Located just 140 km to the South west of Hanoi, Mai Chau valley has spectacular mountainous landscape dotted with house-on-stilts villages of the Thai ethnic group. This two-day trip offers an glimpse into the life of Thai people in Vietnam, with a combination of cultural sightseeing and soft adventure activities
Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau 08h00: Departs Hanoi 13h00: Check-in Mai Chau Lodge 15h30: Visit Soldier Cave, Walks to Thái villages of Pom Coong and Lac 17h00: Dinner; Traditional dance performance by the local Thái tribe
Day 2: Mai Chau - Hanoi ( Breakfast, Lunch ) 08h00: Breakfast and check out 09h00: Valley Biking 12h00: Lunch 13h00: Return to Hanoi
Early December, Asiana Travel Mate (ATM) holds an opening ceremony for our fifth office in Ho Chi Minh City, the seventh sales outlet nationwide, at 60 Pham Hong Thai Street, District 1. This is the latest step in ATM's continuing expansion of "Responsible Travel & Sharing" business in Vietnam and Indochina.
Customer and partner support is an important part of the office's success, and we thank all who came to the office warming reception to meet staff and gave good wishes. On this special occasion, we would like to offer customers who buy our services at the new office a 10% discount of any Vietnam Day Trip, effective from December 1st to December 31st inclusively.
Asiana Travel Mate is one of the Leading Tour Operators within Indochina. Our Travel Advisors have full Expertise in organizing tailor-make tours for thousands of Traveler to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. with many more offices in Vietnam, We are ensuring your Safe and Memorable Holiday with our Ultimate Personal Care and our strong commitment to "Responsible Travel & Sharing"
SAIGON HEAD OFFICE: 113C Bui Vien Str., Dist. 1. - Phone: +84-8 38 38 6678 HANOI TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Str. , Hoan Kiem Dist. - Phone: +84-4 39263370 HUE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 45 - 47 Le Loi Str., Hue City. - Phone: +84-54 3942 233 SAIGON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 92-94-96 Nguyen Hue str,, Ho Chi Minh city - Phone: +84-838250615 TRULY HALONG CENTER: 21 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hoan Kiem Hanoi - Phone: +84 4 39263449 CAMBODIA OFFICE: 117, St 6 Salakanseng, Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia - Phone: + 855 (0) 63 963320 LAOS OFFICE: 03/Ban Viengxay-Kithsarath RD, Luang Prabang Province-Lao PDR - Phone: +856-71 260 567
About the Author
Asiana Travel Mate, founded in 2006, provides customized inbound travel into Vietnam, extending to Cambodia and Laos. We believe in delivering services as promised, benefiting local communities and preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture offres Masters and Doctoral Scholarships to the nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
Scholarship Description: The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) invites applications for its graduate scholarship(MS andPhD)in agriculture and related fields (including biologicalsciences, socialsciences, economics andstatistics, forestry and fisheries, environmental sciences, agro industrial technology and engineering,biochemistry, and development management) for School Year 2012-2013.
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
The scholarship is open to nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam who are regular employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies and not older than 35 years old.
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
This scholarships is open to the residents of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam with good personality, clear about research and with motive of excelling in the field of the prescribed course.
Scholasrhip Application Deadline: 30 July 2011
About the Author
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
There are many different ethnic groups in South East Asia originating from Myanmar (Burma), Tibet and various provinces in China, all with various different customs, traditions and beliefs which can be greatly admired and respected. Even the main groups can be sub divided further giving hundreds of different groups across Asia. There are some agencies still trying to document all these ethnic groups.
Karen The Karen are a very large hilltribe ethnic group mainly found in Northern Thailand and account for almost half of the entire hilltribe population. They live in many provinces along the Western border of Thailand and also further into Thailand. The Karen tribe originate from Burma and the Thai-Burmese border area. Over the past century they have moved further into Thailand to avoid political unrest. The Karen groups include the Padong and the famous “longneck” ethnic group symbolised by the tight bronze rings they wear around their necks. Karen settlements are normally at a lower altitude than other hilltribes - approximately 500m above sea level and often reside in valley areas. They don’t often move location and many villages have been in the same place for hundreds of years. They are skilled at weaving, with the women weaving sarongs and dresses while the men weave large baskets for rice or cloths storage.
Akha The Akha are believed to originate from Southern China or Tibet. Linguistically they belong to the Tibeto-Burman group and they are related to the Lolo tribes of Yunnan (Southern China). The Hani tribe in Yunnan province is very similar to the Akha. Most Akha are to be found in Northern Burma, North Western Laos and Northern Thailand; which would support the view that they migrated southwards from Tibet and China. Different Akha groups can be distinguished by their costumes and headdress with different tribes having different patterns on their coats and different shaped headdresses. The Akha prefer to live at an elevation of over 1,000m. They practice shifting cultivation growing dry rice, corn, vegetables, peppers and beans and also rearing of livestock. They believe in all kinds of spirits and village gates can be found at the entrance to every Akha village at both ends which is said to protect the village from the many spirits outside. In one house you will find the whole extended family with a divide separating the men and women. The husband is monogamous and married couples with also have a smaller house apart from the large family house.
Hmong The Hmong groups are found scattered throughout many countries, including China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand and can also be divided into sub groups, which can be defined by their different styles and colours of clothing. Hmong families are male dominated and after marriage the bride moves into the husband’s house, the Hmong are also known to have several wives. They prefer to set their villages at high altitudes of 1000-1200m and practice shifting cultivation, moving great distances looking for better land. They grow mainly dry rice and corn and vegetables and they worship their ancestors and many other spirits. The village priest and shaman are very important in the village and their ceremonies bare some resemblance to the Chinese culture.
Lisu The Lisu are thought to originate from Southern China (and probably from Tibet before that), they first came to Thailand and Myanmar approximately 80 years ago and can further be divided into two smaller groups. They are part of the Tibeto-Burman linguistic group and their culture is closely related to that of the Chinese. At Chinese New Year they also celebrate their New Year making offerings to ancestor spirits and their village guardian spirit. The women dress in stunning costumes such as coloured robes with thin coloured stripes around the neck and upper arms. When a Lisu man marries there is always a dowry to be paid for the bride, marriage are normally allowed only outside the clan and they practise monogamy.
Lahu The Lahu are believed to have originated in Tibet and then migrated down to China, Laos, Burma and Thailand. They can be further sub-divided into many groups and belong to the Tibeto-Burman linguistic group, amongst them the dialect of the Lahu Na is recognised as standard. Lahu when translated means hunter and indeed they are great hunters, with the men going off into the forest sometimes for many days at a time to hunt. Clan doesn’t play a large part in Lahu villages and the headman has the most power with rules of the village being decided through a consensus. The Lahu like to stay mobile and if one doesn’t like the rules of one village they would easily move and find another, this isn’t seen as a problem as the villages are all considered as one extended family.
Yao The Yao (Mien) are very similar to the Hmong and form part of the Austro-Thai linguistic group. Their culture is similar to the Chinese celebrating the same New Year and they use Chinese characters to record traditional songs and legends. Many Yao can also speak Yunnanese or Mandarin, they are found in Guangxi, Yunnan and Guangdong provinces of China, as well as Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Thailand. Yao households normally consist of an extended family and like the Hmong; Yao men are allowed to take more than one wife. In the past, the Yao were highly mobile, always on the lookout for better land. The Yao set their villages at a high altitude and will not be situated beneath another tribe. The women are skilled at needlework and embroidery, with the men being great silversmiths again like the Hmong.
Katu The Katu group is found mainly in Vietnam but also across the Laos border in the Provinces of Sekong and Savanakhet, they live in mountainous areas and belong to the Mon-Khmer division of the Austro-Asiatic family. Women bear responsibility for the household and the upbringing of the children, and for much of the agrarian work. Men are the decision-makers and have the authority in the house hold.
Alak and Laven Again part of the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic family. They live on the mountain slopes at an altitude of around 600m. They practice slash and burn agriculture, and the Alak group can be found in the south of Laos around the Bolaven plateau which straddles straddling the provinces of Attapeu, Champasak, Sekong and Salavan.
After traveling in South East Asia for several years and falling in love with the area in particular Laos. Xplore-Asia was formed with the aim of promoting tours to increase responsible tourism for the local people and show the world the beauty of this area. After setting up operations in South East Asia, Xplore-Asia expanded into the UK and is Directed by Alex Aziz.
Lao People (Distinct Faces of Laos) Part 1 - Road Junkie Snippets 2 (A)
The following article is intended to act as a sort of primer for those researching the K1 visa process for the first time. This article is written specifically to enlighten those with a Lao fiance(e).
For Americans with a fiance or fiancee of any nationality the K1 visa process almost invariably begins at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This office operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for making adjudications of United States Immigration petitions and applications. Officers of USCIS adjudicate petitions through application of rules and regulations as set forth under US law in the form of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and later statutory revisions. US immigration law is a complicated and narrow area of American jurisprudence. This area of law can, at times, be difficult to understand. Some belabor under the incorrect assumption that USCIS approval is a foregone conclusion. This is simply not the case as USCIS can deny one's petition depending upon one's circumstances. If approved, then the approved petition will be sent to the American State Department's National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.
The National Visa Center acts as a sort of clearinghouse for visa applications as this agency is responsible for routing visa applications to American Embassies and Consulates abroad. Supervising such a broad and elaborate operation is a substantial undertaking that currently results in comparatively efficient movement of evidence and documentation regarding pending visa applications.
After a visa applicant's case file arrives at the American Consulate or American Embassy abroad, the Consular Processing portion of the K1 visa process can be initiated. Pursuant to the doctrine of Consular Absolutism American Consular Officers are permitted a wide degree of latitude to make factual findings in visa application proceedings. That said, American laws and regulations constrain legal findings pursuant to the language of the INA. Although, if a Consular Officer finds that a legal grounds of inadmissibility in a given case, then such a finding may only be overcome through use of an I-212 or I-601 waiver. Some individuals find that assistance of an American Immigration law firm can be highly beneficial during the K1 visa process as an American attorney can provide advice and counsel about US Immigration law and also provide services to streamline the processing of an individual's case. Legal translation can be critically important in a K1 visa case as identity documentation can be a necessity and sometimes difficult to get translated. In matters pertaining to Laos this can be of acute importance as government documentation can sometimes be difficult to retrieve.
Consular Officers adjudicating cases at any American Mission abroad make adjudications based upon the facts and the law. Those who claim any "special relationship" with Post personnel should neither be believed nor trusted as adjudications are conducted in a truly unbiased and professional manner. Those seeking professional assistance in matters pertaining to US Immigration are well advised to check the credentials of anyone claiming to provide US Immigration services as only a licensed American attorney is entitled to practice US Immigration law.
About the Author
Benjamin Hart is a lawyer from the USA and the Managing & International Director of Integrity Legal (Thailand) Co. Ltd. and White & Hart Ltd., respectively. Contact: 1-877-231-7533, +66 (0)2-266-3698, or info@integrity-legal.com. On the Web:
lao people="lao people" Did the Us Government hire Thai people during Vietnam to work as tunnel rats?
Some guy came up to me and said he worked in NKP as a tunnel rat for the US Army in Vietnam. He was old enough and spoke some English but he seemed to be hitting the lao-lao pretty hard. Well you know NKP was a secret base.
The NVA and VC did construct a lot of tunnel networks and since they were "slightly smaller" than most US GI's the tunnels were a little narrow in some places. It would make sense to use the smallest guy to crawl in to investigate or set some charges.
I don't remember reading or personally seeing any Thai's in the US employ for this particular job. Thai troops were in Nam but my best guess that they did their own tunnel exploring and the US did their own exploring! There were always joint type missions, I guess it would be prudent to use what ever particular resources available to get the job done.
Interesting question, right up there with Air America, Nung Guards, Biet Hai, "Chu Hois" and various Montagnard/Hmong forces.
The age-old traditions of the Red Dao people, a hill tribe known for its medicinal culture and expert herbalists, infuse an all natural spa in the mountains.
After a long day of hiking the steep hills and terraced rice paddies of the mountains around Sapa, an all-natural herbal steam bath was just what my aching muscles needed.
At Red Dao Spa, I was led into a small bath full of fragrant steam wafting from the large wooden tub. First, I washed down with some herb-infused water, a dark reddish color, and then sat in the warm water for a 20 minute soak.
The Red Dao people in Sapa are known as the best herbalists in the area thanks to a vibrant medicinal culture centered on herbal remedies. Living near thick forests, Red Dao communities have taken advantage of the rich source of medicine to keep them healthy and full of energy. The Red Dao use herbs to treat everything from flu to skin diseases and muscle problems.
For generations, the Red Dao people have used traditional herbal spas to treat a variety of ailments. Their baths include ten different kinds of herbs collected fresh from the forest before each soak.
The leaves, some fresh but some dried, are boiled for 3-4 hours. Then they are mixed with fresh water at 30-37oC. The bathtub, put in a small room to keep the steam and fragrance of the herbs, is usually made from fir or another aromatic wood.
Therapy
Red Dao Spa is run by Sapa local Ly Lao Lo in Ta Chai Village, Ta Phin Commune, around 12 kilometers from the center of the town.
The spa is small and sparsely furnished, but welcoming and comfortable. I visited after a Sapa woman suggested the place.
Once I arrived, I was briefed about the history of the herbal therapies I would be given and the properties of each herb.
Then I had my soak. Sitting in the warm, red water, I felt all my senses tingle and my muscles eased and relaxed. A soothing feeling crept up and down my body. After 20 minutes, I was thoroughly relaxed.
Goldmine
The only problem with Sapa’s new Red Dao-style spas is that there are a lot of them and it’s not easy to tell which ones are authentic.
“The thing that worries me is if people sell the service when they don’t really understand it and do not use the herbs properly,” said Lo.
“It also saddens me to see villagers working very hard to collect the herbs when the spas don’t pay them very well.”
With help from doctors at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Lo has also established a small company producing soap with traditional Red Dao herbs and leaves. To make the product, which can be found in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Lo has hired some 40 families in his village to grow the herbs themselves.
Try the true Dao’s spa at:
Red Dao Spa: Ta Chai Village, Ta Phin Commune, Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages.
Fall Quarter Battle 2010: Judge Showcase (Seton Chiang, Brian Lao; Vince Ngo)
lao news today="lao news today" Do you remember Killing Fields?
Dith Pran, 65 died today(Yahoo News). This Cambodian journalist told the truth about the post Vietnam war affects that killed 2 million Cambodians (and hundreds of thousand Laotians and Vietnameses). Most Westerners ignored and denied these facts. Let's remember this guy and honor him with all of our effort by not to let it happen to post Middle East War.
You are right; those who forget history will have to repeat it. This time, I don't think we will stop until the situation is stabilized. But that will mean a lot of fighting.
laos ngo="laos ngo" What paid work opportunities are there in Laos?
Preferably Vientiane. I am an experienced TEFL teacher but would prefer work with a development agency/NGO. Anyone any ideas?
Among the travellers, teaching job is popular. I hope some NGO,etc from Laos responds to your question. You might enjoy these resources which I have collected for you. In most cases, you might need to contact them instead of waiting for them to contact you. Just send them emails asking for jobs. Were you also looking for volunteer oppertunities, then the doors of the none profit companies will be more open for you!
Laos Society and Culture http://www.google.com/Top/Regional/Asia/Laos/Society_and_Culture/
Jobs http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/SiteIndex/Search/search?assetTypes=Job&keywords=laos&sid=74958643-6-EovuK http://www.teachabroad.com/Laos.cfm
Hope that much helps you for now. Have a great day!
laos economic="laos economic" How can I help bridge an sense of unity between Thai and Lao people?
I have notice a great degree of Thai people treating Lao people as lesser just because they are an economic sucess like Thailand. Likewise, Laos view Thais as oppressive. How can I bridge an understanding between them? I mean "they are not" Well there is many Lao people living in Thailand. About 20% of the population is Lao!
This is not your battle. But the best way to bridge an understanding between the peoples of other nations would be to get an education and garner some personal attributes. You won't get them from this place, here are a bunch of ignorant racists who don't know statistics from shinola.
A - General Ethnic minority peoples or hill tribal peoples dominate Sapa as well as the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. Although minority people lived their traditional live basing on self subsidiary style, the need for exchanging their products is always strong. And more than that the wish of meeting others for socializing is very important which adds special significant to the meaning of markets in the mountainous region where most of the ethnic minorities live in remote and isolated villages. As going to attend a festival, tribal peoples always wear their best colorful traditional costumes to go to the markets. After selling out their produces such as fruit, rice, corn, vegetable, handicraft, chicken, pigs or even buffaloes and horses… men gather, sitting on wooden bench at many footstalls drinking corn wine while women with children enjoying noodle soup and all talking cheerfully. Especially the markets give youngsters chances to make friend with others and seeking for lover! It is always a fantastic experience to visitors to attend one of these local markets as part of a memorable vacation in Vietnam.
B – Ethnic Markets near Sapa in Lao Cai Province 1 – Sapa Market Sapa market located at the center of Sapa town and and is opened every day. But it is most crowded on Saturday late afternoon and evening Before the French built Sapa town into a town, the market place was on the sandy ground about 7 km east of the town now, at the junction of the main road to Lao Cai and the trail to Ta Phin Village. Until 1980s, when the population of the region was small and transportation was very poor, It was really hard to communicate among villages, the market offered probably the only chances once a week for H'mong and Red Zao peoples to meet others. The main market took place on Sunday but many went to the market the afternoon before because their villages were too far and it took many hours to go on foot. Of course there were no accommodation for rent then, so for passing the night they gathered around fire talking, playing their traditional music, dancing… Gradually these activities attracted the youngsters from villages near by to come and turned the market into a dating place for lovers. Nowadays, due to fast development in the region to make it easy for locals to communicate among villages, as a result, the market in Sapa has been becoming less important spiritually. However, it is still crowded every weekend and worthwhile to spend few hours to join local for a life experience.
2 – Bac Ha Market Opened every Sunday at the center of Bac Ha township, this is the biggest ethnic market in Lao Cai Province and probably among some most interesting ones in the northern mountains. Some thousands peoples from ethnic groups including Black Zao, Tay, Phu La and Flower H'mong wearing their best traditional clothes attend the market to turn it into a kind of festival. Commodity sold at the market is varied from embroidered clothes, handicraft, farming produces, food… to poultry and cattle such as vegetable, spices, chili, chicken, cat, piggy, doggy… At the market place, after finishing their shopping, peoples gathered into groups at footstalls or restaurants enjoying "Thang Co" a kind of H'mong traditional specialty, drinking corn wine and talking cheerfully. Some hundred meters away from the main market place is the buffaloes and horses market and it is really interesting to see the buyers carefully searching in order to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the animals before buying because a buffalo or horse is a real important property in their farming work. The best time to join the market is from 09.00 to 12.00 but it is fascinating to spend few hours earlier to see the people along the trail to the Bac Ha Market. It is worthwhile to spend at least a day and night here to explore some ethnic villages nearby and joining the locals for the best market for a memorable experience.
* Bac Ha is located 70 km, northeast of Lao Cai City and take about 2 hours by road; 105 km from Sapa and takes 3 hours to go by road.
3 – Muong Hum Market on Sunday Muong Hum is a large and important market in the northwest region of Lao Cai Province. Very different from Bac Ha and Sapa market which lye inside the district townships, Muong Hum Market is set on open flat land at the bottom of a large and scenic valley by a small river and surrounded by terraced rice paddies. It is often empty and quiet on the other weekday, waken up and busy on Sunday. This market is well-known as one of the most interesting Sunday market in Lao Cai province and possibly a good alternative trip to Bac Ha market for visitors thanks to the very large variety of the ethnic minority peoples to attend and quite easy to be distinguished through their traditional clothes. The flower H'mong wear thick embroidered yellow and red skirts and blouses while the Red H'mong prefer thinner red embroidered patterns on light batik background; In contrast, the Black H'mong in dark indigo with just some decorative motive at the end of the shirt sleeves and round the neck. Red Zao and Zao Tuyen wear black trousers and shirts with fine yellow embroidery motifs and pay much attention to the decoration to their headgears including silver chains and bells. There are also many Zay, Tay and Ha Nhi people joining the market who wear less colorful clothes but no less beautiful.
* The road trip to Muong Hum takes 2.5 hours from Sapa(75km) and 1.5 hour from Lao Cai although the distant is only 42km due to tough road.
4 – Can Cau Market Can Cau is a rural ethnic market, simply set up on the open ground at the side of a mountain, looking down a picturesque valley about 20 km north of Bac Ha. It is every Saturday morning when hundreds of ethnic peoples mainly Flower H'mong gather to sell their farming products and buy necessities. The market's most colorful part is clothes section with shirts, blouses, skirts…or parts of the traditional costumes with embroidery patterns in different motifs lying on dark batik background but may be the most interesting section is the tobacco and wine section when buyers are allowed to taste the product before buying and many men get too drunk to buy anything more! In the perfect light of the early morning, It is not only the colorful market and the peoples but also the beautiful surrounding nature make the visit here an unforgettable trip, especially for nature lovers and photo hunters.
* The road ride takes 30 minutes from Bac Ha(22km), nearly 3 hours from Lao Cai(90km) and about 4 hours from Sapa(Aprox 130km).
5 – Coc Ly Market on every Tuesday Same as Can Cau, Coc Ly is a small rural market nested itself off the beaten track amongst green and fabulous forest, on a bank of the Chay River. At the crowded hours from 09.00 to 11.00, the market place is dominated by the red and yellow colors from traditional costumes of the Flower H'mong women, dotted with black color of the Black Zao and dark blue from the Tay. The H'mong and Zao from up mountain villages come to the market mainly on foot with their horses carrying their selling while the Tay live along the Chay River use their wooden boats. The best way for tourists is to take the road trip to the market and the boat downstream the Chay River for a few hours to explore this untouched area.
* the road trip takes 1.5 hour from Lao Cai or Bac Ha( About 55km) and 2 and a half hours from Sapa( 90km)
6 – Cao Son Market on Wednesday Upstream the Chay River about 25 km to the north of Coc Ly market, near Chinese border, the remote Cao Son market is simply set in a fascinating nature and surrounded mountains which covered by lush plantation and terraced rice paddies and cornfields. Most the participants are Flower H'mong, Black Zao, Nung, Tu Di, Pa Di ethnic form villages in the surrounding region but many come from China to add more colors to the market. Cheerful and smiling faces are everywhere at the market place and the peoples behave like close friends meeting again after long time away. It is easy to realize women from different groups through traditional costumes they wear while men's dress are similar. More over, a trip here to the market in combine with exploring and visiting the villages nearby is a special offer to those who dare to forget modern facilities of city life and dedicate time and energy to the discovery of the local traditional values.
* The road trip here takes about 2 and a half hours from Lao Cai (75km) and 3 and a half hours from Sapa(115Km)
7 – Muong Khuong Market on Sunday Bordering with Chinese Yunnan Procince, Muong Khuong is a district of Lao Cai Province which is home to a diversity of ethnic minority groups including H'mong, Zao, Nung, Pa Zi and Tu Zi. Located at the center of the township, Muong Khuong Market, the most important market of the local ethnic peoples takes place on every Sunday, is always crowded with some thousands minority people from early morning. The H'mong and the Zao peoples, especially women are always wear their best colorful traditional costume and take the largest number. The Tu Zi and Pazi are of minor number but their traditional costume are of special model with dark color and high top hats. There are also many ethnic minority people come from the other side of the border, who often bring cheap Chinese made commodity to add to the variety of goods for sales at the market. Beside a collection of most popular commodity such as clothes, vegetable, food, farming tools, animals… which can be found in other market in the regions, some local specialties can be found at Muong Khuong Market including resin, incense made from tree bark, and medicinal herb for treatment together with acupuncture. Our one day trip to Muong Khuong from Sapa or from Lao Cai for those clients taking Saturday night train from Hanoi offers not only a chance to join the ethnic locals at this impressive market but also many opportunities to pay visiting to near by villages and admiring stunning scenery around the region.
* Muong Khuong is 50km from Lao Cai, 1.5 hour to drive and 87km from Sapa, which takes approximately 2.5 hours.
8 – Pha Long Market Saturday Locating just few kilometers away from Chinese border, on a hill top amongst perfect nature setting, the Pha Long Market is a very rural and seldom visited by tourists. Every Saturday morning, local peoples from H,mong, Zao, Zay, Pa Zi, Tu Zi and Tu Lao, the 3 small branches of the Bo Y group with just some thousands inhabitants, living in the villages along the border gather. Attending the market, It is quite easy to realize that many peoples at the market know one another well because the population of the region is small and relationship among the people is strongly maintained. The market often over around noon and it is a great experience to follow some local to their village near by for an interesting discovery of local culture and living way. The market surrounding area offers breathtaking scenery of the mountain terrain featuring with lush forest, pine plantations and terraced rice paddies which dominated the low land and valleys.
* It takes 2 hours by road from Lao Cai town (68km) and 3 hours from Sapa 95km.
9 – Tam Duong & Binh Lu Market On the west side of Hoang Lien Son mountain range in the territory of Lai Chau Province, there are two regional market being set up in the two lush valley Binh Lu and Tam Duong. The ethnic minority peoples who are different from those in Sapa are Black Zao, Zao with coins, Red H'mong and especially the Lu and Lao, whose ancestors were believed to be originated from a tribal living in Laos. With a population as small as some four thousands inhabitants the Lu and Lao people live in some large villages including some hundred houses built on stilts near rivers and stream, cultivating wet rice, corn and beans. Every day, early morning or late in the afternoon, a large number of Red H'mong and Lu often carry their gathering from the forest including mushroom, bamboo shoot, fire wood or medicinal herbs to the market in Binh Lu township about 45km from Sapa by road.
Being set up just on the side of the main road and surrounded by steep mountains and hills covered with green tea plantation, the Tam Duong market is held on every Thursdays. It is not as big and colorful as the markets in Bac Ha and Muong Hum and crowded on some moths from September to April but is worth to spend an hour attending these 2 markets as additional activity to the Northwest trip.
* The road trip here takes about 3 hours from Lao Cai (127km) and 1 and a half hours from Sapa(90Km)
10 - Lung Khau Nhin Market Taking place every Thursday, Lung Khau Nhin Market is a small market hiding itself amongst the mountains and forests of the far north Vietnam about 10 km from the border with China. Although not being so big or famous among visitors as Coc Ly and Can Cau, Lung Khau Nhin market, be side a normal shopping place, play an important role to spiritual life of local ethnic peoples Flower H'mong, Black Zao, Zay, and especially to those who come from very small ethnic groups such as Pa Zi, Tou Zi, Tou Lao who live in small and isolated villages around this corner of the country, come for meeting, socializing...
From Lao Cai: 65Km and takes nearly 2 hours by road; From Sapa: 102km and takes about 3 hours by road
11 - Lung Phin Market If most of the mountain markets in Vietnam happen on weekend, Lung Phin is a different one which is rich local culture meaning. This is based on the date of 12 animal designations in clued Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare/Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep/Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. This market is every day of Monkey and Tiger. From the late afternoon of the day before the Flower H'mong, Black Zao, Tay and Phu La peoples gather here from the surrounding areas and have one night meeting friends who come from other villages. The old people talk about their family, children, works…while young people talk about love and marriage…some of them would come with instruments and dance to warm up the cold night. The market is right on the hillside near the main road between Bac Ha and Can Cau with some thatched huts where at the corner they tie animals.
* Lung Phin market is 12km from Bac Ha, 82km from Lao Cai and about 120km from Sapa
12 - Si Ma Cai Market on Sunday Hiding itself in the mountains and forest at the far end of a tough road, Si Ma Cai Market is often referred to as one of the remotest tribal market of the region and rarely visited by tourists. The name Simacai means " horse market" in H'mong language and old peoples said that It was the biggest horse market of the region. However, life is changing fast and horses are not the only purchasing objects nowadays. The market place is simply a large ground near the recently developed town let of Simacai District with some thatched huts built to accommodate shops and food stalls. Every Sunday, Simacai market attracts some thousands of Flower H'mong, Zao, Phu La peoples from villages in the region come to shopping, enjoying themselves meeting friends and relatives…after hard working days. They spend most of their time at the market talking, chatting and also drinking a lot.
About the Author
Asiana Travel Mate, founded in 2006, provides customized inbound travel into Vietnam, extending to Cambodia and Laos. We believe in delivering services as promised, benefiting local communities and preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam
Mr Hung
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laos development="laos development" How much would it cost to build a school or library?
I am asking mainly about Laos, but some information about Thailand would be helpful too.
It looks like I am going back to SE Asia soon....if not this October, then next April. I would love to do something to help in the economic development of Laos.
I was thinking of doing some fundraising to get the funds to build a school or library in Laos; and if the fundraising isn't enough, I or my family will cover the rest.
So......how much would it cost to build a 2500 sq foot library or 10 000 sq feet school? Oh....would I be able to get help from the local government like tax relief, etc? I have asked certain people in Lao construction...they told me $40 000 for a 3000-4000 sq building...to me that seems low...but asking others before committing more would be helpful.
I do not know about the construction costs in Laos, but I would not bother about a library. Go for a school building or teaching equipment/materials.
Do not expect any help from the government in Lao PDR. From my discussions with the Swedish Aid Agency and the (now former) British Consul in Vientiane, I heard that Lao government officials frequently have the audacity to demand bribes in order to approve aid projects.
Instead, you should consider finding and approaching a NGO or a corporation that may be willing to help co-sponsor your project. The link will give you an idea of some that are active in Thailand.
Are you planning your next vacation to the beautiful country of Thailand? You can be assured of a great stay only when you plan your vacation well ahead of time. There are a number of factors that you must take care of if you are planning to visit the ‘golden land'. Chiang Mai is one of the largest city in Thailand and is the most culturally rich too. If you are visiting Thailand, you must make it a point to explore Chiang Mai as well.
Realize the significance of cultural prominence of Chiang Mai, like every other travel-enthusiast! Did you know, according to THA, Chiang Mai hotels recorded a 70%, as on the last week of March, 2011? Songkran is approaching and travelers are not willing to miss out the fun of being present at the city during the festival.
Chiang Mai is a striking fusion of cultures and ideas of people from Laos, China and native Thailand. One of the most wonderful things here is that the cultural effect is absolutely unadulterated. It is a vibrant city of Thailand that is hemmed by mountains. The city has several spiritual attributes too. While coping up with the fast pace of the modern world, the city has not failed to preserve its historical heritage.
Visitors are sure to get mesmerized with the serenity and cultural assets that Chiang Mai has to offer. There are shops selling incredible handicrafts items, sumptuous food hubs and loads of tourist spots to keep travelers busy in this city.
As for the Chiang Mai hotels are concerned, there are plenty of them, designed in typical Thai-style. Most of the hotels are well connected with the main tourist attractions. Let us take a look at some of the famous tourist spots in Chiang Mai.
Bo Sang
This is also known the Umbrella Village, because of the fact that the place has many umbrella manufacturers. You can collect some of the finest umbrellas from this place.
Chiang Dao
This is a popular place for people who love activities like bird-watching and trekking. This spot is known for its untainted, scenic beauty.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest peak and the three waterfalls cascading down the slopes make this spot a must-visit for the visitors of Chiang Mai.
If you are planning for an enthralling vacation, you must plan on exploring Chiang Mai. Make sure to book your accommodations and travel tickets well ahead of time to rule out chances of any issues. There are several reliable online websites where you can book Chiang Mai hotels in a just a few clicks.
About the Author
Booking Chiang Mai hotels is so much easy with Fargo Travel. It takes just a few minutes!
COPE - National Rehabilitation Centre, Vientiane, Laos
laos poverty="laos poverty" Why is Africa still the worst place?
Why is Africa, the birth of civilization, continuously to this date the worst place on the planet? Poverty, war, starvation, diseases, no man’s law, etc. Many South American and Asian countries were harshly plundered and colonized by the westerners but they show improvements. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia were literally torn apart to pieces in the 70s and 80s now has, though not perfect, has stable “democratic” governments. North Korea is still very bad but at least there’s a sovereign government and no war.
Serious and educative reply only please.
To answer your question before I get to the "serious and educative" part - Africa is not the worst place on this planet.
Poverty exists in the United States of America - is this reason enough to call it "the worst place in the world?" While China's poverty level of 10% may seem low - in reality 10% of 1.3 billion is 130 million. The people of Afghanistan (and more than a few foreign "observers or advisors") have been fighting one war or another steadily for the last 30 years in Afghanistan. Does this make it better or worse than all African countries? Starvation has occurred in Russia in the 1930s and China in the 1950s. What makes starvation in Africa worse than starvation in those two countries? Diseases flourish all over the world, and while some countries in Africa suffer severely from high levels of AIDS, other countries still suffer from Malaria and Dengue Fever. European countries (Germany & the Soviet Union) plundered other European countries, and Japan plundered many Asian countries before, during, and after the Second World War - this by no means is limited to Western nations. Cambodia's government has only stabilised in the last few years, as have some African countries. Laos and Vietnam have one-party Communist governments - while some African countries have shown improvements with multi-party democracies. While South Africa has many problems with crime and its economy - it too has a sovereign, democratically-elected government, no war, and is certainly a lot better than North Korea.
A Day in the Life of Kaisong - Experience Poverty in Laos
laos health="laos health" Please help: Looking for Chinese & Indian herbs (& herbalist) in Malaysia?
Hi,
I will be traveling for three months through SE Asia, including Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia starting in mid-September. I consume many herbal dietary supplements for my health, but because of possilbe complications getting them through customs (the herbs come in bulk with no original packaging per se), it looks like I might have to find these Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) herbs in each respective destination.
So, I'm asking about Malaysia here---any city, but especially in bigger ones like Kuala Lumpur. Do you know of any herbalists or herbal shops which have Chinese and Indian herbs, especially encapsulated herbs? Health-food stores? (I'm looking for largest shops, as they are more likely to have the specific herbs I need.) Any names or search tips on the internet would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
ong@um.edu.my
the name is prof ong hean chooi.
or you can call 603-7967 4118. it's the number of institute of biological science in university malaya. ask for the extension.
this is one of my lecturer. he specialist in herbs. i do think he must has profound knowledge on this.
Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Laos - Access to basic health care
bank in lao="bank in lao" looking for land investment in bangalore?
PSR ICONVALLEY is giving your dream house after electronic city near jigani-anekal road. BMRDA( APO/LAO/182/2007-08) WITH 628 residential PLOTS gated community township. full-fledge world class amenities. Ready for registration. Available plot sizes 1200SFT, 1500sft, 2400sft, 3000sft & 4800sft. Bank loans are available from IDBI, LIC HOUSING FINANCE AND AXIS bank up to 85%.Ready to build your Dream House. Visit today and pick the plot as per your choice in PSR icon valley. For more details log on and see "PSR ICON VALLEY" layout VIDEO: www.focusbmrdaplots.in for site visit please call : RAJESH P sr.marketing executive +91 8971813998 +91 7676969693
You have both question as well as answer for that. Good.
lao market="lao market" Thai/Lao Market in San Mateo Area?
Does anyone know of any Thai/Laos or CAmbodian markets in San Mateo or surrounding cities? O'm looking for something specific and Marina Market nor 99 Ranch type of stores has it. Thank you.
Nak's Market 1151 Chestnut St, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 325-2046
Fantastic resource of all Thai markets in the Bay area
In January 1950, the People’s Republic of China recognised the Vietminh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam as the government of Vietnam. At the same time the non-Communist nations of the world recognised the France supported State of Vietnam led by former Emperor Bao Dai. The Battle of Dien Bein Phu of 1954 marked the end of French involvement in Indo-China and the independence was granted to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia by the Geneva Accords. The Accords also resulted in the partition of Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with Ho Chi Minh’s communist Vietminh in control of the north and the French-backed State of Vietnam in control of the south. Elections were to be held throughout the country, according to the Geneva Accords, but they were blocked by the South Vietnamese president, who feared a communist victory. Following a powerful propaganda campaign marshalled by the Americans, over one million people fled the North, mainly Catholics who feared communist persecution. In the North, the Vietminh who had come under the control of the Lao Dung Party consolidated their power under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, collectivised agriculture and began planning about how to gain control of the South. In Saigon, Bao Dai was deposed in a referendum by the US backed Ngo Dinh Diem in late 1955, he immediately launched an anti-communist sweep of the south. The Vietminh cadres, dismissively dubbed the Vietcong by Diem found their backs to the wall and appealed to the North for support. A low key insurgency developed in the South, it was originally aimed at local government officials but it soon broadened to include other symbols of the status quo including teachers, health workers and agricultural officials.
In May 1959, the Lao Dung Party sanctioned an armed revolution against Saigon, thousands of insurgents began to stream down the Ho Chi Minh Trail to help form Vietcong units, this was the beginnings of the National Liberation Front. By the early 1960s, the NLF’s campaign had burgeoned and was scoring defeats on the Army, Republic of Vietman (ARVN). Diem and his mafia-like family were incapable of dealing with the growing crisis, the US administration began to seek ways of removing them from the reigns of power. The US diplomatic regime in Saigon approved if not planned a coup d’etat in May 1963 which resulted in the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Diem Nhu. Chaos followed the coup, one military government toppled another in quick succession while the North Vietnamese government took advantage of the instability by pouring support into it’s guerrilla movement. A controversial incident that occurred in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964, would have a profound impact on the war. The US destroyer, Maddox was fired upon by North Vietnamese torpedo boats, it was later reported that their crews were inexperienced and were simply responding to sonar and radar anomalies. However, the Johnson administration, used the incident to gain congressional support for increased military action in South-East Asia. The war began to escalate from 1965, in retaliation to Vietcong attacks on the US airbase at Pleiku, the US air force began bombing North Vietnam. In the summer of that year, General Westmoreland, Commander of the US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), ordered the first US ground offensive ground operation. US troops began pouring into the country, and Washington encouraged its SEATO allies to send troops and Austrailia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines all sent troops, although America’s NATO allies, most notably Canada and the United Kingdom refused to contribute troops.
Westmoreland launched a series of large-scale ‘Search and Destroy’ operations, targeting Vietcong operating bases. Vietcong units often managed to evade US incursions by retreating to sanctuaries in Cambodia and Laos, though the attacks did take their toll on Vietcong forward-supply bases. The political situation in South Vietnam began to stabilise with the coming to power of Vice-President Nguyen Cao Ky and President Nguyen Van Thieu in 1967. The Johnson administration employed a ‘policy of minimum candour’ when dealing with the media, this policy damaged the trust of the American public in the administration and large scale public protests began in the States as the ’credibility gap’ widened. By mid-1967, US forces were gaining the upper hand until Hanoi launched the Tet Offensive in January 1968 with the intention of launching a military and civilian uprising in the South, that failed to materialise, however the offensive proved to be a political triumph for Hanoi because the American military and by extension the American public had believed the war to be almost over, they were shocked by the scope and intensity of the attack. It caused Lyndon B. Johnson’s job, home support for the effort began to seriously stumble and US policy-makers became increasingly determined to devise an exit strategy that would not simply abandon South Vietnam to PAVN; they began negotiations with North Vietnam in Paris, though little progress was made. The Nixon administration began a policy of Vietnamization, where ARVN forces were bolstered as American troops began to withdraw. In March 1969, US forces launched a massive bombing campaign of Cambodia with the goal of destroying PAVN sanctuaries, this violated a long succession of pronouncements from Washington supporting Cambodian neutrality.
However, in May 1970, the US began ground incursions into Cambodia; this action sparked nationwide protests on the home front culminating in the tragedy at Kent State University when four students were shot and killed by soldiers of the Ohio National Guard. The public were outraged, but the Nixon administration appeared indifferent, launching ARVN incursions into neutral Laos in early 1971 with the intention of cutting the Ho Chi Minh supply line. These incursions proved disastrous with the ARVN forces who were easily routed, retreating pell-mell, abandoning vehicles and equipment and requiring a bail-out by American airpower; the chaos clearly emphasised the failure of the policy of Vietnamization. Morale amongst US troops was at its lowest ebb - Australia and New Zealand pulled out their troops, many soldiers developed drug habits, there were problems with race relations and insubordination and cases of courts-martial soared. Vietnamization was again tested by the Easter Offensive of 1972, the VPA and NLF overran the northern provinces and other forces attacked from Cambodia, threatening to cut the country in half but US airpower again came to the rescue. It was now clear that South Vietnam could not survive without the support of American airpower, though the remaining American ground troops were withdrawn in August. After peace negotiations had broken down, Nixon ordered a massive bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong to pressurize North Vietnam back to the negotiating table. It worked, at huge cost, although the Paris Peace Accords were signed in January 1973, the offensive had destroyed much of the remaining industrial and economic capacity of North Vietnam. The Peace Accords enforced a cease-fire, it was stated that US POW’s would be released, national elections would be called for in the North and the South and a sixty day period was instigated for the complete withdrawal of American forces. However, the fighting in South Vietnam continued, the POW issue runs to this day and elections were never held. Many South Vietnamese fled to the United States in one of the largest war refugees migrations in history. There was no peace movement to protest the renewed bloodshed nor was there much media coverage. Early in 1975, the North Vietnamese launched their final offensive, South Vietnam rapidly collapsed. North Vietnamese troops entered Saigon, only hours after the US completed an emergency airlift of embassy personnel and thousands of South Vietnamese who feared for their lives under the communists. Hanoi gained control of South Vietnam, and its allies won in Cambodia, where the government surrendered to insurgent forces on 17 April 1975, and Laos, where the Communists gradually assumed control.
About the Author
Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net http://www.visitscotlandtours.com
