Explore the wonders of nature during the April 30th - May 1st holiday season.

ECOTOURISM

Vang Vieng, Laos - Pristine and Wild

Unlike Luang Prabang, which boasts magnificent temples, or Vientiane's heritage-filled streets, Vang Vieng attracts visitors with its majestic, towering mountains and unspoiled, inviting natural landscapes. These are mountains you can reach and conquer via trails untouched by tour companies.

 

 

The road to the summit of Pha Ngeun mountain is a prime example. The starting point can be traced from Maylin Guesthouse; just drive another 4km and you'll see a wooden sign on the right directing you towards the Hmong village. Leave your car at the simple toll booth, and the uphill climb begins. For those accustomed to mountain climbing, it only takes 25 minutes to conquer the summit of Pha Ngeun. The well-deserved reward will be a 360° view of the surrounding peaks.

 

 

Photo: Francesca Fuga

There are three reasons why Vang Vieng is labeled one of the most dangerous backpacker destinations: heavy drinking parties, treacherous river crossings, and outdoor activities. Whether you love mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, ziplining, hot air ballooning, and, of course, tubing.

This riverside town in central Laos is perhaps one of the few places in the world that offers tubing. Born out of chance from a farmer's initiative in 1999, when he bought some rubber tires for volunteers to relax on the river, tubing has now become an unmissable experience when visiting Vang Vieng. Tubing is simply lying on a round inflatable tube made from a rubber tire and letting the Nam Song river carry you along. For just 65,000 kip for a tube, plus 15,000 kip to rent a waterproof chest bag for your belongings, you can hop on a tuk-tuk to the meeting point and begin your river ride. The best time to tub is between midday and 4 pm. Earlier, the tubing center owner might still be asleep, and later, it's not safe.

 

 

The town is so small you can walk everywhere. If you want to visit the villages of the Lao, Kmou, or Hmong people, or explore the hidden caves in the mountains, you can choose a bicycle (20,000 kip/day) or a motorbike (40,000 to 60,000 kip/12 hours). And if you only have one day to explore Vang Vieng, Tham Poukham – Blue Lagoon is the most popular, safe, and comprehensive option. Located only about 7km from the town center, it boasts a clear blue lake, a zipline for those who aren't afraid of heights, and hidden caves deep within Tham Poukham.

Additional information:

+ Location: The mountain town of Vang Vieng is located approximately 150km north of the capital Vientiane, a 4-hour drive away.

+ Travel: From Hanoi, there are direct flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang, and from there you can take a bus to Vang Vieng. From Vientiane's North Bus Station, you can catch a bus to Vang Vieng almost any time of day (before 4 PM) for 50,000 kip per person.

+ Currency: Lao Kip (LAK). 20,000 VND is equivalent to 7,500 kip. A plate of papaya salad costs 15,000 kip (approximately 40,000 VND), which is also the common price for pancakes or sandwiches sold on the streets.

+ Entertainment: In the evenings, some bars offer free drinks for ladies! Remember to read the brochures carefully before choosing your final destination.

 

Relax and experience elephant training at Four Seasons Golden Triangle, Thailand.

Designed for dynamic young people who enjoy eco-tourism experiences, the Four Seasons campground caters to all guest needs, from high-end resort amenities and delicious cuisine to amazing experiences with elephants.

The Four Seasons campsite is located on a sandbar near the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers, at the tri-border junction of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, surrounded by dense bamboo groves and lush tropical forests. What makes Four Seasons special is the unique experience offered by its 15 tents, designed to be close to nature while still providing high-end amenities. These tents are spaced far apart to ensure privacy. Each tent is decorated in a unique style, inspired by 19th-century expeditions. The interiors feature handcrafted, classic furnishings, from hardwood floors and hurricane lamps to luxurious king-size beds and large copper bathtubs. In this natural setting, guests can sunbathe, relax, and rejuvenate with traditional Thai massages, or enjoy the outdoor rain shower and wooden hot tub.

 

 

Beyond experiencing high-end services and amenities, guests can also enjoy diverse culinary options at various locations that change daily. Breakfast is served at the main Nong Yao restaurant, while lunch can be a picnic in the forest. Afternoon activities extend until sunset, allowing guests to relax, enjoy a light meal, and admire the sky turning a magical pale orange. Dinner, prepared at the campsite, can be an outdoor BBQ, a formal five-course meal, or a campfire dinner at Elephant Camp.

 

 

For book lovers, the Burma Bar library offers a wide selection of books and publications about the Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, and Thailand, travel guides, and numerous books on Thai art, culture, and history. You can relax by the campfire reading contemporary novels and magazines, and books about nature.

 

 

One of the activities that attracts tourists to Four Seasons is learning how to train, care for, control, and ride elephants through the jungle with mahouts, or cruising on traditional boats down the Mekong River, exploring markets and temples in the Golden Triangle area. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you can participate in other exciting activities such as: hiking, riverside picnics, birdwatching, cooking classes, and visiting mountain tribes.

Additional information:

+ Weather: The Golden Triangle is located in a tropical climate zone, cooler and less humid than central and southern Thailand. The dry season is from November to May, and the rainy season is from May to October.

+ Transportation: There are no direct flights from Vietnam to Chiang Rai. You will have to transit in Bangkok, then continue with a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Currently, airlines operating flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok include: Qatar Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Vietjet Air, Air Asia, Nok Air… Airlines operating domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai include: Air Asia, Thai Airways, Orient Thai Airlines.

Upon arrival at Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), Four Seasons Tented Camp will provide a shuttle service for guests (included in the package). Guests are advised to book the shuttle service in advance.

+ Currency: 1 Baht is approximately 700 VND

+ Cuisine: Tom Yum (spicy and sour soup), Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles), Som Tum (papaya salad), sticky rice with mango, Kaeng Khiao Wan (sweet green curry)

+ Festival: April 13-15 each year is the traditional Thai New Year called Songkran. Many attractive cultural activities take place throughout the country, such as parades, beauty contests, and water splashing for good luck…

Address:

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

Post Office Box 18, Chiang Saen Post Office, Chiang Rai 57120, Thailand.

Tel: +66 53 910 200

Website: www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

 

EXPLORE, DISCOVER

Patagonia, Chile - Argentina: Peace at the ends of the earth.

Dubbed the "end of the world," Patagonia is located only about 1,000km from Antarctica. Interestingly, this region is jointly owned by Chile and Argentina. Unlike the bustling, festival-filled landscapes often associated with South America, this mysterious area is surrounded by a legendary, pristine, peaceful, and refined atmosphere.

 

 

Photo: Andrew Moore

Discovered and named by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century after the tribe that lived there, Patagonia has stunned the world with its captivating and inexplicable beauty of icebergs, hot springs, caves, and more. You can experience many adventurous journeys, such as enjoying a meal on the rocky peaks of the Andes Mountains, or relaxing amidst the pristine white icebergs of the Perito Moreno Glacier – a famous treasure of Glacier National Park. Few people know that Patagonia is also one of the best places on the planet to watch whales.

 

 

Photo: Prashca

 

Furthermore, when visiting the "end of the world," you certainly can't miss Ushuaia, considered the southernmost city in the world, or the marble caves located on the turquoise waters of Lake Carrera, on the border between Argentina and Chile. In particular, Torres del Paine National Park, with its many bizarre landscapes, is often described by sailors as a gateway to another world. You can hike, boat, horseback ride, camp, and explore the diverse scenery of Torres del Paine. If you enjoy Patagonian cuisine, you can visit Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, to savor traditional dishes such as pasta, grilled lamb, or cornbread.

 

 

Photo: Steven Miller

Additional information:

+ Weather: November to March or April of the following year is the ideal time to visit Patagonia.

+ Transportation: From Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, there are flights to Argentina operated by airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, United Airlines, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways. Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Chile. You can fly to Santiago, Chile with Qantas flights departing from Sydney (Australia), 5 flights per week (excluding Tuesdays and Thursdays). In Chile, Navimag (www.navimag.com) is well-known for its ferry services from Puerto Montt, Chile to Puerto Natales, Chile, near Torres del Paine.

+ Currency: 1 USD = 14.79 pesos (Argentina) and = 708.79 pesos (Chile)

Other notes:

-Argentina has two summers a year. If you're visiting Patagonia, the best time to go is during the summer and spring months, from November to March of the following year.

-The ski season runs from June to mid-October, and resort services are most expensive and crowded in July and August.

Patagonia is the most expensive region in Argentina. In major cities, a standard hotel room costs around $180 per couple. In the provinces, you can find a good hotel for around $90 per couple, with an additional $20-$50 for more amenities.

 

Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Explore the world's largest coral reef.

Covering an area of ​​approximately 344,400 km2, equivalent to 492 times the area of ​​Singapore (about 700 km2), the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, the largest living coral reef on the planet, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. This magnificent, colorful coral forest, hundreds of years old, combined with pristine white sand beaches and seas that constantly change color from blue to turquoise to green, makes it an ideal tourist destination for upcoming holidays and summer.

 

 

You can explore the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland from above via hot air balloon or helicopter tours. A scenic flight over the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and surrounding islands will leave you awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of the entire ocean landscape below. Cruise ships operating here are ideal for cruising around the Great Barrier Reef and some of Australia's most beautiful coastal routes. They often anchor overnight in stunning areas such as Whitehaven Beach, Cid Harbour, Butterfly Bay, and more along the way. Another way to see the vibrant coral reefs is to take glass-bottom boat tours in coastal hubs like Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mission Beach, and Airlie Beach.

 

 

To explore life beneath the ocean's surface, the best option is to take snorkeling tours of the Agincourt Reef from Cairns, the Capricorn Reef, and the Bunker Reef near Gladstone. The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 360 species of coral, 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusks, and more than 200 species of seabirds. If you're lucky, you might spot some fascinating marine life such as green turtles, seahorses, and dolphins while exploring the colorful crevices near Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. Enjoy your vacation where summer never ends.

 

 

Additional information:

Weather: In the Great Barrier Reef, rain is mainly in January and February. Refer to the AUS Meteorological Office website: www.bom.gov.au

+ Transportation: Several airlines operate flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Australia.

- Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific are two domestic airlines that regularly offer flights to Australia.

- Airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific are international airlines that offer regular flights to Australia at reasonable prices.

- You can take tours to the Great Barrier Reef from coastal towns such as Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Yeppoon, Mission Beach, and Cooktown. Of these, Cairns is considered the main gateway to the reef.

You can get to Cairns by air or by rail.

+ Currency: 1 AUD = 0.71 USD = (approximately) 16,000 VND

+Cuisine: Beetroot hamburger; Fantales: chewy caramel candies coated in milk chocolate; Barramundi fish; Grilled kangaroo; Pavlova cake; Grilled emu (Emu is a bird native to Australia). Emu meat is low in cholesterol and almost fat-free, and its iron content is many times higher than that of beef.

Other notes:

-There are several cruise lines serving tourists at the Great Barrier Reef, such as Santa Maria, Coral Princess, and Coral Sea Dreaming, offering tours ranging from 2 to 7 days.

-At the beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags – do not swim outside of them. These flags mark the safest swimming areas and the areas where lifeguards patrol. Many Australian surfing beaches have strong currents, creating rip currents.

 

Conquer the world's third largest cave.

The 2-day, 1-night journey conquering 22km of jungle trails with steep slopes, walking under the scorching sun of Central Vietnam, crossing dozens of streams, and spending many hours exploring dark caves presents significant challenges, yet holds an irresistible allure for those passionate about conquering En Cave.

Located in the heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, En Cave is the third largest cave in the world, surpassed only by Son Doong Cave and Deer Cave (Malaysia), making it an unmissable natural wonder in Vietnam. Starting from the Ba Giang slope, visitors will spend about two hours climbing the mountain, following winding paths and overcoming slopes of over 60 degrees. After overcoming the slope, you will reach the Rao Thuong valley, and following a clear, cool stream will lead you to Doong village, home to the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group.

 

 

After two hours of traversing a series of rivers and streams, walking underwater under the scorching sun, the reward for the adventurers was the sight of lush green mountains, clusters of centuries-old trees, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. At the end of the valley, the main entrance to Én Cave gradually appeared. The sunlight illuminating the campsite created a magical and majestic scene.

Upon reaching the top of the slope, a breathtaking view unfolds: a white sandy beach embracing a small, turquoise lake nestled within the cave. Along the sandy beach, colorful huts, already set up by porters carrying supplies, line the area. Inside the cave, there are two clear pools, one cold and one warm, ideal for soaking, swimming, and enjoying the feeling of being one with nature before savoring a special BBQ feast. The first day of exploration will conclude with fragrant glasses of rice wine inside the cave.

 

 

On the second day, after being fully equipped with headlamps, helmets, and gloves, visitors can experience climbing on jagged rock faces, exploring the dark depths of the cave, and admiring countless fossils over 300 million years old, gazing at giant stalactites, and listening to stories about the Arem people's swallow-eating custom or the May Full Moon Festival. After nearly an hour of walking and climbing inside the cave, crossing a narrow section, visitors will reach the back entrance. The cave ceiling gradually rises until you see sunlight shining in through a giant rock collapse.

Upon reaching the summit, a lush green vegetation creates a surreal and particularly impressive scene, making you want to capture these breathtaking moments with your camera.

 

 

Additional information:

+ Location: En Cave is located in the central area of ​​Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province.

+ Tour services: Similar to Son Doong Cave, visitors are required to participate in tours with professional guides and porters. Oxalis Company operates tours to explore En Cave, with a frequency of 2-3 tours per week. Maximum 16 guests per group. Reference price: from 6,500,000 VND/person. Contact 052.3677678 or website: www.oxalis.com.vn

+ Timing: You should choose the dry season months, when the weather is dry, to avoid leeches, and wading through streams will be easier. This is usually from December to July of the following year.

+ Packing list: Tourists only need to bring personal belongings and essential items (sleepwear for overnight camping, swimwear, sunglasses, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, water bottle, sandals or flip-flops). Protective gear (helmet, gloves, oil lamp, dry bag, tent) and meals will be provided by the tour company. Note that you should choose comfortable, stretchy, quick-drying shoes and long-sleeved clothing that wicks away water, as you will be crossing many rivers. High socks are also recommended to avoid leeches and itchy plants.

+ Note: It is advisable to proactively replenish fluids promptly when walking continuously in the sun to avoid exhaustion.

 

Thousands of conical towers are impressive inside the cave.

If you don't have much time to conquer Son Doong Cave, exploring Va Cave and Nuoc Nut Cave is an ideal alternative for your vacation. Considered one of the most unique caves in the world, Va Cave is nearly 1.7 km long with approximately 1,000 fairly uniformly sized stalactites and stalagmites, appearing to sprout from the ground in a very unusual way. Right next to Va Cave is Nuoc Nut Cave, which has a dry entrance, then about 300 meters further in, a main stream enters from the right. The main cave continues down along the stream for another 400 meters before leading to a lake. Visitors can follow a small entrance about 250 meters long to reach this lake on the opposite side. Accessing these two caves is a significant challenge for visitors, requiring safety equipment and the assistance of experienced professionals.

 

 

The journey to the cave begins by car from the center of Son Trach commune to Km28 of the Ho Chi Minh West Highway. Visitors then continue on foot through the forest for about an hour, before stopping to explore Nuoc Nut. Here, you will be provided with helmets and headlamps to explore the vast cave landscape unfolding before your eyes, revealing many fascinating sights. After another hour of walking, overcoming rocky outcrops, steep slopes, and complex terrain, visitors will reach a campsite near the entrance to Va Cave, where they will spend the night and enjoy the tranquil mountain forest at night. Because the initial section at the entrance to Va Cave is quite steep, with many sharp and slippery rocks, you must be very careful with every step. To ensure safety, the guide will provide helmets and safety harnesses, and your task is to follow the rope that has been stretched inside the cave.

 

 

Here, don't miss the experience of taking a dip in the stream at its end before heading upstream deep into the cave, then wading through the underground river, climbing over rocks, and squeezing through narrow crevices. Along the way, sparkling rocks will gradually appear when illuminated by lights.

 

 

One of the biggest challenges at the end of the trail is overcoming obstacles to reach higher ground and admire the stalactites with their unique formations. Remember to take pictures to capture the most amazing moments of your journey!

 

 

Additional information:

+ Location: Va Cave and Nuoc Nut Cave are located in the central area of ​​Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province.

+ Journey: To explore Va Cave, adventurers must hike over 20km round trip in 2 days and 1 night.

+ Tour services: Similar to Son Doong Cave, visitors are required to participate in a tour with a professional guide and porter team. Oxalis Company operates tours to explore Va Cave in Quang Binh. Duration: 2 days 1 night; frequency: 3 tours/week. Maximum number of guests per group: 8. Reference price: from 9,000,000 VND/person. Contact phone number: 052.3677678 or website: www.oxalis.com.vn

+ Timing: You should choose the dry season months, when the weather is dry, to avoid leeches, and wading through streams will be easier. This is usually from December to August of the following year.

+ Packing list: You only need to bring personal items and essentials such as sleeping clothes for the night camping, swimwear, sunglasses, towels, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, a water bottle, and sandals or flip-flops. Protective gear such as helmets, gloves, kerosene lamps, dry bags, tents, etc., and meals will be provided by the tour company.

+ Clothing: Remember to choose shoes and long-sleeved clothing that are stretchy, quick-drying, and wick away water easily, as tourists will be crossing rivers frequently. Wear high socks to avoid leeches and itchy plants.

+ Note: It is advisable to proactively replenish fluids promptly when walking continuously in the sun to avoid exhaustion.

+ Photography: During your trip, a high-quality camera that performs well in low light conditions is essential. It's advisable to bring a tripod and specialized flash units if you have them.

Text: Que Lan, Cac Truc, Trang Ami | Photos: various sources