Hoang Lien National Park

Genneral Introduction
Phan Xi Pang, Fansipan or Phan Si Phang is a granite pole cutting out of Hoang Lien Son mountain range, it is the highest mountain of Viet Nam and the three Indochinese countries with the height of about 3.143metters, it also called “The roof of Indochinese”. Fansipan is 9km far from Sa Pa town belong to the northern west of Viet Nam. According to the local language, the mountain here named “Hua Xi Pan”, it means that “the huge tottery stone”. The fog covers full year and Fansipan is impressive and romantic place to welcome the tourists to come and discover.

Bio-diversity
To be the typical place of bio-diversity, the flora here is plentiful with more than 2000 species belonging to 771 branches of 200 groups; there are sixteen species written in the world red book. There are some of species belonging to the rare groups and typical for the region such as: Po mu, Thong lun, Hoang Lien, Tam that (type of bulbous aralia), Do Trong...etc. Most of them relating to the flora groups that were named by Sa Pa or Fansipan, it is the endemic species of the north of Hoang Lien range such as: The species relating to orchidaceae is Habenaria chapaensis, Tainia chapaensis…The Ericaceae is Rhododendron chapaensis… The Pinaceae is Abies Fan Si Panensis…Up to now, by the method of statistic there are 447 kinds of animal in which having 74 beasts, 253 kinds of birth, reptile, 120 kinds of amphibian that were the first recorded in Viet Nam. The nature here is so temperate, there are hundred kinds of flower blooming in the four seasons; it is a reservatory place of biosphere and also is the source of bio-diversity conservation with the high value in Viet Nam.

Geology, Geomorphology
Fan Xi Pang belonging to Hoang Lien Son mountain range that located in the Hoang Lien National Park, it was formed in the period of Tan Tien belonging to Ky Phan Trang – Dai Trung Sinh 100milion years ago. Due to the age of geology is low, so the Hoang Lien Son including Fansipan that were considered to be the young mountain range, the top of the mountain is sharp because of destroying by natural procession. The mother stone in the region having two main groups: Macma acid and degenerate stone with the major kinds such as: Granit, Gina And Limestone… There is a huge division in the region between the top and valley. There are many widen valleys with rich soil in the regions naming: Ta Van, Lao Chai, Ban Ho and Than Thuoc committee. It is the visiting place for tourists and discovers the local culture.

Historial and Cultural value

Fansipan located in the Hoang Lien National Park, it also is the homeland of ethnic minority communities such as: The Mong, the Dao, the Giay and the Tay with the local original activities that were preserved such as: Gau Tao festival of the Mong; Dancing ritual of the Dao; the ritual praying for good crops of the Giay: “Long Cong” ritual of the Tay with traditional cultural beuty that was conservated up to now. Especially, the ladder field of the Mong forming around the mountain, green forest areas and villages are the source of inspiration for cameraman, photographers and tourists when coming to Sa Pa and Fansipan. The Sa Pa ancient stone field was discovered in 1925 locating Muong Hoa valley belong to Hoang Lien Son mountain range with 200 different kind of typical carving stones that have not been decoded yet, so it more and more create the attractiveness of Hoang Lien Son and Fansipan mountain range attracting the tourists to come and enjoy.

Other Informations:

Tour Activity:Mountain Climbing and Trekking
Best Time to Visit: 01-Jul to 31-Aug
Getting There:By car (10 hours) from Hanoi to Lao Cai town, from where Sa Pa is one hour by road.
Nearest Town: Sa Pa
Nearest Airport:Dien Bien Phu
Nearest Railway Station:Lao Cai

Climate & Weather conditions:
Temp: 1 c to 29 c
Rainfall: 2,763 cm
Highest Altitude: 3,143 m

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Xuan Son National Park

Have you been to Xuan Son National Park in Thanh Son District, Phu Tho province? If not yet, you are strongly recommended to take a chance to visit primitive forests of the National Park.

Possessing a diversified floristic composition with hundreds of plant and tree species, a range of wild rare animals and natural beautiful waterfalls and caves, Xuan Son National Park is an ideal destination of Vietnamese and foreign visitors.

Topography and hydrology
Xuan Son National Park is located at the extreme south-eastern extent of the Hoang Lien Mountains, in the watershed of the Red River. Elevations at Xuan Son are lower than elsewhere in the Hoang Lien mountains: the nearest point above 2,000 m is 40 km to the north-west. Limestone karst covers 1,661 ha, equivalent to 30% of the area of the national park. The limestone karst contains a large number of caves, some of which contain river systems.

Biodiversity values
The natural vegetation types at Xuan Son are lowland and lower montane evergreen forest, as well as lowland and lower montane limestone forest. To date, 314 vascular plant species, 48 mammal species, 121 bird species, 13 reptile species and 14 amphibian species have been recorded at Xuan Son National Park. The investment plan reported the occurrence of one group of Black-cheeked Crested Gibbon

Hylobates concolor with three or four individuals, and one group of Phayre's Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus phayrei with 15 to 18 individuals. However, the current status of these species at the site is not known, and it is possible that both are locally extinct. In addition, the extensive cave systems at Xuan Son are reported to support a high diversity of bat species.

The flora of the Xuan Son National Park is very rich and diverse, including 180 families, 680 genera and 1,217 species of 6 vascular plant phyla. The taxon distributions of these taxa are different. The Magnoliophyta phylum has 151 families (83.88%), 633 genera (93.08%) and 1,130 species (92.85%); the Polypodiophyta has 22 families (12.22%), 38 genera (5.58%) and 74 species (6.08%); the Pinophyta has 3 families, 4 genera and 5 species; the Lycopodiophyta has 2 families, 3 genera and 6 species; the smallest taxa are Equisetophyta and Psilotophyta with 1 family, 1 genus and 1 species each. The Euphorbiaceae is the most diverse family (60 species), followed by Rubiaceae (49 species), Fabaceae, MoraceaeThere are 26 genera with more than 5 species, made up 4% compared to the total genera of the flora but with 186 species (15.28% the total species of the flora); these genera are Ficus (24 species), Ardisia (13 species), Piper and Polygonum, each with 9 species; Diospyros, Elaeocarpus, Hedyotis. Psychotria and Dendrobium, each with 7 species; Begonia, Bauhinia, Desmodium, Maesa, Helicia, Solanum, Callicarpa, Clerodenrun, Carex, Cyperus and Dioscorea, each with 6 species and lastly Tectaria, Pteris, Schefflera, Garcinia, Rhododendron and Syzygium, each with 5 species. There are 40 endangered species (representing 3,4% of the total species of the flora of the Xuanson national park) listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2004), that need to be given priority for conservation and protection.

Useful plant resources comprise medicinal plants (665 species); timber plants (202 species); vegetables and edible fruits (132 species); ornamental plants (90 species); aromatic plants (26 species); bamboo, rattan, fern, jute (9 species); forages (12 species); oleiferous plants (9 species) and poisonous plants (8 species).

Conservation aspect
The main threats to biodiversity are shifting cultivation and forest fire. These would appear to be bigger threats in non-limestone areas, where hillsides are suitable for cultivation. Communities inside the national park, which live in limestone areas, cultivate wet rice on flat valley bottoms. However, the limestone hillsides close to these communities are still covered with primary forest. One conservation issue at Xuan Son is that the national park is, perhaps, too small to support viable populations of several mammal and bird species in the long-term.

Preventing negative impacts on forests, protecting biodiversity and developing sources of precious genes of rare flora for high economic value. Raising public awareness and improving forest-based incomes for the locals for sustainable forest and environmental protection and management, as well. Those are two most important tasks in Xuan Son National Park.

A wide belt of land with difficult geographic characteristics and a high potential is waiting for exploitation. Xuan Son National Park needs creative, high qualified and enthusiasm staffs to make the region more and more beautiful and wealthy.

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Tam Dao National Park

Situated on the northern fringe of the Red River Delta, Tam Dao National Park forms a unique ecological island, combining dense tropical rainforests with species from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the temperate forests of southern China and the alpine forests of the eastern Himalayas.

Rising steeply from densely populated lowlands to a peak of 1529m above sea‑level, the forests support a large variety of ecosystems and micro‑habitats of high biodiversity, varying with altitude, aspect and the degree of human disturbance. In its original state, Tam Dao had one of the highest levels of species richness of any tropical forest with about 1,300 plant and 1,200 animal species, many of which are rare to Tam Dao or northern Vietnam. Therefore, located only about 70km northwest of Hanoi, rather close to the urban area, Tam Dao National Park is one of the last natural areas which has not been transformed into agricultural land.

Natural condition

Tam Dao National Park is based in the Tam Dao range, which is one of the terminal spurs of a larger mountainous area. It runs 80 km from north west to south east, and has more than 20 peaks with altitudes of over 1000m. The highest summit is Tam Dao North with an altitude of 1592 m. Three other peaks with beautiful scenery are Thien Thi at 1375 m, Thach Ban at 1388 m and Phu Nghia at 1300 m. Sharp peaks with sloping sides and numerous, deep partitions are characteristic of the topology.
The boundary of the national park is located at an altitude of 100 m around the Tam Dao range. There is a larger buffer zone (which has area of approximately 535 km2) which surrounds the national park which has an altitude below 100 m. Seventy per cent of the area of the park is covered by natural and artificial forest. The natural forest is about 220 km2 and the human altered forest is about 30 km2.
Due to the tall mountainous range that splits the area into two parts, the national park's climatic condition is divided into two areas with different rainfalls. This difference and some other factors such as the effect of human activity divide the park into some smaller climatic zones which increase the bio-diversity in the park.

Flora
Tam Dao National Park is covered by a rich flora consisting of 490 species the high classes belonging to 344 genera and 130 families. Forests abound with rare and valuable flora such as: "Sam bong' "Po mu" fokienia hodginsii) "kim giao" (polocarpus fleuryi) 'Lat hoa' (chukrasia tabularis) "Lim xanh" (Erythrophlocum fordii) "Do quyen" (Rhoclodentron simmi) "Sen mat" (Madhuca pasquieri) "Thong tre" (Podocarpus nerlifolius) (all are valuable wood).
Out of over 2000 plant species, 904 species are considered useful to humans. They have been classified into eight groups. There are 42 species endemic to Tam Dao National Park and also 64 other species considered rare including Dendrobium daoensis, Camellia longicaudata, Camellia petelotii, Asarum petelotii, Molas tamdaoensis, and Paris delavayi.

Fauna

The National Park is the habitat of diversified fauna, with 281 species 80 families and 26 orders, belonging to 4 main classes: animals birds reptiles and amphibious ones including many rare and valuable species which are high commercial value and at the same time of important scientific research significance: white-cheeked black monkey, snake-headed fish, silver pheasant, wood grouses, etc...
Eleven of these species are endemic to Tam Dao National Park including the snake species Amphiesma angeli and Boiga multitempolaris, the amphibian Paramerotriton deloustali and eight species of insects; 22 species are endemic to North Vietnam including nine bird species, four reptiles, three amphibians and six species of insect; six are endemic to Vietnam (five bird species and one species of amphibian).

Moreover, visiting the park, you have a chance to view Tam Dao Town which was established at the beginning of the 20th century. The town is nestled in a valley covering only 3 km2. There now remain some villas and palaces built by French colonists. It has Thac Bac (The Silver Fall), Rung Rinh Peak and Tam Dao 2, a remnant of another resort built many years ago. Another tourist location is Tay Thien site. It includes Tay Thien Quoc Mau Temple (literally The "Temple of East Heaven National Mother") and many pagodas. Along with Thien Vien Truc Lam (literally: "Dhyana Palace in Bamboo Forest") in Da Lat and Yen Tu, Thien Vien Truc Lam Tay Thien is a center of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Tam Dao National Park is really a promising area, a center for forest ecological research on rare and valuable flora and fauna. The park is ready to welcome domestic and international visitors.

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Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park, located in the Ba Vi mountain range (known as Vietnam’s “mountain king”) is more and more absorptive to a huge number of travelers

Ba Vi National Park is centered on Mount Ba Vi - an isolated soil-limestone mountain situated about 50 km west from Hanoi. The mountain located in Ha Tay Province and shared the border with 2 districts of Hoa Binh Province. Mount Ba Vi has three peaks: the highest is Emperor Peak at 1,296m, followed by Tan Vien at 1,226m and Ngoc Hoa at 1,120m.

The hidden myth. In Vietnamese mythology, Tan Vien Mountain associated with Son Tinh, the mountain God. Son Tinh- one of four Immortal Deity - is the Saint who founded the Vietnamese culture; the hero struggled against the foreign invaders and disaster. Accordingly, this national park is luring tourists for not only the natural beauty, but also its legendary fairy tale, which helped make up its cultural attraction.

Let’s join a trip to this park. Traveling another 16km from the National High way, you will come to Hai stream to take some boats around before stopping on islet to see medical plants and birds nest.
Then, going east Ba Vi Mountains, you can visit Ao Vua fall. Looking from above, the fall makes a three-story cascade, the last flows into a small lake with emerald-green water.
Now, are you ready for climbing to strongly relax your mind and body and forget all the troubles? Looking from the foot, the mountain rises steeply out of a plain that rarely exceeds 30m in elevation? On the way up the hill, visitors stop for a while to contemplate the surrounding lyrical and inspirational landscape. Off in the distance, shadows of mountains disappear into the clouds, streams wound their way through the valleys and paddy fields spread out toward the horizon. The mountainous topography makes the climate at Ba Vi vary with altitude. Above 500 m, fog enshrouds the top of the mountain almost everyday. The higher you reach, the more romantic of a vista you can feel as the mist gets clear to reveal sunshine within a few minutes.
Back at the foot of the mountain, now the time for exploring what Ba Vi National Park is proud of, that is the diversified fauna and flora. With the area of more than 12,023 ha, the park is home for more than 800 rare and exotic plants, 280 of which have medicinal applications. It also boasts 44 species of mammal, 15 species of reptile, 9 species of amphibian and more than 100 bird species. This roughly explains why Ba Vi National Park is called “Capital Hanoi’s lung” by most Hanoians.

Tourism potential
The natural beauty and special geographic and climate features converge into the park’s eco system, making it one of the four mountainous ecological tourism centers besides Da Lat, Sapa, and Tam Dao. Staying here, tourists can explore the site via a number of activities, such as trekking, bird watching… One ever said that containing such a fascinating complex of numerous lakes, (both natural and artificial) plays an important role in forming various famous relaxing tourism spots in Ba Vi like Khoang Xanh, Suoi Mo and Thac Da.
Apart from natural beauty, Ba Vi is also said to be the home for hundreds of relics dating back a century or more to the French colonial era with a former military training range and a church between 600m and 800m above sea level. Hence, these days, tourists flock to the site not only for dipping themselves into a fresh and green ecological area, but its historical & cultural side also.
With a relatively favorable climate, good infrastructure and close proximity to Hanoi, Ba Vi is considered as one of four famous ecological destinations beside Da Lat, Sa Pa and Tam Dao. It promises to bring you unforgettable experiences with friends and family!
If you’ve never been to the park, from Ha noi, you can reach the town of Son Tay (42 km) by following national Highway32 or by High speed highway Lang-Hoa Lac. Have an interesting trip!

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Cat Ba National Park - The World Biosphere Reserve

Geographically, Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city. Belonging to Cat Ba island, the national park incorporates some of the small islands and marine water and covers 26,300ha, in which 17,300ha is on the main island and 9,000ha is of the adjacent inshore waters.

A pleasant feeling from physical features…

The landscape of Cat Ba National Park is dominated by karst limestone areas on the main island where there are numerous waterfalls, caves and grottoes. The rugged topography is marked by steep outcrops and bare rock areas with many seasonal streams such as Thung Luong, Treo Com, Hoi Trung Trang and Viet Hai.
Most of the rain water flows into caves and grottoes and follows underground streams to the sea. There are several small lakes and ponds in the hills; the largest is Ech Lake- a permanent water body with an area of 3ha and a depth of about 50m. Ninety percent of the main island is between 50m and 200m above sea level, for example Cao Vong (331m) and Hien Hoa (302m), while only 10% of the island is below 50m in elevation.

…to climate

Featured by tropical monsoon with pronounced wet and dry seasons, the park receives the annual rainfall from 1,700mm to 1,800mm. The annual temperature at sea level is 25oC to 28oC associated with the moderate annual relative humidity is 85%. The ideal time is April and October as you may encounter the rain, even typhoons and tropical storms if you come to the park from May to September as well as some drizzle during January, February and March.

Biodiversity values
Due to the abundance of suitable moist niches within the limestone forest, Cat Ba National Park has a rich and plentiful snail fauna. It supports a diversity of natural habitats, including forested hills, small freshwater lakes, freshwater swamp forest, mangroves, sandy beaches and coral reefs. In detailed, among 839 vascular plant species have been recorded at the national park, there are 25 species listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam.
Due to the isolated nature of the island and high levels of hunting, the diversity and abundance of mammals in Cat Ba are low in comparison with other national parks in Vietnam. Among the fauna of the park, the most popular are ungulate and primate, in which monkey is between 104 and 135 individuals, including only 50 to 75 adults. Also, the limestone habitat at Cat Ba National Park is an idea environment for a number of invertebrate species.

Satisfy your knowledge with human history clues.
Not only those typical characteristics, Cat Ba National park has been considered as a cradle of culture with many traces of ancient humans. Stone tools and bones found at the sites indicate that primitive man was living in the caves and grottoes on the island between 6,000 and 7,000 years ago. The example is Cai Beo Cave which is about 1.5km south-east of Cat Ba Town, has been studied intensively.

What about conservation management?
Come to the park and take actions with the local government in conservation matters! Do you know that the forests on the island are particularly valued for maintaining the water regime as well as containing important genetic resources and support ing the food chain of economically important aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, bivalves and arthropods? That the reason why, local government as well as local people have tried their best to appeal the awareness and help from people come here to protect this vulnerable chain for further biodiversity development. Not only stop at a certain matter, as regard the whole national park, the main purpose are to preserve natural ecosystems and genetic resources, restore the native flora and fauna through replanting, re-introduction and habitat improvement as well as promote outdoor recreation and environmental education for the general public in collaboration with the tourist industry.

Amazing, exciting, surprising…
Each year, Cat Ba Island receives large numbers of domestic and overseas tourists. A significant proportion of these tourists visit the national park, either on foot, along one of the hiking trails, or by boat through the marine component. The national park can, therefore, be considered to be making an important contribution to the island's economy.
Cat Bat is a great place for hiking and outdoor activities. However, if you are not an experienced hiker, trails at Cat Ba might be quite a challenge for you to trek. In this situation, a sophisticated tour guide is highly recommended for the purpose of safety. Exploring Cat Ba, you will see one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam and the copious ecosystem. Other attractions such as limestone formations, numerous waterfalls, caves and grottoes are waiting for your arrival!

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Cuc Phuong National Park

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest and largest national park in Vietnam.
Where is it? Situated 120 South-West of Hanoi, with a 22,200 - ha rainforest, Cuc Phuong National Park is the centerpiece of Vietnam’s conservation efforts and one of the most accessible parks in the country.

A magnificiant limestone landscape. Located on 2 limestone mountain ranges, the landscape of Cuc Phuong is a wonderfully rich ecosystem. Apart from verdant karst mountain and the lush valleys, the limestone formations produced numerous caves, many of which are accessible for exploration.
Looking at "Nguoi Xua" Cave (Cave of the Early Man), you will see the two new discovered ancient tombs along with Neolithic remains and evidence of stone implements. You would have similar findings at the following caves: Trang Khuyet (Crescent Moon), Thanh Minh and Con Mong, and Hang Dan (well known for Bat).

Does such a natural landscape have a cultural value? The answer is YES. In earlier times, Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority people and today, you can still see their traditional stilt houses. The rocky outcrops of Cuc Phuong contain very valuable archeological vestiges such as a fossilized sea reptile, dated at 200 - 230 million years old and evidence of prehistoric people, who lived in the forest some 7500 years ago.
As the oldest national park of Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is attached to a long-lasting history.In 1960, Cuc Phuong was turned into a forest reserve, and then granted a “National Park” 2 years later by President Ho Chi Minh for reminding his people of the environment’s core role in their life. Yet there had already been some relationship between mankind and Cuc Phuong before this event. The remains of prehistoric men dating 7,000-12,000 years ago have been found in the numerous caves in the park.

Diversity of Flora-Fauna. Cuc Phuong is also popular for being home to a huge diversity of flora and fauna. The botanical richness of the forest is impressive since it supports a wide variety of flora species and patches of primeval forest, including ancient trees with thick clusters of roots, parasitic plants and ligneous creepers. Surprisingly, some plant species have been introduced from Burma, India, and Borneo. Stepping to the caves, you can find at entrances the ideal moisture conditions and light, you will feel relaxed when seeing clusters of growing orchards as well as vanilla, snow-white and butterfly orchids.
As regards fauna, the park has 97 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 36 reptilian species, 17 species of amphibians, 11 species of fish and thousands of species of insects, most of which do not bite. A number of species in the park are listed on Vietnam Red Book of endangered species.
Visiting the park, no one could help keeping an eye on the primates; including macaques, gibbon, Francois' leaf monkey and slow loris. Besides, this park is the home for other mammals including bats, porcupine, squirrel, leopard, clouded leopard and jungle cat in Cuc Phuong. Migrant species include thrushes, flycatchers, tits, finches, pipits amongst others. Hornbills can also be spotted in the forest.

Entertainment activities. Should you are keen on cultural aspects, do not hesitate to join in the community-based eco-tourism and home-stays. Why don’t you take a trek to the Muong village where the hospitable local people offer you 1 or 2 nights' home-stay in their traditional stilt houses? This does bring you an opportunity to explore their culture and try out bamboo river rafting!
You can also discover excellent hiking opportunities, and spend some days trekking though the forest. Popular trails to 1000 year old tree, other ancient trees, silver cloudy peak and Muong village. Tourists may join night-spotting trips into the primary forest. These offer opportunities to see the more exclusive mammal species of the park, including the black giant squirrel, the Indian flying squirrel, samba deer and several small carnivores.Do not forget to bring with you the binoculars because Cuc Phuong is home to a wealth of beautiful tropical birds, many of which are endemic in Vietnam and Indochina. Some of the 307 species of rare birds that you might encounter are the silver-pheasant, red-collared woodpecker, brown hornbill, bar-bellied pita, and so forth.
For further interests, we suggest you take a tour to biodiversity hotspots. At the moment Cuc Phuong has a total of 43 biodiversity hotspots. All of these are recognized by the scientific department of the national park and they offer you and excellent opportunity to study and see many different species of tropical plants.
One of the fantastic ways to experience Cuc Phuong is by cycling through the forest. Biking offers the visitor not only silence and a cool breeze, but it is also a great way to discover the more secretive animals and birds of the national park

Suggested means of transport. Take a bus from Hanoi at Giap Bat Bus Terminal- the city’s southern bus terminal, at around 20,000 VND, to Nho Quan, then catch a motorcycle taxi to the park headquarters for about 30,000 dong. The total travel time is 2.30 to 3.30 hours. If you plan on making only a day trip to the park, you should go through a travel agency. However, if you’re going to stay for one or more nights then the public bus option is viable.

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Xuan Thuy National Park

Being the home to many important species, Xuan Thuy National Park plays an important role in preserving ecological system and developing eco-tourism of the Red River Delta.

An overview
Located in the Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province, Xuan Thuy National Park was declared Vietnam's first Ramsar site of Vietnam in January 1989. More than one quarter of the park's 12,000ha is covered with mangroves that support many aquatic species - including fish, crustaceans and molluscs. These species provide food and livelihoods for the poor, local people of the area. The park houses the “Cá Mòi Co” (Clupanodon thrissa), a fish listed in Vietnam's Red Book as vulnerable and at risk of extinction. It is also recognized as a platform for migratory water birds, including the “Cò thìa” (Black-faced Spoon-Bill), and eight other listed endangered species.

The Biodiversity
To date, more than 200 bird species have been recorded at Xuan Thuy. The site is the most important staging and wintering area for migratory waterbirds in the coastal zone of the Red River Delta. It regularly supports large numbers of commoner migratory waterbird species, including Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Eurasian Curlew. Many rare species can also be found at Xuan Thuy, including the largest wintering population of Black-faced Spoonbill in Vietnam, with around 60 birds each winter in recent years. Other rare species that regularly occur at the site include Saunders's Gull, Spotted Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Asian Dowitcher. In addition to its importance for waterbirds, Xuan Thuy is also an important migratory stop-over for non-waterbirds, with large numbers of passerines and cuckoos passing through the site during the spring and autumn migrations. During the summer months, small numbers of Painted Stork and Spot-billed Pelican occur as non-breeding visitors.
The park has a rich, biodiverse coastal wetland environment that is home to about 110 aquatic plant species, 500 species of benthos and zooplankton. Many aquatic species of high economic value, like shrimps, fish, crabs and oysters, are also found in the area. Fish, shrimps and crabs provide the main income of the local community.

The tourism
As a staging and wintering site on the East Asian-Australian flyway, the best time to visit Xuan Thuy is September to April. In August and September, it is still possible to see non-breeding Painted Stork, as well as early migrants, such as Black-winged Stilt. Later, from October onwards, it relatively easy to find wintering Black-faced Spoonbills, particularly at their roost sites in the shrimp ponds.
In Xuan Thuy National Park, you can ask for the assistance from park staff, who know the site very well and are able to show us where to watch particular bird species. It will be so good if you can get a guide from the park. Basically, you can take the hiking routes or boating routes to the sites of interest. It means that you can travel by foot to some places of interest; or you can only be reached by boat at high tide.
Hiking Routes: Walking through the natural and artificial habitats along the dike system in Con Ngan Island, where the park headquarters is located. Especially, in the high tide time, you can find numerous bird roosting in the shrimp ponds, including Black-faced Spoonbill, gulls, ducks and waders.
Boating Routes: In the high tide time, you can get boat to reach the offshore mudflats and sandy flats, where Spoon-billed Sandpiper can be found among large flocks of waders. An alternative boat route involves visiting Con Xanh island, which supports some Casuarina forest, where is very suitable for the migrating non-waterbirds. In the island, you can find the pittas and other passerines during migrating season. Another way, you can take boat to the off shore mudflats and sandy flats areas of Giao Xuan Commune, where is the best area for watching the shorebirds. In this site, you can find big flocks of waders and especially Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, many species of gulls including Saunders's Gull, duck species and sometime Black-faced Spoonbill and Black-headed Ibis.

The preservation matter
In terms of preservation matter, Xuan Thuy National Park has the following objectives and tasks:
+ To preserve the typical submerged land ecological system of the Red river-mouth region, the specific fauna and flora species of the submerged land ecological system, especially aquatic species, water birds and migration birds.
+ To build material and technical bases in service of training, scientific research, environmental education and eco-tourist development, thus contributing to socio-economic development and creating jobs for local population communities.
+ To serve scientific research, environmental education and eco-tourist development.
+ To maintain Xuan Thuy National Park as a Ramsar site through conservation of biodiversity and responsible fisheries.
+ To raise public awareness and also recognized local community efforts in the conservation of Xuan Thuy National Park, the sustainable and wise-use of the park's resources, and responsible fisheries and management.

Xuan Thuy National Park is the pride for local people in their wetlands area, its relevance as a Ramsar site, its importance for their eco-tourist development...

Note for Birding: best time for bird watching in Xuan Thuy National park from September this year till April next year. The birds watching activities are depending a lot on the weather and surrounding factors.

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Ecotourism Guidelines For Responsible Travelers

The conscious attitude, actions, participation and interactions on the part of the individual traveler directly affect the outcome for all involved. As a thoughtful and responsible traveler there are several things you can do before, during and after your journey to ensure the experience is in line with the values of "ecotourism" and minimize your impact on the host country. It is far easier to simply go on vacation as an uninformed tourist but making the choice to be an informed traveler can have far reaching impacts on the world around us. The more you put into your trip the more you'll get out of it. The following is a code of conduct for responsible travelers.
1) Prepare for your trip:
Educate yourself about your destination. Be on the lookout for news and current events about the area. Learn about local history, customs and culture as well as vital ecosystems. Learn at least the basics of the local language. A simple hello, please or thank you goes a long way. Approach travel with the desire to learn rather than just observe.
2) Respect local traditions and etiquette:
Wear clothing that is accepted by the local culture. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; always ask first. Observe local customs. Be perceptive of your own cultural values and how they affect your judgment of others. Remember that you are the visitor. There are many different concepts of time, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Act as an example for other travelers who are less informed than you.
3) Avoid ostentatious display of wealth:
What may not seem a display of wealth to you may be considered extravagant by another culture. For example, a camera hanging around your neck or something as simple as a wristwatch or wedding band. Tuck these items away when visiting rural communities. Leave jewelry and other unnecessary valuables at home. They only create barriers and inhibit genuine interactions. Don't hand out sweets and loose change, this only serves to corrupt and create a begging mentality where none existed before.
4) Be flexible in your expectations:
Approach your adventure with an open mind and you won't be disappointed. Sometimes plans change and an opportunity for more in-depth learning or a unique cultural experience presents itself. Adapt yourself to the situation rather than trying to adapt the situation to you.
5) Conserve resources:
Often times the resources in an area visited by tourists are under a great deal of pressure already. Be aware of the resources that are being used because of your visit. This includes your personal consumption of items like water and wood for building fires or specialty foods that had to be transported from afar. Don't allow your guide to hunt endangered or threatened species or harvest rare plants for your consumption. A large luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere takes far more resources to build and maintain than does a small family run inn.
6) Practice environmental minimum impact:
Follow the International Leave No Trace Rules. Pack out everything that you bring in including toilet paper (if there is no toilet) or plastic water bottles (use purification tablets or a filter). Go to the bathroom at least 200 feet (70 paces) from any water source. Remove litter that others left behind. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature. Be aware of local endangered or threatened species so as not to purchase souvenirs made from their skin, feathers etc. Not only is this impactful on the environment but it is illegal.
7) Choosing a tour operator or guide:
Thoroughly research your tour operator or guide by asking them pointed questions about specifically what they do that is "eco" and how they involve the local communities and economies. The "greening of tourism" has led companies to promote themselves as "eco" simply to sell trips. The larger the company with more luxurious accommodations, the less likely it is to be true ecotourism. Be persistent in your inquiries of an international or local tour operator.
8) Support local economies:
How will your visit directly benefit the local economy or entire community? This is an integral part of true ecotourism. Use local transportation, guides, inns, restaurants and markets. This helps create a buffer zone for the environment surrounding protected natural areas by giving locals an economic alternative to potentially destructive practices. Community based ecotourism spreads the wealth and workload.
9) Bridging cultural gaps:
Take the opportunity to be a cultural ambassador. Much of the world's image of western tourists is based on the unrealities of television and magazines. Look for situations for cultural exchange whereby learning about each other's lives is mutual. Getting to know the person sitting next to you on a local bus or the person cooking your food takes some effort but is often a rewarding experience.
10) Continued ecotourism:
Ecotourism doesn't need to end with your flight home. Follow through on your commitment to conservation in your everyday life. Share your experiences with others to foster a greater understanding of our world. You will have seen and learned much from your journey. While it is still fresh in your heart and mind take action using the various agencies, grassroots organizations and resources available to you. (Source: Untamedpath)

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"Leave No Trace" Principles

Plan Ahead and Prepare
+ Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
+ Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
+ Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
+ Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
+ Repackage food to minimize waste.
+ Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
+ Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
+ Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
+ Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
+ Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
+ Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
+ Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
+ Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
+ Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly
+ Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
+ Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
+ Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
+ To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find
+ Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
+ Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
+ Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
+ Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches

Minimize Campfire Impacts
+ Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
+ Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
+ Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
+ Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife
+ Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
+ Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
+ Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
+ Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
+ Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
+ Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
+ Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
+ Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
+ Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
+ Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

(Source: Int, for futher "Leave No Trace" Principles, visit website: Int)

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Ba Be National Park

Location: Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province, Vietnam (about 250 kilometers north of Hanoi, about 70 km northwest of the provincial capital Bac Kan, and about 14 km west of the town of Cho Ra)
Established: 1977, as a national park in 1992
Area: 10,048 ha
Lake area: 500 ha
Coordinates: 22° 24′ 19″N, 105° 36′ 55″E
Agro-ecological zone: North-eastern
Biodiversity: The vegetation in Ba Be National Park mainly consists of limestone and evergreen forest. The dominating tree species of the lime stone forest are Burretiodendron hsienmu (Tiliaceae) and Streblus tonkinensis (Moraceae). Climbing bamboo (Ampelocalamus) is a regional endemic plant common on the hill slopes near the lake shore.
65 mammal species have been recorded in the park, among them: Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang), Rhesus Macaque, Stump-tailed Macaque, Francois' Langur, Asiatic Black Bear, European Otter, Owston's Palm Civet, Asian Golden Cat, Mainland Serow, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Particolored Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger), Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel as well as 27 bat species.
Furthermore, 233 bird species, 43 reptile and amphibian species among them the King Cobra and the Vietnamese Salamander (Paramesotriton deloustali), have been recorded. In Ba Be lake, 106 fish species from 61 genera, 17 families, and 5 orders have been recorded. The park is also noteworthy for its diversity in butterflies for which 354 species have been recorded.

Highlights and Activity: Trekking through the park and visit villages of ethic minority people , boat tour around lake to visit cave and waterfall, and whitewater kayaking on lake or river.

Getting there: Take bus from Hanoi to Phu Thong town via Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan city, and from there take another bus to Cho Ra, arrange a motorbike taxi from Cho Ra last 18km to the park. (or by car: It takes about 6-7 hours to drive to Ba Be National Park from Hanoi. Follow the route Thai Nguyen - Bac Kan - Cho Ra and then on to the national park.)

Accommodation: The national park has a range of comfortable accommodation to choose. It costs from 10 to 20 USD per room. All rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities and air-conditioning. (Include: two blocks of standard guesthouse (A1 & A2); Standard Bungalows area has 07 double rooms; VIP Bungalows area has 10 double room ). Homestays in Pac Ngoi / Bo Lu villages within the national park, prices range from 4 to 5 USD per person per night.

Nearest Town: Cho Ra
Climate & Weather conditions: Temp: 14 c to 32 c; Rainfall: 1,800 cm; Elevation: 1,098m

(photo source: Ba Be National Park Management)

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Vietnam Ecotourism

What is Ecotourism? Definition of TIES: Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

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.

Vietnam Ecotourism:
Lying on the eastern part of Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam retains an impressive wealth of natural environment ranging from mountain to marine. The area of mountain and sea account for ¾ of total area, there are 107 special use forests with the total area of more than 2.3 million hectare, including 24 National parks, 61 natural reserve and 34 cultural, historical and environmental forests. Thus, Vietnam has more advantage in developing eco-tourism than other countries in the region.

Ecosystem in Vietnam: Coral Reef Ecosystem; Costal sandy ecosystem; Dry forest ecosystem; Tropical Forest ecosystem; Mangrove forest ecosystem; Ocean and Islands ecosystem; High mountains and lakes ecosystem; Agricultural ecosystem.

Type of ecotourism activity in Vietnam: Study tour; Forest walking; Mountain climbing; Visit to ethnic minority villages; Sea diving; White water rafting/ sea kayaking; Adventure trip; Bird watching; Visit to fruit gardens; Boating/ cruising
Camping/hiking; Fishing and hunting….

Vietnam National Parks List!
1. Ba Be (Bac Kan - 1992)
2. Ba Vi (Ha Tay -1991)
3. Bach Ma (Thua Thien Hue - 1991)
4. Ben En (Thanh Hoa - 1992)
5. Bu Gia Map (Binh Phuoc - 2002)
6. Cat Ba (Hai Phong – 1991. was recognized as World Biosphere Reserve in 2004)
7. Cat Tien (Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Lam Dong – 1992; was recognized as the World Biosphere Re­serve in 2001)
8. Cham Chim (Dong Thap - 1998)
9. Chu Mom Ray (Kon Tum - 2002)
10. Chu Yang Sin (Dak Lak - 2002)
11. Con Dao (Ba Ria Vung Tau - 1993)
12. Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh - 1962)
13. Hoang Lien (Location: Lao Cai Province; Establish: 2002. ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks and Reserves, Yangon Myanmar, 18/12/2003 & ASEAN Heritage Park list)
14. Kon Ka Kinh (Gia Lai - 2002)
15. Lo Go Sa Mat (Tay Ninh - 2002)
16. Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Quang Binh – 2001; was recognized as World Natural Heritage Site in 2003)
17. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang - 2001)
18. Pu Mat (Nghe An - 2001)
19. Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen - 1996 )
20. U Minh Thuong (Kien Giang - 2002)
21. Vu Quang (Ha Tinh - 2002)
22. Xuan Son (Phu Tho - 2002)
23. Xuan Thuy (Nam Dinh – was declared Vietnam's first Ramsar Site in January 1989 by UNESCO)
24. Yok Don (Dak Lak - 2002)

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Planting rice in Mu Cang Chai

On arriving in Mu Cang Chai in June, visitors will have a fantastic view of local ethnic minority people working the terraced paddy fields. Mu Cang Chai is located in a remote mountainous district in the northern province of Yen Bai. Its terraced paddy fields are amazingly beautiful at this time of year.

And on the mid-September to beginning of Octobor, Visitors will see local people havest ripen-rice plus amazing "yellow" valley. The terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai mountainous district in northern Yen Bai Province have been recognised as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

(Excerpt: VOV)

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World Heritage Sites in Vietnam

Out of the world cultural heritage sites recognised by UNESCO, Vietnam possesses three sites (including the old imperial city of Hue, My Son Sanctuary and the ancient town of Hoi An), two natural heritage sites (Ha Long Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park), a heritage site with geomorphologic, geological, cultural and historical values and two intangible heritage sites (Hue royal court music and the space of Tay Nguyen gong culture).

Old Imperial Capital of Hue:

Located in Central Vietnam, Hue was once the country’s capital under nine dynasties of Nguyen Lords for nearly 400 years (1558-1945). Coming to Hue, one will be lost in the ancient feudal capital where exists a system of pagodas, temples, citadels, royal tombs and magnificent architectures which are harmonized with romantic natural landscapes. Also, Hue is the cultural centre of the whole country because it still preserves the most typical traditional cultural characteristics. With its great heritage, the old imperial capital of Hue was recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1993.

Ha Long Bay As a unique heritage site:

Ha Long Bay, which was once the residential place of ancient Viet people, still retains many important vestiges of the process of the founding and development history of the earth. It is a great art-work formed by nature with thousands of rock islands in different forms and shapes and beautiful and miraculous caves that help create a lively and mysterious world. Furthermore, Ha Long Bay has high bio-diversity with typical eco-systems, such as mangrove forest eco-system, coral range eco-system, tropical forest eco-system, etc., and it is abundant in flora and fauna. Ha Long Bay was officially recognized for the first time as a world natural heritage site by UNESCO in 1994 and a world heritage site for its geomorphologic, geological, cultural and historical values for the second time in 2000.

My Son Sanctuary:

Located in a valley with an area of 2 sq.m in Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, My Son Relic Site boats the most important sanctuary of the Champa Kingdom where solemn rites were held. With 70 shrines and towers built with the Champa architecture, it is considered one of the major sanctuary centres of Hinduism in the Southeast Asian region and the only heritage site of this kind in Vietnam. With its unique values, My Son Relic Site was recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

Ancient Town of Hoi An:

Located in Quang Nam Province, this ancient town that was established around the 16th-17th centuries was well-know as a busy commercial port in Southeast Asia. Its architecture still remains intact with relic complex of houses, clubs, pagodas, communal houses, temples, wells, bridges and ancestral worshiping houses, wharfs, markets, etc. Criss-crossing roads divide the Town into a chessboard-shaped model, the most popular one of the Oriental commercial trade towns in the Medium period.
Despite the ups and downs, the local daily life with its traditional customs and cultural characteristics are maintained. It can be said that Hoi An is a lively museum of architectures and urban lifestyle from the feudal regime. In 1999, Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized by UNESCO as a world culture heritage site.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park:

Located in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province, the Natural Reserve is classic as witnessed by its lime-stone tectonics, caves, underground rivers and a rich and diverse flora and fauna systems, many of which are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world. Also, the Park houses over 300 different types of caves so it is also known as “The kingdom of caves”. Particularly, the system of Phong Nha grottos is evaluated by the British Cave Research Association as one of the most valuable such systems in the world with “The world’s longest subterranean rivers running through limestone mountains; the most beautiful and largest stone and sand beaches, the most magnificent and unusual stalagmites and stalactites”.
In 2003, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site.

Nha Nhac (Hue Royal Court Music)

It is the first intangible heritage of Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO. According to UNESCO Council’s evaluation, “Vietnam’s royal court music has the meaning of ‘refined music’. It mentions Vietnam’s court music which is performed at annual festivals, celebrations and special events, such as the enthronement ceremonies, funeral ceremonies or official receiving ceremonies. Among various kinds of music developed in Vietnam, only nha nhac is considered the national music”. For this reason, Nha nhac was recognized by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2003.

Space of Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands)

Gong Culture Covering five provinces of the Central Highlands including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong, the space of the gong culture is a kind of art closely attached to the cultural history of the ethnic groups who live along the Truong Son Range in the Central Highlands, including the E De, Ba Na, Ma, Lac and others. Each ethnic group beats gongs in their own way to create different pieces of music on the occasions of festivals, such as welcoming the New Year and a new house celebrating ceremonies. Over the years, gongs have become a typical cultural characteristic, unique and attractive of the Central Highlands. In 2005, the Space of Gong Culture in Vietnam’s Central Highlands was officially recognized as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.

Free Ebook: Vietnam: A Natural History

Vietnam Today - A Guide To A Nation At A Crossroads

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Are YOU an Eco-Friendly Traveler?

Are YOU an Eco-Friendly Traveler? Read These Tips!
Scientists have spoken: Mankind is destroying the planet. It seems simple enough to cut carbon emissions while we are at home, but what about vacations or business trips? You can be kind to the environment even while you travel.

Here are some tips that will steer you in the right direction.

Plan and Prepare Well in Advance of Your Travel Dates
1. Forego paper tickets and book electronically via telephone or online. You will save paper (and time).
2. Discontinue the newspaper while you are gone or have it delivered to the local library or doctor's office instead.
3. Before setting out on your trip, reduce the heat on the hot water tank, lower the thermostat, and unplug all electronics (like cable boxes, cordless telephones, and DVD players).

Vehicles Have a Huge Impact on the Environment
1. If possible, try to use public transportation or airport shuttles. Rent a vehicle only as a last resort.
2. If a rental is your only option, try to reserve a compact vehicle that will be easy on gas. Some rental agencies even provide electric cars or hybrids.
3. Before you head out, check tire pressures. Underinflated tires cause increased gas consumption.
4. Instead of using the air conditioner, open a car window when feasible.
5. Drive conservatively. Save fuel with a light foot on the accelerator while staying well within the speed limit.
6. Avoid idling your vehicle. If it will be sitting for more than 60 seconds while you load luggage or run an errand, switch off the ignition.
7. Participate in bus, train, or walking tours when available.
8. See if you can find a bike rental and get out in the fresh air.

Hotel or Bed and Breakfast Accommodations
1. Book lodging that is centrally located to your intended activities.
2. Make a point of reserving rooms in an establishment that promotes eco-friendly practices. Be sure to ask the innkeeper or booking clerk what they are doing to protect the environment.
3. Leave a note for the maid. Tell her that you want to use hotel towels for a couple of days before sending them to be laundered.
4. Don't turn on the radio or TV unless you are really paying attention to it.
5. Leaving the room? Turn down the heat and/or air conditioning and make sure that the coffee maker, iron, TV, and other electrical devices are switched off.
6. If your hotel or inn has an elevator, ignore it and use the stairs instead. Your body will thank you for the exercise, and you will be doing your share to conserve electricity.

More Eco-Friendly Travel Tips
1. Never use regular alkaline batteries. Instead, pack enough rechargeables to get you through a complete day, along with a battery charger. You might also want to investigate the purchase of a solar charger.
2. If you must recharge your cell phone, game console, or laptop, don't leave it charging overnight. Start early enough in the day or evening so that you can monitor the progress and shut down the device when it is up to 100%.
3. Instead of working out on a motorized stair climber or treadmill in the hotel gym, put on your walking shoes and go for a jog or walk in the fresh air.
4. Disposable or regular film cameras are not environmentally-friendly. Invest in a digital instead. Prices are becoming more reasonable every day and the capabilities are rapidly improving.
5. Avoid individually-wrapped hand cleaner packets, disposable razors, and other one-use items. Stick with smaller-sized reusable and/or refillable products.
6. An all-in-one cleaner can take the place of shampoo, laundry detergent, and hand cleaner. It will save room (and weight) in your luggage.
7. Speaking of weight in your luggage: pack light. It will conserve gas on your way to the airport, and will result in fuel savings for all other types of transport while you travel.
8. Avoid buying coffee or snacks in disposable containers. Pack your own mug - and if you want coffee to go, ask the restaurant or snack bar to fill it for you.
9. Be a good eco-citizen and pick up any trash you discover while you travel.

These tips are just a beginning. Be eco-conscious in everything you do, and you will find other ways to help save our beautiful planet. (Source: Written by Kathy Steinemann)

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Sapa Discovery!

The Lao Cai province offers an unusual variety of spectacular or charming landscapes, from the Fansipan massif (3,143m), the highest summit in South-East Asia with its perfectly preserved high-mountain vegetation, to the low plains and wide rice-growing valleys scattered with palm-trees in the south.
The Fansipan massif represents the biggest natural reserve in Vietnam: Hoang Lien National Park. The park covers nearly 30,000 hectares and is unique in all South-East Asia for its tiered forest ecosystems. It contains over 2,000 plant species and about 500 animal species, among which the black gibbon, of which there are only a few families left.
Two other features of the landscape immediately attract the visitor’s attention: the paddy-fields tumbling down the slopes in vertiginous staircases and the innumerable limestone peaks and crests emerging from the clouds in the morning, a sort of Halong Bay transferred to the mountains.
The terraced paddy-fields are built by the Hmong and Dao on the slopes where the water supply is sufficient to provide irrigation throughout the growing season. It takes a tremendous amount of work to create and maintain the paddy-fields and, in the absence of all instruments; it requires an elaborate ancestral technique, already used by the Chinese peasants before they emigrated during the second half of the 19th century. The surface area of the projected terraces is calculated according to the available water-flow. All the terraces must be perfectly horizontal, so as to maintain a constant water level before they pour into the terrace immediately below.
The fields of steep limestone peaks, usually covered with thick forests, are the result of the dissolving action of rain-water on limestone. The brown or red earth found at the foot of the peaks is the residue of this dissolution, the fertile « terra rosa » used by the peasants despite the numerous rocky residues mixed with it. The local populations clear and exploit the forests and find there many useful food and pharmaceutical products as well as raw material for handicrafts.

WORTH DISCOVERING:
If you are only staying 2 or 3 days
You can easily discover the fascinating beauty of the main valleys and villages surrounding Sa Pa at the foot of the Fansipan: Cat Cat (residence of Black H’mong people), Lao Chai (residence of Black H’mong people), Ta Van (residence of Giay people), Giang Ta Chai (residence of Red Zao people) and Ban Ho (residence of Tay people). … Hikers can walk to all these places, and may want to enjoy the unique experience of staying with local people, in a local family house built on stilts, in Lao Chai or Ban Ho.
If you are lucky enough to stay longer
Climbing the Fansipan is a unique experience, but it represents a real expedition requiring adequate mountain-hiking equipment, perfect physical condition, excellent training in hiking and experienced guides. For your own safety and pleasure, we recommend you prepare it carefully, with the help of the recommended agencies. You can also experience the exceptional: discover landscapes and populations with an authentic way of life in areas hardly open to strangers. These tours can only be done by four-wheel drive vehicles, with a guide, and with special authorization from local authorities. Please contact one of the authorized agencies.

Colorful Markets Around
Muong Hum Market: Every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.This market, the biggest cardamom market in the area, was already there during the French colonial period and serves as a meeting place for the ethnic groups living in the mountains: Giay, Dao, White Hmong, Hanhi. Those living in the highlands, like the Hmong and the Zao (Dao) come down to sell their specific products such as cardamom and other spices and mountain plants. In Mường Hum, you should taste the paddy rice brandy (made with unhusked rice) from the dao village of San Lung. Its fruity flavour and mildness have made it famous well beyond the limits of the Lào Cai province.
Muong Khuong Sunday market: Big market with a wide range of ethnic groups: Hmong, Dao, Nung, and merchants from other ethnic groups who come all the way from China to sell their products. Several Pa Zi women sell traditional incense made from the bark and resin of scented trees.
Pha Long Market: Every Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to twelve. Very rural seldom visited market, where you can meet ethnic groups that are only found in this particular district of Vietnam, mostly Hmong, Nung, Tou Zi, Pa Zi and Tou Lao. Along the road, in a landscape of mountain peaks, numerous Nung et Hmong villages. Lots of traditional houses with baked earth tiled roofs.
Can Cau Market: Every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12, in the middle of the paddy fields and corn fields, the various Hmong groups from the highland villages sell their farming products and buy fabrics, farming tools and kitchenware. The local Hmong wear traditional costumes that are so gaudy and heavily embroidered that the Chinese, the French and the Vietnamese have nicknamed them the “Flowery Hmong”. Numerous Hmong farmers travel back to their villages on horseback, the only way to carry heavy loads in these steep areas.
Bac Ha Market: The biggest ethnic market in the Lao Cai province, where you will find buffaloes, horses, blacksmiths, saddlers, but also traditional medicine doctors, with their thousands of mountain herbs and plants, and lots of traditional clothes and local artefacts. Several groups of deep-coloured Hmong are found there, as well as Dao, Tay, Nung, and Phu La. Make sure to arrive before 9 a.m., the market ends at about 12 :30. Sleeping in Bac Hà, on the Saturday offers an opportunity to watch the preparations for the market and the successive waves of villagers going there. Tasting the local corn spirit is a must, but be prudent, it may be up to 55° proof!
Tuesday Coc Ly market: About 35km from Bac Ha, Coc Ly Market is a colorful Tuesday market in a mountainous area where ethnic people gather to buy and sell goods, dine and drink, or just wander to enjoy the ambience of the montagnard market by the Chay River.

TRANSPORTATIONS
Sa Pa is 38km away from Lao Cai by road; the mountain road is in excellent condition. There are lots of buses and shared and private taxis, especially outside the railway station at arrival time of trains from Hanoi, allow 2$ for the bus ride and 5$ for a private taxi from Lao Cai to Sapa.
You can drive from Hanoi to Lao Cai (350km, 9-12 h-hour-drives) or take the train. The schedules below are for information only, please check them and check the tariffs on the internet site of Vietnam railways : http://www.vr.com.vn/
Hanoi: Departure -> 06:15 / 21:30 / 22:00 / 22:10 - Lao Cai : Departure -> 10:20 / 19:00 / 20:50 / 21:15

Lao Cai : Arrival -> 15:30 / 05:00 / 06:00 / 07:20 - Hanoi : Arrival -> 19:25 / 04:00 / 04:20 / 05:00
The night train offers four-berth compartments, very basic, but with air-conditioning, and a few better equipped carriages for tourists such as: Ratraco, Tulico Express, King Express, Etpumkin, Toserco… carriages, with two or four-berth comfortable compartments. In the 21:30 train from Hanoi and the 20:50 train from Lao Cai, you will find the luxury carriages of the “Victoria express”, accessible only to patrons of the Victoria Sa Pa hotel. (Excerpt from Sapa Tourism Department)

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A message from your host!

We feel honoured by your visit and hope that it will be an opportunity for you to better understand our way of life, habits and culture. Hopefully, if the language barrier and lack of time are not too much of an obstacle, we will be happy to answer your questions, welcome you to our modest homes and exchange cultural information with you. You wish to get to know us, but we too have a lot to learn about your way of life and habits, that sometimes seems just as strange to us as some of ours to you.

However, the sudden influx of tourists may have negative effects on our villages because many of our foreign guests are not aware of our sometimes complex customs. Certain attitudes or behaviours considered normal by you, may be considered shocking here and create problems and misunderstandings on both sides. This is why we would like to let you know a few basic rules.

You sometimes talk about “ethic tourism”, we prefer to talk about mutual respect. (See photo above)

1. Drug consumption is forbidden here, we want to protect our youth from this terrible habit.


2. Touching sacred objects, walking through sacred places is forbidden and offends us. Please, seek information.


3. Being badly dressed, dirty or partly undressed is considered aggressive and disrespectful.


4. Drinking in excess, speaking in a loud voice or shouting is considered aggressive.


5. Public display of affection and kissing are considered immodest and offending behaviour.


6. Ask permission before taking pictures of people, we will be happy to grant it.


7. Do not buy antiques or ancient jewellery from local families: you would rob them of their heritage and history.


8. Do not give money if money is not asked.


9. Do not give to children, this would encourage begging. Prefer presents to parents or elders and thank them for their hospitality.


10. The best way to thank us is to buy recently made handicrafts: although cheap for you they represent a lot of money for us.


11. Always offer to pay if a villager provides a meal or accommodation. - Always announce yourself before entering a house or a property, we will be happy to let you in.
    Do not encourage prostitution.

We thank you in anticipation and wish you a most pleasant stay!

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