Dai Yem Waterfall- A treasure among highland

If you visit Moc Chau town of Son La province, in Vietnam, you will have opportunities to watch the magic beauty which the nature grants this area, live in a primeval scene of the early days of the life on the earth.

Dai yem waterfall also called Ban Vat by local people is a historical landscape, which is close related to the inhabitant history of Thai people in Muon Sang land long time ago. The name Dai Yem is derived from a story about  the brassiere of the girl who saved a boy from the flood.

The Vat spring flows to the waterfall has a length of about 5km. Water would fill the spring all year round. When it flows to this part, the spring is blocked by the limestone wall, and the water is stagnant and flows back to the lower bank and stroll down to create the waterfall to gather in the spring. Bo Sap is a large spring, which derives from Bo Sap village where the border of Vietnamese and Laos in Yen Chau land.

Back to the upstream of the spring, tourists would reach the first waterfall. The internal parts of the spring have many small and medium rocks with various strange shapes. In the rain season ( April to September), the whole 70m of the width is a white curtain to flows to the river, which makes it romantic and poetic. The second waterfall has only one line from the height of 50m. The trees in the top of the waterfall are very plentiful to create the grandiosity for landscape.

The waterfall comprises of two levels of falls with the second one located 150 meters at an angle below the first one. Above the second waterfall is a floral stretch of land from where visitors can view the surrounding mountainous view.

The Dai Yem Waterfall looks most stunning during the rainy season from April to September every year, when the 70-meter wide fall gushes water down its slope, looking a dazzling white and imposingly dramatic and poetic.

A TRIP TO SALANGANE ISLAND

As Salangane Island is far from the mainland, tours need to depart very early in the day and so we woke up bright and early to be at Cau Da Wharf at 6:30 a.m. for our great trip.

Nha Trang is a tourist attraction however tourists who travel to Vietnam sometimes overlook one of its treasures – the kingdom of salangane. The cruise departs at 7:30 a.m. with a light breakfast prepared for tourists as the ship smoothly surfs on the waves. The warm sunlight and delightful surroundings got us ready for our tour of the island of salangane, a species of swift which is famous as the producers of the edible bird’s nests. Discovering the salangane is an interesting experience but the ideal time to visit the island is from March to September – as that is the season when salangane’s make nests. The first stop of the trip was Du Ha Cave which is located behind Noi Islet which produces most of the nests among the 24 salangane islands in Nha Trang city. It was fun to admire the salanganes hovering in the sky or perching over rock peaks and we felt the long journey was worthwhile. The cruise moved to Sam Island where we witnessed hundreds of albatrosses flying on glistening sun beams and shining on blue and white waves. After that is was time to admire the colorful coral. Finally, the cruise arrived at Noi Island’s sandy beach where a temple is dedicated to worship the salangane. In front of the temple is a spacious yard under the shade of old trees, giving guests the perfect spot to take a rest. Tourists can also climb 100 steps to Du Ha Peak to take in a wonderful panoramic view of Noi Island. You can dip in the water to refresh yourself and enjoy bird’s nests before you return there.

EXPLORE THE WILD BEAUTY OF PHU QUOC ISLAND

Phu Quoc Island - one of the famous beach holidays in Vietnam today. This island owns many beautiful beaches, primeval forests and wonderful climate.

The main center of Phu Quoc is located in the town of Duong Dong, Phu Quoc is about 3 km away from the airport and 15 km  away from An Thoi Ferry Most of the hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourist services are located along the coastline of Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong town. Most of the beaches in the town belong to the high-ranking resorts that is located along the beach. Mentioning  Phu Quoc, maybe someone thinks of  the wild beauty of this place. When you really decide to set foot here, you will surprise because of the beauty of Phu Quoc. Visiting Phu Quoc, the first thing is mention Dai beach, one of the world`s wildest beaches. This is the greatest place that attracts many tourists from all around the country. Visitors will feel comfortable with the cool air and wonderful scenery here. Phu Quoc is worthy for the trip and relaxing resort. Phu Quoc is famous for the long coastline stretching of white sand, blue sky, and sunshine. . if you have the opportunity to visit here, you should visit Star beach which has white sand, blue water and many small fish swimming. Especially, you can rent a boat to explore around the small islands. At that time, you will feel the beauty, the wildness and the pureness of Vietnam A number of other activities that you can do when visiting here including boating, going to squid fishing, scuba diving, renting a bicycle or motorbike to visit around the island.

STUNNING PHA DIN PASS IN LAI CHAU

Pha Din, in the local language, means “Heaven and Earth.” Accompanied by local legend, Pha Din Pass is the place where the sky meets the earth, so it is considered as the frontier between “Heaven and Earth.”

As not so far from Hanoi, only about 32 kilometers long to reach Dien Bien province, visitors in Vietnam tourism have to pass Pha Din pass, known as the longest pass in Vietnam. Pha Din Pass in Dien Bien It’s a long time ago, there existed a deputation on the border between Lai Chau and Son La provinces. It was solved by a horse-racing. Two horses started from each side of the pass and the border was determined at the point where they met each other. The horse of Son La province ran slower than the one of Lai Chau province so the pass belonging to Son La is shortet than that of Lai Chau. Pha Din Pass holds an important and heroic part in history, so passing Pha Din Pass to Dien Bien makes many people recall the courage of Vietnamese soldiers at Dien Bien Phu in the past. Above 1,000m high, the pass is full of twists and turns, one side is an upright cliff and the other is a deep gulf. So, climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges, amid such magnificent scenery, is one of the most unforgettable tours in Vietnam to most foreign tourists.

Ban Don: green island between high mountain and thick forest

Among immense mountains and forests in wind-swept Central Highland (Tay nguyen), there is a village considered as a small and beautiful island. That seems to be weird, but let’s go and discover interesting things here with your own eyes.

The destination that is familiar with people loving the sunshine, the wind and winter season every afternoon in the Central Highland is Buon Don (alternative name is Ban Don) in Buon Don district (Dak Lak district).

Ban Don is about 50 kilometers far from Buon Me Thuot city to the northeast, close to the border of Cambodia and Lao. Ban Don is “village of islands” in Vietnamese. The village was built in the middle of Se-re-pok river that is considered as the intersection of Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia.

This river is known as a stream of Mekong river and leads to 3 countries. Formerly, Laotian was attracted when coming here to do business and finally, they stayed here with native Ede people, and then built this village. Now, Ban Don has been the brand name of Central Highland tourism. In the end of rainy season and before the start of hot summer, wild sunflowers bloom all over the hillside inVietnam tourism.

In the village of islands, water covers all 4 directions. In the riverhead, water of main river flows downstream, Se-re-pok River is full of bright and cheerful red water – the color of basalt soil. When flowing through the village, the river is divided into 7 large and small streams, impetuously going through cliffs, making the huge waterfall. People call it with the name of the waterfall Bay Nhanh in N’Drech village, Ea huar commune, Buon Don district.

In 7 branches, the widest branch is about 2 kilometers, the narrowest is about 20-30 centimeters. Each branch has different features, making tourists interested. The first branch is dense with banyan trees. The second, third and forth branch have many cliffs, making different levels of water. Therefore, one part of the river is called waterfall. The fifth branch has plenty of smooth pebbles like gravels in beaches of the central. The seventh branch flows through Yok Don national park in which there are many old forests with specific trees of Central Highland.

Ban Don has existed for many centuries, but it still keeps the primitive of forests and mountains. Coming here , visitors seem to enter hundred years land, touch the space of primitive thick forests and high mountain. All of domestic and foreign travelers like this cultural and primitive land.

Setting foot here, visitors can listen to the legend of “elephant king” and people who are very good at taming elephants in the world. Y Thu (also known as N’Thu Knul) is a person taming more than 300 elephants. One of them is a white elephant that was given king of Xiem country, so the king named it -Khun-ju-nop (it means king of elephant).

From that time, he has been a legend of Central Highland. His tomb has existed among the forest and mountain until now. People in Central Highland call it Tomb of elephant king. It is hard to tell all of the Tay Nguyen legend in Ban Don. The legends are immortal and will live forever with the forest and mountain and local people who respect the cultural and natural values with Vietnam travel guide.

Wandering among the forest and mountain of Ban Don, discovering the nature, learning local culture….visitors never feel dull. Visitors surprise with not only the legends and stories, but also the landscape in front of their eyes. Ban Don is a quiet and peaceful village, but the other side of the village is a mysterious forest, making tourists curious.

When visiting to Buon Don, tourists should not forget ride elephants to go through rivers, streams, immense old forests, or go by dug-out canoe made by century-old trees, and go through suspension bridge…

House on stilt is an original culture in Central Highland. Coming here, visitors can learn about culture, history and people of the forest and mountain of Central Highland. The night of gong with local people will be an interesting memory for visitors.

Se-re-pok river and Bay Nhanh waterfall are ideal destinations for travelers to discover and take photos to keep beautiful moments here.

Tram Chim National Park – important Ramsar

Located in Tam Nong district of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, Tram Chim National Park boasts a rich biodiversity that turned it into the world’s 2000th Ramsar site in 2012.

Established in 1985, the 7,313-hectare Tram Chim became a national park in 1998 and then the fourth Ramsar site in Vietnam.

The park’s plentiful green vegetation is inhabited by more than 130 species of higher plants featuring six main types of floristic societies.

Water life in the park is also bustling seeing the presence of over 150 species offreshwater fish, with some listed in Vietnam’s Red Book like clown feather-back fish, common archerfish and giant barbs, nearly 180 algae species, 26 epifauna species, 350 species of plankton and 34 species of amphibian.

Tram Chim is home to 198 bird species, including 16 rare ones such as red-headed cranes, black-faced spoonbills, black eagles, great-billed herons and spotted-billed pelicans. It was recognised as an important bird sanctuary in Vietnam.

The number of fauna and aquatic species in Tram Chim National Park surpass those in other wetland reserves in the region, like Tra Su cajeput forest reserve in An Giang province and U Minh Ha National Park in Ca Mau province.

The diversity is largely attributable to the physical feature of the park which lies in the low-lying area of Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) and benefits vastly from the flood cycle generated by the Mekong River.

In particular, a well-operating water drainage system has also helped direct a great amount of aquatic species on the Mekong River to reside in the park annually and add to its biodiversity.

Providing a perfect habitat for hundreds of flora and fauna species, the Tram Chim National Park also offers an ideal destination for ecotourism in Dong Thap Muoi.

Forming part of the part, the 3,000 hectare forest of cajeput, aged up to 18 years old, is often adorned with tens of thousand of white storks during the flood season. It provides a dozen-hectare ground for various kinds of birds to play and build cosy nests all year round.

Tours by water taxis to the park are now available for tourists, who are assured to be stunned by a spectacular view of a “green oasis” decorated by flowers and enlivened by bird singing and dances during the flood season.

In the dry season, canoes bring tourists to travel along small canals from which they can spot 1.5-metre-tall cranes, herons with wings of over one metre and long-necked darters seeking food.

A road system has been invested by local authorities to enable tourists to explore the site without harming its ecosystem.

To preserve the park, protective measures have been carried out. A 53-kilometre dyke was built to prevent the park from being flooded entirely during the rainy season and regulate its water level during the dry season.

A number of projects jointly developed by local authorities and state and international agencies have been launched to reduce local residents’ dependenceon the park and raise their awareness of protecting its environment.

Local residents have been encouraged to get involved in managing natural resources offered by the park and utilising them in a sustainable manner. These activities have helped Tram Chim National Park live up to its fame as the world’s Ramsar site and contributed to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.

ENJOYING FRIED RICE FLOUR CAKE

Do you like cooking? In fact, cooking is very interesting and creative. Especially, when you can make delicious for your family an friends and they like your dishes, you will find it very significant. 

Today, I will introduce you how to make fried rice flour cake. Ingredients  1 cup of rice flour (non-glutinous) 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch 1.5 cup of water 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil 1/4 tablespoon of salt 2 eggs 1 cup of chopped onion, Steps: Combining rice flour, tapioca starch, water, vegetable oil and salt together. Stirring well to dissolve. Optional: Set aside for 30 minutes to reduce the strong smell of flour. Before putting it into the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring up the batter again. Then, taking out and stirring well. Then putting it into the microwave for one more minute. Taking out and stir well. After that, microwave for 1 last minute and you will get a rice flour paste. Transfering the paste into an 18x18cm square mold that is greased with vegetable oil. Flattening the surface with a spoon. Steaming the paste for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let’s put it in the bridge overnight. Cutting the cake into rectangular cubes in the size of 5x2x1 cm. Then frying them. Mix rice flour cakes with a tablespoon of  black soy sauce. In the next step, you will have to fry cakes.  After the vegetable oil boils, putting the rice flour cake cubes into the pan. When you see both sides of cakes are crispy golden brown, you can turn off the gas cooker. Then cracking 2 eggs into the pan. Top up with 2-3 tablespoons of chopped onion and cooking for 1-2 minutes until the egg is slightly set. Then flipping it over to fry the other side for one more minute. Transfering to a plate and topping up with the pickles. Drizzling some sauce over the plate, mix well and serve. So you have a very delicious dishes for your family and friends on weekend.

QUAN BA SKYDOOR IN HA GIANG

Ha Giang Province is famous for Dong Van Geopark which is recognized as a Karst Plateau Global Geopark by UNESCO.

The gateway to the geopark is called Quan Ba by local people meaning skydoor due to its height and the fact that fog always covers the top, which makes people think it is the door to the sky. Tam Son City in all its glory seen from Quan Ba skydoor. Not only that but it has a magnificent panoramic view of Tam Son City appearing in the green valley below. It is also the perfect spot to appreciate the beautiful Fairy Twin Mountains which lie in among the rice fields. Its reverse bowl shape has made the Twin Mountains special from other mountains. The mountains resemble a woman’s breasts - that’s why in local language they call them fairy twins. The walk to Quan Ba skydoor has some beautiful curves that are nearly always covered with fog. It takes around half an hour from Tam Son City to Quan Ba skydoor. The road is poor and is full of large trucks which slow your speed considerably as you have to be very careful to avoid accidents. Tourists can stay at Tam Son City which has nice hotels and restaurants. In addition to Quan Ba skydoor and Fairy Twin Mountains, tourists may find it interesting to go to Quan Ba market day or the Hop Tien Weaving village of H’Mong minority people.