The streets of old Hanoi

Hang Gai (Silk Street)

"The obvious place to shop for silk in Hanoi", according to Thingsasian.com, for example Le Minh, 79-111.


The entrance of old Hanoi: Hang Gai (left) and Hang Dao (right), picture by E8Club

Hang Buom (Sails Street)

Den Bach Ma - White Horse Temple: Read more on orientalachitecture.com


Den Bach Ma, picture by ggallezot


Picture by EverJean


Den Bach Ma, picture by davemelbourne


Burning fake money, picture by buck82 Tweet This

Hoi An Impressions

See the locations on Hoi An Google Map


The Japanese Covered Bridge





Inside the old town of Hoi An cars are not allowed and motorbikes are not allowed from 8am-11am, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9.30pm. During these times you share the way only with the cyclists.

Hoi Quan Quang Trieu - Cantonese Assembly Hall: Founded in 1786, the main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong. See the commented gallery on orientalarchitecture.com


Hoi Quan Quang Trieu, picture by sega10028


Picture by Lyngve


Picture by missnae


Hoi An is part of Unesco World heritage, read more


Hoi An, picture by sega10028


Picture by sega10028


Picture by sega10028

Tan Ky House: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. Shophouse from the late 18th century. See commented gallery on orientalarchitecture.com


Picture by Barbora. More pictures at worldvisitguide.com


Picture by Frédéric


Hoi Quan Trieu Chau - Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese: 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu. Built in 1845 in honor of General Phuc Ba, a god with the power to calm the sea, notes orientalarchitecture.com


Picture by Frédéric


Picture by Eva Hořínková


Picture by Eva Hořínková


Picture by Günter


Hoi Quan Phuc Kien - Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese: 46 Tran Phu. Established in 1697. The temple is dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau. Then there is goddess Thuan Phong Nhi. People say, she is able to listen to the sound of a ship even at a distance of thousand miles. And the goddess Thien Ly Nhan is able to see those distant ships. Read more on indochinalegend.com. The Fukienese is the largest Chinese community in Hoi an according to orientalarchitecture.com.


Picture by besar bears


Picture by isho


Picture by taylorandayumi


Picture by taylorandayumi


Picture by ozzieadria


Picture by greenbird_ontree


Hoi Quan Hai Nam - Assembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese: 10 Tran Phu. Constructed in 1875 in homage to 108 merchants killed at sea. They had been mistaken as pirates by Vietnamese naval forces during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, writes orientalarchitecture.com


Picture by Frédéric


Dinh Cam Pho: 52 B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. See commented gallery on orientalarchitecture.com and see pictures by Kris and Kate on travelblog.org


Hoi Quan Ngu Bang - Trung Hoa Assembly Hall:: 64 Tran Phu. Established in 1741dedicated to Thien Hau Holy Mother. Read more on worldvisitguide.com


Diep Dong Nguyen House: 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc. House of a Chinese merchant from the late 19th century.


Picture by Adam. See also picture by Tym


Phung Hung House: 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. Wooden house built by a Chinese merchant in 1780, inhabited by the same family for eight generations now. See commented gallery on orientalarchitecture.com. And read a description on en.skydoor.net


Picture by Anh Nguyen


Picture by Ghislaine


Picture by Rafa


Picture by ccuckow


View from Phung Hung, picture by Stan


More background about Hoi An:
Unesco-Publication: Cultural Tourism and Heritage Management in the World Heritage Site of The Ancient Town of Hoi An



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Bai Tu Long Bay

See the locations of islands, caves, resorts and guesthouses on Google Map




Picture by Boi

Bai Tu Long National Park was set up by the Government in 2001. It covers the islands of Ba Mun, Tra Ngo Lon, Tra Ngo Nho, Sau Dong, the Sau Nam islands and another 20 smaller karst islands. The park counts nearly 500 plant species, 37 animals, 96 bird species, 15 amphibian species, 22 species of reptiles and 391 marine animals, according to a biodiversity study by British NGO Frontier Viet Nam.
One of the most endangered animals in the park is the dugong, also known as a sea cow: a large whale-like sea mammal that is in fact, more closely related to the elephant than the whale.

Tours: Tropical sails goes to Bai Tu Long Bay. Read review on lonelyplanet.com. Also Ethnic Travel.

Picture by mackieimages


Website of Bai Tu Long National Park

Tours:

Halong Bay - Bai Tu Long Bay - Quan Lan

Asia Travel

Nina Cruise

Ferries: See Vietnam Travel Guide

About Bai Tu Long Wildlife


Read more about attractions near Bai Tu Long Bay

How to choose the right junk for Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay
Islands, caves and more in Lan Ha Bay
Quan Lan Island
Co To Island



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Quan Lan Island

See the locations of resorts, guesthouses, beaches, other islands and caves on Google Map



Minh Chau Beach, picture by Boi


Since the 11th century, Quan Lan had been a centre along the commercial route. Quan Lan Communal House has been built in the 18th century and is almost entirely preserved (read more on vietnamtourism.com). Next to it you discover Quan Lan Pagoda (Linh Quang Tu), which is dedicated to Buddha and God Liêu Hanh.


Linh Quang Tu


Linh Quang Tu


Linh Quang Tu, all three pictures by Bui

Beside Quan Lan Pagoda lies Nghè Quan Lan (Duc Ông) Shrine, which is dedicated to Pham Công Chính, a local man who participated in the historical Vân Don battle against the Yuan invaders. He was later honored as a god. A fish market opens from 4:30 to 5:30 in the morning and from 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon.Quan Lan, Son Hao and Minh Chau beaches are located in the eastern part of the island. The rowing-boat festival Hoi Cheo Boi is held here from the 16th to the 18th day of the sixth lunar month.

Altnomad writes about a rainy day on Quan Lan. Another report by magdef. More by Godknows. Se then video by Vanhaixanh and video 2


Cac Bai, picture by Villa Song Chau




Son Hao Beach, picture by Villa Song Chau


Minh Chau beach, picture by Villa Song Chau


Minh Chau Beach, picture by Villa Song Chau


Resorts and Guesthouses

ATI Quan Lan Resort: Located right by the Quan Lan beach, small bungalows and one big long house on stilts. Some years old bad review on virtualtourist.com. Newer and mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com



Minh Chau Resort:


Minh Chau Resort, picture by luongvietloc


Ngan Ha Guesthouse. Tel 3 877 296:


Ngan Ha


The Hoa Giay Villa: Seven airconditioned rooms.


The Hoa Giay Villa


Van Hai Xanh Resort: At Son Hao beach with villas and bungalows. Tel: 3 877 316. Good for sleeping, not so good for eating, as Godknows notes, who shows us some pictures too.


Van Hai Xanh


Villa Song Chau:


Villa Song Chao, picture by Song


Huyen Trang Guest House: Tel: 3 877 351

Minh Vu Guesthouse Tel 3 877 479)

Phuong Hoang Guest House: Tel: 3 877 345

Tuan Minh Hotel: Tel: 3 877 358

Vinh Ly Guesthouse Tel: 3 877 354


How to go: From Hon Gai (Halong City) by ferry at 1 pm, back at 6.30 am (summer 6.15), this trip takes around four hours. From Cai Rong there is a ferry at 7 am (summer: 6.30) and 2 pm and back at 7 am (summer: 6.30) and 2 pm, this takes two hours. Altnomad describes the trip through the bay. There is also a Highspeed ship from Cai Rong on 8.15 am and 2.15 pm and back 7.15 am an 2.15 pm.


Ferry from Cai Rong to Quan Lan


The local way of getting from board, pictures by Villa Song Chau



Tours: Tropical sails has a trip to Quan Lan and a trip also to Cong Tay Island. Greentrail Tours goes tu Quan Lan and also to Trong and Trinh Nu caves. Another tour by Lagoon Explorer.


Read more about attractions near Quan Lan Island

How to choose the right junk for Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay
Islands, caves and more in Lan Ha Bay
Co To Island



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Co To Island

See the island and what's around on Google Map


Picture by Nhat Tan

Co To Islands (Co Tom Thanh Lan and Tran) lie around 60 kilometres from Cai Rong. On co To you find a small town, two beautiful beaches (Western Van Chai and Hong Van), a pine forest and a light house 70 metres baove sea level. Trinh Sat Beach is typical with white sands and blue water as clear as crystal. You can rent bikes and motorbikes. Green and red corals surround Co To. When the tide ebbs, you see a six-kilometre-long coral forest from the boat. The island has some pearl industry.
From Co To you can hire a boat to visit the forty islands around. On Thanh Lan Island oranges are cultivated.

How to get there: By ferry from Cai Ring every day at 7.00 am, the trip takes three hours. The ticket price is 70,000 dongs a passenger.

Tours: Travelhalongbay.com

Links: Cotocampingsite.com (in Vietnamese), pictures on VNExpress


Read more about attractions near Co To Island

How to choose the right junk for Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay
Islands, caves and more in Lan Ha Bay
Quan Lan Island



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