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With many beautiful islands, white sandy beaches, Van Don is a favorite destination for tourists who wish to relax and explore.

Located about 50km from Ha Long city, Van Don island district embracing Bai Tu Long Bay is known as the tourist destination of eco-tourism and adventure.

Coming here in the summer, visitors are daydreaming on scenic vistas of the sea, the blue mountains with 600 islands reflecting an amazing picture on water in Bai Tu Long Bay. Van Don has the wonderful natural beauty, rich marine products and people are hospitable, which creates a “summer tourist paradise” for tourists.

Perceived of many people to Van Don is a wild beauty, very suitable for eco-tourism. A cruise boats often go through between these green islands and continuous mountains with green leaves of the tree. In the early morning, when the sun rises, it creates magical colors, gentle scenery.

Van Don has also been named in the list of home to beautiful beaches in the northern region such as Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, and Bai Dai.

Notably, Bai Dai (Long Beach) is an untamed treasure of Van Don. The spot appeals to visitors with its pristine beauty which is becoming harder and harder to find at more touristy beaches. The long, white-sand beach offers crystal-clear seawater for optimal visibility of the underwater world. From Bai Dai, one can look farther toward the picturesque Bai Tu LonVisitors can also take advantage of the island’s entertainment, including kayaking, jet-skiing, tennis, and beach volleyball.

Minh Chau Beach is also an ideal spot for travel enthusiasts. Thousands of holidaymakers flock there every year to enjoy their vacation.

About 15 kilometers from Minh Chau Beach is Quan Lan Beach, which is dubbed one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Vietnam and is also a favorite destination of both locals and international tourists. Looking over Bai Tu Long Bay, Quan Lan Beach is blessed with smooth, white sands, transparent blue seas, high waves, a peaceful atmosphere, and fresh air.

These places are an ideal getaway for people wanting to escape the hustle of the city and their daily worries.

By Do Phuong

“Dinosaur Spine”, the beautiful path to the milestone No. 1305, has recently become an attractive destination for various tourists to the border district of Binh Lieu.

Along with poetic bays, Quang Ninh is also home to majestic mountains and forests, among which the long, unwinding road going straight through the hills in Binh Lieu is the highlighted spot.

“Dinosaur Spine” – Milestone 1305 is a picturesque landscape of Binh Lieu that everyone knows about. It is renowned for the poetic yet dangerous beauty, challenging tourists who are passionate about discovery and adventure.

The place lies on the Chinese border road in the western of Hoanh Mo commune in Binh Lieu district, about 270km from Hanoi and more than 100km from Ha Long city to the northeast. Visitors can travel to Binh Lieu by motorbike or car. From Binh Lieu town to “Dinosaur spine” – Milestone 1305, there are two routes for visitors to choose.

On the first route, visitors depart from Binh Lieu town, go along National Highway 18C about 3-4 km, then turn right into Ngan Chuong village and go towards the milestone No. 68 about 23km. You will then reach a parking lot – the stop on the way upwards the landmark No. 1305.

Secondly, from Binh Lieu townlet, visitors run on the road heading towards Hoanh Mo border gate, turn left across Hai Nac bridge, then continue to turn right and go for more than 20km to the stop at the milestone No. 1305.

These journeys offer visitors extraordinary experience along the winding border patrol route with the great scence of majestic mountains and vast forests on its two sides. The romantic scenery is poetic yet wild and magnificent at the same time. However, there are many sharp turns, and even extremely steep ones, so visitors need to be careful.

From the milestone No. 1305 stop, visitors will park their vehicles and walk along with the concrete steps about 2km.

This “spine of dinosour” is called a must-see place for trekkers to Binh Lieu. The path is very challenging due to its length, its height and its slope but it’s worth a try. Walking in the majestic, wild mountain scenery and grasping the panoramic views of the district with winding roads, pine forests and terraced rice fields offers trekkers extraordinary senses.

Although visitors can explore the wild and majestic beauty of Binh Lieu”s “Dinosaur Spine” at any time of the year, the most beautiful time is around October and November when Binh Lieu becomes wild and romantic on warm sunny days.

If you have the opportunity to come to Binh Lieu, try once to conquer the “Dinosaur Spine” and take a check-in photo at the Milestone 1305. It will definitely be a very impressive and memorable experience in your journey.

By Ta Quan

By Ngoc Mai

For those enchanted by the allure of Southeast Asia and the majestic beauty of the Northwest Vietnam, conquering Mount Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina, is hailed as the pinnacle of every adventurous expedition.

Vietnam may not have a mountain that stands as a national symbol like Mount Fuji in Japan or the Matterhorn in Switzerland. However, if there were to be a mountain that the Vietnamese people can proudly boast about, it would undoubtedly be Mount Fansipan – the highest peak among the former French Indochina (including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It’s not just by chance that the Vietnamese people have a saying: “Everyone has their own Fansipan to climb”, as a metaphor for their greatest dreams in life.

The Allure of Fansipan – A Familiar Stranger

Fansipan, also known as Hủa Xi Pan in the local language, carries the meaning of ‘the tottering giant rock’. According to the records of the Vietnam Institute of Geological Sciences, the mountain is a majestic granite rock that rose from deep within the earth over 250 million years ago. The Northwest Vietnam is renowned for its treacherous terrain, ranking among the most challenging in Southeast Asia. Nestled within this rugged landscape, Fansipan stands as a part of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, which boasts the most complex topography in the Northwestern region. As stated in various sources, the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range is also regarded as the southeastern terminus of the magnificent Himalayas.

Throughout the four seasons, the swirling clouds and treacherous terrain have bestowed upon Fansipan a breathtaking and surreal beauty. It”s fascinating how, for each individual, that beauty manifests itself in unique ways. When the French first set foot here for exploration 120 years ago, they likened Sa Pa to the renowned Alps of Europe. A Vietnamese, immersed in the rich tapestry of folk tales, believes that Fansipan is the mystical gateway connecting the sky and the earth. An adventurous traveler assumes that the beauty of Fansipan evokes a slight resemblance to the spectacular Himalayan range. Regardless of the interpretation, Fansipan not only embodies grandeur but also evokes a profound sense of connection and familiarity for each person.

The Awakening of Hidden Paradise

The challenging nature of the journey has made the conquest of Fansipan peak an endeavor that was once exclusive to the adventurous souls, who have courage and physical stamina to trek through dense forests for days to finally reach the top. When it comes to Fansipan, many travelers have regarded it as a distant dream. Like a hidden paradise, Fansipan stands as a coveted destination that has stolen the hearts of countless travelers who visited Sa Pa. However, climbing to its summit remains beyond reach for many due to the considerable travel time required.

In 2016, Sun Group introduced the Fansipan cable car, which was designed by the world-renowned cable manufacturer Doppelmayr Garaventa. It opened up the opportunity for travelers of all ages to conquer the highest peak in Indochina. This innovation has significantly shortened the travel time from a 2-to 7-day journey to a 15–to 20-minute route through the ethereal clouds.

Quotes: With its origins rooted in a dream and a legend, Fansipan has transformed into a destination that beckons foreign travelers with the allure of exploring its wonders within a day.

As the doors of the cabins swing open, visitors are instantly immersed in a breathtaking panorama where the lines between land and sky blur with the rolling sea of clouds. Bathed in the resplendent glow of the sun, this destination surpasses the splendor found anywhere else in Vietnam. Embarking on the journey to Fansipan on a day shrouded in clouds allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the mysteries and legends of the past. In the mist, visitors can catch a glimpse of spiritual structures that embody the essence of ancient Vietnamese temples in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Quotes: Sun World Fansipan Legend was honored as the World’s Leading Natural Landscape Tourist Attraction 2020 at the prestigious World Travel Awards – The Oscars of the Travel Industry

Fansipan, known for its breathtaking landscapes, is also celebrated for its four distinct seasons, each unveiling a kaleidoscope of vibrant blooms that embellish the landscape all year round. In this captivating realm, the tourism developer has taken on the role of guardians, carefully selecting and nurturing a diverse array of flowers.

In the spring of Fansipan, flowers bloom above the clouds, leading the way to ‘Gateway to the Sky’. Nestled amidst the magnificent mountains, the forests of cherry blossoms and Himalayan cherry blossoms create an enchanting scenery with the beautiful birdsongs in the early morning mist. Spring is also the time when the 300-to 400-year-old rhododendrons showcase their vibrant splendor, weaving a floral tapestry upon the ancient foundations of this mystical land.

When summer comes around, Fansipan becomes a symphony of blossoms and gentle breezes. In the grandeur of Sun World Fansipan Legend, the largest rose valley in Vietnam adorns itself in the captivating red hues of the exclusive climbing roses found only in Sa Pa. Along the hillsides, the flourishing fields of verbenas come into full bloom, exuding a beauty akin to purple clouds gracefully dancing in the sunlight.

Particularly, autumn is the “cloud-hunting” season of Fansipan. At an altitude of 3,143m, fluffy clouds roll over the sacred summit. The terraced rice fields on mountain slopes look like golden waterfalls, descending from the sky. At any corner of Sun World Fansipan Legend, visitors are treated to the mesmerizing sight of crocosmia flowers drenched in brilliant red, gracing the mountainous landscape. It may be autumn, and it may be red, but this hue of red is truly distinct from that of temperate regions.

During winter, the temperature on the summit of Fansipan can drop as low as -9 degrees Celsius, offering a rare opportunity to experience snow in this part of Southeast Asia. Sometimes, over half a meter of snow blankets the mountain, creating a fascinating landscape reminiscent of a charming Nordic fairy tale.

The Colorful Culture of Fansipan

Choosing Fansipan as your destination is not just about visiting a place; it’s about embarking on a journey to explore Sa Pa – a melting pot of ethnic groups in the Northwest Vietnam. There is a beautiful song that perfectly describes the people of Sa Pa: “The sun shines on your face,” capturing the radiant smiles of the Northwesterners and their rosy cheeks flushed by the sun’s warmth. Within the Northwest Cultural Space, which is closely akin to a small village nestled at the foot of Mount Fansipan, visitors can truly grasp the vibrancy reminiscent of embracing the sun itself in the colorful traditional costumes of the indigenous highland communities, such as the H’Mong, Giay, Tay, Dao, and Xa Pho. The exhilarating rhythms of Cheraw dances and the haunting melodies of the Khen instrument create the distinct soundscape of Sa Pa. These spiritual elements linger in the hearts of visitors, evoking a deep longing for this northern land even after they have left.

Notably, visiting Sa Pa is an opportunity to bond over the unique culinary experiences. Delight in the flavors of wild forest vegetables, indulge in the traditional dish called ‘Thang Co’, and share a toast with the friendly locals. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Rose Festival, the Golden Season Festival, and the Winter Festival, where you can witness the rich cultural traditions of the region. And don’t miss the thrilling horse race known poetically as “Race Through the Clouds”.

With every visit to Fansipan or Sa Pa, travelers will discover that no experience is ever repeated. Each moment or each season unveils a distinct and extraordinary beauty that sets Fansipan and Sa Pa apart. Hence, Fansipan is known as a once-in-a-lifetime destination, beckoning travelers to return time and again. With each ascent to its sacred peak, where humans, legends, and nature coexist in perfect harmony, you will experience different emotions and enjoy unique moments.

The People”s Committees of the northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Bac Giang have agreed to consult leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism about adding Bach Dang pile yard to the scientific dossier on the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes to seek UNESCO’s recognition as world culture heritage.

Specifically, during the preparation of the document, the consultant selected three pile yards namely Yen Giang, Dong Van Muoi and Dong Ma Ngua in Bach Dang historical relic area (Quang Yen township, Quang Ninh province) to include in the list of 32 relic sites in the dossier.

The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes is comprised of four clusters of special national historical relics: the Yen Tu historical relic and landscape area (Uong Bi city of Quang Ninh), the Tran Dynasty historical relic area (Dong Trieu township of Quang Ninh), the Tay (Western) Yen Tu relic and landscape area (Bac Giang), and the Con Son – Kiep Bac complex (Hai Duong).

A large number of relics and landscapes in the complex, including historical relics, architectural – artistic relics, archaeological relics, and scenic landscapes, have been recognised to have provincial or national importance.

These sites boast harmonious combination of natural landscapes and architectural structures with special values. Besides, the complex holds great historical significance as it is the birthplace of Truc Lam – the Vietnamese Zen Buddhism founded by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong (1258 – 1308). It was also associated with the formation and development of the Tran Dynasty (1225 – 1400).

Previously, the Prime Minister assigned the People’s Committees of the provinces and related agencies to compile a dossier seeking the UNESCO-recognised world culture heritage status for the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes.

The localities have drastically implemented related affairs, including establishing a Steering Committee and a Working Group for preparing the dossier. Many meetings and scientific workshops have been organised to clarify the values of global significance of this complex.

Notably, Quang Ninh province’s authorities had working sessions with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, and Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in March this year to consult and comment on the dossier.

So far, the initial nomination dossier with 17 clusters of relics and 32 relics have been basically completed. The 2,000-page document in Vietnamese and English language is also accompanied by hundreds of maps, simulation drawings, photos, clips showing historical, cultural, architectural values, intangible and tangible heritages and overall management plans of the three localities.

The People’s Committees of the three neighbouring provinces signed a commitment to work together to finalise the initial nomination dossier and submit it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism by July 30, 2023.

By Hung Son – Minh Ha