Lotussia Travel Review

Trekking Fansipan Vietnam Reviews

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:29:45 +0000

At 3143m Mt. Fansipan is the highest peak in Vietnam and the entire Indochina peninsula. To successfully conquer the highest peak, mountaineers need to be in good shape and properly equipped with such things as sleeping bags, waterproof tents, food, stove, raincoat, compass and other miscellaneous survival gear. Fansipan Mountain has long been the destination for those who is fond of exploring.

Trekking to Fansipan mountain can be arranged in two days, three days or four days or even longer since this is up to your trip length and the place you begin your adventure.

The overnight trek starts with a car transfer from Sapa town up to the Tram Ton, Heaven’s Gate. The uphill drive takes about one hour before you get in the Hoang Lien Nature Reserve. After the first hiking day, you almost reach the top. The following day you arrive to the top of the Fansipan mountain where you will spend some time to celebrate to victory before going downhill to your departure point. You will be picked up by your vehicle again and transferred back to Sapa town.

The three-day hiking tour is more challenging. There is no support vehicle. You begin your adventure from Sapa town, hiking through H’mong villages before entering the Hoang Lien National Park. You will reach the summit on the second day. After reaching the top, you trek back towards Sapa town taking another hiking trail. You arrive back Sapa town on third day.

The four-day tour is arranged with another hiking trails sneaking through local Black H’mong and Red Dzao villages. You also spend two night in camping tent before you get to the summit of the Indochina.

The best time to conquer the Fansipan mountain is the dry season starting from October until April the following year. January is therefore foggy in Sapa.

Trekking Fansipan mountain is not a easy activity. The Fansipan tours are not recommended for everyone. Trekkers are required to have a good health, training. People who have heart problems are not encouraged to take part in the tour. When you book the Fansipan tours, you should tell your Travel Consultant (Lotussia Travel) your health conditions and your personal requirements.

Need further information? Contact us

Hiking Mai Chau Reviews

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:02:31 +0000

Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. The journey takes about three hours and a half from Hanoi.

Mai Chau valley is surrounded by Thai villages scatting on the hill sides. Most of travelers come to Mai Chau for spending a night in a local stilt house of the Thai people in Lac and Poom Coong village. They will share the house with family, have dinner with the host.

The day highlight is to take a hike around – Hiking through green rice fields, and local thai hamlets. The scenery is not grandiose with immense terraced fields and rain forests. But this is really quiet, peaceful and friendly here. If you don’t have much time, you can enjoy a half day hiking around Lac and Poom Coong village (Mai Chau). If you have much more time, several days to spend on hiking in this area, you can book a two-day, three-day, four-day hiking tour, or even longer.

Booking a guided tour guide is highly recommended for a hiking tour to Mai Chau, especially when you have multi-day hike. You will walk from one village to another, and a local guide knows the trail. The local guide also know the local culture. He will tell you what you should do and should not during the hike.

There are not as many ethnic groups as you can meet in Sapa or other areas in northern Vietnam (Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Lai Chau…). But Mai Chau is really a good place for those who look for easy hiking tours which do not have lots of up and downhill hike. The area is also less touristy then Sapa.

Mai Chau hiking is good for both active travelers and family holidays. Therefore, if you travel with your kids, try to ask your local tour operator to advise the most suitable trail and the shorter hiking trips.

Sample Vietnam hiking tours can be found at Lotussia Travel website, www.hikingvietnam.com or www.lotussiatravel.com

Trekking Ha Giang Vietnam Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:19:44 +0000

Ha Giang Province is located in the northern mountainous border area. It borders China in the north, Tuyen Quang Province in the south, Cao Bang Province in the east, and Yen Bai and Lao Cai Provinces in the west. The mountainous and hilly terrain causes difficulties for travel and transport of goods, but in return it bestows beautiful tourist sites with dozens of rivers and streams, fascinating caves and grottos, historic and cultural relics and a treasure of traditional cultures of the ethnic groups, which all enchant the visitors.

Ha Giang province Vietnam offers a wide selection of trekking tours ranging from easy half day trek to multi-day trekking tours. Most of the Ha Giang trekking tours begin and end in Hanoi.

It is possible for anyone to take an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. One night will be spent on board train. The following day, the train arrive early in Lao Cai train station. Travelers can hire a private car to travel to Bac Ha and enjoy a free day in Bac Ha or they can start their adventure from there.

For any trekking tour that goes through Ha Giang and Bac Ha area, hiring a private vehicle with English-speaking tour guide is a must-do. Because these areas – Bac Ha, Ha Giang, Cao Bang are located in the Vietnam frontier border and a authorization paper is required for visiting these areas. The application is easy and does not take long. This paper can be handled by your local tour operator.

Trekking in Ha Giang is not something luxury and comfortable. If anyone looks for a trekking tour that includes luxury lodge, mountain resorts, then Ha Giang will not be the choice. Most of the nights will be spent in local stilt house where the conditions are simple and basic. Travelers will share the house with family with private bedding setup. The toilets are located outside the house. Hot water is sometimes available.

If the Ha Giang trekking tour is booked with Lotussia Travel, sleeping bags and waterproof blue bags will be provided.

In terms of the road, the scenery is very nice. But the road is bad, especially the part between Bac Ha and Ha Giang.

For more information on Ha Giang trekking tour, visit www.vietnamhagiang.com or http://www.lotussiatravel.com/vietnam-tours/trekking-hiking-tours/

Trekking Mai Chau Vietnam Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:18:11 +0000

Vietnam offers a wide selection of places where trekking, hiking tours can be arranged throughout the year. Mai Chau is the closest place near Hanoi where different treks are provided by local tour operator.

The drive from Hanoi to Mai Chau valley takes only three hours and a half. Most travelers come to Mai Chau for the beautiful scenery and the warm hearted Thai people. All the trekking tours to Mai Chau are provided with local tour guide who speak foreign language (English, French or German…). A local porter is also required for trekking in Mai Chau. The local porter will carry food, water and some luggage from one place to another. The local porter is also the person who cook your meals where required.

For those who don’t have much time for their trek in Mai Chau, the two-day tour is the best option. This two-day trekking package includes two half days trek each day. They will have the opportunity to trek through different Thai and Muong hamlets and to spend one night in a stilt house.

For people who have much longer time spending in Mai Chau, they can book the three-day or four-day or even longer trekking tours. These longer treks will take the hiker to different hamlets are inhabited by different ethnic groups such as the Muong, the Thai and the Dzao.

The accommodation is simple. Most of the time, hiker spend the night in a local stilt house. They will share the house with family with private bedding setup. The toilets are located outside the house. The hot water is sometimes available upon request. The sleeping bags are provided by local tour operator. But the soft mattresses are offered on the spot.

For more information on Mai Chau trekking tours, visit http://www.hikingvietnam.com/holidays-tours/hiking-tours/ or http://www.lotussiatravel.com/vietnam-tours/trekking-hiking-tours/

Trekking Sapa Vietnam Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:16:19 +0000

Sapa may well be called the #1 trekking place in Vietnam. It’s the place where a large number of tourists goes to from Hanoi for some trekking through the beautiful scenery of North Vietnam’s mountains. While the town itself is not without charm, most people are drawn to the landscape surrounding it – high mountains, numerous rice paddies, bamboo forests, wild rivers and of course the large number of ethnic minority people inhabiting this area. Most of them belong to the Hmong people, but Dzao and other minorities are found as well.

Sapa is quite high in the mountains – thus the climate is much cooler than in the lowlands. In winter, Sapa is one of the only places in Vietnam where it actually snows from time to time. Also, the weather can be quite unpredictable – a clear and warm day may well be followed by a foggy and damp day.

Vietnam Bike Tours Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:11:28 +0000

Vietnam bike tours reviews is a collection of reviews, feedbacks and testimonials travelers and Lotussia Travel clients have made after they toured in Vietnam.

According to Michael, an Australian traveler, the best place for mountain biking in Vietnam is the northern area. Lots of beautiful bicycle trails that take travelers through untouched areas, hill tribe villages where they have the opportunity to taste truly Vietnamese dishes, to meet local friendly people.

Although Sapa is a little touristy, it is one of the great destination for you co have mountain biking. You have the opportunity to cycle on both easy asphalt roads and on single dirt roads. The bicycle tours can be easy or difficult depending on how long you will cycle and in which condition the road is. When you book a cycling tour with Lotussia Travel, a biking specialist will recommend an itinerary based on your needs and budget.

A Canadian traveler Sylvain prefers easy cycle. He does not want to cycle for all day long. What he likes the most is some easy and short cycle that offers fun experience. Lots of easy and short cycle tours are provided in Hanoi and around such as Hoa Lu, Tam Coc (“Halong bay in land”), Mai Chau, Cuc Phuong National park, But Thap pagoda. A half day biking tour or a full day cycle tours can be arranged to these places.

Regarding the bicycle tours to the Mekong delta, the nipponguy, a trip advisor member said: we were brought near the Mekong River by a van and we basically cycled through the villages and onto bigger streets for the whole day. It was nice to breeze past rice fields, local communities and schools – one of the nicer touches we liked was how close we were with the local community. Our tea breaks, lunch and even the boat rides were all done using local resources which didn’t seem very commercialised yet, and that benefited the local community directly. This is definitely the highlight for our trip in Ho Chi Minh.

Hanoi bicycle tours reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:08:32 +0000

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi offers a wide selection of day bicycle tours and short cycling excursions. The most popular bicycle tours are offered by hotel travel desk are the half day and the full day Hanoi cycling tour. The guests will be picked off at their hotel lobby in Hanoi. After the tour, they will bike back to their hotel where the tour ends. No support vehicle is required for the half day the one day Hanoi city tour by bicycle. Travelers should be familiar with riding in the city. The traffic is very busy, especially during rush hour. Sites to be included in the day tour are the Ho Chi Minh complex, the temple of literature, the Tran Quoc pagoda and the ethnic museum.

For those who travel with kids, Hanoi countryside cycle tours may be much better. A vehicle will be used for transfers and support. The bicycle ride will be only arranged in the area where the traffic is safe. The most popular Hanoi countryside cycle tours are one day cycle to But Thap pagoda and Dong Ho village, a day tour to Duong Lam ancient village, a day tour to Tay Phuong and Thay pagoda. They day trip to Tam Coc or “Halong bay inland” is also provided with two or three hour riding through countryside villages.

The bikes that will be used for these tours are classic road bike, push bikes and mountain bikes. If you just look for fun and easy cycle, then one or two hour cycling will be fine. In this cased the one speed push bikes will be recommended. If you look for more active bike tours, then you should ask for a good mountain bikes. The riding will be longer and the local tour guide will take you to more places while riding.

For more information on Hanoi bicycle tours, visit http://www.vietnamcycling.com/holiday-tours/cycling-destinations/cycling-in-around-hanoi/ or http://www.lotussiatravel.com/vietnam-tours/cycling-adventures/

Vietnam Biking Cycling Bicycling Adventure Tours

Trek Vietnam Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:05:11 +0000

Trek Vietnam Reviews is about offering useful travel tips, advices, testimonials, feedbacks, reviews and comments on any trekking, hiking tours in Vietnam.

Vietnam offers lots of beautiful places for trekking and hiking lovers. Trekking destinations can be found in all the three regions of Vietnam including the North, the Center and the South. The most popular destinations for hiking are located in Northern Vietnam such as Sapa, Mai Chau and the area of Ha Giang and Cao Bang.

Sapa is the number one place where both Vietnamese and foreign tourist come to for trekking and hiking. Since the area offers beautiful scenery, terraced rice fields, rich ethnic cultures, customs and traditions. Moreover Sapa is easily reached by railway. The overnight train trip not only make the tour cost lower but also help travelers save two more days. There is only one inconvenience is Sapa is a bit touristy.

Mai Chau is in a valley just over the biggest hump, about 10km from the Song Da river and only 150 metres above sea level. The village presents an idyllic rural valley that could easily charm you into staying longer than intended. Nestled between two towering cliffs and surrounded by emerald green paddies, it is an enchanting sight as you wind down the cliff side. Mai Chau is no longer a new destination for trekker and hiker. But the life is slow and peaceful.

Ha Giang is one of the most varied treks, its rocky mountains separated by rivers, valleys and terraced paddy fields. The woods around the area provides walkers a mini-safari, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see peacocks and tigers while you’re traipsing through.

The best time to trek Vietnam fall into the dry season starting from October to April the following year. During this period, the weather is cool and with little rain. There are also some other reviews saying that the best time for trekking hiking is the October and April.

Trekking Bac Ha Vietnam Reviews

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:59:33 +0000

Bac Ha is much less developed for tourism than Sapa. It is in an ideal location for off-the-beaten-track treks to visit colourful weekly markets. The Can Cau and Bac Ha markets, in particular, feature local scenes that have been going on every week for generations, where cattle, horses, goats and dogs are bought and sold, as well as many traditional goods like saddles and plowshares, along with elaborate textiles, handbags and other trinkets made by the local tribes people, the Flower Hmong. Their intricately woven daily costume is one of the main drawing points in itself.

Trekking tours in Bac Ha can be arranged in half day, one day, two days, three day or even longer. Trekking routes are the trails linking different hill tribe villages. For a half day hiking tours, Ban Pho is the nearest village. The village is inhabited by H’mong people. For those who would like to spend longer time in Bac Ha, they can have three or four-day trek to Lung Khau Nhin, Na Cap, Quan Than San or to Ha Giang tribal villages.

Bac Ha can be reached both by train and by road. The road trip takes about 8 hours. People usually take an overnight train to go to Lao Cai. The train journey takes 10 hours as well. But they can sleep on the train. The only way to reach Bac Ha from Laocai is taking a private car. Public bus is also available but hiring a private car with driver is highly recommended.

There are some good accommodation options in Bac Ha town such as Cong Fu hotel, Sao Mai hotel – Bac Ha, Hoang Vu hotel, Tan Nguyet hotel. All these hotels are located in the town center. For multi-day trek, homestay is the only choice.

The best time to have a trek in Bac Ha is the dry season starting from October until April the following year. During this period, the weather is cold. But there is little rain.

Sample trekking, hiking tours in and around Bac Ha are available at www.hikingvietnam.com . There is also lots of useful information about the place Bac Ha itself at www.bachavietnam.com.

Vietnam Trekking Hiking Adventure Tours

Vung Tau Vietnam weather and climate

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:56:23 +0000

Vung Tau is located in tropical monsoon zone. In general, it has two distinct seasons, the rain season occurs from May to October and the dry season is from November to April of the next year.

Vung Tau peninsula hasan average temperature of lower than the southern provinces’ temperature as Vung Tau borders the East Sea on its three faces. The average annual temperature is 27°C with a maximum of 28.6°C and a minimum of 24.8°C.

From May to October, it has southwest monsoon. From November to April, the northeast monsoon blows. Wind speed is strong at speed of 35km/ hour. In April and October, the wind speed is lighter.

Vung Tau is located in the little storm and rain. So it is an ideal place for organizing sports and outdoor recreation.