Hanoi local tours – Day Tours in Hanoi

Hanoi

When you travel to Vietnam for the first time, most of the tourists arrive in Hanoi which is the capital of Vietnam and look after Hanoi local tours. Founded over 1000 years ago, Vietnam’s capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14th century.

However, today’s Hanoi is about much more than the past. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries.

After visiting Hanoi, you will discover many different Hanoi Local tours or Day Tours. In Hanoi and around Hanoi are many places to visit. In this post, we will list the different locations you can visit with the highlights to choose a memorable Hanoi local tours.

1) Hanoi local city tour full day-must-see place after the airport !

Hanoi Capital is located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. With the Hanoi city tour, you will visit the main monuments of Hanoi with a Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature.

2) Halong Bay Deluxe day trip (6 hours cruising)

Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful and famous place in Vietnam. Most of the people spend 2 days and 1 night in Halong Bay. If you have not enough time or budget to spend a night on cruising boat, you can visit Halong Bay with this Halong Bay Deluxe day trip.

Our limousine or shuttle bus will pick you up in Hanoi and bring you to Halong Bay by the highway. So, you will save a lot of time on the road.

Also, during this Halong Bay Deluxe day trip, you will spend about 5 to 6 hours in Halong Bay which is quite more than the most day trip in Halong Bay.

Highlights of the cruise schedule

Cruise 6 hours route – same way overnight trip
Go new high way, save 2 hours on bus
Enjoying lunch with Vietnamese dishes catered by our chef with hospitality
Passing Fighting Cock Islet to approach Titov Island for swimming and trekking to top of mountain then visit Sung Sot cave (one of the most beautiful dry cave in Halong Bay) to visit thousands of stalagmites and stalactites with different shapes from the bottom up to the cave ceiling
Stopping at the floating house to experience Kayaking (by yourself) or Bamboo boat (rowed by the local people) or just relaxing aboard

3) Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – one day tour

Halong Bay On Land in Vietnam is a tourist destination including the World Natural and Cultural Heritage listed by UNESCO. This Heritage is located in Ninh Binh province in north of the country. Many monuments and landscapes have also been added by the Vietnamese government to the list of particularly important National Heritage, such as the destination of Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the eco – spiritual region of Trang An… belonging to the Halong Bay On Land.

Tour Highlights :

Small group tour with maximum personal experience .
High quality transfer service with latest morden A/C shuttle (Business-class D-car limousine or Luxury model of Ford Transit )
Home-lunch with local family to learn the village culture through their cuisine and daily activities.
Widen your knowledge of Vietnam history at King Dinh and King Le temple, the two great heroes of the nation who lived in the 10th century in Hoa Lu which was chosen as the first capital of Vietnam independent feudal kingdom.
Discover Tam Coc – the “Halong Bay on land” on sampan boat rowed by local people. Dropped yourself between the picturesque landscape of limestone mountain and rice field along the river.
Unique and unforgetable biking route passing through villages, ricefields and karst moutant on a high quality sport bikes.

4) Hanoi local tour : Sapa – Fansipan (2 days / 1 night by bus)

The Sapa tour (2 days/ 1 night) is designed for travelers who want to spend 2 days – 1 night in Sapa aiming at: Saving the time, visit the most popular travel sites in Sapa (Cat Cat Village and Fansipan Legend), stay overnight in a good hotel to be comfortable, much lower cost than going by night train, especially you can enjoy the friendly services provided by Jacky Vietnam Travel.

Hanoi 5 days itinerary

Hanoi

Are you planning to visit Vietnam ? You have planned to go to Hanoi for a 5 days and 4 nights trip ? You have booked your flight tickets to reach Hanoi and you have no idea of what to see in Hanoi and around the capital ? You are looking for a suitable Hanoi 5 days itinerary ?

Then you’re on the right page !

First off all, 5 days in Northern Vietnam is a reasonable time, not too long, not too short to explore Hanoi and the most popular places around Hanoi.

So what is the most suitable Hanoi 5 days itinerary ? What to do during 5 days in Hanoi, in this chaotic, colorful and scooter-infested 1.000-year-old city?

Our travel agency is specialized in short trips to Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh. We arrange short trips at reasonable price. You have different choices depending on what are your interests. In Vietnam, you can enjoy amazing views and learn more about history. You can also do trekking and many other activities.

For a first trip to Vietnam, Hanoi would be the best destination because there are more things to see and to do in Northern Vietnam than in the other parts of Vietnam. That’s why Hanoi is the most popular destination for a short trip to Vietnam.

Hanoi 5 days itinerary

Hanoi 5 days / 4 nights itinerary for sightseeing lovers

Hanoi is a good destination for sightseeing lovers. Hanoi is a good choice if you like natural landscapes.

Here is the most popular Hanoi 5 days / 4 nights itinerary :

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi – Halong bay, overnight on cruise
Day 3 : Halong bay – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 4 : Ninh Binh full day trip, overnight in Hanoi
Day 5 : Hanoi departure

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, it will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach downtown Hanoi. Then you can visit the capital of Vietnam which has more than 1000 years of history.

The ideal is to select a hotel in the old district of Hanoi that will allow you to be closer to the street restaurants and all the shops for shopping.

After check-in hotel, you will be able to walk in the old quarter also called district of the 36 guilds, then around the Hoan Kiem lake. Nothing better than a little stroll around the lake to relax. This place is always busy and is closed to traffic during weekends from 7am.

Next to the lake, you can visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Hanoi Opera House or the famous train street.

The next day you can take the bus to visit Halong Bay. Only a 3-hour drive away, Halong Bay offers breathtaking views. Imagine thousands of islands all over the sea.

The ideal is to book a 2 day cruise and a night with a night aboard the boat. This allows you to enjoy the majestic sunset over the bay and the sunrise. It’s a show not to be missed!

Many activities are planned on board such as kayaking, visiting a cave or free time for swimming.

On the third day, different options are possible:

Either it is possible to go directly to Hanoi with the cruise bus
Either it is possible to go directly to Ninh Binh for one night in Bungalow (It takes about 4 hours to reach Tam Coc)

On the fourth day, you will visit Ninh Binh. This region is also called Halong Bay on Land. Thousands of rocks come out of the ground in the middle of the rice fields. This natural landscape is today known worldwide.

It is possible to visit different places of Ninh Binh during a group excursion. The most popular destinations are Hoa Lu and Tam Coc or Bai Dinh and Trang An.

Hoa Lu is the ancient capital of Vietnam. You can admire ancient temples.

Tam Coc allows you to go for a ride in the middle of the mountains and rice fields. This is the best known place for boating

Trang An is less known but just as beautiful. Trang An is a complex of buildings, rivers and mountains. The landscapes are more natural. The duration of the boat trip is also longer than Tam Coc since it can last up to 3 hours.

Bai Dinh is the largest pagoda in Vietnam. This destination is very popular with Asian tourists.

Hanoi 5 days / 4 nights itinerary for city lovers

If you prefer to spend more time in Hanoi to visit historical monuments and for shopping. This Hanoi 5 days itinerary will be more suitable for you and your group.

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi city tour, overnight in Hanoi
Day 3 : Hanoi – Halong bay, overnight on cruise
Day 4 : Halong bay – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 5 : Hanoi departure

On the second day, you can join a group city tour or a private tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.

Just next door Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure hasbecome an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

You can also visit the Temple of literature with nice typical vietnamese architecture.

Close to Hanoi, you can visit Bat Trang pottery village. It is a nice destination to buy some traditional potteries for some souvenirs.

Hanoi 5 days / 4 nights itinerary for hiking lovers

If you love hiking in the mountains or if you like to enjoy the fresh mountain air, you can include Sapa in your itinerary:

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi – Halong bay on day tour, overnight in Hanoi
Day 3 : Hanoi – Sapa, overnight in Sapa
Day 4 : Sapa Fansipan – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 5 : Hanoi departure

With this itinerary, you will spend a single day at Halong Bay. One day is enough to visit Halong Bay but with a 3h30 drive to reach the port from Hanoi, the time spent in Halong Bay is only 4 to 5 hours. It’s very short and quite tiring.

Also, you will not have the chance to see the sunrise and sunset in Halong Bay. The ideal is to stay one more day in Vietnam and spend 6 days in Vietnam to enjoy the cruise in Halong Bay.

Regarding Sapa, there are several possibilities to reach Sapa. You can take the night train that takes about 8 hours from Hanoi Station to Lao Cai Station. You will still have to drive 1 hour by minibus to reach Sapa. The total journey time is therefore about 9 hours. The train is the most expensive and the least comfortable solution because many people have trouble sleeping on the train because of the jolts.

It is also possible to reach Sapa by following the new highway in just 6 hours from Hanoi. Our travel agency offers the sleeper bus or the limousine (more comfortable) to get to Sapa. The sleeper bus is the fastest and least expensive solution.

Around Sapa, you will not have to miss the Cat Cat village where you can learn more about the ethnic minorities living around the city of Sapa.

After a night in Sapa, you will climb to the top of Mount Fansipan, which is the highest peak of Indochina (3143 m). The cable car goes up to Mount Fansipan. Then you have to climb about 500 steps to get to the top.

Note that in winter, Mount Fansipan is often fog. The best time to visit Sapa is from May to September. At this time, you will be more likely to have sunny weather.

Conclusion : Hanoi 5 days itinerary

Hanoi is a must-see destination if you want to visit Vietnam. This destination offers a total immersion in the culture of Vietnam. Around Hanoi are the most beautiful and popular landscapes of Vietnam with Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa.

If you want more information about these Hanoi 5 days itineraries, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message by WhatsApp: +84.947.891.345

Danang 5 days itinerary

Danang

Many tourists choose to spend only 5 days and 4 nights in Danang, which is enough to visit the main destinations of central Vietnam. Danang is a coastal city located in central Vietnam, 770 km from Hanoi and 850 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Danang is the fourth largest city in Vietnam. It is a big city, modern and animated.

Vietnam is a very long country and transport is very tiring. Thus, Danang is a full-fledged destination for many tourists who wish to visit this region. Danang International Airport provides direct flights to central Vietnam from abroad. There are direct flights from Malaysia for example.

We will describe here an itinerary to follow if you choose to spend 5 days and 4 nights in Danang.

The nearest and best known cities around Danang are Hoi An and Hue. These cities are easily accessible from Danang. Hoi An is only 45 minutes far from downtown Danang and it takes about 3 hours to reach Hue from Danang.

The interest of spending 5 days in Danang is to be able to take a rest at the edge of the sea while discovering landscapes and magnificent cities. The center of Vietnam is the ideal region to go for a weekend with friends or family. There are many attractions in this part of Vietnam.

Best Danang 5 days itinerary

With only 5 days in Danang, it is better not to waste too much time on arrival at Danang Airport and choose immediately where you want to spend the most of your time.

Be aware that Hoi An is only 45 minutes drive from the airport and is a much nicer place than Danang. Therefore, we recommend that you should spend more time in Hoi An than in Danang.

Here is the itinerary we recommend for a 5 days stay in Central Vietnam :

Day 1 : Danang arrival, overnight in Danang
Day 2 : Ba Na Hills (B-L), overnight in Danang
Day 3 : Hoi an ancient town (B-D), overnight in Hoian
Day 4 : Cam Thanh basket boat tour – cooking class (B-L), overnight in Hoian
Day 5 : Danang departure (B)

Upon arrival, you can take a taxi from the airport to reach your hotel in Hoi An. The price of the race costs around US $ 15 (360,000 VND) which is not excessive.

In Hoi An, it is better to book a hotel near the old town. Indeed, you will be able to easily visit the city with its atypical and authentic architecture. Also, you will be close to restaurants and other shops. In the evening, it is very pleasant to walk along the river and go for a walk at the night market. You should not miss the famous Hoi An Lantern Festival once a month.

Some people choose to book a hotel near the sea. This is another possibility. Know that hotels by the sea are often quite expensive and the beach is about 6 km from the old town. It is therefore necessary to take a taxi to visit the old town of Hoi An. Some hotels offer free shuttle services but these services are not always very convenient.

The second day, you can choose to visit the village of Cam Thanh with its famous basket boats. Group excursions are not very expensive. This little boat trip on the river is very nice and will allow you to learn more about traditional fishing techniques. The rowers master their boats very well and will make some demonstrations. Hang in there!

If you are interested in the history of Vietnam, the archaeological site of My Son is not to be missed in this region. My Son temples were built from the 4th century under the reign of King Bhadravaman, until late 13th century, and early 14th century under the reign of King Jaya Simhavaman III (Che Man). My Son used to be a group of more than 70 temple towers. Each temple has a typical architecture which reflects a historical stage of the Champa kingdoms. Most of the architecture and sculptures were influenced by Indian culture. Most of the temples point to the East, the sun direction. Champa people thought that the East was the place where the gods lived.

On the third day, you can leave Hoi An to go to Ba Na Hills. The most popular theme park in Vietnam is about an hour and a half drive from Hoi An.

Ba Na Hills is a must for most tourists visiting Danang. Ba Na Hills Station is a hill station and resort located on the Trường Sơn Mountains in Da Nang, central Vietnam. The station, advertised as “the Da Lat of Danang province” by local tourism authorities, was founded in 1919 by French colonists. Linh Ung Pagodais located near the station, with a cable car to carry tourists to and from the resort. The Ba Na Cable Car, opened on March 29, 2013, holds the world record for longest non-stop single track cable car at 5801 meters in length. During your visit to Ba Na Hills, you should not miss the famous Golden Bridge for a memorable selfie. To learn more about Ba Na Hills, read our article here. Note that on weekends, there are often a lot of people at Ba Na Hills. The weekends are therefore to be avoided as far as possible for your visit.

Finally, after visiting Ba Na Hills, the end of your 5 days Danang itinerary will approach. It will be time to return to Danang which is 45 minutes drive from Ba Na Hills. You can choose to spend the night in the city to admire the Dragon Bridge and go to the night market or choose to spend the evening on one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam My Khe Beach. Note that the beach is pretty far from downtown. So you have to make a choice here.

The next day you will be just 20 minutes from Danang Airport for your return flight. We hope that with our advice you will have a pleasant stay of 5 days and 4 nights in Danang.

Best time for a 5 days Danang trip

The choice of the best period is essential for a pleasant stay in Danang.

The rainy season runs from September to December. It’s the wrong time to visit Danang.

From June to August, Danang is very hot and there are many local tourists. Ba Na Hills will be much crowded during this period.

The best time for a 5 days Danang itinerary is from January to May. During this period, it is not too hot and the weather is dry. The weather is ideal to enjoy the city of Hoi An or go to Ba Na Hills.

To learn more about the best time to visit Danang, feel free to read our article here.

Hanoi 6 days itinerary

Hanoi

Are you planning to visit Vietnam ? You have planned to go to Hanoi for a 6 days and 5 nights trip ? You have booked your flight tickets to reach Hanoi and you have no idea of what to see in Hanoi and around the capital ? You are looking for a suitable Hanoi 6 days itinerary ?

Then you’re on the right page !

First off all, 6 days itinerary in Northern Vietnam is a reasonable time, not too long, not too short to explore Hanoi and the most popular places around Hanoi.

So what is the most suitable Hanoi 6 days itinerary ? What to do during 6 days in Hanoi, in this chaotic, colorful and scooter-infested 1.000-year-old city?

Our travel agency is specialized in short trips to Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh. We arrange short trips at reasonable price. You have different choices depending on what are your interests. In Vietnam, you can enjoy amazing views and learn more about history. You can also do trekking and many other activities.

For a first trip to Vietnam, Hanoi would be the best destination because there are more things to see and to do in Northern Vietnam than in the other parts of Vietnam. That’s why Hanoi is the most popular destination for a short trip to Vietnam.

Hanoi 6 days itinerary

Hanoi 6 days / 5 nights itinerary for sightseeing lovers

Hanoi is a good destination for sightseeing lovers and to take a rest. Hanoi is a good choice if you like natural landscapes.

Here is the most popular Hanoi 6 days / 4 nights itinerary :

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi – Halong bay, overnight on cruise
Day 3 : Halong bay – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 4 : Ninh Binh full day trip, overnight in Tam Coc
Day 5 : Ninh Binh – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 6 : Hanoi departure

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, it will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach downtown Hanoi. Then you can visit the capital of Vietnam which has more than 1000 years of history.

The ideal is to select a hotel in the old district of Hanoi that will allow you to be closer to the street restaurants and all the shops for shopping.

After check-in hotel, you will be able to walk in the old quarter also called district of the 36 guilds, then around the Hoan Kiem lake. Nothing better than a little stroll around the lake to relax. This place is always busy and is closed to traffic during weekends from 7am.

Next to the lake, you can visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Hanoi Opera House or the famous train street.

The next day you can take the bus to visit Halong Bay. Only a 3-hour drive away, Halong Bay offers breathtaking views. Imagine thousands of islands all over the sea.

The ideal is to book a 2 day cruise and a night with a night aboard the boat. This allows you to enjoy the majestic sunset over the bay and the sunrise. It’s a show not to be missed!

Many activities are planned on board such as kayaking, visiting a cave or free time for swimming.

On the third day, different options are possible:

Either it is possible to go directly to Hanoi with the cruise bus
Either it is possible to go directly to Ninh Binh for one night in Bungalow (It takes about 4 hours to reach Tam Coc)

On the fourth day, you will visit Ninh Binh. This region is also called Halong Bay on Land. Thousands of rocks come out of the ground in the middle of the rice fields. This natural landscape is today known worldwide.

It is possible to visit different places of Ninh Binh during a group excursion. The most popular destinations are Hoa Lu and Tam Coc or Bai Dinh and Trang An.

Hoa Lu is the ancient capital of Vietnam. You can admire ancient temples.

Tam Coc allows you to go for a ride in the middle of the mountains and rice fields. This is the best known place for boating

Trang An is less known but just as beautiful. Trang An is a complex of buildings, rivers and mountains. The landscapes are more natural. The duration of the boat trip is also longer than Tam Coc since it can last up to 3 hours.

Bai Dinh is the largest pagoda in Vietnam. This destination is very popular with Asian tourists.

Hanoi 6 days / 5 nights itinerary for city lovers

If you prefer to spend more time in Hanoi to visit historical monuments and for shopping. This Hanoi 6 days itinerary will be more suitable for you and your group.

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi city tour, overnight in Hanoi
Day 3 : Hanoi – Halong bay, overnight on cruise
Day 4 : Halong bay – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 5 : Ninh Binh one day trip, overnight in Hanoi
Day 6 : Hanoi departure

On the second day, you can join a group city tour or a private tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.

Just next door Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure hasbecome an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

You can also visit the Temple of literature with nice typical vietnamese architecture.

Close to Hanoi, you can visit Bat Trang pottery village. It is a nice destination to buy some traditional potteries for some souvenirs.

Hanoi 6 days / 5 nights itinerary for hiking lovers

If you love hiking in the mountains or if you like to enjoy the fresh mountain air, you can include Sapa in your itinerary:

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival, overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi – Halong bay, overnight on cruise
Day 3 : Halong bay – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 4 : Hanoi – Sapa, overnight in Sapa
Day 5 : Sapa Fansipan – Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi
Day 6 : Hanoi departure

Regarding Sapa, there are several possibilities to reach Sapa. You can take the night train that takes about 8 hours from Hanoi Station to Lao Cai Station. You will still have to drive 1 hour by minibus to reach Sapa. The total journey time is therefore about 9 hours. The train is the most expensive and the least comfortable solution because many people have trouble sleeping on the train because of the jolts.

It is also possible to reach Sapa by following the new highway in just 6 hours from Hanoi. Our travel agency offers the sleeper bus or the limousine (more comfortable) to get to Sapa. The sleeper bus is the fastest and least expensive solution.

Around Sapa, you will not have to miss the Cat Cat village where you can learn more about the ethnic minorities living around the city of Sapa.

After a night in Sapa, you will climb to the top of Mount Fansipan, which is the highest peak of Indochina (3143 m). The cable car goes up to Mount Fansipan. Then you have to climb about 500 steps to get to the top.

Note that in winter, Mount Fansipan is often fog. The best time to visit Sapa is from May to September. At this time, you will be more likely to have sunny weather.

Conclusion : Hanoi 6 days itinerary

Hanoi is a must-see destination if you want to visit Vietnam. This destination offers a total immersion in the culture of Vietnam. Around Hanoi are the most beautiful and popular landscapes of Vietnam with Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa.

If you want more information about these Hanoi 6 days itineraries, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message by WhatsApp: +84.947.891.345

Hanoi Street Food – Bun Cha Obama restaurant

Hanoi

The Bun Cha Huong Lien (located on Le Van Huu Street) is a local restaurant which became famous in 2016. This restaurant is now well known as the Bun Cha Obama restaurant.

Bun Cha is a traditional Vietnamese dish. Bun Cha is composed of fresh rice noodles, grilled pork in pieces, and a special sauce. During the official visit to Vietnam at the end of May 2016, for his dinner, President Obama enjoyed Bun Cha at this popular restaurant in Hanoi.

Bun Cha Vietnam with President Obama:

President Obama was served Bun Cha after his busy day in Hanoi at a popular restaurant on Le Van Huu Street, where he tasted this traditional Vietnamese dish.

On the evening of May 23, 2016, neighborhoods like Thi Sach, Le Van Huu, and Ngo Thi Nham in the Hoan Kiem district of Vietnam’s capital Hanoi were blocked off for strict security protection when it was known that President Obama would come to take the Bun Cha.

The White House announced that Obama wanted to make time for some visits and to discover the local culture and gastronomy.

“Mr. Obama ordered 2 portions of Bun Cha,” shared restaurant owner Huong Lien.

The US President ordered 2 bun cha and 2 bottles of Hanoi beer to eat with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who also bought 4 bun cha to take away from the hotel.

Huong Lien’s restaurant owner couldn’t hide her joy as she laughed constantly. She said she was surprised when Mr. Obama came to her restaurant. She also shook his hand. According to the owner, Mr. Obama’s hands are soft and warm. His smile was beautiful, and he was very sociable.

In front of the question: “Do you want to nominate Bun Cha Huong Lien Bun Cha for Obama?” The boss laughed, saying that she hadn’t thought of it yet because it happened so quickly and the name Bun Cha Huong Lien had existed in her home for a long time.

Book your Hanoi Street Food Tour with us and let’s try the Bun Cha Obama restaurant :

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293924-d17553041-Hanoi_street_food_tour_Private_tour-Hanoi.html

Cheese made in Vietnam

Vietnam

Here is a discovery that will delight all cheese fans: cheese made in Vietnam. Indeed, an artisanal cheese factory has been created at the beginning of 2020. We were lucky to be able to meet the founders of Maison Béjo. These two Frenchmen had the idea of making cheese in Vietnam. Here is our interview with its founders.

Jacky Travel : Where did you get the idea to make cheese in Vietnam?

Maison Béjo : Before moving to Vietnam, we already had a little experience in cheese making and we are real cheese fans. It is a product that is difficult to find in Vietnam. Imported cheese from France is often overpriced. However, cheese is widely consumed by expatriates and there is an increasing request for dairy products here in Vietnam. This is why, we decided to make some cheeses in Vietnam to test the market. We were surprised to see our few cheeses leave very quickly.

Jacky Travel : Is there enough milk in Vietnam to produce cheese?

Maison Béjo : Our cheeses are made with 100% Vietnamese milk. There are more and more milk producers in Vietnam and the demand for milk is growing. Some regions of Vietnam are known for their milk such as Ba Vi or Moc Chau. We do not risk shortage for the moment because our production remains very small and very artisanal.

Jacky Travel : Which products do you currently offer?

Maison Béjo : Today, we offer a two-month aged tomme and handmade “Fromage blanc” as well. We have chosen to work only with raw milk in order to produce cheeses with unique flavors. We are lucky to be able to source very fresh milk to ensure the quality of our cheeses. We only have two products today but we hope to be able to develop a bigger range very soon.

Jacky Travel : Which customers are you targeting?

Maison Béjo :Our dream is that cheese will becom a popular product in Vietnam. Today, the cheese is still little known by the Vietnamese. It is mainly consumed melted on pizzas. However, cheese is sometimes consumed by Vietnamese people who have already traveled to Europe and France in particular. Our customers are mainly expatriates in need of Western-style food.

Jacky Travel : Where can we buy your cheese made in Vietnam?

Maison Béjo : We sell through our website and social media. The products are delivered to your home. We are currently in discussions with various distributors in Hanoi to make it easier for our customers to access our products. We also hope to be able to sell our products in Ho Chi Minh City in the near future as this city has a large expatriate community.

Ba Be lake

Hanoi

Ba Be Lake is the largest natural lake in Vietnam. This national park rich in flora and fauna is a destination still little known to the general public. In this little corner of northern Vietnam, you can enjoy a little peace. Follow the rhythm of the Thai minorities who live around the lake, grow rice and fish on the lake.

Ba Be Lake is 240 km from Hanoi. It takes at least 5.5 hours to reach the lake by bus. The natural park is made up of 3 lakes. When you arrive at Ba Be National Park, there is only one route that leads down to the lake.

Where to sleep at Ba Be Lake ?

Coming from the main road which leads down to the lake, you come to a small metal suspension bridge. This bridge crosses one of the rivers which feeds the lake. Crossing the bridge, we arrive at the village of Pac Ngoi. It is the largest village around Ba Be Lake.

It is in the village of Pac Ngoi that one can easily find a place to sleep. In fact, many houses are bed and breakfasts (homestay). It is therefore easy to find accommodation to sleep with the locals.

Since Ba Be Lake is the territory of Thai ethnic minorities, most of the houses are on stilts. The house on stilts is the traditional home of the Thai people. Among the locals, the comfort is quite rudimentary but most of the locals are very welcoming and warm. Very few residents speak English, let alone French, so it is difficult to communicate with them without a guide.

There are almost no restaurants around the lake. One of the best ways to eat is to eat with the locals. Les Tays can cook superb local dishes with fresh local produce.

What to see / what to do at Ba Be Lake ?

Ba Be Lake can be visited by boat. It’s the easiest and fastest way of getting from one village to another. Leaving the village of Pac Ngoi, the villagers’ boats are parked at the pier located about 1 km from the center.

Locals are used to taking tourists to visit the lake by boat. The walk lasts half a day. There are different places to visit by the lake.

One of the most popular tours is a visit to the Dau Dang waterfall across the lake. Puong Cave is also accessible by boat. It is the most impressive cave in the lake with a height of 30m and a length of 300m.

In the middle of the lake is the An Mã temple on the island of An Mã.

After the boat tour of the lake, it is possible to visit the Hua Ma cave. This cave is accessible by bicycle from the village of Pac Ngoi. After climbing the steps to reach the entrance to the cave, take the stairs to descend to the bottom of this impressive cave, the legend of which is fascinating.

Hanoi Airport Bus service

Hanoi

The easiest and most economical way to go to Hanoi city center from Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai Airport) is to take the Hanoi airport bus service number 86.

Location of Hanoi Airport Bus

Arriving from terminal 2 (international flights), the bus is located approximately 100m to the left of the airport exit.

There is also a stop at terminal 1 (domestic flights) of the Hanoi Airport Bus (Bus 86). This stop is also located at the exit of the airport

Hanoi Airport Bus Schedule

Hanoi Railway Station opens at 5:05 and closes at 21:40
Noi Bai International Airport opens at 6:18 and it closes at 22:58

Hanoi Airport Bus Stops

Hanoi Airport Bus runs from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi railway station. The bus has many stops in the old quarter of Hanoi. That is why this bus is very convenient to reach your hotel in the center of Hanoi.

From the Hanoi center to Airport: Hanoi Central Railway Station -> Bus stop opposite the Melia Hotel -> Hanoi Post Office -> 23 Hang Tre -> Long Bien Bus Station (E11) -> Bus stop at intersection Yen Phu -> Bus stop at intersection Au Co – Xuan Dieu -> Au Co – Lac Long Quan (468 Au Co) -> VAECO Company -> International Terminal 1 -> International Terminal 2.

From airport to the Hanoi center: Terminal 1 -> Terminal 2 -> VAECO Company –> Au Co – Lac Long Quan (523 Au Co str)–> Au Co – Xuan Dieu Stop -> Bus stop at intersection Yen Phu -> Long Bien Bus Station -> 142 Tran Quang Khai –> Hanoi Opera House -> Hanoi Melia Hotel -> Hanoi Central Railway Station.

Hanoi Airport Bus Price

Hanoi Airport is located 28 km from downtown Hanoi. It takes around 45 minutes by taxi or grab to reach the city center. The taxi price is around 350,000 VND (15 USD). Taxi is the quickest way to reach downtown Hanoi but the most expensive.

Le prix du Hanoi Airport Bus est de 35 000 VND/pax (1.5 USD).

Les personnes souhaitant prendre le bus doivent monter dans la bus orange et s’installent. Une personne en uniforme viendra vous voir pendant le trajet pour payer votre ticket de 35 000 VND/personne.

It is not possible to pay in an other currency than VND. Foreign currencies are not accepted to pay for your bus ticket. You will have to exchange your money before in one of the airport offices or withdraw Vietnam Dong at the ATM.

Hoi An Water Coconut Village (Cam Thanh)

Danang

After one day in Hoi An, you no longer know what to visit ..? Why not visiting the countryside of Hoi An and in particular Hoi An Water Coconut village. A place almost unique in Vietnam.

This village has gradually become a must see destination to visit around Hoi An.

Hoi An Water Coconut village is above all a fishing village stretching over 75 ha (just that).

Its particuliarity? This village has 7 ha immerged water coconut trees (Nippa), that’s what makes it curious and each hectare belongs to a family.

Since 2017, there is an entrance fee to visit the village if and only if you are taking a traditionnal Vietnamese boat (basket boat). Entrance fee is about 30,000 vnd per person. If you just want to visit the village without taking a basket boat, it’s still free.

Take a Basket Boat (Vietnamese round boat that you can see everywhere) in this forest is a quite magical experience. It feels like being in an Amazonian forest and feeling alone (if you go to the right place).

Hoi An Water Coconut is also rich in marine species such as crab and clam. This place is the main source of seafood for the region.

We have learned from the local people that during the war, the Vietnamese were hidden in the forest to avoid the Americans.

This forest is an protected area by WWF (World Wild Life).

Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village

The real name of the coconut palm village is Cam Thanh. Located just 6 km from Hoi An, it is possible to easily reach the village of Cam Thanh by boat or bicycle.

If you want to visit the water coconut village, basket boat tours are organized where you wander through the different canals among the coconut trees.

Our travel agency offers a visit to the village of Cam Thanh. Our local guide will pick you up from your hotel to take you aboard a traditional Hoi An boat.

After 30 minutes on the Thu Bon river, you will arrive at the village of Cam Thanh. Thu Bon river is the river which crosses the city of Hoi An and which forms a delta before throwing itself in the sea.

At the edge of the river, fishermen offer tours in round boats typical of the region. Count 150,000 vnd per person for 1 hour of basket boat.

The fishermen will give you a demonstration of fishing with these very mobile boats. Indeed, if you like thrills, fishermen can give you a little demonstration of navigation with these boats.

The main activity after fishing is of course the cultivation of these same coconut palms whose leaves are used to build the roofs of traditional houses as well as parasols, among others. You can see on the side of the roads the leaves that are drying in the sun.

If you are a photo lover, we have only one advice, come at 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for the sunset with the background landscape, the coconut trees or a little further, the fishermen launching their nets, it’s just magnificent !

Why Basket boats in Central Vietnam ?

The basket boat is named the ghe thùng chài, a circular boat of one meter, and sometimes more, very light and with a remarkable stability, which is maneuvered by a pulling paddle movement.

The circular shape is obtained by a booklet and fine bamboo frames linked internally by ties to the basket. The caulking is done with a decoction composed of pulverized resin, lime and buffalo dung, all then coated with wood oil to varnish and protect the caulking.

Admirably adapted to always stay on the blades, the cross effect not existing, we encountered it, even in rough sea and strong swells, around fishing boats, to set or raise traps, longlines or gillnets.

The basket boats that dot the waters from the southern coast all the way up to Danang have become iconic to Vietnam. The origin of these coracles is unclear, but many believe they were born out of ingenuity during the French colonial era.

As the story goes, when the French levied taxes on boats in Vietnam, fishermen couldn’t afford to pay them – so they designed circular woven “baskets” that just so happened to also function as boats. The basket boats quickly became popular up and down the coast thanks to both their tax-free status and their impressive engineering.

Danang 4 days itinerary

Danang

Danang is a coastal city located in central Vietnam, 770 km from Hanoi and 850 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Danang is the fourth largest city in Vietnam. It is a big city, modern and animated.

Vietnam is a very long country and transport is very tiring. Thus, Danang is a full-fledged destination for many tourists who wish to visit this region. Danang International Airport provides direct flights to central Vietnam from abroad. There are direct flights from Malaysia for example.

Many tourists choose to spend only 4 days and 3 nights in Danang, which is enough to visit the main destinations of central Vietnam. We will describe here an itinerary to follow if you choose to spend 4 days and 3 nights in Danang.

The nearest and best known cities around Danang are Hoi An and Hue. These cities are easily accessible from Danang. Hoi An is only 45 minutes far from downtown Danang and it takes about 3 hours to reach Hue from Danang.

The interest of spending 4 days in Danang is to be able to take a rest at the edge of the sea while discovering landscapes and magnificent cities. The center of Vietnam is the ideal region to go for a weekend with friends or family. There are many attractions in this part of Vietnam.

Best 4 days Danang itinerary

With only 4 days in Danang, it is better not to waste too much time on arrival at Danang Airport and choose immediately where you want to spend the most of your time.

Be aware that Hoi An is only 45 minutes drive from the airport and is a much nicer place than Danang. Therefore, we recommend that you should spend more time in Hoi An than in Danang.

Here is the itinerary we recommend for a 4 days stay in Central Vietnam :

Day 1 : Danang arrival – transfer to Hoi An, overnight in Hoi An
Day 2 : Hoi An – Cam Thanh basket boats or My Son sanctuary, overnight in Hoi An
Day 3 : Hoi An – Ba Na Hills, overnight in Danang
Day 4 : Danang departure

Upon arrival, you can take a taxi from the airport to reach your hotel in Hoi An. The price of the race costs around US $ 15 (360,000 VND) which is not excessive.

In Hoi An, it is better to book a hotel near the old town. Indeed, you will be able to easily visit the city with its atypical and authentic architecture. Also, you will be close to restaurants and other shops. In the evening, it is very pleasant to walk along the river and go for a walk at the night market. You should not miss the famous Hoi An Lantern Festival once a month.

Some people choose to book a hotel near the sea. This is another possibility. Know that hotels by the sea are often quite expensive and the beach is about 6 km from the old town. It is therefore necessary to take a taxi to visit the old town of Hoi An. Some hotels offer free shuttle services but these services are not always very convenient.

The second day, you can choose to visit the village of Cam Thanh with its famous basket boats. Group excursions are not very expensive. This little boat trip on the river is very nice and will allow you to learn more about traditional fishing techniques. The rowers master their boats very well and will make some demonstrations. Hang in there!

If you are interested in the history of Vietnam, the archaeological site of My Son is not to be missed in this region. My Son temples were built from the 4th century under the reign of King Bhadravaman, until late 13th century, and early 14th century under the reign of King Jaya Simhavaman III (Che Man). My Son used to be a group of more than 70 temple towers. Each temple has a typical architecture which reflects a historical stage of the Champa kingdoms. Most of the architecture and sculptures were influenced by Indian culture. Most of the temples point to the East, the sun direction. Champa people thought that the East was the place where the gods lived.

On the third day, you can leave Hoi An to go to Ba Na Hills. The most popular theme park in Vietnam is about an hour and a half drive from Hoi An.

Ba Na Hills is a must for most tourists visiting Danang. Ba Na Hills Station is a hill station and resort located on the Trường Sơn Mountains in Da Nang, central Vietnam. The station, advertised as “the Da Lat of Danang province” by local tourism authorities, was founded in 1919 by French colonists. Linh Ung Pagodais located near the station, with a cable car to carry tourists to and from the resort. The Ba Na Cable Car, opened on March 29, 2013, holds the world record for longest non-stop single track cable car at 5801 meters in length. During your visit to Ba Na Hills, you should not miss the famous Golden Bridge for a memorable selfie. To learn more about Ba Na Hills, read our article here. Note that on weekends, there are often a lot of people at Ba Na Hills. The weekends are therefore to be avoided as far as possible for your visit.

Finally, after visiting Ba Na Hills, the end of your 4 days Danang itinerary will approach. It will be time to return to Danang which is 45 minutes drive from Ba Na Hills. You can choose to spend the night in the city to admire the Dragon Bridge and go to the night market or choose to spend the evening on one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam My Khe Beach. Note that the beach is pretty far from downtown. So you have to make a choice here.

The next day you will be just 20 minutes from Danang Airport for your return flight. We hope that with our advice you will have a pleasant stay of 4 days and 3 nights in Danang.

Best time for a 4 days Danang trip

The choice of the best period is essential for a pleasant stay in Danang.

The rainy season runs from September to December. It’s the wrong time to visit Danang.

From June to August, Danang is very hot and there are many local tourists. Ba Na Hills will be much crowded during this period.

The best time for a 4 days Danang itinerary is from January to May. During this period, it is not too hot and the weather is dry. The weather is ideal to enjoy the city of Hoi An or go to Ba Na Hills.

To learn more about the best time to visit Danang, feel free to read our article here.

Author:

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Hanoi 5 days / 4 nights itinerary for sightseeing lovers

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Best Danang 5 days itinerary

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Hanoi 6 days / 5 nights itinerary for sightseeing lovers

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Conclusion : Hanoi 6 days itinerary

Bun Cha Vietnam with President Obama:

Where to sleep at Ba Be Lake ?

What to see / what to do at Ba Be Lake ?

Location of Hanoi Airport Bus

Hanoi Airport Bus Schedule

Hanoi Airport Bus Stops

Hanoi Airport Bus Price

Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village

Why Basket boats in Central Vietnam ?

Best 4 days Danang itinerary

Best time for a 4 days Danang trip