Beautiful birds in Bac Lieu


Bac Lieu Province, around 100 km from the southernmost tip of Vietnam, is home to a popular bird sanctuary located in Hiep Thanh Commune of Bac Lieu Town. The sanctuary is one of the most attractive ecological tourist spots in the Mekong River Delta.

The Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is the vestige of a forest which ran along the East Sea coast and came into existence over a century ago. The sanctuary is just around five kilometers from the town center. It covers some 107 hectares and lies within the remaining 385 hectares of forest area. The sanctuary is now home to 46 bird species, 60 fish species, seven frog species, 10 species of mammals, eight reptile species, and 100 species of plants. On the ground are a massive number of eggs, and in the air, you can spot some species with 2 m wing-spans.

Over nearly one century, the Sanctuary is the place where generations of birds are born, usually in the rainy season, and developed. There are currently some 40,000 birds and 5,000 nests, according to preliminary statistics. Birds mostly gather here during the rainy season between May and October. In August and September, flocks of birds gather at the sanctuary to build nests and breed. The forest comes alive with the singing of various kinds of birds and trees overflow with hundreds of birds’ nests. The Sanctuary is also the important home of several water birds, mainly teal, stork, heron, night heron and cormorant.

According to documentation of Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary Nature Reserve, in the first, it was a coastal rich and diversified salt forest floor with the natural salt-marsh ecosystem. As a part of the remaining forest floor along the East Sea, it is increasingly far from the sea due to alluvial deposits. In 1962, it was looked after, protected and controlled by a household. Then, the local authority realized that it is a precious natural property, so they have a step by step investment.

The best time to visit Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is in the early morning when most birds leave their nests to begin a day of feeding. Alternatively, at sunset the birds can also be seen more easily as they return to their nests to sleep, flocks of bird fly one after another. This is the moment of enjoying the most spectacular sight the sanctuary.

Moreover, the rich flora and fauna of the enclosure gives the lush, natural area a feeling of wonder and enchantment. Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is a favorite destination of both nature lovers and researchers and visitors will easily find several types of birds listed in Vietnam’s “Red Book” of endangered species of plants and animals. The area is also popular amongst photographers who come to the sanctuary for one-of-a-kind shots of the breathtakingly beautiful birds.

Although it has potential for further development, the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary remains off the radar of most large tourist companies and thus, tourists wishing to visit the area must organize travel themselves or seek out a local guide.

Traveling to Bac Lieu, you should not forget to visit Bac Lieu bird sanctuary, the area of nature conservation with over 40 species of inhabiting bird, especially the species rare and valuable.

Phu Yen : come to love and leave to miss


Just off National Highway 1A, about 80 kilometers from the central coast city of Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa city in Phu Yen province is famous for its primitive landscapes including O Loan Lagoon, Mai Nha (Roof) island and Da Dia Rapids.
O Loan Lagoon, which has been recognized as a national tourist site, covers about 1,200 hectares. The west side of the lagoon is surrounded by small hills and the east side is the tomb of Cao Bien, a national hero. It is located at the end of Quan Cau pass, near National Highway 1A. Tourists can hire a boat from a local fisherman for VND200, 000 to enjoy its scenery.

The area of the lagoon is famous for oyster and cockle dishes and crab. Oysters make good food like soup or fried dishes. However, it is most delicious in a mix with peanuts, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables. After rowing around the immense lagoon, tourists will want to head straight for a restaurant to enjoy indigenous specialties.

Leaving O Loan, tourists should go on to An Hai beach and Mai Nha Island, a quiet speck of land belonging to Phu Yen province and endowed with unspoiled beaches and bizarre rock formations. It is called Mai Nha for the simple reason that it looks like the roof of an ancient red-tiled house when viewed from afar.

On sunny weekends, groups of fishermen often hire boats to go fishing on the island. They sit on the rocks all day to fish and to enjoy the pleasant sound of the waves.

Only a few families live on the island by farming and breeding cattle. Like everywhere else in rural Vietnam, the people here are friendly and hospitable.

There are no restaurants on the island so bring food and water.

Da Dia (Stone Plate) Rapids is a must-see attraction in Tuy An district. The strange rocks here include large upright stones in a symmetrical pattern that looks like a baffling riddle of nature set in stone for all time. It’s like a giant jigsaw, irritatingly made of the same shaped pieces, and forming a solidified structure that has proved more than just a curiosity for thousands. Looking down on it, visitors often liken it to a gigantic beehive, others as a pile of stone plates.

Archaeologists say that the rapids were formed from a volcano thousands of years ago. Exhausted researchers usually call a halt after counting around 35,000 stone columns which look like they were carefully arranged by a large hand. The rapids have been listed as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Beauty of Muong Vang

The villages of the Muong ethnic minority are surrounded by streams, mountains and stilt houses. These villages not only provide for attractive scenery, but are also known for their hospitality.

Muong people account for over 60% of the population of Hoa Binh Province. There are four distinct groups of the Muong people in Lac Son District, including Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang and Muong Dong.

Lac Son, some 50km from Hoa Binh City to the South West of Hoa Binh Province, is a land which preserves many old features of Muong people’s culture.

At an elevation of 1,071m above sea level, Cot Ca Mountain in Quy Hoa Commune, is sometimes referred to as the roof of Lac Son District.

One of the most impressive sights of this hilly region is actually the houses of the Moung people, which are still built in the traditional way, on stilts. Each household resides on the peak of a mountain or a hill.

Modernity has partially affected their culture; more and more, the traditional dress is being discarded for more modern garb. Still, the mystery and natural way of the lifestyle here is worth seeing. In any case, there are still relics of the old ways: Ao Com (a traditional Muong shirt), old songs, and special foods are still to be found.

Photos of the Muong Vang:










Imposing beauty of Dray Nur waterfall

Sparkling Dray Nur waterfall in Dak Lak Province has a natural beauty that is shrouded in the mystique of legend.

The 30-metre falls, which are also known as Cai or Vo (wife), originate from the Krong Ana River.

The story is that, a long time ago, a man of Kuop Hamlet fell in love with a girl who lived on the other side of the Serepok River. Their love remained hidden from their parents until they were inseparable.

Unfortunately, they were in a sort of Romeo and Juliet situation, where the two families were old and bitter rivals. Naturally the parents did not approve, and all their efforts to stay together seemed destined to fail.

So one night, rather than being separated, the couple committed suicide in the Serepok River. Suddenly, there was a thunderstorm, water leaped up from the river and sounds came from the forest. The next morning, the people of the hamlet were surprised to see that the river had been separated in two, isolating the two families.

Ever since then the one river has been two: the Duc (husband) creates the Dray Sap Waterfall in Dak Nong Province, in the central highlands, while the Cai (wife) river feeds the Dray Nur waterfall in Dak Lak Province.

Water still flows down the falls in small streams, only to be united at the bottom. Many say that the sound it makes are echos of the delights and reproaches of that “star crossed love”.





















A mystical beauty


Visitors enjoy the sight and sound

Vietnam’s “Dark Cave” opens for tourists

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has come to be well-known for the Phong Nha Cave and its natural beauty. Starting in June, the park’s management board launched a tour from the Chay River to Hang Toi (Dark Cave).
Boat trips along Chay River
Boat trips along Chay River
The tour is environmentally friendly, and offers visitors a chance to try out the local cuisine of Quang Binh Province.
The Chay River begins at the limestone plateau of Ka Bang, with the clear and blue waters of the Son River’s tributary.
The stone peaks provide a lovely foil to the surrounding corn fields, making unique and picturesque scenery.
Hang Toi or “The Dark Cave” is 5,258 metres in long, and 80 metres in high. It is also the home of a number of animals, from bats to swallows.
Hang Toi Cave
Hang Toi
Hang Toi Cave-2
Underwater lime stone caves of Hang Toi
Underwater lime stone caves of Hang Toi
Grandiosity puts human life in perspective
Grandiosity puts human life in perspective

Pavilion of Edicts (Phu Van Lau)


Location: Pavilion of Edicts is situated right in front of the Flag -Tower and by the National Highway No.1A which crosses Hue City.
Characteristic: It is a delicate pavilion with a south view. In front of the Pavilion is a large court leading to the Nghinh Luong Pavilion (Pavilion for Fresh Air) on the Perfume River bank.

There had once been a tiger – elephant duel on the pavilion grounds in 1829 to entertain Emperor Minh Mang. In his fortieth and fiftieth birthday anniversaries, many entertainments were also held there. These practices were maintained by Emperors Thieu Tri and Tu Duc in their birthday anniversaries. Emperor Thieu Tri listed the Perfume River and the Pavilion of Edicts among 20 most beautiful sights of the capital city of Hue. It was him who ordered in 1843 the construction of a stele house on the right of the pavilion for engraving his poem “Morning Boating on the Perfume River”.

It is the building where Emperor’s edicts and lists of successful candidates of Thi Hoi (National Examination) and Thi Dinh (Court Examinations) were publicized. Though built early in Emperor Gia Long’s reign (1819), it was first decided by Emperor Minh Mang to be the site to publicly display his important edicts.

After having been announced at the Throne Palace or the Ngo Mon, the edict was put in a canopied palanquin and carried by soldiers to the pavilion. On that occasion, the Thua Thien Province mandarins and thousands of local elders crowded to pay homage to the edict. Since 1821, after the Proclamation Ceremony, lists of successful candidates were posted there. In order to enhance the significance, two stone steles were erected on both sides of the pavilion, inscribed with Chinese characters meaning “Tilt Your Hats and Dismount” reminding passers-by to tilt their hats and get off their horses when passing this monument.

The pavilion was destroyed by a typhoon in 1904 and restored later by Emperor Thanh Thai.

Coto island


Co To Island is about 3 hours by boat from Cai Rong Town , Van Don Island District, 150km from Halong City. The Quang Ninh province's tourism sector has surveyed potential to develop tourism on the island, especially eco-tourism. Co To Island includes 40 large and small islands, of which the three largest are large Co To, Thanh Lan and Tran.

Co To Sea is beautiful both day and night, sunrise and sunset, bright moon and dim moon. Beaches in the large Co To Island are deserted and not polluted by modern industrial society. Trinh Sat Beach is typical with white sand and blue water as clear as crystal.

The forest is also appropriate for ecotourism tours. You can walk or catch "xe om" (motorbike taxi) to visit a lighthouse on a high hill. It's about 10 minutes by "xe om" from centre of island to the foot of hill, and then you'd better walk along a path to the lighthouse. This path is about 1km and lies among pine tree forest together with thousands of violet wild flowers. The light house is on the highest peak of the Co To island, 70 metres above sea level.

Large Co To Island has an abundance of seafood such as shrimp, cuttle fish..., price is very cheap. You can bring gas cooker and cook your own meal or hire a native to cook.

From large Co To Island, hiring a boat to the islands around, you will discover things such as kinds of water sports: snorkeling, fish stabbing... on Thanh Lan Island, oranges are a special harvested fruit. During harvest time, the island turns a splendid orange-yellow colour.

Charming landscape with fresh air make CoTo become an attractive place for visitors who are keen on exploring.