Visit Thuy Xuan incense village - attractive destination in Hue

Coming to Hue City, visitors not only have the opportunity to visit the cultural and historical heritages, the land of the ancient capital; admire the ancient beauty of the relics and tombs but also visit traditional craft villages. Among them, Thuy Xuan incense village with a history of about 700 years is one of the interesting places. Local people are gradually turning Thuy Xuan incense village into an attractive destination, contributing to preserving the national cultural identity and developing traditional craft villages associated with tourism. Package Vietnam Tours

Thuy Xuan incense village is located in Thuy Xuan ward, about 6km from the center of Hue city, near Tu Duc tomb, Vong Canh hill, so it is very convenient for tourists to visit. Visiting the ancient incense village, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the meticulous and unique process of making incense by hand, and will also be able to roll the incense sticks themselves.

As one of the pioneers who combined incense making and tourism, Ms. Ton Nu Mong Hoa (owner of O Hoa shop) said: “Previously, there was a group of foreign tourists who came to visit and enjoyed the scene of many colorful incense sticks displayed along the entire route; then they took pictures, constantly changed clothes and posed... From there, I came up with the idea that in addition to making incense, creating a space for tourists to take pictures is also a way to increase income. After that, I put the colorful incense sticks in front of the booth to make it eye-catching. 

Anyone who visited Tu Duc tomb and Vong Canh hill and saw the beauty stopped by the booth to take pictures, many people in the village saw that and followed suit, so now it has created a unique tourism product, a famous "check-in" spot, especially for young tourists and those who work in digital content. When stopping to take pictures, people also stop by the store to display products, we sell typical Hue products such as conical hats, agarwood, paper fans, handicrafts handicrafts... Sales also increased thanks to that".

Ms. Ngoc from Hanoi city said: “Before traveling to Hue, I talked with friends, searched for information online and found out that Thuy Xuan incense village is an interesting destination. The people selling here have a gentle, friendly Hue accent, ready to tell stories about their profession and life. I got to personally roll incense, dip in color and dry the incense. Thanks to that, I better understand the value of manual labor and the meticulousness of the craftsmen. This craft village not only produces incense, they are also preserving a part of Hue's cultural identity.”

Source: Preserving traditional craft village of Thuy Xuan

Explore the peaceful island of Bich Dam in Nha Trang Bay

Bich Dam Island Nha Trang is famous for its wild and simple beauty. The genuineness of the residents will leave you with unforgettable impressions when you set foot on this island. Here you will no longer hear the noise of the fishing village town of Bich Dam. It is a destination not to be missed when traveling to Nha Trang. Vietnam Excursions

Being the farthest island of Nha Trang, belonging to Hon Tre island cluster, in the unexploited tourism area, Bich Dam is famous for its year-round emerald green lake. And this is also the reason why the name Bich Dam is passed down by word of mouth among the local people on the island.

In contrast to the bustling modern Vinpearl Land tourist area, Bich Dam is completely different, it is strangely peaceful, tourism services have not been exploited much. This is expected to be a Nha Trang tourist destination that promises to attract many tourists.

Up to now, there are a total of more than 175 households with about more than 1000 people. The main occupation is mainly fishing and aquaculture.

How to get to Bich Dam Island Nha Trang?

To explore the island, you can travel to Nha Trang city, then you take a taxi to Cau Da port, there is the only boat to Bich Dam island from about 11:30 am and back at 6:00 am the next morning. Travel time is about 2 hours to reach the island. In addition, on the island, you can trek about 5km to reach Hon Lon lighthouse. One of the 5 ancient lighthouses with an age of 120 years.

New wonderful experiences in a quiet fishing village with beautiful natural scenery. Truly a suitable choice for those who love to travel.

Whenever visitors come to the island, the simple and friendly residents, gentle nature, talk and laugh with tourists. Invite them to go fishing by traditional fishing net method of Khanh Hoa province. This is one of the great discoveries for you, especially those who live in urban areas. You will be immersed in the daily work of fishermen such as spreading weights on the bottom, building rafts to keep the net stable. When discovering fish or shrimp caught in the net, just a simple action of throwing the net down and pulling it down will bring the school of fish within reach.

Wandering on the cliffs listening to the sound of waves hitting the shore, the clear blue water appears before your eyes. Far away are a few boats, baskets, and sampans anchored to rest after a long day at sea. Creating a peaceful picture, if you want to explore the ocean. Then do not hesitate to immerse yourself in the cool sea water.

Useful tips about visiting Bich Dam village

To fully enjoy the beauty of the island, you can talk with the locals to ask to stay overnight. Or bring a tent to camp on the island (this form is mainly for young people). Regarding cuisine on Bich Dam island, you will enjoy dishes made from fresh seafood. Especially in the morning, you should wake up early to catch the sunrise and conveniently buy a few kilos of shrimp, fish, and crab as gifts for your families. Then you can buy some seafood and ask the locals to cook it for you.

Notes when traveling to Bich Dam island

- When you go to the island, you need to keep the island clean, do not litter or urinate indiscriminately.

- The islanders mainly live on the sea so life is still difficult. You can contribute what you can, clothes or necessary necessities.

- If you intend to stay, you should prepare all necessary items such as toothpaste, towels, mosquito repellent, flashlights, and other medical items such as medicine and bandages when staying in the tent.

- Bring extra power chargers , phones, and cameras to check in with beautiful photos.

Bich Dam island is the perfect destination for those who love peace and want to find a space to relax, forget the hustle and bustle of life. Hopefully the information in the article will help you gain more experience to fully explore the beauty of this island.

Source: Bich Dam island village in the middle of Nha Trang bay

Detailed guide to taking Saigon - Con Dao speed boat 2025

Are you looking for a way to take a speedboat to Con Dao to experience the journey of discovering this pristine island? The article below will provide detailed instructions, from popular boat routes, schedules, ticket prices to how to book tickets and notes when traveling. Footprint Vietnam Travel

1. The most popular high-speed ferry routes to Con Dao

Below are the popular high-speed ferry routes to Con Dao that are currently chosen by many tourists:

- Route Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port - District 4 or Hiep Phuoc Port - Nha Be) - Con Dao

Previously, to get to Con Dao from Saigon, you had to go from Vung Tau or Soc Trang. However, the journey is now more convenient with high-speed ferry routes departing directly from Ho Chi Minh City:

• Phu Quy Express: Departing from Nha Rong Wharf (District 4), the new train route will be in operation from the end of March 2025. The train has both seats and beds, travel time is about 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours, providing a more comfortable experience for tourists.

• Thang Long Express: Used to operate from Hiep Phuoc Port (Nha Be), with the advantage of large capacity, more than 1,000 passengers. This route is suitable for large groups or collective travel needs.

With a speed of more than 30 nautical miles/hour, the travel time is only about 5 hours . The ship also has private beds in each cabin and air conditioning, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.

- Route Vung Tau (Cau Da Port) - Con Dao

The journey from Vung Tau to Con Dao now takes only about 3-4 hours by Con Dao Express or Thang Long speedboat, significantly shortening the previous 13 hours. The boat has a large capacity, modern amenities, ensuring comfort for passengers. Every day, the boat departs from Cau Da port (No. 9 Ha Long, Vung Tau City) and returns from Ben Dam port, Con Dao.

- Route Soc Trang (Tran De Port) - Con Dao

If you choose to travel by speedboat from Soc Trang to Con Dao, the departure point will be Tran De port. Here, there are currently two popular shipping companies serving this route: Phu Quoc Express of Con Dao Express and Superdong Con Dao.

- Route Can Tho (Ninh Kieu Wharf) - Con Dao

The Can Tho route is a convenient option for visitors from the Mekong Delta region. Currently, there are shipping companies operating such as Con Dao Express and Mai Linh Express, with a travel time of about 4 hours.

2. Summary table of schedule and ticket prices for high-speed ferry to Con Dao 2025

Note: Ticket prices may vary depending on weekdays, weekends and the type of ticket class you choose.

3. Guide on how to book train tickets to Con Dao

Currently, tourists can book train tickets to Con Dao in two popular ways: buy directly at the port or book tickets online through the official website of the shipping lines.

• Buy directly at the port: If you choose this method, you should arrange to arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before the ship departs to buy tickets and ensure there are seats available. During peak season, it is best to buy tickets a few days in advance to avoid sold out.

• Buy tickets online: Visit the website of the shipping company you choose, then fill in your personal information, choose the departure date and time, the number of tickets and make payment. Once completed, you will receive an electronic ticket code via email or text message. When the departure date comes, just bring the ticket code to check in.

Booking tickets online not only saves time but also helps you be more proactive in planning your trip to Con Dao.

4. Important notes to know when taking the boat to Con Dao

To make your trip to Con Dao by boat smooth and comfortable, you should note the following important things:

• Book early and choose a round-trip ticket: You should buy tickets about 1 week in advance, especially during holidays, Tet or peak tourist season. Buying a round-trip ticket helps you be more proactive about time and avoid the situation of "sold out" return tickets.

• Ticket prices may change: Train ticket prices may fluctuate depending on weather conditions or holidays, so you should follow information from the shipping company to plan accordingly.

• Book a transfer service in advance: After booking your room and train tickets, you should contact your accommodation to book a pick-up service at the pier. This will make traveling to your accommodation easier and save time.

• Prepare anti-seasickness medication: If you are prone to seasickness or have a weak constitution, prepare anti-seasickness medication and take it before the ship departs.

Pay attention to the above experiences of traveling to Con Dao to help you have an interesting experience, both relaxing and convenient for exploring this beautiful island.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to Con Dao by speedboat or plane?

Going to Con Dao by plane is suitable for those who prioritize time, like convenience and are not too concerned about costs . It only takes about 1 hour to fly from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho, you will be on the island.

Meanwhile, speedboats are a reasonable choice if you want to save money, enjoy the feeling of traveling on the sea and do not worry about seasickness . In addition, traveling by boat is also an interesting experience for those who love exploring travel.

How long does it take to go to Con Dao by boat?

The boat trip to Con Dao ranges from 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the company and route. Fast boats like Greenlines take only about 90 minutes , while the CQ-03 boat from Vung Tau takes about 3 hours.

Is the high-speed ferry route from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao operational yet?

The high-speed ferry route from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port, District 4) to Con Dao has officially been in operation since March 28, 2025. The ferry has a capacity of 374 seats , with a maximum of one trip per day, operated by Thanh Thanh Phat Company.

Hopefully the above information will help you better understand how to take a speedboat to Con Dao and easily plan your upcoming trip. Wishing you a safe, smooth journey and many memorable experiences in this beautiful island!

Source: How to take a speedboat to Con Dao island

Experience of traveling to Phu Quy island by speedboat

You are planning to explore Phu Quy Island - the wild but enchanting island of Binh Thuan, then knowing the experience of taking the Phu Quy high-speed boat is really necessary. This is the only means of transport that takes you from the mainland to the island, with many different shipping companies and schedules. From how to book tickets, choose a boat to tips to limit seasickness, all will be revealed in this article! Asiatica Travel

How long does it take to go by boat to Phu Quy Island?

Currently, the only means for tourists to set foot on Phu Quy Island is by boat from  Phan Thiet city . With a distance of more than 110km, the time to go to Phu Quy ranges from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours depending on the type of boat. Normally, around 6:30 to 7:30 every day, the boat will depart from Phan Thiet port to the island. However, depending on the day, there will be an earlier trip at 5:30 or the latest trip at 15:00.

Where is Phu Quy express ferry terminal?

The Phan Thiet - Phu Quy express ferry terminal is located at the end of Pham Van Dong Street, Ward 5, Hung Long Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. This place is also known as Phan Thiet Port or Phan Thiet Transport Port. Thanks to its location near the city center, visitors can easily travel to the ferry terminal to Phu Quy.

At Phan Thiet port, you can easily buy ferry tickets to Phu Quy online from high-speed ferry companies such as: Chan Kha high-speed ferry, Superdong ferry, Trung Trac Phu Quy ferry, Phu Quy Express ferry... In particular, there is also a spacious parking lot and overnight parking service so that visitors can rest assured to leave their vehicles and travel to Phu Quy island.

Transfers from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet

After the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway came into operation, the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan province) was shortened to only about 2 hours, not only shortening the distance, making the car run smoothly but also avoiding the National Highway 1 parallel to this project which is "straining" itself with overload, especially the section from Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai to Ham Thuan Nam district, Binh Thuan. In addition to this highway, there is also the Saigon - Phan Thiet railway if visitors want to experience train service.

Saigon - Phan Thiet train

There are no overnight trains from Saigon to Phan Thiet, so you need to arrange a suitable departure time to avoid missing your journey. The earliest train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet is SPT2, departing at 6:10 am and arriving at Phan Thiet station at 10:10 am. The train ride takes about 4 hours, and the train ticket price is 180,000 VND/person.

The simplest and most time-saving way to book tickets is to call to book tickets or buy train tickets online through the official website of Vietnam Railways Corporation https://dsvn.vn. Or go to Saigon train station, address: 01 Nguyen Thong, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City to buy tickets directly.

The distance from Phan Thiet station to Phan Thiet passenger wharf is about 4.5km, taking a taxi for about 15 minutes with a fare of about 65,000 VND/trip.

Saigon - Phan Thiet bus

Currently, there are many Limousine companies operating on the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet and vice versa, specifically: ADT Limousine, G5Car, Ben Tre Limousine, Hoang Vu Limousine, Thien Kim, Hai Tuan Limousine, ... with prices around 350,000 VND/ticket. Travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet by bus is about 3.5 hours.

Previously, if passengers wanted to take a speedboat to Phu Quy, they often chose to take the 12:00 night bus of Phuong Trang, Hanh Cafe, Thuy Ha Linh... with a price of about 150,000 VND - 180,000 VND to Phan Thiet port around 4:00 am, then rest right at the cafes in front of Phan Thiet Passenger Wharf. The current bus companies are all equipped with beds, air conditioning and full amenities for the night journey, so passengers are completely comfortable and alert for the train early the next morning.

Useful tips on how to book ferry to Phu Quy island

Choosing the right high-speed ferry company is very important, because it directly affects your experience and health during the trip. Normally, tourists will rely on the following criteria to choose:

- Ship type, age and design.

- Is the ship stable? Does it cause seasickness?

- Is the seating spacious, comfortable and pleasant?

- Fares and services included on board.

- Service from booking to boarding by staff.

- Reviews and experiences from previous customers.

Currently, to book Phu Quy ferry, you will have 3 options: Superdong, Phu Quy Express and Hung Phat ferry. 

Superdong Ship

+ Adult fare: 370,000 VND / person

+ Children's fare (from 6 to 11 years old): 270,000 VND / person

+ Fare for elderly people (over 60 years old): 305,000 VND / person

According to reviews, the ship is clean and you will be served free water. The distance between the rows of seats is wide enough for you to stretch your legs and sit comfortably.

The journey from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but during rough seas it can take longer and there is a higher risk of seasickness. Alternatively, you can pay an additional 50,000 VND to upgrade to VIP class with comfortable sleeper berths.

Ticket booking website: superdong.com.vn

Phu Quy Express

+ Adult fare: 390,000 VND / person

+ Children fare: (from 6 to 11 years old): 310,000 VND / person

+ Fare for elderly people:  (over 60 years old): 310,000 VND / person

+ VIP ticket: 580,000 VND per person

Most people will book tickets for the Phu Quy Express, because the ship is considered the leading and most modern high-speed train on the Phan Thiet - Phu Quy route. All cabins on the ship are equipped with luxurious amenities, including beds, comfortable seats, air conditioning, free coffee service, wifi connection, television, along with clean toilets... In particular, the ship also has VIP cabins to meet the needs of customers.

Travel time from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy Island will be about 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on the weather.

Ticket booking website: taucaotocphuquy.com

Hung Phat Ship

+ Seat ticket: 250,000 VND / person

+ Sleeper ticket: 250,000 VND / person

With the capacity to accommodate up to 250 passengers and 50 tons of cargo, this is one of the largest ships on the route. Travel time from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy Island usually lasts from 3 to 3.5 hours. 

To ensure the comfort of customers, all rooms and decks on the Hung Phat 26 are equipped with air conditioning systems. This helps tourists relax and rest comfortably during the trip before arriving at Phu Quy Island.

Ticket booking website: hungphatphuquy.vn

Benefits of booking ferry to Phu Quy island in advance

According to my experience, booking ticket before going to Phu Quy island will give you the following benefits:

+ Guaranteed seat on the boat: Booking Phu Quy ferry tickets in advance helps you ensure a seat on the boat to the island, avoiding the situation of no seats or having to wait for a long time.

+ Save time: With pre-booked tickets, you don't need to queue up at the pier to buy tickets. Instead, you just need to arrive on time to board the train and save waiting time.

+ Fare deals: There may be special offers when you book your ferry tickets in advance, including attractive fares or bundled service packages.

+ Easy seat selection: When booking tickets in advance, you can choose your preferred seat on the ferry, including air-conditioned indoor seats or outdoor seats to enjoy the sea view.

What is the best season to travel to Phu Quy?

To avoid seasickness, you should choose the time to go to Phu Quy Island between December and June when the weather is calm and the sea is calm. During this time, the climate is often very suitable for sightseeing and swimming. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural blue sky and watch the gentle waves rolling onto the rocky shore. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the clear and fresh sea space.

Some notes when booking Phu Quy ferry

For the smoothest trip, remember the following when booking your ferry:

+ When purchasing a ticket, inform the staff that you are prone to seasickness and request to be seated in the middle or lower decks of the ship. This will minimize the impact of the waves on your body, helping you avoid feeling dizzy and uncomfortable due to seasickness.

+ To book a high-speed ferry, you need to provide one of the following identification documents: Passport, Identity Card, Citizen Identification Card, Driver's License, Student Card,...

+ Children under 6 years old do not need to buy a ticket and do not need to provide personal information. However, when traveling by ferry, parents need to bring their child's birth certificate (a photocopy is acceptable), student ID card or health insurance card to confirm age and family relationship.

Currently, Phu Quy shipping companies including Phu Quy Express, Superdong and Hung Phat all operate on the Phan Thiet - Phu Quy route and vice versa. Every day, there are a total of 3 ships from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy, with departure times from 6:30 to 7:00. Similarly, on the Phu Quy - Phan Thiet route, there are also 3 ships a day, with departure times from 8:00 to 10:00.

Hopefully the above information will help you book Phu Quy ferry easily.

Source: How to get to Phu Quy island from Ho Chi Minh city