Essential Things to Know Before Your Trip to Vietnam

By Isabella Smith

Vietnam is one of the best places one could make their travels plans for. Although not too popular with tourists, the country has much to offer for any kind of tourist and traveller. From delicious street food in the old quarter to the beautiful architecture throughout the country, the country and its beauty will not let you down.

Essential Things to Know Before Your Trip To Vietnam

Throughout the city, there are many things the for a tourist to do. Here is a comprehensive list of things you need to keep in mind and to know before you plan a trip to Vietnam:

Currency: Before your travel to a new country, no matter where you are coming from, make sure you have your currency in order. Take extra care when you take your cash and how much money you convert.

Plan ahead: Planning ahead before you visit Vietnam, means to look for reservations and book a place to stay beforehand. Have a travelling agency picked out which would offer a full tour guide and aid your travelling plans such as the Sapa Vietnam tours. Also, plan your itinerary for the area and the cities you plan on visiting, so that you have an idea what to do when you get there.

Master some Generic phrases: Before you go to Vietnam make sure you have some phrases mastered on your fingertips. Here is a list of few words which will help you interact with the locals in the country better:

I'm sorry/ Excuse me: Xin loi. (sin loy)
The Bill Please: Tinh tien!
Hello: Xin ch�o (sin chow)
No Sugar: Khong suong (Khom duong)

Be Prepared to Haggle: Vietnam is one such place where prices go up without warnings when it comes to tourists. So, in order to not get cheated, be fully prepared to haggle with the locals here. A useful tip is to exchange other currency notes for a better deal at local stops.

What to Wear: The country is pretty laid back and allows you to dress liberally, no questions asked. However, it must be remembered that you need to dress appropriately when you visit temples. There are strict clothing regulations there!

Wi-Fi Everywhere: You do not need to worry about internet connections here, or worry excessively about buying some international SIM cards because the country is super connected to Wi-Fi everywhere. And the best part is that it is for Free!!

Vietnam is a beautiful country, the cities are amazing with many options for visitors, and the beaches are serene. A tourist will never run out of things to do here. The country is going to make you fall in love with nature and will make you wish that you could stay there, forever! Sapa Vietnam tours and many other tour agencies offer the first-time visitors an easy guide on what to do when in Vietnam and arrange other things, such as travelling to various places, the accommodations and food.

Know More Details:   https://hanoitravelbus.com/

Isabella Smith had a dream tour to Vietnam with Hanoi Travel Bus and has shared those wonderful experiences in public. Those insights are extremely useful for the people who love to travel to Hanoi.� It was just incredible to relish the beauty of dream locations of Vietnam with the premium service from Hanoi Travel Bus

6 Secrets You Should Know About Samui

By Sarah Mathews

Whether you're tired of work and wanting to escape to the beach, or searching for your own piece of paradise...

Sit back and enjoy the ride, as we take you on our Secret Samui Guide to this enchanting emerald island in Thailand.

1. What is the secret to 'Koh-Samui's name?

Although the coconut tree is often considered the symbol of Samui, the words 'Koh-Samui' are derived from the Chinese words "saboey", which means "safe haven", and "Koh", the Thai word for "island".

Sitting in the southern gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui has been safe from serious natural disasters, with more stable waters than islands on the West coast of Thailand, exposed the beautiful but more dangerous Andaman sea with Monsoons blowing in the from Indian Ocean.

Going back in history, Samui was discovered hundreds of years ago by Chinese and Malay sea traders, who were drawn to the island's natural beauty, abundance of fresh fish and fruit, and many sheltered bays.

Since then Samui has come a long, long way...

It now features famous 5-star resorts and luxury properties with both celebrities and backpackers flocking from around the world to indulge in its intoxicating charms and hidden retreats.

*Top Tip: If you want to sound like a local, try pronouncing the name phonetically as it sounds: 'Ko-sa-moo-ee'

2. Where is Koh Samui located?

The island of Koh-Samui lied sheltered in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, roughly 700 km south of Bangkok, and just an hour to reach by plane.

With an international airport and a mass of ferry connections, traveling to the island is easy. Bangkok Airways offers daily direct 1 hour flights to the island, with many options.

If you're traveling on a budget, there are 4 low-cost airlines also flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani: (the nearest city on the mainland) These are: Air Asia, Nok Air, Thai Smile and Lion Air.

Some of budget flights cheaper are than buses or trains from Bangkok to Koh Samui, however these flights are non-direct, with a 1 hour bus ride from Surat Thani to the pier and 1 & 1/2 hour ferry to the island. With good weather, this is an enjoyable way to arrive to Koh Samui.

Another popular option is the sleeper train from Bangkok to Samui. The upper bunks are for those of who enjoy their privacy and air-conditioning! Lower bunks are less expensive, less private but less cool. This is a slower but more scenic way to arrive to the island.

*Top Tip: If you love diving & snorkeling, try traveling from Bangkok to Chumphon, taking a speedboat to Koh Tao and finishing on Samui.

3. Which are the best areas to visit on Samui?

There are so many villages & towns on Samui it's hard to know what to see! The secret to a successful Samui trip is, knowing where to stay.

Here is our top choice of areas to stay... (Clockwise around the island.)

Bophut & Fisherman's Village:

Fisherman's village was originally a traditional old Thai fishing village...

Recently however, it has reinvented itself as a hip & trendy hang-out, with popular new hotels, restaurants & night-markets on Mondays & Fridays, with a charming new shopping market at the end of the street.

This area is perfect for families or couples, who prefer a bit of peace and quiet. Although the sand may not be as soft as Chaweng beach, it makes up for it with its charming culture, old wooden houses, arts & crafts and clothes shops.

Bangrak & Big Buddha:

Next is Bangrak, with an array of fresh fish markets and ferry piers, and hourly boats taking holiday-makers to Koh Tao island for diving trips, and party-goers to Koh-Phagnan for the famous full-moon parties!

This area has also undergone a lot of changes, and is a popular place for expats, with many local pubs & bars. If you like a late night beer, game of pool, or more, this place is for you.

Around the corner is the Big Buddha, a quieter and more family focused area. Initially, this place was first famous for the local fisherman on the island, as it was the safest spot to shelter during storms.

Plai Laem & Choeng Mon:

Plai Laem is like a little hidden sanctuary on the island. (Referred to as 'the golden triangle' in real estate, sitting between 3 popular towns.)

It is more peaceful which many tourists prefer, and also favourite Koh Samui Property investment area, with high capital appreciation in land prices.

Around the corner is the famous Choeng Mon bay, more family focused, with the new water-park being built in the nearby jungle. This area has all you need for a fun-filled family trip!

Chaweng & Chaweng Noi:

Then we have Chaweng, which simply has so many things to see and do that it get's hard to list them all.

With the softest sand, busiest bars, biggest clubs and the cheapest cocktail buckets this place has a lot going on! Some of the eminent hangouts of this main beach road are the Ark Bar and Green Mango.

This area has also undergone a recent make-over, with the huge Central Festival shopping center, and an eclectic mix of new shopping & dining options to suit all budgets.

Chaweng Noi bay by contrast, is an idyllic paradise around the corner...

Lamai & Hua Thanon:

For those who enjoy deeper swimming waters, with a wide-range of water-sports, beach bars & restaurants, Lamai is popular tourist choice.

Sitting in the South of Samui, it is more bohemian & laid-back than the North East, attracting families, couples, groups & backpackers, seeking a bit more peace and quiet compared to the central party areas.

A funny local landmark along the way is the famous 'Hin Tai Hin Yai' or 'Grandfather & Grand Mother' - giant, granite, rocks naturally shaped like huge female & male genitals.

Snaking around the corner there is the fishing village of Hua Thanon. A charming old village, with traditional wooden Thai homes, giving a rustic feel to the place and culture.

Thong Krut & Laem Set:

Then we have the tranquil Tong Krut and laid-back Laem Set bays with their lush green nature; the perfect place to de-stress on the island...

If you want to try some local southern fresh fish, try the tradional Thai restaurant 'Gallapakkarang' on the Tong Krut beach, with teak wooden interiors and a famous palm tree pointing horizontally to sea.

As you come to Laem Set, wind down your windows and breathe the fresh sea air blowing through jungle. From shooting ranges, to safaris, zoos & waterfalls, there is fun for all the family on this part of the island!

Lipa Noi & Nathorn:

The two perfect places to take rest and watch the sun go down with a tropical cocktail, fruit shake, or whatever tickles your fancy!

With deserted golden beaches, serene and peaceful views, Lipa Noi has a more intimate feel - perfect for romantic walks or sunset dips.

To complete your circle of the island, at the end of the day stop off for a sundowner the 'Sunset restaurant' on the corner of the Nathorn harbor road, you can see a spectacle of ferries & ships arriving.

This more industrial town 'Nathorn' was once the most popular and expensive land on Samui, until tourism arrived to the pristine of beaches of the Northeast of the island.

4. What is there to do on the island?

Almost every activity you can imagine awaits on this tiny island...

Take a day-trip diving off the coast of Koh-Tao or to the Ang Thong National Marine Park: the largest archipelago of over 80 islands.

After, relax with a romantic dinner above beautiful Chaweng Noi bay...

*Top Tip: For those seeking adventure, hire a jeep and drive to the waterfalls & attractions. You may get lost, but that's half the fun!

5. What is the island weather like?

Koh-Samui weather is almost always beautiful. Bright blue skies and a cool ocean breeze is the norm on the island.

However remember it is a tiny tropical island, so be prepared for random outbursts of showers at anytime. The spontaneity of Samui life is one of it's many charms.

For those of you who like it hot, April to June is the best time to BBQ yourself, but the ideal temperature to visit the island late December to the end of March for that perfect tropical island weather experience.

However, be warned that the Christmas/New Year period is especially popular, with many people booking often months in advance!

Also, don't forget the different high & low tides in the seasons can mean a skinny or 100 meter long beach! For idyllic picture-postcode beaches, where you can safely sit on a peninsular of sand in 100 meters out at sea, check out the island's beaches between June - August.

*Top Tip: It can rain any time on the island. If you see the palm treetops shaking at night, reach for your umbrella or run for shelter!

6. What are the building laws on Koh Samui?

One of the secrets to Samui's success, compared to other islands, is a law that no building is permitted to be taller than a coconut tree!

(The regulation is 12 meters high.) This one of the simplest, most beautiful laws on Koh Samui and is there for environmental reasons...

As a result are there are no unsightly skyscrapers affecting the tree tops from the air, and the highest buildings are only four stories high, with many projects opting for a low-rise resort-style developments. An important addition to the various building laws on the island is the prevention of ALL further freehold condominiums being built.

*Top Tip: Always ask to see developers building permits & land titles. Buying 'off-plan' maybe cheaper, but is not without risk.

*The Final Tip:

With so many secrets to Samui it's hard to end the story. The final secret is simply to close your computer and come see for yourself!

6 Things You Do Not Know About Frankfurt

By Zoey Alena

The gleaming city of Frankfurt settled on the shores of the Main River has a charm that is unique in itself. It is unlike any other city you will find in Germany, or for that matter, on the entire continent of Europe. Besides being a global financial center, it still boasts an old-world charm with half-timbered structures speckling its Altstadt or old town. But, if you think that you have Frankfurt all figured out, then think again. Here are some intriguing facts about "Mainhattan" that you most probably do not know.

It's a cradle of nature with Germany's largest inner city forest

Think of Frankfurt and images of towering skyscrapers conjure up. But did you know that the city is also home to one of the largest inner city forests in Germany? Frankfurt City Forest also happens to be one of the world's largest urban forests. So nature lovers, make an Asiana Airlines reservation and get ready to behold some magnificent sights.

It almost became the capital of West Germany

Frankfurt has been a significant center for the longest time. So, it's not surprising that it was suggested to become the provisional capital of West Germany when the country was divided in to two parts after the World War II. However, since it was a major city in itself, making it the capital would have weaken the idea of German unification that West Germany supported. Therefore, a smaller city, Bonn was decided to be crowned as the provisional capital.

It has the most incredible skyline in the country

Well, if you like glistening skylines then get on an Asiana Airlines flight to Frankfurt and do not forget to pack your DSLR because the city is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. A particular highlight includes Commerzbank Tower soaring to a height of about 850 feet.

It has the most beautiful ruin in Germany

The World War II wasn't just a big blow to the world peace but also left countless incredible structures in ruins. Such was the case with Alte Oper which suffered great destruction in 1944. However, as the opera house laid in ruins for decades, it earned the reputation of the "most beautiful ruin in Germany." However, the structure has now been restored and is a prime attraction that lures people to make Bulgaria Air flight reservations to Frankfurt.

It has Germany's busiest airport

Frankfurt Airport is the major airport serving the city of Frankfurt and happens to be one of the busiest airports in the world. Just in the year 2017, the facility catered to about 64.5 million passengers.

It's a shopaholics' dream with tax-free shopping

Travelers from outside the European Union are entitled to a refund for any VAT that they have paid on merchandise bought during their stay in the city. Do you need any more reasons to embark on a sojourn to this enthralling German metropolis?!

Grab a few   Bulgaria Air or   Asiana Airlines flight tickets and fly to Frankfurt if you like to indulge in some soul-satisfying retail therapy and that too tax free.

An Article on the Growth of Aviation in India

By Hannu Kanna

� The civil aviation industry in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in the country during the last three years. India is currently considered the third largest domestic civil aviation market in the world. India is expected to become the world's largest domestic civil aviation market in the next 10 to 15 years, as per Mr Jayant Sinha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India.

� According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), India will displace the UK for the third place in 2025.

� The Civil Aviation industry has ushered in a new era of expansion, driven by factors such as low-cost carriers (LCCs), modern airports, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines, advanced information technology (IT) interventions and growing emphasis on regional connectivity.

Market Size

� Domestic air traffic rose to 17.69 per cent year-on-year in December 2017, continuing its double digit growth, according to the civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). About 11.24 million passengers flew in December 2017, up from 9.55 million a year earlier. Passengers carried by domestic airlines during 2017 were 117.1 million as against 99.89 million during the corresponding period of previous year, thereby registering a growth of 17.31 per cent, as per the DGCA.

� As of December 2017, the existing fleet of aircraft stands at 548 aircraft in India, and another 920 aircraft are expected to be inducted into the fleet by 2025.

Investment

� According to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), FDI inflows in air transport (including air freight) between April 2000 and September 2017 stood at US$ 1.59 billion.

� India is estimated to see an investment of US $25 billion in the next decade in the airports sector, and traffic growth of 13 per cent, according to Morgan Stanley. According to them, the share of air travel in air and    rail travel combined in India will grow to 15.2 per cent by 2027 from 7.9 per cent now.

� Capex plans to the tune of Rs 65,000 crore (US$ 10.08 billion) have been finalized by the Airports Authority of India with Rs 17,500 crore (US$ 27.13 billion) for the next five years and around Rs 22,000 crore (US$ 3.41 billion) for brownfield expansion in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru by private operators and around Rs 21,000 crore (US$ 32.55 billion) for greenfield airports.

Key investments and developments in India's aviation industry include:

� The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will undertake new development works at Luck now, Deoghar, Rajkot and Allahabad airports.

� The objective is to improve and develop airport infrastructure to meet growing traffic demands. AAI plans to construct new integrated passenger terminal building at ChaudharyCharan Singh International Airport, Luck now at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,230 crore (US$ 190.65 million). The new terminal will be able to handle 4000 passengers during peak hour and 6.35 million passengers per annum.

Government Initiatives

Some major initiatives undertaken by the government are:

� Under the second round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS 2) the government has awarded 325 routes to airlines as well as helicopter operators with the objective of enhancing flight services to hilly and remote areas. Under the scheme airline operators have to offer half of their seats at discounted rates and helicopter operators can offer up to 13 seats at lower fares with the government providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) or subsidy to    airlines and helicopter operators.

� Constructing 17 highways-cum-airstrips are the government's priorities and it will start work on them this year, Union Minister NitinGadkari has said. The projects are designed in such a fashion that the roads will double up as airstrips and traffic will be stopped when an airplane lands or takes off. The road and air connectivity will also provide better access to remote areas.

� Airport building and modernization projects worth over Rs 19,300 crore (US$ 2.99 billion) have been recommended green clearance, in line with the Government of India's focus on improvement in regional air connectivity.

Conclusion

� India's aviation industry is largely untapped with huge growth opportunities, considering that air transport is still expensive for majority of the country's population, of which nearly 40 per cent is the upwardly mobile middle class.

� The industry stakeholders should engage and collaborate with policy makers to implement efficient and rational decisions that would boost India's civil aviation industry. With the right policies and relentless focus on quality, cost and passenger interest, India would be well placed to achieve its vision of becoming the third-largest aviation market by 2025.

� In the coming 20 years, Indian companies will buy 2,100 new planes worth US$ 290 billion. Also, domestic air traffic in India is expected to cross 150 million in FY19, on the back of unprecedented capacity induction by airlines*.

The Structural Integrity of Step Four Recovery

By Robert Waldvogel

Countless experiences in life have demonstrated that my mind's exposure to something does not necessarily enable me to understand, accept, or interpret it adequately on the first pass-nor the second, nor the third, nor, in some cases, the 25th. Take step four of the adult child recovery program, for instance. I have read it weekly for almost seven years and only recently was I able to glean from it what its purpose was-or at least what I understood it to be this time. I wonder why I was able to do so from a different or even the proper angle now. Two reasons come to mine. The next time I read it, maybe a third will. I cannot predict that.

To access my memory, I can tell you that, at least in words and perhaps even theory, that it states that we make "a fearless and searching moral inventory of ourselves."

One of these concepts-namely, "fearless"-certainly explains why I could not understand the step's value. I was not fearless! Indeed, fear, I have now realized, was one-if not the main-reason why I could not see it from a more positive angle.

Targeted by and prayed upon by my para-alcoholic father, who never uttered a nuance about the origin of his own alcoholic upbringing, hardly left me with any sense of self-worth or -esteem. Indeed, picking myself apart now only led to the ever-expanding hole in my soul he already bored. Why, I wondered, would I want to make it any larger? What was the value in such a process? In fact, the more I probed it, the more I fell into it. This was supposed to be recovery?

Because we take personal criticism as a threat, which itself is one of the adult child traits, what value could there be to shining a spotlight on the flaws and inferiorities I am very aware I have and am ashamed of, but have gone to considerable lengths to conceal?

Back to my mind's latest pass over the step. While I will touch upon fear again, what I have discovered is that viewing it from a new angle required my readiness to undertake it, which itself required a solid foundation built by the previous three steps.

"Foundation," perhaps subconsciously, is an accurate analogy that sheds light on the fourth step's purpose. I am reminded of those who purchase undervalued properties with the intention of renovating them with beautiful landscaping and high-end internal finishes in order to earn a profit. While painting a wall and installing a marble bathroom will certainly enhance the house's cosmetic appeal, deeper inspections often reveal that flaws, such as basement wall cracks or crumbling subfloors, first need to be addressed to improve the building's structural integrity before the visible enhancements can be made. Otherwise, it will rest on a weak, possibly deteriorating foundation.

Similarly, the structural integrity of my soul must first be restored before I can climb higher, and my character defects constitute my own cracked basement walls and crumbling subfloors. Alas, I have finally been able to see the value of this step.

I find some comfort in concluding, after an initial skim of my structural weaknesses, that most of my defects are byproducts of my chaotic, unsafe, and abusive upbringing. Having had a normal reaction to an abnormal circumstance, short of God himself, I do not know how I, as a helpless child betrayed and attacked by my very parent, could have emerged otherwise.

And with the words "God" and "parent," again perhaps subconsciously used in a single sentence, comes the opportunity to return to the concept of fear I promised I would discuss. By transposing the image of my earthly father on my eternal one, how could I embrace a step such as this? How could I identify my defects and turn them over to a force I equated with a figure like the Wizard of Oz who thundered, "THE GREAT OZ HAS SPOKEN" to meek and minute Dorothy in a tone that reverberated beyond the confines of the television set into my living room? And with the hopelessly uneven power plays I routinely experienced with my father, that is exactly where overwhelming interactions such as these took place.

Therein is the second reason why I had been unable to see the value of this step. I first needed to see God as the opposite to, and not composite of, my earthly father, one who is loving and trusting, not damaging and demeaning.

The key to approaching this step is therefore being ready to understand it and see it in the proper light, one that is ultimately beneficial and not additionally detrimental. The right perspective for me entails the co-effort with God of identifying the very obstacles that prevent me from rising toward Him so that He can remove their barriers and restore me to wholeness.

Architects, incidentally, call this structural integrity.