ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIETNAM WITH MERCURY TRAVEL

VIETNAM
TRAVEL GUIDEVIETNAM TOURS
EXPLORE DESTINATION AND PLACE
WITH MERCURY TRAVEL
2015

VIETNAM - ULTIMATE GUIDE 2015 - www.mercurytravel.com.vn2
INTRODUCTION
Mercury Travel proudly presents Vietnam - Ultimate Guide 2015
providing full detail information about famous travel destinations in
Vietnam. All the information was careful evaluated and presented
in an easy way to read. This guide book will help you understand
your upcoming destinations, what to expect and especially help
you decide the best itinerary for your trip in Vietnam.
We hope this guide book will become a useful source of travel
information, guiding you on a life time journey with great expe-
riences in Vietnam. For further help and more detail information
about destinations please contact support center of Mercury Travel
at support@mercurytravel.com.vn

VIETNAM - ULTIMATE GUIDE 2015 - www.mercurytravel.com.vn 3
TABLE OF CONTENT
2 Introduction
3 Content
4 About Us
6 Chapter 1: North Vietnam
7 Hanoi
17 Ha Long Bay
23 Ninh Binh
28 Mai Chau
32 Sapa
36 Northeast Vietnam
41 Chapter 2: Center Vietnam
42 Phong Nha Ke Bang
46 Hue
52 Da Nang
56 Hoi An
64 Nha Trang
70 Da Lat
75 Mui Ne
79 Chapter 3: South Vietnam
80 Ho Chi Minh City
91 Mekong Delta
99 Phu Quoc Island
105 Tours in Vietnam
106 Highlight of Vietnam
107 Highlight of the North
108 Beach Break
109 Explore Southern Vietnam
110 Vietnam Culinary Tour
111 Indochina Tour
113 How to book with us
114 Contact us

» About us
Mercury Travel is a leading tour operator located in Vietnam; specializing in private and tailored tours to Viet-
nam. Here we share and work with a great passion of bringing to people the best travel experience in Asia.
Our products is the combination of expert knowledge of the region, innovative itinerary, great flexibility
and the best value of money. We’re passionate about what we do and we believe in sustainable and
responsible tourism.
Using our portfolio of expertly-crafted itineraries, we create tailor-made travel packages to match your preferred
travel period, touring needs and budget. Contact us to start creating your unforgettable journey through Asia.
» Why choose Mercury Travel?
#1 You will travel with Vietnamese Local Company who know Vietnam tourism best! We are Vietnamese
local tour company and we love our beautiful land and no one knows our land better than us. All the tours and
services we offered are the things we have gained experiences with great reputation.
#2 Enjoy holiday arranged by travel experts who have HIGH RESPONSIBILITY for your journey. We put
ourself into your mind to understand your needs and desires when you travel. One step you take one action
we do. Our travel consultants always follow your tours and want to make your days in Vietnam worthy and
exciting.
#3 Travel in dream holiday, full of UNIQUE EXPERIENCES and HIGH STANDARD SERVICES. Our services
are based on our real experiences and careful chosen and evaluated before offered to you. We only offer
high standard services because we want you to come back and recommend us to others.
#4 You will get LOWEST PRICES - guaranteed and no extra - hidden cost. After many years in Vietnam tourism,
we have contract with all of hotels, cruises and able to offer you the best rate. Once you confirm your tours
and make a deposit, no additional service fees and extra costs require.
#5 CUSTOMER CARE 24/7 - 100% Travelers are satisfactory. We are always available to support you
24/7 - ready to listen and answer whenever you need. You can pick the phone up or send us an email, our
travel consultants will be so happy to talk and give you the directions.
ABOUT US

About Hanoi
Hanoi is capital of Vietnam, situated in the Vietnam’s
Red River delta, nearly 90 km away from the coastal
area. Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam which is per-
haps Asia’s most graceful, atmospheric and exotic
capital city with showcasing weeping boulevards,
tree-fringed lake and ancient pagoda.
It’s an energetic city on the move, and it often seems
Hanoi ambitious citizens are determined to make up
for lost time. Hanoi is suitable for all of visitors: cou-
ple, family, single and group for relaxing. Come to
Hanoi, visitors are not only know about the nature,
history and culture but also the life of people in Ha-
noi.
When to go?
There are four seasons in Hanoi but you can visit
Hanoi at any time of year, each has particular beau-
ties. However, end of September to November and
March to May is the best time. Ha Noi is the most
beautiful and romantic in autumn.
How to get there?
Center of Hanoi City is the Old Quarter, about 32km from Noibai airport and it takes 45- 60 minute to get
there.
• Private Car: Email Mercury Travel or call us to arrange private car picking up at the air port and drop off at
Hanoi Center (We recommend private car to make sure tourists get transfer safely, smoothly and stay away
from any possible scams or disturbing services)
• Taxi: Taxi to Hanoi center takes around 45minute, price 450.000 VND/4seats taxi
Move in Hanoi
• Cyclo: In Vietnamese means “Xich lo” a bike which was redesigned so tourist seat at front and the rider will
take you around city for sightseeing. This is an exciting experience and a good way to visit center of Hanoi.
• Electric-car: Electric-car is the safest, cheapest and most convenient way to travel in Hanoi. You can buy a
ticket for 45 minute driving around the city with only about 2$. You can buy tickets at one of three main ticket
offices: at Dong Xuan market (at Dong Xuan Street), Hoan Kiem Lake and at Tran Quoc pagoda at Thanh
Nien Street.
HA NOI
thousand years civilization

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Old quarter is the oldest developed area of Vietnam.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter has a history that spans 2,000
years and represents the eternal soul of the city. These
days, most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar
with the phrase “Hà Nội - Ba mươi sáu phố phường”
(translated as “Ha Noi - 36 districts” or “Hanoi – 36
Old Streets”), or “Phố cổ Hà Nội” (translated as “Ha-
noi’s Old Quarter”). In the old time, people came to
this old quarter and settled their business by selling
the same product on the same street. After time, each
name of street was named by what they sold like Hang
Cá (Fish street), Hàng Muối (Salt Street), Hàng Gà
(Chicken Street), Hàng Bạc (Silver Street)….. Although
nowadays, many of the streets no longer sell the prod-
ucts after which they were named, some still do. Visit-
ing Old Quarter, you will discover the fun city, full of
color and life vibration, see the lifestyle of local people
and go to shopping with traditional handicraft products
and enjoy unique cuisine.
The tour to Hochiminh complex will be very educa-
tional one which helps you understand more about
Vietnam’s modern history and especially life of Ho-
chiminh president and his credit and influences to
Vietnam. It is available on all the morning (except
Monday and Friday). Note that respectful attire –
meaning long trousers, skirts below the knee and no
sleeveless tops – should be worn for this trip.
• Ho Chi Minh’s House. It made by wooden and ar-
range simple. It will show you the Uncle Ho’s simple
and pure lifestyle when he was alive. Surrounding
house is the garden with full kind of tree and peace-
ful fishpond.
• One Pillar Pagoda is a unique structure built. It is
pagoda that was built on one pillar in the middle of
Lotus pond
• Ho Chi Minh museum is the last spot in complex. It
will tell you about Ho Chi Minh’s life in the war and
Vietnamese people under his lead.
This is a complex where is relative to Vietnam’ great-
est hero – Ho Chi Minh. It includes:
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the place where pre-
serve Ho Chi Minh’s body for the following genera-
tion to come and visit him.
• In front of Mausoleum is Ba Dinh square where Ho
president read Independence statement in 1945.
• The next is President Palace. It has a French struc-
ture and architect
This is a nature lake in the center of Hanoi and a
part of Red river before. It is not only a tourism desti-
nation but also a symbol of the capital. Come here,
Hanoi Old Quarter
Ho Chi Minh complex
Hoan Kiem Lake
A Vietnamese woman on Old Quarter Street
Sunset on Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

It a consider a the first university in Vietnam and
the symbol of the Hanoian’s studying spirit, all
the ancient architect complex will bring you back
in 11th century. It was founded in 1070 for chil-
dren study, do examination. Nowadays, before
the each exam, students come here to pray for the
lucky. Come and visit this temple to understand more
about Vietnam ancient history and admire the beau-
tiful architect of the temple. Address: Quoc Tu Giam
Street. Street P Quoc Tu Giam. Prices:adult/student
20,000/10,000vnd. Opening hours :8am-5pm
Voted as one of 4 best museums in Asia, museum
of ethnology is not a place to be missed. For any-
one with an interest in Vietnam’s minorities, it’s an
essential visit – though it is located way out in the
suburbs. In the grounds are examples of tradition-
al village houses – a Tay stilt house, an impressive
Bahnar communal structure and a Yao home. Don’t
miss the soaring, thatch-roofed Giarai tomb, com-
plete with risqué wooden statues. This museum is
This excellent museum showcases women’s role in
Vietnamese society and culture. Labelled in English
and French, it’s the memories of the wartime con-
tribution by individual heroic women that are most
poignant. There is a stunning collection of propa-
ganda posters, as well as costumes, tribal basket-
ware and fabric motifs from Vietnam’s ethnic minority
groups. Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Admis-
sion 30,000d. Opening hours 8am-5pm.
The prison was built in Hanoi by the French, in
dates ranging from 1886–1889 to 1898 to 1901,
when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. The
French called the prison Maison Centrale - a tradi-
tional euphemism to denote prisons in France. It was
located near Hanoi’s French Quarter. Hoa Lo Prison
is a historical attraction to many local and foreign
visitors. You should pay a visit to the prison to experi-
ence the history with your own eyes and learn more
about Vietnam history. Address: 01 Hoa Lo Street.
Opening hours: 8am-5pm.
you can hear a legend about king Le Loi returned
the sword to golden turtle. You will be enjoy fresh
air in middle city and hear the legend of lake by
your guide. Near the lake is a historical complex of
Ngoc Son temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen tower.
Hoa Lo prison
Temple of Literature
Women’s museum
Vietnam museum of ethnology
Temple of Literature’s gate
A traditional house in museum

AROUND HANOIalso a fun place for kids since it has a large garden
and plenty of interesting traditional houses. The mu-
seum is in the Cau Giay district, about 7km from the
city centre and around 200,000vnd each way in a
taxi. Remember to book a tour or a guide to make
sure you understand all the interesting tradition and
local lifestyles.
Đồng Xuân Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Đồng Xuân) is
a old market in the center district Hoàn Kiếm of Ha-
noi, Vietnam. Originally built by the French admin-
istration in 1889, Đồng Xuân Market has been ren-
ovated several times with the latest in 1994 after a
fire which almost destroyed the market. Nowadays,
Đồng Xuân Market is the largest covered market of
Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell everything
from clothes, household goods to foodstuffs. Take
a walk around this market to stay close to local’s
life style. You will not only see but also smell, taste,
amazed by this dynamic market.
The Perfume Pagoda, one of more than thirty pep-
pering these hills, occupies a spectacular grotto over
50m high. The start of the journey is an hour’s ride
by row-boat up a silent, flooded valley among karts
hills where fishermen and farmers work their inundat-
ed fields. From where the boat drops you (memorize
your boat’s number as there are hundreds of identical
craft here), a stone-flagged path shaded by gnarled
frangipani trees brings you to the seventeenth-century
Chua Thien Chu.
Note that respectful attire – meaning long trousers,
skirts below the knee and no sleeveless tops – should
be worn for this trip; nobody will berate you for not
doing so, but you might be the subject of unflattering
comments. A hat or umbrella is also a help, as the
boats have no shelter.
Thay Pagoda is one of famous attractions around
Hanoi - 30km southwest of Hanoi. It is also known
as Thien Phuc Pagoda dedicated to Thich Ca Bud-
Sixty kilometers southwest of Hanoi the Red River
Delta ends abruptly where steep-sided limestone hills
rise from the paddy fields. The most easterly of these
forested spurs shelters north Vietnam’s most famous
pilgrimage site, the Perfume Pagoda, Chua Huong,
hidden in the folds of Ha Tay Province’s Mountain
of the Perfumed Traces, and said to be named after
spring blossoms that scent the air.
You can go around Hanoi Old Quarter to see the
beauty of it, go to eat the street food or go to Night
market in Hang Dao St in the Saturday and Sunday
(from 7.30pm to 11.30 pm). Remember to get a
taste of fresh beer (Bia Hoi) at Ta Hien street, the at-
mosphere here guarantee you a fun interesting night.
You can also go to Ca Tru concert – a traditional
music of Vietnam in Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
at CaTru Thang Long (28 Hang Buom).
Dong Xuan market
Perfume Pagoda
Activities at night
Thay Pagoda
Locals selling foods in tradition outdoor market
One hour boat ride to perfume pagoda

This village is about 16 km south east of Hanoi from
the center. Bat Trang is a ancient ceramic village (
1000 years old ). History of Bat Trang village 1010,
King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long ,
Thang Long became the political center of the Repub-
lic of Vietnam . Due to the development needs of the
city, many merchants, craftsmen came here and form
the society and later became Bat Trang Village. Bat
Trang ceramic village has become a normal famous
pottery center was chosen to provide the court trib-
utes to the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays tourist visit this
handicraft village to see the old tradition works still
running widely and well reserved among the com-
munity. You can also put your hand down and make
your own pottery products, guided by the local arti-
san and take it home as souvenir later.
ha, Sakyamuni and 18 arhats. Built in the 11th cen-
tury during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong, Thay
Pagoda consists of three sections: the outer part for
offerings and ceremonies, the middle part for wor-
ship of Buddha and the inner part for worship of
the monk Tu Dao Hanh, the master after whom the
pagoda is named.
In front of the pagoda is a small stage built on stilt
in the middle of Long Tri Pond. It is the place where
water puppet performances are held during festivals
from the fifth until the seventh days of the third lu-
nar month. Interesting sites can be visited outside the
main pagoda are Phat Tich and Cac Co Caves (a
steep 10-minute climb). Take a tour to Thay pagoda
to learn more about Vietnam history and religion un-
derstand the worshiping life of locals and especially
calm your mind and soul within the peaceful atmo-
spheres of the pagoda.
Van Phuc silk village is far about 10 kilometer from the
center of Hanoi. This is the most famous silk village
from ancient time; there are many patterns and long-
stand of Vietnam. Located on the Nhue River, Van
Phuc silk village retains many features ancient such
as the well, lotus flower, tree… According to legend,
about 1.200 years ago, Ms. A La Thi Nuong is a
famous person with skillful weaving brought the se-
crets of Chinese weaving silk to teach people who
live in the village. When she passed away, she was
respected as tutelary deity.
Van Phuc silk village became famous from the reign
of Ly. Van Phuc silk was the first introduced at the
(+) Bat Trang pottery village
Handicraft Villages
Van Phuc Silk Village
Tourists participating in making pottery
Drying silks

Marseille International Fair (1931) and Paris (1938),
it was evaluated as the sophisticated products of In-
dochina. Van Phuc silk is very popular in France,
Thailand, and Indonesia… From 1958 to 1988,
Van Phuc silk were exported to Eastern Europe coun-
tries, from 1990, it was exported to many countries
in the world. For many years, Van Phuc village still
retains intact the traditional values.
In general, the special features of Van Phuc silk and
in particularly Hang Van silk is warm in the winter
and cool in the summer, wearing it people find soft
and gentle. Decorative patterns on silk are diverse
such as Song Hac sample, Tho Dinh sample, Tu
Quy sample… and it always follows the traditional
methods. Van Phuc village has 785 households who
weave silk, accounting for 60% of households living
in villages. The ancient village of Duong Lam on the
outskirts of Hanoi is also known as a museum of later-
ite, home to many houses built three or four centuries
ago with lateritic bricks. It is also the birth village of
two Vietnamese kings.
About 60 kilometers north of Hanoi, is a trip tracing
the origins of Vietnam’s culture and traditions due to
the large amount of well-reserved ancient architec-
ture in the village. Duong Lam has been described
as the last stronghold of northern Vietnam’s wet rice
farming culture. The only noticeable change that has
taken place in the village over the past 400 years
is its division into nine hamlets, including Mong Phu,
Cam Lam, Cam Da and Mia. Of these, Mong Phu is
its biggest and the most famous.
There are around 300 houses still standing in Duong
Lam, 50 of which date back 300 years and the rest
about 200 years. The interesting thing is that most of
these houses were built from laterite and mud, both
abundant in the area. Laterite was used for house
walls, gates, wells and temple walls. Tourists to the
village can wander along its narrow alleyways, visit
temples dedicated to the two kings born there, and
most interesting of all, chat with locals living in the
ancient houses. Mong Phu is the only hamlet whose
original village entrance gate remains intact. The
laterite-brick gate is roofed with yin yang tiles and
has two iron and wood doors four-to-five centimeters
thick.
Mong Phu hamlet is a site recognized by the Ministry
of Culture and Information as a national cultural and
historical heritage. The Mia Pagoda, also known as
Sung Nghiem Tu, sits on a small hill in Dong Sang
hamlet. The pagoda, which was constructed before
1632 and has been restored and upgraded many
times, houses 287 Buddha statues, the most beau-
tiful of which is Quan Am Tong Tu, or Kwan Ying
Bodhlsattva.
Remember to book a tour or at least a guide to these
destinations for more details of interesting information
Duong Lam Ancient Village
Little old road in Duong Lam village
MENU

EAT & DRINKING
Restaurant:
Street food:
Looking for Vietnamese cuisine served in restaurants,
here are our best choices:
• Quan An Ngon restaurant (18 Phan Boi Chau
Street or 34 Phan Dinh Phung Street). Great Viet-
nam traditional foods serving in genuine Viet-
namese styles. It’s a little busy at lunch time but
definitely worthy to come and enjoy foods in this
French style architect restaurant.
Hanoi is street food paradise and you won’t be dis-
appointed with our recommendation:
• Phở: if you come to Vietnam and don’t try Pho yet
then you are not in Vietnam. This is the elegance
noodle soup with beef or chicken topping with
fresh onion. It sounds simple but extremely hard
to cook and takes normally few hours to finish.
Try the best Pho at 49 Bát Đàn Street, Phở Lý
Quốc Sư on Nhà Chung Street, Phở Sướng on
Đinh Liệt Street, Phở 24 on Huỳnh Thúc Kháng
Street.
• Italian Style: Angelia ( 56 Ly Thai To), Mondo
gelato ( 30 Ba Trieu)
• Koto Restaurant (59 Văn Miếu Street): Located
right next to Temple of literature, this modern
restaurant will serve you stunning dishes and
great cocktails. The menu has everything from
Vietnamese food to pita wraps and beer-battered
fish “n” chips. Koto is an extraordinarily success-
ful not-for-profit project that provides career train-
ing and guidance to disadvantaged kids.
• Highway 4 (03 Hàng Tre street or 25 Bát Sứ):
There’s an outstanding array if dishes from bite-
sized snacks like super Nem ca xa lo through to
meaty dishes like Lon luoc mam tep (Pork fillet
with shrimp sauce). Mixed with a little bit western
style to make it easier for those who not familiar
with Vietnamese foods, this is still an outstanding
restaurant to try Vietnamese foods.
If you’ve just flown in, get stuck into local cuisine, the
capital’s cosmopolitan dining, including Japanese,
French, Italian… will be a welcome change
Some suggestion:
• Japanese Style: Shakura ( Trang Thi) Ashahi sushi
(Ba Trieu)
• French style : Shalimar Restaurant (63 Mã Mây)
, La Shansa ( 25 Nha Tho)
• Xôi Xéo – A popular lunchtime at “Xoi Yen restau-
rant”. This is Vietnamese sticky rice topping with
different meats that you can choose and some
fried onions. I think best served with chicken and
with pate. Try this at Xoi Yen, 35B Nguyen Huu
Huan streets.
A bowl of “Pho”
Xoi Xeo – Sticky rice with meat topping

Drinking:
• Bún Mọc – Fresh noodle soup with pork chop.
This is my favorite breakfasts in Hanoi. A tiny Bún
mọc eatery on the west side of Ta Hien street,
4 or 5 doors north of the intersection with Luong
Ngoc Quyen street.
• Bún Chả: This is fresh noodle serving with BBQ
pork and pickle vegetable and fresh vegetables.
This is Hanoi signature dish and you can find the
best Bun Cha at 01 Hàng Mành Street.
• BBQ Street – Ma May Street. On this street you
will find plenty of BBQ street food shops. You will
have not only great BBQ meal but also fun and
interesting atmospheres to enjoy your meals.
• Bún Riêu Cua: You will need to get this incredi-
ble simple and incredibly popular spot early, as
it sole dish of Bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup)
is only served for a couple of hours from 7am.
Look forward to what is just maybe Hanoi’s best
breakfast, a hearty combo of noodles and broth
made from tiny rice-paddy crabs. Laced with
fried shallots and garlic, and topped with shrimp
paste and chili, it’s a Hanoi classic. Try this at 40
Hang Tre (7-9am)
• Café Trứng – Egg Coffee. No, I did not mis-
type, it is the legendary egg coffee of Hanoi city
and trust me it tastes much better than it sounds.
There are only few coffee shops in Hanoi offer
this amazing egg coffee because it is hard to
make. Adding a layer of white egg and cream,
the local here have elevated coffee to a new
level. Don’t let the name of the coffee fool you,
if you like coffee then you will love the Hanoi’s
egg coffee. Find this coffee at 2 of oldest coffee
shops in Hanoi (open since 1945): Café Giang,
39 Nguyen Huu Huan street and Café pho co,
11 Hang Gai street (in a small alley).
• Trà Chanh (Lemon tea): It is the favorite drink of
youth in Hanoi. It very cheap, only 10.000 to
12.000 / per cup for a lemon tea glass. In fact,
most of tourists come here to enjoy the local drink
style and atmosphere rather than the drink itself.
Try this on Nhà Thờ Street.
• Bia Hoi (Fresh beer): One of the great pleasures
of travelling in Vietnam, Bia hoi is brewed daily
without additive or preservative, to be drunk that
day. Incredibly cheap (15000VND) and widely
available, bia hoi places offer a very local expe-
rience. Ta Hien Street and Luong Ngoc Quyen
Street is the street where the local people and
foreign tourist crowded gather to enjoy Bia hoi.
• Finnegan’s Irish Pub: Irish pubs are popular in
any city and Hanoi is no exception with this ven-
ue being particularly welcoming. Saturdays are
Guinness and Murphy’s nights with ‘buy three get
one free’ offers on drinks. They serve refreshing-
ly ice-cold beer and have quiz nights, fish-and-
chips nights and even Irish-stew nights. Play pool
or just enjoy the vibes of this fun place. Address:
16A Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Le Pub: Le Pub in Hanoi always seems to be bus-
tling with locals, expats and visitors keen to try
its ice-cold beer and pub grub. Customers also
come to make the most of the free Wi-Fi on offer
or to join in the fun watching sport on TV. 25
Hang Be, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Rock & Roll Tavern: A long-established popular
bar in Hanoi where people come to relax over
a beer or two and enjoy some regular pub grub.
There is an upstairs lounge for those who want to
watch sport or play pool, or you can join in the
fun at the regular pub quiz nights. Address: 10
Tho Nhuom, Hanoi
• CK Bar: Several of the hotels in Hanoi have
nightly performances by live bands and the CK
Bar in the Meliã Hanoi is one of the better plac-
es. Enjoy a selection of tapas and kick back and
listen to the lively band that performs late into the
evening. Located on the third floor, there is an
outdoor terrace if it gets too hot in the bar. 44B
Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi

TOURS TO HANOI
For the best services and reliable tour organizer in
Vietnam, please contact Mercury Travel - organizing
group and private tours to Vietnam, Laos and Cam-
bodia:
In this tour, you can visit famous sites in Hanoi with
an expert guide for best information about the city:
• Ho Chi Minh Complex including of Ho Chi Minh’s
Mausoleum, Ba Dinh square, Presidential Palace,
Uncle Ho’s House on stilt, One pillar pagoda.
• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, built
in 1076 and at first used for royal children only.
Have lunch at local restaurant and try Vietnamese
food.
• You will visit Museum of Ethnology later. Ana from Dubai
“I loved Hanoi, I should say the old quarter. It
was a mixture of old and new, sophisticated
in places very basic in other aspects. Noisy,
loud, smelly, a driver’s nightmare, crossing
the street an adventure. A shopper’s para-
dise, a foodies heaven, I loved it, I thought it
had wonderful people and a great vibration.
Every street has its charm, every corner re-
veals a new surprise, the smells and the noise
soon become charming. Take the time to ex-
plore this area, it is well worth it”
Travel Tips
1. Hanoi is a very charming city with many
beauties hidden so our advice is “don’t save
your money on tour guide”. Visit Hanoi with-
out a guide you will be easily lost and miss
tons of stories and traditional life of the locals.
A knowledgeable guide is essential for this
city
2. Don’t hesitate to try some street
foods. Hanoi is famous for street foods
so don’t miss it. If you afraid of foods’
quality you can join Mercury Travel’s
street food tour for safe, hygiene and
amazing foods.
The tour guide and car will come to your hotel and
take you to visits the most famous and oldest handi-
craft villages in outskirt of city. We will visit 2 villag-
es out of 4 villages: Bat Trang pottery village, Van
Phuc Silk village, Ha Thai Lacquerware and Dong
Ho village.
• Bat Trang Pottery village: The riverside ‘ancient’
village leans more towards earthenware and pottery
products. There is also a large ceramics market with
many small business people selling a wide variety of
items large and small.
• Van Phuc Silk village: local families have special-
ized in weaving and dying silk over many centuries,
and retain many of the ancient secrets for producing
their distinctive and gorgeous fabrics. Clothing, wall
hangings, and other intriguing choices abound.
• Ha Thai Lacquer ware village: famous far and
wide for the distinguished lacquer ware made here
for over a thousand years.
• Dong Ho village: The village is well known for
its traditional woodblock paintings. Carved wood is
pressed onto prints that illustrate wishes for good luck
and typical scenes from rural life
Mercury Travel is one of the best tour organizer in
Vietnam, organizes group tours and private tour dai-
ly. You can book separate tour or full package tours
easily at Mercurytravel.com.vn
Hanoi City Tour (Full Day):
Hanoi Handicraft Villages (Meals: lunch)
» See more Tours in Hanoi
MENU

About Halong Bay
Imagine 2000 or more islands rising from the emerald wa-
ters of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have a vision of breath-
taking beauty. Halong translates as ‘where the dragon de-
scends into the sea’, and legend claims the islands of Halong
Bay were created by a great dragon from the mountains.
Designated a World Heritage site in 1994, this mystical
landscape of limestone islets is often compared to Guilin in
China or Krabi in southern Thailand. In reality, Halong Bay
is more spectacular. The bay’s immense numbers of islands
are dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, and their
sparsely forested slopes ring with birdsong.
To have the best time in Halong Bay, you should take a tour
on Halong Bay Cruises. Beyond a boat cruise, visitors will
come to explore the caves, kayaking or rowing boat activ-
ities, visiting floating fishing village and of course plenty of
time to relax within breathtaking scenery of the bay.
When to go?
It is the fact that Halong Bay is magical and
beautiful in any kinds of weather. However the
best time to visit is October to January. From
May to September is also good since it is hot
and clear sky for very good views. Tropical
heavy rains, however, are frequent this period.
February to April is often cool and drizzly, and
the ensuing fog can make visibility low, but
also adds an ethereal air.
How to get there?
Halong bay is about 175km east
from Hanoi city and car is the
best way to get there (The drive
takes 3.5 hour). All the tours to
Halong bay include coach trans-
fer. If you want a private comfort-
able drive, you can book private
cars easily from travel agents.
HA LONG
wonders of the world

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Caves
Fishing Villages
Pearl Farm Village
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) is situated in the cen-
ter of Halong Bay’s heritage zone. The cave was
found by the French in 1901 and called as Grotte
des surprises (Cave of the surprise). Sung Sot Cave is
a large cave with the size of 12.200 square meters.
The cave has three compartments and high ceiling
with lots of stalactites in various shapes. The ceiling’s
maximal height is 30 meters. The mouth of Sung Sot
Cave is about 25 meters above the sea level and
you will walk up over 100 small steps to reach the
entrance. Sung Sot Cave is typical for karst caves on
Halong Bay and has high scientific value in the field
of geology. Since this is one of the most beautiful
caves in Halong bay, most of overnight tour cruises
in Halong bay put this cave in their itinerary.
Floating fishing village is a beautiful feature of Halong
Bay. Local fish men has been living here for many
generations and floating houses and boats are their
homes. Most of the tours take you to floating fishing
villages and you can explore the area by yourself on
Kayaking or sit down on rowing bamboo boat then
the local will take you around. These fishing villages
are very interesting since you can witness the floating
lifestyle of local people. Tourists joining in the day
trips also have chance to stop at some floating fish-
ing villages where you can buy fresh seafood and
ask the chef on boat to cook for you. Tourists who
stay 2 nights on cruises will usually visit a local pearl
farm village in which local farming oysters and culti-
vating pearls.
In Vietnam, there are few places locals farm oysters
and cultivate pearls and Halong bay is one of those
places. There is a small pearl farm village where
locals farm and cultivate thousand of different pearls.
Visit the pearl farm you will understand more how
people collect pearl and these pearls are perfect
souvenir from Vietnam. Most 2 nights cruise visit this
pearl farm on their second day.
Come to Halong bay you shouldn’t miss the Kayaking
activities. Water in Halong Bay is very calm, making
kayaking safer and a much better experience. Kay-
aking fee is normally included in the tour price and
30-45 minutes is fairly enough. If you love kayaking,
Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Cave) is situated on
Dau Go Island (Wooden Stakes Island) in the south-
western Halong Bay and about 4 kilometers from
tourism wharf. Thien Cung Grotto is at the height of
25 meters above the sea level. Visiting the grotto,
tourists will feel like visiting an art museum with va-
riety of sophisticated statues and reliefs. In the cen-
ter of the grotto, there are four big pillars propping
against the roof. Nowadays, entering Thien Cung
Grotto, visitors can gaze party sceneries in the set-
ting of stalactites and stalagmites inside. Thien Cung
Grotto is considered as one of the most beautiful
caves of Halong Bay and most of day tours cruise
will visit this cave.
Inside Sung Sot cave
Vung Vieng floating fishing village

Titop Island
Ba Trai Dao Island
Cat Ba Island
Soi Sim Island
There are nearly 200 islands in Halong bay but most
of them are rock island and very few are inhabited.
This Tiop Island is one of those and very popular
in Halong Bay since many tour cruise stop by this
island. If you can walk up over 400 small steps, you
will reach the peak of the island where you can take
amazing panoramic view of the bay. If you don’t
want to walk up, the little beach on the island is a
good alternative. Notice: good health condition is
required for the walk to the peak.
This is a little island but contain a very beautiful white
please contact Mercury Travel for those Halong Bay
Trips with longer kayaking time and more beautiful
kayaking spot. You can also take the 2 nights tour on
cruises for better kayaking experience because cruis-
es will take you to Lan Ha Bay, a very beautiful and
peaceful spot for kayaking. You can also explore
tunnel caves on kayaking on 2nights tours as well.
sand beach. You can also follow the little trail to go
up to the top for the view of the bay. The Peak of Soi
Sim Island is not as high as Titop’s Peak but equally
beautiful. Notice trail to the top is the path with no
step; prepare good trainers if you want to hike up.
Both locals and tourist consider Ba Trai Dao island
as the most beautiful part of Ha Long Bay. The island
is located in Lan Ha Bay, close to Cat Ba Island.
The area is far away from the Bai Chay harbor and
normally approached by 2 nights cruise tour or boat
trip from Cat Ba Island. The island has a small and
beautiful white sand beach with pristine water and
extremely peaceful since not many tourists or even
locals go here.
If you are looking for a road less travel tour in Ha-
long Bay then Ba Trai Dao Island is definitely a per-
fect spot. Join in 2 night cruise tour and on the sec-
ond day, the cruise will take you there for full day
kayaking. You can also access the area by little boat
from Cat Ba Island. Contact support team of Mercu-
ry Travel for further information.
Cat Ba island is 45km east of Hai Phong and 50
km south of Ha long City. At over 200km2, Cat Ba
is the largest island in Halong Bay. The island is
easily accessible and matches neighboring Halong
Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay for stunning natural beauty.
In April 2005, Cat Ba was officially recognized as a
World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It also offers

visitors the added options of relaxation, adventure
and cultural exchange.
There are many ways to get to Cat Ba Island.
(+) Take a 2 night tour to Halong Bay, one day stay
on boat and the other stay on the island. Please con-
tact Mercury Travel for
(+) Take a bus to entrain of Tuan Chau Island. From
the entrain, catch a taxi to ferry station on the island
and then go on the ferry to Cat Ba island. When you
get there, catch public bus or taxi to Cat Ba town.
The Cat Ba National Park is home to an extraordi-
nary biodiversity earned it in 2004 to be classified
as a biological reservoir UNESCO World. This is a
pristine forest that is one of the biggest national parks
of Vietnam. The planned area is about 15.200 hect-
are. The Cat Ba National Park covers 4,200 hect-
ares of seawater and 9,800 hectares of forest.
The Island has a little beach but fun with many mon-
keys. Monkeys here are quite friendly and they are
high light of the island. You can also take part in
scuba diving or snorkel at scuba diving center at
Monkey Island Resort; you will be trained by an in-
structor on 30 minutes.
There’s way more to northeast Vietnam than Halong
Bay. The sinking limestone plateau, which gave birth
to the bay’s spectacular islands, continues for some
100km to the Chinese border. The area immediately
northeast of Halong Bay is part of Bai Tu Long Na-
tional Park.
Bai Tu Long Bay is every bit as beautiful as its famous
neighbor. In some ways it’s actually more stunning,
since it’s only in its initial stages as a destination for
travelers. Improved boat transport means it is quickly
growing in popularity with domestic tourists, but the
bay and its islands are still unpolluted and relatively
undeveloped. For Western travelers, it’s a laid-back
alternative to the touristy bustle of Halong Bay.
The cave is about 10km north of Cat Ca Town on
the road to the national park entrance. Hospital
Cave served both as a secret, bomb-proof hospital
during the Vietnam War and as a safe house for VC
leaders.
From Cat Ba Town, you can go by foot, catch a mo-
torbike or electric car to the beaches: Cat Co I and
Cat Co II (about 1km from center tower). They are
beautiful beaches. In addition, there is other beach
named Tung Thu but it doesn’t have waves like Cat
Co I, II.
(+) Discover Cat Ba national park
(+)Visit Monkey Island
(+)Visit the hospital Cave
(+) Relax on the beach
Cat Ba National Park
Bai Tu Long Bay

TOURS TO HA LONG BAY
Our bus or private car will pick you up at your hotel.
Arrive at Halong City, go on board. Having lunch
– delicious Vietnamese set menu. Head to Bai Tu
Long Bay. Visit the Vung Vieng fishing village by lo-
cal rowing boat (01 hour) or Kayak into the village
then return to the vessel for your leisure or join one
of the following optional activities: Sunbathing, tradi-
tional massage, swimming etc. Vietnamese cooking
demonstration on boat. Overnight aboard on cruise.
Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while
complimentary tea & coffee are served. Transfer
to Smaller boat for Lan Ha Bay excursion. Guided
kayaking and swimming at Three Peaches beach, a
pristine natural beach lapped by the turquoise water.
Continue to discovery Toi and Sang Cave, the most
remote point in Lan Ha Bay and bordering the Gulf
of Tonkin. Visit its quaint fishing village and lagoon.
Kayaking through an amazing tunnel under a karst
mountain
Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave). Walk
up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour
the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down
about 100 steps and return to the boat. Arrive at
Hon Gai Harbor. Transfer by tender to the pier, get-
ting on Van back to Hanoi.
Charter boats can be arranged to Bai Tu Long Bay
from Halong Bay; rates start at around 300,000d
per hour and the trip there takes about five hours.
There are few cruises operating itinerary to Bai Tu
Long and stay 1 night in this area is the best choice.
Hanoi travel agencies, including Mercury Travel, run
trips into the Bai Tu Long area.
Day 2: Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay
Day 3: Amazing Cave - Hanoi
Day 1: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay – Vung Vieng
fishing village
HA LONG BAY OFF THE BEATEN
TRACK TOUR (3days 2nights)
» See more Tours to Halong Bay
Juko from England reviewed “Simply stun-
ning ”
No trip to Vietnam would be complete with-
out a visit to Halong Bay - it’s absolutely stun-
ning and an incredible natural occurrence.
You literally can lose yourself for hours in the
seemingly endless rock formations, none like
any other, whilst the fishing villages add an-
other element to this stunning place. Exciting
small caves, abandoned beaches, beautiful
islands - this place has it all and, come night,
the silhouettes of the rock formations make for
a stunning view. This is genuinely one of the
most beautiful places I’ve ever been.plore this
area, it is well worth it”
Travel Tips
1. “Go on road less traveled” and “Stay 2
nights on Cruise” are our best advices we al-
ways tell travelers. Staying 2 nights will give
you more time to explore the untouched Lan
Ha Bay. Going on road less traveled Bai Tu
Long for peaceful and stunning view is abso-
lutely worthy every single penny.
2. If it is possible, spend more for Halong Bay
tours. Ha Long Bay is world nature wonder
and Unesco heritage site and should be add-
ed on every tours in Vietnam. To take most of
advantages of the the area, spending more
and avoid cheap tours is recommended.
3. Many tourists now are confused
by hundreds of cruises in Halong bay
and don’t know which one is good.
Recommendation and advices from
professional agent like Mercury Travel
is extremely necessarily
MENU

About Ninh Binh
Ninh Bình province is about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi and home
of great travel destinations: Hoa Lu ancient capital, Tam Coc, Trang
An Complex, Bai Dinh pagoda, Cuc Phuong national park, Phat Diem
church, Ke Ga hot spring.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was chosen as the first capital of Vietnam feudal
centralism regime and the Dai Co Viet’s political, economic and cultural
centre with the name of Kings Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Dai Hanh and Ly
Thai To in 10th century. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from
Hoa Lu to Thang Long (Hanoi now), opening a new era for Vietnamese
people.
Ninh Binh’s topography is divided clearly into 3 parts: the mountainous
area in the west and northwest; the delta and coastal area in the east and
south. With many beautiful scenery and on 2.5 hours drive from Hanoi,
Ninh Binh has huge reputation and become favorite places of tourists.
End of June 2014, UNESCO recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape
Complex (in Ninh Binh) as World Heritage Site. Ninh Binh now is a
popular travel spot many tourist because of short distance from Hanoi,
breathtaking sceneries and historical relics.
How to get there?
Ninh Binh is located about 100km
south from Hanoi city and tourists
normally get there easily by 2.5
hour car ride. From Ninh Binh city
to tourist attractions is about 07-
15 Km. Follow a tour or renting a
private car is the most convenient
way to visit Ninh Binh. Please
contact Mercury Travel to arrange
tour to Ninh Binh. You can go by
train to Ninh Binh and from Ninh
Binh train station, you can follow
public bus, taxi or rent motorbike
for your own tour.
NINH BINH
world heritage sites

Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex is a complex beauty
- landscapes called as an ‘outdoor geological mu-
seum’ with numerous caves, mountains, valley wa-
ter, trees and the historic relic. End of June 2014,
UNESCO recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape
Complex as World Heritage Sites.
According to statistics, Trang An eco-tourism com-
plex has over 310 species of higher plants, many
algae and fungi. In particular, there have some rare
woods and amount of valuable trees using for food,
medicine. Trang An cave has thousands of hectares
belongings to Truong yen, Ninh Xuan, Gia Sinh, Gia
Hai commune with more than 100 caves, tourists
can go from this cave to other cave. Run longer than
20 kilometers next to the cave is connected valleys.
It is said that this place is the rear of the reign of Dinh
Tien Hoang over a thousand years ago. Trang An
has 31 valleys, 48 caves and it has some cave with
2000 meters length. This feature creates a beautiful
landscape with limestone mountains, surrounding the
valley is many lakes and little river running by. Com-
ing to Trang An eco-tourism complex, tourists can en-
joy the grandeur of the mountains, explore majestic
caves and have a pure of relaxation.
(former Vietnam) and proclaimed to be Emperor. He
was the first King of Dinh dynasty (King Dinh Tien
Hoang), and named the country Dai Co Viet. Then
he set up Hoa Lu, his home country, as the capital
of Dai Co Viet. His meaningful success was a great
landmark of Vietnam as transferring from a district of
China into a truly independent nation. Even though
most of relics were ruin by time but come here, visitor
can learn a lot about Vietnam ancient history and the
structure of the first imperial capital of Vietnam.
The Dinh Tien Hoang Temple in Hoa Lu was built
in the 17th century, with a special architecture, the
interior of which had an “I letter” shape, surrounded
by a square land. Here you can witness there wor-
shipping King Dinh Tien Hoang and his three sons.
You may have to admit that the temple is an origi-
nal architectural work of art full of folk sculptures! It
attracts tourists for so many valuable relics hidden in
thick bricks, tilts, Buddhist prayer-book pillars, and
more importantly its meaningful history of the first an-
cient capital of Vietnam.
Hoa Lu is the first imperial capital of Vietnam. The
very first meaningful stop-over in Ninh Binh should
be Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam from 968 until
1010. Before the year 968, the nation was colo-
nized by China. As time went by, several indepen-
dence revolutions have occurred, yet none was of
a long success until Dinh Bo Linh’s troops rising. In
968, Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 lords of the district
Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex
Hoa Lu
Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Boat tour on river in Tam Coc

Tam Coc – Bich Dong is called “A terrestrial Ha Long
Bay”, or the “South second nicest grotto” (to Huong
Tich) for its poetic and inspirational natural scenery
of beauty. It is a grandiose complex of Bich Dong
pagoda and Tam Coc grotto. King Le Canh Hung
ever said: “This is “the South second nicest grotto
of Vietnam, after the Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay
province”. Its pristine natural beauty together with a
simple but nice countryside landscape, and a sacred
spiritual life have converged into a fascinating and
attractive Tam Coc-Bich Dong to numerous tourists.
Nowadays, tourist visit Tam Coc Bich Dong will
spend hour traveling along the beautiful little river
surround by aquatic rice fields and spectacular karst
mountains. It is absolutely beautiful and intriguing ex-
perience when the little sampan boat going through
the tunnel caves throughout the mountains and stop
by the pagoda.
cal tour guide to visit Cuc Phuong. In the tour you will
visit Primate Rescue Center where rarest primate spe-
cies living and getting treatment and protection from
NGO, 1000 years old tree, Ancient Man Cave and
a peaceful walk under thick canopy of the forest.
Tourists love adventurous can join in Adventure Tour
which go through the national park in 3 days or join
in Watching Bird Tour for rare tropical birds. Con-
tact Mercury Travel for further tour information.
This primeval tropical forest was discovered in 1960,
and it was turned into a national park two years lat-
er. Cuc Phuong is famous for dozens of picturesque
caves. The most interesting of them is Dong Nguoi
xua (Ancient Man Cave) where stone tools of pre-his-
toric humans were found.
Phat Diem Cathedral is a symbol of a rich religious
life in Vietnam. It was built between 1875 and 1899
with four roofs and six sets of iron wooden pillars,
and consists of a network of ponds, lakes, churches,
and artificial caves. On both sides of the church our
smaller churches of different styles. But, unlike these
structures, as built by Europeans and resembling typ-
ical churches of the era, Phat Diem Cathedral was
designed by a Vietnamese priest, known as Father
Sau. Come here, you can not only learn about the
Christian religion in Vietnam, but also see the unique
architecture and learn more history of Vietnam reli-
gion.
The National Park is home to some 2,000 species
of flora. Some rare wood trees of the Parashorea
and Dracontomelum families are about 1,000 years
old and from 50m to 70m high. In particular Cuc
Phuong boasts at least 50 varieties of orchid; many
of them fragrant all the year round.
Today, tourists normally join in a full day tour with lo-
Cuc Phuong national park
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Phat Diem Cathedral
An endanger primate in Rescue Center

There are two pagodas in Bai Dinh: old pagoda
and new pagoda. The new pagoda is very famous.
It is a large population is known to many Asian re-
cords and Vietnam are established as the temple has
the largest area of Vietnam, the temple is gold-plat-
ed copper statue of Asia’s largest, operating temple
Horn lang Asia’s longest ... The temple is located at
the western gateway to the ruins the ancient capital
Hoa Lu, the National Highway 38B, Gia Sinh Com-
mune - Gia Vien - Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh City and 15
km, 95 km from Hanoi. The pagoda is crowded and
very popular to local people since they come here
for praying admire the beautiful structure and nature.
Depart from your hotel in Hanoi and drive to Ninh
Binh (2,5 hours). Upon arrival, you will take 2-hour
sampan boat trip at Tam Coc (Three Caves). It is
very beautiful scenery along the row with vertical
sides of Limestone Mountains and rice paddy-fields.
The local rowers will take you gently through three
beautiful limestone caves with hundreds of stalactites
above your heads. Back to the dock and transfer to
a local restaurant for a Vietnamese lunch.
After lunch, you will jump on a bike for a stunning
ride along the back roads through the beautiful scen-
ery of towering karsts on the ground of ponds, rice
paddies and rural villages to Hoa Lu Commune.
Arrive at Hoa Lu, walk to visit a beautiful temple,
which dedicated to a Vietnamese heroic king, Dinh
Tien Hoang. Strolling around and learn the typical
architecture of Vietnamese religious buildings and a
bit about Vietnamese history after a thousand years
under the Chinese domination.
Climb to the nearby Yen Ma Mountain for the pan-
orama view over the karst landscape in the area,
and then back to your private vehicle for returning
to Hanoi.
TOURS TO NINH BINH
You can book tours to Ninh Binh with Mercu-
ry Travel in full packages tour or single tour as
follow:
Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Tour (Day Trip)
» See more Tours to Halong Bay
Geci from Philippin reviewed “Amazing
Site”
After seeing Halong Bay, I am curious about
this “Halong Bay in Land” place that a lot
of people are talking about. But I had a di-
lemma if I should go between Tam Coc and
Trang An, I am glad I chose Trang An! The
view is sooo amazing and the ride is long so
you can just really enjoy the view. And our
group had a little fun; we had a paddle race
on our way back! Haha! Really great experi-
ence. Glad I visited this place.
Travel Tips
If you don’t have much time in Vietnam and
want to take a short excursion from Hanoi
then Ninh Binh is the place to go. It is a per-
fect combination of beautiful nature, historical
relic and fun activities.
One day trip to Ninh Binh should be fine and
enough for this place. The distance from cen-
ter of Ninh Binh to Tourist destination is pretty
far, so you should join in a tour in which car
was prepared. If you are independent travel-
er you can rent a motorbike and explore the
area by yourself, remember to check the bike
and fill up gas.
MENU

About Mai Chau
Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, approximately
135 km from Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. From the
top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the superb panora-
ma of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt
houses. Many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group,
live in Mai Chau.
Mai Chau is perfect place for those who want to escapes
the hassle of big city and want to find themselves within
nature. This enchanting destination offers a perfect oppor-
tunity to admire a stunning sunrise on the highland, enjoy
mind blowing views over flowery valleys and exploring
colorful hill tribe culture.
With alluring landscape and endearing culture, Mai Chau
makes an ideal destination for trekking and home-stay trav-
el. Tourists especially enjoy the minority specialty dishes
including rice cooked in bamboo and grilled meat. They
also enjoy watching traditional dancing, music perfor-
mances (bronze, drums, gongs), and Thai minority singing
and dancing.
When to go?
October-November and February-June are the
best times to go. It’s not too hot with sunny weath-
er. You can feel comfortable in the atmosphere
in home-stay, visit the village and discover the
beauty of nature.
How to get there?
Mai Chau, located in Hoa Binh province, some
140km from Hanoi. For transportation, public
bus at 8.00 in My Dinh bus station. Tourist bus is
available and normally departs from Old Quar-
ter. The bus ride takes about 4 hours from Hanoi
to Mai Chau.
MAI CHAU
the beauty of green peace

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Lac village is located in Mai Chau valley, Hoa Binh
Province with unique traditions. There are five Thai
ethnics live in Lac village: Ha, Lo, Mac, and Loc.
According to the head of Lac village -Ha Cong Tim,
Lac village has over 700 years old. Previously, the
professions of the local people were rice planting
and weaving brocade. Later, the hidden beauty of
Lac village is explored by tourists.
From weaving scarf, brocade dress to wear, women
in the village have made a lot of souvenirs for tour-
ists such as: scarf, skirts, lovely wallet… Coming to
Lac village, tourists can enjoy bamboo cooked rice,
experience their daily life. Ethnic people are very
gentle, friendly. In the afternoon, there has strangely
beautiful with the rays of the sun into the valley. Lac
villagers will roast meat, cook a pot of bitter bamboo
for tourists. They can enjoy traditional dishes and lis-
tening to the thrill gongs. Visiting to Lac Village, all
kinds of tiredness will be disappeared. The range of
mountain blends with cloud and green of rice fields
along with stilted houses creates spectacular scene
of Lac village. Let’s spend your holiday at home-stay
here to experience exciting feeling.
The special of Pom Coong has “pure Thai” space
with clean water, water construction which creates
comfortable and safe feeling. Coming here, tourists
will feel the fresh air and peaceful of life, you will
forget the fatigues. In addition, you will have chance
to meet local girls in the dance. Tourists visit Pom
Coong village who are foreigners, students. They
want to understand more about ethnic life, the Thai
and soak into the Thai daily life, traditional dance,
gong festivals, home stay and other activities… Tour-
ists are not only sight views but also join hands with
Pom Coong to help poor families.
Like others minority groups at the mountainous area in
Vietnam Thai people live in the stilt houses. The hous-
es are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished
bamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is put in the center
of the house, that’s the place for cooking and also
for the woman making their colorful “brocade”, the
material used by Thai minority to make their clothes.
The house has many windows, large and decorated
with patterns. Each house also usually has a pond to
breed fish. These can be seen clearly at Lac village,
Pom Coong village belongs to Mai Chau town, Mai
Chau district. Like other villages of the Muong, Thai,
the Pom Coong village often live in area which has
rivers, streams. The Thai is famous for traditional
dance. Different from stilted houses of other ethnic,
stilted house of the Thai often taller that that one so
that it always creates comfortable feeling. The sou-
venir is various and beautiful with vivid color which
make stilted become more attractive.
Lac village
Pom Coong Village
Home-stay experience

TOURS TO MAI CHAU
the stilt houses now are using as the home stay for the
tourists with communal room and private room. Tour-
ists also have chance to enjoy some special foods
and Can wine while watching traditional dancing,
music performances (bronze, drums, gongs), and
Thai minority singing and dancing.
will be the local traditional party. At the party, lo-
cal people will dance the tradition dance following
by the singing and music. Meanwhile you will be
invited to try the legendary Can wine, this famous
tradition wine was made from rice and you drink
it through a tiny bamboo stick. Joining this White
Thai’s ceremony you will feel local’s hospitality and
their rich tradition that has been passed through cen-
tury. Go back to Hanoi and end tour.
Those who want to shop in Mai Chau should look
forward to the Sunday market. People from different
ethnic groups residing in the mountains come down
to Mai Chau to sell various products, including corn,
bananas and other fruits, as well as the Tho Cam
woven by skilled Tai women. Ducks, pigs and dogs
in bamboo cages are also for sale. The Sunday mar-
ket is also a place to get nicely made traditional
Tai cuisine. Come here, you can have a interesting
experiences. It’s very difference from the supermarket
or market in the cites.
In the morning, tour bus and tour guide pick up at
your hotel and drive 3 hour to Mai Chau valley. We
first stop at a White Thai family and start walking into
Pom coong and Lac village. Then you will discover
the local daily life and see how the minority live with-
in nature and respect Mother Nature reflected on
their work or ritual and ceremonies. You also have
chance to learn the technique that they make silk and
traditional textile from the traditional weaving looms.
Have lunch and try local traditional food.
In the afternoon, the high light point of the afternoon
Mai Chau Market
Hanoi – Mai Chau (Full day)
» See more Tours to Mai Chau
Saban from Sydney reviewed “This is Viet-
nam”
After 2 weeks in Vietnam this was our high-
light. Two packed days walking, riding and
experiencing this friendly area. We walked
through the fields, and cycled the roads until
we fell. All the home stays are great it seems.
What stood out: our kids playing football with
the local kids into the evening and asking our
hosts to arrange local dancers and musicians
to put on a show to remember. Make visit this
rural area a must and get out of the normal
tourist route.
Travel Tips
The distance from Hanoi Mai Chau is pretty
far so make sure you join in at least 1 night
tour and chose the home-stay experience, it
will make the trip much better.
Remember to bring your passport, change of
clothes, sun-glasses & hat, sun cream, insect
repellent, good shoes, personal first aid kit &
medicines, VND for personal expenses.
If you don’t have a time to go to
market, you can haggle or bargain
with your hosts to have the tradition-
al textile items.
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About Sapa
Sapa is about 380km from Hanoi in the north west of Vietnam.
It is a former French hill station situated in the valley near the Chi-
nese border. It also is the one place in the northwest where tour-
ism is booming. Sapa’s high elevation of 1600 meters creates
its cool climate. This inspired the French to build villas there as a
summer retreat. Today, it attracts visitors for its stunning scenery,
comfortable climate, colorful tradition markets and a variety of
ethnic hill tribes. Sapa has fascinated numerous travelers cause
this is a perfect place for relaxing, exploring culture and Hill
tribe’s traditional lifestyle, adventurous trekking with breathtaking
sceneries.
When to go
The best time is between Septembers to December.. From March
to Jun is also excellent time as it is not so cold and the flowers all
brilliantly blossoms but rains intensify from June onwards. During
winter time January to February temperature is regularly around
0ºC and there is snow sometime.
How to get there?
There are 2 ways to go to Sapa:
By coach: Catch public coach from Hanoi to Lao Cai city then
catch another coach to Sapa town. However, this is not recom-
mended due to dangerous terrain in Sapa.
By train: Catching a night train is the most common way to go.
Many night trains leave Hanoi around 8-10pm and reach Lao
Cai train station around 4-6Am in the next day. From Lao Cai
train station, catch a public bus or book a private car in advance
to Sapa (book private picking up car and guide from your travel
agent). To make it safe and convenient, most of tourist book train
ticket and also picking up car and guide from Lao Cai train sta-
tion through a tour organizer or travel agents.
SAPA
stunning breathtaking sceneries

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Ta Phin: reputes with the terraced rice fields, streams,
ect. It has Red Dao ethnic minority and Black H’mong.
Come to Ta Phin, visitors will know more about their
customs, traditions and lifestyle of ethnic people. A
common sight in the village is to see the woman and
the girls sitting together, glossing and laughing, head
down focused on a piece of indigo colored cloth.
Cat Cat village: Nestled in a beautiful valley about
three kilometers from Sapa Town, Cat Cat- the old
village of ethnic groups- attracts tourists from all over
the world for its distinctive customs and practices
which have been lost in almost ethnic villages. The
village is within easy walking distance from any ho-
tel in downtown Sapa.
Ta Van: Located far from Sapa less than 10 kilome-
ters, Ta Van - a village of Lao Cai province is lying
peacefully in the valley of Muong Hoa. Residents are
mainly the H’Mong ethnic, Giay, and Red Dao...
with approximately 1000 people.
The road leads to Ta Van village that is small and
narrow. Along two sides has a fertile terraced field
which adorns by the green of corn and rice. When
visitors come to Ta Van village, they will not be
amazed at the simple beauty of the houses in the
village. A night stay here will give you a close-up
experience of the life-style and culture typical of the
area.
Ban Ho: Ban Ho is far from Sapa town about 20 y
but has become commercial in recent years. These
days there are kilometers. It is divided into three ar-
eas: Ta Trung Ho, Xeo Trung Ho and Hoang Lien,
which is place of the Mong, Dao, Tay. Have no
specific price but guides usually pay 20.000vnd/
people/day for accommodation.
The owner doesn’t appreciate it as important; they
bring foods and wine for tourists.
Come to Ban Ho, you will be alive and living in the
cozy ambiance and friendly family. Because the cli-
mate in Ban Ho is warmer than Sapa (between 18-
250C), in the afternoon, tourists can enjoy yourself
in the stream Lave, sight Da Nhay waterfall.
This mountain is located 9km south-west of Sapa
Town in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. At 3143m,
Fansipan peak is the highest peak in Vietnam and the
entire Indochina peninsula. This remote trek origin, to
the French influenced hill retreat town of Sapa with
its minority groups, beauty. As we ascend Vietnam’s
many ethnic minorities.
For the trekking to Fansipan peak you have to book a
tour with guide and potters. The best time is between
October and December, as this period is more of-
ten than not free from the heavy rains that obstruct
the jaunt. Others prefer their tours to the peak of the
mountain from February to April, as it is not so cold
and the flowers all brilliantly blossoms; violets, or-
chids and rhododendrons.
Hill-tribe people from surrounding villages go to Sapa
market most days to sell handicrafts and ethnic-style
clothing. Saturday is the most frantic, as tour groups
from Hanoi visit for the evening love market, which
see hill tribe teenagers trek into town to find a mate.
Visit the market and buy some ethnic-style clothing as
souvenir is good idea.
Hill tribe villages
Hill tribe villages
Sapa Market

TOURS TO SAPA
EATING & DRINKING
• Red Dao House: 4B D Thac Bac; meals from
100.000VND. This small restaurant in a mock
hill-tribe house has a nice front terrace and staff
who wear Dzao style costume.
• Nature View (Phan Si Street): opposite the Cat
Cat View hotel offering a good mix of Vietnam-
ese and western flavors. The set lunch of four
course is great value
If you take a trekking tour and choose to overnight
in Home-stay then the locals will prepare for you a
great tradition dinner (our tourists came there and
loved it).
Tourist visiting Sapa can’t miss trekking for those
breathtaking views. For the best services and espe-
cially safe and reliable tours in Sapa, please contact
Mercury Travel – professional tour organizer in Viet-
nam.
After breakfast, we start the day with an easy trek of
10 km to visit 2 villages of the red Dzao, the H’mong
(Giang Ta Chai & Su Pan). The trekking will take you
along local paths, up and down rice terraces and
into the villages and home of local hill tribes. Enjoy a
beautiful waterfall and rattan bridge with picturesque
landscapes… through bamboo forest on the way to
the main road to get the jeep to return to Sapa. 6pm
take a bus transfer to Lao Cai train station for night
train back to Hanoi.
(Hotel or Home-stay accommodation as your wish)
Day 01: Sapa –Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai – Ta Van
Arrive in Lao Cai station at 5:00 in the morning. You
are welcomed by driver, and then transfer by bus to
Sapa. The bus ride uphill to Sa Pa takes a little over
an hour, giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas
and impressive rice terraces. You will have breakfast
at hotel before we start 12 km of trekking to visit Lao
Chai villages of the H’mong minority. The trekking
route offers some challenges as you balance on the
rice terraces and a small trail on the steep mountain-
side. The vegetation is dense as the trail leads up to
a peaceful village perched on the Hoang Lien moun-
tainside. Head downhill and relax by a local stream
for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we continue trekking
to Ta Van village of the Dzay where we have a
unique home stay experience.
Day 02: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa
Restaurants:
Sapa Home-stay Tour (2 trekking days)
» See more Tours to Sapa
Nick from Canada
“In Sapa we chose overnight at home-stay
and we were treated as family. Stayed at the
Home stay house and was welcomed with
open friendly smiles all around. Dinner was
fun to watch being prepared and even more
so enjoyed when eaten. The medicinal bath
was great so says my mate. This was rice
planting time and was a special time to be
able to know some of the folks in the fields. It
is a growing area moving up the mountain.
A must for the list”
Travel Tips
1. Well preparation for the trekking trip. Trek-
king in Sapa is quite hard and requires good
health condition. Since weather in Sapa is of-
ten cold and wet, make sure you have proper
hiking boots, insect spray, sun scream, long-
sleeved clothes, light raincoat, hats.
2. Experience local home-stay. Home-stay
is extremely interesting experiences that you
tried at least once in life. Eat and
sleep in hill tribe’s houses, see their
farming activities and participate in
their local life styles will guarantee
you amazing experiences.
MENU

Ethnic girl in traditional custome
MercuryTravel

When to go?
Northeast Vietnam has different beauty de-
pend on each season. However, the best time
to visit is from August to September when Ban
Gioc waterfall filled with water. November
to December is time when all kinds of flowers
blossom all over the place and create a para-
dise view on mountain.
How to get there?
The most beautiful site of the area is Ba Be
national Park, 240 km from Hanoi. Ban Gioc
waterfall is 192 km from Ba Be national park
and 342 km from Hanoi. For the most con-
venience and safety, tourists normally book
a package tour to go to each destination or
Northeast combine tours.
About Northeast Vietnam
Northern highlands of Vietnam shares borders with China and is home of many ethnic minorities including the
Tay, Nung, Dao, and H’mong.
Northeast Vietnam has huge reputation in Vietnam tourism for its numerous attractions include Thang Then Lake,
Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be Lakes in Ba Be National Park. There are also several historical sites where
president Ho Chi Minh lived and worked before the August 1945 Revolution including Pac Bo, Coc Bo Cave,
Lenin Stream, and Khuoi Nam Stream. Cao Bang city is also known for the Battle of Cao Bang, the first major
decisive victory of the Viet Minh against the French Army.
More than 80% of the area’s natural area is covered by mountains and forests hence tours to northeast is suit-
able for adventure trekking, sight-seeing and explore deeply Northern Vietnam’s nature, hill tribe lifestyle and
history.
THE NORTHEAST
deeply nature and history of Vietnam

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Ba Be National Park (ba Be lake located inside) lo-
cated in Bac Can Province, 240km from Hanoi and
covers more than 23,000 hectares boasting water-
falls, rivers, deep valleys, lakes and caves set amid
towering peaks. The whole area is home to many
ethnic minority communities.
Ba Be Lake is in fact three lakes linked by wide chan-
nels, about 8km long and 400m wide. The surface
is always calm, making a boat trip a peaceful expe-
rience. To reach Ba Be, it is an approximately it is an
approximately six to eight -hour drive on rough road
but excellent scenery compensated.
It’s a complex including lakes, rivers, streams, forests,
and caves. Mother Nature loves it too much that she
decides to give Ba Be a warm weather in winter
and a cool weather in summer so that it can become
an ideal destination for people from everywhere to
come, admire and cherish in just any season.
Visitors who come to Ba Be not only enjoy the cha-
risma of nature but also get to know many traditional
and scientific values of this natural park through the
helpful and energetic tour guides. In sunny days, the
scenery resembles a Feng Shui painting that mesmer-
izes even the most demanding visitors. The surface of
the lake is flat; it transforms the whole lake into a mir-
ror that reflects the figures of the majestic mountains
and the shining cloud. People in here are extremely
hospitable in Ba Be so you can even have a chance
to visit their house and experience for yourself the
breath of Ba Be’s mountains and forest.
From Thai Nguyen City, capital of Bac Thai prov-
ince, you drive along Highway 3 to the towns of
Bac Can and Phu Thong. After another 16 km you
will arrive at Ba Be Lake which is about 225 km
from Hanoi. Ba Be is some 145m above sea level,
8 km long, 3 km wide and about 20-30m deep. Ba
Be Lake is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and
thick forest, home of many species of rare birds and
animals.
The best time to visit Ba Be is in spring. You can take
a dugout canoe to visit the small islands of Po Ga
Mai and An Ma, and Puong Grotto. The Grotto is
about 300m long, and 30-40m in height and width.
The stalagmites and stalagmites inside the grotto are
beautiful and diverse in forms.
If you have time, you can travel one hour by boat to
visit Dau Dang Fall. The 100-m, three-level waterfall
makes the scenery even more magnificent.
Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Quy Xuan River is located
in Cao Bang Province, nears the Sino-Vietnamese
border. The waterfall falls thirty meters. It is separat-
ed into three falls by rocks and trees, and the thun-
dering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be
heard kilometers away from Trung Khanh.
Ba Be National Park – Ba Be Lake
Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Doc Waterfall is situated in Dam Thuy Com-
mune, Trung Khanh District. The Quay Son River rises
from China flowing into our country in Po Peo (Ngoc
Khe Commune) and to communes including Dinh
Phong and Chi Vien. When it reaches Dam Thuy
Commune of Trung Khanh District, the mild river cir-
cles around Co Muong mountain bottom and flows
to rice fields of Dam Thuy towards the large maize
alluvial plain of Ban Gioc village. Here, the flow di-
vides into many branches and lowers its flow to creat
Ban Gioc Waterfall.
Water from Quy Xuan River falling down on the
stone creates water droplets columns that can be
seen from a distance. The temperature near the wa-
terfall is remarkably cool, due to the water mist in
the air. At the foot of the waterfall is a large river, as
calm as glass, surrounded by many precious kinds
of flowers. The sight in Ban Gioc Waterfall bears a
poetic, fresh, quiet beauty of water, forest and cloud
area mixed with village atmosphere of mountainous
ethnic minorities.
Nguom Ngao is a really amazing cave, huge and
attractive with various shaped stalactites. Some sta-
lactites can create echo also.
Nguom Ngao means “tiger’s cave” in the language
of the local Tay ethnic minority. It is said that a long
time ago, many fierce tigers sheltered in the cave
and would enter the nearby village to hunt for live-
stock and even humans.
At its main entrance, you can feel the fresh, cool air
from the natural mist inside. Nature has endowed
the cave with stone formations that look like human
beings, trees, plants and mythical animals.
The cave was formed due to weathered process
of Limestone Mountains by wind and water over a
long time. Stepping in the cavern, you seem to see
a miraculous world. From high stone cliffs, hanging
wonderful sparkling seven-colored stalactites. Along
the way are stalactites of all shapes that look like
boats, cactus, forests, and terraced rice fields - a
symbol of mountainous region of Vietnam and poles
and valleys that are said to create a link between the
earth and the heaven and a loving tie between men
and women.
Nguom Ngao has been recognized as a national
relic. Without doubt, Nguom Ngao Cave and Ban
Gioc Waterfalls are two must-see natural wonders in
the northern province of Cao Bang.
Pac Bo is in Ha Quang District of Cao Bang Prov-
ince, 50km from Cao Bang Town. Pac Bo was the
place Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam after 30
years traveling the world seeking ways to liberate
Vietnam from the French rule.
After an hour or so following the scenic road, you’ll
come to a breathtaking valley inhabited by the Nung
people. Following the path along the main stream
for an hour on foot, we’ll arrive at the foot of a high
mountain where the water comes out from under-
ground. This is the mountain where Pac Bo cave is
located.
Pac Bo Cave was where President Ho Chi Minh
lived and worked after returning to Vietnam. It was
here that he prepared documents for the coming
revolution and where he contacted his comrades to
discuss about the course of the revolution. President
Ho Chi Minh was specially protected by the local
Nung people.
Hiking through the forested mountains, you’ll come to
a rocky area where Pac Bo Cave is located. There
are also many small caves like this in the area. China
is only a few meters away from here. Pac Bo was
a secret area and it was easy to escape to China
should there have been be an ambush.
Pac Bo cave
Nguom Ngao Cave
TOURS TO NORTHEAST VIETNAM
Road less traveled (6days)
Hanoi–Ba Be-Cao Bang-BanGioc Waterfall
Day1: Hanoi – Ba Be
Starting from hotel in Hanoi for transferring to Ba Be
Lake, 7 hour driving – 260 km from Hanoi. Stop
en route to visit a tea plantation and a sugar facto-
ry. Arrive at Ba Be Lake. In the late afternoon, visit
surrounding villages, home to a number of ethnic
groups: Tay, Nung, San Chi, etc. You may join your
hands preparing dinner with your host. Overnight at

home stay in Pac Ngoi village
Day 2: Ba Be
Start our day with a bike ride. We drop by Pac
Ngoi and Peng village to explore the newly discov-
ered Hua Ma Cave. In the afternoon, embark a little
boat to cruise the emerald Ba Be Lake and soak
in its sublime serenity and beauty. The surrounding
mountains are covered with lush vegetation, home
to diverse flora and fauna. We continue our cruise
towards the scenic Dau Dang waterfall, on the way
visiting some ethnic minorities. Overnight at home
stay in Pac Ngoi village
Day 3: Ba Be – Cao Bang
Morning drive from Bao Lac to Cao Bang town
(160km from Ba Be). Make a visit to Pac Po cave-
where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1941 to find out
the way to liberate the country. Visiting this histori-
cal area, visitors will learn more about the great life
of President Ho Chi Minh which is part- reflected
through his optimistic revolutionary verses. The rest of
the day is free for relax.
Day 4: Cao Bang – BanGioc Water fall
Begin our morning by visiting Ban Gioc Water fall,
90km from Cao Bang town. Have a picnic lunch
while contemplate the magnificent waterfall. Contin-
ue visit Nguom Ngao cave then back to Cao Bang.
Stop at Thang Hen Lake – 25 km from Cao Bang,
embark for a boat trip to discover this lake surround-
ed by the forest and rocky formation. Overnight at
the hotel in Cao bang
Day 5: Cao Bang – Lang Son
Our journey continues through the history of Indochi-
na via the Route Colonial No. 4 (RC 4, also known
as thi high way 4) famous for a French military disas-
ter in 1950, passing Dong Khe and That Khe. Arrive
in Lang Son (135km) in the late afternoon. Lang Son
is a small town where we can find the market well
stocked with variety of products imported from Chi-
na. Overnight at the hotel in Lang Son
Day 6: Lang Son – Hanoi Morning visit to the Tam
Thanh Grotto in Lang Son including Nhat Thanh
cave, Nhi Thanh cave and Tam Thanh cave located
on the western end of Ky Lua street, inside the chain
of mountains, which have the shape of an elephant
herd crouching on the grassy field. Transfer back to
Hanoi (155km). End of our services
» See more Tours to Sapa
Tatyana from Russia
“We were traveling across the country so we
plane our trip around places that we wanted
to see. Ba be National park was one from
the “must see” list. We came to Babe and it
was very peaceful, we saw few more tourists
– and it was great! Because it feels like we
found lost paradise, land that does not exist
on the maps with beautiful nature and friendly
people. We stayed in the Homestay for one
night (arranged by Mercury Travel). Golden
Vacation helped to organize private boat
tour for 2 of us. So in the morning tour guide
(boat driver) + two of us go to the Waterfall,
then we sail through all lake and came to the
beautiful cave. We were lucky to see Ba be
lake in the morning, but I am sure that on the
sunset it also amazing!”
Travel Tips
Tours to Northeast Vietnam are likely suitable
to adventurer or those who love explore wild
nature and trekking. This is perfect off the bit-
ten track route but also hard to arrange vehi-
cles and book accommodation by yourself.
You should easily book a tour (group or pri-
vate) for the safest, well organized trip. MENU

Experience local lifestyle
MercuryTravel

About Phong Nha Ke Bang
Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park is designat-
ed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in
Quang Binh Province, in north-central Vietnam,
about 500 km south of the nation’s capital, Ha-
noi
The remarkable Phong Nha-Ke Bang National
Park contains the oldest karst mountains in Asia,
formed approximately 400 million years ago.
Riddled with hundreds of cave systems – many
of extraordinary scale and length – and spectac-
ular underground rivers, Phong Nha is a speleol-
ogists’ heaven on earth. Its collection of stunning
dry caves, terraced caves, towering stalagmites
and glistening crystal-edged stalactites represent
nature on a very grand scale indeed, and are
beginning to create a real buzz in Vietnam, as
more and more riches are discovered.
Serious exploration only began in the 1990s,
lead by the British Cave Research Association
and Hanoi University. Cavers first penetrated
deep into Phong Nha Cave, one of the world’s
longest systems. In 2005 Paradise Cave was dis-
covered, and in 2009 a team found the world’s
largest cave – Son Doong.
Above the ground, most of the mountainous 885
sq km of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is
near-pristine tropical evergreen jungle, more than
90% of which is primary forest. It borders the bio-
diverse Hin Namno reserve in Laos to form an
impressive, continuous slab of protected habitat.
More than 100 types of mammal (including 10
species of primate, tigers, elephants, and the
saola, a rare Asian antelope), 81 types of reptile
and amphibian, and more than 300 varieties of
bird have been logged in Phong Nha.
When to go?
The best time to visit Phong Nha is in March and April.
Between May and September is ok but can be very hot
so March and April is the sweet spot. In October and
November the Phong Nha area can see heavy flooding
due to a combination of being on low ground and ty-
phoon season.
How to get there?
There are various connecting options such as bus, train
or flight from Hanoi, Hochiminh to Dong Hoi city. From
Dong Hoi city, you can take a taxi, motorbike taxi or
a shuttle bus to Phong Nha-Ke Bang (50km distance).
Tours to Phong Nha cave from Hue city is available as
well and please contacts our team for detail information.
PHONG NHA KE BANG
world heritage national park

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Formed approximately 250million years ago, Phong
Nha Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave
in Vietnam. It is remarkable for thousands of meters
of underground passageways and river caves filled
with abundant stalactites and stalagmites. This is not
a place to miss.
Phong Nha means Cave of Teeth and was used by
the Northern Vietnamese as a hospital and ammuni-
tion depot during the American war. In 1990, British
scientists surveyed 35km of the cave and discovered
the main cavern is nearly 8km long with 14 other
caves nearby.
To get to entrain of the cave you have to pass a
river and boat is the only transportation means to
explore Phong Nha Cave. Once you get further into
the cave, it is mostly unspoiled. The cave system is
electrically lit but you can bring a torch for better
exploration.
Tourist route discovery of Sinh Ton (Survival) Valley
and Hang Thuy Cung (Aquarium palace cave) has
a total length of 9 km (4.5 km for exit and 4.5 km
for entry). Travelers will be taken to the start point
at the Km15 or Km18 on West branch of the Ho
Chi Minh road, the Survival valley of 2,000 ha
width, surrounded by huge limestone mountains and
the vast primeval forests, caves in the middle of the
Aquarium with watercolor blue, cool, create beauti-
Thien Duong cave is situated the forestry sub-region
of ecological recovery and the limestone core region
of the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha - Kẻ
Bàng, Bố Trạch district, Quảng Bình province. This is
among caves which do not have underground rivers
and was discovered by explorers of the British Cave
Research Association (BCRA) and geographical pro-
fessors of the Hà Nội University in 2005.
Thien Duong cave is some 7km from the Western
branch of Hồ Chí Minh Road. Nature forms special
features for the cave from the entrance gate to holds
inside. Lying in the middle of the mountain side, the
cave is surrounded by well-off old and wild forests.
Despite being a 4km part of the cave being dis-
covered, Thiên Đường shows the value of a karst
structure which appeared millions of years ago, cre-
ating a mysterious beauty of pillars of stalactites. You
won’t want to leave because of its beauty.
Tien Son Cave is a dry cave in the mountainside just
above Phong Nha Cave. You can walk to it from
the entrance to Phong Nha Cave (1,000m) – look
for the sign at the foot of the stairs. This cave was
discovered in 1935 by locals and named the Fairy
Cave due to its extraordinary beauty, later it was
called Dry cave to distinguish it from Phong Nha
cave which is the water cave. The Chams used the
cave’s grottoes as Hindu sanctuaries in the 9th and
10th centuries and till today, the remains of their al-
tars and inscriptions can still be seen. This cave was
last used as a hospital and ammunition depot during
the War and thus one of the key entry points to the
Ho Chi Minh Trail. Come here, visitors can not only
discover the cave, but also learn about the history in
Vietnam.Phong Nha Cave
Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave)
Tien Son Cave
Sinh Ton (Survival) Valley and Hang
Thuy Cung (Aquarium palace cave)

TOURS TO PHONG NHA
ful scenery to fascinating people. The Survival valley
is more attractive because there are plenty of oil otter
population’s endemic trees, patches of paintings un-
touched, and many plants species richness. It is an
opportunity for visitors to gain a better understanding
of the value of forest biodiversity World Natural Her-
itage National Park Phong Nha - Ke Bang.
After experiencing at the Survival valley by flashlight,
visitors will continue to explore the 600m depths of
Hang Nuoc Lan (Water Diving cave) – the backdoor
of Hang Toi (the Dark Cave) and Hang Thuy Cung
(Aquarium palace cave) with exotic color of blue wa-
ter. Here, travelers will explore the mysterious Aquar-
ium palace cave which is located in the heart of the
limestone between the jungles.
This new route will be a mysterious and ideal des-
tination of world natural heritage site - Phong Nha
- Ke Bang national park for people who like discov-
ering the wild raw nature.
Vietnam’s Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, is the area
around the former border between North and South
Vietnam. Historically it was a narrow band of ter-
rain extending from the Laos border to the coast, five
km on either side of the Ben Hai River, roughly on
the 17th parallel north latitude. The area saw heavy
fighting in the war, and ruins of old American mili-
tary bases still exist. Even if you’re not interested in
the history, the area has some spectacular mountain
scenery and rugged jungles.
There are many places you can visit in DMZ:
Hien Luong Bridge crosses the Ben Hai River at the
middle of the DMZ and marks the former border be-
tween North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1972
when the North Vietnamese Army captured Dong Ha
town in the 1972 Easter Offensive and pushed the
The bus and tourist guide pick up you at Hue City.
Depart for Phong Nha Ke Bang national park. On
the way, we will stop at la Vang Holy - land and
pass DMZ of Quang Tri, the Macnamara line, 17th
Paralle, Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge. The stop
is remarkable educational, provide you more infor-
mation about Vietnam War and history. Have lunch
at the restaurant at Xuan SonTown
Afternoon: The cars will take you to Paradise case in
the ecological tourist zone of Paradise cave. Spend
your time wandering in “The Eden on the earth”.
border to the Thach han river in Quang Tri town,
some 20 miles further south. During the partition of
Vietnam, the bridge was painted with the two differ-
ent colors. There is a monument on the north side.
Vinh Moc Tunnels where an entire village lived for
two and a half years. 17 babies were born in the
tunnels. There is a small but informative museum here,
with photos of the construction of the tunnels, and of
daily life underground.
Camp Carroll is the largest fire base of the U,S Ma-
rines below the DMZ. There were 24 big guns there
to provide fire support for the Marines. In the 1972
Easter Offensive it was captured by the NVA when
Ltn Colonel Pham Van Dinh of the Army of Republic
of South Vietnam surrendered the entire 1.600 sol-
diers and 24 guns to the NVA.
Dak Rong Bridge is midway along Highway 9, and
is the starting point of Highway 15, which leads
south to the A Shau valley and the infamous “Ham-
burger Hill”. Though not entirely legitimate, there is
a monument commemorating it as a point on the Ho
Chi Minh Trail,
Khe Sanh Combat Base, just east of the Lao border,
was the site of a U.S. base which fell under attack
in early 1968. The attack of the NVA on Khe Sanh
was a diversion for the 1968 Tet Offensive in the
south. The old airfield of red dirt still remains.
DMZ
Hue – DMZ – Phong Nha Ke Bang (Full Day)
» See more Tours to Phong Nha

About Hue
Hue City is one of most attractive destinations in Vietnam, which has many cultural heritages. Up to now, there
are no places like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City. Visiting
Hue, travelers will be amazed with an ancient, romantic and delicate city, architect, wonderful natural sites,
exquisite cuisines and intriguing ancient history. Exploring Emperor’s life and history in Imperial Enclosure, an-
cient architect in Royal toms, Tu Duc tomb, Khai Dinh tomb…, cultural religion in Thien Mu pagoda, Citizen’s
studying spirit in Temple of Letters. Relaxing, sightseeing and enjoying magnificent natural scenery in Perfume
River, Lang Co beach, Thuan An beach…Furthermore, Hue has huge reputation for elegant cuisine; you will
get unforgettable memories with Hue’s cuisine such as Bun bo Hue, Mussel rice, Hue sweet pudding, salted
rice.
When to go?
The best time to visit Hue city is between March
and April, when the weather is warm and the rains
have yet to start and climate is not too hot. It is com-
fortable for tourists to visit landscapes and enjoy
cuisine in Hue City. Sept and Oct is also great time
to visit Hue.
How to get there?
- By air: Vietnam Airlines is currently the only airline
that serves Phu Bai International Airport (about 20 km
South of Hue city center). Domestic routes connect
Hue to Hanoi – 3 flights daily, and Ho Chi Minh City
- 4 flights daily. Travel time is approximately 1 hour,
either from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
- By train: Travelling to Hue by train is really a pleas-
ant way; the state-run railway network runs the entire
length of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
There are daily train stopping at Hue, with two tightly
departures at 19.00 and 23.00.
Get around
- By taxi: Taxi drivers are usually honest, but make
sure they turn the meter on: trips start at 15,000 dong
for the first 2km and tick upward at 11,500 dong/
km.
- By Tour vehicles: You can contact travel agent to
arrange private car for your tour around the city or
join in coach in group tours. This is most reliable and
convenient way to see the city.
HUE
cultural heritages city

SIGHT & ACTIVITIES
Lying at Hue city center, it was the imperial city
during Nguyen dynasty. In December 1993, Hue
Imperial City was recognized as a World Cultural
Heritage Site by UNESCO. Now it has become a
must see attraction for anyone travelling to Hue
Built throughout 27 years during the reign of Emperor
Minh Mang (1805 – 1832), the citadel is situated
on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, on an
expansive area 500 ha wih: Capital Citadel (Kinh
Thanh), Royal Citadel ( Hoang Thanh) and Forbid-
den Citadel ( Tu Cam Thanh) from outside to inside.
Come here with a local tour guide, you will have
memorable time to discover a dynasty in Vietnam –
Nguyen dynasty and ancient history.
Location: Located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan
Thuong Village, 8km from Hue City.
Tu Duc tomb is one of Nguyen dynasty’s finest ex-
amples of imperial tomb architecture. Built between
1864 and 1867, Tu Duc’s tomb required an incred-
ible amount of money and labour, thus resulted in a
rebellion of workers.
It is said that no other Royal Tomb in Hue can com-
pare to Tu Duc’s for its size and luxuriousness. Oper-
ating Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
About 20 kilometers to the South from Hue City, on
the banks of the perfume River, is The Imperial tomb
of Gia Long, where lie the first emperor of the Nguy-
en dynasty & his family and relatives. Gia Long is
the King who moved the capital from Hanoi to Hue,
where, with French assistance, he built the famous
citadel.
Those tombs were built between the years 1814 and
1820 and recognized as one of UNESCO World
Heritages. Gia Long tomb is open daily at 7:00 to
11:30 and 13:30 to 17:30 schedule.
Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the
Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady Pagoda”) in Hue
is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings
in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts
housed at the complex is the car that took the monk
Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Sai-
gon.
Tourists in Vietnam travel admire about its architec-
ture, because it’s wonderful architectural pagoda in
the area of Hue. The initial temple was very simply
constructed, but over time it was redeveloped and
expanded with more intricate features. In 1665, an
expansion was undertaken under the reign of the
The tomb was started constructing in September
1840 under the order of King Minh Mang. In Janu-
ary 1841, while the work was implemented, Minh
Mang passed away. After the father’s dead, King
Thieu Tri continued the task and completed the con-
struction 2 years later in 1843.
Opening hours: From 8:00 Am to 5:00 Pm
Khai Dinh tomb is far about 10 kilometers from Hue
city. Khai Dinh tomb was built for the Nguyen Emper-
or Khai Đinh. This is a smaller tomb compared to the
other ones in Hue city but definitively the one that left
the biggest impression with blend of Western and
Eastern architecture.
The construction of the tomb was started on Septem-
ber 4th 1920 and lasted for 11 years. This is best
preserved tomb you can find in Hue with amazing
European and Asian architecture. You can find Ro-
man and Gothic style, Hindu & Buddhist style in this
tomb. The carvings and glass decorations inside the
tomb are utterly gorgeous and there’s a pretty good
view of the surrounding countryside from the top of
the many stairs.
It’s really a nice place to visit and it is considered as
the most impressive tomb above all. Khai Dinh Tomb
opens from 7.30AM to 5.00AM
The Tomb is on the west bank of the Perfume River
and about 12km south of Hue City center. As one of
the most visited tombs in Hue, the Minh Mang tomb
complex is one of immense beauty and symmetrical
genius.
Imperial City
System of Tombs in Hue
Khai Dinh Tomb
Minh Mang Tomb
Tu Duc Tomb
Gia Long Tomb
Thien Mu pagoda

EATING & DRINKING
Nguyễn Lord Nguyễn Phúc Tần.
Coming to Thien Mu Pagoda, travelers in Vietnam
travel can choose to do many different things, like
urn incense and pray for blessings, sit on the wall to
observe the special Huong River, or walk around the
pagoda to explore the garden or listen to the monks
reciting the Buddhist scriptures, or watch them as
they sweep the yard or go about their daily routines,
for those images bring you to a peaceful feeling nev-
er achievable in the hustle and bustle of the daily life.
This is a dream beach, where you can have plenty of
activities to do from sea sports — snorkeling, scuba
diving, kayaking.
Besides, Lang co beach is very close to other famous
tourist destinations like Son Tra Peninsula, Bach Ma
National Park, Hoi An Ancient Town.
The Truong Tien Bridge is built over Perfume River,
Hue city. It’s one of the oldest steel bridge built in
Vietnam as well as Indochina during French colonial
period.
Constructed 115 years ago, in 1899 and designed
by Gustave Eiffel, Truong Tien Bridge is 400 meter
long and 6.20 meter wide with 6 spans. Its shape is
pleasing to the eyes, and the construction is incred-
ibly solid.
Huong River: Visiting to Hue would not be complete
without a boat excursion on the Perfume River (Huong
River) which has long been considered an important
part of Hue city. (Mercury Travel also arranges tour
including boat excursion on Perfume River).
Travelling by boat along the river will take you to a
series of Hue beauty spots like Truong Tien Bridges,
the Tomb of Minh Mang, Thien Mu Pagoda.
The river is especially beautiful at night when the
surface of the river glistens under the moonlight. Just
come here and you will feel the pure atmosphere of
romance and beauty! Pick the most suitable itinerary
for you and start exploring the beauty of this poetic
river!
Quoc Hoc High School is the century-old-high school,
also known as the first and the oldest high school in
Vietnam.
The school was founded in 1896 in order to train
children from royal and noble families. The school
had many famous Vietnam political leaders studying
there, including President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo
Nguyen Giap, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong.
Walk by the school to admire the nice architecture of
old architect and also the beauty of girls, who wear
ao dai (Women’s traditional costume in Vietnam)
Open every day but outside of school hours (after
5.15 p.m).Address: 2 Le Loi St, Hue
Lien Hoa Restautant: Address: 3 Le Quy Don St
Price: 30.000 – 50.000 VND/per meal. Superb,
highly authentic Viet veggie restaurant renowned for
providing top-drawer food at rock-bottom rates. Eat
like an emperor on fresh Banh Beo (steamed rice
pancake), noodle dishes and steam pots on a peas-
ant’s pay packet. The menu has photos and (rough)
English translations to help you order (staff speak little
or no English). It’s a bout 800 m southeast of Trang
Tien Bridge.
Anh Binh Restaurant: Address: 65 Vo Thi Sau St
Price: 40.000 – 155.000 VND/ per dish. A veri-
table foodie heaven, this elegant upmarket Vietnam-
ese restaurant has a refined ambience and thoughtful
service. It serves delicious Hue cuisine including fresh
crab, rice patties with shrimp, and grilled chicken
with chilli and ginger
Restaurant Bloom Address: 14 Nguyen Cong Tru
Hue city is so well known for the ancient tombs, cit-
adel that you may neglect the incredible Lang Co
Beach, recognized in 2009 as one of the 30 most
beautiful bays in the world.
Located in Phu Loc district, 30 kilometers from Da
Nang and 70 kilometers from Hue city, Lang Co
Beach with 10km-long coastal line is noted for green
mountains, tropical forests, white sand and crystal
clear waters.
Huong River (Perfume River) and
Truong Tien Bridge
Lang Co Beach
Quoc Hoc high school
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