Anyone up for a train ride?

Have you ever been on an overnight train through beautiful, exotic countryside?

Have you ever wanted to travel this way?

Well I most definitely have.

This is one of those things I've dreamed of my whole life, like many people, and in just a few short weeks it's finally going to happen. If you’ve read Nic’s recent blog post you’ll know that we will be travelling from Hanoi to Lao Cai by overnight train and then on to Sapa for the Capilano U / PATA Foundation tourism training project.

We'll be buying our tickets from Footprint Vietnam Travel, an amazing company who was started in 1999, by two entrepreneurial students from Hanoi Open University.  Footprint has become known for taking you “off the beaten path” to truly experience the culture and what Vietnam is all about. They have also been touted as a leader in responsible tourism What ever type of trip you're looking for they offer; cruise tours, trekking tours, cycling tours, community based tours, volunteer tours and so much more! 

Maybe Footprint Vietnam Travel can make your travelling dreams come true too?

Thanks Footprint for your continued support of the project and in the villages! 

Colours of The Red Dao

Last night I was inspired to get creative so I got out my art supplies and made a new entry in my art journal. It is the first of many that will be dedicated to my Vietnam adventure. The profile picture on the CBT Facebook page(pictured below) is what inspired me to create my journal entry (pictured above). It shows beautiful hand embroidered clothing worn by traditional Hill tribe Red Dao Women of Ta Phin.

My Journal entry took me a couple hours but the hand-made embroidery takes the women five to six months! Their detailed work is all done by memory and each woman makes a new set of clothes for her family once a year and the old set becomes the clothes for farming.

Take a moment and try to imagine what it would be like to have just two sets of clothes. Imagine how different our culture would be if we too let go of material possessions and, like the Red Dao, valued family and community instead.





Bac Ha Market - Sapa

Bac Ha Market

Every Sunday, Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border. It is the largest and most colourful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes. Some walk several hours for the weekly opportunity to trade and barter food, animals, clothes and household goods. 80km from Sapa, Bac Ha Market is not only the place for buying and selling, but also a place for cultural and sentiment exchanging. On the market days, right from the early morning, all paths and mountain roads are full of people and horses pouring to the market. People usually sit in groups around a soup pan ("thang co") eating and chatting.

Many different ethnic groups such as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback. Besides the usual items like pigs, cows, chickens, and ducks, Bac Ha Market sold dogs. As dogs were available as cuts of meat, they were also available live, right next to the live pigs, chickens, and other livestock. There was a brisk trade at the market for everything from hand-embroidered skirts to all manner of 4-legged animals. The "fresh" meat section is not for the faint of heart and might steer more than a few visitors in the direction of strict vegetarianism.

Though tourists were not in short supply, they were not the focus. Most locals paid little attention to them, rather choosing to focus on their business and the short Sunday-sized window of opportunity. Rounding the corner and pungent fumes of alcohol accosted your senses of smell, from corn whiskey – the speciality in Bac Ha. The potent moonshine is decanted by vendors from large white plastic jugs to used bottled water containers. If you doubt the ability of a vendor's hooch to peel paint or light your senses on fire, you can try a shot for free.

If you are an adventurous gastronomies, you can try “Thắng Cố” (Blood poridge, a popular dish of H’Mong and others local people. Most of the Flower H’Mong minority here so the market dress of colourful custumes of H’Mong people.

From Sapa town, on the early morning Sunday you can take a bus to go Bac Ha Market before you get back to Lao Cai and get your train back to Hanoi. Or maybe you should go to Bac Ha on Saturday morning to Bac Ha town and have a chance to visit Coc Ly market as well.

Things you should buy here:

Homemade products such as brocades, febrics, crafts, or silver Jewery...

Other news:
Lung Phin Market
Coc Ly Market
Can Cau Market
Pha Long Market
Muong Hun Market

CBT Vietnam girls' night out. Getting to know each other.

With our first official meeting coming up, I was the only one who didn't know any of the newly selected CBT Vietnam project volunteers. I am taking the Destination Resort Management Program at the Squamish campus and the other five were from the North Vancouver campus.  All I knew is that we had all been selected to represent Capilano University and the PATA Foundation on this amazing adventure as change makers.
 
I wanted to get to know my team, so the night before our first official Thursday morning meeting, I asked if anyone wanted to get together in Vancouver for a casual meet-up. Only Cat Lapointe and Rachael Dolina were available. The others, Nic, Maggie and Caitlin were unfortunately busy.

Girls' night out it was!'

Cat and I were onto our second drink by the time Rachael joined us and ordered a root beer. Rachael started us off telling us all about her life's adventures and her decision to dive into the Outdoor Recreation Managment Diploma Capilano University with no experience in the field - one that would change her life forever.

Cat's life story was also facinating and was told over a huge plate of nachos. When I think about the more recent events of Cat's life I would say that she is a professional student. Before Cat committed to the Bachelor of Tourism Management degree program she had been studying fashion design, and before that she studied sciences. In her current position, Cat manages to utilize all of her education in  as a Travel Designer. My life story was told while we were waiting for desert, a delicious chocolate mud pie, shown in the picture below.
                 

Rachael (left), Kristine - me (centre) and Cat (right)

After sharing a huge plate of nachos and desert we agreed to call it a night as we all had to get up early for our first CBT Vietnam meeting the next morning. Before we parted, Rachael asked Cat and I for some advice on a personal decision she had been struggling with. With our advice to each other you could tell that we had truly bonded!

I enjoyed our girls' night out and now I am even more excited about the CBT Vietnam project knowing that I will be working along side some amazing people like Cat and Rachael!

Pha Long Market - Sapa

 Pha Long Market

Located: It belongs to Pha Long commue, Muong Khuong District. Pha Long mean big market. This is centre exchange culture and goods of people in commues Pha Long, Din Chin, Ta Ngai Cho, Ta Gia Khau of Muong Khuong District. It is opened on Saturday.

On the very early Saturday, from every paths, roads, mountain you can see people from villages come to market, they go with their group, couple or even single with their goods behind their back or even they use horses to carry goods go to market… they wear their nice clothes with colourful umbrellas which make a romantic and beautiful picture.

Pha Long market is beautiful because of people and goods, they sell their products inside the camps on both side of road. It is very clowded people from ethnic minorites H’mong, Lolo, Tay, Nung, Dzay… They meet, sell their products and talk to each other, the noise make market more pretty and more  vibrant.

The horses carry goods will be tied in one place maybe it comes up to hundreds. Buffalos, cows, pigs, chicken is brought to market to sell. They sell Coins, rices, soybeen and other goods you can not count all.

The famous product here is "Séng Cù" rice which is aromatic and delicious, one of the thing can not be lack here that is chilly and chicken-boned sugarcane.

The most attractive area is brocade area, go to Pha Long market, many people would like to choose a most beautiful dress so they choose very carefully, they try on and check, very clowded and noisy places. The food area has a lovely smell from buffalo meat, horse meat,  beef with smell of coin-wine of H’mong people, the Coc Ngu wine of Pa Di people is made from good coins in the border area. Besides, porks from black pig are very aromatic and delicious here.

The most wonderful time to visit Pha Long market is after Tet on 3^rd to 6^th Lunar month, the Gau Tao festival means Climbing Festival people come from surround area, even from Bac Ha town, Sapa town, Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai province or even people from China gather festival. To start festival , a Shaman will pray around 2 bamboos which decorated with wine, meats. After that,  inside round old people will sing a song to praise ancestors, tell story; outside round young people will sing to each other, dance with trumpet… Festival will be vibrant with other games such as raise horse, birds flighting, play hard… until sun goes down people will join to group around kitchen and sing whole night.

The colourful clothes from many ethnic group combine with green of forest  is impression of people come to Pha Long market. Go to market as a traditional and custom of people in the north of Vietnam.

(Sourced by: www.myvietnamtravel.net)

My Long rice-paper Cakes

Coming to Ben Tre surely enough, you would hear the famous My Long rice-paper Cake (My Thanh commune) and Son Doc glutinous rice water (Hung Nhuong commune), a southern family-styled cake usually to worship ancestors in the traditional New Year of the nation.

My Long rice-paper Cakes

From Ben Tre city center to My Long rice-paper Cake (My Thanh commune) along the provincial road 885 about 6km, visitors will encounter a lot of facilities selling all kinds of cake next to the road side.

My Thanh commune people have taken mashed white rice, blending with coconut juice and spices of salt, sugar, … spreading it thinly and steaming it into round and lovely cakes.

Sweet rice-paper cakes when being toasted well-done, they turn to be yellow in delicate perfume, crisp to eat and very tasty to feel. Salted cakes when well toasted have a fat taste of coconut, a sweet taste of dried shrimp and eggs … Rice paper cakes for sour pork hash served with salad, boiled tiny shrimp, roast pork or shaggily fried fish will the be tasted good at the party. Wet rice paper cakes are laminated and dried, cut into pieces to be well-boiled, put some broth and ready cooked to make beef noodles, Chinese soup …

My Long rice-paper Cakes have characteristic taste, cultural, traditional and national meaning in the culinary circles, so they are known to may people. Tourists from afar, usually come to the craft village of My Long rice-paper cakes to purchase large volumes to enjoy, or to give relative.

If tourists want to visit, or find out the origin of this special cake, they will contact Nguyen Thi Kim Hoang’s workshop, Nghia Huan Hamlet, My Thanh Commune (Tel: 075.3826615) or Huynh Huu Nghia’s workshop, Nghia Huan Hamlet, My Thanh Commune (Tel: 075.3862619) they will not be wrong with other cakes.

Ngoc Chau

Road Vehicles to Ben Tre

1. Waterways

The major rivers of Ben  Tre connect from the East Sea through the main estuary (Dai River Mounth, Ba Lai River Mounth, Ham Luong River Mounth, Chien River Mounth), upstream to the source Cambodia along with criss – cross, is an advantage of Ben Tre in the development of water transportation. From Ben Tre, boats can go to Ho Chi Minh City and two provinces of Vinh Long and Tra Vinh. On the contrary, vessals from Ho Chi Minh City to western cities must pass through Ben Tre province.

2. Roads

From everywhere to Ben Tre, you can choose one of the three routes, depending on the starting direction of tourists.

From Ho Chi Minh City along high speed highway of Ho Chi Minh City  - Trung Luong or along National Road 1A to Trung Luong junction, turn to National Road 60 across the bridge of Rach Mieu to Ben Tre. From Rach Mieu bridge to Ben Tre city center is 13 km at a distance.

- From Vinh Long city, tourists go past Dinh Khao Ferry along National Road 57, turn left to Provincial Road 882 to National Road 60, pass Ham Luong bridge to Ben Tre city.

- From Tra Vinh province tourists go past Co Chien Ferry following National Road 60 and through Ham Luong Bridge to Ben Tre city.

Restaurant in Ben Tre City

1. Ben Tre Floating Restaurant

Ben Tre Floating Restaurant

Address: Hung Vuong street, town zone 3, ward 7, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 3822492
2. Dong Khoi Restaurant
Address: 16 Hai Ba Trung street, ward 2, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 3822631 – 3822240
3. Dong Khoi II Restaurant

Dong Khoi II Restaurant

Address: 210B Dong Khoi Avenue, Phu Khuong ward, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 3511855
4. Dong Chau Restaurant
Address: 50 – 60 Hung Vuong street, ward 2, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 3822416
5. The Champagne Restaurant
Address: 234/6 Nguyen Hue street, ward 1, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 2223399 – 0907203199

Hotel in Ben Tre province

* Ben Tre city:
1. Hotel – Ham Luong Restaurant (Three-Star Standard)
Address: 200C Hung Vuong street, ward 5, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3560560
Email: hamluongroutist@vnn.vn
Website: www.hamluongtourist.com.vn
2. Viet Uc Hotel (Three-Star Standard)

Viet Uc Hotel

Address: 144 Hung Vuong street, ward 3, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3511888
Email: Fom.vietuchotel@vietuc.net
Website: www.hotelvietuc.com
3. Hotel –Mai Sao Restaurant (One-Star Standard)
Address: 106Cnational road 60, Binh Thanh Hamlet, Binh Phu Commune, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3823679
Email: saomai_hotelbt@yahoo.com
4. Ben Tre Guest house
Address: 05 Cach Mang thang Tam street, ward 3, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3822339
5. Hotel – Hung Vuong Restaurant

Hotel - Hung Vuong Restaurant

Address: 148 – 166 Hung Vuong street, ward 3, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3822408
6. Hotel – Ben Tre Restaurant
Address: 8/2 Tran Quoc Tuan street, ward 4, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3825332 - 3822223
7. Hotel – Dong Khoi Restaurant
Address: 16 Hai Ba Trung street, ward 2, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3822632 - 3822240
8. Phuong Hoang Hotel
Address: 28 Hai Ba Trung street, ward 2, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3575377 - 3821385
9. Kim Cuong Hotel
Address: 1B7 Doan Hoang Minh street, Phu Khuong ward, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3814366
10. Que Huong Hotel
Address: 10S3 Nguyen Thi Dinh street, Phu Khuong ward, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3820540
11. Dai Phuc Hotel
Address: C1 Nguyen Thi Dinh street, town zone 3, Phu Khuong ward, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3838877 - 3838879
12. Song Nguyen Resting House
Address: 426C7, town zone 6, Phu Khuong ward, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3560971
13. Dong Nam A Hotel
Address: 180A1 Dong Khoi Avenue, Phu Tan ward, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3826076
14. Dai An Hotel (One-Star Standard)
Address: D7, Hung Vuong street, ward 7, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 3512050
Email: ksdaian@yahoo.com
Website: daianhotel.com
15. Oasis KiWi Hotel (One-Star Standard)
Address: 151C My An C, My Thanh An commune, Ben Tre city.
Tel: (84-75) 2467799
Email: contact@bentrehoteloasis.com
Website: www.bentrehoteloasis.com
16. Dong Nam A (2) Hotel
Address: 333A3 Town zone 3, Phu Tan ward, Ben Tre city
Tel: (84-75) 3512063
Email: Hotel_asean@yahoo.com

* Chau Thanh District:
1. An Khanh Hotel
Address: Hamlet 5, An Khanh Commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: 0983973394
2. Song Vy Resting House
Address: 01 Town zone 1, Chau Thanh town, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3860970
3. Resting House 49
Address: 49 Town zone 3, Chau Thanh town, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3610759
4. Con Phung Hotel
Address: Hamlet 10, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3822198
5. Thao Nhi Hotel
Address: Hamlet I, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3860009
6. Canh Hong Resting House
Address: Phu Ngai hamlet, Phu Hoa An commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3895532

* Binh Dai District:
1. Hotel 33
Address: Binh Hoa hamlet, Binh Dai town, Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3851518
2. Hung Vuong Hotel
Address: 38A O1, Binh Dai town, Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3851618
3. Hoang Gia Hotel
Hamlet 3, Binh Thoi commune, Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3851315

* Mo Cay Nam District:
1. Huynh Hotel
Address: 33 Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Mo Cay town, Mo Cay Nam district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3841643

* Cho Lach District:
1. Ngoc Boi Hotel
Address: Town zone 2, Cho Lach town, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3871957
2. Van Anh Resting House
Address: 194/10A Town zone 1, Cho Lach town, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3871957
3. Bao Dang Resting House
206/29 Vinh Hung I hamlet, Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3875272

* Ba Tri District:
1. Hoang Vu Resting House
Address: 120 Vinh Phu, Ba Tri town, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3850173
2. Dong Phuong Resting House
Address: 30 Street 19/5, Town zone 5, Ba Tri town, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3762662

* Thanh Phu District:
1. Hong Nhung Resting House
Address: 9/3 Hamlet 10, Thanh Phu town, Thanh Phu district, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3870824

Setting a plan, charting a course...

I have been working on the itinerary for the February trip the last couple of days. For those who are curious I will give you the Coles notes, and include a bit of info about each place that we have an opportunity to visit.

The trip begins with two days in Hanoi. A hustling, bustling city the architecture has been described to me as a blend of French Colonial and traditional Vietnamese styles. Tree lined boulevards abound and reflect Hanoi's history as the capital of French Indochina. The food sounds amazing, and reading Rachael's blog about her first pho experience had my tummy rumbling. One of my favorite things about travel is experiencing the food. I can't wait to cram in as many new dishes as possible.

It's not all play, though. There is work to be done: obtaining supplies for our modules, exchanging money at a jewellery store, meeting with the folks at Footprint Vietnam Travel to get tickets, and recovering (at least trying) from the travel are just a few of the tasks from a long list that need to be checked off to ensure that the trip is a success. We'll be doing this work with the HOU student volunteers, relying on them to help us navigate the city streets.

From Hanoi we travel by overnight train to Lao Cai. The town is located on the border with China, and is an extremely important border crossing and economic link with China. Depending on the weather we might be able to spy Hekou on the Chinese side of the border. We do not have time to linger, as we have a bus to catch to Sapa.

Sapa, I am told, is like a central hub to the smaller villages of Lao Chai, Ta Phin (both to the North), and Ta Van (South)  This link will take you to a map to provide some context. Sapa was established by the French as a hill station in 1922, although it has a history which is barely documented going back to at least the 15th century.

We will be spending two days in Sapa, and this is where the real work begins for our PATA Foundation funded project. We will be prepping for the workshops we will be running. The prep work involves: inviting the private sector operators, figuring out food, and crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

Check back for part two of this blog, where I'll get into the CBT Vietnam activities we will be engaging in in the villages of Ta Phin and Lao Chai.

Bye for now...

It's official...I love Vietnamese food!

So last night I ventured back to my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant to try another delicious meal. I waved to the owners as I came in and they recognized me (probably thinking there’s that crazy girl again). She came over, said hello and asked if I wanted to try something different than last time.  I, loving this new adventurous side of me, happily accepted the challenge.

I went with this delightful dish called Bun Thit Nuong, or Grilled Pork with Vermicelli. My taste buds were swirling. The dish had grilled pork, veggies, green onions, peanuts and was all on top of vermicelli noodles. They even threw in a spring roll just for me! It also came with a side of sauce, which I assumed was for the spring roll. The owner came over (next time I’m in there I’ll be asking her name) and told me to take the sauce and pour it over everything and mix it up! I’m not sure if you remember but I’m a sauce-on-the-side kind of girl…but I just did it and OMG! SOOO GOOD! I LOVED IT!

And, here's the proof:

I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like having this food in Vietnam! So many different flavours to challenge my taste buds.

Just so you know, I haven't just been eating out. I've also been checking off tasks on my list of things to do! There are a lot of things to get done before our departure date mid February. Today I got my vaccinations (OUCH!) and travel insurance. I came home and felt even more excited so I surfed through the pictures on the CBT Vietnam facebook page. Seeing the images of the villagers, the friendships, the colours and the landscapes made me realize that these  little windows into experiences I never thought were possible, are possible! I keep having to tell myself that this is happening - an amazing opportunity that is so real I can taste it!

We can do anything we put our minds to! 

What are your dreams? Let's make them happen too!

The beginning to a whole new world

It’s been over ten years since I’ve done any international travelling. Ten years! Well, it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone, dust off my back pack, kiss my hubby goodbye and step into my next adventure; I’m going to Vietnam!  Okay, so maybe that’s a little dramatic for a 13 day trip but I’m excited!

Being selected as a volunteer on the CBT Vietnam Project is both one of the most exciting and terrifying opportunities I’ve ever had. The program is a partnership between PATA, Capilano University and Hanoi Open University focused on delivering sustainable community based tourism (CBT) to villages in the Sapa Region of Northern Vietnam. I’ve never travelled to Asia and getting familiar with Vietnamese culture is what everyone is telling me to do; research the history, familiarize myself with the geography, try the food, understand some of the language, learn all about this amazing CBT project. It’s a long list but I'm excited!

I have been having a hard time knowing where to start so I decided to start with what I love most: food! Some people eat to live but I live to eat! And, Vietnamese cuisine is one that I’m not familiar with in the slightest. 

A few nights ago I decided to take myself out for pho - a traditional Vietnamese soup. I went to this lovely restaurant a couple blocks from my house, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House. My husband and I have gone there many times but we’ve always ordered the same thing, Vietnamese subs or banh mi! 

I told my waiter that I was traveling to Vietnam in a month and that I’ve never had pho before. I asked her what she thought I should try which isn’t something I normally do because as much as I’d like to be that person that just goes for it with their orders, it just doesn’t work for me because I'm picky. I can’t do spicy, can’t do dairy, don’t like mushrooms, sauce on the side...you get the idea. For those of you who have seen When Harry Met Sally, I’m a bit of a Sally when it comes to ordering! The waiter suggested the beef pho and, accepting this new courageous side of myself, I just went with the flow. 

Five minutes later she brings me a steaming bowl of soup with a side of greens and spring rolls. As soon as the bowl was placed in front of me the aromas hit and my senses were swirling. I had no idea what to do with the plate of sprouts, basil and lemon. Was there a special way to do it? I looked around in hopes I would see someone who, unlike me, actually knew what they were doing.  No one. I ended up just putting it all in the soup and it was AWESOME! The rice noodles, green onions, and the broth were delicious mixed with the sprouts, basil and lemon. How have I not had this before?

Tomorrow I will be returning to my new favorite restaurant, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House, for some more culinary adventuring. Not sure what I’ll try next but I know it’ll be a first and I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

Memories

The preparation for the February Vietnam trip is bringing back so many memories. The last time I traveled to Vietnam I was seven, so I don’t remember much about the trip. But learning about the history of Vietnam through Chris and the different sources I have been reading, the memory bank has been opened. 

They say that the senses are the strongest memories, and it is true! The smells and tastes of different foods are flooding my mind. The clearest memory is definitely the orange flavored ice cream my parents would bribe my brother and me with in order for us not to complain about the heat.  Of course that would something I would remember, what seven year old doesn’t love ice cream?


I was only in the Sapa region for a short amount of time, but as I look at pictures of the area, I remember the train ride up. Fortunately, this trip we will not be taking the train that I remember. From what I recall it was the cheaper of the two trains… and it showed. This train was my first experience to rail travel and to be honest I have never recovered! Most details have been mentally blocked out for my own sanity of that train, but I would take it again just to travel to Sapa. One of the feelings brought up when thinking about this region is being cold. I was so cold when I was there. 

Learn from my mistakes right? Bring warm clothes is underlined twice in my packing list. 
The memory that has stuck with me since we traveled is the vibrant colours and designs of the fabrics and sashes the women were selling. My family has one hanging in our dining room, which is probably the reason I remember the moment we bought it in Vietnam!

Even if I don’t get the chance to go on the Vietnam trip in February, it is amazing just to be part of the planning process. I am learning so much about Vietnam that I never would have known, which is making my desire to go someday even stronger.

Let the preparations begin

I was thinking of writing about what I am expecting on this trip, but as I sat and contemplated my expectations words from a great friend, and an even greater teacher popped into my head. "Expect nothing, and be prepared for everything."

The process of preparing to go to Vietnam with the CBT Vietnam Project is bringing back vivid memories of my trip to Western China this past summer. I wanted to be open to any and all opportunities in  China, and pre planning accommodations, transportation, and activities would, in my mind, close off the potential to go with the flow. As much as I resisted I created expectations of the trip. Some of these expectations turned to anxieties. It was, after all, my first trip outside North America. The anxieties over food, lodging, and transportation were for nought. The anxieties are now replaced with excitement of the potential that the unknown offers. New aromas, flavours, sights, sounds, people, and culture send my brain into a flurry. I get a bit carried away, daydream a little, and then, BAM! I'm back. I must resist the urge to create the new scents, sights, and people in my mind, soon enough all will be revealed.

The daydreams are useful. Coupled with the excitement generated by the team meetings they provide motivation and inspiration. Much like my summer trip, this trip will be work focused. Another opportunity to practice what I have been studying for the last four years. Another opportunity for tourism to benefit individual entrepreneurs in their home communities.

In speaking to some of the past team members I have come to realise something. There is one thing that I can expect: participating in this PATA & Capilano University project brings people from great distances and varied backgrounds together to do great things. That is an expectation that I will hold on to.

In the end, I am extremely excited to be a part of this project. I am at the same time humbled to have been chosen to participate. And while I am expecting nothing, I know that another experience of a lifetime awaits.

Get Your VAT refund in Vietnam

Let’s get your VAT Refund in Vietnam

From July 01, 2012 to June 30, 2014, Vietnam has been running pilot implementation on VAT refund for goods bought in Vietnam by foreigners whose passport or immigration documents are not issued by Vietnamese authorities or foreigners who are not members of flight crew of aviation organization when they leave Vietnam via Noi Bai airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh city.

Under this VAT refund pilot scheme, foreigners are entitled to obtain a refund that accounts for 85% of VAT on goods eligible to VAT refund they bought at VAT refund shops and take home when leaving Vietnam via Noi Bai airport or Tan Son Nhat airport. The VAT refund will be made in Vietnamese dong, which can be converted to other currencies using the listed exchange rates at VAT refund counter. At Noi Bai airport, refunding agencies are Vietcombank and Maritime Bank. At Tan Son Nhat airport, refunding agencies are BIDV and Vietinbank.

Goods are subject to VAT refund have to meet below requirements:

-      Goods are subject to VAT, not second-hand and allowed to be brought in flight in accordance with aviation security and safety regulations.

-      Goods are not in the list of goods restricted or prohibited to export.

-      Goods supported by invoice and VAT refund declaration from issued within 30 days before the date of departure.

-      Goods value on invoice and VAT refund declaration from issued by 01 VAT refund shop in 01 day is 2 million VND at least.

How to get VAT refund in Vietnam

1.   When purchasing the goods:

-      Submit valid passport or immigration documents (original copy) to retailer to make a VAT refund declaration form.

-      Check all the information on VAT refund declaration form, sign in and take away original copy.

2.   At airport, present the following documents to VAT refund customs inspection office:

-      Passport and immigration documents (original copy)

-      Invoices and VAT refund declaration form (original copy).

-      Goods of VAT refund. For check-in baggages, Customs office shall check invoices and VAT refund declaration forms at VAT refund customs inspection (outside the restricted areas).

For hand lugguages, Customs office shall check the invoices at VAT refund customs inspection in restricted areas.

3.   At VAT refund counter (inside restricted area), present the following documents:

-      Boarding pass of international flight (original copy).

-      Invoices and VAT refund declaration form with the “checked” seak if the custom office (original copy).

List of VAT refund shops for foreigners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city.

Hanoi City:

1.   Parkson  Hanoi  -  Address: No 198 Tay Son street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

2.   Grand Plaza (level 1) – No 117 Tran Duy Hung street, Cau Giay District.

3.   Savico Megamall (level 1 – Shop no 195) – No 7 – 9 Nguyen Van Linh street, Long Bien.

4.   Ipa – Nima Vietnam

Address: No 73 Trang Thi street, Hoan Kiem

Shop1: No 73 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem

Shop 2: No 5 Nha Tho street, Hoan Kiem District

5.   Louis Vuitton Vietnam – 17 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District.

6.   Garment Joint Stock Company 10

Shop 1: Level 3 shop 307 and 310 Vincom tower – 191 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi.

Shop 2: No 6 Le Thai To – Hoan Kiem – Hanoi.

Shop 3: No 42C Ly Thuong Kiet street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 4: 14 Ly Thuong Kiet street – Hoan Kiem District

Shop 5: 136 Quan Thanh street – Ba Dinh District.

Shop 6: No 42 Hang Voi street – Hoan Kiem District.

Shop 7: No 2 Le Thanh Tong street – Hoan Kiem District

7.   Doji Jewelry Join stock Company

Shop 1: Hermes – Metropole Hotel  No 1 Le Phung Hieu street, Hoan Kiem

Shop 2:  Hugo Boss – No 60 Ly Thai To Street – Hoan Kiem

Shop 3:  Korloff  - Level 1  No 32 Hang Bai street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 4: Kenzo  - Lan Vien Hotel, ground floor – no 32 Hang Bai street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 5: Atelier – No Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem.

Ho Chi Minh City:

1.   Louis Vuitton Vietnam – 161 Dong Khoi street, District 1.

2.   Viet Tien Garmet Joint Stoct Company

-      Parkson Tan Son Nhat

-      Parkson Le Thanh Ton

-      Vincom Le Thanh Ton

3.   Duy Anh Fashion & Cosmetic Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Plaza

-      Rex Hotel shop 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

-      Vincom tower A shop Versace

4.   ADI company

5.   Au Chau Fashion & Cosmetic

-      Zen Plaza shop 1, 2, 3, 4

-      Parkson Paragon Shop 6

-      Rex Hotel shop 7

-      Crescent Mall shop 8

-      Crescent Mall shop 9

-      Crescent Mall 10

-      Parkson Saigon Tourist Plaza shop 11

-      Parkson City Plaza shop 12

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza Shop 13

-      Parkson Flemington shop 14

-      Diamond Plaza Shop 15, 16

-      Crescent Mall shop 17

-      Parkson Sai gon Tourist Plaza shop 18, 19, 20

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza Shop 21

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza shop 22

-      Parkson City Plaza shop 23, 24, 25

-      Parkson Paragon shop 26

-      Diamond Plaza shop 27, 28, 29, 30

-      Vincom Center A shop 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40

6.   Chau My Fashing & Cosmetic Co., Ltd

-      Vincom center shop 1

-      Crescent Mall Shop 2

-      Diamond Plaza shop 3

7.   Lien Thai Binh Duong Import and Export Co., Ltd

-      Rex Hotel shop 2

-      Diamond Plaza shop 1

8.   Song Viet Joint Stock

9.   Parkson Vietnam Co., Ltd

10.               Kim Lien Trade Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Plaza

-      Parkson Saigon Tourist

-      Parkson Flemington

-      Vincom Center A

-      Zen Plaza

-      Clarks Shoes Shop

11.               Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company

-      PNJ An Dong

-      PNJ Go Vap

-      PNJ Phan Dang Luu

-      PNJ Phan Dang Luu

12.               Duy Anh Trade Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Shop 1, 02, 03

13.                Kien Lam Handicraf

14.               FPT Joint Stock Company

Trading office number 9, 6, 12

15.               Shop Rimowa  - 1C, 1/F Opera View Building 161 Dong Khoi street Tel: +84 (0) 8 38225 034

16.               Thien Nam Hoa Electric and interior Centre

Add: 227B Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

17.               Khai Silk – 107 Dong Khoi street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

18.               Tic Tac Boutique – 72 Dong Khoi Street

-      Omega Boutique 171 Dong Khoi street

-      Omega Boutique 115 Dong Khoi street

-      Omega boutique L1 – 08, Level 1 Vincom Center A

19.               Phong Vu Computer – 125 Cach Mang Thang 8 street, Ben Thanh ward, District 1.

Source: http://myvietnamtravel.net/vi/bvct/id94/Get-your-VAT-Refund-in-Vietnam/