Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay (or Halong Bay) - a magnificent scenic spot located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, is famous for its mountains, water, clouds, caves and grottoes. Ha Long Bay is the center of a larger zone including Bai Tu Long to the northeast and Cat Ba islands to the southwest. It was recognized as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1994 and nominated as one of the World’s 7 Natural Wonders in 2009.

History & Tales:
Like many other Vietnamese towns’ names, Ha Long Bay (literally: ‘Bay of Descending Dragon’) has the origin from a legend. Once upon a time, Vietnam was invaded shortly after they started building the country. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to help Vietnamese people. The dragons emitted from their mouths many pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls stopping the invaders’ boats.

These boats crashed into the islands and broke into pieces. Vietnamese won the battle thanks to the tricky battle field. After the victory, the dragons decided to stay on the bay and the pearls still remained. The location that Mother Dragon landed is then called Ha Long Bay and where Child ones descended is Bai Tu Long Bay.

Weather

The annual temperature of Ha Long bay is 22,8oC, suitable for tourists to travel all year round. The best time to visit is from March to August, because during this time, tourists have the chance to shoot exotic photos with blue sky and sea as smooth as mill pond. It’s cloudy and rainy in autumn and chilly in winter. Especially, the period between August and October is the typhoon season.

Where to go

Visitors to Ha Long shouldn’t miss Bai Chay beach (Scorched Beach – close to the coast of Ha Long Bay), whose sand is dark. People often mistakenly think that this is due to the climate or lack of wind in this area. However, the weather here is quite pleasant and the temperature is around 22oC. From Bai Chay, you can hire a boat and go out to the bay, where you will find some of Southeast Asian most fascinating limestone islands.

The limestone formations are both bizarre and awesome. They are Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave) - 4km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City, Dau Go (Wooden Stakes Cave) – 8km south of Bai Chay, Bo Nau (Pelican Cave) , Trinh Nu (Virgin Cave) – 15km south of Bai Chay, in the island range of Bo Hon, in the system comprised Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), Dong Tien Lake and Luon Grotto, etc.

Besides Ha Long Bay, there are Mong Cai – the border city with China (visas must have been sourced in your home country), Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City and Tuan Chau Island – a newly developed tourist resort. They are all worth visiting!

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Phu Lang Pottery Village (Phu Lang)

Phu Lang has become a brand name like Bat Trang in terms of pottery and ceramics products. However, thanks to its distance from the urban centre, much of the pristine scenery as well as traditional production have moved forward for centuries without being over-commercialized. Through times, there are only a few families left who continued their tradition. The yard is packed with firewood and clay. Indoors, there are a large collection of pottery wares, from flower vases to tea pots. Bat Trang is special by its simplicity: from the decorative style to the natural brown color of clay. Villagers are very friendly: they will take you in and give you a quick tour to see how their every activities unfold.

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Dong Ho Painting Village (Lang Tranh Dong Ho)

Dong Ho Village with its famous paintings has become an aesthetic symbol in Vietnam Culture. Located to the left side of Duong River, Dong Ho stood for centuries making their unique art work. From over 100 families in the 1950s, there are only several who still have their main income from making paintings but to everyone’s relief, the essence still remains and thrives.

Dong Ho paintings are places for artists to reflect their wishes for lucks and their perception of everyday life in the village. Common themes that are found consistently include animals (which has goodluck symbol on them), everyday life (such as Jealous Fight or A Market Day), and folk tales (Saint Giong or The Frog Teacher). The paper used for the painting is made from bark tree so that the texture can retain color for a long time. Each family develops their own mold for the painting. Each mold are then replicated and filled with a separate share of color. The paintings are made by stamping the mold into the paper, one at a time to add more and more color to the picture. Until the point when the artists are happy with their art work, they pain a layer of rice paste to keep the paint from fading and then expose the paintings to the sun for dry.

A visit to Dong Ho family can take 3-4 hours and any family is willing to take you for a tour to see how they create their art work. These home-based businesses also maintain their own gallery to display their art work.

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Dau Pagoda

Location
Dau Pagoda, located in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province, is considered the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam according to researchers. The pagoda is about 1 hour away from Hanoi Old Quarter, making it easy for a morning trip off the city noise.

History
In the past, the region where Dau Pagoda was built today was the capital of Giao Chi district, the political, economic and cultural center of Vietnam. About 1,800 years ago, the Indian monk named Khau Da La came to this area to do the missionary work and founded the first Buddhism center in Vietnam called Luy Lau. There were many pagodas, citadels and market built in the area at that time and Dau Pagoda was among them.

As Dau Pagoda was the biggest pagoda in the Buddhist center region, many monks from either India or China came there to do research and spread Buddhism to the local residents.

This ancient pagoda has undergone many restorations and expansion, with the largest construction undertaken under the Ly and Tran dynasty. Going through the fluctuation of history, although many structures in the region were destroyed, the pagoda still exists and preserves the traditional oriental architecture style especially the wood block aged about 1752 years old and two bronzes' Xa Loi bodies of Vu Khac Minh and Vu Khac Truong monk.

Architecture
The yard in front of the pagoda hosts a three stories tower name Hoa Phong. The tower originally had six stories but it was partly destroyed. Inside the tower, there are a number of valuable artifacts such as a large bell dating back in Canh Thinh Dynasty (1793), a big bronze gong casted in Ming Mang Dynasty (1817) and several statues of Gods in Buddhist legends.

Visitor Information
Since its inception, Dau Pagoda has hosted the annual Dau Pagoda Festival on April 8th in lunar calendar. This is also the biggest Buddhism festival of the northern region of Vietnam. In 2012, the festival will fall on April 28th.

The oriental architecture style and the antiques at the pagoda will absolutely impress any visitor. Moreover, it is also a great chance for those who want to discover and experience the traditional culture of Vietnam, and a must visit for Buddhists.

The best way to get to Chua Dau is to rent a car with a driver, who already knows the way and will take care of parking issues. You can also ride a motorbike, by following highway 5 and turning to Highway 1B. Chua Dau is about 35km from Hanoi downtown.

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Bat Trang Pottery - But Thap Pagoda - Dong Ho Polk - Dong Ky Carpentry Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is on the left bank of Hong river and about 10 km from Hanoi in East (in Gia Lam District, Hanoi), there situated a pottery village, which is the most famous and long-standing pottery village in Vietnam for its name of Bat Trang. Up to present, Ba Trang Pottery Village has still been operating and developing ceaselessly. Dong Ky was at one time known as the ‘firecracker village’. With the firecracker industry now extinguished, the village survives by producing beautiful traditional furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. If you wish, you can have handcrafted furniture custom-made here and exported directly to your address abroad. Arranging the payment may prove a bit tricky if you are leaving Vietnam before the final product is produced and shipped. Dong Ky is 15km north-east of Hanoi.

8h30: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, driver to Bat Trang, the famous village is situated approx 15 outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans forming, painting and glazing their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns.

12h00: Lunch at local restaurant.

13h30: Proceed to Dong Ky, the famous traditional wood carving village, Watch carpenters forming, carving and polishing wood products, making decorated pictures by snail, oyster shells. Taking photos & book some wood products by shipment. Return Hanoi. Finish the unforgettable trip at your hotel. 

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Bat Trang Ceramic Village - Dong Ky Carpentry Village 1 Day Trip

Bat Trang Ceramic Village
On the left bank of Hong river and about 10 km from Hanoi in East (in Gia Lam District,Hanoi),there situated a pottery village,which is the most famous and long-standing pottery village in Vietnam for its name of Bat Trang. Up to present,Ba Trang Pottery Village has still been operating and developing ceaselessly. According to a legend,the village was first called as Bach Tho Phuong before its name was changed into Bat Trang Phuong. People in the village remember in their memory that the place of their origin Bo Bat Village (or called Bach Bat Village),Yen Mo District,Ninh Binh Province.

Dong Ky Carpentry Village
Dong Ky was at one time known as the ‘firecracker village’. Prior to 1995 (when the Government banned fire crackers) there was always a firecracker festival in Dong Ky. A competition for the loudest firecracker once resulted in the building of a gargantuan 16m long firecracker.
With the firecracker industry now extinguished,the village survives by producing beautiful traditional furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. If you wish,you can have handcrafted furniture custom-made here and exported directly to your address abroad. Arranging the payment may prove a bit tricky if you are leaving Vietnam before the final product is produced and shipped. Dong Ky is 15km north-east of Hanoi.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@footsteptravel.com to get more information and assistance

North East Vietnam on Bike 6 Days

Day 1: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Bac Can (Meals: Lunch, Dinner) 
Pick up at hotel. Transfer by private bus/ car to Thai Nguyen. Start bike ride to Bac Can. First day easy ride up and down hill, scenery of palm trees with village of Tay and Nung a long the way.
Overnight in Bac Can.

Day 2: Bac Can - Ba Be National Park (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Morning ride 20 km outside Bac Can and up hill, turn off highway 3 to a quiet road, great view small village of Tay and Thai on the opposite of the river. Lunch on the way.
Later afternoon we take our boat cruise on Ba Be lakes. The national park of Ba Be is centred on large Ba Be Lake. This is just one continuous water body although its name means "three lakes”. Visit Pac Ngoi village.
Overnight in Pac Ngoi village - Ba Be National park.

Day 3: Ba Be - Cao Bang (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We ride through several passes of PiaOac mountain range to Nguyen Binh, then we have bus transfer to Cao Bang. Here the H'mong, Zao, Tho and Nung ethnic minority people all live in harmony.
Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 4: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Falls - Cao Bang (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 
Good paved road all the way to waterfalls. Up and down Ma Phuc pass. Scenic beauty of Karst valley, numerous Tay and Nung villages. Picnic lunch and swim at Ban Gioc waterfalls - the border falls between Vietnam and China, which boasts the largest waterfall in Vietnam.
Later afternoon bus transfer back to Cao Bang.
Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 5: Cao Bang - Lang Son - Mau Son (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Morning ride 67km to That Khe, passing 3 mountain passed and Dong Khe. Lunch break in That Khe. Afternoon we take bus transfer to Lang Son and onto Mau Son, nice sunset on arrival.
Overnight in Mau Son. 

Day 6: Mau Son - Ha Noi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
At leisure time to discover villages around Mau Son. Later morning ride down hill to Lang Son. This border town had been all destroyed during the recent Sino - Vietnamese war, but was rebuilt to become an important trade center in north eastern region. Afternoon we take bus transfer to Hanoi. Farewell dinner. End of tour.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: FootStepVietnam@Gmail.Com to get more information and assistance