LENGKUAS ISLAND

Built in 1882 by the Dutch Colony Government this old lighthouse is still a guiding light to both ships and beauty seekers alike.

Lengkuas is an island off the shore of Tanjung Kelayang beach and located north of Tanjung Binga village. The lighthouse has 12 floors with a window in every floor giving those climbing a chance to rest and enjoy varied and beautiful scenes from within the lighthouse.

On the top floor one can can see fantastic scenery, particularly the effect of the sea surrounding you from all directions. Large granite stones look like pebbles from the top of the lighthouse, and the wind and smell of the sea make the experience all encompassing. Currently, three people live on Lengkuas working as the operators of the lighthouse.

It takes about 30 minutes by boat from Tanjung Kelayang Beach or from Tanjung Binga, Sijuk.During the trip this island, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea and other islands close to the Lengkuas Island, such as Burung Island, Babi Island, Pengadaran Island, Lutung Island, Kera Island dan Jenang Island.

Besides the beautiful scenery from the lighthouse, many people come here to dive, enjoy the coral reefs, and eat grilled fish accompanied by coconut juice.

Location: Lengkuas Island, Belitung, Indonesia
Route: Jakarta-Belitung-Tanjung Kelayang/Tanjung Binga-Lengkuas Island
How to get there: From Belitung city, going by car to Tanjung Kelayang or Tanjung Binga. You can rent a boat, it costs around 500.000 IDR for one boat. If you are in a group it will be cheaper.
Tips: Bring a swimsuit and of course your camera with empty memory card, it will be so many beautiful scenery there! Watch out of jelly fish or sea urchin if you were swimming!
Rating: 5

War Remnants Museum

War brings an inferno to each place it touches, and the effects and damages last long after the war has ended.

The War Remnants Museum (Vietnamese: Bảo tàng chứng tích chiến tranh), is the place where the Vietnamese memories of the Vietnam war are stored. The Vietnam War ended in 1975, and the museum was opened to the public the first time on September 4, 1975.

Today it houses 8 permanent thematic exhibitions and various other special collections and shows from the beginning of the war, causes, origins and processes of aggressive wars. Their is a powerful collection of photos taken by 134 war reporters from 11 nationalities, all killed during the Vietnam War.

Suffering, bomb victims, and victims of Agent Orange are featured in the photos. Because Agent Orange affected descendants of the Viet Cong, the Vietnamese army, it still causes increased rate of birth defects to this day.

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan - District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Fee entrance: 15000 VND (tourist)
Rating: 4

Bao Trang: The White Sand Dunes of Vietnam

Southeast Asia is usually associated with a wet, tropical environment, but, in the area of Mui Ne, Vietnam, lays a beautiful desert.

The city of Mui Ne is five hours from Ho Chi Minh City, in the south of the country. Mui Ne is a coastal area, so the houses are along the beach, and the sound of waves can be heard in the distance. Travel a further 45 minutes from Mui Ne city, and you arrive at Bao Trang,

Bao Trang, or the White Sand Dunes, is one of the only desert areas in Southeast Asia and is a beautiful expanse of dunes and sand. There are no camels here; instead, shepherds herd cows through the sandy expanse, not like in the Arabic, the shepherd herd camel.

Perhaps the most striking part of the area is a small lagoon covered in lotus flowers. Beside the lake, there is also a small pine forest that makes the wind cool, even in the hot Asian desert.

Location: Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Route: South Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City-Phan Tiet-Mui Ne-Bao Trang
How to get there: Mui Ne is located 5 hours journey from Ho Chi Minh City. Tourist could go there by the public bus, there is a lot of tour agency in the HCMC. I recommend The Sinh Tourist. They will arrange your travel well! From HCMC it costs 160.000 VND (one way) for sleeping bus, of course it will be more cheap if you use regular bus.
Couch: There are so many homestays in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, The Sinh Tourist also provides their resort, but another homestay is not difficult to find. The cost for budget hotel around 5-9 USD.
Travel around: You can rent the car, motorbike, or just get the travel tour.
Tips: Use hat and sun glasses, of course UV lotion for covering your body from the sunlight. Besides, you want your skin get tanned.
Rating: 5