Vietnam - the hidden charm

I just came back from a meeting with the Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Department; Mr. Pham Huu Minh. He took the map of the country and we went through it highlighting the spots with the highest interest for tourists or investors in tourism. It's becoming clear that this country is so rich in traditions and culture that maybe a whole year would give enough time to cover a good part of it.
We are very interested in the island of Phu Quoc, located the extreme South West and one of the most unspoiled lands, virgin rainy forest (or jungle), pristine white and gold beaches. Some investors from Switzerland have a plan to develope a bungalow village on it and Germans also.
We are looking forward to move to the South to explore an apparently totally different country; a two-seasons vs a four-seasons in the North.
Anyway now the weekend is approaching. Tomorrow Saturday, an interview with a company producing furniture for kitchens and the like. Interesting to have it on a Saturday; then the plan for Sunday is not sure yet. Probably a photo session in Ha Noi or surrounding.

Snakes in Ha Noi?

Usually it is not the first thing that a visitor has on his agenda when touring around Vietnam's capital but once he has been digging a little deeper he will find out that Ha Noi is also home to some of the most known Vietnamese snakes restaurant in the country (if not the world). Snake blood in a glass with some liquor makes it a wonderful aperitivo. The rest is all a rich dinner of snake's meat, skin, bones, gall (again in alchool) well accompanied by Vietnames spices, among which go together the chilli, lemongrass, salt and lime, figues.
In a less known area of Ha Noi, according to the locals, a must for VIP's; a sign of wealth and prestige: the snake restaurant, if invited accept and feel honoured.

16-19th August 2007

Drove to Hai Phong for an interview to an industrial park (Dinh Vu Industrial Zone), in the afternoon met also with a welding company in the area, Nawelco and slept over in Huu Nghi hotel in Hai Phong.
Day after interviewed the department of planning and investments and later the one of tourism of the province of Hai Phong.
On Saturday morning drove with Thang to the port of Ha Long Bay and boarded the Bat Tho ship, cruised in Ha Long Bay until Sunday morning. Unforgettable scenery and wonderful experience with the boat.

weekend reminder 10-13th August 2007

Friday 10th August:
departure Ha Noi train station 22.00 heading to Lao Cai, Chinese border
dinner on board (menù: honey caramelised pork and gin tonic)
sleep in a 4 berths compartment

Saturday 11th August:
check in at Victoria Sa Pa Hotel
with guide Mr Thung
visited market with minorities (Black Hmong; Red Zao; Flower Hmong)
went to Cat Cat village - stunning paddy fields
afternoon relax in Sa Pa
dinner in Luu Ly Restaurant (menù: grilled deer meat and rolls no fried)

Sunday 12th August:
trek down to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages (4hrs)
lunch at luu ly rest.
with motorbikes went to Tram Ton pass, cloudy, highest point of Vietnam
back to Hotel
went to Lao Cai and boarded train Victoria Express
dinner

Monday 13th August:
arrival Ha Noi 5.30