Statistics from the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department show that in 2014 some 187,240 people visited Oudomxay including 102,050 from overseas. Last year’s total of 215,448 visitors included 127,065 from overseas. Revenue earned from tourism amounted to more than US$12 million in 2015, compared to just US$3.7 million earned in 2005.

The provincial authorities have continued to develop infrastructure and facilities at tourist sites, hoping to provide better services. The province has 106 tourist sites including 54 of natural beauty. Another 85 sites are waiting to be surveyed while only 21 sites have been completely surveyed. A total of 33 sites are already offering full services to visitors.

According to the Oudomxay Tourist Information Centre, the provincial authorities are now gearing up to improve the road link from the town centre to Chom Ong cave and also the facilities around the site. The improvement project is being funded by the Asian Development Bank at a cost of more than US$14 million and is slated for completion in 2019.

The hidden gem of Chom Ong cave is a recently rediscovered natural attraction located about 45km from Xay district centre near a Khmu village called Chom Ong.

An official from the Oudomxay provincial tourism promotion unit, Vilaiphet Ounaphone, told Vientiane Times on Friday “Chom Ong cave is recognised as being one of the largest caves in Southeast Asia. It is nearly 16km long and is ranked at the sixth longest in the world. The longest cave in the world is 44km, according to a European survey team.”

“Near the cave is a home-stay for visitors that can accommodate about 20 people. If there are more they can stay with people in Chom Ong village. Besides exploring the cave, visitors can enjoy trekking, swimming in the river by the cave, and take part in the traditional dances and lifestyle of the Khmu ethnic group,” he said.

The Oudomxay tourism website reports that the cave system stretches along a 4km long mountain ridge and has a parallel running and interconnecting fossil and river passage. It’s been explored to a length of 15,827km (preliminary) with several wide open side passages remaining. The exploration was done by the Lao-European Cave project.

Oudomxay province now has 19 hotels, 68 guesthouses, four resorts and 188 restaurants.

How to get Chom Ong cave: You can book a tour at the Tourist Information Centre in Oudomxay province or if you want to do it on your own, a car or motorbike can be rented in Xay town. There are two ways to get to the cave, either from the south or the north. The south route starts from Nasao village (on the way to Luang Prabang) and runs for about 45km, while the northern approach is on the way to Luang Namtha province. When you get to the KM24 marker at Nambortakai village, take the road on the left which is just after the village and with the sign “18km from the main road to the cave”.

If you are already planning to go to Bali this long weekend, consider these tips below to ensure that you have a memorable island getaway.

Choose late-night or early-morning flights

Traffic from the airport can be at its worst during this long weekend. So if you haven’t got your ticket yet, it’s better to choose a late-night flight, or better yet, very early-morning trip.

It’s best to arrange your airport pick up with your hotel, since the airport taxis can be very expensive and hard to find.

Stay in one area

Traffic in Bali can be very challenging during long weekends so traveling around the island in your own vehicle is not recommended. Not only will it be more costly to hire a car, you will also contribute to making the traffic even worse.

But, then again, why not choose to stay in one area and explore it by foot? Staying in Canggu or Sanur can be a good idea since they have distinct characteristics.

Canggu is the next hip place in Bali, where you can explore boutique shops, rustic restaurants, gorgeous black sandy beaches and thriving mixed communities. While Sanur is still a charming village that will stun you with its long stretches of white beach, tranquil neighborhood and beautiful seaside cafes.

Avoid mainstream places

It’s better to avoid Pandawa beach, downtown Seminyak, Ubud’s Monkey Forest and Kuta Beach during this long weekend.

Why not explore East Bali or Nusa Lembongan instead? The former is famous for its fantastic marine life and bold culture. You can visit its stunning Lempuyangan temple and learn more about Balinese architecture or perhaps head to the Nusa islands ( Penida and Lembongan ) to check out their amazing landscape, both on land and underwater.

Do more activities

Instead of going here and there and getting stuck in traffic, you can try to do more activities instead.

If you’re an avid diver or love snorkeling, this long weekend can be your best chance to explore your relationship with the ocean by staying close to diving points. East Bali is arguably the best area to stay in since you can easily hop from Tulamben, Amed and Padang Bai without having to worry about traffic.

You can also explore other interesting things like trying Bali’s best spas, signing up for a cooking class, renting a bicycle and strolling around Sanur, kayaking in a mangrove forest and many more.

Avoid Bukit area

Unless you plan to stay in Uluwatu, going to Bukit or the Uluwatu area is a bad idea as you will get stuck in traffic and miss a lot of things.

If you do love the beach, we recommend you stay there, then you can go beach hopping to Bali’s most gorgeous beaches such as Suluban, Padang Padang, Dreamland and many more.

Draw up a reasonable itinerary

Planning to go from Single Fin in Uluwatu then to La Laguna in Canggu makes no sense. If you really want to visit popular destinations, make a reasonable itinerary by visiting nearby places. Plan which main destination you desire and see other places nearby, instead of going farther afield.

For example, if you are eager to explore the beaches in Nusa Dua, you can opt to do exciting water sports in Tanjung Benoa or challenge yourself with paragliding, then head to Jimbaran for a sunset and candle-lit seafood dinner by the beach.

Organised by Kedah And Perlis Rice Millers Association, the festival aims to tell the story of the heritage of Kedah’s paddy farmers through storytelling sessions, music, traditional rice planting sessions, photographs and documents.

As part of the programme, the Kedah paddy farmers led festival visitors into the paddy field to plant rice the traditional way. A pair of buffaloes were also used to plough the field.

The festival kicked off with The Art of paddy Heritage Workshop from April 22-25. Some 150 students from Keat Hwa High School in Alor Setar took part in this art, music and drama workshop. They learnt how to make a scarecrow and create artworks inspired by paddy planting.

On April 29, the Tradition of paddy Seedling, a public talk (and paddy seedling rehearsal) was held. Three paddy farmers of Thai, Chinese and Malay origin shared their knowledge on old farming traditions. Kedah And Perlis Rice Millers Association’s chairman Ong Soon Thye and paddy researcher Ong Ching Zhong talked about the rice mill, types of rice as well as tradition and modern farming techniques.

Festival director Chong Keat Aun says the festival was the first of its kind in Malaysia.

“There are plans to rotate the event venue to other rice mills in Kedah and Perlis,” says Chong, an Alor Setar-born arts practitioner.

The festival’s slogan is Sesuap Nasi, Warisan paddy (A Mouthful Of Rice, paddy Heritage). From April 30 to May 1, there was be a free concert involving 150 performers. Shows included manora dance, paddy field drum performance (a combination of gendang silat drums and Chinese drums), Chinese opera, and wayang kulit.

A highlight of the festival was Rumah paddy (paddy House) which was erected at edge of a paddy field at the festival site.

“Two modified steel containers, timber and bamboo structures are used to set up this temporary structure which will remain until Sept 17,” says Alan Teh, curator of the art exhibition.

Visitors were taken on a tour of the artworks by 15 local artists. Teh says the goal of the festival is to raise awareness to the hardships of paddy farmers, especially to the younger generation.

“At the same time, it is also to bring attention to the rapid urbanisation of Alor Setar, where many tracts of agriculture lands are being converted for housing and commercial purposes. This is quite alarming as Kedah is the rice bowl of Malaysia,” says Teh.

The closing ceremony will be the Harvest Festival from Sept 15-17 at the same venue.

Dubbed the biggest kite festival in the north, the four-day event has attracted 100 kite artisans flyers from across Vietnam and teams from other nations, including Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

“I think this is a meaningful entertainment activity during the long holiday,” Tran Quyet Chien, an audience member, told Viet Nam News. “There have not been many festivals of this kind organised in Hanoi that offer children a chance to see folk art and play with kites.”

“It’s even more appealing to adults with many prize-winning artists flyers from the country and overseas participating in the event,” he said. “The shows are spectacular and use modern equipment. It feels like I am reliving my childhood with kites soaring in the wind and the melodious sound of flutes attached to the kites reverberating through the skies.”

Dao Duy Ha, from the HCM City Kite Club, said he had advised the organising board to invite only those artists flyers that flew the most unique kinds of kites.

“On this Reunification Day [April 30], we would like to entertain the capital’s audience with the most unique kinds of kites that people have never even heard about,” he said. “We will try to organise such events more often and turn Ecopark into a playground for city dwellers, making them an ideal destination.”

Ha said the 12 kite artists flyers from overseas include the world-famous Hoac Gia Lam, a Hanoi-born artist man residing in Canada, who has won various prizes for his kite performances and designs and is considered one of the world’s top 10 kite performance artist performers.

The others include Prince Ida Bagus Ugrasena Narendra and Princess Helmi Ginanti from Indonesia, Teo Joo Lye Peter from Singapore, and Leong Chee Wan from Malaysia.

“The best domestic kite teams are also participating,” he said. “Among them is artist Pham Quang Tam of the Sao Vang kite team who can make three kites fly together with music in the background,” he said.

Lam revealed he loved flying kites in Hanoi when he was a child. When he settled down in Canada, he saw some locals flying kites and began to indulge in the sport again in 1985.

“I learned a lot from other experienced artists,flyers,” he said. “At first, I had to learn kite-flying skills, and then, I started competing in contests. Gradually, I accumulated several achievements. In the past, one needed favourable windy conditions to fly kites. Nowadays, many modern kites don’t need the wind at all. They can fly in all conditions except during thunderstorms.”

“The kite I fly requires a wind velocity of only 3km per hour,” he said. “Flying a kite makes a person feel relaxed, happy, excited and proud, especially when flying a kite they designed.”

He said he now mostly designs kites for others to fly.

Talking about his performance, Lam said he wants better control over his kites, hoping to make them dance in time to the music to make the performance more interesting and attractive to the audience.

“Today’s youth have countless options for entertainment compared with the past,” he said. “Young people should play the sport because when they master it, they will be invited to perform at events all over the world. Making something ourselves gives us a sense of pride. It’s better than just sitting at home, watching TV and playing with an iPad.”

Together with Lam’s kite display, performances by the Airnergy Group from Singapore wowed the audience the most, with their four-line kites controlled by four members, with music playing in the background.

“They must have spent lots of time practising,” viewer Nguyen Thu Hien said. “After seeing their performance, I fully believe that nothing is impossible for people who have a strong team spirit. They can even make kites dance in the sky like real dancers.”

“The wind is good here, and the people are friendly,” Zulkifli Said from Singapore’s Airnergy Group said. “We hope to return to Hanoi.

“Our kites are made from long-lasting nylonpolyester. They can last for some 10 years. We don’t have to make new kites too often,” he said. “Our performance is based on faith. We need to be faithful (in our duty) to one another and be kind to all humankind.”

He said the group practises twice a month. Its members have been together for four years and have travelled throughout the world to perform.

The group has performed in Viet Nam seven times, while this is their second visit to Hanoi.

In addition to getting the chance to witness 100m-long kites flying in the sky, festival-goers can create their own kites under the guidance of kite making artisans.

“The free-visa entry for foreigners from 159 countries has been opened at LIA. Hopefully it can widen access for foreign tourists traveling to Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara in general,” said the region’s Tourism and Culture Agency head Mohammad Faozal to thejakartapost.com on Monday.

There are currently 29 airports, 88 seaports and 7 border checkpoint posts in Indonesia where certain foreign citizens can obtain a free visa upon arrival.

Faozal said the free-visa regulation could be enjoyed by foreigners who were traveling as a tourist, coming to visit their family, conducting social activities, attending art and culture seminars or participating in international exhibitions or meetings held by their office’s headquarters/representatives in Indonesia.

He was hopeful that the regulation would help boost the number of foreign tourists to West Nusa Tenggara as they would be able to head straight to Lombok without having to transit at another airport. Business-wise, airlines will be more encouraged to open direct flights to the region.

Silk Air Lombok branch head Sufit Arif Barata told thejakartapost.com that the regulation would encouraged tourists from Asia or other parts of the world to visit Lombok via Singapore.

The airline currently has four direct flights per week from Singapore to Lombok with most passengers coming from Germany, the Netherlands, UK and Norway in addition to Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and China.

Close on the heels of Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan were awarded fifth and sixth best in Asia, respectively. Maui in Hawaii was awarded the top world rank.

“Indonesia is an archipelago blessed with thousands of wonderful islands that offer spectacular scenery, unique ambiance and vast marine biodiversity,” a representative of the Tourism Ministry commented.

“Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan are island destinations that are not merely great to visit, but places that serve as enchanting sanctuaries that perpetuate harmony between the people, culture and nature of Indonesia. […] we look forward to more visitors from around the world coming to further explore the beauty of these islands,” the Tourism Ministry representative further added.

TripAdvisor used an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide over a 12-month period, as well as traveler booking interest, resulting in its list of award winners. ( kes )

Top 10 islands in Asia

1. Bali, Indonesia

2. Phuket, Thailand

3. Ko Samui, Thailand

4. Koh Tao, Thailand

5. Lombok, Indonesia

6. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

7. Boracay, Philippines

8. Langkawi, Malaysia

9. Havelock Island, India

10. Taketomicho Iriomote-jima, Japan

Top 10 islands in the world

1. Maui, Hawaii

2. Santorini, Greece

3. Jamaica, Caribbean

4. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

5. Bali, Indonesia

6. Majorca, Spain

7. Mauritius, Africa

8. Phuket, Thailand

9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

An enchanting place to begin our natural journey is with the fireflies of Selangor, one of the most eye-catching and enriching sights of Malaysia’s natural world. A visit to Kuala Selangor, to the north-west of Kuala Lumpur, allows visitors to appreciate the evening air above the Selangor River with the beauty of Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park. Watch the night come alive, illuminated by the flicker of these beautiful insects. The fireflies cluster around mangrove trees at the edge of the river, and are best viewed from the row boats which can be hired with friendly local guides. They may be small, but the beauty of the flickering fireflies flitting through the darkness above the water is not to be understated.

Moving from the miniscule to the ginormous, the beautiful elephants of the Asean region have long been a draw for tourists. Exposure in recent years has highlighted some of the less sustainable practices in elephant tourism, but that shouldn’t put you off your own experiences in gaining an understanding of these beautiful creatures. The Elephant Nature Park in the Mae Taeng District ofChiang Mai, in the north of Thailand, offers an award-winning, sustainable alternative to the tourism elephant rides often found elsewhere.

In rehabilitating and supporting rescued elephants, you will come to know these beautiful animals more closely, while enjoying an adventure that at the same time supports a worthy cause. The Elephant Nature Park is the most famous of several sustainable elephant sanctuaries throughout the region, each of which offers you the chance to learn the simple pleasures of feeding, herding and cleaning these beautiful creatures.

Elephants offer an iconic image of animal tourism, but the wild nature of South-East Asia is perhaps no better depicted than in the majestic orangutan, our very own “man of the forest”. These beautiful creatures have faced significant challenges in recent years, with the loss of much of their natural habitat. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabi­litation Centre, located on a 43sqkm reserve in Sabah, offers visitors a chance to view these awesome creatures while supporting an organisation that seeks to highlight and address the challenges to their survival.

Visitors to the centre are treated to educational videos about these beautiful creatures, and the opportunity to view them appropriately in their natural surroundings. There are five bus trips there a day from nearby Sandakan and the centre is open from 9am to 4pm. Visit at feeding time around 10am and 3pm for the best chance of seeing one of these great creatures.

The drive to protect wildlife, while revealing the wonders of the natural world, is at the very heart of Cambodia’s Wildlife Alliance. This organisation works closely with government and wildlife organisations to nurture and protect the wonderful creatures and their habitat throughout Cambodia. Their mandate is not only to protect, but to educate, and as such they offer some wonderful opportunities for sustainable tourism that at the same time supports their fantastic cause.

The Wildlife Alliance tours at their Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre provide the opportunity to get up close and personal with rescued animals, hand-feed elephants, appreciate the beauty of their rescued big cats as well as visit the cutest in all nature – the baby animals! A day’s tour costs US$150 (RM580), with a pickup at 8am from Phnom Penh. The payment for these tours goes directly to funding the organisation’s work in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals.

On top of this great day out, the Wildlife Alliance has a variety of alternative experiences. This includes being part of the awe-inspiring moment of release, as rehabilitated animals are let free into the wilds of the Cardamom Mountains, near Chi Phat in the south-west of Cambodia, to eco-tours of the region around Chi Phat.

For a full-on immersive eco-adventure, you can even take part in their “Be a Ranger” experience, also based in the Cardamom Mountains area. Experience the intense and challenging life of a wildlife ranger – from patrolling the forests to keeping wildlife safe. The Wildlife Alliance offers a truly unique opportunity for sustainable travel and enjoying the wonders of the natural world, all while playing your part in helping to maintain them.

Finally, if we’re to maintain the beauty of nature for the next generation, then educating them about its wonders should start at an early age. The aptly named “Farm in the City” in Seri Kemban­gan, Selangor, is a wonderful example of this important opportunity, and it’s right here at our doorstep.

By combining its role as a nature conservation park with that of an immersive and interactive zoo, Farm in the City means the next generation can get a sense of the natural world far removed from their often urban lifestyles.

With a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as a petting zoo, alongside various educational programmes and conservation projects, you’re bound to inspire a love of the natural world in the younger generation, while enjoying the wonders on show too.

Now go talk to the animals.

The Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival (BEC) on the eastern tip of Java, Indonesia, is a celebration which presents both local and foreign tourists with a fantastic cultural show.

The carnival has a different theme each year, and the one that our group of journalists was privy to was inspired by the Usingnese Royal Wedding (the Using are the indigenous people of the Kabupaten region).

The show, held at Blambangan Park in Banyuwangi, was eagerly attended by locals and tourists. Although Banyuwangi is a lesser-known destination, compared to the highly popular Bali, Bandung and Jakarta, it has a charm all its own.

Travel options to Banyuwangi include a ferry service from Bali, or a flight from Surabaya (a bus ride takes six hours). Spurring tourism through a cultural event like the BEC, which harnesses the local community’s creativity and tenacity, seems like the perfect business model to attract visitors from all over the world.

At the festival, many visitors weathered the hot sun by trying to cool down with hand fans, as well as caps and sunglasses, standing beneath the provided tents while trying to catch a glimpse of the amazing traditional show on display.

And they were definitely not disappointed, as the parade had participants donning different wedding apparels and dancing their way along a 70m runway, right down to a designated spot where photographers could snap away to their hearts’ content.

The carnival had three presentations; the Sembur Kemuning, Mupus Braen Blambangan and Sekar Kedaton Wetan. The costumes of the Sembur Kemuning, the wedding ritual of the coastal people there, were dominated by yellow, orange and purple colours, forming a striking picture for the audience.

The Mupus Braen Blambangan, the middle class people’s ritual, displayed red, black and gold hues, while the Sekar Kedaton Wetan, the wedding ritual of the nobles, had its models bathed in glittery green and silver. Unsurprisingly, yet amazingly, all the wedding apparels were designed by local designers.

On the fringes of the BEC site, there were many kiosks which sold local products, such as batik and accessories, including handicrafts. One of the proprietors, Ibu Hani, the owner of SriKandi Batik art shop, said she has been in the trade for over a decade, adding that the Gajah Oleng Khas Batik clothes and materials that she sells, are made in Banyuwangi, inspired by the culture there.

Scent of an attraction

Hikers will be pleased to know that the cultural fix in Banyuwangi can be swapped for natural treats, with Mount Ijen promising an unforgettable experience. The swirling wind, which blows fine sand, as well as the scent of rotten eggs spewed by the sulfur lake at the Ijen crater, could be discouraging, though.

The pathway to the crater, which was paved with dust and volcanic particles, made it almost impossible for one to gain enough traction to hike. Still, our troop adhered to the “no pain, no gain” mantra to have us trudging along.

The Ijen crater, which is a quiet, but active volcano, offers a breathtaking view from its peak, which could easily send shutterbugs into a frenzy. High quality sulfur is mined here, with many workers walking up and down the path; some with wheelbarrows, others with shoulder baskets. The pure sulfur is delivered to a nearby town.

This isn’t a vocation for the faint-hearted, and stuck with a meager wage, the enterprising miners try to supplement their income by selling pure sulphur stones carved into flowers and other designs, to tourists. The miners were quite friendly, waving to and greeting us when they passed us along the steep pathway.

Apparently, Java’s sulfur is a high-grade natural resource for sulfuric acid, which is in great demand in the oil-refining business and in the production of fertilizers. Sadly for the miners though, it is also back-breaking work.

We stopped by the Candi Ngrimbi, a resting point at Paltuding, which is 1,850m above sea level. We enjoyed cups of coffee and instant noodles to recharge ourselves before getting back on track to tackle the peak, which stands at 2,386m (above the sea level).

As expected, Ijen did not disappoint – the magnificent view, coupled with the buffeting wind, made the experience extremely thrilling; one wrong move could send a person tumbling straight into the belly of the crater lake. The 200m deep turquoise lake, was mesmerizing, with plumes of smokes rolling above its 600 x 960m surface.

Some in our party, went a step further by getting down to the mining site. The sulfuric air is so overwhelming that breathing masks are required for a person to get down there, lest they risk inhaling toxic fumes.

The Yellow River, located at the foot of Mount Ijen, earns its name because of the sulfur content which flows down with it from the mountain. The rocks there are also yellow, no thanks to the sulfur in the water. However, it formed a picturesque and unique sight.

Kemiren village

We stopped by a coffee plantation right after coming down from the Ijen Crater. Madurese women, young and old, could be seen indulging in casual conversation while filling their sacks. They were all busy collecting and segregating the Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, dumping them into sacks.

The beans are used to make the Using Coffee (Kopai Using) at Kemiren Village, which has been gazetted by the government as Using Tribe Cultural Village.

A village in the Glagah district, is home to the Genjah Arum studio, a traditionally-designed museum run by coffee planter Setiawan Subekti, who was present on the day of our visit. Setiawan, or Pak Iwan, as he is fondly referred to, is also a world-class coffee maestro who specializes in the production of Luwak Coffee, the most expensive coffee in the world.

He showed us the raw beans (acquired from civets excreting beans they consume) which are used to make the coffee powder. We were lucky enough to take turns to roast the beans on a traditional stove while a group of old ladies (who did not look their age) entertained us with music played by traditional rice pounding apparatus, which clearly served two purposes.

Naturally, the lingering taste of the coffee had each of us snapping up a bag of the fragrant Kopai Using. Besides, the price of Kopai Using was at least affordable. At Rp75,000 ($1,125), it made for a more practical souvenir than the exotic Luwak, which costs around Rp500,000.

Apart from being a coffee master, Pak Iwan also salvaged some of the near 100-year-old traditional houses of the Using tribe for conservation. The wooden houses, in the middle of the village, have now become art centers, where locals practice their dances and other communal activities. We had the chance to watch the Jejer Gandrung, the tribe’s unique dance. The dancers even invited some of us to join them, raising the bar in entertainment value.

There’s fun and culture to be had, in equally huge doses, so, what are you waiting for?

Of course, the idea of “walking” through the sea sounds ridiculous and hilarious, and yet, this was what I experienced recently. This pristine, wild coastal area in the south, untouched by humans, where I could actually stand with my feet in the water. It was truly a paradise for an introvert like me.

Called the “Hạ Long Bay” of the south, Ba Lụa Archipelago is located in the Kien Luong commune, of the Kien Giang province.

Ba Lua Archipelago consists of over 40 islands, only 10 of which are inhabited by humans. All the islands are named after their shapes such as Hon De, Hon Heo and Hon Ngang, among others. The most beautiful ones are the three islands which form a Hon Dam triangle. These are Hon Dam Duoc, Hon Dam Duong, and Hon Dam Gieng. Behind the history of these three islands are many interesting tales.

We were told that during the French colonial period, a high-ranking French officer usually took his wife (often addressed by the locals as Ba Dam) and children to the islands by helicopter to enjoy the peaceful scenery there. Another explanation is that these three islands form a triangle, which resembles a dress (Dam in Vietnamese), so the locals add the word “dam” to the names of the islands.

One of the most exciting experiences throughout the whole trip was our walk through the water from Hon Dam Duoc to Hon Dam Duong. The water level here was not above one’s back, even lower when the tide receded.

It was early afternoon when my group started its walk. The 300-metre distance with the crystal blue water surface gave rise to a little fear, yet lots of excitement and curiosity because I had never experienced anything such as this before. Noticing the fear and hesitation of inexperienced tourists such as me, Pham Van Muc, and Hon Dam Duoc, the owner, advised me, “Step on the whitish spots. That is the sea floor with the sand layer and the little pebbles.”

Although Muc led the group and kept a close eye on us, it was not easy to get rid of the fear because we had to get through the mass of sea kelp. Treading through the water, our feet played with the floating sea kelp in excitement and in the fear of slipping.

“Oh, goodness, it is over. I am lucky not to be bitten by any creature,” my friend Nguyen Quang Minh said with joy as soon he took the first step on Hon Dam Duong.

Unlike Hon Dam Duoc which has a shoreline full of pebbles, Hon Dam Duong possesses a flat, fine sandy beach that is taken care of. Since 2006, Hon Dam Duong also has a helipad on it. After the walk under the sun, we could not help dipping our body in the cool crystal clear water to release all the heat.

“Walking through the water and going for a swim at this clean pristine beach? What a fun trip!” Tran Ha Trang, my company for the trip shared with a giggle.

As it was dusk and the sky changed into a majestic pink hue, we continued the walk through the water to visit Hon Dam Gieng. We observed with our eyes hundreds of fishing vessels being moored to the wharfs around the island. Some were still out, floating amid the vast water body. Everything became so lively through our own eyes.

“I have never stood in front of the sea and seen such a peaceful scenery,” Trang exclaimed.

Hon Dam Gieng welcomed us with its wonderful seafood dishes. We were ravenous after this long walk through the water to get to this island around dinner time. The seafood was fresh, tasty, finely seasoned and well cooked. The most delicious dish was the shallot-oil grilled sea urchin and lemonfish hotpot.

Sea urchins here were grilled minimally with the shallot oil, topped with mustard and pepper sprinkled on top, so that its sweetness, succulence and buttery texture were preserved. The lemonfish hotpot is the delicacy of Ba Lua Archipelago, famous for its natural sweetness, straw mushroom, tomato, onion and taro. Fresh rice noodles and raw herbs made up the final touches to the perfect dish.

“So delicious! The fish is white, sweet, still firm but not chewy, and comes with the thick fatty skin yet not fishy,” my companion Minh, a long-time foodie, said sharing his thoughts.

Satiating our appetite, we all took time to relish the delicious food we had and enjoyed the trip to the fullest.

So, if you have time on your hands, don’t hesitate to spend your two-day weekend here. I can guarantee you that Ba Lua Archipelago is one of the best travelling experiences that Kien Giang Province can offer.