Thứ Ba, 17 tháng 1, 2017

How To Travel around Hoa Lu Tam Coc

How to travel around Ninh Binh

          South of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is blessed with natural beauty, cultural sights. It is a beautiful and famous destination with many tourist attractions such as Tam Coc which has another name is Ha Long on land; Trang an landsape complex – one of UNESCO’s World Heritage; Bai Dinh pagoda – the largest pagoda in Indochina, known as many records such as: The largest pagoda of  Vietnam, the biggest gold – plated copper of Asia and the longest lobby in Asia; Cuc Phuong National Park which is the country's largest nature reserve and one of the most important sites for biodiversity in Vietnam; Phat Diem Stone Cathedral which is one of the most famous and beautiful churches in Vietnam with special architecture, Hoa Lu ancient capital - the capital of Dai Co Viet (an old name of Vietnam) under the Dinh and Le dynasties bears with it a legend, Van Long nature reserve that known as the “ Preserved Nature Area” of  Ninh Binh, offers wonderful views of landscapes and rural life, etc. We recommend some tips to go to Ninh Binh before, you can consult in this links below:

===> THING TO DO IN NINH BINH <===
===> ACCOMMODATIONS IN NINH BINH 
<===
===> LOCAL FOODS IN NINH BINH <===

>>> How to get to Ninh Binh from Ha Noi 

And now Vietnam Eco Travel would like to give you more tips for the transportation to travel around Ninh Binh
    If you go there by motorbike or car, you just should bring maps and have a good schedule to explore here
    If you go here by public transport, you can take a bus from Giap Bat bus station or Mi Dinh bus station to Ninh Binh city. From Ninh Binh city, you can take a local bus to go to Hoa Lu ancient capital, Phat Diem Rock Church, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An landscape complex, etc. Each 15 to 20 minutes will have a bus to go to there. Expecially the buses here don’t have number, just have the name of destinations in front of the bus so you should notice carefully. The colour of the buses are yellow.    

You can hire a motorbike in Ninh Binh. It’s more convenient to travel around Ninh Binh by motorbike. You can hire it in the hotels or motorbike shop for rent. The price is around 100000VND for semi-motorbike and 150000VND for automatic motorbike per day. When you hire it, the owners will keep your passport or ID card. With about 50000VND – 80000VND for the gas, you can explore all the beautiful places in Ninh Binh. I have some notifications for you when you hire a motorbike here :

+ Read the hiring motorbike contrast carefully
+ The motorbike will give you the helmet so you should wear it because there is a lot of traffic polices there and to save your life.
+ Drive in the right lane and legal speed.
+ Don’t running red lights
+ If you go to somewhere’s far such as Phat Diem Rock Church or Cuc Phuong National Park, you should check your motorbike carefully and bring enough stuffs.   
       Travel in the North of Vietnam, travelers should not miss Ninh Binh. We gave you some tips to choose a transportation to travel around Ninh Binh. Hope you will have a good time and unforgettable experiences in Ninh Binh .
 

Thứ Năm, 12 tháng 1, 2017

MY HANOI FREE WALKING TOUR WITH A LOVELY GERMAN GIRL

My Hanoi Free Walking Tour with a lovely German girl It rained heavily and cold today. Everyone just wanted to stay inside their house or office but nothing could stop me to go out and had a half day Hanoi Free Walking Tour today and so did my tourist. I went to my tourist’s hostel at 2:00 pm to pick her up. Her name’s Alina, a lovely tourist from Germany. She’s a student and the same as my age so we could communicate to each other easier. We discussed about our free tour today with some places which she would like to visit. Then we decided our itinerary was Joseph Cathedral – Hoa Lo Prison – Giang coffee. Although it was continued raining, we didn’t care much about it because I told her that Raining had its own beauty, anyway today was her last day in Hanoi City Tour. Firstly, I guided them to Hoan Kiem Lake – The heart of Hanoi. It includes Ngoc Son temple, The Huc bridge, Turtle Tower, Pen Tower and the green lake. I told her about the legend of the lake, the history of those places. Secondly, we went to Saint Joseph Cathedral with the French architecture, and kept moving to Hoa Lo prison. I told them about the history of the prison and the criem of French colonists in Vietnam war. She seemed like very interested in Vietnamese history. We talked a lot about it. . After that we went to Giang coffee to try egg coffee which are very specific in Hanoi City Tour. Alina doesn’t like coffee but I convinced it because I betted she would love it. Luckily, she really liked it. We didn’t have much time because Alina had a bus to Ninh Binh Province at 6:00 pm to visit HOA LU TAM COC 1 DAY TOUR and TRANG AN BAI DINH 1 DAY TOUR. We talked a lot about our life. I impressed that she has moved to some countries for her studying so she can know other cultures. I am happy to hear that they love our tour today. Finally we said goodbye and gave a warm hug to each other. I hope that she will have a great time in Vietnam and see you again one day in Hanoi. ===> BOOK HANOI FREE WALKING TOUR
===> SEE MORE HANOI CITY TOUR
===> SEE MORE NINH BINH TOUR

Hoa Lu Tam Coc Deluxe Tour with Vietnam Eco Travel

Hoa Lu Tam Coc 1 Day Tour By Vietnam Eco Travel

 Visit Hoa Lu Tam Coc 1 Day Tour, this trip take you from Hoa Lu Ancient Capital which is the historic capital of Vietnam, ancient land enriched to Tam Coc – Where there is a different name Halong Bay on Land. Enjoy  Hoa Lu Tam Coc One Day Tour with Biking, Cooking class, Fishing organized by Vietnam Eco Travel.
HIGHTLIGHTS
  • Knowledge and professional tour guide
  • Explore the beauty of natural sightseeings with large rice fields, mountains, limestones, etc by bicycling
  • Try to learn how to cook some famous Vietnamese foods
  • Go fishing
  • Enjoy special foods of Ninh Binh
  • Understand about locals life and their culture
  • Have more time to relax and visit more places that is different from other companies
 ITINERARY:
7:30 - 8:00 Am : Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old
Quarter. Start Hoa Lu – Tam Coc 1 Day Tour.
 
9:45 - 10:15 Am : Visit Hoa Lu which is the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties
 
10:50 - 11:15 Am : Our bus will transfer you from Hoa Lu to our Local restaurant for Cooking class. If customers don’t want to join this activity, you can go Fishing there. Finish Cooking class and have lunch, you will take a rest, enjoy the beauty of sightseeing there.
13:30 - 13:45 pm : Start Bicycling from the restaurant to countryside near by Trang An Landscape ( about 30 – 40 minutes) . Then transfer by bus to Tam Coc
14:00 - 14:45 Pm : Boat trip to visit Tam Coc  to see the amazing beauty of countryside landscape. You will know why its name is Halong Bay on Land
16:00 – 16: 30 Pm : Finish the boat trip back to Tam Coc Wharf and wait for driver come to pick up
17:00 – 17:15 Pm : Go to our office in Ninh Binh city to take a rest, drink coffee or tea, and know more about locals before come back Hanoi ( about30 – 40 minutes).
19:30 – 20:15 Pm : Arrive back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel or our office in Hanoi
TOUR INCLUDES:
·        Pick up from hotel/ accommodation in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
·        Transfer by A/C modern bus, Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An – Hanoi
·        English tour guide who is professional, full of experience and enthusiasm
·        Delicious food
·        Cooking class or go fishing
·        2 small waters/ person
·        1 drink/ person in meal
·        Fruit for dessert
·        Ticket for visiting
·        Boat and Bicycle
·        Hat or Umbrella
·        Relax and have coffee or tea after finish tour
·        Take photo and have your photo for memory
TOUR EXCLUDES:
•         Pick up from hotel/ stay outside the Old Quarter of Hanoi
•         Travel insurance
•         Tips for tour guide and personal expences
•         All not indicated in our itinerary.
WHAT SHOULD BRING
  • Cash for personal expenses
  • Sun glasses, Sun cream
  • Camera and film
  • Sport shoes, and short trousers for biking around country road.
NOTES
•         Depart everyday from Hanoi
•         Cycling and Fishing are optional
•         Itinerary is subject to change upon weather conditions
•         Doctor and Pharmacy are not available
•         Cancellation policies confirmed by Agent’s applies
•         Please check the invoice from your travel agency or hotel carefully,  as we are unable to verbal agreements.
The Benefits of Customer When Booking Tour in Vietnam Eco Travel
  • Customers will be discounted for next tours or other advantages.
  • Having half day or full day tour with local tour guides for free to visit famous and historical places around Hanoi.
  • If you book more than 2 tours, you will have some meaningful and valuable gifts from us such as Vietnam specific souvenirs, a free street food tour with local tour guides who have many knowledge about Hanoi street foods. You not only eat delicious street foods but also know about how to make it and try to make them as well.
  • If you book a package tour, you will have a free taxi for 2 ways from the airport to the Old Quarter.
  • With our tours, you will have the best quality services, save money and time to have a great and safe journey in Vietnam.
  • Get a Voucher for Body Massage with 30 % Discount at 3 Star Massage Lounge in Hanoi
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Tam Coc Complex


Hoa Lu Ancient - Trang An Landscape Complex 1 Day Tour

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Trang An Complex 1 Day Tour


 Hoa Lu Trang An 1 Day Tour, this trip take you from Hoa Lu Ancient Capital which is the historic capital of Vietnam, ancient land enriched to Trang An with cultural and geographic wonders that recently world heritage site listed. Enjoy  Hoa Lu Trang An One Day Tour with Biking, Cooking class, Fishing organized by Vietnam Eco Travel

HIGHLIGHT
  • Knowledge and professional tour guide
  • Explore the beauty of natural sightseeings with large rice fields, mountains, limestones, etc by bicycling
  • Try to learn how to cook some famous Vietnamese food
  • Go fishing
  • Enjoy traditional food of  Ninh Binh
  • Understand about locals life and their culture
  • Have more time to relax and visit more places that is different from other companies 
ITINERARY
  • 7:30 - 8:00 Am : Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quater
  •  Start Hoa Lu – Tam Coc 1 Day Tour.
  • 9:45 - 10:15 Am : Visit Hoa Lu which is the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties
  • 10:50 - 11:15 Am : Our bus will transfer you from Hoa Lu to our Local restaurant for Cooking class. If customers don’t want to join this activity, you can go Fishing there. Finish Cooking class and have lunch, you will take a rest, enjoy the beauty of sightseeing there.
  • 13:30 -13:45 Pm : Start Bicycling from the restaurant to Trang An Landscape ( about 30 – 40 minutes)
  • 14:00 - 14:45 Pm : Boat trip to visit Trang An  to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as : Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dack cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine), green river and natural view. You will know why its name is Halong Bay on Land
  • 16:00 – 16: 45 Pm : Finish the boat trip back to Trang An Wharf  and wait for driver come to pick up
  • 17:00 – 17:15 Pm : Go to our office in Ninh Binh city to take a rest, drink coffee or tea, and know more about locals before come back Hanoi ( about30 – 40 minutes).
  • 19:30 – 20:15 Pm : Arrive back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel or our office in Hanoi
INCLUDES:
  •  Pick up from hotel/ accommodation in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
  •  Transfer by A/C modern bus, Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An – Hanoi
  •  English tour guide who is professional, full of experience and enthusiasm
  •  Delicious food
  •  Cooking class or go fishing
  •  2 small waters/ person
  •  1 drink/ person in meal
  •  Fruit for dessert
  • Ticket for visiting
  • Boat and Bicycle
  • Hat or Umbrella
  • Relax and have coffee or tea after finish tour
  • Take photo and have your photo for memory
EXCLUDED
•         Pick up from hotel/ stay outside Old Quarter of Hanoi
•         Travel insurance
•         Tips for tour guide and personal expences
•         All not indicated in our itinerary.

WHAT SHOULD TO BRING
  • Cash for personal expenses
  • Sun glasses, Sun cream
  • Camera and film
  • Sport shoes, and short trousers for biking around country road.
NOTES
•         Depart everyday from Hanoi
•         Cycling and Fishing are optional
•         Itinerary is subject to change upon weather conditions
•         Doctor and Pharmacy are not available
•         Cancellation policies confirmed by Agent’s applies
•         Please check the invoice from your Agent or hotel carefully,  as we are unable to verbal agreements.

The Benefits of Customer When Booking Tour in Vietnam Eco Travel
  • Customers will be discounted for next tours or other advantages.
  • Having half day or full day tour with local tour guides for free to visit famous and historical places around Hanoi.
  • If you book more than 2 tours, you will have some meaningful and valuable gifts from us such as Vietnam specific souvenirs, a free street food tour with local tour guides who have many knowledge about Hanoi street foods. You not only eat delicious street foods but also know about how to make it and try to make them as well.
  • If you book a package tour, you will have a free taxi for 2 ways from the airport to the Old Quarter.
  • With our tours, you will have the best quality services, save money and time to have a great and safe journey in Vietnam.
  • Get a Voucher for Body Massage with 30 % Discount at 3 Star Massage Lounge in Hanoi
Trang An Landscape Complex
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Trang An Complex


Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 1, 2017

Today I had a Hanoi Free Walking Tour with a couple from France organized by Vietnam Eco Travel. They just went to Hanoi the day before so Hanoi was still new to them. Although it rained, they still wanted to continue our half day tour. Our itinerary was Hoan Kiem Lake - Saint Joseph Cathedral – Hoa Lo Prison – Giang coffee.
Firstly, I guided them to Hoan Kiem Lake – The heart of Hanoi. It includes Ngoc Son temple, The Huc bridge, Turtle Tower, Pen Tower and the green lake. I told them about the legend of the lake, the history of those places and our religion. Secondly, we went to Saint Joseph Cathedral with the French architecture, took some nice photos and kept moving to Hoa Lo prison. I told them about the history of the prison and the criem of French colonists in Vietnam war. They are from French so they confused that did Vietnamese people still hate French now because of killing many Vietnamese and destroyed Vietnam in the war?. I tried to explain that it’s over now.Nowadays France has invested a lot in our economy  so Vietnam and French are friend now. They felt better after that. After that we went to Giang coffee to try egg coffee and Vietnamese coffee which are very specific in Hanoi. They really like it for the first time they tried it. They said that they would introduce that coffee for their friends in France when they came back home and tried o learn how to make it because in France, it doesn’t have egg coffee.
I took them back to their hostel, gave a warm hug to each other. Although they’re a little old, they could walk for a long time because they do exercise everyday. Moreover they’re very humorous, knowledgeable and kind. The husband seems like loving her a lot. I wish that when I get old, I can travel everywhere with my husband .
By the way I had a nice tour today. I hope that i’ll have more good tours.


Thung Nham Bird Park

Thung Nham Bird Park – New destination in Ninh Binh
         While Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong are the destinations which have become familiar, Thung Nham is still a relatively unfamiliar name for visitors coming to Ninh Binh. Thung Nham in Ninh Binh is also known under the name Thung Chim, it is the home of thousands kinds of bird. Travel to Thung Nham bird valley, you will be immersed in the wild and nature, enjoy fresh atmosphere and quietly listen to thousands birds are singing.
Belonging to Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh. Thung Nham is located in the score area of Trang An landscape complex, about 5 km to the south of Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area and 12 km to the west of Ninh Binh city, far from residential areas and surrounded by mountains, tropical forest, many valleys and beautiful caves. It is home of 46 bird species with about 50,000 individuals, popularly storks, herons, silver teals, white-rumped shamas… Many of which are recorded in Viet Nam Red Book . A tourism company (Doanh Sinh tourism company) invested in Thung Nham become a entertainment place for tourists with accomodation area, restaurant area, team building activity area. However if you prefer see birds, they still sell the ticket for this activity.
1, The direction ( Hanoi – Thung Nham)
Start in Hanoi, drive in 1A highway until you see a big gate, turn right, keep moving with Tam Coc direction and Bich Dong pagoda. You will see a intersection near the pagoda, turn left and drive straight to Thung Nham resort.
        Doanh Sinh tourism company broaden Thung Nham landscape with many interesting activities. They combined with another tourism company to celebrate daily tour or two days one night tour.
The worth places you should visit here:
-But Cave ( Buddha Cave): Go inside this cave to see Buddha statue, it doesn’t have light inside
-Vai Gioi cave: Includes 3 floors which are compared with people’s land, hell and paradise. There is many magical limestones with interesting shapes. In legendary, people come here to pray for good weather and  good harvest
-Bird Park: wetland with many trees which are the home of thousands kind of birds.
-Tien Ca cave ( The little Mermaid Cave), Thuy Cung cave ( God of ocean’s castle cave), Fruits field, etc
Visit Bird Park, you should go around 5 pm when birds come back their nests after find foods. The season has the biggest amount of birds here is autumn ( from July to September). However if you don’t have enough time, you still can visit here from 2 – 3 pm to come back Hanoi before evening.
3, Visit Thung Nham daily trip or overnight trip?
         The families, groups prefer relax in resort, you should stay here one night because it has all things which you need for relaxing: accommodation, restaurants, entertainment area. Moreover you can have time to visit all beautiful places here, expecially birds park when they come back their nests. You can celebrate team – building in the evening, have BBQ, etc. It’s about 300m from the resort. Otherwise you can also visit other neighboring tourist sites such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Thien Ha Cave ( Beautiful cave, near Pen Cave). You still don’t need to sleep in Thung Nham, book a room in Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc is not the bad choice.
You prefer a daily trip, you can visit But cave, Vai Gioi cave and birds park. Visit Birds Park around 3pm athough it doesn’t have much birds to see as visit at 5pm.
With the beautiful scenery, Thung Nham is an attractive destination for domestic and international visitors. Come here and enjoy your life!


HOA LU TAM COC 1 DAY TOUR - A REAL REVIEW

Hoa Lu – Tam Coc 1 Day Tour 

I had a tour to Hoa Lu – Tam Coc 1 day tour  on December 27th. They picked me up at 8:35 am at my hostel and still picked up another customers around the old quarter until 9:10 am. The bus was good quality but the wifi didn’t really work well. Today we had full of customers in the bus because they combined with another travel agencies. First, the tour guide introduced about the schedule of our tour today and some informations of the places we will visit. We had Vietnamese and westerners so he spoke in English and then translated in Vietnamese. He seemed not speak English very well because he gave more information for Vietnamese and some times got trouble to translate some words. Anyway he made some jokes for everyone.
At 10:30 am, the driver dropped us in a restaurant. It had food, hand – made souvenirs, drinks. The price of them are very expensive than other places. It can be double price or more than reality. We took a rest there for 30 minutes and kept moving to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
At 12:05 pm, we got to Hoa Lu – The ancient capital of Vietnam.

You’ll have to pay 10000 VND to sit on that buffalo
We visited Dinh temple, Le temple. The tour guide introduced for us about the history of Dinh King, Le King, Duong Van Nga and their families. Hoa Lu is large with rich history. It helped me to know more about 2 dynasties of Vietnam: Dinh and Le. Expecially Duong Van Nga, the only women who was the wife of 2 King dynasties: Dinh and Le dynasty. And the fights of each sons of the king to become a king are interesting. The tour guide was not knowledgeable much because he couldn’t answer my question or some another questions of customers. Anyway he did a good job to tell us about the history of Vietnam

We finished Hoa Lu Ancient Capital at 1:00 pm for 40 minutes and had lunch in a restaurant near Hoa Lu. Around Hoa Lu, there is a lot of restaurants with special foods here. We had buffet for lunch with about 20 foods include fruits, salads, rice and another foods. The lunch was fine but it wasn’t like i expected.
We moved to Tam Coc Complex at 1:40 pm and had a boat trip at 2:10 pm. 2 – 4 people per boat. It is a small boat, made from wood. The interesting thing was that the woman who controlled the boat, she rowed by legs. she said that it’s easier and not tired as rowing by hands. Tam Coc means 3 caves so we went through 3 caves. The first cave is the biggest and longest. It became darker when we went inside with a lot of interenting shapes of limestones. The sightseeing is beautiful, poetic. peaceful and nature with mountainous around. But it will be more beautiful in the golden rice season from april to july because you can go through the beautiful golden rice field. At this time they just harvested rice and prepare for the new rice season.



Trang An Bai Dinh 1 Day Tour - An Experience From The Guest

Trang An Bai Dinh 1 Day Tour - Experience Day Tour


 I had a Bai Dinh – Trang An day tour on thursday. I booked the tour with Vietnam Eco Travel  the day before and they picked me up at 8:45 am at my hostel. They still picked up another people around the old quarter. Their bus was full of customers today and almost of them were foreigners. The tour guide introduced for us some informations about Vietnam while they picked up another customers. He’s humorous and professional. We started our tour at 9:10 am. The tour guide told us about our schedule tour today and introduced the name of each person for everyone. 
 First, they dropped us in a restaurant to take a rest for 30 minutes at 10:10 am. The goods there are more expensive than in another places. 
 Then we went to Bai Dinh pagoda at 11:40 am. We took a electric car to go from the gate to Bai Dinh pagoda. It took us 5 minutes to get there.  I was so surprised because the pagoda is really big with many buddihsm constructions. The tour guide started to introduced for us about giant statues there. They are the largest statues in southeast Asia. After that we visited Bell tower to visit a large bell there and kept moving to visit another temple. Around the lobby with thousand of big Buddha statues and small one inside each small box on the wall. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, he told us many useful details about Buddhism. We just went half of the pagoda complex because he said that another part was the same

We went down by foot at 1:40 pm. We went up the bus to go to a restaurant for lunch and got there at 2:00 pm. We had buffet for 40 minutes. The food there was fine. I expected more specific foods there. Then we moved to Trang An – Ha Long Bay On Land and started a boat trip at 3:00 pm. My boat had 4 people and the tour guide didn’t go with us. Trang An was very beautiful, nature and peaceful. The river was clean, I also could see some plants in the bottom of the river. We went through some amazing caves. Inside the caves, they had lights so we could see many limestones with interesting shapes. See the sunset, enjoyed the beauty of sightseeing and pure air. I felt really comfortable, forgot the stress of life. The boat trip took us 2 hour to go around. I didn’t feel any regret to choose Trang An Bai Dinh are my destinations. 
We finished our tour at 5:00 pm.
 We came back Hanoi and felt satisfied with our tour today. We went to the old quarter at 7:20 pm. The tour guide said goodbye and thanks to us.
 In my opinion, with the schedule of this tour, tour guide should remind tourists to bring some snack because we will have lunch quite late ( 2:00 pm) and have to walk a lot to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda
 The tourguide is knowledgeable and professional 
The schedule is good

This my Pictures with Vietnam Eco Travel for Trang An Bai Dinh 1 Day Tour