Sapa Vietnam Travel

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

Sapa overview Area: 67.864 ha Population: 43.600 inhabitants Mainly tribles: Black H’mong, red Dzao, Zay…… Located in Lao Cai City, Sapa is a mountainous district in the Southernwest of Lao Cai Province ( Lao Cai Travel ). 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. Visitor 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 Sapa 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. 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… 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. 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. Visitors to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents, enjoy the pure foods, and explore the charm of the Ethnic groups in Vietnam. ( Bac Ha Market ) Sapa weather & climate What the weather will be like in Sapa, Vietnam? Sapa is a beautiful, mountainous town in northern Vietnam along the border with China ( China tours ). Sapa Weather Sapa is a place that you can visit year-round, however, the best time to travel to Sapa is between March and May or mid-September to early December, when the weather is pretty pleasant. Winter: Sapa weather will be pretty cold, wet, drizzle and foggy (sometimes nearly freezing). Travelers have rolled into town on a glorious clear day and proceeded to spend a week trapped in impenetrable fog. In winter, bring along warm clothes or prepare to be cold and miserable, as many hotels do not have especially efficient heating in their rooms. Sapa culture & people The population of the Lào Cai province is a mosaic of ethnic groups. An incredible variety of peoples, some of them unique to Vietnam, are found on a relatively small area. In fact, visitors can meet 24 ethnic groups, each with its own language, culture and traditions. This cultural wealth is explained by the diversity of landscapes and of land available for farming. History also offers clues as to why the highlands in the Lào Cai province served as a refuge for certain ethnic groups during political unrest like the Taiping rebellion in 19th-century China. The seven most numerous ethnic groups in the Lào Cai province account for over 90% of the whole population. The following groups are found: the Kinh (the true Vietnamese) 35%, the Hmong 22%, the Tay 14%, the Dao (Mien) 13%, the Thai 9%, the Nung 4.5% and the Giay 4.3%. The other ethnic groups: the Phula, Hani, Latis, Tu Di, Pin Tao, Tu Lao, Pa Di, Sapho, Lolo and the Xa Mang are sometimes represented only by a few villages and a few hundred individuals The Hmong people The Hmong, known for centuries in China by the name of Miao, used to be called the Méo in Southeast Asia. Numbering about three million, they are scattered over a vast territory stretching from south-west China (2 million) to north Vietnam (600,000), Laos (about 250,000), Thailand (150,000) and Myanmar (formerly Burma) (about 30,000). The main subgroups present in Vietnam are the White Hmong, the Hmong Leng, Hmong Pua, Hmong Shi or Sheu and the black Hmong. In Sa Pa, the Hmong Leng are the most numerous, some Hmong Sheu and Hmong Pe women – with their colourful skirts and double-breasted tops – come from the Muong Khuong district. Originally, the Chinese hmong populations used to live in the wide plains south of the Yangtse river. As of the 16th century, they started to migrate to the south-east under the demographic, territorial and political pressure of the Chinese. During the first half of the 19th century, the Hmong left the Chinese territory and settled in neighbouring countries. At the time, the great Taiping rebellion (1850-1872) was disturbing all southern China (Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces) causing long periods of famine that pushed numerous ethnic groups to go south. The Hmong entered the Indo-Chinese peninsula through North Vietnam, their presence near Lai Chau was reported in 1848. These successive waves of migration were probably facilitated by the hmong tradition of shifting cultivation and their close contacts with the Chinese caravaneers who had been travelling for centuries through the mountains of southern Asia. Today, the traditional agrarian economy is still based on family farms raising pigs, chickens, buffaloes and horses, on food crops (rice, corn, manioc) and cash crops (cardamom and vegetables). The traditional social organisation of the Hmong is based on the clan. Each clan is made of lineages, all the members of which acknowledge a common founding male ancestor. In the Hmong household, up to four different generations may be gathered under the same roof. The household is the most important economic, political and ritual unit. The villages perched on the mountain slopes house several clans. Easily recognisable by their costume, the Sa Pa Hmong Leng – who do not call themselves Black Hmongs – still wear hemp clothes dyed with natural (black-blue) indigo. The women wear stiff indigo-blue turbans over their hair gathered into a bun. Nowadays, they hardly ever wear their batik or embroidered pleated skirts, replaced with short indigo pants. Only the collar, sleeves and belt are embroidered with geometric patterns in silk. The White Hmong women from the Bat Xat district wear long black pants, fairly short-waisted double-breasted jackets, and cover their hair with colourful head scarves. The Hmong Pua, Hmong Pe and Hmong Sheu women from the Bac Ha district wear similar batik skirts with an embroidered band. They are distinguished by the decorative patterns and shape of their aprons. The Dao people The Dao, known as the Man or Yao in south-west China for centuries, also number a few tens of thousands in Laos ( Lao Tours ), Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Dao-Mien settled in Vietnam two to three centuries ago, depending on the area. One of the Dao's specific cultural features is their traditional writing system using Chinese characters. Preserved texts make it possible to trace their origins back to the provinces of south China. Their taoist religion is also based on texts. For major taoist ceremonies, the ritual space must be surrounded with painted pictures of the divinities and celestial generals. As a consequence, the art of painting on paper and canvas survives among the Dao. Like the Hmong, the Dao build terraced paddy-fields irrigated by a sophisticated system of canals around Sa Pa. They also have a reputation for pig and horse breeding. The different Dao groups from the Lao Cai province usually wear red headdresses or red pieces of clothing. The Dao (Ké Mien) from the Taphin and Tavan villages (Sa Pa district) wear flat headdresses, totally red, hung with silver coins. The headdresses of the Dao (Ké Mien) from Muong Hum district (north of Sa Pa) are cone-shaped and made of red flowery material. The Bac Ha (Ké Moun) Dao enhance their turbans with red and pink wool or silk threads. The headdresses of the Dao (Iu Mien) from Van Ban district – south of Sa Pa – are decorated with red and yellow pompoms, and hang low down their backs. The Tay people The Tày grow rice in paddy fields, preferably in the plains and in the valleys. The villages consist of wooden or bamboo stilt houses and are often built in the immediate vicinity of a stream or a river. The household is the basic economic unit and tends to be a nuclear family limited to close relatives. The Tày, Giay, Numg and Thai women wear brightly-coloured jackets, – pink, green, or blue – double-breasted, often with contrasting braid at the collar. The tartan headscarf covers their hair gathered into a bun. Traditionally, each group used to have their own style of bun, held up with long silver needles, but the custom is vanishing. The Zay peopele The Giay (pronounced”Zay”) are a relatively small minority group, with a population of around 40,000, living at high altitudes in Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Ha Giang provinces. Traditional Giay society is feudal, with a strict demarcation between the local aristocracy and the peasant classes. All villagers work the communal lands, living in closely knit villages of stilthouses. A few Giay women still wear the traditional style of dress, distinguished by the highly coloured, circular panel sewn around the collar and a shirt-fastening on the right shoulder: the shirt itself is often of bright green, pink or blue. On formal occasions, women may also wear a chequered turban.

Sapa travel map

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Vietnam destinations

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel,Vietnam destinations

Mention the name Vietnam, and most people assume you mean the war, thirty years since the end of the war, it is a country at peace, with spectacular geography, a vibrant culture, and genuinely friendly people. it is in reality a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, far from being devastated, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious you will ever find.

Verdant patchworks of rice paddies, pointed lampshade-style hats, a country ravaged by war, and economic repression - these are the international images of Vietnam, seen on worldwide television and read about in the newspapers. But there are other scenes to be found, ones of natural beauty, ethnic culture, and imperial history, of timeless traditional villages, idyllic sea resorts and dynamic cities. The impact of Japanese and Chinese trade, French occupation and American intervention has left its stain on Vietnam, smeared over a period of more than two thousand years of recorded history. However, the country has also been left with a vivid legacy from different cultures evident in the character of its towns, as well as in the architecture and food. The quaint town of Hoi An , once a major trading port, boasts the perfectly preserved architectural influences of the Asian merchants from the north, while the broad leafy boulevards of the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City ( Ho Chi Minh city tour )are reminiscent of France. Menus offer Chinese variations of spring rolls, steamed dumplings and noodles. Hue is the old imperial capital of Vietnam with its royal palaces and palatial mausoleums, and nearby the battle sites of the Demilitarized Zone ( Hue DMZ tour ) are reminders of the brutality of war.

Shaped like an elongated ‘S’, Vietnam stretches along the east coast of the Indochinese Peninsula and is likened by its people to a long bamboo pole hung with two baskets of rice, represented by the two fertile regions at either end of the country. Between the lush Red River Delta and the highlands in the north, known for their magnificent scenery and colorful hill tribes, and the agricultural plains and floating markets of the Mekong Vietnam train the south, lie miles of white sandy beaches, towering mountains, rivers and dense forests, and the thousands of bizarre rock and cave formations on the islands of Halong Vietnam

Ancient temples and colorful pagodas are scattered throughout the urban centres, while among them stand hotels of modern luxury, and the development of tourism infrastructure is a booming business. Vietnam is a perfect balance between ancient times and the here and now, a country that reveres its past heroes, a nation that has collectively put the woes of war behind it, and people who welcome visitors to their country with open arms and friendly smiles.

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Ho Chi Minh city tour

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

Operation : Daily departure
Duration: 1 / 2 day
Tour route:Ho Chi Minh city & around
Brief description: Don’t miss the bustling Ben Thanh Market- a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are several interesting sights in Saigon . The War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled 'Requiem'. The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. Close to the Palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Central Post Office, finished in 1891.

Detailed Tour Itinerary:

We pick you up from hotel at 8.30 Am or 1.30 Pm, don’t miss the bustling Ben Thanh Market - a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are several interesting sights in Saigon .

The Vietnam War Remnants Museumhas a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled 'Requiem' which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts.

The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end.

Close to the Palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891.

It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. For all of its French colonial history, Ho Chi Minh City is by far Vietnam's most modern city. We will return hotel at 11.30 Am or 5 Pm.

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Quang Tri DMZ tour 1 day

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

Operation: Daily departure
Duration: 1 day
Tour route: Hue - Dong Ha - Quang Tri - Con Tien - Doc Mieu - Hue
Brief description: One day tour to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) “hot pot “ during the controversial Vietnam War. This tour to DMZ will take you back to the war sites and witness the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of conflict: Dong Ha, Quang Tri, Con Tien, Doc Mieu.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

8 am – Our guide and car will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city then transfer to Dong Ha town to visit the Demilitarization Zone.

This tour to DMZ will take you back to the war sites including Hien Luong bridge, Museum, Ben Hai river, the 17th Parallel, Vinh Moc tunnel and Cua Tung beach.

The driver will ride you back to Dong Ha town for having lunch at the restaurant. Pm – You will go on visiting Dakrong bridge, Ho Chi Minh trail.

You also have chance to meet Paco minority people in the Viet Nam Central. The last place of this day trip is Khe Sanh Combat Base.

Then the drive transfers you back to Hue around 7pm. Tour ends at hotel in Hue.

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Mekong travel

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

The Mekong Delta is the bottom half of Vietnam's two rice baskets, the other being the Red River Delta in the North . This vast delta is formed by the deposition of the multiple tentacles and tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which has its origin in the Tibetan highland plateau 2,800 miles away. From its source, the river makes its way through China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam before flowing out into the South China Sea. The Mekong's Vietnamese name, Cuu Long, means Nine Dragons for the nine mouths that terminate the flow of this great river as it is absorbed by the sea. The people of south Vietnam are often very proud of the richness and vastness of this land. When referring to the rice fields in this area, they often say, "co bay thang canh", meaning the land is so large that the cranes can stretch their wings as they fly. Today, the region is one of Vietnam's highest producer of rice crops, vegetables and fruits. Life On The Mekong The Mekong Delta was an ancient Khmer territory. The area was mostly marshland and forest. When the Nguyen Lords took control of this region, a series of canals were built and a system of transportation was implemented in the maze of water ways in the area. The Mekong Delta is divided into 9 provinces: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, An Giang, Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Minh Hai. The people in this region are made up of Vietnamese and some people of Khmer, Chinese and Cham origin. This accounts for the variety of religions that add to the cultural diversity of this area. Among the religions practiced here are: Buddhism, Catholicism, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao and Islam. The southwest region of Vietnam is known for the vast rice fields and the huge plantations that make up the core of this region's economy. The region is also known for the many miles of waterways criss-crossing the land making this area both fertile and unique. Fruit Orchards The majority of Vietnam's fruits come from the many orchards of the Mekong Delta. On any given season, one can find a variety of tropical fruits that are produced by farmers of this region in the markets of Saigon, Hue, and Ha Noi. For many tropical fruits, the season is very short because they cannot be picked green and they don't last long in storage where they quickly loose their aroma. The greatest variety of fruits is available during the raining season, from June to September in the South. After they are picked, the fruits are transported on small boats to floating markets where they are sold to wholesale dealers. In the off-season, many orchards become flower nurseries to meet the peak demand for flowers during the new year celebration in the big cities. The orchards are divided by a myriad of small irrigation canals with delicate bamboo bridges called "Cau Khi" or monkey bridges crossing them. Life On The River The people living in the Mekong Delta make their living as farmers and fishermen. Often, they live right on the edge of the rivers or canals on various structures built from whatever materials found. Consequently, the architecture along the delta varies from place to place. Often, many homes have fisheries right under them. Enterprising individuals build a cage like structure of bamboo beneath their homes on these waterways to house fishes. As the fishes grew, they sell the whole batch to processors from the city and start with new ones. Life in the delta is tightly woven with its rivers as daily activities and businesses are conducted on its banks. Markets, stores, ship yards, repair shops are some of the more popular trades. Floating Markets Floating markets are held every morning from 5:00 to about 11:00. Phung Hiep market is the biggest since it is located at the intersection of 7 major canals. It is also a photographer's delight because it can be seen above from a bridge. Cai Rang and Phong Dien are two other notable floating markets in the delta. Boats loaded with produce from nearby orchards of the Mekong Delta converge to the floating market. They carry mostly fruits but also coconuts, vegetables and fishes. Buyers are local traders with bigger boats snapping everything by the bushels and resell at local markets or to wholesale dealers from big cities, often for a handsome profit. Large floating markets are not complete without its floating restaurants, floating gas stations and an occasional tour boat filled with tourists. Snake Industry Another unique industry in this region is the snake farm in the area of My Tho township. In 1977, Lt. Colonel Tran Van Duoc (Tu Duoc), a reptile enthusiast, created Dong Nam Snake Farm. Initially created strictly as a research site for medicinal uses of reptile venom, Dong Nam Snake Farm today is the largest of its kind in Vietnam. The farm boasts 20 different varieties of venomous snakes and is home to other species such as boas, turtles. Cobras are often soaked along with herbs in large flasks of whisky which can be bought in the snake market in Phung Hiep. This potent drink reportedly will increase your libido as well as cure all sorts of illnesses. Live snakes are also for sale in the market and are exported to other Asian countries to be used as food and medicine. In a typical snake full-course meal, the gallbladder is extracted from the freshly-killed snake and together with some blood and whisky a drink is made. The snake is then chopped off and cooked in various ways. Most tourists opt for a curry stir-fried snake dish just for the thrill of it. General comments are "too much bone and no taste!". More adventurous travelers have reported severe stomach cramps after swallowing down the snake drink. Can Tho Can Tho is 170 km from Saigon. Since the beginning, Can Tho was already given the title Tay Do or Western Capital. It is also the meeting point of the various waterways of the Mekong Delta. Today, it has become an industrious city with big bottling companies and fish sauce factories. It is is home to 220,000 inhabitants Can Tho is a busy port capable of accomodating large ships from neighbouring countries. Hau Giang or Hau River is the main channel that passes through Can Tho. The land mass surrounding the river was developed very early so the population in this area is probably the largest in all of the Delta region. The land here is said to be the most fertile because of the deposits from the various branches of the river. Ben Ninh Kieu is probably the most well known landmark in Can Tho. The port lies on Hau Giang and crosses the city of Can Tho. The city opens to the water front where port Ninh Kieu is the focal point of all activities on the river. Frequent ferries carry passengers to Xom Chai island, just a short distance away and a beautiful sight at sunset. Long Xuyen As the capital of An Giang province, Long Xuyen plays a very important role in the commerce of this region. Many of the produce grown in the vicinity are shipped here before being transported elsewhere. With a population over 100,000 people, it has a significant number of catholics as the city boasts the largest Catholic church in the region, seating up to 1000 people. Long Xuyen is a big town with slow pace living. Unlike its motorized cousin in Can Tho, "Xe Loi" here is pulled by bicycle. 40 km from Long Xuyen is the hilly area of Ba The where the ruins of the Oc Eo civilization dating back to the first century A.D. were discovered. The Oc Eo civilization reached its height in the 5th century and was part of the foundation of the Phu Nam (Funam) kingdom. Sa Dec Sa Dec used to be the capital of Dong Thap province, formerly inhabited by the ancient Phu Nam Kingdom and later the Chan Lap (Tchen La) civilization. In the 1700s, the area was exchanged with the Vietnamese for military aid. Since then many Vietnamese have settled in this area and effectively annexed this whole area. The Chan Lap were subsequently wiped out and assimilated by the Vietnamese and today the population consists mostly people of Chinese, Khmer, Cham and Thai origin. Sa Dec has become less and less prosperous ever since Cao Lanh was named capital of the province to reward communist cadres from the area after the war ended. New constructions and developments are now occuring in Cao Lanh, the commercial hub of the region. Chau Doc Chau Doc is the last town in Vietnam before entering Cambodia. The town is located on the right bank of Hau Giang, 5 km away from Sam mountain, the highest point on the Delta. This mountain gets the name from its shape of a king crab, which is "sam" in vietnamese. It is a sacred mountain for many locals since it is dotted with pagodas and temples. Chau Doc is very famous for "ma('m", a type of fermented fish used regularly as food ingredients or garnishes. With a population of 85,000, Chau Doc is a bustling city with heavy trade of illegal goods crossing the cambodian border. From smugglers on bicycle carrying cartons of cigarettes on their back to boats loaded with VCR and TV sets to new cars originating from Thailand, it seems like anything is fair game in the wild west of Vietnam.

Mekong Travel map

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Halong travel

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

Halong overview The legend of Hạ Long has it that, “Once upon a time, soon after the Việt people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to earth to help the Việt people fight against their enemy. Right at the time invaders’ boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately sent out from their mouths a lot of pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls challenging the invaders’ boats. The fast boats couldn’t manage to stop and crashed into the islands and into each other and broke into pieces. After the victory, Mother Dragon and Child Dragons didn’t return Heaven but stayed on earth at the place where the battle had occurred. The location Mother Dragon landed is nowadays Hạ Long Bay and where Child Dragons descended is now Bái Tử Long. The dragons’ tails waving the water created Long Vĩ (present Trà Cổ peninsula) and formed a fine sand beach over ten kilometers long”. Hạ Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bắc Bộ Gulf, including the sea area of Hạ Long City and Cẩm Phả Town and part of Vân Ðồn island district. It abuts Cát Bà Island in the southwest. Toward the west is the shore with a 120 km-long coastline. It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude. The site is 1553 sq. km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named. The islands in Hạ Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part ofart of Hạ Long Bay. These islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age ofBái Tử Long Bay and southwestern p from 250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin. The area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Hạ Long Bay Natural Heritage, including Ha Long Bay and a part of Bai Tu Long Bay. The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775 islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south) and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms. This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðầu Người (Human Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rông (Dragon Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vọng; some look like big sails struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Buồm (Sail Island); then two islands look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trống Mái (Male and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island). All are so real that people are taken aback by them. Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view. Here, we come to realize that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful. Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth. Long ago, Hạ Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyễn Trãi:“a wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky”. Many men of letters from all over the world have been taken aback at the grandiose scenery of Hạ Long. They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place. Hạ Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðồn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s ancestors against invaders. Also, Hạ Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious Hạ Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðộng Mang, Xích Thổ, Soi Nhụ and Thoi Giếng. Hạ Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forest. It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for example shrimp, fish and squid. Some species are particularly rare and can be found no where else. With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on 17 December 1994 in Thailand, Hạ Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural Heritage. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values. This confirms the global premier value of Hạ Long Bay. Wherever you come from, whosoever you are and however old you are, you will certainly experience the same emotion and feeling when admiring this wonder of stone and water. And great experiences will always remain even when you leave the place. The legend of Mother Dragon and Child Dragons sending out pearls to form thousands of stone islands to stop invaders still serve as the soul of this invaluable heritage of the world.Have you ever come to Hạ Long, the unique wonder of the world of its kind, to admire and explore secretes implicit in the place. Halong bay weather The legend of Hạ Long has it that, “Once upon a time, soon after the Việt people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to earth to help the Việt people fight against their enemy. Right at the time invaders’ boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately sent out from their mouths a lot of pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls challenging the invaders’ boats. The fast boats couldn’t manage to stop and crashed into the islands and into each other and broke into pieces. After the victory, Mother Dragon and Child Dragons didn’t return Heaven but stayed on earth at the place where the battle had occurred. The location Mother Dragon landed is nowadays Hạ Long Bay and where Child Dragons descended is now Bái Tử Long. The dragons’ tails waving the water created Long Vĩ (present Trà Cổ peninsula) and formed a fine sand beach over ten kilometers long”. Hạ Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bắc Bộ Gulf, including the sea area of Hạ Long City and Cẩm Phả Town and part of Vân Ðồn island district. It abuts Cát Bà Island in the southwest. Toward the west is the shore with a 120 km-long coastline. It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude. The site is 1553 sq. km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named. The islands in Hạ Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bái Tử Long Bay and southwestern part of Hạ Long Bay. These islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from 250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin. The area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Hạ Long Bay Natural Heritage, including Ha Long Bay and a part of Bái Tu Long Bay. The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775 islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south) and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms. This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðầu Người (Human Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rông (Dragon Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vọng; some look like big sails struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Buồm (Sail Island); then two islands look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trống Mái (Male and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island). All are so real that people are taken aback by them. Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view. Here, we come to realize that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful. Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth. Long ago, Hạ Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyễn Trãi:“a wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky”. Many men of letters from all over the world have been taken aback at the grandiose scenery of Hạ Long. They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place. Hạ Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðồn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s ancestors against invaders. Also, Hạ Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious Hạ Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðộng Mang, Xích Thổ, Soi Nhụ and Thoi Giếng. Hạ Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forest. It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for example shrimp, fish and squid. Some species are particularly rare and can be found no where else. With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on 17 December 1994 in Thailand, Hạ Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural Heritage. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values. This confirms the global premier value of Hạ Long Bay. Wherever you come from, whosoever you are and however old you are, you will certainly experience the same emotion and feeling when admiring this wonder of stone and water. And great experiences will always remain even when you leave the place. The legend of Mother Dragon and Child Dragons sending out pearls to form thousands of stone islands to stop invaders still serve as the soul of this invaluable heritage of the world.Have you ever come to Hạ Long, the unique wonder of the world of its kind, to admire and explore secretes implicit in the place. Getting to Halong bay and around Getting to Halong Bay is simple, and most travellers choose to do so from Hanoi, a mere 3 and a half hours by bus or faster still by private car. Overland There are many 'open tour' buses that will bundle a trip to Ha Long bay with a cruise on the water - these vary in quality from basic to luxury but generally if you are booking a cruise then transport will be paid for. A private car or minibus will set you back between $80 - 120 one way and will be one of the fastest ways to cover the 170 km to Halong city as you will avoid unnessecary stops. Public buses are also available and the cheapest option. They are generally reliable but make many more stops than tourist minibuses so can take up to 5 hrs if not on an express route. Expect to pay around $5 Air The closest airport to Halong bay is Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. From there it is about an hours drive into Hanoi and around 3 1/2 hours on to Halong Bay. It is also possible to take a helicopter from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi at a cost of $210 / hour, with an estimated flight time of one hour. Last we checked this service was only available on Saturdays By Sea You can take a hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Cat Ba for $10, and the journey takes an hour. The boat departs Hai Phong at 9am and 11.30am, and returns from Cat Ba at 3pm.

Halong travel map

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Nha Trang is different from way up here.

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

Forget a booze-cruise, the best way to see Nha Trang is from mid-air, flying high above the beaches and hills on a motorized hang glider.

Nha Trang is different from way up here.

One-hundred meters high in a motorized hang glider, the striking coastline – bright beaches against pure blue seas – comes into sharp focus. The bay and the islands stand out against the clear sky as the familiar white houses of the city fade into the rolling green hills in the distance.

The view is thanks to the new moto-hang gliding service opened by Mai Linh Corporation in June.

TO FLY A MOTORIZED HANG GLIDER IN NHA TRANG, PLEASE CONTACT MAI LINH:

Address: 5th Floor, A Chau Building, 25 Le Loi St., Nha Trang Town
Tel: (058) 817 522
Fax: (058) 817 333

First you step into what looks like a small dinghy boat with a propeller motor and wings. Then you strap on a helmet and seat belt and soon your pilot has you flying.

“The feeling of being up high is so great,” Linh, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, told Thanh Nien Weekly.

“And I can take extraordinary photos of Nha Trang from a different angle.”

Phuc, another tourist, said, “Only by flying that high could I enjoy the wonderful beauty of Nha Trang Town to the fullest.”

At the price of US$70 per 15- minute flight, it’s pricey, but well worth it.

Mai Linh’s three two-seat gliders, each with a three-blade propeller and a boat-like bottom for sea takeoffs and landings, were imported from Italy at $60,000 apiece.

With a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the gliders – known as “trikes” – are controlled by certified pilots. Ho Minh Chau, director general of the group for the South Central Region and Central Highlands, said the company was training around 30 pilots for the service.

“Tourists can control the trikes by themselves, as long as they have completed a training course and fly it according to guidelines given by our staff through walkie-talkies,” Chau said.

Flying taxis?

According to Chau, the company has applied for a license to run a larger trike project at Hon Do Beach, also in Khanh Hoa Province. The firm wants the $3 million project to include a larger hang gliding “station” with many more trikes, where tourists line up to wait for a ride. Chau said he wants the complex to include a restaurant, drinks and entertainment and games.

In August, the group also introduced motorized hang gliding, now available in only 22 countries and territories, to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

Chau said the company had gotten government permission to import a total of ten gliders.

“We expect to import 20 for a performance celebrating Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary [October 10, 2010] and then put them into use for our business.

“We’re even considering it the first step towards a flying-taxi service, if we manage that in the future.”

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An Lac Trang: a return to nature in HCM City

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

VietNamNet Bridge – Nature is full of secrets that defy understanding. Nature is also a place where people can return to their minds and find peace. For those who do not have time to go to a mountain or eco-tourism area far from HCMC to relax and let bygones be bygones, the An Lac Trang area in HCMC’s Cu Chi district is recommended as an ideal venue.

An Lac Trang covers two hectares on Ben Co Islet and is surrounded by shady green trees. The area is blanketed in stillness, greenness and peace. It boasts spacious wooden houses in ancient southern design, lotus ponds with silently drifting water hyacinths, green rice fields and vegetable farms and winding canals under the shade of thousands of gum-trees that whisper soft and low in the wind.

The destination is not a tourist site, but is host to the program ‘Yoga and Health’ for tourists to learn how to make tea, meditate, grow vegetables, practice yoga and swim. These activities aim to help tourists find quietness for themselves after surviving the noise and smoke of the bustling city and to forget the daily worries and stresses of modern life.

Upon reaching Cu Chi district’s Phu Hoa Dong commune, tourists are equipped with life jackets for the boat ride to Ben Co islet. Before starting ‘Yoga and Health’, tourists are asked to turn off their cell-phones, abide by the schedule of activities, refrain from eating meat, smoking and drinking alcohol, keep quiet during rest times and respect the surroundings.

The program is organized twice a month with 30 participants each time at a price of VND350,000 to VND450,000 per person based on contents and time (one day or two days) of the program. Students with shallow pockets will be supported by the organizers, said Ngoc My, head of the Vietnamese Tea Club.

To join the program, contact Thanh Son calligraphy company at 40A Bui Vien street, District 1, HCMC or the Vietnamese Tea Club at 17 Tran Quy Khoach street, District 1, HCMC.

VietNamNet/SGT

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Phu Quoc island Sao Bien Resort

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

LookAtVietnam – Sea Star Resort on Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Quoc District in Kien Giang Province is reminiscent of a tranquil Vietnamese village in an evergreen coconut grove.

Phu Quoc Island.

Unlike many of the luxury resorts on Phu Quoc Island, the bungalows at Sea Star are designed with respect for the environment and understanding of the local culture. However, the resort has become very popular and is busy even in the rainy season, which means Pham My, the owner of the resort, has a difficult decision to make: should he preserve its nature-friendly style or upgrade to a luxury resort? Some of his friends support the idea of cooperating with investors to upgrade the resort and build a swimming pool and entertainment facilities, while his family is encouraging him to keep the resort as it is, with 37 spacious rooms and one restaurant.

To extend its success Pham My is planning to offer a new discovery tour of the forest on Ba Keo Mountain, as well as scuba diving and squid fishing tours. Pham My’s family also owns a one-hectare coconut, mango and jackfruit orchard on the mountain. For only US$10 tourists can explore the secrets and primitive beauty of the mountain, which is only 15 minutes away, cooling off in the gentle ocean waves when they return to the resort.

On a trip to Phu Quoc early this month I met Marilyn and Alan, a foreign couple. When I asked them why they chose the Sea Star Resort they explained that it is quite breath taking and fills them with peace and a feeling of total relaxation. “Although I do not think that many Vietnamese people realize how nice their country is, because if they did they would keep it cleaner; there is too much rubbish everywhere,” said the couple.

“The owner should keep the resort small and in keeping with the character of the country and we will stay here again. It is a great place with warm and friendly staff and local people. Our only suggestion is that cushions on the sun beds would make them more comfortable,” added Marilyn.

VietNamNet/SGT

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Ha Long Bay moves up the ranks

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

Ha Long town will host a carnival from April 25 to May 2 featuring floating stages and fireworks displays. The opening ceremony to be held at the Bai Chay ferry will feature festivities on and above the sea and will be called "Ha Long, a World Cultural Heritage Rendezvous."

The carnival will also feature a food festival with northern and north-eastern dishes, performances by domestic and international artists, sports competitions and business fairs.

Classical drama wows tourists

The Nguyen Hien Dinh Opera House in Da Nang is a popular venue for short traditional tuong (classical drama) pieces and performances showcasing cultural aspects of the central region and renewed stage plays.

So far this year it has been filled with colourful bonnets and gowns and outstanding performances by some keen artists.

The director of the theatre, Tran Dinh Sanh, said it has hosted five shows for foreign tourists, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes, featuring traditional dances and ethnic musical concerts and Cham ethnic songs and dramas.

The performances have wowed Korean, Japanese and European visitors, he said.

Readers name best brands

Vinh Suong and Sea Horse resorts in Phan Thiet are among 42 enterprises that received the "2008-2009 Viet Nam Brands" award from Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.

The annual awards are determined by votes from the newspaper’s customers and readers. This year the voting took place in the newspaper’s tourism-discovery section from September last year through January, with 7,862 readers sending in their votes.

AirAsia launches online check-in

Travellers including those in Viet Nam can make use of AirAsia’s latest online self check-in facility from Tuesday.

With the new innovation, air travellers can now save time and avoid long queues at the airport by using the free internet check-in facility implemented across AirAsia and AirAsia X’s entire network.

"This is a wonderful innovation. With AirAsia’s web check-in, I can perform check-in myself in the office," said AirAsia passenger Janice Kuek.

"I do not have to worry about long queues at the counters anymore. It allows me to plan my trip better and saves me a lot of time, and it minimises chances of missing my flight."

For more information, visit website www.airasia.com.

VietNamNet/VNS

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Ha Tien – Prek Chark pair of international border gates open to traffic

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

VNBusinessNews.com - The Ministry of Transport of Vietnam in co-ordination with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Cambodia opened to traffic a pair of international border gates including the Ha Tien border gate in Kien Giang province of Vietnam and the Prek Chark border gate in Kampot province of Cambodia on October 5.

The Vietnam – Cambodia friendly and neighbouring ties have increasingly consolidated and developed in recent years. The economic and commercial relations between two countries have witnessed a positive and effective development in many fields.

Currently, Vietnam ranks as the world’s second biggest investor in Cambodia and Cambodia is the 16th largest partner of Vietnam.

The result should go mainly to the expansion and further construction of a lot of international border gates on the common borderline.

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HCM City takes action to attract more tourists

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel,Vietnam Travel News

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector has taken several measures to prevent the industry from declining any further due to the impacts of the global economic downturn, said a city official. Deputy Director of the municipal Culture, Sports and Tourism Department La Quoc Khanh said that the department held a meeting between 40 hotels and 12 travel agents where they agreed to reduce the prices of tours by 30 percent within the year, while ensuring service quality.

The city’s tourism sector has also collaborated with the Agriculture and Rural Development Department to survey and include the names of several gardens in district 12 and Cu Chi district onto the list of ecological tours, he added.

Apart from tapping into its full potential, the city’s tourism businesses are cooperating with several famous foreign tourist operators offering a number of unique tours to tourists.

The Saigontourist Travel Company has got together with the international cruise operator Costa Allegra to welcome foreign tourists to the country and organise MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tours as well as tours for the elderly.

In the meantime, Vietravel has arranged tours for domestic tourists overseas that coincide with sporting or cultural events such as the World Cup and the beauty contests.

The Hoan My Company now offers tours to Hollywood, Hawaii and Las Vegas while V.Y.C Travel has worked with its Lao and Cambodian counterparts to organise tours to former revolutionary bases along the three countries’ border in addition to tours of Vietnam’s islands.

Meanwhile, the Lua Viet Company has increased the number of adventure sports it offers such as mountain climbing, diving, parachute jumping and water-skiing.

The city welcomed around 2 million foreign tourists in the first nine months of the year, a year-on-year decline of 11 percent.

The sector is expected to entice foreign holiday makers from Europe, the US and Japan back to Vietnam as well as domestic tourists during the remaining months of the year.

Source: VNA

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Tour championship comes to Viet Nam

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel,Vietnam Travel News

HA NOI — The Mercedes-Benz Masters Tour will host its final event this year in Viet Nam on November 11-14 at King’s Island Golf Club in Ha Noi.

This is the third year the Mercedes-Benz Masters Viet Nam, the country’s biggest tournament, is taking place and will boast prize money totalling to US$80,000. Viet Nam will welcome the 60 best golfers from Southeast Asia to compete.

Six tournaments have been played so far this year with two more remaining. The penultimate kicks off today in Indonesia and the final will be in Viet Nam one month later.

Filipino Antonio Lascuna currently leads the overall rankings in the league.

The Mercedes-Benz Masters Viet Nam is co-operating with the Viet Nam Golf Association to develop the sport in the country.

"The tour really suits our requirements and wants to create more playing opportunities. We really need more tournaments in Viet Nam to increase our number of talented golfers," said Nguyen Ngoc Chu, general secretary of the Viet Nam Golf Association.

In the past two years Huynh Van Son has been the representative at the Mercedes-Benz Masters Viet Nam.

This year Tran Le Duy Nhat will be the only official representative. He is now ranked 73rd place in the tour.

Viet Nam also has four other players competing in the amateur event.

"We have witnessed another fine season with some fine young players like Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Namchok Tantipokhakul recording maiden victories," said AC Wong, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Tour.

"A couple of famous veterans such as, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Chien-Soon and Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, have triumphed in the field for the Tour Championship," he added.

King’s Island is located 36km west of Ha Noi and boasts two golf courses. The courses are situated in the King’s Valley along the shores of Dong Mo Lake.

Last year’s Viet Nam championship was held in Van Tri Club, which saw Wisut Artjanawat of Thailand claiming his second title of the season. — VNS

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Agricultural tourism raises incomes

♠ Posted by Unknown in Vietnam Travel News

HCM CITY — A three-year pilot agricultural tourism project in three rural provinces has helped to diversify ecotourism products and raise incomes of local farmers, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Farmers’ Association Nguyen Huu Duc, said on Monday.

With the support of Agriterra, a development arm of five farmers’ unions in the Netherlands, the Viet Nam Farmers’ Association had chosen Tien Giang and An Giang provinces in the south and Lao Cai province in the north for the 2006-09 project to help local farmers develop their household economy and escape poverty, Duc said.

The provinces each have chosen two rural areas that have potential for agricultural tourism to participate in the projects.

Selected farmers in the rural areas are provided with professional skills courses on tourism services and are instructed to providewith tourism products that meet foreign tourists’ demand.

The project has also transferred farming techniques for selected farmers and instructed them to set up farm models to attract tourists.

Under the project, tourists would stay at local people’s houses, visit local tourism sites, enjoy local traditional festivals and dishes, and participate in farming activities.

Duc said local travel companies began to co-operate with the project last month to promote agricultural tours.

In Tien Giang Province, 25 farmer households in Chau Thanh District’s Vinh Kim Commune and My Tho City’s Tan My Chanh Commune and the Tien Giang Province Farmers Association have co-operated with travel companies to offer agricultural tours, including visiting famous Lo Ren star apple orchards in Vinh Kim Commune, Go Thanh archaeological site in Cho Gao District and small islets in the Tien River. — VNS

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Hanoi travel

♠ Posted by Unknown in Ha Noi,Viet Nam Travel

Hanoi gerneral information Area: 3.324,92 sq. km Population: 6,232,900 habitants (8/2008). Administrative divisions: - 9 urban districts: Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, Long Bien, Hoang Mai. - 2 cities: Ha Dong, Son Tay - 18 rural districts: Dong Anh, Soc Son, Thanh Tri, Tu Liem, Gia Lam (old Hanoi); Ba Vi, Chuong My, Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, My Duc, Phu Xuyen, Phuc Tho, Quoc Oai, Thach That, Thanh Oai. Thuong Tin, Ung Hoa (former Ha Tay province) and Me Linh (a former district of Vinh Phuc province). Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Muong, Tay, Dao... Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country.

Hanoi - the capital of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Hanoi - the capital of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the Political - Economic - Cultural - Scientific and Technological center of the whole country. Hanoi is located in the center of the Northern Delta with a population 2.9 million people, and an area 920.97 km2. Hanoi is an ancient city which had been established and developed for almost 1,000 years since 1010. There are many relics of the past, including well-known landscapes in Hanoi such as the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), the One - Pillar Pagoda, Sword Lake, Hanoi West Lake, History Museum, Flag Pole and Ancient city. There are 9 urban districts and 5 rural districts in Hanoi. Ba Dinh District is the national Political - Administration Center, Dong Da - Gia Lam - Dong Anh District are the Industrial Centers. Hanoi' geographical location is very convenient. It is the traffic clue of the road way, water way, rail way and air way from Hanoi to other provinces of Vietnam as well as to other countries in region and over the world. Hanoi is becoming the important economic and international transaction center of the whole country. Hanoi city is keeping the high pace of economic growth, stable political-social security. The average GDP growth was 11.6% annually during 1991-2002, which reached to 10.2% yearly in 2001 and 2002 and to 10.5% in 2003. The living standard of the people increases 3.5 times in comparision with 1990. There are 18,000 enterprises in non - state sectors. Upon the promulgation, the Law on Foreign investment in Vietnam on Dec 1987, and together with the realization of a series the Open-door Economy Policies, 42 nations and territories and hundreds of foreign groups and companies have entered Hanoi to look for investment and business opportunities. This market is estimated to be of great potential by foreign experts. As to the end of 2003, in Hanoi, there are 601 projects which have been granted investment licenses with the total investment capital of USD 9.1 billion. In there includes: 345 JV projects, 227 one - hundred percent foreign investment projects, 29 business co-operation projects. Five Industrial Zone have been established (Noi Bai - Soc Son Industrial Zone, Sai Dong B Industrial Zone, Thang Long Industrial Zone, Taiwan Industrial Zone) with the total area of 784 ha and the investment capital of USD 250 million for technical infrastructure. The foreign direct investment capital makes an important contribution to the economic restructuring, industrialization, modernization of Hanoi city tour and fast contribute economy structure: Industry - Service - Agriculture. In the last 10 years, Hanoi had attracted USD 712 billion for developing technical and social infrastructure system, environmental protection and social welfare. The total social investment increases 15 % - 17% annually. To undertake and use the foreign direct investment capital effectively, Hanoi has created an attractive investment environment with the potentials and convenient conditions as follows: - Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - the political center, where the offices of Vietnam leader are located such as: party Central Committee, Government, Ministries… Hanoi has a stable political basis, the economic policy is open, flexible, political basis, the political security and social order are guaranteed. Hanoi is located in a good place, the Economic and International transaction center of the whole country. - Hanoi is gathered with the intellectual human resources which is accounted for 62 % of the whole country science and management cadres who gained university certificate, professors, masters and are living and working in Hanoi. - Hanoi citizens’ standards of culture and working skills are rather high. They are able the modern technology and management in very short time. The labor cost in Hanoi is reasonable. - The Hanoi market potential is big. The Hanoi market also influences to other northern provinces all country, south of China, Laos… - The electricity and water supply to enterprises are good and stable. - The administration procedures to grant the Investment License for projects (especially the industrial project) are executed easily, conveniently and fast - The expenses such as social services, property and land rental, water and electricity are lower than other trade centers in Vietnam (especially the land rental is 25% off as compared with the price in the past). - Taxes are in favor, especially the Industrial projects and specially encouraging investment projects. To become an industrial city, a modern capital which can be compared with other capitals and large cities in region up to the year 2010, Hanoi Vietnam authority has issued the General Master Plan to develop the Capital Economy and Society to the year 2010, use to maximum the local potential and make good use of foreign capital resources such as FDI, ODA… to develop the City basic economic standards from 2 to 2.5 times until 2010. It is hoped that the Hanoi future achievements and results are helped importantly from the foreign investors.

Halong bay travel map

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Vietnam vacation package 10 days

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights Operate: Daily Tour route: Hanoi - Halong - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh city - Mekong - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh city Brief description: Vietnam is a country with a long history and a distinctive culture, and its people offer visitors a memorably warm hospitality and friendliness. In the North, enjoy the beauty of the natural landscapes and magnificent grottos in Halong Bay, which has been qualified by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site. In Hanoi, the capital and cultural center of Vietnam, visit many cultural and historical sites and see various works of art. In the central part of Vietnam, the Nguyen dynasty created a system of splendid Asian architectural pagodas and tombs. Going south to Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City, which was called "The Pearl of the Far East," it is now the center of the economic development and the future of the country. Pay a visit to the Mekong Delta and be fascinated by the immense orchards and romantic riverside landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D) Depart today for Hano.i Late this morning arrive into Hanoi, with the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, dinner and hotel Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing (B,L) anoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead, including a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, which was built by Ly Thai Tong and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Opera House and St. Joseph Cathedral. Conclude with a visit to Bao Tang Lich, once the museum of l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, which includes artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, breakfast, lunch, entrance fee and hotel Day 3: Excursion to Halong Bay and Boat Trip ( B,L) Depart this morning for magnificent Halong Bay, a dedicated UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, to enjoy a boat cruise past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). You will note as you cruise between the cliffs that many of them look like fairy-tale castles. Stop at one of the islands and visit one of the caves. Enjoy a seafood lunch onboard. Return to Hanoi with the rest of the afternoon and evening to relax. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, breakfast, lunch, boat, entrance fee and hotel Day 4: Fly to Hue/Tour the Old Imperial City (B,D) Today fly to Hue, Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Visit the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood. Your two nights in Hue are at La Residence Hotel & Spa. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, breakfast, lunch, domestic flight ticket, entrance fee, hotel Day 5: Thien Mu Pagoda/Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang (B,L) Just outside Hue, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River, which was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Next, visit the complex of the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, built in 1840, which is known for its magnificent architecture and elaborate decorations and is considered one of Hue's most beautiful pagodas. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Tu Duc Tomb, which was built for meditation, reading and theater performances in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. Your final stop is at Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. It has a remarkably long staircase flanked by dragons, ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Return to your hotel on the riverbank where your Art Deco inspired rooms are reminiscent of the 1920s and 1950s. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, breakfast, lunch, entrance fee and hotel Day 6: Danang/City Sightseeing (B, L,D) Today, journey south past the Hai Van Pass and Land Co, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, which features a fine collection of openair sandstone carvings. Stop at China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name. It stretches for many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains surrounding the area are five stone hillocks - once islands made of marble - and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. There are many natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Arrive at your beach resort, Furama Resort Danang. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, all meals, entrance fee and hotel Day 7: Hoi An Excursion/Thun Bon River Boat Trip (B, L) Enjoy a full-day excursion to Hoi An, a major trading center, once known as "Faifo" to the earliest Western traders. It was also an important port for the Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East. Visit a temple with partially gilded statues in the center, a pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen and a chapel with origins in the 1700s that reflects the influences of Chinese and Japanese styles. Stop at the Sa Huynh Museum, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Late this afternoon, take a boat trip on the Thun Bon River to Kim Bing Village on Cam Kim Island to see the wood workers and shipbuilding families. Return to your haven on world-famous "China Beach," with the evening at your leisure. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, boat, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch and hotel Day 8: Hoi an - Danang To Saigon/City Sightseeing (B, L) Breakfast then drop off to the aiport in Danang for flight to Sai Gon, On arrival pick you up at the airport then After that we will drive to Ho Chi Minh city and having lunch at the local restaurant with Vietnamese foods. Afternoon, we continue to downtown of Ho Chi Minh for touring along the famous Dong Khoi street , passing by the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral & central Post Office, War Remnants Museum and Independent Palace are located in the central Saigon. Drop off hotel late afternoon, check in hotel. O/N in HCMC Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, breakfast, lunch, entrance fee, domestic flight ticket, hotel Day 9: Sai gon - My Tho/Mekong River Boat Trip (B,L,D) Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which produce grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands that produce traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. Return to your hotel and bid your fellow travelers adieu at your farewell dinner. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, all meals, entrance fee, boat and hotel Day 10 : Conclude Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (B) You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Those wishing to extend their visit to include Cambodia should inquire about our 3 day program, which departs from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Riep this morning. Included services: Transfer, Tour guide, Breakfast.

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Vietnam Travel Information

♠ Posted by Unknown in Viet Nam Travel

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam borders with China in the north, Laos and Kampuchea in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Its lies in the centre of South-East Asia. Vietnam's territory stretches from Lung Cu village (Ha Tuyen province) in the north to Rach Tau hamlet (Minh Hai province) in the south. It is a S-shaped pennisula, with thousands of off-shore islands and archipelagoes; the biggest of which are the Hoang SA (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes. Vietnam's mainland covers 331,689 square kilometres .

According to archaeological discoveries made at Do Mountain, it is believed that life in Vietnam began as far back as 300,000 years ago. Officially, the history of Vietnam stretches back 4,000 years when it was founded by the Hung Kings. It was then named Van Lang.

When speaking upon the history of Vietnam, it is important to note the large role played by the French in Vietnam. It began in 1858, when the French took over Danang in southern Vietnam. Over time, more and more territory was won over by the French. It wasn't until 1954, when the French surrendered to to the Viet Minh, ending the French Indochina War, that the French colonial control in Vietnam ended.

The immediate image in the minds of most people at the mention of Vietnam is that of the war fought against the United States some twenty years ago. Most people think of the country only in terms of the American conflict in Indochina. The war ended nearly twenty years ago, and today, despite lingering signs of past American involvement, the situation in Vietnam is markedly different. People have finally begun to look at the country from another perspective, now that travelers and tourists from the West are being welcomed into what was once a forbidden country. It may take a bit more effort and tenacity to plan an excursion into Vietnam than it would for another Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam has much to offer in terms of culture and sights.

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2. WEATHER CONDITIONS

The weather in the southern part of Vietnam is tropical. It is monsoonal in the north, bringing a hot, rainy season from mid-May to mid-September and a warm, dry season from mid-October to mid-March. Occasional typhoons from May to January bring extensive flooding to the middle regions of Vietnam.

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3. PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese with minute percentages of Chinese. The Viet culture originated on the delta of the Red River and the Ma River where the Viet people cultivated paddy fields. They led a simple farming life in small villages, usually living around a communal house. Today the people living in the countryside follow this lifestyle. The Viet people are influenced by Confucianism, in particular the principle of respect for their elders.

In spite of the immense suffering of the Vietnamese and the somewhat ruined state of the country, they are generally warm and friendly, and surprisingly, the Vietnamese bear little if any resentment or bitterness toward Americans. Children in the streets will commonly greet visitors with the name Lien Xo, which means Russian, but they will easily be corrected if you respond, "Hello!" or "Good morning" and explain you are an American, European or Australian, etc.

Ethnic Groups:
The country is predominantly 85-90% Vietnamese, 3% Chinese, ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham, and other mountain tribes.

Languages:
Vietnamese is the official language; French, Chinese, English, Khmer and tribal dialects (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) are also spoken.

Religion:
Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic and Protestant.

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4. LOCAL CUSTOMS

Be firm, yet diplomatic when dealing with officials who will often be very rigid. In the case of misunderstanding, patience is the best policy.

Small gifts such as cigarette lighters, pens, foreign cigarettes, liquor, perfume and even shampoo are greatly appreciated by anyone you wish to make friends with in Vietnam.

Out of politeness, always ask permission before taking photos of people. The same rule of thumb also applies to photos taken in places of worship. Permission will almost always be granted.

A gentle handshake is the most appropriate manner of greeting.

Be very discrete about giving anything to beggars frequently encountered in Ho Chi Minh City . If anyone is seen giving handouts to a beggar, he or she may end up being pursued by a mob of other beggars. This does not help create a good image for foreigners; it gives them instead the reputation of being easy to hit up for money.

Beware of pickpockets. Keep your ID and passport in a safe place and carry only photocopies of those items.

Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist pagodas. Small donations placed in the boxes found in temples are appreciated. It is acceptable to keep your shoes on within Chinese pagodas.

Never let the soles of your feet face other people or any sacred monument, such as a statue of Buddha.

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5. CURRENCY

The Dong (D) is the official currency in Vietnam.
Exchange rate is approximatley 1 USD = 15,000 Dong (Sep 01)

Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 100 / 200 / 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 and 50,000 Dong

Notes under 200 Dong have little value and are rarely used.

The U.S. dollar is more or less a second currency in Vietnam. Other foreign currencies are not readily accepted. A large supply of US$1, US$5 and US$10 are almost essential for tipping, for small expenses and for hotel bills. U.S. money is so common that change will frequently be given in dollars.

You may bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency as long as it is declared on the forms provided by customs officers. Foreign currency can be exchanged for dong at your hotel or at the State Bank of Vietnam.

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6. THINGS TO KNOW

Population: About 78 Million People
Capital: Hanoi
Flag: The flag of Vietman is red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center.
Shop Hours: Shops run from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.
Bank Hours: Most banks are opened from 7am or 8am to 11am or 11:30am Some are open from 1pm or 2pm to 4pm or 5pm.

Holidays
January 1 Solar New Year's Day
January/February Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan). The most important Vietnamese annual festival. This marks the new lunar year and the advent of spring. This is a three-day holiday, usually at the end of January or the beginning of February (according to the solar calendar)
February 3 Anniversary of the Foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam
April 30 Liberation Day, the day on which Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) fell to Hanoi in 1975. This holiday is commemorated nationwide.
May 1 Labour Day
May 19 Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh
September 2 National Day of Vietnam

Time: +7:00, Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 14 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, but it is enormously appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal is a very small amount of money, but to the average Vietnamese, it could easily equal a day's wages. Avoid tipping too much, as it will set a precedent for others.

Restaurants: Government-run restaurants catering to tourists add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Porters: Porters, if they are available, can be tipped with American coins.

Hotel maids: Government-run hotels catering to tourists charge an automatic 10% service fee.

Taxis: Generous tips are not necessary. A small gratuity, however, is expected by cab drivers.

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7. VISAS AND PASSPORT

Passports and visas are required for entry into Vietnam. The best place to obtain a visa for Vietnam is Bangkok. The visa will specify where you will be arriving and where you will be leaving, in addition to how long you can stay.

Formerly, tours had to be booked to obtain a visa, but this is no longer the situation. Potential visitors to Vietnam must fill out three applications for entry and exit visas, accompanied by three passport photos 4cm x 6cm. One of the applications must be sent to the most convenient diplomatic or consular mission of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The other two applications/photos are carried with you and handed in at the first point of entry.

If you require Asia Travel to assist you in the application, please send an email with the following information to:asiatrav@asiatravel.com:

Surname and first name
Date and place of birth
Nationality
Present place of residence
Profession
Time and point of entry and exit

Some Embassies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:

Australia
6 Timbarra Crescent
O'Malley
ACT 2603
Tel (062) 866059

France
62, rue Boileau
75016 Paris
Tel 4524-5063 or 4527-6255

Mexico
Sierra Ventana 255
11000 Mexico, DF
Tel 540-1612

Thailand
83/1 Wireless Road
Bankok
Tel (02) 251-7201

United Kingdom
12-14 Victoria Road
London W8 5RD
Tel 937-1912

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8. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Duty-Free Items
Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 1 liter of wine, 1 liter of liquor and an unlimited amount of film. Commercial goods and items of high value being taken out of Vietnam require export permits from the Customs Service. Antiques may be confiscated permanently. No local currency may be taken out of the country.

The Customs Service Headquarters
21 Ton Duc Thang St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel 90095

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9. TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY

Airports
Noi Bai International Airport
Hanoi
Tan Son Nhat Airport
Ho Chi Minh City
Fares are significantly lower for those flying to Ho Chi Minh City. Although flights are available from the capitals of most Southeast Asian countries as well as from Sydney and Melbourne, the best place is from Bangkok as visas are easiest to obtain there.

Airlines
Vietnam Airlines (International)
116-118 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 292118
Vietnam Airlines (Domestic)
27b Nguyen Dinh Chieu St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 299980
Air France
Dong Khoi and Le Loi St. (Caravelle Hotel)
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 241278
Aeroflot
4H Le Loi St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 93489
Thai Airways
116 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 292118
Philippine Airlines
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 292200
MAS
116 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 30695

Trains
There are currently no train lines running between Vietnam and its neighboring countries.

Buses
Traveling by road from Cambodia is a slow and expensive alternative to flying. It is highly advisable that travelers fly in instead.

Ships and Ferries
There are no official passenger services. Travelers may be able to ride on a cargo ship to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang or Haiphong from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and France. Check with the local shipping and travel agencies for rates and availability. A ferry service runs from Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta.

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10. TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY

Cars
Car rentals are currently not in existence. Cabs, which are unmarked cars without meters, can typically be rented for the day for US$30 to US$40. Trains
The Vietnamese railway system runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi along the coast and links with Haiphong and the regions further north. Odd-numbered trains travel South, and even-numbered trains travel north. The fastest trains take at least 36 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Reservations should be made a day or more in advance. The major setback to the railways is that tourists are charged many times more than Vietnamese people in the form of an outrageously high surcharge. For long distance traveling, it is best to fly.
Buses
The bus system runs almost everywhere within the country, with stations built around the country dividing the territory into regions. Buses tend to be slow and unreliable.

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11. SIGHTSEEING

Ho Chi Minh City
This is the largest city in Vietnam. It is the industrial, commercial and cultural center of the country. The central city area is still called Saigon.

WAR CRIME MUSEUM

This museum exhibit crimes committed by the Americans during the war. Photographs of the famous My Lai massacre, human embryos, genetically deformed babies and innocent civilians being tortured can be seen on display. An array of US armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons are displayed in the courtyard. You can also see a guillotine used by the French to de itate troublemakers in the riots of the 1920s and a model of the famous tiger cages used by the South Vietnamese to house VC prisoners on Con Son island. The War Crime Museum basically reveals a different side of the stories about wars - the innocent victims of modern warfare.

HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Built in 1929 by the Societe des Etudes Indochinioses, it was formerly named Blanchard dels Brosse. A big statute of President HoChiMinh stands in the main lounge of the museum. The museum has an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the primitive age, bronze age, the Tran dynasty and the Le Dynasty. Take a look at the array of musical instrument especially the special monocord of the one string musical instruments. There are many valuable relics taken from Cambodia's Angkor Wat.
REUNIFICATION PALACE
In 1868, the Norodom Palace (original name) was built for the French Governor-General of Indochina. A striking modern architecture was built when the original buildings were damaged by bombs. Rebuilt in 1962, it comprises of a ground floor, 3 main floors, two mezzanines and a terrace for helicopter landing. The palace includes many tastefully decorated rooms such as the reception room, the cabinet reference room, the study rooms, the credentials presentation room and the banquet room. It also has a basement with a network of tunnels connecting to the telecom centre and war room and one of the longest tunnels which stretch all the way to the Revolutionary Museum. The grounds outside contain one of the first tanks to burst through the gates of the palace to signify the end of the Vietnam War as well as the fighter plane which dropped further bombs towards the end of the war. Independence Palace was renamed the Unification Palace to denote the spirit and strong will for national independence and reunification
Ben Thanh Market
The Ben Thanh Market, formerly the main railway terminal, is the largest of the markets scattered throughout the city. A wide variety of goods are available, from imported electronics to imported perfumes.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This Catholic church was constructed in 1883 and is located near the Tu Do (Dong Khoi) Street, the former red-light district.
Presidential Palace
This building is now called the Reunification Hall. The center was built as a modern administration center and is where the war and the American involvement in Vietnam ended in April 1975, with tanks invading the compound. Guided tours will take visitors through the various rooms within the complex.
Cholon
Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. Sights include the Binh Tay Market, the An Quang Pagoda (District 5) and the scenic Thien Hau Temple.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
A modern Japanese-style Buddhist temple, easily one of the largest and most impressive in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tay Ninh

Cu Chi Tunnels
An extensive network of nearly 200 miles (322mi) of Viet Cong tunnels used in the French Indochina war and American war. The tunnels have complete facilities, from kitchens to printing presses and even street signs, all of which were used to aid the NLF (National Liberation Front) military. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze. Located in Tay Ninh (suburb of Ho Chi Minh City), 24 miles (39km) northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City.
CAO DAI TEMPLE
Cao Daism seeks to create the ultimate religion by fusing Buddhist, Taoist, Confucianist and Catholic beliefs into a synthesis of its own. Witness the solemn ceremony of the unique religion - Caodaism at Caodai Holly See at its noon tide prayer service with followers dressed in red, blue, yellow and white robes. There is the divine eye above the altar, the religion's official symbol. The temple has nine levels which signify the nine steps to heaven, each level marked by a pair of multicoloured dragons.

MEKONG DELTA
One of the world's largest delta, the Delta Region is formed by the various tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which begins its journey to the sea in Tibet and winds its way for 4500 km through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. The vietnamese name for the Mekong is Cuu Long which means "nine dragons" and this is represented by the nine exit points of the Mekong River as it flows into the sea. The land of the Mekong Delta is renowned for its richness. Known as Vietnam's breadbasket, it produces enough rice to feed the entire country with a sizeable surplus leftover. Take a sampan ride that meanders through small villages and experience the simple lives of the Mekong people

Vung Tau Beach
Located at the mouth of the Saigon River is the popular Vung Tau beach resort. Pineapple Beach is probably the most pleasant, with its villas and generally tranquil atmosphere. The temples are a definite must-see. The Niet Ban Tinh Xa is the largest temple in Vietnam. Tourist accommodations are available at the Hoa Binh Hotel, as well as the Thang Loi, Thang Thai and Tho Nguyet.

Nha Trang
The central region near Nha Trang features some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The ocean waters are transparent, and the sands immaculate, attracting more and more visitors in recent times. Tours cover the Cham Ponagar complex, the north tower of which was built in 817 A.D. Ruins of the long-deceased Champa still stand as a testament to this once prominent kingdom.

Dalat
The mountain resort among the Central Highlands has scenic surroundings as well as remnants of the French colonial era. The Ethnic Minority Museum is certainly worth visiting for those interested in the costumes, gongs, ornaments and other artifacts collected by locals from the Lam Dong province. As another point of interest, there is even an old abandoned nuclear power plant.

Danang City
Known as Tourane under the French, Danang is a seaport of endless stretches of unspoiled sandy beach midway between Ha Noi to the north and Ho Chi Minh City to the South. The city was also the center of civilization of the Champa Kingdom, a kingdom which flourished In the area as early as the 2nd century A.D. Appealing stone sculptures (from the 4th-14th centuries) of Vishnu , Shiva and other Gods of this Kingdom can still be found in the Cham museum located in the center of the city Towards the coast south of Danang are five large hills known as the Marble Mountain. Mysterious caves within the mountains shelter altars delicated to Buddha, Bodhisattvas and The different genies arising from the popular beliefs of the area's inhabitants. With its own international and domestic airport, Danang provides an ideal stopover based for excursions to the ancient town of Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue and My Son-site of the Ruins from the Cham civilization.

Cham Ruins
For those interested in seeing all that these fifteen towers have to offer, plan on spending a minimum of one day. These towers are located at My Son in the Duy Xuyen district.
Cham Museum
The Cham Museum built in 1915, expanded in 1935 , completed in 1936, is in a lovely setting And has large, open well lighted rooms with around 296 statues and artifacts of the Cham People dated back to the 7th century.
Marble Mountains
Consisting of five limestone peaks, about five (8km) miles south of town. They can be explored by following the paths leading to the peaks.
Non Nuoc Beach
China Beach, one the most wonderful beaches of Vietnam , was once an in country rest and Recreation centre for the US military during the Vietnam War.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Forty-five minutes by land south-east of Da Nang is the ancient town of Hoi An, which was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia for merchants from China, Japan and afar for a couple of centuries ago. Originally a seaport in the Champa Kingdom, by the 15th century It had become a coastal town under the Tran dynasty. Also served as the hub of East-West c ultural exchange, Hoi An's ancient past is superbly preserved in its fascinating temples, pagoda, shop houses and home which make up the town's old quarter. Walking in the streets of this ancient town, one can observe the influence of the architecture, Sculpture and decorative styles of China and Japan and the skill of former Vietnamese architects Who have absorbed their influences and created something similar yet somehow uniquely different.

HUE

Hue, the imperial city, the citadel-city of Phu Xuan was originally built up during the end of 17th Century and became a political capital as well as the Imperial City of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 2nd September 1945 when the Communist Party, leaded by President Ho Chi Minh had declared the Independent of the Nation and took over the power from the defeated Japanese Governor. Nowadays, this small & poetical city of 280.000 habitants becomes one of the main tourism site of Vietnam destination by its splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas especially the Thien Mu Pagoda, the remains of Citadel as well as the romantic Perfume River where a cruise tour with Hue music performance in the moonlight was always provided since long time ago. Normally, visiting Hue within a day is a bit rush but still enough time to cover the main attractive sites such as The Citadel, The museum of antique, the tombs of Khai Dinh and Tu Duc emperors and a 02 hours cruise with stop over at Thien Mu pagoda.

Citadel & Forbidden City

This forbidden city of 10km. perimeter has 4 main entrance gates and well defended by kilometers of rampart was built in 1804 by the first emperor Nguyen Anh on a site chosen by geomancers and look likes a Chinese forbidden city in Beijin. Some parts of this forbidden city were totally destroyed during the war where now are under reconstruction providing UNESCO & Japanese non-government associations' fund. Lucky thing is most of the main area such as the citadel (the Imperial Enclosure), Flag Tower were remain intact where received hundred of visitors daily.
The Museum of Antique (Imperial museum)
This beautiful hall which house the Imperial Museum was built in 1845. The most precious artefacts were lost during the war (1954-1973) and the liberation day (1975) but ceramics, furniture and royal relics are remain until the present time.
Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb
This is the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase. Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town. It takes almost 10 years (1920-1931) to finish this grandiose concrete tomb which is completely unlike the others tombs where there was a mixture of typical Vietnamese & French colonial architecture. After climbing 36 steps passing by rows of elephants, horses, civil & military mandarin you will be reached the main building where a full original artefacts are displayed to the public.
Tu Duc Emperor's Tomb
The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues. This majestic and serene tomb with lake view, grove of pines, temples, living house area is the most expensive tomb which was completely terminated after 5 years by thousands of labor-worker (1863-1868) for this intellectual-poet emperor.
Minh Mang Emperor's Tomb
The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.
Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River Cruise
Unlike the typical boat used to provide in the past the present Hue cruise is providing a motorized boat which carry a 2 hours cruise along Perfume River including a 30 min stop over Thien Mu pagoda. This pagoda located on the hillock overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1844 by Thieu Tri emperor, 21m-high octagonal tower with seven-storey is one of the most famous structures in all over the country and become an unofficial symbol of Hue until now.

Hanoi

One Pillar Pagoda
Built in the 11th century, this pagoda sits on a stone pillar in the middle of a pond. This is one of the more unusual structures in Vietnam.
Lenin Park (Thong Nhat Park)
Built over a former marsh, this park surrounds a large lake containing a statue of Lenin, often the object of jokes among the locals. The park itself is quite beautiful.
Tran Nhan Tong Street.
National Preserve of Cuc Phuong
This national park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of flora, many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres. Caves and grottoes, where various artifacts have been discovered, are located in the mountains within.
Ha Nam Ninh Province. It is located approximately 62 miles (100 Km.) southwest of Hanoi.
Thu Le Park
Located northwest of Hanoi in the Thu Le village.

Haiphong

Cat Ba
This island is the largest in the Cat Ba archipelago. It is potentially one of the major beach destinations in Southeast Asia. This region has beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Within the mountains are caves and grottos. Located 36 miles (58km) east of Haiphong.

Halong Bay
One of Vietnam's most beautiful areas, Halong Bay has fascinating limestone formations, coves for nighttime excursions, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and scores of small islets.

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12. DINING AND DRINKING

Vietnamese food varies from region to region. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded! Rice and noodles are staple foods, served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are nema rán (spring rolls), bún thang (noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp), shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crab meat, lobster and oysters.

Imported beer is available in Vietnam, although a number of domestic beers are brewed. Rice wine is very popular, and there are many brands available. There is a variety of fruit wines such as apricot, orange or lemon. Soft drinks are processed from the many varieties of tropical fruits available. Water from the tap should be avoided, even though it has already been filtered and sterilized at 10ºC. If you must drink it, boil the water first.

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13. ENTERTAINMENT

Vietnam is not the place to go for the latest in nightspots, but a number of large hotels have nightclubs and dance halls. Bars are fairly easy to find, even in smaller hotels. Try asking the locals for the current popular spots.

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14. EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police: 03
Ho Chi Minh City Police Station
161 Nguyen Du, Quan 1
Tel 99398 or 97107
Open from 8am-11am and 1pm-4pm
Hanoi Police Office for the Registration of Foreign Visitors
63 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi
All visitors must register with the police within 48 hours of arrival. If you are on a tour, this should have been taken care of (but check anyway).
Fire Department: 08
First Aid: 05
International Dialing Access: Available at major tourist hotels and post offices
Country Code: 84
City Codes: Hanoi: 04 / Ho Chi Minh: 08
When calling from within the same city, delete the city code from the number. When calling to another city from within Vietnam, use the entire city code. When calling from outside Vietnam, delete the first digit (0) from the city code.

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16. USEFUL PHRASES

Greetings - Chao ong (ba)
How are you? - Ong (ba) co khoe khong?
Fine, thanks - Cam on rat tot
My name is ... - Tên tôi là ...
I don't understand - Tôi không hiêú
Restaruant - nhà hàng
Telephone - diên thoai
Hotel - khách san

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