Tag Archives: Vietnam

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Escape the Crowds: The 6 Best National Parks in Asia

Ba Vi National Park

Feeling stressed out? Need a break from your chaotic schedule? 

Nothing beats the tranquility of lush, untouched nature, which is exactly what you will find at these six Asian national parks. 

Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Just a two and a half hour drive north of Bangkok lies the Khao Yai National Park, the third largest national park in Thailand. Having been established back in 1962, the park is also famed for being Thailand’s oldest national park, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sprawling out for around 300 square kilometers, the park primarily features tropical forests and grasslands, and is home to: 

  • 66 mammal species 
  • 320 bird species 
  • 3000 plant species 

This is one of the last remaining places in Thailand where you will still find wild elephants, not just surviving but truly thriving. In 2017, it was confirmed that there were also 18 tigers living at the park, along with: 

  • Gibbons
  • Muntjacs
  • Sambar deer 
  • Pig-tailed macaques 

One of the most unique features of the park are its ancient caves. Back in the day, the largest was used as a Buddhist monastery, and, today, the caves are home to millions of bats. If you arrive at the right time, you will be able to see them stream out of the cave for their nightly feeding. 

Visiting the Park 

The best way to explore the Khao Yai National Park is with a tour guide, as they will be able to take you to the park’s very best features. Don’t worry about having to deal with crowds of tourists on your tour though – the tours through Khao Yai National Park are usually personal, and you are unlikely to see anyone else as you make your way through the park. 

Unlike some of the other national parks in Thailand, which are known for being tourist traps, Khao Yai is wonderfully quiet, making it well worth visiting. 

Jiuzhai Valley National Park, China

Located in south-west China, in the Sichuan Province, the Jiuzhai Valley National Park consists of a long valley that runs north to south through around 180,000 acres. Not only is this park a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is also a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. 

What makes this park so special? 

Well, it is most famous for its colorful lakes and multi-tiered waterfalls, but there are a number of unique features here, such as: 

  • The seven Tibetan villages located within the park’s boundaries, which tourists are able to visit 
  • The endangered giant panda that live in the park, of which there are only around 20 left 
  • The endangered golden snub-nosed money 
  • Its 140 bird species 
  • In the winter months, the ice that freezes over the waterfalls and lakes takes on a mystical shade of blue, which is a rare phenomenon that only happens for a couple of weeks in January or February 
Visiting the Park 

The Jiuzhai Valley National Park isn’t as easy to access as some of the others on this list…

You can either take a ten hour drive from Chengdu, along a very precarious road, or fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, which isn’t easy to get to, and then take a 90 minute bus ride. 

Now, due to earthquakes, as well as over-tourism, only 5000 people are allowed to visit the park each day. You will need to book your ticket well in advance, especially if you plan on visiting during the fall – this is the park’s peak tourist season due to all of the magical colors that transform the park into a living fairytale. 

Ba Vi National Park, Vietnam 

Vietnam’s Ba Vi National Park is famous all over the country for its outstanding natural beauty. Not only is this park home to three impressive mountain peaks, along with dense tropical rainforests, but this area used to be a French hill station, meaning that it is now dotted with a string of French ruins. 

In addition to its historic sites, some of the other highlights of this park include: 

  • The Cactus Garden, where you will find more than 1200 species of cactus 
  • Trekking to the three mountain summits
  • Visiting the Upper Temple on the Tan Vien Peak 
  • Visiting the Thien Son Waterfall and Waterpark, which is usually filled with other tourists but is still worth checking out 

If you really want to treat yourself…

Book yourself in for a stay at the Tan Da Spa Resort, which is located in the national park. This luxury resort has been designed to look like an ancient Vietnamese palace, and provides: 

  • Natural hot springs 
  • Mud baths 
  • Herbal baths 
  • Many other traditional spa treatments 
Visiting the Park 

With the Ba Vi National Park being located just 60 kilometers from Ha Noi, it only takes a couple of hours to drive there from the city. Of course, if you do happen to be spending some time in Ha Noi, don’t forget to stop by at the OROGOLD Ha Noi store to treat your skin to a VIP facial, or even just for some expert skin care advice. 

Since the Ba Vi National Park offers a pleasant climate throughout the year, you can plan your visit for any season that suits you. 

Taman Negara National Park, Indonesia 

Encompassing over 4000 square kilometers and being home to all of the country’s forest habitats, the Taman Negara National Park was first established in 1938. Although the park has many standout features, it is internationally recognized for being home to the oldest deciduous rainforest in the world, believed to be more than 130 million years old. 

If that doesn’t impress you, then perhaps some of the park’s other highlights will, such as: 

  • The rare mammals that call this park home, including the Malayan tiger, the Asian elephant and the Malayan gaur 
  • Sign up for a night jungle walk to see some of the park’s nocturnal animals come out to feed 
  • Climb the Canopy Walkway, which is the longest suspension bridge in Malaysia 
  • Visit the local villages, which are home to Taman Negara’s indigenous people 
  • Go rapid shooting along the Sungai Tembeling River 
  • Visit the Kelah Sanctuary to feed some freshwater fish 
  • Explore the large caves in the park 

As you can see, there is so much variety at this park, making it worth staying in one of the local guest houses so that you can really explore everything on offer. 

Visiting the Park 

It isn’t easy to get to the Taman Negara National Park, with the easiest way being a three hour boat ride up the Tembeling River. 

If you’re the adventurous type that likes to do things yourself, making your own way there is possible, although will require some extra organization. Alternatively, if you book yourself in for a guided tour, transportation from major cities is usually included, but keep in mind that prices for these tours tend to be quite high. 

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to 22 national parks, but the Yala National Park is the most famous. Located around 300 kilometers from the capital, the park spreads out for 979 square kilometers, and is home to six smaller national parks, as well as three wildlife sanctuaries, within its boundaries. There are a number of different ecosystems here, from freshwater wetlands to monsoon forests, making it no surprise that the park is famous for its incredible variety of wild animals. 

Want to know which animals you may be lucky enough to spot at the Yala National Park?

Well there are 44 mammal species living here, including: 

  • The Sri Lankan elephant 
  • Leopards, with the park being home to the biggest leopard population in the world 
  • Wild water buffalo 
  • Sri Lankan sloth bear 
  • Fishing cat 

The leopards tend to be one of the park’s biggest attractions, and although more than 25 individual leopards have been spotted at the park, getting a glimpse of these rare creatures is quite difficult. If this is something that you are keen on, it would definitely be worth signing up for a tour, but make sure that it is one provided by a reputable operator. 

Visiting the Park 

A guided tour of this park is usually advised if you want the best chance of spotting the park’s rare animals. However, if you would like to explore the park on your own, this is possible too, with 4WD safari jeeps being available for hire at the park’s entrance. 

One tip to keep in mind…

Try to get to the park as early in the morning as possible – it will really pay to be first in line this time. You will notice many of the animals are still hanging out by the trail that the cars drive on early in the day, which you will miss if you arrive later on. 

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which can be found near the island of Palawan in the Philippines, is a little different from the other national parks on this list. 

How? 

Well, this one is located deep underground. It consists of a long river that passes through some impressive caves, including some of the largest cave chambers in the world. In fact, the river itself is famed for being the longest navigable underground river in the world, making it no surprise that the national park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, along with the Amazon rainforest, South Africa’s Table Mountain, and other one-of-a-kind natural features. 

The river and the caves within the park are home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem, one that has slowly been forming for hundreds of years. There are several types of animals here, from certain snakes and fish to giant spiders, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. 

Boat tours to take you through the cave system are well worth signing up for. You will be able to see everything from fossils that date back 20 million years to cave chambers studded with glittering crystals to waterfalls cascading down cave walls. Although all of these boat tours have a guide, the audio is usually played through headphones (due to language barriers), meaning that you can take these off whenever you want to experience the mysterious silence that takes over the river. 

In addition to exploring the park’s caves, there are several other activities that you can do in the area, such as: 

  • Island hopping around Honda Bay 
  • Relaxing at one of the many beaches 
  • Try your hand at some water sports, from banana boats to parasailing to fly fishing 
  • Sample local Filipino specialties at the many traditional restaurants and cafes 
  • Visit the Palaweno Brewery to taste some local craft beer 
Visiting the Park 

Since the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is such a highly protected part of the country, anyone hoping to visit the park will first need to apply for a permit. These are easy to acquire, but you will need to apply for yours at least a few days before you plan on making your journey. If you decide to go with an organized tour, your tour operator will help you to apply for your permit. 

Asia is home to so many fantastic national parks, many of them offering up a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you want to go hiking through lush, untouched tropical jungles, or would prefer some rest and relaxation on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, these six national parks promise not to disappoint. 

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Eat Your Way Around Hanoi: 8 Must-Try Dishes

Vietnamese street food cooking on flame

Planning a trip to Hanoi?

If so, you’re in luck, because this vibrant city is famous for being the culinary capital of Vietnam. Whether you’re in Hanoi for a weekend, a week, or longer, here are the X dishes that you need to try before you leave.

Hanoian Pho

Bowl of pho with chopsticks

You have probably already heard of pho, and have likely tried it too. However, did you know that pho was reputedly invented in Hanoi?

This is why the bowls of pho from the north of Vietnam taste quite different to those served up in the south.

Wondering what the differences are?

Pho from the north is all about simplicity, delicacy and purity. It is always made from an unsweetened stock, with the vegetables added into the dish beforehand. In contrast, pho from the south comes with vegetables on the side, along with a variety of bold spices and garnishes that often compete with each other.

What exactly is in a bowl of pho?

Three main elements:

  • Broth

  • Rice noodles (with the word “pho” actually referring to a type of noodle)

  • Meat (usually chicken or beef)

A plate of herbs is usually served up too, so that you can add some extra flavor into your bowl.

Where can you find the best pho in Hanoi?

Here’s where to go:

  • Pho Thin

  • Pho Gia Truyen

  • Pho Suong

Bun Cha

Bowl of Bun Cha

Bun cha is another dish that is said to have originated in Hanoi. In fact, it made headlines recently after President Obama fell in love with it during a visit to Vietnam. 

What is bun cha?

It consists of a few different elements:

  • Grilled or roasted pork, served in a bowl of sweet but tangy broth

  • Vietnamese bun (this isn’t a bread, but a type of noodle)

  • A plate of fresh greens

Wondering how you would eat it?

In Hanoi, the traditional way to eat bun cha would be to mix everything together in your bowl and then eat it in the same way you would pho.

However, be sure to try the southern way of eating bun cha too…

Take a large lettuce leaf and then wrap this around the noodles, pork and herbs. Then, dip into the broth before taking a big and satisfying bite. This method is great for when you are on-the-go, which is why bun cha has evolved to become such a popular street food.

Where can you find the best bun cha in Hanoi?

Here are a few places to try:

  • Bun Cha Huong Lien (which is now known as Bun Cha Obama)

  • Bun Cha Binh Chung

  • Bun Cha Dac Kim

Cha Ca

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💯 Chả Cá Hà Nội 💯 Món siêu hợp cho ngày mưa lạnh 🔥 . Nhưng không hợp lắm cho mùng 1 âm =)) Thế mà hôm nay hàng chả cá vẫn siêu đông nhé 🤣 Bạn nào kinh doanh kiêng mắm tôm thì có thể chấm nước mắm ha, Tú thì vẫn cứ mắm tôm thôi. Trưa nay ăn chán chê nửa bữa rồi mới nhớ ra mùng 1 😭 Thôi đâm lao thì theo lao, vẫn ngồi đả hết suất ngon lành. Trời mưa lạnh ngồi nghe tiếng chảo nóng xèo xèo mà phê lắm. Ăn miếng cá nóng hổi thổi phù phù, thêm miếng lòng sần sật chấm mắm tôm thơm, đỉnh 🤤 Bài này review luôn 2 hàng chả cá Tú mới ăn nhé 👉🏿 Chả cá Anh Vũ – 120 K1 Giảng Võ 💍 130k/suất chả cá/lòng cá. (2 ảnh đầu) Đi 2 người gọi 1 chả cá 1 lòng là đủ no nê. Trà đá 5k. Suất ăn ở đây đầy đặn, thịt cá dày, dai chắc. Phục vụ nhanh nhẹn, nhà hàng cũng to và thoáng nên không quá ám mùi. Mắm tôm vừa, không bị mặn, có tinh dầu cà cuống nhưng nay Tú không ăn. Nằm ngay đoạn Giảng Võ tập trung nhiều hàng ăn đông đúc, vỉa hè rộng khá thoải mái. Nhân viên đông, đi từ tầng 1 lên tầng 2 mà được hỏi 4 lần xem đi mấy người 🤣 Chăm sóc kỹ ha ❤️ . 👉🏿 Chả cá Phan – 84 Trần Quốc Toản 💍 120k/suất lòng cá/chả cá (Ảnh 3) Suất ăn ở đây rẻ hơn và cũng ít hơn bên Anh Vũ, nhưng hương vị cũng ngon không kém nhé. Điểm cộng là free trà đá, free thạch dừa tráng miệng luôn. Túm lại là dịch vụ siêu dễ thương luôn ý. Phan thì bé hơn, bình dân hơn nhưng cũng khá nổi tiếng. Quán này được @_nymmm giới thiệu cho, ưng quá nên giới thiệu tiếp cho mọi người ^^ Ở đây hình như kinh doanh kiểu gia đình ý, nên mọi người thân thiện dễ thương cực. Chỉ kỳ mỗi cái là hôm đi ăn nhân viên không đưa menu mà ra hỏi ăn gì luôn 🤣🤣 Nhưng thực ra đây là vấn đề chung của hàng quán Việt Nam, luôn nghĩ khách biết menu rồi 🤣🤣 . Mọi người còn biết quán chả cá nào ngon thì cho Tú biết với nha ❤️❤️ Thank kiu rất nhìu 😆 #chacalavong #chaca

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Are you a seafood fan?

Although, even if you aren’t, cha ca is a dish that you will still likely love. This grilled fish dish was invented in Hanoi, and first became popular over a hundred years ago when it was served to the troops during the French colonial rule. 

The dish was created by the family who ran the Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant, with the dish becoming so famous that they named their restaurant after it.

What exactly is cha ca?

It consists of slices of fish that have been marinated and then grilled to perfection. This is then fried up table-side, which provides such an exciting dining experience. The chef will usually place a hot pot onto your table, into which the fish, along with herbs and spices, is placed. You will also be presented with a number of accompaniments for the dish, including:

  • Rice noodles

  • Fresh herbs

  • A dipping fish sauce

  • Sliced chilies

  • Roasted peanuts

As you can imagine, this all results in a magnificent combination of tantalizing flavors, making it no surprise that cha ca quickly becomes a culinary favorite among first-time visitors to Hanoi.

Where can you find the best cha ca in Hanoi?

Well, while many tourists still flock to the Cha Ca La Vong restaurant, where the dish was first invented, the restaurant has gone downhill over the years.

If you really want to taste the best cha ca in the city, the place to go is the Cha Ca Thang Long restaurant. 

Banh Mi

Banh Mi sandwich

Although banh mi has French origins, it has now become a distinct Vietnamese dish. This is a dish that is famous all over the country, and the rest of the world, but some of the best sandwiches can definitely be found in Hanoi.

What is banh mi?

It consists of a light and fluffy baguette. Unlike French baguettes, the Vietnamese version is made with a mixture of rice and wheat flour, giving it a very crispy and thin crust.

Wondering what goes into the baguette?

A variety of different fillings, such as:

  • Pork

  • Pate

  • Cured ham

  • Local vegetables, including carrot, radish and cucumber

  • Coriander and other local herbs

If you would prefer something a little heartier, you could opt for the local dish Banh Mi Thit Xien Nuong instead. This includes the addition of grilled pork skewers. The marinade for the pork is usually made from caramel, fish and sugar, which gives the finished dish a beautiful sweetness.

Where can you find the best banh mi in Hanoi?

Here are a few local spots to head to:

  • Banh Mi Ngon

  • Banh My Pate Lan Ong (where the duck pate is made fresh each morning)

  • Quan Ba Nga (if you want to try banh mi thit xien nuong)

Xoi Xeo

Wondering what Hanoians eat for breakfast?

One popular dish is xoi xeo, which is a popular street food usually served up wrapped in a banana leaf. Of course, the restaurant version is presented differently, in a bowl filled with xoi xeo and all of its many accompaniments.

What exactly is xoi xeo?

It is a sticky rice dish. This may sound simple, but the way in which it is prepared is very special…

The glutinous rice is steamed, and chicken fat is mixed through it at the same time. This is then combined with steamed mung beans that have been peeled and ground.

The dish is always topped with fried crispy shallots. The other toppings depend on where you purchase the dish from, but common additions include:

  • Pork floss

  • Chinese or Vietnamese sausage

  • Roast pork or chicken

  • Egg

A traditional cucumber salad side dish is always served up with xoi xeo too.

Where can you find the best xoi xeo in Hanoi?

These are the places you need to go:

  • Xoi Yen (reputed to have the best xoi xeo in the city)

  • Xoi May

  • Xoi 622-Duy Tan

Ca Phe Trung

A glass of egg coffee on a table

If you love a good coffee, then ca phe trung is not to be missed. Many would call it the Vietnamese version of the cappuccino, and there are certainly some similarities when it comes to texture and flavor.

Ca phe trung was actually invented way back in 1925, when a local barista could not source enough fresh milk for a cappuccino. So, he made a ca phe trung instead…

Wondering what is in a ca phe trung?

Well, you’ve got the hot coffee, of course. But the cappuccino-esque part comes from:

  • Whipped egg yolks

  • Cheese

  • Butter

The three ingredients are mixed with the coffee, creating a frothy, foamy, creamy beverage that tastes surprisingly like a cappuccino.

There are two main versions of this drink; hot and cold. The hot is served in a small dish of hot water to help the coffee retain its heat, while the cold version is usually served up in a small glass, along with a spoon. In a way, it is more like an ice cream than a beverage.

Do you prefer your coffee less frothy?

If so, give the coconut coffee a try instead.

It has the same level of sweetness as ca phe trung, but without the froth, and is made with coconut instead of egg.

Where can you find the best ca phe trung in Hanoi?

  • Cafe Giang (where the drink is said to have been invented)

  • Cafe Phuong Linh

  • Nhan

Bun Thang

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Bún Thang – one of the best noodle soup dishes from Hanoi. "Thang" means "ladder" and also "precription". Back in the day medication was prescribed in a bag/dose of mixed herbs or "một thang thuốc". It's said that this dish was named after that because after the new year, people would repurpose their new year meals, taking the left over proteins comprising of ham, chicken, egg, shrimp and mushrooms and created a noodle soup dish filled with a "mix of things". Although the other definition, "ladder" some say… the way the proteins are cut resemble a ladder, hence the name Bún Thang. While we don't know where the true origin of the name comes from, we do know it's light and delicious and that we're serving it tonight from 4pm-9pm @boysdontcrynyc. Get you your prescription ladder soup. 💁🏻‍♀️🍜 . . . . . . . . . . . . #bunthang #hanoi #vietnamese #chicken #noodlesoup #vietnameseeats #vietnamesecuisine #vietnamesefood #vietfood #comfortfood #hanoieats #nyceats #eaterny #infatuationnyc #eatingnyc #les #SaigonSocialNYC

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While pho is the most famous of Vietnamese noodle dishes, make sure that you do not leave Hanoi without trying bun thang.

What exactly is bun thang?

It is a chicken noodle soup that usually contains around 20 ingredients. It may sound simple at first, but this dish is actually incredibly complex yet delicate, with each element being showcased beautifully.

Here are just a few of the ingredients that are used in a traditional bun thang:

  • Chicken broth, sometimes with pork too

  • Shredded chicken, with the birds used for this dish being of a very specific age

  • Rice vermicelli noodles

  • Dried shrimp

  • Vietnamese sausage

  • Mushrooms

  • Sliced egg

  • Green onions and chillies

If you are lucky enough to sample a truly authentic bun thang, then there is one more ingredient that you should be aware of…

It is known as ca cuong, and is a pheromone that comes from the male belostomatid beetle. 

This is added into the dish at extremely minute quantities. In fact, restaurants that use this special ingredient will dip the tip of a toothpick into it, adding just that tiny amount into the dish.

What does the beetle extract do for the dish?

It adds a very exotic fragrance, but does not have any effect at all of the actual taste of the dish.

Where can you find the best bun thang in Hanoi?

It isn’t actually easy to find an authentic bun thang in Hanoi, but there are a few key restaurants around the city that are known for this dish:

  • Bun Thang Ba Duc

  • Thuan Ly Bun Thang

  • Bun Thang Ngoc Tuyen

Banh Cuon

Chopsticks holding banh cuon

Banh cuon is another dish that is extremely popular in the mornings, but you will find it being served as a snack throughout the day.

What exactly is banh cuon?

It is a steamed rice noodle roll. It looks a little like a white crepe, except that it is a savory dish, rather than a sweet one.

Wondering what the roll is filled with?

Usually a combination of ground mushrooms and pork. The rolls are then served up on a plate, topped with fresh cilantro and crispy fried shallots.

This may not sound very exciting, but the magic comes with the dish’s dipping sauce…

The sauce has a fish sauce base, but also contains a small drop of ca cuong (the beetle extract that was mentioned earlier).

When these unique flavors are combined with the soft and slippery texture of the rolls, the result is absolutely divine.

Where can you find the best banh cuon in Hanoi?

Just about every local restaurant and street food stall serves this dish up.

However, if you want to taste a more upmarket, but equally authentic, version of this dish, head to Banh Cuon Gia An. Unlike many of the other restaurants in the city, this is one that does not use any preservatives when creating their dishes.

Once you are done with your meal, take a stroll over to the nearby Vincom Center, where you will find the OROGOLD Hanoi Store. This is the perfect place for some rest and relaxation, where you can enjoy everything from VIP facials to product demonstrations to customized skincare advice. 

The food scene in Hanoi is one of the best in the world. The dishes are wonderfully authentic, while being full of flavor, spice and freshness. While the dishes and restaurants mentioned above are definitely worth trying, there is amazing food to be found all over the city, so be sure to sample as much as you can!

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Beer Gardens Around the World

Friends having beer in a beer garden.

The concept of beer gardens originated in Germany, when brewers along the Isar River began selling their beer directly out of their cellars, setting up a couple of benches outside to ensure their success. Today, beer gardens can be found in so many different countries, each one putting their own spin on this German tradition.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, Holland
Brouwerij ‘t IJ first opened its doors in 1985, at a time when microbreweries were becoming more popular due to a general dissatisfaction with the bigger brands. Since all of their beers are not only brewed on site, but are also completely organic, Brouwerij ‘t IJ has become one of the top drinking spots in Amsterdam. Both the brewery and beer house have been created from an old bath house, with the brewery being available to tour before you sit down next to the giant windmill for a drink. While the beverage menu may be mind-bogglingly extensive, OROGOLD highly recommends that you give the organic Zatte a try, as this was the first beer that was brewed on site in 1985.

Luong Son, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This buzzing beer garden in the heart of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is just as popular with tourists as it is with the locals. It is as casual as beer gardens get, with hundreds of plastic chairs and communal wooden benches. Here, classic Vietnamese beers are served up alongside barbecue dishes that are cooked on tabletop grills. The food is exquisite and the choices are great for those that want to try something different, as well as for those that want to stick with something known. Ranging from garlic beef skewers to deep fried scorpion to pig’s stomach, whatever you choose to order, OROGOLD highly recommends a pitcher of Saigon to wash it all down.

Hirschgarten, Munich, Germany
No list of beer gardens would be complete without a mention of one of the many in Germany. Hirschgarten in Munich is the largest in the country, seating over 8000 people. This is one of the country’s most historic beer gardens, with 200-year-old chestnut trees providing a canopy of shade, and the game reserve next to the beer garden, with their freely roaming deer, offering up some beautiful views. There are both self-service and tableside options, with the refreshing Augustiner beer being served straight from the cask. While drinking, OROGOLD recommends ordering some of their freshly made local snacks, such as the baked pretzels, roast pork, or homemade cakes and ice cream. This is also a beer garden that has stuck to one of their oldest traditions – customers are allowed to bring in their own food to eat, with only cold drinks and beer needing to be purchased from the venue itself.

Beer gardens are a great German tradition that have now spread all over the world. Whether you’re after a quick drink after work, or a leisurely lunch with a couple of pitchers on a Sunday afternoon, check out your local beer gardens the next time you are heading out for a brew.

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Floating Markets Around the World

While your weekly shopping trip may involve driving to the grocery store and walking down the many aisles, others around the world are rowing to their local market, which happens to be floating on the local river, with vendors selling items straight out of their boats. Although many of them are now more tourist attractions than community markets, they are still an experience not to be missed. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the best floating markets around the world.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand
Located about 100km to the southwest of Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is probably the most famous in the world, and you are likely to have already seen photographs of it in many travel magazines. The market is a huge tourist attraction in the region, so OROGOLD would recommend that you visit early in the morning, before the crowds, and the scorching heat, arrive. A boat can be hired from the nearby piers, and these will take you into the market, where you can browse the goods on display and haggle for the best price. Beyond the market, you will find the residential canals, which are much more peaceful if you want a relaxing boat ride after the bustle of the market.

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Since canals in the Mekong Delta region are the most convenient form of transportation, floating markets are extremely popular. The biggest one in the Mekong Delta is Phung Hiep, which is usually open from 4am to 11am, and by sunrise, the waterways are clogged with local sampan boats selling their goods. As shoppers make their way through the boats on their own sampans, they stop along the way to sample bowls of fresh noodles cooked over an open flame on some of the boats. Cai Be is another floating market in the area, with over 400 boats selling fresh fruit, vegetables and other produce. The biggest wholesale market in the region, many of the traders live on their boats, and there are also many ‘taxi’ boats for tourists who want to further explore the area.

Floating Market, Curacao

Floating Market, Curacao
Although it may be called a floating market, the Curacao floating market stalls are actually all firmly on land, but all of their produce is brought over daily from Venezuela by boat, which is where the term floating market comes in. These traditional wooden boats have been serving the market for generations, and the market is still as vibrant and bustling as ever. OROGOLD recommends visiting some of the stalls right by the waterfront, where they will not only sell you the catch of the day, but also clean and fillet the fish in any way you desire.

With regular grocery stores on the rise all over the world, traditional floating markets are, unfortunately, quickly becoming a thing of the past. However, in Asia in particular, you will still be able to find quite a few that are still used by locals, and there really is no better way to experience another culture’s lifestyle than to visit their local floating market.

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Most Popular Night Tours – OROGOLD Reviews

Many cities around the world have a completely different atmosphere at night, with areas that were sleepy in the daytime bursting into life. From the Saigon by Night tour of Vietnam to the Big Apple Night Tour in New York, OROGOLD brings you some of the most exciting and popular night tours around the world.

The Brooklyn Bridge, New York at night.

The Big Apple Night Tour
Also known as the city that never sleeps, the Night Tour is one of the best ways to explore New York at night, the peak time for the exciting buzz of activity and energy that surrounds the city. The tour is suited for every age, and takes you through some of New York’s most famous sights, teaching you more about the diversity that makes New York so unique. From the Empire State Building to the Rockefeller Center to the Federal Court building, the Night Tour attracts both tourists as well as locals who are looking for a unique and inspiring perspective to their home city.

Views from the Thu Thiem Bridge at night.

Saigon By Night Tour
The Saigon by Night tour in Vietnam offers visitors the opportunity to see Vietnam in a way that many tourists don’t get to experience. Sat on the back of a motorbike, visitors can feel the rush of zooming down the Saigon freeway, taking a look at certain sights that can only be truly appreciated at night. From the dotted lights of the red paper lanterns at Cholon to the incredible view over Saigon River from the Thu Thiem Bridge, this is an experience not to be missed. Foodies are able to opt to combine the Saigon by Night tour with the Foodie tour, something that OROGOLD would highly recommend if you are looking for a taste of local cuisine, where they are taken 5 popular Vietnamese districts and are able to sample some of the best Vietnamese street food.

Night Market in Jioufen Village, Taiwan.

Taiwan Night Market Tour
No trip to Taiwan is complete without visiting one of the many night markets that pop up all over the cities. The night markets in the Taipei area have become huge hotspots, attracting both tourists and locals. In addition the cheap bargains that you will find, the night markets are also the place at which you can sample some of the most delicious authentic Taiwanese food, and the Taiwan Foodie Night Market tour is the best way to get in as much variety as possible. Visitors are taken to 5 of the best night markets in Taiwan, each famous for one or two signature dishes. Some of the specialities that you will be tasting include paopao ice, similar to shaved ice but with a finer texture, squid stew, black pepper buns, and, for the brave of you, the many snake dishes at Huaxi Night Market, such as snake wine or snake soup.

Every major city around the world has aspects that are truly unique to it, and many of these can only be fully appreciated at night, once the main parts of the city settle down. From a food tour of Taiwan’s night markets to a motorcycle tour of Vietnam, OROGOLD’s top night tours are a must-do for travelers heading to Taiwan, Vietnam or New York.