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.

Holy land

The bell tower, the only construction in the La Vang Holy Land left after the Vietnam War

The year was 1798.

Emperor Canh Thinh of the Tay Son Dynasty had issued an anti-Catholic edict and ordered all Catholic churches and seminaries destroyed. Many Catholics fled to the jungle in the province of Quang Tri, where they had to contend with wild beasts and sickness. During one of their prayer sessions, Virgin Mary appeared in person, dressed in an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), and advised them to boil the leaves of surrounding trees to heal themselves.

These are the bare facts of the legend that has brought Catholics and visitors to the La Vang sacred area for centuries now

There are different explanations given for the name "La Vang". One is that when the Catholics took refuge in the forest, they had to shout (la) to call someone, and the forest echoed (yang) their voices. Part of the forest then became the La Vang Holy Land. Then there is the version that says "La Vang" comes from the Vietnamese meaning of the word "Crying out" and "Echoing" to denote the cries for help of people who had to face a tough life in the jungle. Yet another explanation is that the name La Vang refers to the leaf that the Virgin Mary recommended her devotees use as medicine.

According to documents at the Hue Archbishop Office, when Emperor Canh Thinh, who ruled from 1792 to 1802, embarked on the persecution of Catholics, many followers living near the Dinh Cat Hill rushed to the forest, about 60 kilometers from their homes. They had to suffer sickness and starvation, not to mention face wild beasts.

It is not clear when the La Vang Holy Land was established. In 1885, the church in La Vang was burnt in a fire. One year later, a priest, Caspar Loc, had it rebuilt. The church was then expanded several times before being destroyed by bombs in 1972 in the Vietnam War. But its bell tower still remains until today, showing some of the damage caused by the bombs.

Between 1995 and 2004, many other constructions such as the Virgin Mary bell tower, the Thanh The Chapel, the Man Coi Square, and a guest house for pilgrims have been built in the area.

Under a large banyan tree is a statue of the Virgin Mary wearing an ao dai.

La Vang became the National Marian Center of Vietnam on April 13, 1961. Four months later, Pope John XXIII elevated the site to the rank of a Minor Basilica.

The La Vang Catholic festival, known as kieu in Vietnamese, is held every year on August 15, attracting thousands of visitors.

HOW TO GO THERE

* Around 40 kilometers from Hue, the La Vang Holy Land is located in Hai Lang District, the north-central province of Quang Tri.

* From Dong Ha Town, the center of Quang Tri, travel along National Highway 1A for 20 kilometers before turning right and going further for another kilometer or so to reach La Vang.

Source: thanhniennews.com

Vietnam Jeep Tours has been organizing many kinds of different Vietnam tour packages including the tours called Veteran tours. For those would love this site can have a look at http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-tours/Veteran-Tours/Veteran-Tours.html including the tours cover Demilitarized Zone and La Vang Holy Land.

About Vietnam Jeep Tours: Vietnam Jeep Tours is all about the passion for adventure inspired by the love for the great nature, distant destinations, the old time Jeep in particular as a mean of discovery and many other outdoor activities that beyond your expectation when travel in Vietnam, be it cycling, camping, motorcycling, mountain climbing or kayaking.

If you share the same passions about what we do, please talk to our adventure consultant.

Website: www.vietnamjeeptours.com
Email: adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com
Hotline: (84) 909 602 370
Phone: (84 8) 6290 6577

Vietnam arrivals surge 32% in February

International arrivals to Vietnam jumped 32.4% year-on-year in February 2011, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has said. According to offi cial data, more than 590,000 visitors arrived in the country last month, bringing the total for the first two months of the year to 1.06 million, a year-on-year rise of 19.5%. Ho Chi Minh City attracted around 310,000 international visitors last month, up 8% year-on-year. The VNAT expects the country to attract around 5.5 million visitors this year.

(Source: Traveldailyasia.com)

Full Day - Biking Off-road to South of Dalat

Destinations: Dalat
Itinerary:

This trip is not extremely difficult but it still has it all - including small tracks and off-roads to forest paths, which A will lead you to a beautiful lake for swimming - In the distance, you will see the beautiful view of Zen Meditation Pagoda, located on the mountain summit.

The trip starts at 8.00 – 8.30 Am and ends at 3.30 – 4.30 PM. It depends on your speed of riding.

Activities:

• 5 hrs biking
• Free swimming

Includes:

• Travel insurance
• Certificated tour guide (speaking English)
• Good mountain bikes with helmets
• Entrance fee & all permits
• Lunch
• First aid kit
• Water on touring

Excludes:

• Surcharges for other languages speaking guides, during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking
• Personal expenses
• Visa
• Tips

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

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

Full Day Dalat – Tuyen Lam Lake Kayaking

Destinations: Tuyen Lam Lake (Dalat)
Highlights:

• Private Tour
• Tuyen Lam Lake Kayaking (4 hrs)

Itinerary:
Morning, our qualified guide & van will pick you up at your hotel in Dalat and we will transfer 10kms by van to one of the many beautiful lakes on the Langbian Plateau – Tuyen Lam Lake, which is truly one of the great hidden outdoor gems of South East Asia.

Our kayaks are built for stability so they act very much like a canoe, but with the speed and maneuverability of a kayak. From the boat launch area. we trek out to the kayak launch which is only accessible by foot or boat. This trek can be modified to suit your fitness level. After we reach the kayaks we spend the remainder of the day exploring the many inlets and secrets spots on the lake that is only accessible by boat. After about 2 hours of exploring we make our way out to the far end of the lake for lunch.

A picnic style lunch, taking advantage of the many fruits and vegetable grown in the Dalat area is prepared by the guide. After lunch we explore the far end of the lake, which still has much of its jungle canopy intact and is one the most popular spots in Vietnam for bird watching. We slowly make our way back to the boat launch from here, enjoying more great views of the lush pine forested and jungle areas that border the lake. Early afternoon, back to Hotel in Dalat. The trip concludes.

Activities:

• 4 hrs kayaking
• 1 hrs compulsory trekking

Includes:

• Travel insurance
• Certificated tour guide (speaking English)
• High-quality equipments
• Private transportation
• Entrance fee & all permits
• Lunch
• First aid kit
• Water on touring

Excludes:

• Surcharges for other languages speaking guides, during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking
• Personal expenses
• Visa
• Tips

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

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

Full Day Dalat - Rock Climbing at Datanla

Destinations: Datanla Waterfall (Dalat)

Itinerary:
We pick you up at the hotel at 8:30 am. Transfer to Datanla waterfall which takes approximately 20 minutes by van. Upon arrival, you have to walk for about 15 minutes from the main road to the abseiling point with breath-taking rainforest views. A safety briefing will be given to you as a precaution by our professional guide, this takes about 45 minutes. After the briefing, our professional guide will demonstrate the correct techniques as well as encouraging you to gain self confidence, You will then be able to practice your abseiling techniques with safety.

This climb ranges from easy to difficult , so it is both good for beginners and advanced climbers. Climbing and abseiling the first 15m cliff will test your physical condition. Hiking and swimming can be done here as well.

For the advanced climber, 18m and 16m cliffs are also available.

Includes:

• Travel insurance
• Certificated tour guide (speaking English)
• High-quality equipments
• Private transportation
• Entrance fee & all permits
• Lunch
• First aid kit
• Water on touring

Excludes:

• Surcharges for other languages speaking guides, during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking
• Personal expenses
• Visa
• Tips

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

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

A JEEP THING – VIETNAM

By Turtle Little

Since when jeep as an vehicle has become so popular as an icon of strength, adventurous and definitely a life style? The information is now easy to get, just Google it and we will find out a full lists of history dated back during WWI and WWII.

Jeep has its own prestige when the same image is perceived in most of the places it presents. Simply put, it’s only an vehicle to carry first military missions then transform to civil use. However, behind the name there are great stories to tell especially with the Jeep vehicles which are part of the history.

Vietnam

Came with the American troop during the war, the vehicle was considered the king of the battlefield when carried soldiers, wounded men and many supplies for the war, on almost every terrains. The popular scene of the time was the Jeep drove as it’s maximum speed shuttled between cities, battlefields, hospitals, jungles, crossed streams and rivers and of course with gunmen on them.

Perhaps, if put aside the ugly war scene, the vehicle itself is a perfect imagination of what adventure lovers look for with great characters (just like what people would like others to perceive when drive it): casual, down to earth, adventurous, fear no danger or difficulties, courage and open minded.

Finished the war, left by the American troops, Jeep stayed in the country, mainly Southern Vietnam & neighboring country of Cambodia. They were used for endless list of civil missions: as a local bus to carry people, sometime animals from cities to cities (often seen full load of people inside and bulky bags behind), to carry woods in the jungles together with the elephants, buffalos sometimes (thanks for its 4WD), police and firemen patrol vehicles and of course as a part of the history, in the museum (still seen the one in the Independent Palace in Saigon which is the witness of a General capture)

Years after the opening up of the country, the new model of cars started to come into view and Jeep was eventually ended its missions both military and civil tasks. At peak time this is quite a good source of craps to reproduce steel, a Jeep with its original engine could weight hundreds of kilograms of steels – a considerable amount at the time for a humble living standard. Most of the vehicles slowly disappeared and seen only driven by some police department who are waiting to change new patrol cars.

However, as said, Jeep with its beauty never dies (but some over thirty-year-old engines sometimes yes.), when the image of Jeep as a lifestyle once again appreciated by its lovers of all ages, genders and occupations. Seen again on street of Saigon, Danang, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Angkor Wat the restored military Jeep carrying foreign travelers from all over the world. What a Jeep trip stands for? May be fun drive, or a little unconventional experience or the feeling of freedom again who many people has forgot? Perhaps there is not only one answer. We feel it and just is enough!

And if somewhere when you happen to read this article you might consider such an experience in Saigon or Sieam Reap – Angkor Wat and need to contact the people who share the same passion. They may be helpful then.

Vietnam Jeep Tours

Mail: adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com

Ph: (84 8) 6290 6577

Direct: (84) 909 602 370

P/S: Did I mention above that I just finished a trip in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat December last year on a military Jeep M151 A2 drove on the mud roads in the middle of the ancient jungle? Awesome!

Saigon, Jan 2011