Vietnam in my heart

From the vertiginous rice valleys of Sapa in Vietnam's north stretching to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta in the south, Vietnam is home to a wealth of attractions that will seduce both budget and top-range travellers.

Vietnam's war-torn history -- both the French and Americans have left their own unique and not often positive stamps on the nation -- as well as its stunning and varied geography, delicious cuisine, hedonistic beaches and amazing shopping are all reasons to Travel to the fast-paced Communist nation.

Welcoming foreign tourists and their dollars for well over a decade, enterprising Vietnam has rapidly developed a well-trodden trail of tourist attractions. Many travellers kick off their vacation in the former capital of Hanoi in the north, where smokey French-style cafes rub shoulders with traditional stores hawking most anything and internet cafes frequented by well-groomed teenagers who otherwise hang out on the streets on their sharply polished motorbikes.

From here, popular side trips for travellers include Ha Long Bay, where soaring limestone karsts boggle the mind, and the former French hill station of Sapa , where hilltribes in colourful dress who work the terraced rice paddies -- and now the masses of tourists -- combine with cool weather to make a must-see destination.

Travel by train, or bus, to take in the remainder of Vietnam. Remnants of the American War in Vietnam provide sobering viewing around the central region's demilitarised zone (DMZ), an essential stop for the many war veterans returning to this now-vibrant nation.

The nearby imperial capital of Hue offers a glimpse into yesteryear, while incredibly popular Hoi An offers an opportunity to get an entire new wardrobe -- shoes included -- stitched up for a song, as well as some great cafes and cuisine to while away a few days enjoying.

Adventurous travellers will want to head further south again and inland to the little-touristed Central Highlands region, where ethnic minorities scratch out livings for themselves -- not always in harmony with the central government.

A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without a stop at one of the beach strips for some surf, sun and sand, and perhaps a sipped cocktail or two. Nha Trang and Mui Ne are popular vacation spots, offering backpacker accommodation as well as some remarkable luxury resorts these days.


The country's southern capital of Ho Chi Minh city, or Sai Gon, is a throbbing metropolis where some might be as enthralled with the mesmerising traffic as they are with the sights.

Below Sai Gon the Mekong Delta offers particular delights to the independent and intrepid Traveller -- think freshly caught crispy fish, eaten while sitting on a barge cruising the waterways. Be sure to palm off the organised tour s and do this part of the country on your own.

Sublime Phu Quoc Island is another excellent retreat, lapped by turquoise waters and a wealth of sea life.

Backpackers could easily spend a few months taking in Vietnam at a leisurely pace, though Vietnam Airlines and burgeoning regional budget airlines with their cheap flights now make spending say a long weekend in Hanoi or a quick break in Nha Trang a viable prospect for short-term, luxury tour ists -- or those who just want a taste of a fast-developing country that was off limits for so long.

Vietnam in my heart

From the vertiginous rice valleys of Sapa in Vietnam's north stretching to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta in the south, Vietnam is home to a wealth of attractions that will seduce both budget and top-range travellers.

Vietnam's war-torn history -- both the French and Americans have left their own unique and not often positive stamps on the nation -- as well as its stunning and varied geography, delicious cuisine, hedonistic beaches and amazing shopping are all reasons to Travel to the fast-paced Communist nation.

Welcoming foreign tourists and their dollars for well over a decade, enterprising Vietnam has rapidly developed a well-trodden trail of tourist attractions. Many travellers kick off their vacation in the former capital of Hanoi in the north, where smokey French-style cafes rub shoulders with traditional stores hawking most anything and internet cafes frequented by well-groomed teenagers who otherwise hang out on the streets on their sharply polished motorbikes.

From here, popular side trips for travellers include Ha Long Bay, where soaring limestone karsts boggle the mind, and the former French hill station of Sapa , where hilltribes in colourful dress who work the terraced rice paddies -- and now the masses of tourists -- combine with cool weather to make a must-see destination.

Travel by train, or bus, to take in the remainder of Vietnam. Remnants of the American War in Vietnam provide sobering viewing around the central region's demilitarised zone (DMZ), an essential stop for the many war veterans returning to this now-vibrant nation.

The nearby imperial capital of Hue offers a glimpse into yesteryear, while incredibly popular Hoi An offers an opportunity to get an entire new wardrobe -- shoes included -- stitched up for a song, as well as some great cafes and cuisine to while away a few days enjoying.
A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without a stop at one of the beach strips for some surf, sun and sand, and perhaps a sipped cocktail or two. Nha Trang and Mui Ne are popular vacation spots, offering backpacker accommodation as well as some remarkable luxury resorts these days.


Adventurous travellers will want to head further south again and inland to the little-touristed Central Highlands region, where ethnic minorities scratch out livings for themselves -- not always in harmony with the central government.



The country's southern capital of Ho Chi Minh city, or Sai Gon, is a throbbing metropolis where some might be as enthralled with the mesmerising traffic as they are with the sights.

Below Sai Gon the Mekong Delta offers particular delights to the independent and intrepid Traveller -- think freshly caught crispy fish, eaten while sitting on a barge cruising the waterways. Be sure to palm off the organised tour s and do this part of the country on your own.

Sublime Phu Quoc Island is another excellent retreat, lapped by turquoise waters and a wealth of sea life.

Backpackers could easily spend a few months taking in Vietnam at a leisurely pace, though Vietnam Airlines and burgeoning regional budget airlines with their cheap flights now make spending say a long weekend in Hanoi or a quick break in Nha Trang a viable prospect for short-term, luxury tour ists -- or those who just want a taste of a fast-developing country that was off limits for so long.

Tam Dao - fairy place for your tour

Tam Dao Tourist Area is located in Tam Duong District, 86km from Ha Noi, between Ban Thach, Thien Nhi, and Phu Nghia Mountains. This area is a wonderful place with fresh, pure and cooling air, beautiful scenery.
Lying at the attitude of 900m above sea level, Tam Dao Tourist Area with an area of 235ha is considered the ideal destination for vacations in the North. It has been known since the Ly and Tran dynasties for its wonderful scenic spots. However, it was not transformed into a tourist area by the French until the 20th century (1904 - 1906). In Tam Dao, there are villas, hotels, restaurants, sports fields, swimming pools, and dancing halls.
The weather is cool all year round with an average temperature of 20 to 22 degree celsius. In summer, tens of thousands of Tourists visit Tam Dao to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.



Sharing the cool climate and the mountain-based locations, many people consider Tam Dao as a miniature of Sapa. But actually, the two sides are intrinsically different.
Tam Dao means three islands - a mountain range located about 75 km north of Ha Noi. The significant shorter distance from Hanoi to Tam Dao compared to Sapa gives this area many advantages. One can easily combine the visit to the mountain retreat area with a road trip from Hanoi. The cool climate and extensive green is another advantage, especially in the summer where Hanoi always seems overheated.
Tam Dao is more suitable for a relaxing retreat than an intensive adventure. Accommodation facility as well as restaurants is readily available. The road that leads from lowland to highland is breath-taking; those who are into physical activities can never afford to muss a biking tour.
Tam Dao has numerous specialties and one should not leave the mountain area without trying Lon Man – a special kind of pork and Su Su – delicious in both fruits and its leafy vegetables. In winter time, be prepared with warmer clothes since it can get quite cold. Suring the summer, it is pleasantly sunny but avoid sun burn by applying plenty of sun block before hitting road.

Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is considered as one of the most impressive and peaceful monasteries in Viet Nam. This Zen sanctuary is located in Dai Dinh Commune, Tam Dao District, on Tay Thien Mountain, which belongs to the Tam Dao Mountain Range in Vinh Phuc Province.
Built in 2005 on the ruins of an ancient pagoda named Thien An Thien Tu, and using remains of its floor, Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery sits majestically on the apex of the mountain, where from below the red tips of its tile covered roof can be seen peaking through the pine trees. Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is very ornate, from carved pictures on the doors to embossed works on the wall, ceiling, and pillars, very detail was considered.
Besides the monastery, there are supporting buildings constructed in the ancient architectural style that house a library, a museum, a meditation house for monks and the Tam To Truc Lam Temple.
Walking around these buildings, visitors can almost taste the tranquility and calm in the air. Truc Lam Zen Monastery along with the province's Tam Dao tourism site will help create a place renowned for its scenic beauty both in the province in particular and the country.

Travelling in Nha Trang Bay - amazing land

Nha Trang Bay has long been an attractive destination for all tourists to Nha Trang, and it is likely thay
tourists coming here all enjoy a Nha Trang bay tour, diving in beautiful island, discovering the sea bed, and observing the colourful coral reefs.
It takes you only about 20 minutes to get to Mieu Island (or Bồng Nguyên Island) by motor-boat. You can visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium where many species of marine creatures live or just relax at the unique beach – Bãi Sỏi (Pebble Beach). This aquarium is a fossil ship model from which, tourists can enjoy the collection of multiple types of species taken from many regions of Vietnam.
Situated on the South of Nha Trang Bay is the small Mun Island (Hòn Mun). It is named Mun Island because in the south east of the island, it has high-rise cliffs with dangerous wattles forming caves and grottoes, especially its stones are as black as ebony, which could rarely be found in other areas. In the black-stone caves of Mun Island, every year flocks of swallow migrate to the area and build their nests. Due to its location adjacent to the hot sea-currents from the equator, suitable to the development conditions of corals and various types of tropical sea creatures, the sea bed of Mun Island is home to an abundant and diverse group of marine species, an interesting and useful place for researchers, oceanographers and tourists to observe and explore more of the sea creatures' life.
In Hon Mun, visitors can dive or take grass-bottom boat to admire the colored coral and sea creatures. All the diving centers come and stop near this island: visibility is always excellent there and there is an impressive variety of corals of all colors, with numerous pretty tropical fish. This is the island where all dive sites already mentioned in the Nha Trang section are located. It also has a couple of other sites such as Rainbow Reef and Tiger Wall.
Well-known by the wild tropical evergreen forest, long charming sandy beaches and clear water, Tam Island (Hòn Tằm) has become an attractive ecological tourist site. Around the rock range, thousands kind of fish and colorful corals make tourists exciting and peaceful. Therefore, Hon Tam resort is a wonderful spot of recreation and health improvement. On the back of the mountain is a newly-found attraction – Hang Dơi (Grotto of Bats) where lots of bats inhabit. Coming to this island, tourists will have chance to take part in various forms of sport activities like jets Kayaking, mountain climbing, volleyball on beaches, windsurfing, diving, etc. Especially, from February 2010, tourists can have opportunity to observe Nha Trang Bay from balloons. Nha Trang Bay observed from 150 meters high may have been really different from the one that you see on land.
Tre Island is the largest one in Nha Trang Bay with the area of more than 30 square kilometers. The island is located about 5km to the east of Nha Trang City center, 3,5km to Cau Da Port. Beaches in this island are among the most charming natural beaches in Vietnam. With mild and temperate climate, Tre Island possesses favorable conditions for developing ecological tourism and sea resort. The island is receiving much investment to develop high quality tourism infrastructure.
Far offshore, visible from Nha Trang Beach the Salangane island appears with lush green colors where salangane nests have been harvested for years to make the traditional "bird's nest" tonic and food.
Tourists can visit caves where the swallows create their nets on the rocks and enjoy a delicious and nutritious food prepared from swallows' nets and sugar candy which in the past was reserved only for kings.
Yen Islands is not only well known for its Salanganes nest, but also for its only beautiful twin-beach, and tourists coming here can enjoy swimming, snorkeling in clear, smooth water on the twin-beach.

Experience Con Dao - Vietnam

A protected Marine Nature Reserve, the Con Dao Island (of which Con Son is the largest and where you are likely to be staying) can be difficult to get to, with irregular flights from Ho Chi Minh City or an overnight ferry from Vung Tau.. but my goodness, it's worth it!
I must confess, the highlight of any Travelling around Vietnam for me is usually the food, yet the lack of any real eating options outside of the main hotels didn't still manage to disappoint, as the scenery around Con Dao is so spectacular you'll want to stay forever. I think of all the places I visited in Vietnam Con Dao was possibly one of the most beautiful I've seen.

Con Dao Island have a tragic history - they lay completely unoccupied until the French occupied Vietnam and used the island as one large prison complex, where prisoners were shackled, starved and beaten, forced into hard labour and subjected to some particularly cruel and unusual punishment. Sadly when the Americans arrived to 'save' Vietnam from Communism they kept the prisons running, and made good use of one of the most barbaric elements, the Tiger cage; even once their horrific nature had been exposed in the US media they simply built another set deeper in the jungle so the journalists wouldn't find them.
Today the prisons serve as a stark reminder of the horrors of war, and many of the islands residents are ex-convicts who decided to stay on the islands rather than return to the mainland. These days the main industries are fishing and shipping, and life on the island is very simple and undeveloped, though there are plans to encourage more tourism to the islands in the future.
The entire area is protected by law, so much of the islands are covered by thick forest. A visit to the rangers' station will explain a great deal about the wildlife living on the island, and they are very happy to arrange tours around the jungle or out to the other islands, to see endangered species and to go snorkelling and diving. There are also a number of diving schools on the island, particularly Rainbow Divers.
On our visit we hired a motorbike to explore the roads around the island, and went for hikes through the forest and swam on completely deserted beaches, as well as visiting the prisons and museums. It was a true escape from Saigon, a complete contrast to the concrete, traffic and noise, and one we'll remember forever.

Getting to Con Dao
If you want to go by boat there is a hydrofoil service from Vung Tau to Con Dao twice a week at 350,000 VND each way, and also one departing from Tra Vinh in the Mekong Delta which is run by Greenlines. The fares and timetable are no longer advertised on the Vietnamese language version of their website though, so it is worth checking before making the trip to Vung Tau.
Flights are run by VASCO but are unfortunately not bookable online.
An alternative may be to book online with Mytour who are currently advertising an all inclusive two day tour to the island including flights which departs from Ho Chi Minh City. Feedback on this service would be appreciated.

One of the key organisations protecting the local habitat in Con Dao - as well as in many other national parks across Vietnam - is WWF. If you'd like to help support conservation efforts in Vietnam and preservation of the many endangered species there, we strongly suggest becoming a member - it doesn't cost a lot and while in Vietnam you can see for yourself the difference they are making.

Da Lat – wonderful place for your tour

Dalat is a hilly romantic city with a cool 'western' climate. The French named the city Da Lat from the latin 'Dat Aliis Laetitiam Aliis Temperiem' ("Giving Pleasure to Some, Freshness to Others", and it is commonly known as 'the City of Eternal Spring', which has made it a popular destinations for holiday makers who want to beat the heat, and for Vietnamese couples, for whom it is known as the city of love.
The average temperature is is 17°C, and does not exceed 25°C in the hottest season. In the early mornings, the city arises to mystic fog over the lake. Its temperate climate is ideal for agriculture, and in recent years the number of farms and plantations around the city have grown rapidly. It provides most of flowers and vegetables for the massive markets across the south of Vietnam. Da Lat is also very well-known for its variety of flowers and orchids as well as expansive pine forests, which may remind Travellers of home more than the tropics in the valleys below.
Dalat is another one of those Vietnamese towns that began as a French resort area. Whatever else might be said about the French, they certainly had good taste in choosing sites for resorts, and Dalat is living proof of that. Designed to be almost a Swiss alpine village, the French urban planner Ernest Hebrard designed the highland town with broad boulevards, elegant villas, a golf course, open green spaces, schools, and modest homes.
Luckily for Dalat's modern visitors, the city was virtually untouched during the American Vietnam War, however its popularity amongst amorous Vietnamese couples has lead to a fair amount of kitsch 'attractions' and this combined with the booming agricultural industry means the town is now much busier than the tranquil hill station of the past, with more and more concrete buildings, karaoke rooms and 'mini hotels' springing up across town. These days to enjoy the best of Dalat it is best to use the town as a base to explore the hills and nature surrounding it than to expect too much from the town itself.

Sightseeing in Dalat

The first thing the visitor to Da Lat will probably notice is the architecture. Since the city was built up primarily by the French and the Catholic Church, Dalat is an interesting blend of French colonial architecture, paired with lovely Jesuit structures and Vietnamese pagodas.


One site almost all Dalat's guidebooks will lead you to is the Hang Nga guesthouse, known more commonly simply as 'Crazy House'. Built by Hang Nga, Ph.D. graduate of Moscow State University's architecture program, Crazy House is a honeycomb of strange rooms and hallways that also serves as a local hotel. Instead of straight lines and corners, Crazy House is all curves, as if its concrete had melted, dripped, and then hardened into its unusual shape.
Another building worth touring in Dalat is Binh III. Emperor Bao Dai built three different villas for himself in Dalat, and although all of them have been restored and made public, it's Binh III that's the most impressive.
To stay in Vietnam like true royalty, however, book your room at the Sofitel Dalat Palace, a luxury hotel that's been lovingly restored and sits atop a golf course. With a lobby fit for a monarch's ballroom, artwork adorning its restaurants and suites, together with the modern comforts of satellite television and mini-bars, there's nowhere else in Dalat that offers such plush luxury. Even if you can't afford to stay in the Sofitel Dalat Palace, at least have a cocktail and dinner there in one of the three bars and two restaurants. After dinner, dance downstairs at PK's Disco.
Xuan Huong Lake is a popular destination with honeymooners; you can stroll around its outer banks, or hire a paddle boat and go out for a spin. However, be warned that the lake was recently drained, and won't be filled back up until January or February 2011.
Xuan Huong Lake isn't the only lake in and around Dalat, though. Just 5 km north of the city centre is the Valley of Love, where a lake was added in 1972 to make its picturesque, peaceful beauty even more attractive. On the other side of town lies the Truc Lam Pagoda, the second biggest Zen Buddhist centre in Vietnam, surrounded by Tuyen Lam lake and pine forests.
Just 20 minutes from Dalat lies the Lang Bain mountain; at a height of 2169m above sea level it isthe highest mountain in the Southern Vietnam. It is a popular spot to climb and enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding areas and it is also possible to camp. For those who don't feel quite so energetic it is also possible to catch a ride to the summit.

Getting to and around Dalat

It is quite easy to get to Dalat as there are daily direct flights from both Sai Gon and Ha Noi. The flight from
Sai Gon takes just 35 minutes while buses run every two hours and take 6-8 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. The best time to visit is November to May, as there is less rain and a pleasant temperature - but be prepared for it to get chilly in the winter months. It is a great place to rent a motorbike of your own to explore the hills, or you could take on one of the 'Easy Riders' who have earnt a great reputation as excellent guides to explore the area and Vietnam as a whole.

Sapa - Beautiful scenery from nature

Located 38km from Lao Cai City, Sapa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai Province. Sapa District is very well-known with Sapa Townlet, a beautiful and romantic resort.
At the height of 1,600m above sea level, the average temperature of the area is 15-18°C. It is cool in summer and cold in winter.

tourists to Sapa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. In the morning and afternoon, it is cool like the weather of spring and autumn. At noon, it is as sunny and cloudless as the weather of summer. And it is cold in the evening. With no advance warning of a thunderstorm short and heavy rains may come at noon on any summer day. Subsequently, a rainbow appears, transforming Sapa into a magic land, which for years has been a constant source of poetic inspiration, lights up the whole region.

The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air.
Sapa has many natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave. Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m. Hoang Lien Mountain Range is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations.

Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts.
The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town are some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Old and new villas with red roofs now appear and now disappear in the green rows of pomu trees, bringing the town the beauty of European towns.
Fresh and cool air in Sapa is an idea climate condition for growing temperate vegetables such as cabbage, chayote, precious medicinal herbs, and fruit trees such as plum, pear, etc.
Sapa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes, the whole township of Sapa is filled with the pink colour of peach blossom brought from the vast forests of peach just outside the town. Sapa is regarded as the kingdom of orchids. Here, orchid lovers are even amazed by the choice, when trekking in the forest filled with several hundred kinds of orchids of brilliant colours and fantastic shapes, such as Orchid Princess, Orchid of My Fair Lady’s Shoe. Some orchids are named after lovely singing birds such as the canary, salangane’s nest, and more.

Visitors to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents.

Ho Chi Minh - a charming and dyamic city

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, situated in the southern part of Vietnam, is still called Saigon by most of the natives. This modern city used to be considered as the Pearl of the Orient by the French.

 

The wide Saigon River, which takes a huge turn from the east of Sai Gon, links the city with the sea. Unlike Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam, Saigon -Ho Chi Minh City may lack charm and elegance, but the city with its essential French colonial character has enough to draw your attention. The city's colonial villas, wide avenues and a lively cafe society remind you the days of French dominance.

 

The city is well connected with rest of the world through air routes and sea and thereby draws huge foreign funds in the fields like oil, gas, agriculture, textiles, and marine products. However tourism contributes a major part of the government's revenue.

 

The city with its teeming metropolis mingled with the elegance of ancient culture, gives you a microcosmic view of the entire nation.

 

Over the last 10 years, Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City has experienced a spectacular change in its cityscape. The once low-rise landscape of the city's central area, District 1, is now marked with shining skyscrapers including high-rise apartments, international hotels and companies. This bustling, vibrant, industrial hub of the nation is the biggest city of Vietnam as well. Sai Gon is also the cultural center and economic capital of the country.

 

 

 

Ho Chi Minh City these days has been again classified to be one of the world’s top-ten cities for eating out in a list summarized by the travel site at Virtualtourist.com. It was also recommended on column Travel Picks of Reuters. “Vietnamese culinary art has marked some main street credited in recent memories (Anthony Bourdain's praise back to thought), and a short tour to Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh and Binh Tay Markets explains everything,” the tourism website mentioned about Vietnamese foods. The website lists out well-known dishes in town such as pho, banh mi, bo la lot (grilled beef stuffed in a leaf), spring rolls and com tam (cooked broken rice with a fried egg on top) with some details of fish sauce. “One member also highlighted that no matter what com tam dish you buy, it will always be eatend with nuoc mam (fish sauce), and since every street food stall often makes their own one, people usually decide which stall to come back to enjoy their nuoc mam,” the website noted. Virtual tourist also provides advice for travelers visiting this country for the very 1st time. “However, due to hawker registration and street food health rules are not very strict in Vietnam, tourists should always be cautious to choose popular, crowded stalls with high rate of turnover.” Some other cities in this list are Singapore, Bangkok, Marrakech, Penang, Palermo, Istanbul, Brussels, Mexico City, and Beachside Ceviche in Ambergris Caye. This is not the 1st time Ho Chi Minh City is listed as a nice spot for eating out and street food. Early this year, the city was ranked among the world's top ten cities for street foods by the US’s monthly culinary magazine Food & Wine. The famous tourism guide book of Lonely Planet also recommended banh mi as 1 of the most delicious street foods in the world.

Must -come beautiful spots in Vietnam

Nha Trang


Nha Trang a small town in Vietnam, located in the Khanh Hoa province is widely recognized because of it gorgeous beaches. In fact Nha Trang is often referred to as the ‘Seaside Resort’ of Vietnam. Having vast tranquil beaches and the finest climatic conditions, the Nha Trang Beaches, Vietnam are perfect for a lovely holiday.
Of the 6 major Nha Trang Beaches in Vietnam, Tran Phu is the most popular one. It is one of the most activities filled of the various Nha Trang beaches. It is also has the Tran Phu Street running parallel to the beach for its entire span, which is a beautiful avenue adorned with a lush green centre and pretty street lamps. Many key hotels, eateries and bars are lined along the street. Being the most frequented one the Tran Phu Beach is also the most crowed of all the Nha Trang beaches.

The other Nha Trang beaches, Vietnam though less popular than Tran Phu are perhaps more lovely and more soothing. The Northern part of Nha Trang and some of its islands flaunt beaches like Hon Chong (Chong Rocks)  beach and Dai Lanh Beach. With lovely scenic beauty these beaches are amongst the finest beaches in Vietnam and are surely a treat for the eye.

Apart from unwinding yourself in the midst of nature, you can also indulge yourself in some of the various outdoor activities that the Nha Trang Beaches, Vietnam has to offer. Here you can go for a swim in the sea, play football or badminton, perform Tai Chi, a kind of Chinese meditation popular in Vietnam and many other activities. Sun bathing is another favorite pastime popular among the tourists. The Nha Trang Beaches in Vietnam also invites long leisurely walks. It is no wonder that the Nha Trang beaches, Vietnam are recognized as the most frequented of the Vietnam popular destinations.

Nghe An

 

Nghe An is a province which has not only rich in material cultural products but also has an abundant in immaterial cultural products.

Đua thuyền Lễ hội sông nước Cửa Lò These immaterial culture have human culture, traditional struggle for defending the country and conquering the natural calamity; having the abundant folk culture and deeply stamped with national character such as: Vi dam singing, phuong vai singing and ho, ve songs. The immaterial cultural products are much attracted travellers. The sixth ethnic groups in Nghe An: Thai, Kho Mu, Tho, H'Mong, O Du and Dan Lai Clan remained the excellent cultural products in the west of Nghe An region. At present there still remains some ancient Thai Villages. This is the tourism cultural product that attract tourists in the country as well as the international tourists.

Hue

  

Hue  (pronounced Hway) is culturally and historically significant. It was once Vietnam's Imperial City and later the country's capital under the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945).

The Thua Thien-Hue region was a political football during hundreds of years of early Vietnamese dynastic turf wars with the Cham people in the south and the Chinese in the north. It wasn't until the late 18th century that the leaders of the Tay Son rebellion and Emperor Quang Trung, having routed the Chinese out of the north, established a capital at Hue. Later, the Nguyen dynasty leaders, beginning with powerful Gia Long, made Hue the capital that served the Vietnamese puppets of the French until the end of World War II. The first citadel and Imperial City was built by Gia Long in 1803 on a former royal site; many of the city walls still stand, battle scarred from fighting with the French as far back as 1873, and later with the Americans during the notorious Battle of Hue in 1968.
Hue Although much of -- tragically, including most of Vietnam's walled Citadel and Imperial City -- was decimated during wars with the French and the Americans, there's still much to see. And because of the damaged buildings, you'll want to hit the temples with a good English-speaking guide who can bring the place back to life and offer some good background (otherwise, you might see just walls and rubble).

Perhaps most captivating is the daily life on Perfume River, with its many dragon boats, houseboats, and long-tail vessels dredging for sand. You can visit many of the attractions, including the tombs of the rather flamboyant and megalomaniacal Nguyen dynasty emperors, by boat. The enjoyable town features low-slung, colorful colonial-style buildings, and strings of lights at outdoor cafes at night are like the flame for the many tourist-moths that quickly flit through here. Try to sample some of the many local cuisine specialties; you'll find fine-dining establishments that specialize in tempering the cuisine to foreign tastes (with varying degrees of success). The Trang Tien Bridge, which connects the citadel area with the new town across the Perfume River, is itself a major attraction, a lovers' lane of sorts and a national symbol. You'll see local photographers selling their services in the little riverside park on the new-town side. The bridge is lit up at night with constantly changing bulbs, and lovers stroll the promenade, taking in all of the good Technicolor glistening off the river below. Vendors line the riverside promenade and it's a good place to buy something sugary (they even have cotton candy).
You may want to plan a full-day excursion to the nearby demilitarized zone (DMZ), the beginning of the

Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the underground tunnels at Vinh Moc.

What to take with you when coming to Vietnam?

Preparing to leave
To prepare for your journey, begin with things that are critical - those that couldn't be replaced in Vietnam if they were left behind or lost. Passports, tickets and so on are obvious, but damaging or losing a pair of spectacles or orthopaedic shoes can ruin your holiday if you can't manage without them - always carry spares.

In Vietnam, the dress code is casual. Unless you want to dress for dinner in the top-end hotels and upmarket restaurants, there's no need to bring smart outfits and accessories.

When thinking about travelling to Vietnam, don't be misled by cinema images of hot, steamy jungle. Although the country is located entirely between the Equator and the tropic of Cancer, the northern part of Vietnam has a subtropical climate and can be decidedly chilly in the winter months. However, there's no need to stock up with clothes for all seasons.

Many visitors bring too much luggage, and find that much of it returns home unused. You can buy almost anything you're likely to need in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, so taking lots of clothes isn't necessary.

Cut down your baggage
Prices are generally cheap, but bear in mind that the price of imported goods is nearly always higher than you would pay in your own country - international brands at cheap prices are either fakes or goods made locally under licence and often of lower quality. Bringing your favourite clothes and buying cheap local garments (and regarding them as disposable) is a good way to cut down on baggage.

If you forget something, it isn't a disaster because you should be able to find a substitute locally. Good quality, ready to wear clothes are easily obtainable, although larger sizes are difficult to find. Exceptions are shoes (Vietnamese feet are generally a lot smaller than those of people in the West), brassieres and women's swimsuits (for similar reasons!).

Basics
There are few problems with mosquitoes in the towns and cities of Vietnam, so there is no need to bring large quantities of repellent. However, a couple of tubes would be advisable if your itinerary involves trekking or travel in forested areas. We advise those based on natural ingredients because 'deet' based preparations sometimes cause rashes and allergic reactions in hot, humid conditions.

Good sun protection is important. Bring your own, as the ratings of locally obtainable preparations are not reliable. If you have sensitive skin, you should also bring an anti-inflammatory lotion in case of allergic reactions in addition to high factor lotion or sun block. The same applies to soaps and toiletries.

Women who use tampons should bring an adequate supply as they can be difficult to locate in Vietnam, even in the cities. Sanitary towels are freely obtainable.

Another essential item is a good sun hat - wide-brimmed to shade both face and the nape of the neck. There are plenty to choose from in Vietnam, but if your head size is much above average, bring your own. Also, if you use sunglasses, bring your own - local ones are either genuine and exorbitant, or cheap and fake (good fakes can also be expensive!).

Just in case
Avoid handbags and camera bags with shoulder straps, if possible - they're easy to snatch in places where petty crime is common, such as the tourist areas in Ho Chi Minh City.

Finding your way around
Of course, you'll probably want a good guide book. Most of the well-known publications have sections about practical details as well as travel information. However, don't be surprised if the reality is sometimes different from what the book describes. Even a new edition is already a year out of date, and much of it will be copied from the previous issue. If you're thinking about travelling to Vietnam and want up-to-the-minute information about the country and its people, e-mail us. We don't charge for advice or information!

Need more information?
You'll find more advice about what to bring and what to wear on these links. If you need advice about a particular item, customs regulations, or whatever, we're only an e-mail away.

Films, cameras and whatnot
The last few years have seen the the almost total disappearance of conventional cameras and film in Vietnam. Few shops now stock film, so if you're thinking of bringing an old style camera, bring film and batteries as well.

For digital cameras and camcorders, there's no need to stock up with films for conventional cameras. Unless your camera is particularly unusual, all the necessary batteries and other equipment are available at reasonable prices. If something goes wrong, and you're not worried about invalidating your warranty, camera shops can usually sort out most problems

 

Introducing Vietnam

Blessed with a ravishing coastline, emerald-green mountains, breathtaking national parks, dynamic cities, outstanding cultural interest and one of the world’s best cuisines, Vietnam has it all.

The Vietnamese Experience
Vietnam is a nation going places. Fast. Its people are energetic, direct, sharp in commerce and resilient by nature. This is an outrageously fun country to explore, the locals love a laugh (and a drink) and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialise with them and hear their tales. The American War is over, and yet its impact endures – you’ll find reminders of that cataclysmic conflict everywhere you travel. That said, the country was never broken and emerged with its pride intact. Poor in parts but never squalid, Vietnam is developing at an astonishing pace. For travellers, there are issues to consider (including minor scams), but little real danger – on the whole it’s a safe, wonderfully rewarding and incredibly varied country to explore.
Big Nature, Booming Cities
If you want visual dramatics, Vietnam delivers. Cruise an azure ocean pierced by surreal- looking limestone islands in Halong Bay, slalom through the majestic inland karst mountains of Cao Bang. Hike mountain tracks and explore tribal villages near Sapa and Bac Ha. Then witness the spectacular sandy bays of the central coastline and explore the reefs and coves of the Cham and Con Dao Island. Highway 1 is near-relentlessly urban, so get off it at regular intervals to see the astonishing cave systems of Phong Nha, national parks like Cat Tien, and the bewitching back waters of the Mekong Delta. Finally, no visit would be complete without experiencing the energy of big-city life in Vietnam’s capital Ha Noi, the grand old lady of the Orient, and
Ho Chi Minh City, the engine room of the economy and the nation. 

A Cultural Smorgasbord
This is a country of myriad influences and reference points. In the south, Indian and Hindu culture had a lasting influence in the Cham temples and spicy regional cuisine, spiked with chilli and tempered with coconut. Head north and Chinese connections are far more apparent. Between these two competing cultures, you’ll find a quintessential Vietnam in the central provinces: the graceful historic old port of Hoi An, and the royal tombs, pagodas and imperial cuisine of Hue. Oh, and there’s more, far more. Factor in an enduring French colonial legacy, which is evident in Hanoi’s graceful boulevards, in Ho Chi Minh city’s stately museums and in the crispy baguettes and coffee culture you’ll find on every street corner. Add the American interlude, more than 50 hill tribes, and of course the proud (battletested and victorious) ruling Communist Party ideology and you’ve got Vietnam: heady, intoxicating and unique.

Famous tourist spots of Vietnam

 

Vietnam's diverse natural environment, geography, history, and culture have created a great potential for the tourism industry. Vietnam's environment includes long coastlines, forests, and mountainous areas with beautiful caves. As well, Vietnam has a history and culture of ancient architectures, religions and cults, and traditional festivals. Vietnam has a long coastline that extends along the eastern boundary of the country and wraps around the southern tip for 3,260 km, a distance geographically longer than the length of the country. Traveling from north to south or from south to north, tourists will find many beautiful beaches where, all year round, they can stay and enjoy the excitement of the seaside. There are more than 20 beautiful beaches along the coastline, such as Tra Co, Halong, Do Son, and Sam Son in the north and China Beach (Da Nang), Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Ha Tien in the south. In particular, tourists can visit Halong Bay, which is a world natural heritage site, a creation of Mother Nature, with thousands of islands and rocks of different sizes and shapes, such as a dragon, a frog, a turtle, and a fighting chicken. Inside the big islands, there are huge and wonderful caves and grottoes. Vietnam is a tropical country in the northern hemisphere. With its geographical diversity, the country has inherited many famous natural resorts such as Sapa , Tam Dao, Bach Ma, and Da Lat. These resorts are usually located 1,000 meters above sea level; therefore, they have climates that are similar to those of the temperate zones. Dalat City is not only an ideal tourist resort, but it is also a city of pine forests, waterfalls and many kinds of beautiful flowers. Coming to Da Lat, tourists are diverted by the strong and tender melodies of the T'rung and Gong, two typical musical instruments of the highlanders commonly played at evening parties. Vietnam has many famous national parks, which are great collections of precious plant and animal species of the tropical zone. The most famous national forests include Cuc Phuong in Ninh Binh province, Cat Ba on Cat Ba Island, Con Dao on Con Dao Island, etc. There are several regions in Vietnam that have been reserved as gardens and bird sanctuaries. At Minh Hai Sanctuary, there are more than 80 species of birds. At Tam Nong Sanctuary, there is a garden conservatory for redhead cranes, established as an information center for cranes funded by the International Fund for Bird Protection in Bergheim, Germany. Vietnam has abundant mineral water sources found throughout the country, such as Quang Hanh hot stream in Quang Ninh province, Hoi Van mineral spring in Binh Dinh province, Vinh Hao mineral spring in Binh Thuan province, Duc My stream in Nha Trang, and Kim Boi mineral spring in Hoa Binh province. These areas have become resorts for health rehabilitation and relaxation attracting numerous visitors every year. Vietnam has a long 4,000-year history, over which many valuable architectural heritages of rich oriental culture have been built. Many of these vestiges maintain their ancient appearances, such as the One Pillar Pagoda and Kim Kien Pagoda in Hanoi, Pho Minh Tower in Nam Ha province, Binh Son Tower in Vinh Phuc province, Tay Dang Temple, Chu Quyen Temple and Tay Phuong Pagoda in Ha Tay province, Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh province, and But Thap Pagoda and Dinh Bang Temple in Bac Ninh province. In the villages of the Central Coast of Vietnam, Cham Towers are the remarkable vestiges of this lost civilization. In particular, the royal architectures of Hue Ancient Citadel were recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ha Long Bay Halong Bay lies in the middle of the coastal area of Quang Ninh province, 180 km east of Ha Noi. It is the edge of the Asian Continent, which has been dipped into the ocean with the deepest point of less than 200 metres. The water surface of the Bay is 1500 square km large with thousand of rocky islets and caves arranged by the miraculous hands of Nature. "The World's Wonders" (les Merveiller du Monde) published by the Hachette in Paris in 1950 regards Vietnam's Halong Bay one of the world's wonders. Boats are always available to help tourists with Bay sightseeing. By passing numerous islets, each with different shape of animal you will enjoy a feeling of entering a world of fossil animals millions of years old. Halong has 1000 named islets (the number of islets unnamed has not been determined yet). Such names as the Dragon, Monkey, Toad, Turtle, Fighting Cock, Pot and Cup... . are called after their shapes. You can visit the Bay within one day, or it is possible to spend the whole month sailing and exploring hidden mysteries of every single cave. Sapa Sapa is a holiday-resort town lying at the altitude of 1600 metres. Built in 1922, Sapa is 38 km from the provincial town of Lao Cai. Its climate is moderate with average temperatures from 18oC to 23oC degrees. There are a lot of rains from May to August. In winter, it is often foggy and cold with tempetatures below freezing point and occasional snowfall. In summer, Sapa is an ideal holiday resort. Around the town are gardens of temperate vegetables such as cabbage, kohlrabi, chayote... of precious medicinal plants and of fruit trees like peach, plum, pear, ... Two kilometres away from the town are the Silvery Fall and Cane Bridge. The bridge over the Muong Hoa River is made of cane. It is extremely interesting to venture on it for the first time. The Hoang Lien Son Mountain range lies 9 kilometres away from Sapa, with its highest peak, Fansipan, of 3143 metres. Sam Son Beach Sam Son Beach is 16 km from the city of Thanh Hoa. This is a wonderful seaside resort which the French began exploiting in 1906. It soon became a famous spot of the then-Indochine. A number of decades ago, many holiday villas were sonstructed here. Sam Son has a lot of beauty spot such as : the "Trong Mai" Mountain, the "Doc Cuoc" Temple, and "Co Tien" Moutain... Bich Dong (Blue Cave) Bich Dong is situated at the Dam hamlet, Minh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. A small boat will take visitors in a winding voyage around the mystic caves. In the 18th century, on a trip to Bich Dong, King Tu Duc, stunned by the great beauty of the rivers, mountains, caves and pagodas nestling on mountain sides, awarded the place with the title "The Second Best Cave" under the Southern Heaven. Cuc Phuong national park Cuc Phuong is 100 km southwest of Hanoi. It lies at the border of 3 provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and is 60 km from the sea. The forest is 25000 ha in area, of which one-third is limestone mountains from 300 to 600 metres high against the sea level. The virgin forest was discovered in 1960 and hac been recognised as a national park. It has Dan Dan grotto, Ancient Men cave, hot springs with a temperature of 38 Celsius degrees, barashrea -htellata, dracontomelum... of nearly 1000 years old and from 50 to 70 metres high. Cuc Phuong has up to 2000 species of plants. Orchid alone has 50 species, some giving flowers and sweet smell all year round. Cuc Phuong has 262 species of vertebrates and many precious birds and animals such as: bear, horse, wild pig, tiger, panther, weasel, squirrel, monkey, ect. There are semi nature reserves with deer, samba deer, yellow monkey, underpants parrot, flying squirrel, flying lizard, etc... . Cuc Phuong is also home to hundreds of rare birds. The Ancient Town of Hoi An The Ancient Town of Hoi An -an old-time commercial port- was built between the 8th and 17th centuries. About 80% the residential structures of the town still remain intact. The infrastructure system - roads, lanes, bridges - still exists. Hoi An is a valuable and special tourist attraction both in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia. Hoi An looks like a traditional painting. Its houses are so close to each other. Their roofs are of uneven heights and moss-green. The town's residential houses are small, they look like toys made of baked clay and attached to the rock-garden. Its scenery bears a false and true feature of old paintings. Hue - the ancient royal Hue  has more than one thousand years of history. When Hue was the capital of Vietnam (1802-1945), hundreds of valuable cultural architectures were constructed by the Nguyen Dynasty. Many relics of the former capital still lay their shadow over the Huong (Perfume) River. As time goes by, some of the city's relics have been destroyed and abandoned. However, because of its historical values, Hue has been recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of the world.