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Okinawa - Japan

In the past known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent state until the Meiji Era in the late 19th century, the islands that make up Japan’s current Okinawa Prefecture are the result of a turbulent history which continues to this day. A unique cultural hybrid, Okinawa is also a tropical paradise of beaches and jungles, now easier than ever to access from mainland Japan.

Long a tributary of China, the design and cuisine of Okinawa combine Chinese and Japanese influences, and while its use is dwindling, the Okinawan language is in fact its own separate language, rather than just a dialect of Japanese. In more recent history, Okinawa suffered horrible losses in World War II, and one can learn about the dark legacy of the Battle of Okinawa through a number of monuments and historical sites. After the war, Okinawa was under the control of the American government until 1972, at which time it was returned to the administration of Japan, but to this day many Americans especially know Okinawa for its many American military bases.

However, Okinawa’s attraction as a superb tourist destination is still underappreciated both. To broadly sum up what Okinawa has to offer, one can expect to enjoy:

Beautiful nature and perfect beaches. Whether you’re looking for an expedition into the jungle, a place to laze on the beach before, during or after the rest of your Japan trip, or appreciation of unique vegetation and geological formations, Okinawa is worth a trip.

Also worth mentioning, although Japan’s treasured Sakura blossoms typically bloom from March and April on the mainland, in Okinawa winter travelers can enjoy the blossoms months earlier than in the rest of the country, in January and February.

In Okinawa the vestiges of many eras and influences mingle, allowing visitors to experience a still evolving history. Palaces, temples, shrines and villages of the Ryukyu kingdom still linger and are open for exploration. Okinawa is also the birthplace of karate, and a pilgrimage to the source is a must for fans and practitioners of the art. Those with an interest in war history also can learn about the violent battles that took place on the island, and their shadow that extends to the present day.

What To Eat Okinawan cuisine, said by some to be the world’s healthiest, is also not to be missed, with a number of specialties such as Goya Chanpuru, Okinawa Soba, Kokuto, and the local alcohol, Awamori.

Malta

Malta, island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea. A small but strategically important group of islands, the archipelago has through its long and turbulent history played a vital role in the struggles of a succession of powers for domination of the Mediterranean and in the interplay between emerging Europe and the older cultures of Africa and the Middle East. As a result, Maltese society has been molded by centuries of foreign rule by various powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and British.

The island of Malta specifically played a vital strategic role in World War II as a base for the Allied Powers. It was heavily bombarded by German and Italian aircraft, and by the end of the war Malta was devastated. In 1942 the island of Malta was presented with the George Cross, a British award for great gallantry, in recognition of the wartime bravery of the Maltese people. After the war, the movement for self-governance became stronger. The country of Malta became independent from Britain and joined the Commonwealth in 1964 and was declared a republic on December 13, 1974. It was admitted to the European Union (EU) in 2004. A European atmosphere predominates in Malta as a result of close association with the Continent, particularly with southern Europe. The Maltese are renowned for their warmth, hospitality, and generosity to strangers, a trait that was noted in the Acts of the Apostles, with respect to the experience of St. Paul, the Apostle, who was said to have been shipwrecked off Malta in 60 CE.

Roman Catholicism is a major influence on Maltese culture. Various traditions have evolved around religious celebrations, notably those honouring the patron saints of towns and villages. The eight-pointed, or Maltese, cross, adopted by the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem in 1126, is commonly linked with Malta’s identity and is printed on the country’s euro coin. Valletta is the capital city.

Land The country comprises five islandsùMalta (the largest), Gozo, Comino, and the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filflaùlying some 58 miles (93 km) south of Sicily, 180 miles (290 km) north of Libya, and about 180 miles (290 km) east of Tunisia, at the eastern end of the constricted portion of the Mediterranean Sea separating Italy from the African coast.

Relief The islands of Malta are dominated by limestone formations, and much of their coastlines consist of steep or vertical limestone cliffs indented by bays, inlets, and coves. They lie on the submerged Malta-Hyblean Platform, a wide undersea shelf bridge that connects the Ragusa Platform of southern Sicily with the Tripolitana Platform of southern Libya.

The main physical characteristic of the island of Malta is a well-defined escarpment that bisects it along the Victoria Lines Fault running along the whole breadth of the island from Point ir-Raħeb near Fomm ir-Riħ Bay to the coast northeast of Għargħur at Madliena Fort. The highest areas are coralline limestone uplands that constitute a triangular plateau; Ta’ Żuta, which rises to 830 feet (253 metres) in the southwest, is the highest point. The uplands are separated from the surrounding areas by blue clay slopes, while an undercliff area is found where the coralline plateau has fallen and forms a subordinate surface between the sea and the original shore. The total shoreline of Malta is about 136 miles (219 km).

In northern Malta the escarpment is occasionally abrupt and broken by deep embayments. To the south, however, the plateau gradually descends from about 600 to 830 feet (180 to 250 metres) into undulating areas of globigerina (derived from marine protozoa) limestone less than 300 feet (90 metres) in elevation. The western area is characterized by deeply incised valleys and undercliff areas, while to the east there are several valley systems that descend to the central plains.

The west coast of Malta presents a high, bold, and generally harbourless face. On the east, however, a tongue of high ground known as Mount Sceberras, on which the capital city, Valletta, is built, separates Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour. Because of tectonic activity, Malta has been tilted in a northerly direction, producing cliffs of up to about 800 feet (250 metres) high on the south and southwestern coasts, while slopes descend to low cliffs and rocky shores on the northern and eastern coasts.

The landscape of the island of Gozo is characterized by broken upper coralline mesas, with the highest point being Ta’ Dbiegi Hill (636 feet [194 metres]). Gozo has a gentle easterly dip, so the lower coralline limestone, which forms high cliffs on the west coast, declines to below sea level but reappears on the east coast at Qala Point. Semicircular bays have formed on coastal cliffs where sinkholes have been invaded by the sea. The rounded bays at Xlendi and Dwejra on the west coast of Gozo originated as underground caverns with roofs that have collapsed.

Drainage The island of Malta possesses favourable conditions for the percolation and underground storage of water. The impermeable blue clays provide two distinct water tables between the limestone formationsùthe perched and the mean sea-level aquifer. The principal source for the public supply of water has for several centuries been the main sea-level water table. The absence of permanent streams or lakes and a considerable runoff into the sea, however, have made water supply a problem, which has been addressed with an intensive reverse-osmosis desalination program. About half of Malta’s daily water needs are supplied by desalination plants throughout the islands.

Soils Mainly young or immature and thin, Maltese soils generally lack humus, and a high carbonate content gives them alkaline properties. Human settlement and construction developments have altered the distribution and composition of soils. The Fertile Soil (Preservation) Act of 1973 requires that, when soils are removed from construction sites, they be taken to agricultural areas, and level stretches in quarries are often covered with carted soil.

Climate The climate of Malta is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers, warm and sporadically wet autumns, and short, cool winters with adequate rainfall. More than three-fourths of the total annual rainfall of about 22 inches (550 mm) falls between October and March; June, July, and August are normally quite dry.

The temperature is very stable, with the annual mean in the mid-60s F (about 19 °C) and monthly averages ranging from the mid-50s F (about 12 °C) to the mid-80s F (about 29 °C). Winds can be strong and frequent; the most prevalent are the cool northwesterly (the majjistral), the dry northeasterly (the grigal), and the hot and humid southeasterly (the xlokk, or sirocco). The relative humidity rarely falls below 40 percent.

Plant and animal life Malta’s flora and fauna are typical of the low-lying coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Excessive exploitation of the forests for timber and the clearance of land for construction and agriculture have destroyed much of Malta’s woodlands, though a few stands of holm oak remain. Aleppo pine has been successfully reintroduced. Maquis, a scrubby underbrush, is found along valleys and below escarpments and consists of lentisk, carob, olive, bay laurel, and in some places the sandarac gum tree (Malta’s national tree). Garigue, a low-growing Mediterranean scrub, is the most common vegetation in Malta and covers much of the country’s limestone plateau. The steppe in Malta is dominated by various grasses, thistles, and leguminous and bulbous plants. Reed beds occur wherever there is abundant freshwater, and club mosses, sedges and grasses are found in wetlands. Glassworts, rushes, and seablites are native to the salt marshlands. Sand couch, sea kale, and sea daffodils are found on Malta’s few remaining coastal dunes, while golden samphire, rock samphire, and sea lavenders (several of which are endemic) are characteristic of low-lying rocky coasts. Cliffs and coastal screes support many of Malta’s native species, which include monotypic genera such as the Maltese cliff-orache (Cremnophyton lanfrancoi) and the Maltese rock-centaury (Palaeocyanus crassifolius), the latter of which is the national plant.

The native mammals in Malta include a subspecies of the Sicilian shrew and several types of bats. Most of the country’s other mammals, including the Algerian hedgehog, Mediterranean chameleon, Etruscan shrew, rabbit, and weasel, have been introduced. Native reptiles include the Maltese wall lizard, the ocellated skink, the Moorish and the Turkish gecko, the western whip snake, and the leopard snake. The only amphibian in Malta is the painted frog, a species endemic to Sicily and Malta. Invertebrates, including insects, arachnids, and snails, are abundant.

Although there are relatively few breeding birds, migrating species are plentiful. Sea birds include the storm petrel and the Mediterranean and Cory’s shearwaters. Among the most notable birds are the Spanish sparrow, which is the most common bird in Malta, and the blue rock thrush, Malta’s national bird.

People Ethnic groups Malta’s population is composed almost entirely of ethnic Maltese, the descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians as well as of Italians and other Mediterranean peoples. Attempts to form a unifying and homogenizing Maltese ethnicity can be traced back to the late 13th century; these efforts were consolidated in the nationalistic discourses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Aside from the Maltese population, there are small communities of British nationals, Sindhis, Palestinians, and Greeks on the islands. Since the 1990s, influxes of more transient but no less significant groups have arrived from North Africa and the Balkans and, in the early 2000s, from countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Language Maltese and English are the official languages of Malta as well as official languages of the EU. Maltese resulted from the fusion of North African Arabic and a Sicilian dialect of Italian. It is the only Semitic language officially written in Latin script. English is a medium of instruction in schools. Italian was the language of church and government until 1934 and is still understood by a sizable portion of the population.

Religion Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Malta, but there is full freedom of religious belief. More than nine-tenths of Maltese are Roman Catholic; however, only about three-fifths of these practice their faith. The islands are an independent province of the church, with an archdiocese in Malta and a diocese in Gozo. Very small numbers of Maltese are adherents of other Christian denominations or of Islam. There are Roman Catholic cathedrals at Mdina and Valletta, an Anglican cathedral at Valletta, and a mosque at Corradino Heights.

Settlement patterns During the 16th and 17th centuries, under the rule of the Knights of Malta (Hospitallers), the country evolved as a maritime power, and, by the late 17th century, Valletta and other towns were thriving maritime centres. By the mid-19th century the Maltese lived mainly in the relative seclusion of clustered villages and hamlets; the fragmentation of farm holdings accentuated the individuality of the farming community. The zuntier, a parvis forming part of the church square, was the traditional focus of village life.

During the British occupation of Malta (1800û1964), the growth of the dockyard complex resulted in the ongoing development of new settlements around Grand Harbour. In the 20th century the Sliema region, just north of Marsamextt Harbour, became the most fashionable part of Malta and by the early 21st century had become a commercial and tourist centre. Following the country’s independence in 1964, the advent of industrial estates located near major villages somewhat increased urbanization, but higher living standards have given rise to residential developments all over Malta island; its central areas are now densely populated. Overbuilding has been a cause for serious concern, spawning legislation meant to protect the environment. More that 95 percent of Malta’s population is concentrated in urban areas.

The essentially rural character of Gozo’s many hilltop settlements has been largely preserved in the new housing that has rapidly increased there since the 1990s. Victoria, in the south-central part of the island, is the administrative and commercial centre of Gozo. More rural still is Comino, which is mostly inhabited by tourists.

Demographic trends Malta has one of the highest population densities in the world, though the increase in the country’s population has somewhat leveled off since the mid-20th century, with a considerable decline in the birth rate. At the same time, the death rate has remained fairly stable, having fallen only slightly, while the infant mortality rate has dropped significantly.

Following World War II, mass emigration was encouraged and even financed by the government because of high unemployment on the islands. From 1945 until the mid-1970s about 150,000 people left Malta and Gozo and settled in other English-speaking countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia). By the 1990s, however, emigration had tapered off, and many Maltese expatriates began returning to their homeland.

Economy Until the mid-1960s the Maltese economy depended heavily on the British military presence in Malta. In the 1950s Britain began to withdraw its armed forces, which necessitated a drastic diversification of the economy. A series of development plans after 1959 were supported by government grants, loans, and other fiscal incentives to encourage private investment. Import and capital controls, which were extensive until the second half of the 1980s, were progressively dismantled during the 1990s, moving Malta toward a more market-driven economy as the Maltese government pursued a policy of gradual privatization beginning in 1999. Capital controls were fully lifted only when Malta was acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2004. The Maltese economy faces major constraints because of its small domestic market, and it depends on other countries for many imported goods.

Agriculture and fishing Agricultural development is hampered by land fragmentation (that is, plots of land resulting from decollectivization that are too small or too irregularly configured to be farmed efficiently), shallow soils, and lack of adequate water supplies. Most farming is carried out on small terraced strips of land that preclude the introduction of large-scale mechanization. As a result of the growth of urbanization, the agricultural labour force has become increasingly older, and more farming is done on a part-time basis; nevertheless, production has risen gradually because of improved techniques in the cultivation of some crops, especially horticultural ones. The major crops are potatoes, tomatoes, and fruit (especially citrus and drupes). Since the late 1990s there has been a substantial increase in grapevine and olive production. Malta is generally self-sufficient in food production, but beef is mostly imported. Upon the country’s accession into the EU, Malta’s agricultural sector became competitive.

Fishing is seasonal and, to a large extent, undertaken on an artisanal basis. The common dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippuras) and the bluefin tuna (Thunnus), however, are caught for export. Aquaculture, introduced in Malta in the late 1980s, has surpassed fishing as a source of income. The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) are grown in floating sea cages, and the bluefin tuna from the sea are fattened on farms for four to six months before export. After Malta joined the EU, Maltese fishermen benefited from funding programs, particularly to promote the export of tuna.

Resources and power Malta is poorly endowed with natural resources, and its only exploited mineral resource is limestone, which is quarried and used for construction. Offshore oil exploration has been under way since the mid-1990s, but no significant oil reserves have been discovered. Fossils fuels are imported and supply all of Malta’s energy. There are thermal power stations on both Malta and Gozo.

Manufacturing Industrial development began in earnest in the second half of the 1960s, and by the early 21st century the manufacturing sector was contributing about one-fifth of gross domestic product (GDP). Since the 1980s the manufacture of computer parts, instruments, and electronics, as well as of a large variety of consumer products (toys, cosmetics, detergents, and foodstuffs), has been important. In the early 2000s, light manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and automotive and airplane parts, along with software) replaced much of the low-cost labour-intensive production that had earlier played a more important role in Maltese manufacturing. Pharmaceutical production in particular has grown rapidly as a result of the patent law advantages that Malta gained upon EU membership.

Shipbuilding and repair have been the foundation of Malta’s economy since the Knights of Malta (Hospitallers) transferred Malta’s administrative centre from the medieval inland location of Mdina to present-day Valletta in the Grand Harbour area in 1570. Since the mid-20th century, however, the shipbuilding industry has consistently operated at a loss and had been dependent upon government subsidies. Efforts aimed at engendering financial sustainability during the late 20th century were not successful. Upon EU accession, such subsidies were no longer permissible, and the Maltese government has taken steps to reduce and privatize the industry.

PUNTA CANA - Dominican Republic

Blessed with one of the Caribbean region’s longest white sand coastlinesûa whopping 48 kilometers (30 miles), punctuated with sky-reaching coconut palmsûPunta Cana is the land of rest and relaxation by the sea. Here, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, from the northern tip at Uvero Alto to the southern at Cap Cana, all-inclusive resorts and boutique hideaways offer all the whims and comforts of modern beachfront living. Families enjoy miniature entertainment centers and water parks for children, while couples-only enclaves boast dream wedding locations, with secluded beachside lodging for an ultra-romantic stay. But it’s not only about fun in the sun, soft sand brushing against your toes, and iridescent, clear water to swim in, go fishing, or dive for underwater life and shipwrecks. Punta Cana is also a golfer’s destination, with 10 courses located all along the strip, a seaside escape with luxurious marinas and fine dining, and a wellness corner home to the country’s top spas, including the only Six Senses in the Caribbean.

Wherever you settle on this brilliant white Punta Cana coastlineûcounting 11 Blue Flag certified beaches in its inventoryûgo beach hopping to enjoy its full splendor. From scenic surf-hub Macao and Bávaro’s hipster beaches Corales and Cortecitoûlined with shops, water sports, and beachfront barsûto secluded Juanillo, among others.

Spend a day away from the sand and you’ll find a myriad of inland adventures. Cool off in fresh water azure cenotes and lagoons tucked inside forests at Ojos IndØgenas and Scape Park, where the family’s tweens can also enjoy ziplines and caving expeditions. Explore the lush Dominican countryside on an off-road safari, tumbling past roadside meat shops, and sugar cane plantations. Along the way, visit the country’s top pilgrimage site at the BasØlica Nuestra Se±ora de la Altagracia, and feel the DR’s deep spiritual roots.

If daytime activities are abundant, nights are no less vibrant. The young at heart can dance the evening away until their feet tire at the DR’s modern nightclubs, while classy evenings under the stars await at marinas and seaside lounges, with cocktails, bites, and hand-rolled cigars.

Punta Cana is the quintessential water, sun, and sand escape.

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the most-connected airport in the Caribbean and Central America, receiving flights from 26 countries and up to two million passengers a year. Since 2017, the area is also a cruise ship destination thanks to Marina Cap Cana, which now welcomes small luxury cruise ships. By land, the Oscar de la Renta highway, also known as Autopista del Coral, puts visitors less than an hour away from La Romana’s beaches and multiple attractions, and just two and a half hours from Santo Domingo and its Colonial City.

Con Dao Islands

Con Dao Islands, also known as Con Dao National park, are an archipelago of 16 mostly uninhabited islets just off the southern coast of Vietnam, each of which offering expansive beaches shaded with evergreen trees. Great for savvy travellers looking to escape bustling city life, the main island also boasts miles of coastal roads, hiking trails and a wide range of outdoor activities. The main (and only inhabited) island, Con Son was once the site of French-run prisons for Vietnamese involved in the independence movement. Most of the derelict prisons are located in Con Son Town, where you can visit the prison cells, and infamous tiger cages. Many locals visit Con Son to pay their respects to revolutionaries such as Vo Thi Sau, the first women on the island to have been executed by the French.

Aside from this rather bleak part of Con Son, the island has plenty of unspoilt beaches where you can enjoy a day of sunbathing, swimming, and dining on fresh seafood. Closest to the town is Bai An Hai Beach, which connects Ben Dam Harbour to several beachfront resorts and fishing villages. If you prefer privacy, rent a motorbike and make your way south towards Mui Ca Map (Shark Cape) and Nhat Beach to enjoy fine white sands and breathtaking views of the ocean. Island-hopping and diving are popular activities on Con Dao Islands, where you can explore most of the uninhabited islets and spot various wildlife such as stingrays, barracudas, moray eels, and dugongs. Due to its status as a national park, you need to arrange your trip with Con Dao National Park Headquarters (29 Vo Thi Sau, Con Dao District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province). Hon Bay Canh Island is renowned for its turtle breeding grounds, so if you’re visiting between June and September, you may even get a chance to watch turtles laying their eggs.

Best Time to Go The best time to visit Con Dao Islands is during the dry season (November to February), but if you’re looking to see turtles nesting on Hon Bay Canh Island, visit between June and September. February till July is ideal for diving excursions as the waters around Con Dao have visibility averaging between 20 and 30 metres.

How to Get to Con Dao Islands Con Dao Islands, particularly Con Son, are accessible within an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Airline’s VASCO is the only airline with regular flights to the island, with roundtrip tickets priced around USD210 for adults, USD160 for children age 2 to 11, and USD25 for children below 2 years old. Con Dao Aiport is 15 kilometres south of Con Son Town, with the majority of luxury resorts and hotels offer roundtrip shuttles to guests. Some drivers charge about VND 50,000 to non-guests, making it a cost-effective way of getting to your destination.

On the geographical map of Vietnam, Con Dao is an archipelago of Ba Ria û Vung Tau Province and is located about 230 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Con Dao has an area of up to 76 km square and consist of 16 islands in total.

During the time the country was still amidst war, Con Dao was emblematic of how people described their anxiety and fear. Even after the war ended, in the minds of the Vietnamese, Con Dao is still a hell of death where no one imagines that any lives could possibly exist. But then time passed by. Existing in the middle of the endless blue ocean above all hassle and grief, Con Dao is changing faster and more significantly than ever before. Apparently, mother nature gave a very sweet compensation to this scary land and turned it into a charming paradise enchanting numerous wanderers around the world. Only by coming here, you can understand why Con Dao has longtime been praised as ôOne of the ten most charming and mysterious islands on the planet.÷

Small Island but Many Magnificent Beaches If you are usually enchanted by long sandy beaches with clear blue water, visiting Con Dao is definitely a good option for you. Just wander around the island and you will find many accessible beaches and each with a unique and wild beauty that is unlike any others.

Bai Dam Trau Possessing an untouched nature with light waves, blue water, white sand, and colorful coral reefs, Dam Trau is one of the most gorgeous beaches that visitors should not miss out on when traveling to the island. Not only can tourists enjoy comfortable moments of swimming and sunbathing but you can also get to know a little bit of its history and culture.

Bai Suoi Nong Bai Suoi Nong is located near Dam Trau. To get there, tourists are required to go through a road tunneled by forest. Thanks to this geographic separation, the beach is nearly unspoiled with white sand and lush mangroves, creating a heaven that anyone coming to this island needs to spend some time exploring.

Bai Lo Voi & Bai An Hai Lo Voi Beach and An Hai Beach are located along Ton Duc Thang Street, offering a great place to play with waves and do some camping. These two beaches are suitable for guests traveling with family and kids since it is easier to reach than others. Lo Voi Beach is famous for its long white sand covered strip of beach shaded by numerous poplars, meanwhile, An Hai beach is surrounded by many majestic mountains. An Hai is also the largest scale beach in the central area of the island.

Bai Dat Doc Known as one of the most attractive beaches of Con Dao, Bai Dat Doc also brings tourists to an unspoiled natural scenery covered with bushy woodland and rocky mountains. Besides, there are some nice hotels and resorts near this beach, so it is quite convenient in case you want to stay over there for a couple of days.

Other than Picturesque Beachesà In addition to captivating beaches, Con Dao is well-known for these following must-visit destinations:

Con Dao Museum The Museum is the repository of many precious items and artifacts collected from the painful time of war. The gallery is divided into four spaces referring to these topics: Con Dao û Country & People; Con Dao û A hell on earth; Con Dao û Battlefield and School and Con Dao today. Also, a special corner is saved to display the images and objects of female heroes of the war, like Vo Thi Sau û the girl who died heroically. By visiting the museum and having a look through some 2000 pieces and antiques displayed here, foreigners can partly see the fearless fighting spirit of the patriotic soldiers during the 113 years of war that Vietnam participated in.

Con Dao Prison Formally put into use in 1982, The Prison is classified as one of the oldest and largest relics in Vietnam built by the French. During its years in operation, this place held the most haunting memories of prisoners being tortured. Now, Con Dao Prison and its tragic history has become a demonstration of how good people will overcome the evil and violent actions of others. This overpowering feeling radiates throughout this entire establishment connecting one receptive soul to another, no matter where they may be. For this reason alone, this place is well worth visiting.

Formally put into use in 1982, The CON DAO Prison is classified as one of the oldest and largest relics in Vietnam built by the French.

Con Dao National Park Established in 1993, Con Dao National Park is the only place in the country where both forest and marine life are conserved. Famous for its wild beauty, the floral system in Con Dao National Park is extremely rich with over 882 species of plants and 150 species of animals. A trip to Con Dao National Park will allow you to experience all kinds of relaxing recreational activities, from sightseeing to fishing, boating, biking, etc.

Ly Son Island

Located off the coast of Quang Ngai province, small Ly Son Island (also known as Cu Lao Re) is a growing holiday spot for Vietnamese tourists yet somehow it has eluded the foreign travellers radar. A ferry from the mainland takes about an hour and Ly Son can be an interesting little getaway for fresh cheap seafood, photo ops and cultural insight.

Standing atop of Ly Son’s highest peak gives visitors a literal and figurative snapshot of why it’s known as garlic island: every inch of useable land grows garlic, shallots and onions, a neat patchwork of greens and beige blanketing the ground, engulfing houses, tombs and any other obstacle. Renowned for its quality and mild taste, Ly Son garlic is grown in tidy rows with a layer of sand on top of the volcanic soil.

We were told this prevents the soil from getting too hot in the daytime and at night, cools it down quickly. Traditionally it’s planted in September and harvested February and March, though irrigation now allows for year round activity. As you ride around you’ll smell the garlicky aroma wafting from the fields. This island is great for foodies, not so much for vampires.

Aside from garlic, the island’s other industry is fishing and tourism, the trifecta coming together at restaurants serving cheap seafood with plenty of sweet garlic and onions. A seafood dinner is delicious fuel for your exploration of the sights. Aside from the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Thoi Loi, there’s a small natural stone archway, many pagodas including one inside a cliff facing the ocean and quaint daily scenes of fishing boats and women planting and harvesting heaps and heaps of garlic.

Unfortunately swimming isn’t that great on the island. Most of the beaches are rocky and lack atmosphere for wanting to linger (ignore any marketing ploy describing Ly Son as the ôMaldives of Vietnam÷, that is beyond absurd). Hang Cau cave, on the northeast shore at the foot of Mount Thoi Loi is an okay spot, but most visitors should reserve beach time for An Binh island, a relatively easy day trip recommended if you’re already on Ly Son.

Quiet, laidback An Binh island is more in line with what foreign travellers are looking for with palm-lined beaches lapped by clear blue waters. But like Ly Son, the tiny island has a monstrous problem: rubbishùit’s everywhere, especially on the coast. There are new bins and signs entreating visitors to use them, however the issue is less to do with tourists. Locals are liberally dumping their trash and the island does not seem to have any waste management system. It’s a shame because the unsightly mess does mean you should think twice about visiting. We hope the community and local government will come together to do something soon.

We’re not convinced Ly Son is worth going out of your way for, but certainly worth considering if you are passing through Quang Ngai, especially if visiting Son My Museum, the site of the My Lai massacreùSa Ky port is not far from it and they are all connected from Quang Ngai by cheap air-con public bus. Two daysùone for exploring Ly Son and another for An Binhùis plenty. Any more than that and you’ll likely become bored. Try to avoid the weekends and public holidays when there’s a mass influx of visitors.

Orientation Like all Vietnam islands, there’s a military presence. Obey signs to not enter restricted areas/take photos, including the very top of Mt Thoi Loi, Gieng Tien crater and lighthouses. It is especially touchy here given Ly Son’s proximity to the disputed Paracel Islands. Do not take photos of government and military buildings. As of late 2016, foreigners except those holding a Chinese or Hong Kong passport were allowed to visit. Check the situation on the ground before trying to head to the island.

Boats arrive to Thon Tay village, on the west coast of the island. The majority of the island’s accommodation and eateries are found around the pier. There’s a surprising number of places to stay, mostly in the form of very basic guesthouses and impersonal hotels that cater to Vietnamese tourists. There is now one upscale hotel in the middle of the island and a couple guesthouses in Thon Dong village, six kilometres away on the east side. A road along the southern coast connects the two villages.

There’s only one ATM on the island. Find Agribank in Thon Tay, the village in the middle of the southern coast. The network includes Visa and Mastercard. It’s best to bring enough cash to last your entire stay in case the ATM is out of service.

The island follows Central Coast Vietnam weather patterns, meaning the best time to go would be around May to September, with the shoulder months being unpredictable.

Don’t count on anyone on the island speaking English. You may have some luck with finding a tourist who can on the boat ride over as it’s increasingly popular for Vietnamese in the big cities to learn English. If you’re desperate for translation help, you can also try the reception at Holiday Hotel.

Best Time to Go Ly Son’s

summer lasts between June and September, offering the best conditions for outdoor activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, and island-hopping. If you’re planning on purchasing quality garlic, harvesting season is from February to March. The island is also very popular during annual festivities such as Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival (19th - 20th day of the 2nd Lunar month) and Tu Linh Boat Racing Festival (4th - 8th day of the 1st Lunar month).

Getting to to Ly Son Getting to Ly Son can be challenging as it requires a few transport methods. From Da Nang, you need to make your way to Quang Ngai, located 150 km southeast of Da Nang Airport. You can take a taxi or bus to the city. The journey takes about three hours. From there, you travel to the main island of Ly Son via ferry from Cang Sa Ky Port, which costs VND 115,000 for a 1« hour-long journey. It departs every two hours, every day, starting from 07:30 until 15:30. If you’re travelling to Ly Son during the weekends, annual holidays and festivities, be sure to buy your ticket early to get a seat. Without a reservation, you can still board the ferry by paying a fee of VND 100,000, but you’ll be standing through the entire journey. Those who opt for speedboat will reach the island within an hour, depending on the weather.

Getting Around in Ly Son When you arrive in Ly Son, there are plenty of metered taxis waiting nearby the port that can take you to your hotel. Base fares are priced at VND 17,000, plus VND 25,000 per kilometre, but the island is relatively small so chances are you won’t be spending more than VND 200,000 for a one-way trip. The best way of getting around in Ly Son is by motorcycle. The island is relatively small, and there are plenty of rental shops in the main town that offer daily rates starting from VND 85,000.

Enjoy The Peaceful Atmosphere Of The Co To Island

One of the most popular destinations during every Quang Ninh tour is Co To Island . While you can certainly travel there by yourself, the only way to access this island, which is only a part of a large archipelago located in the Gulf of Tonkin, is by boat. This is the perfect relaxation place that offers much more beyond swimming to the eager travelers that are willing to spend more time fully exploring the area. Some of the things you can easily enjoy include visiting natural forests, parks and memorial statues. One of the best ways to have a good chance of covering the most of the island as quickly as possible is to rent a motorbike. You won’t necessarily have to rent a vehicle of any sort, even if you are not arriving with a tour group. The most of the main attractions are not that far away from the town center, and they can be arrived to on foot. In some instances, you may need some form of transportation that is going to take you two went from your destination, but you can easily access just about anything all by yourself.

The Van Chai Beach is one of the most popular destination many of the tourists will frequent. A majestic, white sand beach overlooks the clear blue sea, which simply invites you to take a small dip, even if you don’t particularly enjoy swimming. Soon enough, you are going to be taken away by the beauty of the beach, which is perfect for taking a walk, or simply spending time in. Since this is one of the most beautiful sights the Co To island has to offer, you can expect this beach to be crowded for the most of the time, so if you enjoy peace and quiet, you may want to visit the Hong Van beach instead, which has a much calmer atmosphere and certainly more space for you to enjoy.

If you are looking to visit some of the points of interest, the Co To island’s majestic view from the Lighthouse shouldn’t be missed. This is one of the highest points on the island, where you can easily overlook everything from a great height. If you would like to visit a very beautiful location, and you wouldn’t like to move far away from the town center, only a single kilometer away lays the Rock Garden, which is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful places on the main island, which makes it perfect for a visit. Between enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and seeing the lovely sights this peaceful island has to offer, you can take up on a variety of different activities to better fill your time. There are plenty of locations where you can freely fish, and if you are fond of diving, this is one of the most popular activities. Rock climbing is also very popular there, and there are plenty of tours meant to take you through the forests for a thrilling adventure.

10 Reasons To Visit Phu Quy Island

Phu Quy (Phú Quý) is a small island located about 120km away from Phan Thiet (Phan Thiết) City. This island comprises 10 small islands, of which just Phu Quy is inhabited. The district contains 3 communes, 5,466 households with about 27,000 residents, most are fishermen. Seen from the sea, Phu Quy Island looks like a giant whale which is crossing the sea. This island has many knolls, hills, and sand dunes. The majority of administrative offices, schools, stadiums, entertainments, and traffic systems on the island are still new and there are some being built. The island looks a little bit urban but there are no street names and no numbers. The first impression about this island is its unspoiled scenery with almost no touch of professional tours. The island might be far from the mainland, but ATM machines are still available and hospitals with X-ray service. Also, the island has mobile phone coverage, and the internet cafes are easily accessible. There is no public transport in Phu Quy, but renting a motorbike is considered the easiest way to discover the island.

The Chance To Contemplate Beautiful Sunset Views No one had left the island before contemplating the sunset. Maybe, everyone has a reason, a plan to watch the sunset in the sea, but when you visit Phu Quy Island already, though you had no reason or plan to do, you would not be able to take your eyes off the glowing sunset in this place. There are many ideal places to watch sunset on the island such as: Ngu Phung (Ngũ Phụng) embankment side, Trieu Duong Bay (Vịnh Triều Dương)à; however, the most popular and ideal place is the mountain peak of Linh Son (Linh Sơn) Pagoda. It is because from here you will have panoramic views of the scenery, where the sun falls forming a range of orange color from light to dark on the sky, which looks so spectacular.
Friendly And Gentle Residents In reality, there are not many tourist destinations in which people happily welcome you as in Phu Quy Island. You will quickly realize it when entering the territory of this island. Many tourists who have visited Phu Quy island comment that local people here are very kind and enthusiastic, they can bring to you the peace of mind and lots of laughter. Thus, you should not be surprised if being invited to enter the house of locals for a drink and sharing interesting stories on the island.
Beaches Are Uncrowded Phu Quy island has just been known by tourists a few years ago, and because of the difficulty of transportation so the number of tourists are not too much, mainly backpackers. Therefore, the state of crowded at beaches has not been seen in this island. You could delightfully soak yourself in the clean seawater, watch the vast sea and sky and suddenly realize that there is no one around you, so you could freely do whatever you like, be it singing or dancing.
It Is Ideal For Exploring By Motorcycles With an area of around 16,4km², there is no way better to explore the island than being on a motorbike. The price of renting motorcycles on the island is from 100 û 120,000 VND / day, depending on the quality of the bike, you can easily rent the bike right at your hostel, because most hostels on this island all offer this service. Another special highlight is that despite of being a small and pristine island with no the shadow of the traffic police, people here are very observance of traffic laws. When going on the road, you will never see the scene of carrying 3 people on a bike or not wearing a helmet. Even, many babies on the island are also equipped a pretty cute helmet to wear by their parents.
The Chance To Enjoy King Crab With Cheap Price Visiting an island, you cannot miss enjoying seafood there. When it comes to Phu Quy Island, there is no other seafood surpassing this one: King crabs. Unlike other ordinary crabs, this type of crab is tremendous and plump, about 500g-1kg each one. When looking glance, it is like a giant spider, with bristling fur.

Due to the rarity and nutritional content of this crab, so since the ancient time, King crab have been chosen to offer to the king. Therefore, go to Phu Quy island, you will have an opportunity to enjoy this delicious specialty, which is still alive, at the prices ranging from 350,000-400,000 VND / 1kg.

Blue Seawater Which Can Be Seen To The Bottom Being an unspoiled island, Phu Quy has many beautiful beaches with white sand, clear water reflecting blue sky. These waters have not been exploited by tourism operators so everything is pristine. The nature on the island provides a feeling of clam, relaxed, is extremely suitable for taking a rest or escaping from the hustle of the city. In particular, people here are very conscious of habitats, so beaches and piers are very clean with very little, or even without garbage.
Sit On A Boat To Go Along Small Islets Of The Island Visiting Phu Quy Island without renting a small boat to stroll along islets around the island means that your trip will not be complete. There are some small islets, such as Den islet (Hòn Đen), Tranh islet (Hòn Tranh), Trung islet (Hòn Trứng)à Just sitting on the boat to stroll along the islets around Phu Quy Island can help you see how clear the blue water here is, which allows you to see even the bottom. You can easily hire a small boat in the harbor for about 300,000 û 400,000 VND depending on the number of people.
Admire The Largest Whale Skeleton In Vietnam Phu Quy has nearly 30 cultural relics with various types of faiths. However, the most notable is Van An Thanh (Vạn An Thạnh) (in Trieu Duong (Triều Dương) village, Tam Thanh Commune), built in 1781 and being a whale museum on the island. According to the legend of locals, the whales, also known as ôCá Ông÷, had many times saved local fishermen and vessels from distress at sea. Many fishermen here who had ever been saved by Ca Ong still alive, and most people on the island are very respectful the whale. Thus, when the whale died or pushed into seashore, people here hold a solemn funeral, and there is a festival of welcoming Ca Ong annually in Phu Quy Island. You can also visit the Ong Hai Nam (Ông Hải Nam) gallery to see the whale skeleton of nearly 20 meters in length. This is one of the largest whale skeletons in Vietnam.
Visit The Giant Power Plant Using Wind Wind power÷ is the wind fan built to generate electricity for people on the island. On the island, there are 3 windmills, each is 60 meters in height and the length of the blade is 37 meters. From the lighthouse and the mountain peak where Linh Son (Linh Sơn) pagoda is located on, you could easily see the giant wind fans. Particularly, the way to visit the windmills is very beautiful, with the ocean on one side and the row of trees planted along the road, which look very nice, on the other side.
Enjoy The Landscape From The Largest Lighthouse In Vietnam The topography on the island is relatively flat, with no high mountains, so Phu Quy lighthouse located on top of the Nui Cam (Núi Cấm) mountain is the highest point of the island. To conquer the lighthouse, tourists have to walk and climb more than 120 stone steps along the ridge, about 200 meters in length with many slippery passages. Though climbing process needs much effort, when you reach it, you will feel completely satisfied because from the lighthouse, you can get a panoramic view of busy fishing boats running on the sea. Particularly, on the way to climb, you can also encounter Linh Buu (Linh Bửu) Pagoda of which the campus is spacious and airy and there are some hammocks for tourists to take a rest.

HON ROM BEACH, Mũi Né, Việt Nam

Hon Rom beach is one of the most stunning attractions in Mui Ne. Hon Rom is not an offshore island in Mui Ne with turquoise water, smooth sandy beaches and azure sky. Coming to this island, tourists will have unforgettable experiences.

Hon Rom island is a name of an untouched small mountain located in Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City. This is seen as an island as it connects to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. It is about 28 km from Phan Thiet City. The area features with towering mountains surrounding over 17-km beach, yellow sand and green lush coconut trees. Beach in Hon Rom Island is one of the most crowded ones in Mui Ne, contributing to the development of Phan Thiet tourism.

The name of Hon Rom originates from the image of this island seen from afar. In dry season, a special grass in mountains turns into yellow. Local people from offshore area see the mountains like a giant pile of dry yellow straw, thus, this island is called Hon Rom. Owing to not being untapped much, landscapes in this island retain pristine and liberal beauty of the nature. Every day, boulders in different shapes are patted by waves smoothly. In further distance, in deserts, there are low bushes and thorny cactus appearing on yellow and as smooth as velvet sand dunes.

A picturesque beach with overflowing waves, pure, unpolluted, breezy and cool water will make excursionist leave the feeling about a hot and dry season at home. In the middle of the scorching summer, if you have a chance to visit Hon Rom, you will hard to escape from its charming, fascinating sea water. At the morning when you wake up, you will have an opportunity to contemplate the marvelous beauty of sunrise. At the evening, besides bathing in the sea, tourists can stop by sea food shops and inns to enjoy aromatic flavor of sea area with extremely attractive prices.

When the declining of a day happens is time for ones who have humorousness gather round a camp fire and singing passionate and amorous songs. With young couples, they can not miss the chance of confiding together with quiet sea, cool wind, and pure atmosphere. With those who feel like discovering things, they will have the opportunity to accompany with fishermen Hon Rom to the sea to catch fish and then enjoy it right at the boat. What could be better than that feeling, especially when you have to live in a crowded city with traffic jam happens oftenly and you have to breathe dusty smoke every day.

You must have been never forget about the time when you conquer the most marvelous and nicest sand dunes in Mui Ne. White and red sand dunes intermixing together looks like Dragon twisting in the sky, blowing to our heart appealing words. Also you can not refuse sitting in the shadow of row of coconut palm. The oxygen source spreads out from the coco leaves will make you feel cheerier, melt down the stuffiness of a dense city.

Hon Rom has warm weather year to year. Its pure weather, friendly people, pretty beach, cool water will be the most suitable and attracting place for everyone from every class in the society. Once visiting Hon Rom, visitors will have unforgettable memories.

Perfect trips to Cu Lao Cham Island

Cu Lao Cham Island is one of the most well-known attractions in Hoi An. The island possesses wonderful beaches and diverse undersea world. It attracts tourists not just by pristine and untouched beauty, but also the hospitality of locals. Cu Lao Cham Island, one of most visited attractions in Hoi An, is well-known for long white beaches, turquoise waters, and delicious seafood. Cu Lao Cham Island is located in Tan Hiep, Hoi An, Quang Nam, about 15km from Cua Dai Beach. There are eight smaller islands in Cu Lao Cham, including Hon Lao, Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon Kho Me, Hon KHo Con, Hon La, Hon Tai, and Hon Ong. Tourists to Hoi An after visiting the ancient town often travel to Cu Lao Cham Island to enjoy the serene and pristine beauty of the nature here. The period from March to August is an ideal time to take trips to Cu Lao Cham Island. During the time, the weather is warm with beautiful sunlight, turquoise waters, and gentle waves. It is highly recommended not to travel in the rest months, because it will have heavy storms.

How to get to Hoi An In Vietnam tour packages to Cu Lao Cham, travelers of choose one of the following means of transportation. Traveling by plane, despite of not having direct flights to Hoi An from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, there are many direct flights to Da Nang City or Quang Nam operated by different airlines. It is suggested to take flights to Da Nang, and then travel by bus to Hoi An rather than to Quang Nam. It is because the distance from Da Nang to Hoi An is shorter than that from Tam Ky û the city center of Quang Nam to Hoi An. If tourists want to save the travel expense, train is a good choice. The fare from Hanoi fluctuates between 300,000 VND - 650,000 VND, while it costs from 900,000 - 1,200,000 VND, depending on each seat and train. After reaching Da Nang, there are services of taxi and bus to reach Hoi An Ancient Town. The bus ticket is about 20,000 VND (about 1USD). In addition, travelers can hire a motorcycle. It takes about 60,000 - 120,000 VND (3-6USD) per day. What about by road? Travelers from Hanoi can take a coach at Giap Bat Bus Station or Nuoc Ngam Bus Station to travel to Hoi An. It costs about 380,000 VND (20USD). If travelers depart from Ho Chi Minh City, they can reach Eastern Bus Station. The ticket is about 430,000 VND (27USD).

How to get to Cu Lao Cham Island

In Hoi An tours to Cu Lao Cham Island, tourists can approach there by canoe. The fare per person is 150,000 VND (about 7USD). It is easily to buy tickets at the wharf on Cua Dai Beach or travel agents in Hoi An. It takes about 20 minutes to travel from Hoi An to Cu Lao Cham. The canoe will operate from 8:00 to 10:00. Another day is getting there by boat. The ticket is about 30.000/pax, and 80,000/pax with a motorbike. It is suggested to come to Bach Dang Wharf at 7:00 or Cua Dai Wharf at 8:00 to buy tickets.

How to get around Cu Lao Cham Island

To enjoy the Cu Lao Cham discovery in a perfect way, the most suitable vehicle is motorcycle. Travelers can stay at guest houses on the island. It costs 80,000 - 200,000 VND/day (4-10USD/day). In addition, travelers can get around the island by boat. It costs about 500,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND/turn. These boats also provide service of scuba diving.

Where to stay in Cu Lao Cham Island Accommodation in Cu Lao Cham Island is mostly homestay, focusing on Bai Lang Beach and Bai Huong Beach. A double room costs about 150,000 VND. The rate is about 50,000 - 100,000 VND for single room. Please note that Bai Lang Beach is the landing place of boats, while Bai Huong Beach is for canoes. Depending on the way of traveling, travelers can choose guests house near the berth area. For travelers in Vietnam tours to Hoi An adoring to immerse into the wild nature can make a camp on Bai Ong Beach, Bai Huong Beach, and Bai Bim Beach. Rents are provided by the local people with the fee of 150,000/rent.

What to see in Cu Lao Cham Island There are many attractions in Cu Lao Cham Island. For example, Cu Lao Cham Museum is the place where the history, traditional customs and habits, as well as marine specialties are introduced. By dint of the good arrangement of artifacts, travelers can understand more about the culture of this land. Hai Trang Pagoda was built in 1758 at the mountain foot in the west of Hon Lao Island. Inside the pagoda, there is a red lacquer trimmed with gold parallel sentences, spectacular statue, and a big bell. The pagoda is the worshiping place of locals and merchants to wish a good journey.

Cham Ancient Well or Xom Cam (Prohibited Hamlet) is about 200 years old. The work is in round pipe shape. The ground is square. The architectural work features the characteristic of other Cham wells in Hoi An. Tan Hiep Market near Bai Lang fishing port is divided into two part. The inner part is the place of daily necessary items; the outer part sells seafood and souvenirs. Do not forget to bargain when shopping here.That will be an interesting experiences. In addition, Yen Island and Bai Chong Beach are popular attractions in this island. For those who like to immerse in the cool and turquoise water, Bai Xep, Bai Ong, and Bai Lang beaches are ideal options.

These above Cu Lao Cham travel tips may help travelers have more options in discovering the beautiful island. If having two days visiting Cu Lao Cham, tourists can spend one day for visiting Cu Lao Cham Island Museum, Nest plantation, Ancient Well, Hai Tang Pagoda; and another day for Yen Island, Xom Cam, Bai Lang Beach, and come back Hoi An. Before departing for Cu Lao Cham Island, travelers should not bring plastic bags. Travelers must not break coral reef when diving. It is necessary to prepare some essential items for beach journey such as hat, sandal, sun cream... And, do not forget to bring personal documents to easily hire vehicles.

Are you seeking cheap flights or the best means of transportation to Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham Island? It is suggested to visit AloTrip.com û the official website of AloTrip International Ltd., Co to refer some promotions on cheap flights to Hoi An. AloTrip is a travel company providing services and latest information about Vietnam tourism. With attentive staff, customers will be provided with the best services to enjoy unforgettable holidays in Vietnam.

Binh Ba Island

Binh Ba island is an unspoiled and isolated island owning many beautiful beaches and stunning natural landscape. It has just been known in some recent year, located far from Cam Ranh Bay about 15km and Nha Trang city about 60 km. Binh Ba is also known as the Lobster island, a tourist destination should not be missed in your trip to Nha Trang with wild scenery, sunshine, smooth white sandy beaches.

From Ba Ngoi port in Cam Ranh, you can take a wooden boat or canoe to go to Binh Ba island. Wooden boat takes about 45-60 minutes and ticket is 30,000 VND per person while the canoe is 100,000 VND and takes only about 20 minutes to the island.

Binh Ba is a pristine island, there are not many facilities and services for travelers. You can choose to stay in homestay with the price of 50,000VND/person/night, the hostel from 300,000 to 400,000VND a room with full facilities air conditioning, hot water, television.

Binh Ba island owns the pristine beauty, this is a peaceful place for you to take a rest and release from all stress after those hard-working days. Nature of the island brought us a sense of calmness which helps us keep away from bustling atmosphere of the bustling city of Nha Trang. Traveling to Binh Ba island, you will not only be immersed in the blue clear water at Bai Nom Beach, Nha Cu beach or explore the colorful coral reefs and countless beautiful beaches but also admire the beautiful scenery which you can only find it on Binh Ba island.

Although you can visit Binh Ba island at any time you want, the best time to visit from March to September on dry season with sunny days and hot weather which can hinder you from exploring totally its beauty.

Binh Ba island is not only a place to enjoy natural scenery but also a paradise of fresh seafood with the cheapest price compared to other tourism places in Vietnam, the island is also known as Lobster Island. You can enjoy various delicious and tasty dishes from lobsters which was very sweet and fresh. The particularity of such food lies behind the freshness, because the lobster will be processed directly right after being caught.

And you will be so impressed with the friendliness and hospitality of the local people in Binh Ba island. If you need support, they are very honest and generous to assist and serve you.\

When is the best time to visit Binh Ba island? Binh Ba is similar in climate like Nha Trang so you can also combine these two sites at the same time.From March 3-9 beautiful weather, quiet sea, no big waves or wind much. From around October to the end of the year, it is usually the rainy season of the inner region, where the bad sea is not suitable to travel the island.

How to go to Binh Ba Island? To travel to Binh Ba, you need to travel to Cam Ranh city. You can choose one of the suitable means such as plane, train or high quality car. Arrive Cam Ranh you move to port of Da Bac (in Cam Ranh has two ports are Da Bac and Ba Ngoi. But Ba Ngoi port used for large ships, the train travel to the neighboring areas often go to Da Bac - You can tell the taxi diver to port of Binh Ba island where they will know where to take you). There are 4 train from Cam Ranh to Binh Ba. The train departs from Cam Ranh at 7h30-10h-13h30-16h00, the train from Binh Ba back to Cam Ranh departs from 5h -9h-12h30 and 16h30.

River

9 reasons why we should visit Nam Du island

Convenient transport You have to arrive in Rach Gia û KienGiang province to reach Nam Du islands. The easiest way to get Rach Gia is taking a ferry from Mien Tay station. You’d better take the 23 pm ferry in order to arrive Rach Gia at 6 am the day after. Then you’ll take a speedboat round-trip to Nam Du islands.
Sparkling blue sea Nam Du islands are much more attractive due to its purely wild beauty with calm beaches, sparkling water illuminating the blue color of the immense sky to the horizon. Besides, you have a good time to enjoy the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere and keep yourself far away the noise of cities.
Awesome beaches to camp It’ll be a fantastic excursion for you to go in group and take a chance to camp on such wild beaches. Just imagine you’re lying restfully on the beaches hearing the sounds of waves at night then waking up in the morning and watching wonderful dawn in the very fresh air!
Impressively friendly locals You will be totally impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and hospitable local people at your first step on the islands. Most tourists who paid a visit here claimed that Nam Du islanders are very enthusiastic and kind. They easily bring you lots of laughter and feelings of sincerity.
Boat travel around other islands One thing that would give you a weird experience is renting a small boat and traveling around islands in the archipelago. Nam Du has many scenic islands such as Dau island, Nom island, Mau island, etc. The amazing thing here is that traveling on the surface then you can see through to the bottom because the water is infinitely crystal.
Spectacular view of purely blue sea from the lighthouse The lighthouse of Nam Du archipelago is not monumental at all. But the entire view of spectacularly wild islands will be on your eyesight. That’s the best place for you to enjoy the wind and take fantastic photos.
Mesmerizing beauty of wild nature Arguably the scenery of Nam Du islands is perfect with the most beautiful beaches. Just ride a motorbike along the coastal roads with one side of the immense blue sea and the other side of green forests, you’ll be deeply mesmerized by this poetical, lyrical and artistic beauty.
Unique, delicious, and cheap seafood Like many other attractions of islands, Nam Du is famous for the variety of unique seafood. Here you should definitely enjoy the distinctive flavor of dishes which are not only fresh but also surprisingly cheap such as sea urchin, squid, green fish, snails, crabs, etc.
A new destination Here you have chances to do thing freely, explore and enjoy in your own way without any modern facilities. Nam Du is a brand new attraction so there is little modern accommodation like 5-star hotels or expensive restaurants. Great! Then you will take time to experience fascinating things here with friendly locals and mingle yourself with peacefully wild nature that is little found in other destinations.

Nam Du Islands , Nam Du is a small archipelago, 40 km south of Phu Quoc Island (Kieng Giang , a province in Mekong Delta). This is actually a set of 21 islands, small and large. And only 11 of them has people on it. The one you’re getting dropped on is called Hon Lon. Nam Du is not so tourist place like Phu Quoc Island, so everything is still pristine and natural. The island is not yet being harvested for tourism, but you can find there a few hotels, restaurants and homestays have grown up.

Travel from Rach Gia to Nam Du Island by boat/ferry.

The only way how to travel to Nam Du Island is to travel by boat/ferry from Rach Gia or Phu Quoc. Rach Gia can be reached from Ho Chi Minh City by bus (6-7 hours) or by plane. From Rach Gia to Nam Du you can travel by ferry of Phu Quoc Express or Superdong and you can book and buy ferry tickets online. Foreigners and tourists can visit Nam Du Island without a permitt (more information). Recommended a book and buy your ferry tickets in advance online.

Maldives

The Maldives is a republic lies south-west of the Indian sub-continent. It is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, most of them uninhabited.

None of the coral islands stand more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level, making the country vulnerable to any rise in sea levels associated with global warming.

The economy revolves around tourism, and scores of islands have been developed for the top end of the tourist market.

Its political history has been unsettled since the electoral defeat of long-serving President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008.

The archipelago was inhabited as early as the 5th century BCE by Buddhist peoples, probably from Sri Lanka and southern India. According to tradition, Islam was adopted in 1153 CE. Ibn Baṭṭūṭah, a notable North African traveler, resided there during the mid-1340s and described conditions at that time, remarking disapprovingly on the freedom of the womenùa feature that has been noticeable throughout Maldivian history.

The Portuguese forcibly established themselves in Male from 1558 until their expulsion in 1573. In the 17th century the islands were a sultanate under the protection of the Dutch rulers of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and, after the British took possession of Ceylon in 1796, the islands became a British protectorate, a status formalized in 1887. In 1932, before which time most of the administrative powers rested with sultans or sultanas, the first democratic constitution was proclaimed, the country remaining a sultanate. A republic was proclaimed in 1953, but later that year the country reverted to a sultanate.

In 1965 the Maldive Islands attained full political independence from the British, and in 1968 a new republic was inaugurated and the sultanate abolished. The last British troops left on March 29, 1976, the date thereafter celebrated in the Maldives as Independence Day. Ibrahim Nasr, the country’s first president, was succeeded in 1978 by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was reelected to his sixth consecutive term in 2003. The Maldives became a member of the Commonwealth in 1982.

In December 2004 the Maldives was damaged by a large tsunami caused by a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean off Indonesia. Scores of people were killed, and much property was damaged.

In the first years of the 21st century, Gayoom’s government embarked on a long-term plan to modernize and democratize the Maldives, particularly its economy and political system. The plan also identified the country’s legal system as inadequate. Beginning in 2003, wide-ranging reforms were instituted to improve human rights and the system of governance. A multiparty political system was created. In 2008 a new constitution was adopted that established greater governmental checks and balances, strengthened the powers of the legislature and judiciary, and allowed women to run for president. The country’s first multicandidate presidential election was held in October of that year, and former political prisoner Mohamed Nasheed was elected president, thus ending Gayoom’s 30 years in office.

One of Nasheed’s priorities was addressing climate change, as the low-lying islands were perceived to be under serious threat from rising sea levels. His administration was hampered, however, by continuing loyalty to Gayoom among members of the legislature and judiciary. Controversy erupted in January 2012 over Nasheed’s arrest of a senior criminal court judge. After weeks of protests by citizens opposed to the arrest, Nasheed resigned in early February and was replaced by his vice president, Mohamed Waheed Hassan. Nasheed claimed his resignation had been forced by the police and military. In July charges were filed against him for what was deemed to have been his illegal arrest of the criminal court judge in January. In August an official commission of inquiry backed by the Commonwealth found that Nasheed’s resignation had been voluntary and that there had been no coup.

Nasheed’s legal situation remained unsettled amid continued political unrest over the circumstances of his resignation. A general election was held in September 2013, in which Nasheed received a plurality of votes, outpolling the second highest candidate by a wide margin, but did not win an outright majority. A second election, in November, was won by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s half-brother, who beat Nasheed by a narrow margin. Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2015. He was granted permission to seek medical treatment in the U.K. in 2016, and from there he fled to Sri Lanka.

The presidency of Yameen oversaw significant infrastructure projects in the country but lacked the charisma of Gayoom’s presidency. The projects were funded in large part by China, much to the chagrin of the country’s long-term ally India. Meanwhile, Yameen stifled criticism and jailed political opponents. In February 2018, after the Supreme Court overturned the sentences of many of Yameen’s political opponents, he jailed two of the court’s justices and declared a state of emergency for 45 days. When elections were held later that year in September, many observers expected it would be used to consolidate Yameen’s autocracy. However, the unified opposition put forward a single candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who received a landslide victory with nearly 90 percent turnout. Yameen congratulated Solih and conceded the election.

Bora Bora Jewel of the South Seas

Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polynesia's leading lady. Her beauty is unrivaled and her fame, unwavering. Bora Bora is one of the few places on earth that everyone hopes to witness in their lifetime—and once you see it, you are forever enamored.

The Allure

More than just a romantic ideal, Bora Bora is a romantic reality. It comes as no surprise that the island is an internationally acclaimed honeymoon destination. Our newlyweds who decide on a Bora Bora honeymoon often feel as though they have escaped to a private oasis tailored entirely to their special moment of marital bliss—and anyone in the midst of planning a wedding can relate to just how enticing that sounds.

The Locale

Bora Bora may feel worlds away, but this South Seas splendor is well within reach. Where is Bora Bora, exactly? The island lies just northwest of Tahiti, less than an hour away by plane from Papeete. The airport is located on a small, separate part of the island known as Motu Mete. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a warm smile and fragrant flower lei and transferred by boat to your Bora Bora resort, meaning you hardly have to wait for your first encounter with the island's famously translucent lagoon.

The inevitable love affair with this island begins right before you touch down. The view from the plane window is a moment you will not soon forget. Have your camera in hand as you begin your descent and prepare for the moment when iconic Mount Otemanu comes into view. From that point on, each experience will only continue to exceed even your highest expectations.

Accommodation

Bora Bora has become synonymous with overwater bungalows. Many of these lavish floating villas have glass floors that supply a window to the lagoon life below. This locale is unique in the fact that most Bora Bora resort hotels are built on their own tiny island, or motu, and visits elsewhere must be arranged by boat transfer. Not to worry, though, you will hardly need to leave your bungalow let alone the resort. From lounging on your own private deck and receiving room service via outrigger canoe, to indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, you will pass the time in quiet seclusion and opulent luxury.

Recreation

The wonderful thing about Bora Bora is that you can be as active or inactive as you wish to be. Should you decide to venture away from the resort, you can visit the main village of Vaitape and shop at the local boutiques or dine at one of Bora Bora's restaurants including Mai Kai Bora Bora, or the legendary Bloody Mary's. You can also explore Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu on a guided hike or Jeep Safari tour.

Since water is a way of life on the island, popular lagoon excursions include snorkeling, diving, cruising, fishing, paddle boarding, kitesurfing, Jet Skiing, and of course, shark and ray feeding. You can also take your experience to new heights by parasailing, skydiving, or touring the island by helicopter.

Final Impression

Once seen, Bora Bora is never forgotten. From the day you arrive until the moment you part ways, you will be in awe of how her soaring mountain peaks, turquoise lagoon and luxuriant overwater bungalows somehow look even more spectacular than the pictures.

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Binh Hung Island

Just off the coast south of Cam Ranh Bay is the tiny rocky island of Binh Hung. It flies under the radar, with scant travel information in English available online and few foreign visitors. As we anchored in a secluded cove on the eastern side of the island and dived off the boat into pristine waters, we were beside ourselves with joy: we had found a secret paradise.

Binh Hung is a 10-minute ride from the mainland. A tiny fishing village inhabits the western side but the rest of the island remains uninhabited and rugged, dominated by craggy boulders, dry scrub and century-old Hon Chut lighthouse.

The wharf to Binh Hung is located in the middle of the Vinh Hy-Binh Tien pass, a 17 kilometre stretch of scenic coastal road in Ninh Tuan province that should be on every motorbike traveller’s Vietnam must-see list. Cam Ranh city is a good base to explore the island as a daytrip: It is 24 kilometres to Binh Tien beach, which is the start of the route, or 30 kilometres total to the wharf.

Follow our instructions on how to get from Cam Ranh to Binh Tien, then continue south along the coast for seven kilometres. The road will dip to sea level û turn left when you see the signs and a beach with boats. The beach itself is absolutely stunning so allow for some time after the boat trip to hang out here.

The entrance/parking fee is 20,000 VND. When you enter you will be swarmed by women with business cards trying to push you to their floating seafood restaurant just offshore. The experience can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t understand Vietnamese. Keep cool. This would be a great place for seafood, for the freshness and the view; lobster is the local specialty, raised in farms by the village. But if you’re not interested, just politely shake your head. We counted four restaurants and if you choose one, it includes a free boat transfer to the pontoon. As always, see what’s available fresh in the buckets, confirm the price beforehand, watch them weigh your selection and note it down.

We found Mr Ra and his boat Sang Ra and through a combination of charades, drawing and writing, we negotiated a two-hour boat trip. For example: we drew a picture to show that we wanted to go around the whole island, we wrote down ô11:00-13:00÷ to indicate length of time, we wrote bai bien (beach) and mimed that we wanted to swim. It worked out beautifully.

A two and a half hour boat trip around the whole island, with a stop, cost us 450,000 VND. Mr Ra was laidback, smiley and jolly, and his boat was great: spacious, colourful, clean and it even had life jackets and a privacy curtain at the back where you could change. We floated past the village harbour full of lobster farms and small fishing boats, then bounced through the waves of open water moving to the uninhabited eastern side of the island. It was 30 minutes of scenic sailing before anchoring in a petite sheltered reef and cove.

What followed was an hour of pure bliss, alternating between jumping off the deck, floating in warm waters detached from the bothers of life and peeking at the reef with some basic eye goggles Mr Ra produced. The only thing we were missing was cold drinks . we recommend coming prepared with a few.

We tried but failed to get Mr Ra to take us to the island to visit the village and climb up to the lighthouse. As of September 2015, foreigners are not allowed to simply stop and walk around. The boat captain has to first register you with the coast guard posted on the island (there should be no fee, but your passport is required).

Homestays are possible. 9 Len offers a homestay in the village, including boat transfers, a home-cooked seafood dinner and accommodation, for 1,200,000 VND per person. We can’t vouch for it but we imagine a leisurely day and night on this poor yet bountiful little island would be a unique experience.

Ba Lua Archipelago is relatively unspoiled to many tourists. It lies in sea having few winds, large waves so recently many visitors come to discover and experience. Many visitors consider Ba Lua archipelago as of Little Ha long of the South.

The beauty of Ba Lua Island

Ba Lua archipelago has many islands therefore it is very hard to come up all the islands so you should only choose a few beautiful islands. Three places including 3 islands: Dam Duong, Dam Duoc and Dam Gieng are chosen to explore by many tourists. It offers beautiful beaches and a wide variety of fresh seafood such as fish, crabs, squid, crab, pinch, snailsà They attract many visitors to explore because the distance among the three islands is not too far and create a ôlagoon÷ in the middle of the vast ocean. Tourists can swim or wade from one island to another without sailing.

Sunset and sunrise in the Ba Lua archipelago are the most beautiful moments of nature. You will see the sunrise and sunset with a gorgeous pink color. Hundreds of fishing boats moored in these islands for resting in the afternoon and some others are floating on the sea.

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10 reasons to visit this secret paradise island (before everyone else does)

Phu Quoc (pronounced "foo kwok") - an unassuming Vietnamese island sitting pretty just off the coast of Cambodia - is one of south-east Asia's best-kept secrets. If last month’s launch of the first direct flights from London to Phu Quoc via TUI has tickled your interest, here are 10 more reasons to visit this untapped paradise now (before the crowds do).

It's full of uninhabited remote islands The Phu Quoc district is made of 28 islands, most of which are uninhabited while some are planned for development as private resorts. Spanning 574 square kilometres, Phu Quoc Island, where most of the tourism action takes place, is the largest in the district/country as well as in the Gulf of Thailand.

One of the region's most beautiful remote islands is Hon Xuong - often referred to as the Robinson Crusoe island after the novel of the same name - and can currently only be reached by boat.

With no accommodation available on site, the island is a popular day trip spot and its protected waters and picturesque beach can be enjoyed overnight by camping on the beach as part of a tour, but not independently.

Hon Thom, the district’s second largest island (also known as Pineapple Island), is connected to Phu Quoc Island via what’s said to be the world’s longest oversea cable car, which travels a total distance of about eight kilometres in 8.5 seconds, carrying up to 3,500 passengers per hour in 70 cabins. With plans underway for the island to be transformed fully into a marine park, it currently offers several watersports activities including snorkelling, diving and yacht tours of the An Thoi archipelago (which occupies 15 of the district’s islands).

...and unspoilt beaches The district boasts 150 kilometres of coast with ice cream-soft sand and Phu Quoc Island is home to around 20 unspoilt beaches, trodden mostly by locals or tourists from Asian countries nearby. Khem Beach is one of its most beautiful, overlooking Emerald Bay with powdery white sands caressed by champagne-like effervescent waves.

Sao Beach, considered the ôcrown jewel÷ of Phu Quoc, is also known for its snow white beaches, while Long Beach, which boasts a 20-km coast on the west side of the island is ideal for sunsets and among the island’s most popular beaches.

There’s also a æsecret’ patch on the eastern end of Rach Vem Beach known as ôStarfish Beach÷ for its rich population of red starfish found bathing in the sun just a few feet from the water’s edge.

Year-round heat The island enjoys an average temperature of around 27°C, with the hottest month being April when mercury levels reach 29°C, so Phu Quoc offers comfortable year-round warmth for heat-seekers.

And while the winter chill settles in Britain and the rest of Europe, Phu Quoc’s dry season begins from November and lasts through March, making it an excellent winter sun spot.

It’s getting a luxurious spruce-up With several hostels offered on the island, Phu Quoc has typically been an off-beat stopover among backpackers travelling around other parts of South-east Asia. But a new crop of luxury hotels and resorts have been springing up along the coast as of 2015, aimed at giving the island an upmarket touch, including a handful of five-star resorts such as the stylish and elegant JW Marriott Emerald Bay Resort & Spa which opened this year with plenty of Instagram-worthy fodder.

The brainchild of renowned hotel architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, the whimsical resort is said to be the first-ever ôexperiential hotel÷ built entirely around a fictional history inspired by French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. The sprawling beachfront resort, nestled on Khem Beach, is also home to a 50m-long infinity pool - claimed to be the longest pool in a presidential suite in all of Asia.

Unique marine life Phu Quoc is a hub of marine activity, housing large patches of coastal ecosystems, and nearly 108 species of corals, 135 species of coral reef fish and 132 different types of mollusks, as well as migrating fish and marine mammals in its surrounding waters. Phu Quoc is one of the few places in the country where wildlife enthusiasts can spot unique species like dugong, the hawksbill turtle and green turtle.
Half of the island is a protected natural park Around 50 per cent of Phu Quoc Island is a national park set within the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, which fosters the conservation of its tropical rain forests featuring waterfalls, coral reefs, wetlands and other parts of the surrounding natural landscape, as part of Unesco’s MAB (Man and the Biosphere) programme. The island also has a mountain landscape of 99 peaks running along the 48-km length of the island, with Chua Mountain being the highest at 603 metres.
Local charm and culture With an economy still based around fishing and agriculture, the island is dotted by sleepy villages whose claim to fame is fish sauce (in a similar vein to what olive oil is to Italy or tequila is to Mexico), which is said to be the world's best.

Back in 2013, its fish sauce became the first Vietnamese product to be given the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin Status, which recognises local goods ôwhose quality or properties are significantly or exclusively determined by the geographical environment÷, according to the country’s ministry of industry and trade. There are currently around 85 fish sauce producers in Phu Quoc.

The island also boasts the best organic pepper, producing around 1,100 tonnes of it every year using traditional farming methods and sustainable agricultural technologies.

Tourists can access tours of both the fish sauce factories and pepper farms for a closer look at local life. Or explore pockets of local charm at the night market in Duong Dong, one of the island’s main towns, where you can sample local delicacies.

Quirky bars and restaurants And for the hipsters who need their fix, there are some quirky restaurants to explore too, such as the Crab House, a sports-themed seafood shack run by a Vietnamese American local raised in the south of the US before returning to his hometown. Donning giant neck napkins, visitors can tuck into large bowls of fresh crab and lobster coupled with flavourful spicy sauces sprinkled with a dashing of American southern soul.

For the best aerial views over the town and the island, the chic Chuon Chuon Bistro & Sky Bar hits the spot with its hilltop location and could easily pull its weight in Shoreditch or Brooklyn.

Decked out in surfboards and lanterns, with a mix of young locals and tourists, Rory’s Beach Bar (run by a chatty and laid-back Australian sibling duo) offers a no-frills barefoot beachfront location for a relaxed sunset drink, with chairs and tables placed right on the soft sands of the water's edge.

Its steeped in history The country’s complex history runs deeper than the Vietnam War, from its battles with France and Spain to its contention with Cambodia over the ownership of Phu Quoc - both countries laying claim.

One of the most harrowing but moving memorials of the Vietnam War can be found at the Phu Quoc Prison, which was the largest prisoner camp in the south of Vietnam back in 1973. While the prison, built around 1950, has been closed, the site has been repurposed as a museum and memorial, built with fake prison quarters and mannequins depicting the prisoners' life and history of the camp, which is visited by local tourists, including some of the former inmates who are still living today.

Easy access Tourists to Phu Quoc can visit visa-free for up to 30 days and access from London just got easier with last month’s launch of direct flights from Gatwick to Phu Quoc International Airport, the first direct service from Europe. The island forms a calm base from which to explore other more hectic and tourist-heavy parts of the country, such as Ho Chi Minh, which is just an hour’s flight from the island, while the capital Hanoi can be reached in just over two hours by plane.

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Listen to my newest episode and discover more great content from my channel!

Listen to my newest episode and discover more great content from my channel!

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