Thứ Năm, 25 tháng 6, 2015

Top 7 local coffee shops in Hoi An



It is no coincidence that you see a lot of coffee shops along many streets in Hoi An. Hoi An people love drinking coffee every morning. With a couple of small table and small stool along the roadside in small part of the old town, reading newspaper while sipping coffee then looking around and enjoy life –life slowly immersed in the heart of the ancient town. Centre Vietnam tours

There are many coffee shops in Hoi An but these 7 coffee shops will be the best ones:

1. Café Des Amis

Located at 52 Bach Dang Street, Hoi An, Café Des Amis is the choice of many peoplewhen coming to Hoi An. Its owner, Nguyen Manh Kim, is fluent in many languages and always satisfy his customers with his cleverness. Des Amis is not a big coffee shop but has convenient position.It faces to Hoai river port which is crowded and riotous all the time with boats and people pass by. There, you can enjoy not only coffee but also some specialities of Hoi An such as white rose, caolau while listening to classical music or flamenco. Moreover, there is a notebook inside the shop so that you can write your feelings about the shop and their staffs into it. Alova Gold Cruise Halong
Café Des Amis
Café Des Amis


2. Bep Truong (Chef) coffee shop

Bep Truong coffee shop is one of the most familiar coffee shop to both foreigners and local people in Hoi An. Located at 166 Tran Phu street, Bep Truong is a coffee shop, a restaurant and one of the biggest bookstores in Hoi An as well. The second floor in the shop is space for coffee with comfortable seats which is easy for both reading books and enjoying coffee. Books can be brought from ground floor with a variety of headings. If you like the panoramic view of the old town, you can select to sit at the balcony of the second floor or even the top floor where you can easy have an overview of Hoi An from above.   2. Drinking coffee and reading book at Bep truong (Chef) coffee shop . MANGO CRUISE
3. May Concept

May Concept is well-known for its aesthetic and subtle layout and of course its wonderful coffee filters.Its location is in a small alley to your right as you exist the Japanese Covered Bridge on to Nguyen Thi Minh Khaistreet. The exact address is 8C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. The coffee shop is a tiny house with quite, simple rooms decked in dark wood antique furniture. It is a tasteful handicrafts shop, a coffee lounge area for reading or working and a shady walled garden with lily pond.   3. May Concept Cafe
4. Gemstone Art Museum – GAM

GAM is own by a Vietnamese- Italian couple Duong Nga and Fantini. The museum has the collection of hundreds of gemstone art from around Vietnam collected by Duong Nga and her father in more than 20 years and exhibited for tourist all around the world. At its back is a shady courtyard garden cafe that serves up coffee with condensed milk (cafe sua da). On the second floor a wine bar for those wine fan. It is situated at 133 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.     4. Gemstone Art Museum
5. Reaching Out Tea Rooms

Reaching Out Tea Rooms is an extension of the Reaching Out brand- a charity to help the disabled in Hoi An and nearby areas. It stands out on Tran Phustreet with a hand-painted sign on the wall “The beauty of silence” which is exactly what you can feel when sitting in this shop. By enjoying a cup of one of their exquisite teas or coffees, you already help the speech and hearing impaired staff receive the gift of integration into a work environment that empowers them, and the pleasure that their hospitality brings to guests partaking in the Teahouse experience.  That’s a good way to do charity.     5. Ordering in a different way at Reaching Out Tea Rooms
6. U café

Far away from the center of the old town, U café will be a great place for those who love quiet atmosphere to enjoy coffee. The shop is on Huyen Tran Cong Chua street, in Cam Chau ward facing to Hoai river. Its owner is a Japanese women named Reiko Usuda who chose Hoi An as her second home. U Café is a beautiful structures built with local materials which is sustainable and friendly to the environment. It is green space located in a quiet place that is very appropriate for those who need to work with laptop but still want to have great moments with a cup of coffee or a delicious meal outdoors.     6. U cafT  
7. Hai Café

Located at 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc and 111 Tran Phustreet, in the heart of ‘Old Hoi An’, Hai Cafe Bar & Grill is an impressive place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink. About the drinks, in addition to Vietnamese coffee which is quite strong, you can find European style coffee prepared such as cappuccino, latte, macchiato triple, flat white or simply a concentrated espresso.By night the restaurant becomes a hub of activity as guests watch the chefs in action in the open-air kitchen, cooking in large woks, and traditional barbecues and steamers. It is a great place to chill or go online with a good free wifi connection.     7. Hai CafT  
If you want to know more about coffee culture in Vietnam or wonder what coffee shop is worthyto go for, which onehasgood view, or just simply that you travel alone and want to find some friends to chat while drinking coffee, just contact us. Hoi An Food tour team will serve you all the best.

Thứ Năm, 18 tháng 6, 2015

Streetwise Hanoi


Welcome to Hanoi! You’re in the political capital of Vietnam with a population of 7 million people. Like any big city, a tiny portion of those people are dodgy. Vietnam has vast cultural and legal differences to the west, that’s part of the reason why we love it. This means there’s some things us foreigners need to keep in mind. With decades of combined experience being backpackers who can’t seem to leave Vietnam, we’ve made a little list specific to Hanoi that we would like to share with you. We hope our experiences make yours even better & safer. Now don’t be worried, just be wary. Let’s get into it. North Vietnam tours

Crossing the street – Take a deep breath, look for a moment to commence and walk slowly and consistently across the street. They will go around you, have a bit of confidence and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Taxis - Some taxi drivers will try and take you for a ride. Hanoi Taxi Group (white, red & blue), Mai Linh (green) and ABC (white & pink) are most reputable. Ask our hostel to call you a taxi and write down the address for you.
Bia Hoi – Hanoi is legendary for it’s Bia Hoi, but be choosy. It’s home-brew made with varying levels of hygiene. There’s good Bia Hoi, and there’s bad Bia Hoi. The locals pay around 7,000vnd for a glass of good bia hoi. If you’re paying less than that, it’s probably not good. See our crew for some places to join the locals for some reputable Bia Hoi watering holes. Avoid cheap low quality product that could make you sick. Vietnam Halong bay tours
Cheap vodka – There is a reason why it is cheap, it can contain all sorts of nasties which can cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness & dizziness without even having a big night out! We see this all the time. There is a big market for low quality and fake spirits in Vietnam. VBH serve only imported Smirnoff Vodka and genuine spirits. They are more expensive, but they are safe, and they taste better. If you drink irresponsibly, at least drink smart
Streetwise Hanoi
Streetwise Hanoi

Disagreements with the locals – A rare circumstance usually involving boys and alcohol. There are 2 rules. Rule #1. – Never get involved in a fight with the Vietnamese. Rule #2 – If you’re drunk and a local does something you think deserves an act of aggression, immediately see rule #1. If a local really does do something wrong. Still see rule #1. The Vietnamese kicked China, France & the USA out of their town, you’re a small fry and they’ll treat you that way. In every circumstance, please please please see rule #1 and walk away. Peace. Vietnam Mekong river tours
Big nights out. All us backpackers understand that you never quite know when a massive night could come your way. We strongly advise that at some point during the build-up you take a moment to consider the location of your smartphone, passport, bankcards, and all your cash. If these things are in your possession when things escalate you run the risk of turning the night of your life into a nightmare. Please leave them somewhere safe before you get socially excited. There are security lockers in all rooms, and we have a safe to keep valuables in.
Getting home. Make sure you always have few a hostel cards to show your taxi or motorbike driver. Negotiate a price before you begin. Unfortunately it is rare to find a reputable motorbike or taxi driver after midnight. If you have problems, don’t make a scene, wait until you arrive at the hostel and ask night reception to assist you.
Cheap imitation tours. Be careful with Halong Bay especially. There are a number of dodgy companies that simply don’t care about your complaints after your shitty and sometimes unsafe experience. Many copycats pose shamelessly as long established reputable operators. For example there are currently 11 other places pretending to be our Castaways trip. There is only ONE real Castaways Island and it’s got a Red Buffalo. You really truly do get what you pay for. If it’s cheap, then it’s because the operator cuts corners. This means their boats can be any or all of the following: dirty, unseaworthy, environmentally disastrous, and most certainly have terrible decor. You may get lucky, but you may not. They will give you a great sales pitch and show you some great pictures, they’re experts. If you come back pissed off about your cheap shitty tour, we’ll do our best to help you, but aside from listening to you vent, giving you a cuddle and buying you a couple of beers to ease the pain, there’s not much more we can do. You’ve been warned!
Imitation hostels. Yes, you may get off a bus and a Vietnamese person with good English will tell you our hostel has closed down, or moved locations. They may even have one of our business cards. They may even get on the bus before it stops to give you some “advice”. Check online the location of our hostels, grab a card for each one, and only go to that address. If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s not. Simple.
Cash – The 500,000 note is a similar colour to the 20,000 notes! One is worth $24 the other is worth <$1. Don’t get them mixed up!
Be patient when communicating with the locals. Speak slowly, English is a very difficult language for the Vietnamese to pronounce, much harder than for Laotians, Cambodians and Thai’s. Their English is a lot better than your Vietnamese, so smile, laugh and enjoy the sign language! Even better, learn little language.
In the immortal words of Mr. T. “Don’t do drugs”. Penalties in Vietnam are so harsh we prefer not to talk about it. This is not California or the Caribbean. Weed is not ok, and harder drugs are even less ok. There is a large hemp growing industry in Vietnam and some locals will try and sell dope from these plants, but the joke is on you, you can still get done for possession, yet the plants are genetically engineered so that you don’t get you high. When it comes to drugs in Vietnam, please don’t be stoopid. As Mr. T also said “I pity the fool!”
Comply with the police. In the highly unlikely event you run into trouble, be polite, keep your cool and do what you can to remove yourself from the situation.
Vietnam is not the place to learn to ride a motorbike. If you are riding a motorbike, always wear a helmet. Pretty pretty please don’t get drunk and ride. We unfortunately have experienced a range of unfortunate circumstances pertaining to irresponsible motorbike behaviour, and because of this we would please insist you read this line again. :-)
Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We’re all a bunch of backpackers who are still in love with Vietnam. We are here to help. If we don’t know, we’ll know someone who does.

Thứ Năm, 11 tháng 6, 2015

Top things to do in Quy Nhon



Relatively unknown and free of mass tourism, the coastal city of Quy Nhon (the capital of Binh Dinh province in central Vietnam) will seduce those who love to travel off the beaten tracks.

Called ‘Pulo Cambi’ by Portuguese Jesuits who settled there in the 1620s, its origins date back to 11th century Champa culture.

Quy Nhon is also known as the birthplace of the eighteenth Vietnamese Emperor, Nguyen Hue. The city experienced a major U.S. military presence and its hinterland was the scene of heavy fighting during the Vietnam War. However, only a half-buried U.S. tank (on the beach, south of the Lan Anh Hotel) reflects this dark parenthesis of history. Centre Vietnam tours

Quy Nhon made up the main port for all military forces in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region. Almost all the supplies for the area were unloaded from ships moored in the port before being transported by aircraft.

A large number of U.S. Army support units were also based in the city and its suburbs, including a field hospital and a large supply center. MANGO CRUISE

Quy Nhon In 1975 the South Vietnam Navy evacuated its soldiers and some civilians before abandoning the strategic city of Nha Trang in May 1975, leaving North Vietnamese tanks and infantry to occupy nearly half of the territory of the Republic of South Vietnam.
Top things to do in Quy Nhon
Top things to do in Quy Nhon

Today, things have changed.

Quy Nhon has just begun to capitalize on its huge potential for tourism. At 42 km long, the coast is indeed ​​remarkable with its white sand beaches. Abundant seafood is served in local restaurants at a price that defies competition.

And if historical remnants aren’t Quy Nhon’s greatest strength, we must admit the city and its outskirts still contain some interesting sites worth visiting.

Quy NhonThe picturesque Queen’s Beach, in particular, deserves a visit.

Named in memory of last Vietnamese Emperor Bao Dai’s wife, Queen’s Beach is accessible via An Duong Vuong Street, with your back to the peninsula. Paradise Cruise Halong bay

On the way, a paved road leads to a ledge where you can see the tomb of famous Vietnamese writer Han Mac Tu, one of the great figures of Vietnamese literature. Further on, you’ll come to the famous beach where you can stop for refreshments.

Although not a good place for swimming, Queen’s Beach is interesting because of its many blue, egg-shaped, smooth stones superimposed on the small beach pummeled by waves. That is why Queen’s Beach is also called ‘Egg Stone Beach’.

Continuing on the road along the headland, you arrive at Qui Hoa Beach, very quiet and ideal for swimming. A hospital Leproserythat specialises in treating leprosy has been built nearby. In its charming garden, you can admire statues of famous French and Vietnamese doctors. Visitors are welcome.

Arguably the best spot for swimming is probably Bai Dai Beach, a beautiful stretch of white, fine sand.

Located on 13.5 hectares, Bai Dai Beach is frequented by few tourists. With a beautiful view of Cu Lao Xanh Island, Bai Dai remains quite wild. Activities available from the beach include kayak trips to neighboring islands.

The Cham towers of Banh It (20 km north of Quy Nhon, at the top of a hill that boasts panoramic views of the countryside) and those nearest to Thap Doi are remarkable for their sculptures. Despite their years, both sites are in good condition and worth visiting.

If you have time, you can also have a look at Long Khanh Pagoda, Quy Nhon’s main pagoda, built in the 18th century and famous for its 17-meter-high Buddha.

Practical Information:

- Binh Dinh Province is 1065 km from Hanoi and 680 km from Ho Chi Minh City. You can get to Binh Dinh by car, train or plane. Note that the train stops at Dieu Tri Train Station, about 10 km west of Quy Nhon.

- There is a VND 5000 admission fee to Queen Beach (plus an extra 2000 if you’re riding a motorcycle).

- You can go to the hospital that treats leprosy by turning left at the end of An Duong Vuong Street. The hospital entrance is well marked, a few hundred meters further down the road.

Thứ Sáu, 5 tháng 6, 2015

Can Gio Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam travel guide


Can Gio (Cần Giờ) is a coastal district of  Ho Chi Minh city, 50km (32miles) form the city center. Can Gio tourism is famous for mangroves and pristine beaches where haven’t had many tourist services. You can travel Can Gio for 1 day in the weekend.  Travel South Vietnam

Most of people, who used to visit Can Gio, comment that price of service is not expensive, seafood is cheaper than Vung Tau (another site near Ho Chi Minh city). Quiet night, suitable for relaxing. The sea is not blue because of mangrove but it’s not too bad to bath.

Can Gio Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam travel guide
Can Gio Vietnam travel guide

This article i’m going to give you helpful informations for Can Gio trip. MANGO CRUISE

Parts in the article:

How to get Can Gio | Attractions | Hotels | Day trip itinerary | Combine travelling Vung Tau

How to get Can Gio
From Sai Gon, you go along Huynh Tan Phat road, cross river at Binh Khanh ferry, then just go straight. The route is not difficult, only 1 route to get Can Gio, you can go by car or motorbike. Calypso Cruise

You can also get Can Gio by public bus-75. The bus will go through the streets: 23/9 Park – Le Lai – Tran Hung Dao – Pham Ngu Lao – Yersin – Ham Nghi – Ho Tung Mau – Nguyen Tat Thanh – Huynh Tan Phat – Rung Sat – Duyen Hai – Dao Cu and finally, stop at Can Thanh Bus Station (in Can Gio).
Can Gio Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam travel guide
Can Gio Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam travel guide


Where to play and visit in Can Gio
Attractions in Can Gio according to the route from Ho Chi Minh city.

1. Vam Sat (Vàm Sát) is a eco-tourism zone of mangrove, you will go into by boat or canoe. In the zone, you will be visited Dam Doi zone (khu Đầm Dơi – where has many kinds of stork and bat), protected areas wildlife and Tam Bong tower, 26m (85ft) high, where you can see all of Can Gio mangroves.

Feed crocodile in Vam Sat eco-tourism
Crocodile feeding in Vam Sat eco-tourism

2. Dao Khi (đảo Khỉ – Monkey island, it’s not an island, just name). This’s very interesting place but you have to be careful with monkeys. They’re very naughty, usually rob foods and items of tourists. My tips for travelling in the island, you should carry a stick to scare but don’t fight them else they will call their whole flock.

3. Lang Ca Ong (Wale mausoleum). In Vietnam, wale is a very sacred animal so people usually worship them in temples or mausoleums. Lang Ca Ong is located in Can Gio market and has 17m (56ft) length skeleton of a wale.

4. Thanh that Cao Dai (Thánh Thất Cao Đài), a sacred temple in the center of Can Thanh town. The temple is quite beautiful, you can sightsee and take photos.

5. Can Thanh town is the seat of Can Gio district. This’s a small and peace town.  From here, you can clearly see Vung Tau city and its 2 big mountains. Even by night, you can see the sparkling lights of Ha Long road – the most beautiful road of Vietnam (in Vung Tau ).

6. 30/4 beach is 8k (5miles) from Can Thanh town. This’s a beautiful and very pristine beach. Near there is Hang Duong market (just 50m (160ft from beach), you can buy seafood in the market, ask them for cooking with very solf price and enjoy them on the beach.

Monkey island Can Gio Vietnam

Hotels in Can Gio
Usually, people travel Can Gio in just 1 day so they don’t rent hotel. However, in the case combine travelling Can Gio and Vung Tau, tourists want to take an overnight in Can Gio and get Vung Tau in next day.

If you travel in big group, you should rent hotels near the 30/4 beach (rate is from $15, more expensive than hotels in the town) to play in evening. You can consult:

1. Tam Ngoc hotel in Dong Hoa – Can Gio, tel: +84 8 3874 4200

2. Hon Ngoc Phuong Nam resort near Tam Ngoc hotel, tel +84 8 3874 3404

If you travel in small group, you should stay in the town.

3. Thai Duong hotel on road No.1, tel +848.3874.3985. Comfortable rooms, (2-star) have balcony overlooking rice field, very nice. Rate is $13/day.

4. Tam Tam hotel on road No.1, Tel +848.2214.4899. Similar price to Thai Duong hotel.

5. Bao Hung motel is also on road No.1, tel: +848.3874.4122

>> Click to check all hotels in Ho Chi Minh city at Agoda.com

Can Gio day trip itinerary
7am, start the trip to Can Gio,

8am, arrive at Vam Sat eco-tourism zone. You have rent a boat or canoe to come into, price is $20/boat. There’re 8 seats / boat, you will be grafted with other tourists (if your group is less than 8 people).

10am, leaving Vam Sat, keep going to Monkey island.

10.30am, arriving in Monkey island. Strolling around and visiting “the island”.

12am, lunch and rest in Monkey island about 2 hours.

2pm, go to 30/4 beach. The beach is quite close to Monkey island, you can ask the local for the way.

2.20pm, arrive at the beach. You can come to Hang Duong market to eat seafood, then play on the beach. Note, the parking just work to 5.30pm.

About 5pm. End the trip, back Ho Chi Minh city.

Combine travelling Can Gio and Vung Tau
You can combine travelling Can Gio and Vung Tau for 2 days. First day, vistiting Can Gio and get Vung Tau in next day. From Can Gio, you can get Vung Tau easily by boat.

The boat will start at 6am and 10am at Tac Suat dock (bến Tắc Suất), take 1 hour to get Ben Dinh dock (bến Đình – in Vung Tau).

Ticket: $1.3/pax. You can carry motorbike on boat but there’re few additional costs (about $3.5/motorbike).