Viet life travel - Vietnam travel and life

North Travel Manual

Getting there - Sapa - Lao Cai province

You can purchase an inexpensive overnight tour to Sapa via minibus, but independent travelers will want to take the train or hire their own four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Pu Peo - Ha Giang province

With population of 400, the Pu Peo are concentrated in the Sino-Vietnamese border region in Dong Van, Yen Minh and Meo Vac districts, Ha Giang province. They are also called the Ka Beo, the Penti and the Lo Lo. Their language, close to that of the Co Lao, La Chi and La Ha, belongs to the Kadai Group.

Phu The or matrimony cakes - Bac Ninh province

Legend has it that, under Ly dynasty, Dinh Bang villagers in Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province used their agro-products to make such cakes to worship ancestors on great celebrations.

Getting there - Ha Long Bay - Quang Ninh province

Halong Bay's sister cities of Bai Chay and Hong Gai are about 165 kilometers northeast of Hanoi. The repaving of Highway 18 (and the redesign of Highway 5) has cut a full 90 minutes off what was formerly a 5-6 hour trip from Hanoi. Previously, the fastest way to Ha Long was via Haiphong along Highway 5. From this bustling port city, travelers then had to take a couple of ferries along Route 10. This is still the more interesting route but, again, more time-consuming. If you're really in a rush, skip the road and go by Russian-built MI-8 helicopter!