usd per night. In the evening, due to the indecency of the room and the impossibility of taking a shower we decide to go immediately to Sinh Cafe to book various trips.
First, consider the distances between points of interest, we decided to try the guided tour of the city (needless to say, you can go it alone) with the Sinh Cafe 6 usd / p for the following day, then frightened by the difficulty of finding the place We bought the bus tickets open to find that the price was not indicated on the site, but slightly higher in view of Tet and the weekend in which prices doubled (Saigon - Dalat - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue total 28 usd / p). While we were in the mood to shop, we also searched a flight from Hue to Hanoi. This last was a real problem: not found! We spent 5 travel agencies and at the end we managed to find only in business class, due Wednesday, 21 places for spending 75usd / p.
Exhausted, without a shower, dinner and turn around.

SAIGON : visit to the city

After a night made difficult by the hot sultry despite the fan and be washed with buckets ... 6:00 to close the bags and we move to another hotel where we provide a bed, but not yet free, and we entrust our suitcases all 'entrance guarded by a girl who sleeps on a couch in hard wood.
We need a good breakfast and then away for the tour with enthusiasm!
Saigon, chaotic, noisy, sometimes dirty but full of life, of humanity in any form, we know surprising!
Populated with a bus at 8:30 we left on time (for the return 17:00) and the first step was the GIAN • LAM PAGODA, with a truly mystical with carved wood and wrapped in gray scented smoke of incense. The silence is broken only by the prayers Cantilena: This pagoda is really used by the faithful and tourists, strangely, does not see. Take many photos is very photogenic!
• The Cholon: west of the center is the district number 5, which is called Colon, which means "big market". E 'il quartiere cinese but seems less Chinese Chinatown in Milan because of the anti-violent campaign of 1978.
• • HAU TEMPLE THIENE BINH TAY MARKET (covered market), to be honest here, we just watched and took photos: excellent food, the area with red bags of shrimp and sugar, sorted by refinement, and then exposed to alcohol and color too.
• MUSEUM OF RESIDUES war (Entry 10000 dong) contains weapons, tanks, planes and other military means vietcong and Americans captured during the war. The most interesting are the various rooms, set very well, with the history and reconstruction of traditional prisons. The confidential part to the effects of chemical, Agent Orange in the first place, is very strong: if you have children evaluated the hypothesis of no show or how to explain what they see. Photographs are very crude and particularly that of children born deformed due to the effect of pesticides and defoglianti used by the Americans. While the Cambodian camps were hard for what we imagined here is nothing left to imagination and the pictures are blows to humanity.
• The facade of the cathedral is impressive and elegant while the interior is, as always, a riot of neon and lights that surround the sacred images. Next is the • GENERAL POST OFFICE, ie the post office still in use where to buy stamps very beautiful. The building looks like a train station and is guarded by a huge portrait of Ho Chi Min on the central wall of the building.
• PAGODA GIADA empire of 1909 built by the Cantonese congregation is a precious example of a Chinese temple. Colorful and full of heroes and gods grotesque definitely worth a visit.
• PALAZZO the unification, instead, was closed for some kind of ceremony in progress and we have limited ourselves to a brief stop to admire it and take some pictures through the large gates. We are thus returned to an hour in advance at the Sinh Cafe.
Considerations on the tour: the guide spoke English almost incomprehensible to everyone and we mostly used our Lonely. We decided therefore to try another agency for the Viet Viet visit the Cu chi tunnels the next day. Among the tours is also available combined the visit with the tunnel • CAO DAI TEMPLE, interesting mainly for the ceremony, however, was suspended for 10 days because of Tet.
With still a lot of free time we went in to make sure the hotel room, non-simple view of the little girls' understanding of English. The room, clean, fairly large with bathroom although small. The cost of 5 usd (2.50 each) is an excellent solution.
Finally a shower! Shooting the forces we direct the focus to make a trip to the market, at the end of the street for dinner and then walking.
Across the main street, for the Tet was covered with yellow flowers, bonsai and colorful orchids. The air of celebration, the children dressed in the clothes and good shoes with sound, parents who take pictures, music to air (everywhere cha cha'50s). And the air of the sea ...! Yes seems to be on the beach!
The covered market at the end of Phan Ngu Lao is great: there is really everything and low prices! We obviously have taken advantage to make many purchases: chopsticks, lacquer, teapots, t-shirts, traditional clothing, silk shirts .... The suitcase, which was specifically not too full start to sweat. The department has great fruit and give in to the temptation of a beautiful mango scented that considering the size, as dinner is enough!

Cu chi tunnel (Saigon surroundings)

• CU CHI TUNNEL - The city wakes up very early at 6:00 and already have all already on the move with their motorbikes, the horns and voices. E ', therefore, difficult to stay in bed until late. At 8:00 we go to agency and, along the way, I can still make purchases: my boyfriend is desolate! We are only 5 and the driver comes running to address on a bus already occupied by other groups also operate in the same way: you buy a tour through it together is to recover the costs, other tour, and each pays a different price. The group, however, is different from that of the Sinh crossings along the route. This time the guide speaks impeccable English, even if it is very snobbish and not very likeable. Along the way you stop to visit once, but always interesting production of lacquers, carving, embroidery, etc.. The way to Cu Chi runs fast even if it is not short. Along the trip the guide explains the various systems from Vietcong tunnels created to control the territory, to live, fight and maintain trade with the north of the country. Arrivati you visit within the forest, the various systems of traps, reconstruction of housing and also a movie of the Party of the original. Finally, if you want, you can visit the tunnel (the large ones) that need to tourism, have openings every 30 meters for those who suffer, to suffer or discover, claustrophobic. The first part of the tunnel is a bit bigger while the later are 60x70 cm. We had the head lamps that have been useful because they helped me to walk 90 meters without difficulty. If you do not suffer from claustrophobia, and you're minutes (I have high 1.60 sigh) travel across the tunnel and fun. Ah, for those who want to try to shoot along the way there is a shooting range with both the weapon of choice (including those used by the Americans). You pay based on the number of bullets.
The visit and we liked very much because the council can better understand the history of this tormented country.

In the afternoon, in addition to the internet, we still spent a bit of shopping to the market covered with the famous German friend along the journey. We ate at a restaurant in the market as many. Attention, are just like the ones covered. If you are looking for, as I have done, the famous Pho2000, know that it has become almost a luxury restaurant after the passage of President Clinton and the quote on the Lonely P. and now it all twice!
Spend the evening at the center of music and beer. We welcome our friend giving appointment to Dalat.

Arrival in Dalat

Departure from Ho Chi Min at 7:30 from the Sinh Cafe with estimated arrival in Dalat to 15:30 (308 km) On the site, and confirmed by voice (but not trust, often the reality is different), the " sightseeing "are places where the bus stop to allow a visit along the way are La Nga lake, floating houses, Bao Loc pass, Bao Loc Town Tea, Mulberry plantation. Let's say we have only seen through the windows!

? Dalat After an exhausting journey on a bus with seats scomodissimi and the engine overheated, so that the last stretch of the climb, after having a bucket and six bottles of water in the radiator, we continued not more than 15 km per hour.
Dalat arrived at the office of the Sinh Cafe was with the support of the hotel, already all booked (prices from 12 to 70 U.S. dollars). With luggage, then we direct to the center, a short distance we found a number of brand new mini-hotel.
We stopped at the third for $ 7 per night (two) with double bedroom with windows overlooking the lake (almost), nice bathroom, mosquito net: all clean.
The hotel is family and, despite the English a little 'hard, they are all friendly and helpful although a little' timid.
Drop your bags and leave us refreshed and drives around the city because we had to confirm with the bus following the Sinh, check email, and then tour the next day.
• Dalat air is fresh and genuine people: now it is surrounded by fresh spring air and thin. Here, everyone has the flavor of a mountain
At 20:00, we had an appointment with our German friend, known on the Mekong delta to dine and share impressions of travel. The country is small and turns easily on foot. We curiosity to the market and played with the children before going to dinner at the center, very good.
We shot so many travel agencies and, more or less, all offered the same package at the same price until we found a different. The price 18 usd / p was very high but the possibility of doing the tour alone with jeep, driver and guide enticed us and we decided to san valentino, to grant us this gift.

TOUR TO DALAT SURROUNDINGS

14/02/2007 The puntuale jeep to take us in the morning at our hotel.
The composition of the visit was made together with the holder of the option, therefore, to choose what to see. Here are the places visited (in order of "scattered")

? The Summer Palace the Emperor BAO DAI is a villa of 1933 (in cement) filled with art objects of every kind and is certainly an interesting mainly for their role in history.
(See photo)

? CASCADE OF DATANLA: you can choose between different cascades, we have opted for a fairly close and water despite the dry season (February-March). To get there you pass through a downhill trail in the woods. (See photo) The other waterfalls of interest are those Dambra and Della Tigre.

? Cathedral of Dalat. The city is practically of French origin and has catalysed the villages of ethnic minorities of the surroundings, as well as transferred due to the construction of the dam. For this reason the majority of the population marte is still Catholic. Even 90% according to our guide. The building is 1931 but it seems a French Gothic church in all respects. The interior is in line with our churches, all painted with neon and fluorescent.

? The SCHOOL OF MEDITATION, wonderful. The atmosphere is of utmost peace and pagodas, the essential structure, almost Zen, immersed in greenery bordering the lake and the forest. Absolutely worth the visit. (See photo)

? RACK STATION A: It is now used only for a small stretch from the tourists but also the old locomotive Japanese (although it says on the Lonely Russian). The rack was connected the city with Thap Cham in 1964 but was closed for the Viet Cong attacks.

? Even a walk in the old French Quarter with the villas of a pleasant surprise.

? The PAGODA OF THE DRAGON is a pagoda really fun. The effect is that of an amusement park with figures representing Buddhist mythology, colored plaster and very large. The name is Dragon dall'immenso that wraps back on itself which looks more terrifying that funny.
I do not know if it worth a visit but we have fun!

? The Lake of Sighs and slightly out of Dalat and appears to be an Alpine lake of great size. Surrounded by conifers, is a deep blue and deep. (see photo) of natural origin has been extended for the construction of the dam and is surrounded by one of the most beautiful forests in Dalat.

? The LAT VILLAGE (pronounced Lak), ethnic minority, about 12 kilometers from the city and at the foot of Mount Lang Bian. The village itself is not exceptional because the population has been transferred by the government for the construction of the dam. Extremely poor, most were forced to work in coal mines. E ', obtain a permit to visit (or use an organized tour). Interesting is the storyteller who, in the dim light of his rebuilt palafitte, tells stories in English and French (learned during the war) and drinks liquor from rice. (See photo)

? GARDEN FLOWERS of Dalat was being Floral Festival and the exhibition was full of orchids, hydrangeas and fuchsia its citizens around the lake.

We also saw and paused in wonderful vantage points,
(You can do hiking on foot, on horseback or by bike in the hills around Dalat, but you should not ever go beyond the areas marked by the letter C, forbidden to foreigners.

Further away from Dalat, you can visit the villages of some indigenous peoples of the mountains, like Lat or Chicken Village (so named because there really is a statue of a chicken!).

We have chosen to visit the Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, nicknamed by the local Crazy House (Casa dei Pazzi), created by Mrs. Dang Viet Nga artist and architect, and also extremely kich the Valley of Love, about 5 km from center citizen, because not recommended by a friend. E 'is a strange place where you can rent a canoe and take a trip on the lake or rent a horse by the cowboys of Dalat, which are dressed as cowboys of the old West.

Dalat is famous for its CAFÉS and is very popular with Vietnamese tourists and couples on honeymoon. We have learned to appreciate that Vietnamese coffee is really good and the process for preparing a very interesting one. We have been lucky enough to find a guide and a driver stunning. They took us to eat in their usual vegetarian restaurant where we truly appreciate the cuisine. All fresh and great quality excellent (maybe one of the best meals) at, including natural mineral water (the first and only water with gas found in Vietnam) for less than dollar per head so much that we decided to provide lunch to our "new friends".
That taken away by the afternoon, between a visit and the other, have led us to the house of a driver's immediate family, for giving us all proud of the green (good) and show the house with lots of orchids in the garden corner. (Well, not a house but West had even the TV with the remote, we have pointed out proudly) (see photo)

? We finished the day with a fantastic walk around XUAN HUONG LAKE, in the city, with a walk of about 7 kilometers to the reflex sunset. The banks kept the walk and filled with flowers, benches, bridges and piers are white and very romantic, an accomplice of the date, there are plenty of Vietnamese couples. Of course, to travel the perimeter, you can also use other means of transport.
Warning: the sun, we were attacked by swarms of mosquitoes and, of course, we extracted our secret weapon: Autan Extreme.
This winding road along the lake is artificial, created by a dam in 1919 and is named after a Vietnamese poet. (See photo)

The day was really beautiful and full of emotions thanks mainly to guide and certainly helped by the nature and culture of a place little known by tourism.

? SPECIALTIES ':
The red wine of Dalat is famous throughout Vietnam, try the JAM syrups and fruit products in area (from strawberry to passion fruit).
All tissues and UP villages of ethnic minorities.

? DA AND Dalat
The next morning, again on the bus Sihn Cafè we started at 7:00 for more tourist seaside resort of Nha Trang. (see opinion http://viaggi.ciao.it/Nha_Trang__Opinione_811004)

214km route in 6 hours, cost $ 5 with a stop on ngo?n m?c step, which can be seen throughout the valley and the Cham towers (Phan Rang) very beautiful.

An alternative to reach Dalat delivered over the bus is by plane from Ho Chi Minh (though the airport is 30 km from town).

Nha Trang - Everything that anyone has ever told you

Parties arrive at dawn to Dalat, in the early afternoon to Nha Trang consosta the Cham towers along the road.

Nha Trang, in the collective, it's just sun, sea and golden beaches. Friends, colleagues and reportage that is what they see, but it's all true?

Here's the reality of a location acclaimed tourism.

? The city of Nha Trang
? Nha Trang, the Vietnamese coastal city, is the capital of the province of Phu Khanh which extends to the Plateau Central. According to legend Nha Trang means "flower of bamboo."
E 'considered the most picturesque seaside resort in Vietnam. North of Nha Trang, there are the powerful? CHAM TOWERS brick famous shrine of Po Nagar.
Just go to reach the long bridge from which you can admire a beautiful landscape and see the life of the barracks with the many underlying skin of sharks out to dry in the sun.
You reach the shrine, at the time of Tet is full of the faithful and even more picturesque. The main tower houses the Cham goddess Po Ino Nagar, the "mother of the kingdom" revered by Vietnamese Buddhists. Of the eight original, the four remaining temples date back to a period dating from the sixth century AD Turn back the Cham towers, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Nha Trang.

? The city also has two beautiful PAGODE, not far from each other: the Long Son Pagoda and the Hai Duc pagoda. Long Song is the oldest temple in Nha Trang and hosts within an appreciable White Buddha as well as other monuments and picturesque small points. We were greeted by the caretaker that, very kind to us a little 'dragged everywhere, including the tomb of his mother. We prayed and gave us incense, unfortunate that at the end of the visit (which I recommend) it has requested $ 10! Has been even for the monks but why, then, do not offer it in the appropriate containers? Insomma un po 'unwell (even by monks who prayed while we were taking posing for photos at the side of the merger) contracts by lowering the price a bit.

? Nha Trang course mainly its fame to the beauty of its landscapes and coastlines.
The beach is actually very beautiful, long and surrounded by tall palm trees, but the sea is not so good perhaps for weather issues, we say, think of the return trip to the islands.
In return I can confirm that it is very photogenic: it seems a paradise, seen in photos.
In addition to the city beaches, there are many other bays including the famous MUI NE, splendid Cana Beach which, with crystalline waters and fine sand (from brochure), or as the beautiful beaches of Doc Let and Dai lanh at 60 and 86 km north of Nha Trang.

? Like all tourist places extremely Nha Trang is well equipped in terms of facilities from restaurants, long, bars, discos and a very Western prices and quality than the rest of the country. The place where we dined was better "in the street" in so many stalls that cook meat, not only in his own eyes with tables and chairs, plastic size of a child.

Excursion on the islands

It seems it is a must, because it is the only real hike proposal. They all offer the same tour style "Mama Linh's" much publicized by the Lonely Planet. Type, once intended only to boys is now the only proposal offered by the agencies. We bought the ticket in advance in an all at a price of $ 8 a head covering, such as leaflet and confirmed by a voice transmission to the port, boat, lunch, wine, travel to the islands, mask and snorkel to explore the reef, cocktail party with alcohol.
The mini bus passes to gather various participants in the various agencies and hotels, (all paying different prices) and you arrive at the port where it is transferred to a boat, more or less the same, collecting a 30ina people. The boats leave almost all together, and having stopped the food supply, it takes off toward the islands. Are offered drinks and cans of beer. Everyone take a drink and, after passing an hour to mark the consummation, of course was not included. The landscape is very beautiful and fairly quickly you will reach the first island. Finally the bathroom! Begin to distribute the few masks and mouthpieces: completely striped and large size! Patience, I could imagine. The fact is that I'm in costume and get into the water when we ask for the money ... get in water? Yes, and we had to pay. Nobody had warned us, and in addition, we failed to see anything on the bottom despite the clear sea.
Risaliti aboard a little heated there by boat and then straight on to another island where we remain far apart, as in the previous one, but this time just eating. The food is really bad, sticky rice and also quite poor, in short, the worst meal of the month in Vietman. You save only the final fruit. Ah, of course, the wine of the leaflet was not seen and also the water bill. Immediately afterwards you can take a bath. After having filled the stomach notify you can swim free? Above all, the cocktail that is "alcohol in rivers is a small glass of fruit cocktail alcohol served after 10 minutes of music 70 years in water. So if you want to drink you must swim up bar and be able to take a shot. It is again to the third island is planned after the visit to the land. In fact to arrive at a resort where, always a surprise, you must pay to enter the pier and if you want to visit ... the beach! In fact it is a resort you can not visit within the earth. In many, a little 'disappointed somewhat' angry remain in the boat and we plunge "fraud" from the boat. The last island is actually an aquarium. It comes all'attracco and this time you can go and take a short walk up to the aquarium. The experience at the entry is, of course fee. Nice but the transition to the small structure across the mouth wide open in a giant fish (very naive). The trip is over, it is accompanied in the hotel or agency. We complained to the agency because we felt made fun of (like almost all the participants). Do not expect refunds and even "apology". In Vietnam, Nha Trang and especially not the word is worthless. THERE COUNCIL TOUR The islands, but if you want to recommend it as it learned from other tourists at the end of the journey PAY ONLY HALF 'TICKET immediately and the other to return ONLY IF SATISFIED.

A day wasted waiting for the bus

convinced to leave at 7:30 in the morning, we leave the hotel to reach lastazione where we discover who suspended, tet forsecausa the bus in the morning and that quindisaremmopartiti with that of 19:30.

Effettivemnte we were a little 'silly us not to have controlled the change in ink made to the ticket and not communicated verbally.

Hostage in the city, without ericambio, we made a trip to Champa Towers where we have witnessed the rituals of New Year and then we "spaparanzati" the cocktail on the beach and the first bus.

The night bus, with a tragittoda nightmare (the driver who was going to manetta in expanding bends, overlooking the sea, on the opposite lane without seeing if other equipment arrived.

Sleep was optional, in the mist compensol'arrivo Hoi Ane was a moltomagico.

Hoi An, the taylor's city

still write

Arrival at
Visit the ancient city
evening on the river

Huè: a prohibited city on the Perfumes river

Hue, a city of ancient origin is a precious place that can offer two extraordinary visits:
1. the citadel, and beyond red lacquered doors, the city's forbidden.
2nd on the wings of dragons are the dates of the Perfume River to discover ancient tombs Imperial protected by thick tropical vegetation. (due the next day)

-> THE CITY ', GENERAL INFORMATION
Hue is located in the central region of Vietnam, a dozen kilometers from the sea. Is reached by train or bus from Hoi An and usually by plane from Hanoi.
Spread on the banks of the Perfumed River, a quiet stretch of water that gives it a natural beauty and which divides the old city with new neighborhoods. In the history of Vietnam Hue has played a leading role: from the fourth century was the center of the Cham kingdom, and from 1802 to 1945, capital of the Nguyen.
Unesco has declared a World Heritage Site "world heritage" is only for the important historical role of the nation but for the significant aspects of the beautiful buildings.

-> 1. CITADEL AND THE CITY 'FORBIDDEN
The heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, which in turn contains the Forbidden City.
Desired by the Gia Long in the eighteenth century, the site is located on the left side of the river and is protected by fortified walls, 8 meters high and 20 thick.

After passing the highest flag of Vietnam and the bridge to the moat along the entire perimeter and enter the south door lacquered in red where you buy your ticket at (55,000 dong = $ 3.50). Even outside the majestic building and end the colors red and wood, full of yellow flags for the New Year, is striking. It comes with the caution of those who are about to violate a secret, a journey by officials, soldiers and imperial court. You reach the courtyard of the Great Rite, the scenario that once housed the most important ceremonies. The luck was that just that day in the courtyard, surrounded by splendid gilded palaces used to life at court, you were doing a competition of "Chinese chess". The training of warriors, rather similar to that of our human chess, it is tackled with moves of Kung Fu (or more likely Viet Vo Dao) with weapons related to their "role". Fantastic, especially for us who practice martial arts!
From here we visited the various palaces and temples surrounded by greenery, even the artificial lakes within the complex are very beautiful. The Belvedere of the Five Phoenicians from where the emperor attended the military parade is worth a visit. Deserve the Thai Hoa, the Palace of Supreme Peace, where the emperor received dignitaries and diplomats, The Mieu, a temple dedicated to the Nguyen dynasty. We have entered the early morning but the visit was so great that we are leaving in the evening just before dusk we finished admiring north, on the two lakes of the Emperor.

-> PRACTICAL INFORMATION
We arrived by bus the Sinh Cafe, but there are many other agencies the same as the Brother TB etc.. We started walking in the street by Phan Ngu Lao, where you can find cheap hotels. We stopped to ask for some money and at the end we stopped in the open. Clean, nice even if the air conditioning was working in sobs, is run by an old woman simpaticissimo and out of head that does not speak a word of English but with whom there is the same. One afternoon, returning to the 18 has given us even the Whiskey with dried fruit. I am not able to drink more than the first shot but you stand the ugly.
Among others in the same way there are two good restaurants and is near the big bridge that cuts the city in two, and then you can reach the center (the citadel, the imperial city, market, etc.) calmly walk over to the many tourist agencies of the area.

Hue - excursion

EXCURSION ON THE RIVER PERFUMED
The imperial tombs are protected by the vegetation along the banks of the placid river and off of Perfumes. The boats used to go up the river boats are a little 'special called Dragon Boat because the bows are of two dragons fattezza (un po' naif, like everything in this country).

The pier is in fact a succession of these boats almost identical. Our guide, a local girl is very kind, caring and speaks good English. (purchased in the tour of Phan Ngu Lao, near our hotel) spending = 65,000 dong $ 4.10 transfers, lunch and guide included.
The excursion includes a visit to the floating houses and a stop in a typical house, used as a restaurant / pub garden remained almost intact in which you will be offered a cup of green tea.
The trip takes over and the navigation is quiet (and my batik always useful against the wind despite the windows).

- THIENE MU
The next stop is the temple of Thien Mu, free entry, is one of the most famous architectural works of Vietnam and symbol of the city of Hue.

You dock in the small pier and climb the steep stairway. From the hill on which was built the temple you can admire a beautiful panorama.
The hexagonal tower of this temple is the symbol of Hue, was built in 1844 and is 21 meters high. I do not know why but I was convinced it was more slender, and frankly does not make the height declared. E 'and is still fascinating for what it represents and the atmosphere in the buildings that make up the body of the temple: the Thien Mu Pagoda to even in 1601 and has its protagonist with beautiful legend a fairy. Bella the turtle in the Halls of 1715. Explore the various buildings and maybe you will like us to attend the function.

In 1960, following the political events, this temple and the monastery, were protesting the government. The tension grew to the eighties to lead to demonstrations and arrests. Is still visible in the Austin that used in 1963 monaco Thich Quang Duc to Saigon to reach the fire itself publicly in the spotlight of the Western press by lifting, so the world's attention.

- TU DUC TOMB
Berths, with their very simple system that is an axle supported between the boat and the grass of the banks go down and it was expected from the motorcycle taxi. The cost is 35,000 dong to the head, but unfortunately it does not move around on foot. Going through a rather rough road (steep, dirt road with gravel, etc.) will be brought to the market of incense. There is to explain the production of incense and other typical products like cone hats and of course we contracted to buy. The stop is at the maximum of 15 minutes because then you will be brought to the entrance of the tomb and, after paying the fee of (55,000 dong = $ 3.50) take the long walk along the lake where the dips pagoda. The complex is truly shocking and should not at least half a day's visit. Temples, palaces Tek, gold and red lacquer surrounded by a forest of pine trees and frangipani, off for a story of Marco Polo

On the way back we stopped at a small temple, the visit fee. Peep the fence and decide, like all other foreign tourists not to visit him while the other half of the ship is made up of Vietnamese who are visiting to pray.
Lunch on board the ship with a varied menu, fresh and abundant. Served appetizers, first courses, side dishes, fish and fruit. Obviously not only soft drinks included and all at our table were extracted from the bottles without any problem backpacks.

- MINH MANG (55,000 dong = $ 3.50) statues in a row
It 'the most majestic imperial tomb of all. Its structure was built in 1841.

It 'a very complex structure with doors, terraces, temples and pagodas. Enriched by statues, decorative stone dragons who walk the tiers is truly exceptional. Lake of Perfect Clarity, artificial, gives rise to even more magic and calm. Seem to enter into a Chinese press where the aesthetics of harmony and perfection, combined with the myths of warriors and heroic deeds. Seems to enter the Vietnamese mythology that bases its roots in China between fairies and dragons in a series of shady woods, delicate carved stone bridges over canals and flower severe tombs carved into the rock protected by fighters drawn from decided.
Gain a yard after another, in a salt and downs of buildings, searching for the real tomb guarded at the bottom of the complex is like winning the right to put before the emperor. Absolutely worth a visit!

A busy day: Hue -> Hanoi -> Sapa

yet to be written

plane from Hue to Hanoi
night train from Hanoi to Sapa

Sapa

Sapa, arriving at dawn and hiking (trekking)

Sapa

excursions and departure by night train

Halong bay

arrival at 4:00 in the morning by train and departure at 8:00 for the 2 day tour to Halong Bay

wonderful visit to the bay and its caves
night on boat

Halong bay cruise

cruise among the islands of the Bay 7000

In the afternoon return to Hanoi

hotel search

Night tour of the capital

Hanoi

Visit to the city

Hanoi - Perfumes river

one-day excursion on the river of perfume

Hanoi - Kuala Lumpur

on the day of departure
recent purchases
animation KL

Transfer

from kuala Lumpur to Rome and then Milan