Railway Cafe

HANOI, AN ANTIQUE RISING DRAGON

Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travellers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city centre. A great place to explore on foot, this French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://railwaycafe.travel.blog/2021/12/19/hanoi-an-antique-rising-dragon/

ECOTOURISM DESTINATION: THUNG NHAM BIRD PARK

Ninh Binh tourism is not only a scenic Trang, Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a “charming country” landscape, because there is another place that is also very attractive to tourists that is thung Nham Ninh Binh Bird Park is equally beautiful. Thung Nham Ninh Binh Bird Park is surrounded by tropical forest strips on the limestone mountains, with many valleys and caves, grasses and flowers painting a beautiful natural picture. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://railwaycafe.travel.blog/2021/12/22/ecotourism-destination-thung-nham-bird-park/

THE INCREDIBLE ECOSYSTEM OF CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK

Established by Ho Chi Minh in 1962, Cuc Phuong was Vietnam’s first national park and it remains a wild jewel in the north of the country. The heavily forested subtropical lowlands shelter 135 mammal species, 336 bird species and 2234 species of plants. Some of the park’s most rare mammals include the clouded leopard, and Asian black bears. The park is as rich in beauty as it is in biodiversity. Dozens of trails lead to highlights such as Giao Thuy waterfall and Con Moong Cave, where evidence of prehistoric humans has been discovered. After spending two days exploring this wild place, guests will proceed to Ninh Binh, which is famous for its jutted karst formations and lush green rice paddies. Activities here include visits to Hoa Lu – the site of Vietnam’s first capital – and Van Long Nature Reserve, an expansive wetland where a boat trip by traditional sampan reveals extensive flora and fauna. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://railwaycafe.travel.blog/2021/11/18/the-incredible-ecosystem-of-cuc-phuong-national-park/

PHU QUOC ISLAND, THE PEARL OF SOUTH VIETNAM

Like Vietnam itself, Phu Quoc Island has a varied history with numerous nations occupying the island over the past couple of centuries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, France and America. Phu Quoc Island forms part of Vietnam, and even though the island was an area of dispute between Vietnam and Cambodia as recently as the late 1980’s, Vietnam today is nurturing the island as the next big eco tourist destination. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://railwaycafe.travel.blog/2021/10/09/phu-quoc-island/

THE LAND OF THE SOUTH-EAST ASIAN DRAGONS : HALONG BAY

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular day trip from the capital Hanoi, Halong Bay is famous for its limestone karsts and almost two thousand islands and islets that dot the turquoise-green waters. While most of these islands are just towering rocks emerging from the ocean, with no place to land, many make for great climbing destinations or have caves that can be approached with boats and.... legends. This episode is also available as a blog post:  http://railwaycafe.travel.blog/2021/09/08/the-land-of-the-dragons-of-southeast-asia-halong-bay/