Fruit festival in Tien Giang

Tien Giang Province in the Mekong river cruise hosted the first ever national fruit festival in My Tho city from April 19 to 24

Tran Hoa Huy, a member of the organization board, said the festival would welcome over 100,000 guests and tourists. There are 350 rooms available for accommodation in My Tho City and in nearby provinces such as Long An, Ben Tre and HCMC. The recently opened Trung Luong Expressway makes My Tho City only a 40 minute drive from HCMC. Visit South Vietnam tours

With more than 700 stalls, the event displayed 2,000 tons of fruit from 24 provinces, including the well-known Hoa Loc mangoes, Lo Ren Vinh Kim star-apples, Chin Hoa durians and Hung Yen longans. Also, the festival features agricultural products and plant exhibitions, food fairs, firework displays and festivities at Cai Be floating market. Several national records are expected to be set during the festival too, including the largest map of Vietnam and the longest dragon made entirely of fruit.

Fruit festival in Tien Giang 

There would also be an awards ceremony to honor farmers, scientists and enterprises who have contributed to research and planting processes to deliver high-quality Vietnamese fruit to both local and global markets.VAM HO BIRD SANCTUARY

Nguyen Minh Chau, head of the Southern Fruit Research Institute, said the country, and especially the Mekong Delta, boasts a wide variety of good fruit owing to favorable climate and soil.

Vietnam has a total of 776,000 hectares under fruit cultivation and can increase competitiveness compared to leading exporters Thailand and China if it invests more into seedling research, modern techniques and brand building.

The Fruit Festival will host a series of seminars on developing trademarks for Vietnamese fruit on the global market and measures to create and strengthen links between scientists, farmers, processors and local authorities to increase value.

This festival is set to become a five-yearly event.

Discover Asia On An APT River Cruise

Winding your way past quaint riverside towns and floating markets surrounded by green fields along the Mekong Delta and its adjoining waterways is a great way to discover Asia. APT‘s Southeast Asia cruises offer beautifully furnished private suites, international cuisine and small group excursions on rickshaws and water boats. You can cruise magically through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, discovering hidden gems not seen by land.

A visit to the Mekong Delta cruise is so special because of its unique diversity. See kids riding on water buffalo, rice workers hunched over their fields, flocks of storks at dusk and rowboats on its maze of channels. Home to over 1,000 varieties fish, 20,000 plant species and an array of wildlife, the Mekong Delta is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. It’s Asia’s third largest river; a comma-shaped flatland that is also known as Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’, producing more than a third of the country’s annual food crop. Here are four countries you can explore on an APT Asian river cruise.

Discover Asia On An APT River Cruise

Otherworldly sights await at Vietnma’s Ha Long Bay
Vietnam
An APT Mekong Delta cruise can take you through the contrasts of beautiful Vietnam, from the hive of activity in its crowded cities,to the relaxed pace of the beautiful countryside. In northern Hanoi, you will find a beautiful blend of French colonial influence, with the modern pace of Asian city life before cruising onward past the spectacular mountains of Sapa and the sparkling Ha Long Bay.

Be transported further south to Saigon, where you will find a mix of soaring skyscrapers with French architecture and the energy of chaotic outdoor markets. Along the way, Australia’s revered chef, Luke Nguyen, can help you discover the culinary heritage of his home country.

See Cambodian life along the Mekong Delta
Travel to Cambodia
Channels carve a lifeline into Cambodia, a country full of history and magnificence. Visit the famous temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and cruise past the beautiful Royal Palace. Located on the riverfrontm the Palace showcases classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding.

You can experience Cambodia’s lush countryside filled with rice paddies and sugar palms, cruising along the south coast past tropical islands and beach huts.

 Lush landscapes around the Nam Song River, Laos
Travel to Laos
After years of isolation, Laos is now one of the most laid-back Southeast Asian destinations. Enjoy the well-preserved culture, stunning natural environment and friendly people. Life in Laos still revolves around tradition and you can experience riverfront life unchanged over generations. See the historic royal city of Luang Prabang where hundreds of saffron-robed monks move quietly among centuries-old monasteries.

The Mekong opens up at Si Phan Don (meaning literally ‘four thousand islands’). It’s an archipelago of tranquil islands popular with travellers for cycling, swimming, tubing, boat cruises, kayaking, and dolphin spotting.

Cruise into beautiful Bangkok
Thailand
Known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, you’re awarded the opportunity see Thailand’s famous beaches and lush mountain ranges on an APT river cruise. Stop at Bangkok for a spot of shopping in its many malls, or take in its history by visiting the ancient temples.

Heading further north, the landscape changes to dense forests, where you come face to face with hill tribes of and see village life rooted in centuries of tradition. The Mekong Delta and its distributaries are lined with natural beauty and is the perfect waterscape to discover Asia from a different perspective.

Ben Tre travel guide

Ben Tre is a little province in the east of Mekong Delta, being wedged between two main arms of Tien River. Ben Tre shares borders with Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long. It has one township also called Ben Tre and 7 other small districts, including Ba Tri, Binh Dai, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Giong Trom, Mo Cay and Thanh Phu. The province also accounts for the greatest part of Khmer ethnic population of the region. Read more: Mekong river cruise
Ben Tre is known as the land of coconut and also the cradle of “Dong Khoi” (“simultaneous insurgency”). Recording some of the fiercest stages of the American-Vietnam War, Ben Tre is heard by most students of the two countries’ history.
The sleepy and laid back Ben Tre is usually bypassed by most visitors coming to the delta. Considering its unparalleled beauty and historical significance, however, this picturesque area is definitely well worth a visit.

• Mango 2 days Ben Tre – Cai Be – Sa Dec
• Mango 2 Days Can Tho – Vung Liem – Ben Tre
• Mango 2 days My Tho – Mo Cay – Cai Be

Sights & Attractions

Phoenix Island
A visit to Bentre should include a boat trip to its several secluded islands. The first to be mentioned is the beautifully named Phoenix Islands (Con Phung). The island covers an area of 28 ha, emerging amidst the Tien River. Con Phung draws tourist attention mainly due to a coconut candy home factory located here. It is interesting to watch the entire manual making process of these Vietnamese fragrant sweets and taste some. The island is also famous with its coconut handicraft village.
The next stop is Dragon Island where you may fill your stomach with luscious tropical fruit and enjoy a yummy lunch with local specialties, typically included elephant ear fish, crispy southern spring rolls, sweet- sour soup and rice or noodles. On Unicorn Island, you may relax with honey tea and enjoy a local music performance of “Don ca tai tu”, a form of folklore opera in southern Vietnam.

Ben Tre travel guide

Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
Vam Ho is a natural reverse area in Ba Tri District, around 57km from Ben Tre Township, accessible by road and boat. The sanctuary is home to thousands of stocks, cranes, herons and many other rare bird species. A network of arroyos was dug to water and protect the area from risks of fire.
The reserve also boasts rich flora (mainly mangroves) and fauna (bats, snakes, pythons, etc). It is best visited from 4 to 5pm everyday as the birds coming back to their nests after a day searching around for food. It may get very noisy with their flap of wings and their loud voices, but definitely a scene you may see once in a lifetime.

The historical relics & memorials
Ben Tre is homeland of the greatest female figure in Vietnam modern history, Madam Nguyen Thi Dinh. Her temple and memorial complex can be found in Phong Dien Hamlet, Luong Hoa Commune, Giong Trom District.
General Nguyen Thi Dinh was the soul of Dong Khoi revolutionary, first broke out in Mo Cay District of Ben Tre (1959), then spread out to the all other provinces of Mekong Delta. She was also the founder and leader of the renowned Vietnamese “long hair army” or “female guerilla troops”. You may also visit the Dong Khoi traditional house in Mo Cay District and relics of the Ho Chi Minh Trail on sea in Thanh Phu District.

Food & Drink
Numerous fruit orchards can be found in Cai Mon-Cho Lach, Tien Long and Chau Thanh districts: mango, longan, papaya, durian, jackfruit, rambutan, you name it. Interestingly, it is often sold to tourists not in kg but “belly sold” that means you pay a certain amount then pick up and eat to your full. The orchard owners may also offer you a delicious lunch of chicken specially raised by letting walk freely in the large orchards and find food themselves. Mussel rice is also a popular delicacy here.
Ben Tre is especially famous for coconut cake that is made from sticky rice mixed with black bean and rolled in strips of nipa young leaf. Making this cake is a time consuming and painstaking job. Rice is carefully chosen and soaked for several hours. Locals have to get up early to wash rice, extract young coconut milk and prepare wrappings. Cakes are fasten in clusters of a dozen and boiled for hours. The secret of making coconut cake is kept strictly and passed from generation to generation of the families.
A very popular drink not only in Ben Tre but around Mekong Delta in general is snake wine. It is supposed to be good for men and only men are allowed to taste them. Other widely available drinks are coconut alcohol and honey tea. Strolling around the bee farming villages in Mo Cay, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach and Giong Trom districts, you will be invited by vendors to visits their homes and taste some.

Getting there & away

There are two main ways to get to Ben Tre by road. From Ho Chi Minh City, you may follow the National Highway 1A to Trung Luong junction in My Tho- Tien GIang, turn right into National Highway 60 to Rach Mieu Ferry. Total distance is 86km and the ferry crossing takes around 22 minutes, ferry run 24 hours.
The second way is to travel from Can Tho to Vinh Long on National Highway 57. After crossing Dinh Khao Ferry to land on Cho Lach District, then continue to Ben Tre Township. Total distance is 50.7km.
Ben Tre can also be visited by boat down the Tien River.

Eco Tours Halong bay Where to go and What to do?

Halong Tours Booking introduces some eco-friendly activities in Halong bay - Catba area and a piece of knowlegde about Eco tourism. "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

1. Some eco tour products and activities in and around Halong bay:

Cycling tours: tour with main transportation is bicycle; You can join this activity in Cat Ba Island. In stead of taking a bus or car, you can contact us for a bike and ride to Halong bay. It is 170 km far and takes 7 hours in biking. Read more Halong bay map

Halong bay map

Homestay tours: Come to visit and stay with the local people; the homestay can be in Cat Ba island, in some fishing villages on Halong bay. with this tour you  can work on the farm with the real farmer or being a fisherman with local people on the bay. Homestay can be on the way from Hanoi to Halong bay. It is Dong Trieu Potery village. This place is suitable if you get to Halong bay from Hanoi by Bike.

Kayaking and rafting tour: tours with main activity is kayaking or rafting. Almost of overnight Halong tours with Cruise will offer this activity; Example: Alova Gold Cruise Halong tour 3 days 2 nights offers 1 full day to kayaking; This kayking day is to discover Halong bay in a quite area with main activities is kayaking and swimming. biking_in_catba

Charity tours: tour with the main purpose is help the local community or the disadvantaged people. The children who live on the floating villages on Halong bay need your help/ assistance of food, clothes, book, medicine...They have no money and bad traffic condition to join the shool. Please come to help them.

National park tours: Tours with the main destination is the national parks or natural reserves. In Halong bay area, we have 2 National Parks: Bai Tu Long National Park and Cat Ba National Park. You can book tour with Halongtoursbooking.com to join both those National Park to discover the natural heritage - Halong bay

Trekking tours: tour to the remote area with main activity is trekking or hiking; Trekking activities is very popular choice when you take a tour to Cat ba National Park.

Rock climbing tours: tour to the mountainous area and main activities is climbing. In Halong bay, you can take this tour for 3 days 2 nights - overnight in Cat Ba.
Example Itinerary can be:
Cat Ba Rock climbing in Monkey Island
Morning: Rock climbing
8:30am – 9:00am: Coastline ride into the small farming village of Lien Minh
9:00am – 9:30am: Basic instruction and introduction to Rock Climbing
9:30am – 12:30pm: Guided Rock Climbing in Butterfly Valley
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Delicious lunch on a bee farm with fresh local foods
1:30pm – 2:00pm: Return to Cat Ba TownChildren_on_Halong_bay

Community education tours: tourist and tour guides will conduct a short training for the local people about personal hygiene or language.

Camping tours: happened on the beach or in the Cat Ba national park; The camping can be on the deserted beach with double tent or at ready-set-up basecamp (also on beach) with bamboo hut depending on the weather condition and availability. Camping sites can be on Viet Hai Fishing Village or other suitable beaches around Cat Ba Island area. The crew (some people) from support boat will cook our dinner and make sure we have a comfortable night, dinner and overnight at the campsite.

2. What is Ecotourism?
The Definition
Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990).
Conservation
Offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful planet.

Communities
By increasing local capacity building and employment opportunities, ecotourism is an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development.wwf_logo

Interpretation
With an emphasis on enriching personal experiences and environmental awareness through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture.

Principles of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
Minimize impact.
Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

Enjoy Lobsters When Visiting Halong Bay

When you are on your favourite Vietnam Tours and you think you have marvelled enough on the beauty of Halong Bay, then you have only satisfied one of your senses.

Of course the landscape, the emerald sea, the more or less 2000 limestone karst and the beautiful junk boat cruises leave nothing but beautiful visual memories. World travellers say that if you want classical music and refined culture you go to Prague, but if you want amazing wonders of nature you go to Halong Bay. This was a fact recognized worldwide as Halong Bay was officially named one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2012. On top of that, since 1994, the bay was already listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But do you know that the perfect Halong Bay experience of your best Vietnam tours is more than what meets your eyes? V’spirit Cruise Halong

Once you reach Bai Chay City when your Vietnam Tours adventure brings you to Halong Bay it is recommended that you take a journey down gourmet lane as you take a sample of the city’s delicious seafood selections. All the seafood is fresh as they were ordered by the restaurant owners early in the morning directly from the boat of fisherman docking on the beach. This means you can be sure that the flavour of the sea is still not lost on the lobster that is going to be served to you. If you want the surest way to eating the freshest lobster, then go to restaurants that have lobster tanks where you can choose a live lobster to be cooked exclusively for you by the resident chef. You will enjoy a sumptuous meal of lobster cooked Vietnam style and this means that only fresh ingredients are used to cook your live lobster. Paradise Cruise

Enjoy Lobsters When Visiting Halong Bay

Once you have tasted the best lobster on your Vietnam Tours travel in Bai Chay City, it is time to enjoy your lobster to the next level. On Halong Bay’s biggest island, you will experience fine dining on board a floating restaurant. And what could be better than eating your favourite seafood on top of the bay that offers its own bounty. On Cat Ba Island, seafood is ordered from floating villages that have their own aquaculture. Residents of these floating houses tend lovingly their fish cages full time since it is attached to their house and that means only seafood of top quality is going to be served on your table.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to pack your plate and fork and be ready to enjoy lobsters in the very beautiful Halong Bay.

How to get to Halong Bay

Thanks to its popularity, Halong Bay cruise is quite accessible from just anywhere in Vietnam and neighbouring countries. Many visit Halong Bay on a larger international cruise ship which dock in Cai Lan International Port (about 10 minutes from Halong Bay). Others choose to fly to Hanoi (180km) or Hai Phong (80km) airport and take a road trip to the Bay. 

By Car 
The most popular way to get to Halong Bay is by road, which follows Highway 18 that passes by Tuan Chau Island, Bai Chay Road and Hon Gai Bridge. If you travel from Hanoi, most cruise trips will arrange transfer from your hotel to the pier for you (either cruise bus or private car). An average trip without traffic will take at least 4 hours for one way. Read more: V’spirit crusie Halong bay

By Air 
From Danang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly either to Hanoi or Hai Phong Airport and get a car transfer to Halong Bay. From other Southeast Asia countries, you also need to fly into one of these two airports to get access to Halong Bay. 

How to get to Halong Bay

By Train 
There used to be a rail-line that connects Hanoi and Halong Bay in 2010, however, it has been discontinued and thus traveling by train to Halong Bay is not possible.  Read more: Travel to Vietnam

Other Means 
You can also travel to Halong Bay on helicopter which takes about 1.5 hour and it is only possible from Hanoi. This service is exclusively run by Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company and it is quite a costly option to reach Halong Bay.

Hon Chong travel guide

Whatever the tourist brochures tell you, Hon Chong is not the Halong Bay tours of the south -- it is as simple as that.

A few rock pinnacles and limestone karsts do not a Ha Long make.

That doesn't mean that it isn't a worthwhile destination in its own right, however. A welcoming seaside village set on a rugged coastline, Hon Chong makes for a decent R&R stop on any Mekong tour. This is especially the case if you're headed towards Cambodia for the overland crossing with Kep. Read more: V'spirit cruise Halong bay

Though it sees a flood of Vietnamese holidaymakers around Tet, it can feel practically deserted for the rest of the year, making it the ideal locale to lay back in a hammock and unwind.

Hon Chong travel guide

Though the town's sole road fronts along a lovely pine-tree fringed beach, the swimming in Hon Chong isn't very good. The sand is too slimy, and the water too shallow -- those fisherman walking 20m from shore? They aren't on stilts. Read more: Vietnam tours

But the sand is still great for getting some sun, or enjoying a seafood lunch. You feel more active than this, the Chua Hang Grotto makes for a worthwhile afternoon out.

Orientation
Hon Chong consists of only one beachfront road, along which all the town's hotels and restaurants are located. There is no hospital, bank or post office here, though on a good day, Ha Tien is only a few hours away over a dreadful road.

Internet doesn't seem to have quite made a splash in Hon Chong yet. For the moment, An Hai Son Resort has WiFi available in their restaurant, and you may be able to convince them to let you use one of the computers in their office.