Vietnam Adventure Tours VBA redesigned and changed its site to orange. No green any more. This is among the best cycling tours operator service in Saigon now.
Good luck Van the Man, founder of Vietnam Backroads.
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat Cambodia
Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat Cambodia Tour:
HIGHLIGHTS
* Cuchi tunels and Saigon
* Boat trip on the mighty Mekong
* Cai Rang floating market
* Boat trip to Phnom Penh
* Royal Palace
* Angkor Wat Cambodia
HIGHLIGHTS
* Cuchi tunels and Saigon
* Boat trip on the mighty Mekong
* Cai Rang floating market
* Boat trip to Phnom Penh
* Royal Palace
* Angkor Wat Cambodia
Code Admk 16 | Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat Cambodia |
DURATION: | 9 days / 8 nights |
ROUTE: | Saigon -Cuchi- VinhLong-Cantho -ChauDoc -Phnompenh -Siemreap |
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| Day 1: Arrival in Saigon ( D ) Arrival in Saigon. Meet our guide at the airport and transfer to hotel in Saigon. Welcome dinner and tour briefing in the evening. Overnight in Saigon Summary Day 2: City tour & Cu Chi Tunnel ( B, L ) After breakfast in hotel we take a city tour to see the different faces of this bustling city on a full day tour with extensive visits to the Re-Unification Palace, the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Jade Emperor Temple and the Ben Thanh market. Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch we drive to the famous Cu Chi underground tunnel system to experience how the Viet Cong lived and fought during the American War. Back to Saigon in the afternoon. Summary Day 3: Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho ( B, L ) After breakfast we depart for Cai Be . Upon arrival in Cai Be we board a boat for a journey through the town’s floating market. See how river life goes on, trading between merchant ships and local farmers. Cruise through secluded canals and over the Mighty Mekong to island where we stop to enjoy seasonal fruits before our boat takes us to Vinh Long where we get back on the bus for our trip to Can Tho to overnight. Summary Day 4: Can Tho – Chau Doc ( B, L ) An early start for a boat trip to Cai Rang floating markets, one of the most lively and colorful markets in Southeast Asia. After the market we cruise back to town. Breakfast in hotel and visit to centre market of Can Tho. We will try a xe loi, the local colonial-era cab pulled by motorbike, to see the town. Lunch in local restaurant before heading to Chau Doc. Overnight in Chau Doc. Summary Day 5: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh ( B, D) Breakfast in hotel and aboard a speed boat at 8 am. The boat approaches Vinh Xuong border gate where passengers complete entry procedures. Continue to Cambodia cruising on Tone Le Sap River. We would reach Phnom Penh International Port (Sisowath Street) around12.30. Meet and great by our guide and transfer to hotel in Phnom Penh. After check-in we have lunch in local restaurant and take a short city tour of Phnom Penh visiting to the National Museum where we would see the world’s most wondrous collection of Khmer sculture. Continue to Wat Phnom where the Khmers prefer to pray for luck. Back to hotel for overnight. Summary Day 6:Phnompenh - Fly to Siem Riep ( B, L ) Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to Siem Reap Summary Day 7: Exploration of Angkor ( B, L ) Breakfast at the hotel Summary Day 8: Exploration of Angkor wat( B, L ) Breakfast at the hotel Summary Day 9: Departure ( B) Breakfast at the hotel Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Accommodation offering in this trip: ( click to see hotel ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- Full transportation by Car or Bus as tour program indicated. - Entrance fees. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- Airport taxes; Visas; travel insurance; tips; personal expenses, emergency transfers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Monday 8 November 2010
Cost for Cycling tours to Vietnam's Northeast Mountains
Mekong Adventure Tours: This biking tour is to the relatively unexplored northeast region of Vietnam country, near the border with China where, until recently, you needed special permits to visit.
Starting in Hanoi capital, we take the train to Lao Cai province and from there we head east into the province of Ha Giang and you'll be riding through dramatic landscapes and colorful ethnic minorities who are still living as they have for hundreds of years.
It will be as if everyday you are riding through an open air museum – as you cycle by villagers weaving in their homes and blacksmiths forging their tools. We end our tour on a unique island in Halong Bay, so you can take advantage of the sandy beaches.
Price for this tour to Vietnam's Northeast Mountains:
Starting in Hanoi capital, we take the train to Lao Cai province and from there we head east into the province of Ha Giang and you'll be riding through dramatic landscapes and colorful ethnic minorities who are still living as they have for hundreds of years.
It will be as if everyday you are riding through an open air museum – as you cycle by villagers weaving in their homes and blacksmiths forging their tools. We end our tour on a unique island in Halong Bay, so you can take advantage of the sandy beaches.
Price for this tour to Vietnam's Northeast Mountains:
| Tour Cost | US$1,995 | Single Supplement | US$325 |
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| Bike Hire | US$150 | Total Cycling Distance | Up to 660 kilometres |
| Tour Grade |  out of 5 | Number of Days | 14 days / 13 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | 8 full days | Tour Meets | Hanoi |
| Tour Ends | Hanoi | Group Size | Minimum 2. Maximum 16. |
Sunday 24 October 2010
Video clip a/b biking trips in Vietnam by Van The Man
It's the raining season here in Vietnam. Van The Man of Vietnam Backroads is busy with his adventure partners (lets say partner, i don't want to say clients or tourists). Small group of adventure guys take the bikes around the South.
More at Vietnam Cycling tours
More at Vietnam Cycling tours
Saturday 2 October 2010
Ha Noi celebrates 1,000 years
HA NOI — National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong lit a flame to the sound of traditional drums and gongs to officially begin the 10-day celebration of Thang Long-Ha Noi's 1,000th anniversary yesterday morning.
Party, State and Ha Noi municipal dignitaries then burned incense before the Statue of King Ly Thai To who transferred the capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Dai La - now Ha Noi.
The ceremony at the Ly Thai To Flower Garden, across from Hoan Kiem Lake, drew 1,000 guests, including senior Party, State and HaØ Noi officials as well as foreign diplomats.
Elsewhere, thousands flooded into city precincts filled with flags, flowers, music and multi-coloured lanterns.
Others watched the opening ceremony on giant screens installed throughout the city or on television.
Ha Noi Party Committee Secretary Pham Quang Nghi emphasised that the historical transfer had been an extraordinary step for the nation that had reaffirmed the will to build national independence and unification and ushered in a new era for the Dai Viet (Great Viet Nam).
"At this solemn moment, Vietnamese citizens from all corners express respect for and gratitude to the immense contribution of our predecessors to national defence and construction," he said.
"Thang Long – Ha Noi is where the minds and hearts of talented and creative peple together with the golden hands of working people have converged to construct the capital."
Doi moi (renewal) had highlighted Ha Noi's role as nation's capital, said Nghi as he described the city's achievements of the past two years.
"Ha Noi is determined to fulfill the tasks of socio-economic development" and better serve its residents, he said.
Honour
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) general director Irina Bokova presented Ha Noi with a certificate recognising the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a World Cultural Heritage site at the opening.
Viet Nam's lively memories of the capital transfer 1,000 years ago, which "few countries could match," was to be admired, she said.
But the general director, who dressed a traditional ao dai, cautioned that although UNESCO's recognition was an honour, it would require new commitment to their city from its residents.
"You carry the responsibility to promote and preserve the heritage for the future generations," she said.
The grand ceremony indicated the profound respect the Vietnamese people had for their predecessors and the mass attendance showed their strong link to their splendid past.
The ceremony ended with the release of 1,000 pigeons as a symbol of peace.
Phong Dieu (Bird Release) Club member Do Van Vuc of Soc Son District said: "The release of the 1,000 pigeons represents our memory of King Ly Cong Uan - the birth name of Ly Thai To.
"It was a great honour to contribute pigeons and take part in the ceremony. I have never attended such a great event."
The opening ceremony was followed with performances from thousands of artists on five grand stages around Hoan Kiem Lake.
In high spirits
Joy, emotion and pride were vivid on the faces of many people who attended the ceremony and other events.
Ninety-year-old former Agriculture Minister Tran Van Quywas among them.
"All the memories of old time Ha Noi seem to be reviving," he said after attending the opening ceremony.
"I'm proud that Ha Noi is a city of peace and preserves its typical features. I hope the city will grow stronger and maintain its solidarity."
Born and raised in Ha Noi, Hoang Thi Phuc, 81, arrived for the opening ceremony with two sisters and one brother one hour before it began.
"I'm weak now and can't walk by myself," she said. "But I wanted to come here to witness these splendid moments for the city," explained the elderly woman whose family served with the army.
"It's so emotional.
"In our era, the nation was under-developed but now it becomes more and more beautiful each day."
Phuc's younger sister, Hoang Thi Hong Van, who returned from the US for the anniversary, shared the emotion.
"The organisation of events is excellent," she said.
"I'm happy to come and live in the excitement of the festival. I'm happy to see the growth of the nation," said Van, who left Ha Noi 31 years ago.
A delegation of 190 overseas Vietnamese from 34 countries and territories also returned for the anniversary.
They represented more than 4 million Vietnamese living throughout the world.
Vietnamese were not alone in enjoying the day.
"I feel so good and so proud to be here in Viet Nam at this moment," said Nigerian Akau Ntekpere.
"Ha Noi is very rich in culture and has a long history."
Israeli amateur photographer and tourist Orna Kalgrad said she had n1ever seen so many people on the streets.
"The people are so excited. Although I'm interested in photographing people, I'd love to look at the other activities."
Four Belgian tourists wearing head bands reading "Thang Long - Ha Noi" said it was pleasant for them to join the celebrations just some hours after they arrived in the city. — VNS
This holidays, go Cycling from South to Hanoi is a good idea! Check more Vietnam Adventure tours & our Mekong adventure tours now!
Thursday 26 August 2010
Cycling Vietnam tours, check VietnamBackroads
Vietnam Backroads is a well established local firm, which organizes unique cycling adventure tours by bike and motorcycle in Indochina and beyond. Join us as we travel around one of the world's great destinations; benefiting from spectacular scenery, fascinating ancient and modern history, an all year warm climate and extraordinarily friendly people. Trips are individually tailored for small groups and allow you and your friends or family to take in some of the most stunning regions of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos such as the Angkor Complex, Mekong Delta, Halong Bay, Hoian, Dalat and Vietnam’s stunning beach resorts. The truly magical thing about a trip by bike is that you will be transported from the bustling cities into the traditional rural areas, where you will be welcomed (literally into the homes of) the wonderful local people. Bicycle trips will be on our modern Trek & Giant Mountain Bikes, which can be adapted for all on and off-road conditions. All have lightweight aluminium frames with strong shock absorbers to provide maximum comfort. We welcome all ages from 8 years upwards.
Also don't forget to check our Mekong adventure tours!
Also don't forget to check our Mekong adventure tours!
Monday 2 August 2010
Vietnam Bike Tours
Biking has to be the ultimate way to explore all of destinations. There is no better way to get close to people in the countryside or to take in the extraordinary sights, sounds and smell of the Indochina and beyond.
Vietnam Bike Tours.com is a recognized leader in arranging biking tours in the region since 2005. Our mountain bikes are top quality lightweight, that can be adapted according to the terrain and they come in all sizes to accommodate everyone, including children.
Our biking guides are a very special bunch. Not only are they great guides but also great biking enthusiasts equally knowledgeable in bike maintenance as they are in the culture, history and geography of the country.
All our bike trips are fully supported with air-conditioned back-up buses offering relief from the heat and tired leg muscles as well as carrying first aid, drinks, spares and tools.
For serious mountain bikers, easy-going family tours or charity challenge events in Indochina & beyond vietnambiketours.com is the expert.Check out our Vietnam Adventure Tours Service!
By Mekong adventure tours
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Mekong - The river of nine Dragons
The Mekong River is one of the world's great rivers and its delta is one of the world's largest. The Mekong originates high in the Tibetan plateau, flowing 4500km through China, between Myanmar and Laos, through Laos, along the Laos-Thailand border, and through Cambodia and Vietnam on its way to the South China Sea. At Phnom Penh (Cambodia), the Mekong River splits into two main branches: the Hau Giang (Lower River, also called the Bassac River), which flows via Chau Doc, Long Xuyen and Can Tho to the sea; and the Tien Giang (Upper River), which splits into several branches at Vinh Long and empties into the sea at five points. The numerous branches of the river explain the Vietnamese name for the Mekong: Song Cuu Long (River of Nine Dragons).
The Mekong's flow begins to rise around the end of May and reaches its highest point in September; it ranges from 1900 to 38,000 cubic metres per second depending on the season. A tributary of the river that empties into the Mekong at Phnom Penh drains Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake. When the Mekong is at flood stage, this tributary reverses its flow and drains into Tonle Sap, thereby somewhat reducing the danger of serious flooding in the Mekong Delta. Unfortunately, deforestation in Cambodia is disturbing this delicate balancing act, resulting in more flooding in Vietnam's portion of the Mekong River basin.
In recent years seasonal flooding has claimed the lives of hundreds and forced tens of thousands of the region's residents to evacuate from their homes. In some areas, inhabitants are not able to return to their homes until the waters fully recede several months later. Floods cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and have a catastrophic effect on regional rice and coffee crops.
Living on a flood plain presents some technical challenges. Lacking any high ground to escape flooding, many delta residents build their houses on bamboo stilts to avoid the rising waters. Many roads are submerqed or turn to muck during floods; all-weather roads have to be built on raised embankments, but this is expensive. The traditional solution has been to build canals and travel by boat. There are thousands of canals in the Mekong Delta - keeping them properly dredged and navigable is a constant but essential chore.
A further challenge is keeping the canals clean. The normal practice of dumping all garbage and sewage directly into the waterways behind the houses that line them is taking its toll. Many of the more populated areas in the Mekong Delta are showing signs of unpleasant waste build up. One can only hope the government will take stronger measures to curb this pollution.
Mekong adventure tours
The Mekong's flow begins to rise around the end of May and reaches its highest point in September; it ranges from 1900 to 38,000 cubic metres per second depending on the season. A tributary of the river that empties into the Mekong at Phnom Penh drains Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake. When the Mekong is at flood stage, this tributary reverses its flow and drains into Tonle Sap, thereby somewhat reducing the danger of serious flooding in the Mekong Delta. Unfortunately, deforestation in Cambodia is disturbing this delicate balancing act, resulting in more flooding in Vietnam's portion of the Mekong River basin.
In recent years seasonal flooding has claimed the lives of hundreds and forced tens of thousands of the region's residents to evacuate from their homes. In some areas, inhabitants are not able to return to their homes until the waters fully recede several months later. Floods cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and have a catastrophic effect on regional rice and coffee crops.
Living on a flood plain presents some technical challenges. Lacking any high ground to escape flooding, many delta residents build their houses on bamboo stilts to avoid the rising waters. Many roads are submerqed or turn to muck during floods; all-weather roads have to be built on raised embankments, but this is expensive. The traditional solution has been to build canals and travel by boat. There are thousands of canals in the Mekong Delta - keeping them properly dredged and navigable is a constant but essential chore.
A further challenge is keeping the canals clean. The normal practice of dumping all garbage and sewage directly into the waterways behind the houses that line them is taking its toll. Many of the more populated areas in the Mekong Delta are showing signs of unpleasant waste build up. One can only hope the government will take stronger measures to curb this pollution.
Mekong adventure tours
Thursday 8 July 2010
Vietnam backroads adventure
Vietnam Backroads is a well established local firm, which organizes unique adventure trips by bike and motorcycle in Indochina and beyond. Join us as we travel around one of the world's great destinations; benefiting from spectacular scenery, fascinating ancient and modern history, an all year warm climate and extraordinarily friendly people.
Trips are individually tailored for small groups and allow you and your friends or family to take in some of the most stunning regions of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos such as the Mekong Delta, Halong Bay, Hoian, Dalat and Vietnam’s stunning beach resorts. The truly magical thing about a trip by bike is that you will be transported from the bustling cities into the traditional rural areas, where you will be welcomed (literally into the homes of) the wonderful local people
Bicycle trips will be on our modern Trek & Giant Mountain Bikes, which can be adapted for all on and off-road conditions. All have lightweight aluminium frames with strong shock absorbers to provide maximum comfort. We welcome all ages from 7 years upwards.
More on Vietnam adventure tours!
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Indochina & Mekong History
Archeology covering this period has revealed the existence of a seaport at Oc-Eo on the edge of the Mekong Delta that has links with China and Mediterranean world. Chinese records speak of Fu-Nam, a state established in the Mekong region. Modern scholarship judges Fu-Nam have been a collection of petty state rather than a simple polity. Chinese records no longer speak of Fu-Nam but of Chenla, a state in two parts, one around territory of modern Cambodia, the other possibly centre on Wat Phu in southern Laos. Period of great Cambodian empire based at Angkor. Three centuries later Marco Polo presumed to have crossed the Mekong in western Yunnan when traveling out of China on his way to Bengal. Chinese envoy Chou Ta-kuan visits Angkor and writes a detailed description of the city and its inhabitants. The Cambodian leaves Angkor henceforth the Cambodian capital is located near the side of Phnom Penh today. The Portuguese capture the Malacca and shortly afterward references to the Mekong appear in their records.
The firs recorded visit to Cambodia by a European, the Portuguese priest, Father Da Cruz. He leaves in 1557. The publication of first map showing the Mekong running through Cambodia, Portuguese and Spanish missionaries return to Cambodia led by Blas Ruiz and Diego Veloso. They play an active role in Cambodia’s royal politics. French begins it invasion of Vietnam in 1858, capturing Saigon in 1861. Henri Mouhot visits Angkor and dies near Luang Prabang in 1861. France established a protectorate over Cambodia in 1863. The French Mekong Expedition explores the river from Vietnam to Yunan, China. The French construct a railway across Khone Fall and launch gunboat on the Fall’s northern upper river.
France extends control over Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as French Indochina. Europeans power recognizes China’s sovereignty over Sip Song Panna (Xishuangbanna) region in the far south of Yunnan province. French left Indochina in 1954.
By Mekong adventure tours
The firs recorded visit to Cambodia by a European, the Portuguese priest, Father Da Cruz. He leaves in 1557. The publication of first map showing the Mekong running through Cambodia, Portuguese and Spanish missionaries return to Cambodia led by Blas Ruiz and Diego Veloso. They play an active role in Cambodia’s royal politics. French begins it invasion of Vietnam in 1858, capturing Saigon in 1861. Henri Mouhot visits Angkor and dies near Luang Prabang in 1861. France established a protectorate over Cambodia in 1863. The French Mekong Expedition explores the river from Vietnam to Yunan, China. The French construct a railway across Khone Fall and launch gunboat on the Fall’s northern upper river.
France extends control over Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as French Indochina. Europeans power recognizes China’s sovereignty over Sip Song Panna (Xishuangbanna) region in the far south of Yunnan province. French left Indochina in 1954.
By Mekong adventure tours
Monday 14 June 2010
Greetings from Mekong!
Hello there,
We're from Vietnam, a country enjoying the great of the Mekong Delta River.
We're going to update this blog soon!!!
Thank you
Mekong adventure tours
We're from Vietnam, a country enjoying the great of the Mekong Delta River.
We're going to update this blog soon!!!
Thank you
Mekong adventure tours
Thursday 6 May 2010
Welcome to Mekong Adventure Tours
We're updating the website to provide you foreigners useful information on Vietnam Adventure Tours.
Adventure Tours include Kayaking, Trekking, Cycling, Motorcycling, and Climbing...
Just wait. We'll be back soon!
Mekong adventure tours
Adventure Tours include Kayaking, Trekking, Cycling, Motorcycling, and Climbing...
Just wait. We'll be back soon!
Mekong adventure tours
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