LIVING COMFORT

My recent stay in Halong Bay at Halong Paradise Suites is one that I will always remember fondly. Flowers are everywhere on the hotel's terrace, while cosy iron chair with coloful soft cushions, romantic table settings and ceiling fans recall the atmosphere of sidewalk cafes in Paris, where people can sit and sip a Perrier while watching the world go by. The moment you step into the hotel's foyer you feel relaxed, and the longer you stay at the hotel the more interesting experiences await you. The boutique hotel evokes the feeling of classic French luxury  with its polished marble floors, dark wooden furniture, oriental décor and all-glass windows.

Flowers are everywhere on the hotel's terrace

Lying on the large comfy bed with a feather and down duvet was nothing but comfort. The bed is the most striking feature of the room, with around six layers of cotton, duck down and mousse and is central to all activities: sleeping, working or reading. Three pillows of diffrent sizes support your back perfectly when leant on and individual swivelling reading lights adorn the wall above.

The rooms give the impression of spaciousness and fredom of movement.

It was a major surprise for me to discover that the mix of contemporary French elegance and charming Vietnamese décor was masterminded by a local architectural firm. "The hotel will truly become and oasis of luxury and tranquility once it is fully  completed at the end of this year." said Mr Nguyen Cao Son, GM of Paradise Cruises & Paradise Suites. "The Hue, HCMC, and Hanoi Blocks will be more airy and elegantly casual with lavish conveniences and rich colours that complement the styling". Only the Halong block now is open, with the Hanoi block to open in April.

A story b Jessica Nguyen - The Guide - Vietnam Economic Times

Read More

VIET HAI VILLAGE

You are a traveling lover with endless fascination in discovering new land and challenge interesting experiences. You want to explore more about the country and unique features in cultural life of local community during one of the most remarkable cruises in Vietnam. Then Viet Hai fishing village in Cat Ba archipelago, which was recently recognized as the World Biosphere Reserve by UNESSCO, should deserve one of the most sight- to- be- seen destinations.

Many Viet Hai villagers are fishermen

If your journey is covered with abundant shimmering and stunning grottos of the charming Halong Bay, then Viet Hai will be a totally different experience. You no longer admire the heavenly fabulous scenes but you get a really special chance getting much closer to local people, seeing how they manage their daily life.

Farming at Viet Hai village

Viet Hai is a small village belonging to Cat Hai district, Lan Ha Bay in The Gulf of Tonkin – one of the largest commercial centers in Viet Nam. The village is located among the mist of jungles, densely surrounded by high mountains range of Cat Ba national Park. It is estimated that there are about 80 households living within the area, almost of whom are the original residents of Halong Bay as their ancestors had lived there since hundreds years ago. Local people mainly live on farming, fishing and breeding. Viet Hai village is hardly known by Vietnamese tourists, but it is currently one of the most favorite exploring destinations for any foreign visitors to Cat Ba island.

Cabbage is widely grown during winter time at Viet Hai village

Few years ago, anyone to Viet Hai may feel that the village seemed to be another separated world. It is not only because of the geological separation by thick jungle forests but also the cultural practices there. The local residents lived their self supply life as the primitive human of thousand years ago. Because of this cultural practice, foreign visitors to this village increase gradually. Viet Hai village can be reached by cruise and also mountain trekking. However, for most travelers, they usually choose the easier route on cruises and only some short trekking.

Biking is a perfect way to discover the village surrounding

Viet Hai fishing village is being developed with the direction of eco-tourism and cultural tourism. The infrastructure and services at the village are upgraded to welcome both Vietnamese and foreign tourists come to visit. Though the daily life of local people is still rather difficult, they are learning to manage well with the developing tourism. Visitors to Viet Hai, Cat Ba can enjoy the golden chance with abundant local delicacies from fresh and reliable ingredients. Viet Hai is also an ideal site for discovering the true fishing culture of Cat Ba as well as Halong Bay. Undoubtedly, Viet Hai village deserves one of the most featuring fishing villages in Cat Ba archipelago and a must do experience for any travelers to Cat Ba and on Halong cruises.

Read More

CAT BA ISLAND AND BEACH

Located on the southeastern edge of the World Heritage – Halong Bay, Cat Ba island strikes any visitors to this beautiful archipelago by its unbelievable stunning sceneries and ecologically diversity. Cat Ba is known as the largest ones among the total of 366 islands with the area of 285 km2 comprising the whole Cat Ba archipelago. More than 285 km2 of surface area, 50 km to the east of Hai Phong city and 150 km from the heart capital of Vietnam, Cat Ba is currently one of the most attractive destinations for any tourists. Together with the central bay in Halong, Cat Ba appears a unique feature that makes your cruise really a heavenly dream. No longer hesitate, enjoy a comfortable drive by boat or car, passing through beautiful landscapes and you get the chance for one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life with breath taking scenic view of white sandy beaches, diversified ecosystems with abundant tropical fauna and flora and also limestone rocky outcrops for endless exploring. 

Breath-taking scenic view

With about 13000 inhabitants living in 6 different communes and 4000 more in floating villages, Cat Ba is one of the most populated area in Halong bay and also known as the central hub for commercial activities within the area. Tourists to Cat Ba and on Halong cruise at no time fail to find pleasant hospitality from warm-hearted locals, one of the features that make Cat Ba and Halong a spiritual soul keeper for any visitors with the chance of setting their foot on this breath taking island.

Archeological remains found on the island suggests that people seemed to have inhabited and made living in Cat Ba area for at least 6000 years. Consequently, the archipelago is also regarded as an interesting site for any tourists fascinated in archeological cruise.  

A Cat Ba floating village

On your cruise to Halong bay, Cat Ba Island and beaches deserve your thorough consideration as one of the must – do sites that will definitely exceed any of your expectations. Such is the wide variety of featuring attractions available on the island that tourists can verify their itinerary for so many different ways to make the most comfortable trip to their own liking. Like many other islands on Halong bay, Cat Ba provides a stunning view, dotted with fishing boats and floating restaurants, and hosting its share of smoldering sunsets on the western horizon. During your trip, you can enjoy outstanding delicacies with local fresh seafood and enjoy the unique relaxing atmosphere of water and wind from floating restaurants. 

Traditional Halong seafood dish

Among various attractive features on the island, one of the first things that make Cat Ba striking to any tourists is its National Park, lying at the heart of the island and attracting with a visual stunning and ecologically diverse landscape. If you want to spend some time back to the nature, exploring interesting features from the virgin forest with many types of tropical fauna and flora or observing one of the last remaining langur in the world, then the National Park is highly recommended for you. You can also join some trekking routes among the mangroves and fresh-water lakes.

Diversified ecosystem with abundant tropical fauna

For ones who desire for something a little more relaxing, Cat Ba sandy white beaches with 2 separated areas simply known as Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 are ideal places to lounge around for the day. Connecting two beaches is a small hillock that can be climbed over in about 20 minutes. However, most tourists take the much easier route along the 700m wooden seaside walkway around the mountain. Cat Co 2 is the less busy and more attractive of the two; and also offers simple accommodation and camping. A quick swim or some bathing on the sand can spiritually treats your mind. 

Where sea meets jungle

Other entertaining features on Cat Ba Island worth your try are kayaking trips to explore some of the nearby tunnel caves, rock climbing trips, walking tour around the local market for discovering inhabitants’ life, cruise tours for panoramic stunning view of the entire Halong or some time with the relaxing foot massage services. All of these can perfectly complete one of the most wonderful cruise in your life. 

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

Read More