Vietnam Adventure: Soak up U Minh Thuong National Park- the emerging site of nature-lovers

Vietnam Travel Depot and its member vietnamjeeptours.com have launched an impressive tour program of exploring the vast freshwater wetland, U Minh Thuong National Park in the Mekong Delta.

U Minh Thuong belongs to Kien Giang province, about 300km in the southwest of Ho Chi Minh City metropolis, which is recognized as one of three highest priority sites for wetland conservation by its outstanding values of biodiversity.

The park is an ideal destination for visitors who have passion of the nature and love ecosystem. The tour is actually a deep view of Mekong Delta, a chance to immerse yourself by an on-water visit into one of the few primary forests where you can discover as much as it was. It is home to a 44-hectare bird sanctuary with more than 70,000 birds and the presence of 185 bird species where you can get close to see their bird-life such as nest setting, breeding and feeding…Beside is a diversity of flora with 252 species, especially is the a dense cajuput forest. Of these are endangered and have global conservation concerns.

Nature lovers can pick out this discovery tour as an extension part after their Mekong Delta visit and even keep traveling to Cambodia with a stopover in Chau Doc. Or else choose a beach relaxation in Phu Quoc Island after stopping at the neighbour town Rach Gia.

How to get there: 

- Around 300km from Saigon, travel by car down to the Mekong Delta area. The trip takes you around seven to eight hours drive crossing most of the delta provinces such as Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Dong Thap. Take two river ferries on the way

- By airplane from Saigon at 6.45 AM to Rach Gia (50 minutes flight) then by car from the airport to the forest (60 km) with around 2 hour drive.


Further details of the tour, please have a look here http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-tours/Adventure-Tours/Discovery-the-Wet-land-of-U-Minh-Thuong-National-Park.html

Need to get one-to-one consulted, please mail us at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or call direct to (+84) 909 602 370

Trekking in Ba Be National Park – Homestay at stilt-house between the secluded village

First read the latest news about Ba Be:

Ba Be Park recognised as Wetland of International Importance

The Ba Be National Park in the northern mountainous province of Bac Can has been named on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands List as a Wetland of International Importance.

The biodiverse 10,048-ha park is home to 1,268 species of flora and fauna. The site earlier was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2004.

As summarised by Marian Gwilliam, Regional Assistant Advisor for Asia-Oceania, Ba Be National Park supports the only significant natural mountain lake in Viet Nam and is the most important wetland in the country's protected area system because it is the only site that has a natural lake surrounded by a mountainous karst ecosystem.

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is the third Wetland of International Importance in Viet Nam, joining the Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province and Bau Sau in the Nam Cat Tien National Park across the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc.

According to director of the Ba Be National Park, Nong The Dien, the decision will mean that the site will join an international network of wetlands that are important for the conservation of global diversity.

The Convention on Wetlands - known as the Ramsar Convention - is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories. Viet Nam first participated in the Ramsar Convention in 1989.

Source: Ditnews.vn

Ba Be is home to the Tay people where the tour will bring a truly nature dip with the stunning views nearby the secluded villages in the edge of limestone mountains. Beside the time you will have to interact with natives here, you definitely will be keen on to explore its highlights including jungle trek and taste the local food by a mighty waterfall, boat trip on lake to adventure into karts’ caves. Dinner prepared by the local host with a unique home-made music performance. The tour completely can be connected with other areas in the North East Vietnam.

Further details of this destination, please get consulted from our friendly staff at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or call direct to (+84) 909 602 370

Visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com for more of company special deals and extensive Vietnam adventure offers.

ONLY $99/PERSON PACKAGES BY VIETNAM TRAVEL DEPOT

Hochiminh City – Vietnam Travel Depot has introduced one priced packages for travelers who visit Vietnam. The US$ 99 packages include tours and excursions from one day to three days travel in either Hochiminh City (Saigon), Hue (central Vietnam) or Hanoi.

With US$ 99 passengers can benefit from at least one night accommodation at a centrally located standard hotel, at least one meal included, transportation, English or French speaking guide and sightseeing fees.

Details of the packages can be found at www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or email to the company sales(at)vietnamtraveldepot.com

About Vietnam Travel Depot: Vietnam travel centre for international travelers. The company is specialized at customized tours and adventures for individuals or group travelers with a strong focus on Vietnam heritages, Vietnam history, natural landscape and most importantly its culture and people.

The introduction of Tiger Arena and Temple of the Crying Elephant by Vietnam Travel Depot.

Tiger Arena (Ho Quyen) is one of the most historic few sites still stands today in Vietnam, the fighting place between animals, especially are elephants and tigers, much to the glee of the royalty as well as to assert the unbeatable strength of battle elephants. Attempting to bring back these sites, Vietnam Travel Depot made a trip and be pleased to present to tourists.

The construction of the site began in 1830 after the ceremonial fight for King Minh Mang ‘s 40^th birthday on the northern bank of Perfume river, a tiger suddenly broke free and threatened the King by charging toward him. Afterward, the King chose the land near Long Tho Hill to the west of the capital as permanent arena to hold fights and named it Ho Quyen. The stories of area are still kept spreading among the communities but beginning to fade with the passing of time from the day of the last fight was in 1904 during the reign of King Thanh Thai ( the 10^th king of Nguyen Dynasty)

Just some steps from Ho Quyen is Temple of the Crying Elephant where the elephants were worshipped, those achieved great feats in battle fields. Locals called the temple “ Dien Voi Re”

Ho Quyen and Dien Voi Re symbolized the invincible strength and vitality of the Kings

More stories of the sites, offers and rates please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or mail us at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com

Cu Chi Jeep Tour by Vietnam Travel Depot (New, Extremely Hot!!!!)

At 10.00 am, from Saigon, we hopped on Jeeps and drove to Cu Chi Tunnels for a new hot adventure. Our “land - force” were tourists, operators from Vietnam Jeep Tours (Vietnam Travel Depot) and 11 jeeps (A1, A2).

Arrived Cu Chi Tunnels at 12.00 am, everyone was too exciting to wait for discover Tunnels – an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War – the Viet Cong’s Under World: an elaborate underground community made up of 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city and which was built with simple tools and bare hand.

Here are some real photos and video clip from this jeep tour. Hope you love this and will join us some days!

Hope you love this and will join us some days!

Vietnam Jeep Tours (Vietnam Travel Depot)

The only one who makes everything different with Jeeps!

Ph: +84 98 924 5868

sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com

Cam Ranh to become international airport

Cam Ranh Airport in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa will become an international airport with the opening of an official direct air route linking Cam Ranh and Vladivostock in Russia on December 12.

This was announced at a recent working session between Chairman of the Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee Vo Lam Phi, leaders of the Minh Nhat Ltd.Co. and representatives of Russia’s Vladivostock Avia and Transero Airlines.

Under the agreement, TU204 aircraft will be used for a flight every two weeks and the flight frequency will be increased later. Another air route will also open for flights from Moscow to Cam Ranh and vice versa.

Mr. Phi also asked hotels and guest houses to offer promotion programmes and lower service prices on the occasion of the inauguration of Cam Ranh international airport.

Travel agents’ hotels have pledged 50-70% discount in hotel room prices for nearly 130 international tourists flying from Russia to Cam Ranh on December 12.

The national aviation sector invested more than VND200 billion in building a new terminal, air traffic control station, a modern runway lights and other facilities in Cam Ranh Airport.

The capacity of the new terminal doubles the old one, which was only capable of loading 300 passengers per hour.

(Source: VNA)

Trekking through Nam Cat Tien Jungle with VIetnam Travel Depot

This is one of our interesting trip: ( if you like this trip and wanna join with us, please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or email us at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com)

In the first day, at 07:30 AM we left Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon) for jeeping to Cat Tien National Park ( Nam Cat Tien Jungle). The terrain rises up gradually via volcanic area. The traffic became heavy after 9.00 AM,any way, we cross Dong Nai River and reach the park center at 11.20 AM.

Check in two rooms for two singles ( me and my co-worker) at the park center. We had lunch break ( the lunch with rice, sour-sweet fried pork was yummy!)

In the afternoon, We must wear the anti-leach socks and we started walking 3km along the ecologic route: sites of Lagerstroemia Ovalfolia (BangLang), Tetrameles nudiflora (Tung), Cycas rumphii (Thien Tue), Ancistrolandus tectorius (Trung quan), Afzelia cyclocarpa (Go). The climate inside the forest was cool and humid, we had to drink 02 water bottles on the way. We saw many “Java” rocks on the way ( java rooks are volcanic rocks) and also many leeches ( we hate them because they suck our blood) but fortunately we were not bitten . Then we trekked 3km back to the center for leisure and dinner time. Totally we trekked 6 km for the first day.

At 8.00 PM, we had an interesting night activity: spotting Animal at night. We jumped on the jeep to transfer to TaLai buffer zone to look for nocturnal animals. (sorry for us because we were so excited that we forgot the camera and video recorder in rooms). However, the night trip was so funny and exciting! .

The second day came. We woke up early at 7.00 AM to be ready to have a jeep transfer inside the park to junction where we turn off the main route and trek 5km to Crocodile lake station. We did have a short break at the lake and did some activities: rowing on the lake, watching biodiversity. We were lucky because we could see crocodiles in daily light and we watched various birds living in the lake.

Then It’s time for us to trek 5km back to the main route. The Jeep picked us up and transfer back to the center. We finished trekking 10km through Nam Cat Tien Jungle today. Check out and we had lunch in the park before leaving Cat Tien Park, crossing the river by boat and heading to Saigon by Jeep.

( if you like this trip and wanna join with us, please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or email us at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com)

Cu Chi Tunnels Adventure with Jeeps by Vietnam Travel Depot ( Vietnam Jeep Tours)

This is one of our interesting trip: ( if you like this trip and wanna join with us, please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or email us at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com)

In this tour, our group included our drivers and tour operators with 16 French tourist.

In this morning, at 7:30 AM our jeeps arrived early to stick the numbers on each jeeps then we pick up the tourist at their hotel and let jeep to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City.



On the way to Cu Chi, we stopped for a while to take photos of Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office ( which were built during the French Colony). Then we jeep straight to Cu Chi Tunnels to start our adventure in Underground World.










During the war for independence, Viet Cong guerrillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. On the way to Cu Chi, we saw many cottages and beautiful fields which still only exist in Vietnam countryside.



At the end of this tour,at 1:30 PM, on the way to Saigon from Cu Chi, we had lunch at Ben Nay Restaurant. The food is delicious and the sights are very nice.

We arrived Saigon at 4:00 PM, a little bit late with the time we had planned before because there was traffic jam after the rain. Any way, this is really interesting trip. Hope you will enjoy this tour with us someday soon! :)

( if you like this trip and wanna join with us, please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or email us at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com)

Bonus: Our "soldiers" Jeep on the way and parking at Cu Chi.

Ancient tomb dated back 1,800 years unearthed

An ancient tomb with exterior and interior coffins has been unearthed in the northern port city of Hai Phong, according to the city’s museum.

The tomb was found by construction workers who were digging into the Thanh Den Mountain’s side to expand the acreage of the Tan Phu Xuan cement plant.

The exterior coffin is made from large pieces of ironwood while its boat-shaped interior coffin is carved out from a big tree trunk, a style belonging to the Dong Son culture, which existed more than 2,000 years ago.

No vestiges of bones were found except a rush map used to cover the dead.

Archaeologists also found seven large trays, four human statues, plates, bowls and combs, all made from wood, and several terracotta pots, jars and bowls with beehive and line patterns.

According to archaeologists from the Hai Phong Museum , the tomb is believed to date back to the 2nd-3rd centuries AD or 1,800 years ago.

(Source: VNA)

Vietnam Travel Depot Launches Jeep Adventure

Hochiminh City, 16 October 2009 - Vietnam Travel Depot has launched Jeep tours for the adventure enthusiasts. The unconventional tours by the US military Jeep M151 A1 and M151 A2 - vehicles once used in the Vietnam War will cover famous destinations such as historic Cu Chi Tunnel, Cao Dai Temple, Vung Tau Beach & Australia War Memorial, Mui Ne Beach, up to the mountain of Dalat or Central Highland or deep into the forest of Nam Cat Tien National Park.

Beside tours on Jeep, Vietnam Travel Depot offers travelers with various combined options such as camping in the forest, trekking, motorcycling, biking, camera rally or team building based on customer's individual interests. The company also specially developed a website www.vietnamjeeptours.com to provide detailed information and images about the Jeep travel, its technical specifications for the serious travelers who wish to know more about the historic vehicles and this special service.

About Vietnam Travel Depot

Online travel portal specialized in travel to Vietnam focusing on individuals and small groups travel. More information the company, its offers and rates please visit www.vietnamtraveldepot.com or Tel: (84 8) 5404 3116.

About Vietnam Jeep Tours

A special service dedicated to Jeep adventure in Vietnam with adventure activities of Jeep-ing, camping, trekking, motorcycling, biking, camera rally or team building. Vietnam Jeep Tour is a specially product managed by Vietnam Travel Depot. More information please visit www.vietnamjeeptours.com