Tien Phi Cave in Hoa Binh province is locaed in the complex of Hoa Binh township

After visiting Hoa Binh Dam, tourists should never miss the chance to go to Tien Phi cave on their path to Hoa Binh. The cave is situated on Thuc’s hill-top (maybe called in other name Thung Phi). The entry mouth is considerably narrow, followed by a gentle slope. Walking 10 more meters, you will see that because of the high and dry cave top, the atmosphere inside is pretty cool and comfortable. As you get farther into the cave, the more excited you may get. Despite the rough ground, you can still enjoy the stalactites glittering illusorily. Stalactites jut out in many funny and lively shapes, exciting visitors’ imagination. Much more interestingly, thanks to nature light from the hole on the cave’s roof, those stalactites become extremely spectacular when bright light is shone on them. Right in the middle of the cave is a charity box and an altar for those who want to prayer. This scene is so tranquil that it is like a sacred and mysterious castle among the world of shaped stones.

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Tien Phi Cave

Walking10 more meters to your left, you will see a dreamy fairy whose hair falls over her shoulders on an iridescent hammock. Besides, you can find many other rocks in the shape of Buddha, Jesus, leopard and lion etc.

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It is here in Tien Phi cave that visitors are exposed to a wide range of fairy tales. Natural masterpieces will definitely make such a good impression on visitors that they should never forget the time in this cave.

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Tam Cốc-Bích Động is a popular tourist destination near the city of Ninh Bình in northern Vietnam

Tam Coc Caves means three caves, these caves are located in Ninh Binh province, it takes around 90km by bus from Hanoi. This destination is the most famous and popular sight to be visited in the northern Vietnam. Tam Coc caves are also considered as ” Halong Bay on land”.

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Exploring Tam Coc caves, you are enjoyed riding the boat along the river and going through the caves under the rocky mountain, it will be unforgettable experienced for you because this trip is very specially, wothwhile and fun for both of a couple and family with children or even with the old people who like rowing on a small wooden boat along a beautiful and long river under the rocky mountains.

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Once you travel to Tam Coc caves you also should not miss to visit both of Hoa Lu and Bich Dong with its full route is Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Bich Dong in Ninh Binh. It is very easy for you to catch a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, it takes around just two hours by bus from Hanoi to this famous sightseeing.

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Kontum is one of the province belong to in the highland area of Vietnam, it is far away around 600km from Ho Chi Minh City, there is not any airport in this city so that catching a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku, then catch a bus from Pleiku to Kontum city is the best way, it takes around 50km from Pleiku airport to Kontum city.

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The best time to visit Kontum is in December because this month is the dry season but it is not hot in this area, this is the time for the special flowers to open, the rice fields everywhere and there are many traditional festivals of the many different ethnic groups to be organized in Kontum. Specially, while you visit to Kontum, you should not miss to try the coffee in this area because this is one of the most delicious drink at here.

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There are many famous sightseeing that are situated just around Kontum city that you must see on your trip at here such as Kontum Wooden Church, this special church has made by the wooden since 1913 and it is located in the center of Kontum. The next destination is Kon K’lor Communal House, this is the biggest cultural communal house in the highland area of Vietnam. The tourists also should not miss to visit another famous places in this highland city such as the Kon K’lor drawbridge, Kontum Park, Kontum Prison, Ngoc Linh Mountain….

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A visit to mountainous Sapa in Vietnam's north uncovers

Sapa is one the most beautiful remote sites in the north of Vietnam, it is beautiful not only about its mighty mountainous landscape but also this place is encompassed a lot of attractions as well as the local villages with the friendly, honest and kind local people. Visit this place you will feel the difference from the bustling cities because this place has the fresh air with the mighty mountains. Although you must trek into the villages but you will not feel tired and hot because how comfortable the weather it is.

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Explore Sapa, you also should not miss the attractions such as Y Linh Ho village, Ta Van village, Giang Ta Chai village, Ban Ho Village, and specially is Bac Ha market which is just organized in Sunday every week only, Coc Ly Tuesday market…..beside you trek in these places to explore the wonderful sightseeing, you will meet the local people who are very poor but very friendly. You will never forget the local people and families at here.

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Although Sapa is far from Hanoi, but now it is very easy, fast and flexible for you to choose the different vehicles to arrive here, you could take a night train or bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then catch bus from Lao Cai to Sapa by around 30km.

At here, there are a lot of the special and delicious food and dishes of the locals such as Thang Co, grill egg….there are some dishes which I believe that it is your first time to see it, but please try it to feel really about Sapa via these special dishes.

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Vinh Long is one of the province to be belonged to the Mekong Delta. This province is the most famous with Cai Be Floating Market and another main sites such as Long Thanh Communal House, Vinh Trang farm, Tien Chau Pagoda…

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Taking a boat trip in Vinh Long is the best suggestion, because almost of people at here transfer by boat to go around their villages, exploring Vinh Long you will have a chance to row a small wooden boat on the small canals in the river by your own at here, this activity is very very fun and special and you should not miss this activity on your trip in Vinh Long, vietnam.

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The local people in Vinh Long do their business mostly by boat in the river, and the Cai Be Floating market is the biggest place where the local people arrive to selling their goods’ produces, this market is organized early in the morning from 6am to 10am everyday, at this time this market is very crowed and in a rush because almost tourists and the local come here to visit and do business.

It takes around three hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long, it is very easy for tourist to transfer from Saigon to Vinh Long, so if you stay in Saigon you should not miss to visit Vinh Long with Cai Be Floating market and another sites at here.

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The Khau Vai love market was recently recognised as an historical

The Khau Vai love market, in Ha Giang province, takes place only once a year when the moon completely disappears for the last time in March. According to legend, the market dates back to the unrequited love between a young boy and girl. They fell deeply in love but as they were from different tribes, were forbidden to be together.

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A bitter quarrel erupted between the two families and the couple were forced to end the affair. Unable to bear the thought of never seeing each other again, they decided to meet on the same day every year in Khau Vai, vietnam. Today, the site of the forbidden rendezvous is home to the love market.

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The market is not just for a hopeful marriage. It is also the social event of the year, where old friends meet up and new ones are made. No matter their age, everyone looks forward to the chance to chat over sticky rice, grilled cassava or rice dumplings. The celebrations begin the evening before, with a night of song and dance and performances expressing fervent wishes for eternal love; romantic melodies fill the night air.

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Ho Chi Minh City has various attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum

On the west side of Ba Dinh Square, a heavy grey structure, built on stone quarried from Marble Mountain near Danang, is Ho Chi Minh’s last resting place.

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An unassuming man, who notably shunned the comforts and trapping of power, Ho Chi Minh had specially requested that he be cremated and his ashes scattered in Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam, symbolizing the national unity to which he had devoted his life. In keeping with these beliefs, he had also vetoed the construction of a small museum on his life at his home village near Kim Lien, Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province, arguing that the funds could be better employed in building a school. However, after Ho Chi Minh’s death in 1969, the leading members of the Vietnamese politburo altered his final testament by deleting his request to be cremated. Instead, with the help of Soviet specialists, the leader was embalmed and installed at the Ho chi minh mausoleum hours

The building’s exterior is considered by many as both ponderous and unappealing. Astonishingly, the architects apparently intended the structure to represent a lotus flower, though it is difficult to understand how.

Inside, the mood is somber and decidedly respectful, if somewhat overpowering at times. Ho Chi Minh, dressed in simple clothing favored by Chinese nationalist leader Sun Yat Sen, lies in a chilled, dim room, his crossed hands resting on dark cloth covers.

The mausoleum is an important pilgrimage site for many Vietnamese, especially from the north, and should be approached with respect and reverence. Any kind of noisy behavior, loitering, and inappropriate clothing is strictly forbidden.

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Tourist Information for Halong bay featuring up-to-date information on attractions

According to legend, an immense dragon descended to Ha Long Bay (meaning ‘’Descending Dragon’’) millions years ago, dropping numerous eggs. These eggs hatched forming thousands of rocks and islands. The tail of the dragon extended far to the sea, forming Bach Long Vi (meaning ‘’The Tail of the White Dragon’’). As she returned to heaven, she said good bye to her offspring at the Bai Tu Long Bay (means ‘’The dragon parts the offsprings’’).

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Now the Park is part of Van Don district, 20 km distant from Cai Rong town.

Geography:

The exactly geographical position is in a rectangle between 20°55'05" and 21°15'10" North latitude, 107°30'10" and 107°46'20" East longitude. It administratively consists of 3 communes: Minh Châu, Vạn Yên and Hạ Long of Van Don district.

It is composed from a terrestrial area of 61.25 km2 and an aquatic area of 96.58 km2. The zone includes over 40 islands and rocks. They form three groups : Ba Mùn group, Trà Ngọ group and Sậu group. The aquatic area includes the sea zone between the islands and the narrows between the park area and the land area which has boundary of 1 km offshore. The National Park also includes a buffer zone of approximately 165.34 km2, which is located in a larger area including 5 communes : Minh Châu, Vạn Yên, Bản Sen, Quan Lạn and Hạ Long. The total population of the core zone and the buffer zone is around 24.000.

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Ecosystem:

The National Park includes five kinds of ecosystems: Rain Broad Leaves Forest, Limestone Forest, Littoral Forest, Coral Area and Shallow Water Area.

The Rain Broad Leaves Forest area is mostly secondary forest. The average canopy covers 50 – 90%. 494 species belonging to 337 genera of 117 families have been found in this type of ecosystem. Some endangered species include Cycas balansae, Radix marindae officinalis, Ardisia sylvestris Pitard, Smilax glabra, Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha).

The Limestone Forest area is forest growing in poor soil with particles of limestone on rocky islands. Some rare animals found there include Serow, Rhesus macaque.

The Littoral Ecosystem in the park is small areas surrounding the islands. It has a rather large tidal variation and is biologically highly diverse with 251 species including 19 species of mangrove, 17 species of seaweed, 29 species of marine worms, 149 species of molluscs, 22 species of crustaceans and 15 species of echinoderms.

The Coral area is located from the water depths of low tide to 10m deep. 409 species have been found including groupers, sea bass, crabs, snails, abalone and seaweeds.

The shallow water area covers a large area around the islands, beyond the tidal area and extending from 1 km to around 4 km. These areas have not been profoundly researched but 539 species have been found.

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Sam Son beach in Thanh Hoa province has been popular

Driving 16km from the center of Thanh Hoa and 170 km from Hanoi, tourists in Vietnam travel will reach Sam Son Beach in Thanh Hoa province. This place has been a famous spot for Vietnam tourism since the beginning of the previous century, when the French begun building facilities there to serve themselves and the courts of the Nguyen regime. In addition to the gifts that the nature presents, Sam Son also has many attractions for the travelers to explore.

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Sam Son Beach- One amongst the Most Beautiful in Northern Vietnam

This is a long and beautiful beach reaching more than 16km in length. Visitors will have some unforgettable moments when they wallow in the cool blue sea, listen to songs of the wave and the wind, and take a nap on the sunlight sandbanks or build sand castles. Also, this is a good place to try various local seafood varieties such as shrimps, crabs, fishes and also to bring back home some nice souvenirs. The very flat and gentle sandbank, combined with the clean and blue water makes the scenery of Sam Son beach magnificent and attractive.

Sam Son attracts a larger number of tourists in Vietnam travel in summer vacation annually

Besides the beaches, Sam Son also has another fascinating destination with many natural attractions and historical relics: the Truong Le Mountain range. The part that is contiguous to the sea is called Co Giai Islet. On top of this islet, there is a small pagoda named “Doc Cuoc”, which means “One Leg”. The pagoda is the place for the local people to recall the epic legend of a giant that manages to slay a sea monster and to guard the sea in the past. Also, there is a special rock name “Trong Mai”, formed with two huge boulders on a flat rock. There is a story that these rocks represent a pair of husband and wife, who love each other passionately even when both have been transformed into birds.

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Beautiful Landscape of Truong Le Mountain Range

If you are a lover of beach travel and making tours to Vietnam, Sam Son beach that is in top of beautiful beaches in the North Vietnam should be listed on your trip.

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Thanks to the beautiful beach, Nha Trang city

With over 250 days of sunshine each year, some of the best hotels in Vietnam, miles of sandy beach and an ever increasing range of sports facilities, entertainment venues and nightlife, Nha Trang has plenty to offer all visitors.

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Beach: 

The 6km-long (4 miles) sandy beach, fringed by palms and casuarina trees, is one of the best in Vietnam with clean water, making it a perfect place for swimming. Visitors can rent a sunbed and vendors regularly pass by selling soft drinks and fresh fruit. The offshore islands and coral reefs are ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving and watersports centres rent out windsurfers.

Beyond the beach: 

Pride of place are the Po Nagar Cham Towers (in the north of Nha Trang on Cu Lao overlooking the Cai River), built by the Cham people between the 7th and 12th centuries. They are still a place of worship, and Vietnamese come here to pray and make offerings. A gleaming white Buddha, visible from all over Nha Trang, sits on top of a hill reached from the Long Son Pagoda below. To the south of the town, on a promontory jutting out into the South China Sea, are Bao Dai's villas (just north of Cau Da Dock), a holiday retreat for Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, where you can explore the grounds. Once you have had enough culture, escape by boat to the islands for some cooling swimming and snorkelling in pristine seas or relax in the hot waters and mud baths of Thap Ba Hot Spring.

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Family fun: 

If the kids find the beach too tame for them the Phu Dong Water and Amusement Park on Tran Phu Street can provide hours of entertainment. There is even a night market for souvenir shopping and food stalls to end the day with a delicious meal of fresh seafood and local specialities. Children will love the opportunity to see the colourful marine life in the South China Sea on a glass bottomed boat tour. For a thrill and a day of fun take the kids on the cable car across the sea to the Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre Island where there is an amusement park, food village and shopping. Take a boat excursion to the aptly named Monkey Island and feed the resident troop of monkeys.

Exploring further:

Two hours from Nha Trang is Whale Island, a resort where you can really get away from it all. Stay in beach bungalows and explore the unspoilt island with its impressive array of birdlife or you can sail, canoe, windsurf or go diving and see colourful fishes and coral and even whales and whale sharks on their annual visit from April to July. Explore the highland areas with an overnight excursion to Buon Ma Thuot passing rubber and coffee plantations en route and stopping at a waterfall for a refreshing swim. In Buon Ma Thuot visit an ethnic minority village and ride an elephant.

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A comprehensive list of things to do in Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam

Buon Ma Thuot lies about 190 km inland from Nha Trang and around 200km north of Dalat. A large town in a coffee plantation area, it’s the provincial capital of Dak Lak province but its main interest for visitors are the natural surroundings and the thirty or so ethnic groups in the area. Dak Lak is warmer and more humid than Dalat, with a rainy season from April to November.

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The town itself is nondescript apart from the Kha Doan Pagoda, an unusual combination of the features of an Ede long house with a roof designed in accordance with Hue imperial architecture. It was built to commemorate the wife of Emperor Khai Dinh – her son was Emperor Bao Dai, the last of the dynasty.

Gia Long WaterfallMost of Buon Ma Thuot’s attractions lie well away from the town. They include the excellent Gia Long and Dray Nur waterfalls, both little visited. Gia Long is adjacent to ancient forest – Emperor Bao Dai used to hunt there.

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The forest is spectacular – enormous trees, vines, and a profusion of insects. Nearby is a natural swimming pool, an almost rectangular basin with a sandy bottom.

On the other bank are the remains of a bridge and lake built by Bao Dai, now being slowly strangled by the lush vegetation.

Dray Nur is a complete contrast. Set in dry, arid land, its waters thunder over black volcanic rock. Its comparatively barren surroundings enhance the impact of the falls – standing at the bottom among the swirling mist, the noise is deafening.

Serene Lak Lake offers travel in a dugout canoe across the lake to ride working elephants and meet their mahouts through ethnic villages, some with homestay facilities.

About thirteen miles from the town there is a settlement of Ede people who live in distinctive longhouses on stilts. It's a good starting point for a hike through Nam Kha Forest.

Further away to the northwest is Yok Don, Vietnam’s largest national park. Several ethnic groups live within it, notably the M’nong people who traditionally specialised in hunting and domesticating the wild elephants that roamed in the area.

However, the effects of US bombing and defoliation, together with loss of habitat from agricultural encroachment have drastically reduced their numbers. The journey to Yok Don is quite taxing, but the forests are striking and there are many species of flora and fauna, some very rare.

Although depleted, there are still plenty left, both wild and domesticated. Elephant riding in Yok Don is the real McCoy rather than the gentler tourist version at Lak Lake. During the dry season, two-day safari-style forays into the deep forest can be arranged. Homestays are possible, and there’s a few bedrooms available in the park’s headquarters – either way, don’t expect anything other than the most basic accommodation.

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Quy Nhon City – A wonderful destination for your holiday

Qui Nhon is the little visited provincial capital of Binh Dinh province. Although it was recognised as a city as late as 1898, its history reaches back to the days of the Kingdom of Champa. In the 11th century, the Cham people migrated southwards and moved their capital city to a location about 30km north of present-day Qui Nhon and named it Vijaya. It survived until 1471, when the citadel was sacked by the Vietnamese.

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The nearby city of An Nhon (formerly Binh Dinh) was an old Annamese capital.

On both the railroad and coastal highway, it became an important naval and military base during the Vietnam War. The small fishing port was dredged and expanded by the United States military in 1965. Its strategic role led to heavy fighting in the surrounding area.

Today, Qui Nhon is an expanding port city with a population of about a quarter of a million. until recently, it has been isolated from the main tourism routes roughly half-way between Danang and Nha Trang. However, air links to Danang and Ho Chi Minh City has made it more accessible, and a recently-built international hotel offers the possibility of a relaxing break well away from the more travelled path.

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The ancient Cham Pa legacy

Little remains of Vijaya. It became the capital of the short-lived Tay Son Kingdom in the 18th century and abandoned thereafter. Now only a few walls and a single tower remain standing.

There are fourteen Cham towers and monuments in varying stages of decay around Binh Dinh province, but the most convenient are a mere two kilometres from Qui Nhon city centre. The Thap Doi Cham Towers are surrounded by buildings, which diminished their impact somewhat, but they are good examples of Cham craftsmanship.

Further away, there are two notable sites. The four remaining towers of the Banh It group are on a hill just outside Binh Dinh town, about 25km inland from Qui Nhon. The 22m-high main tower has been restored, with plenty of replacement brickwork in evidence. The neighboring tower has also been tidied up, but has been left in a rougher state. Several fine bas-reliefs of dancers from Banh It are displayed in the Cham Museum in Danang.

Around 50km from Qui Nhon, the three Thap Nga (Ivory) Cham Towers are regarded as one of the best Cham tower complexes in Vietnam. The central building is 24m high, and embellished with granite ornamentation representing Naga and Elephants. The others are both 22m high.

The Quang Trung Museum

Nguyen Hue, a national hero of the 18th century, was one of three brothers who led the Tay Son Insurrection. In 1788, he led a peasant army northwards from Phu Xuan (Hue) to Thang Long (Hanoi) where they defeated the occupying Chinese forces and liberated the royal capital. Nguyen Hue declared himself Emperor Quang Trung, but his dynasty lasted only fourteen years before his forces were crushed by the Nguyen Lords.

Despite the brevity of his reign, he is regarded with great affection in Vietnam, hence the museum created in his memory. It’s located in Kien My village in Tay Son District, 45km from Qui Nhon,

The Long Khanh Pagoda

Quin Nhon City is short of attractions, but the Long Khanh pagoda is worth a visit. The 17m high Buddha is impressive, as is the ‘thousand-eyed and thousand handed’ Goddess of Mercy.

The Leper Hospital

Normally, this wouldn’t feature as a place to visit. However, this one is different. Instead of the usual depressing institution, Qui Nhon’s Leper Hospital is a model of good practice. Patients live with their family in comfortable chalets in well maintained gardens, and work on handicrafts. Visitors are always welcomed, and most find it an uplifting experience.

The Beach!

Qui Nhon’s beach is quite small, but OK. However, Qui Hoa beach is about eight kilometers away and much better. By coincidence, you get there through the grounds of the Leper Hospital.

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Ho Chi Minh City- one of the most popular Vietnamese destinations

The South is dominated by the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon, once a small fishing village that has expanded to well over 2,000km2 of urban sprawl with a population somewhere between 5 and 8 million (many residents are not registered).

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Its early history is hazy, but it appears to have begun as Prei Nokot, a small Kh’mer community on a patch of land in a forest surrounded by waterways on three sides. At the time, the area was ruled by Funan, an ancient southern port with an Indianised culture that expanded to become a powerful kingdom. Funan was eventually supplanted by Chen La, which was in turn absorbed into the Angkor Empire.

As Empires rose and fell, the waterside location of Prei Nokor attracted boats navigating the Mekong River. By the 17th century, it was a thriving trading community of Malay, Indian and Chinese merchants.

The end of the 17th century saw the steady southwards advance of the Viet people as it gradually overwhelmed the Kingdom of Champa, until it was absorbed into the Empire controlled by the Hue-based Nguyen Dynasty, and acquired a new name – Saigon.

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In the latter part of the 18th century, a peasants’ revolt led by the Tay Son brothers swept north and took control. Nguyen Anh, the Nguyen Emperor at the time, headed south, and fortified Saigon to be his capital in the south. When Nguyen Anh regained control, with help from the French, he retained Saigon as his southern administrative centre.

By the middle of the 19th century, the French seized Saigon and made it the capital of French Indochina. Under French rule it became a fashionable destination, but during the decades of the US-backed Saigon ‘government’, it was a byword for decadence, sleaze and corruption as money flowed in and the presence of large numbers of American GI’s stimulated the growth of brothels and gaming dens.

The end of the war, economic progress and a rebirth as Ho Chi Minh City has fuelled growth and created today's vibrant metropolis.

Its traffic is dreadful, petty crime is rife, land prices are soaring, and social problems abound, but its bustling chaos makes it easily Vietnam’s most exciting city. There is plenty to see and do, some of the best hotels in the country, and a vast range of places to eat and drink from simple street cafes to ultra swish (and ultra expensive) Vietnamese and international restaurants.

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Vũng Tàu was already a destination for vacationers.

About a 110km to the southeast of Ho Chi Minh City is Vung Tau, a Vietnamese resort and the centre of the country’s offshore oil industry, but a grubby reputation acquired during Vietnam’s black gold bonanza has dimmed. It’s a busy city with a few poor beaches, an attractive summer palace, a couple of interesting temples and other attractions and not much else. Nevertheless, Vung Tau and its hinterland have enough attractions to make a short visit worthwhile.

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Vung Tau is also the place to board a boat, plane or helicopter to visit the remote Con Dao Archipelago, 180km away.

Vung Tau’s history

Vung Tau has a long history. It’s believed that Portuguese merchantmen anchored in the deep waters of the bay for shelter and provisioning during the 15th century. In the 16th century, it was used by the Kh’mer kings as a place to water their elephants. The first settlements appeared during the reign of Emperor Gia Long. At that time, Malay bandits and pirates were active in the area region, threatening the nascent trading centre.

Gia Long deployed three garrisons of troops to deal with the problem. In 1822, Emperor Ming Mang rewarded the three commanders who had led the army to victory by assisting them to establish three settlements in the area, which they became known as Tam Thang (Three Wins). The modern name came later. The geography in the area forms a natural bay where many merchant ships sought shelter, hence Vung (puddle) Tau (ships).

The French began Vung Tau’s role as a seaside resort by building several fine villas to provide comfortable retreats for civil servants and officials from Saigon, including the Governor General of Indochina. Later, the last Emperor, Bao Dai, had a holiday palace built not far away – today it’s a luxury resort hotel.

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Vung Tau’s attractions

These do not include the beaches in the city, all of which are small, grubby and poor for swimming!

The most spectacular item of interest is the ‘giant Jesus’, a 30m high figure along the lines of the statue in Rio de Janeiro. It’s large enough to accommodate six people on each of the viewing platforms on the arms. Niet Ban Tinh Xa is a modern pagoda built ion the side of a hill. Reputedly the largest in Vietnam, it boasts a half-tonne bell and a 12m reclining Buddha.

A late afternoon walk to the lighthouse on the top of Small Mountain will reward you with excellent views.

In the town, the Lang Ca Ong temple is dedicated to the whale. It is one of a number of fishing areas where the little-understood ‘whale cult’ of Vietnam is established. Inside are whale skeletons revered as votive objects, and photographs of the rituals and ceremonies involved in worshipping.

Probably Vung Tau’s best attraction is the former residence of Paul Doumer, the Governor General of Indochina (1897-1902), generally considered to have been the architect of the colonial system in Vietnam. Although the building and gardens are notable in their own right, its main appeal is a selection of the exquisite Ching Dynasty Chinese ceramics salvaged in 1990 from the Vung Tau shipwreck off Con Dao Island at the end of the seventeenth century. The bulk of the enormous hoard was auctioned in Amsterdam but the villa contains some splendid pieces, some still encrusted with coral.

Near Vung Tau

Twenty kilometres from the city is Long Hai town, once a fishing village and now a decent small resort popular with Vietnamese people. During the American war, about seven thousand Australian soldiers were stationed in the area. Many former soldiers, and the families and friends of the 423 servicemen and technicians who died in Vietnam, return to visit the battle grounds and graves.

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Hai phong vision of Vietnam – an attractive destination in Asia

Further away, the Du Hang pagoda is located in an attractive street of artisans cottages – the wood-carving is impressive. Somewhat surprisingly, there appears to be a distinct K’hmer influence upon its ornamentation.

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Although set in the midst of factories and ramshackle buildings, Dien Hang Kenh is a first-rate communal house facing an ornamental lake, now used as a temple. Unfortunately, it is beginning to feel its age, but the accumulating dust and grime doesn’t disguise a remarkable sweeping roof supported by massive ironwood pillars, or the fine ornamentation and wood-carvings within.

Stone temple near Hai PhongOut of the city, the rural scenery is unexpectedly agreeable. Our customers often enjoy a gentle cycle ride along the winding lanes and through the small villages and old temples..

Do Son is a small seaside town near Haiphong. The beach is polluted and the town has a ‘fin de siècle’ feel about it. Apart from one of Vietnam’s few casinos (which Vietnamese citizens are not allowed to enter as customers), it has little to offer.

A good dual carriageway connects to Hanoi – the 100km seldom takes more than an hour and a half - making Haiphong a rewarding excursion. An alternative is a three-hour train journey.

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Haiphong is also an easy access point for Ha Long Bay via a hydrofoil service to Cat Ba Island. Fast boats and slower ferries connect Haiphong to Cat Ba and Ha Long City direct.

For travellers using Haiphong as an intermediate sojourn on the way to Ha Long Bay, the increasing business activity in this priority economic development zone has stimulated the construction of several new hotels, two of which meet our Superior standard. Both are well-equipped and offer good service and facilities. There are also some good mid-range establishments.

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Dalat things to do in Vietnam

Da Lat is so very much off the radar, in terms of Vietnam. Located in the south between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, it is a very quiet, quaint town. Rich in French architecture and oddities, you’ll feel miles away from Vietnam here. It shares none of the characteristics of other Vietnamese towns, such as the hustle bustle of daily life, thousands of motorbikes and general noisiness. Why more people don’t visit is beyond me, but with a little time to explore you can uncover some gems in this beautiful town. Here’s a run down of my faves.

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Datanla Dalat Waterfall

1. Dalanta Falls

Dalanta Falls is situated 5km outside of Da Lat. The road is a long windy one up the hills, with stunning view of the valley and endless tea and coffee plantations. The waterfall itself is really cool. Walking around across the rocks is certainly good fun and again, the views are absolutely stunning from the bottom of the fall across the valley. The greatest part of the falls is certainly the toboggan. Yep, you heard right. When you arrive you have the option to travel to the bottom of the fall by roller coaster. It costs around 25,000 Dong for a return journey and it is totally worth it. The track is 1km long and takes about 2 minutes to complete, winding down the side of the mountain through woods and ending up at the foot of the falls. So much fun.

Da Lat rollercoaster2. Crazy House

Built by Dang Viet Nga, a daughter of a Vietnamese communist party leader, it was opened to the public in 1990. It was quickly dubbed ‘the crazy house’ and it’s easy to see why. There is hardly a square edge in the tree shaped building. Staircases intertwine with branches to take you up and over the roof. The garden comes complete with toadstool chairs and fake, giant spiders. You could be forgiven to think you have fallen into Alice’s Wonderland. You also have the option to stay here for one night. It costs around $35USD per night, and you get to stay in one of the country themed rooms, or the wedding suite if you are newly weds. This is a real cool place to visit and well worth the walk if you are in town.

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Crazy House dalat3. Street food

The street food in Da Lat is some of the best I tried in Vietnam.. and I’ve tried a lot! We took a walk to the town square to sample some of the delights on offer. First up were the classic meat skewers. Flavoured to perfection, the meat melts in your mouth. If you’re feeling adventurous I would recommend the chickens feet or intestines. We found both really flavoursome and cooked beautifully. There is so much to choose from, it is easy to full up before you’ve completed a circuit so pace yourself. Watch out for the police though. Some of the vendors are not licensed to vend and will disappear into thin air at the first sight of the law, with your paid order possibly to never be seen again. So as a quick tip: pay for your food after you get your meal. And if you’re looking for something sweet to wash it all down head to the buffet restaurant (next to the market) for treats and ice creams.

4. Relax by the lake

The Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat is man-made. At 32ha with a perimeter of 5 miles, it is huge. Take a walk along the lake, soak up the views of Da Lat and stop for a coffee at the floating coffee house along the way. Da Lat is famous for its coffee and tea so getting a good cup of whatever you fancy is easy.  I dare you to try civet cat coffee, which comes from the cat’s poo,  surprisingly not as gross as that sounds! While it’s different to say the least, if you enjoy it you can pick some up quite cheap in the local market. If you still want more of Da Lat’s lake, hire a swan or rowing boat and enjoy a leisurely paddle across the lake .

The civets in Da Lat5. BBQ your own meal

Once you have covered off the local street food move on up into some of the local restaurants and try the ‘self BBQ’ style of eating. With menu’s written completely in Vietnamese I recommend taking a local  (we took our Stray Guide) otherwise bring a translation book along. We  went for goat breast, duck tongue and octopus, as well as a few jugs of local rice whiskey. A concrete pot of smoldering coals is delivered to the table and set inside a custom hole. A tile is placed on top with oil to baste the surface. From here it’s up to you to cook the food to your taste. While the goat breast had an odd taste and texture, the octopus and duck tongues are actually very good. I never realised ducks even had tongues, let alone how big they are. Wash it all down with rice whiskey and you have the recipe for a fantastic local style evening.

These were some of my favourite things to do in Da Lat. But don’t take my word for it. Get there with Stray Asia, lap up their local knowledge and then make your own mind up!

To discover Da Lat’s waterfalls, lake and other local wonders, check out Stray’s Vietnam tours.

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Wellcome to vietnam

The “Hanoi or bust” attitude, prompting new arrivals to doggedly labour between the country’s two major cities, no matter how limited their time, blights many a trip to Vietnam. If you want to travel the length of the country at some leisure, see something of the highlands and the deltas and allow for a few rest days, you’ll really need a month. With only two weeks at your disposal, the choice is either to hopscotch up the coast calling at only the most mainstream destinations or, perhaps better, to concentrate on one region and enjoy it at your own pace. However, if you do want to see both north and south in a fortnight, internal flights can speed up an itinerary substantially, and aren’t too expensive.

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VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE: WHERE TO GO

For the majority of visitors, Ho Chi Minh City provides a head-spinning introduction to Vietnam travel. Set beside the broad swell of the Saigon River, the southern capital is rapidly being transformed into a Southeast Asian mover and shaker to compete with the best of them. The city’s breakneck pace of life translates into a stew of bizarre characters and unlikely sights and sounds, and ensures that almost all who come here quickly fall for its singular charm. Furious commerce carries on cheek-by-jowl with age-old traditions; grandly indulgent colonial edifices peek out from under the shadows of looming office blocks and hotels; and cyclo drivers battle it out with late-model Japanese taxis in the chaotic boulevards.

Few tourists pass up the opportunity to take a day-trip out of the city to Tay Ninh, the nerve centre of the indigenous Cao Dai religion. The jury is still out on whether the Cao Dai Holy See constitutes high art or dog’s dinner, but either way it’s one of Vietnam’s most arresting sights, and is normally twinned with a stop-off at the Cu Chi tunnels, where Vietnamese villagers dug themselves a warren stretching over two hundred kilometres, out of reach of US bombing.

Another destination easily reached from Ho Chi Minh City is the Mekong Delta, where one of the world’s truly mighty rivers finally offloads into the South China Sea; its skein of brim-full tributaries and waterways has endowed the delta with a lush quilt of rice paddies and abundant orchards. You won’t want to depart the delta without spending a day or more messing about on the water and visiting a floating market, which is easily arranged at Cai Be and Can Tho.

Da Lat, the gateway to the central highlands, is chalk to Ho Chi Minh City’s cheese. Life passes by at a rather more dignified pace at an altitude of 1500m, and the fresh breezes that fan this oddly quaint hillside settlement provide the best air conditioning in Vietnam. Minority peoples inhabit the countryside around Da Lat, but to visit some really full-on montagnard villages you’ll need to push north to the modest towns of Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku and Kon Tum, which are surrounded by E De, Jarai and Bahnar communities. Opt for Kon Tum, and you’ll be able to visit minority villages independently or join treks that include river-rafting.

Northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Highway 1, the country’s jugular, carries the lion’s share of traffic up to Hanoi and the north, though the recently completed Ho Chi Minh Highway offers drivers a tempting alternative route. For many people, the first stop along Highway 1 is at the delightful beach and sand dunes of Mui Ne, fast becoming one of the country’s top coastal resorts. Further north, Nha Trang is another beach resort that also boasts a lively nightlife, and the tirelessly touted boat trips around the city’s outlying islands are a must. North of Nha Trang, near Quang Ngai, Son My village attained global notoriety when a company of American soldiers massacred some five hundred Vietnamese, including many women and children; unspeakable horrors continue to haunt the village’s unnervingly idyllic rural setting.

Once a bustling seaport, the diminutive town of Hoi An perches beside an indolent backwater, its narrow streets of wooden-fronted shophouses and weathered roofs making it an enticing destination. Inland, the war-battered ruins of My Son, the greatest of the Cham temple sites, lie mouldering in a steamy, forest-filled valley. Da Nang, just up the coast, lacks Hoi An’s charm, but good transport links make it a convenient base for the area. From Da Nang a corkscrew ride over clifftop Hai Van Pass, or a straight run through the new 6km-long tunnel, brings you to the aristocratic city of Hué, where the Nguyen emperors established their capital in the nineteenth century on the banks of the languid Perfume River. The temples and palaces of this highly cultured city still testify to past splendours, while its Imperial mausoleums are masterpieces of architectural refinement, slumbering among pine-shrouded hills.

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Only a hundred kilometres north of Hué, the tone changes as war-sites litter the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which cleaved the country in two from 1954 to 1975. More than three decades of peace have done much to heal the scars, but the monuments that pepper these windswept hills bear eloquent witness to a generation that lost their lives in the tragic struggle. The DMZ is most easily tackled as a day-trip from Hué, after which most people hop straight up to Hanoi. And there’s little to detain you on the northward trek, save the glittering limestone caverns of Phong Nha, the entrance to a massive underground river system tunnelling under the Truong Son Mountains, which includes Son Doong, discovered in 2009 and now thought to be the largest cave in the world. Then, on the very fringes of the northern Red River Delta, lie the ancient incense-steeped temples of Hoa Lu and, nearby, the mystical landscapes of Tam Coc and Van Long, where paddy fields lap at the feet of limestone hummocks.

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Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town

Hội An , also Faifoo, is a city of Vietnam, on the coast of the East Sea in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. It is located in Quảng Nam Province and is home to approximately 120,000 inhabitants. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hội An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

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The city possessed the largest harbour in Southeast Asia in the 1st century and was known as Lâm Ấp Phố (Champa City). Between the seventh and 10th centuries, the Cham (people of Champa) controlled the strategic spice trade and with this came tremendous wealth. The former harbour town of the Cham at the estuary of the Thu Bồn River was an important Vietnamese trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled. During this period of the China trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town) in Vietnamese. Originally, Hai Pho was a divided town with the Japanese settlement across the "Japanese Bridge" (16th-17th century). The bridge (Chùa cầu) is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist temple attached to one side.

Etymology

Hội An  translates as "peaceful meeting place". In English and other European languages, the town was known historically as Faifo. This word is derived from Vietnamese Hội An phố (the town of Hội An), which was shortened to "Hoi-pho", and then to "Faifoo".

History

Hội An's importance waned sharply at the end of the 18th century because of the collapse of Nguyễn rule (thanks to the Tây Sơn Rebellion - which was opposed to foreign trade). Then, with the triumph of Emperor Gia Long, he repaid the French for their aid by giving them exclusive trade rights to the nearby port town of Đà Nẵng. Đà Nẵng became the new center of trade (and later French influence) in central Vietnam while Hội An was a forgotten backwater. Local historians also say that Hội An lost its status as a desirable trade port due to silting up of the river mouth. The result was that Hội An remained almost untouched by the changes to Vietnam over the next 200 years.

Today, the town is a tourist attraction because of its history, traditional architecture and crafts such as textiles and ceramics. Many bars, hotels, and resorts have been constructed both in Hội An and the surrounding area. The port mouth and boats are still used for both fishing and tourism.

Weather

Calm mild weather is now limited to the season of May/June - end of August when the seas are calm and wind changes direction and comes from the South. The remainder of the year the weather is intermittent between rain & cold and hot & mild. Popular activities such as visiting offshore Cù lao Chàm islands are only guaranteed to be likely during the short season of end of May to end of August, which is the high season for domestic tourism.

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Heritage and tourism

In 1999, the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences. According to the UNESCO Impact Report 2008 on Hội An, tourism has bought changes to the area which are not sustainable without mitigation.


Museums

The city has four museums highlighting the history of the region. These museums are managed by the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation. Entrance to the museum is permitted with a Hoi An Entrance Ticket.

The Museum of History and Culture, at 13 Nguyen Hue St, was originally a pagoda, built in the 17th century by Minh Huong villagers to worship the Quan An, and is adjacent to the Quan Cong temple. It contains original relics from the Sa Huynh, Champa, Dai Viet and Dai Nam periods, tracing the history of Hoi An's inhabitants from its earliest settlers through to French colonial times.

The Hoi An Folklore Museum, at 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, was opened in 2005, and is the largest two-storey wooden building in the old town, at 57m long and 9m wide, with fronts at Nguyen Thai Hoc St and Bach Dang St. On the second floor, there are 490 artefacts, organised into four areas: plastic folk arts, performing folk arts, traditional occupations and artefacts related to the daily life of Hoi An residents.

The Museum of Trade Ceramics is located at 80 Tran Phu St, and was established in 1995, in a restored wooden building, originally built around 1858. The items originating from Persia, China, Thailand, India and other countries are proof of the importance of Hội An as a major trading port in South East Asia.

The Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture, is located at 149 Tran Phu St. Established in 1994, this museum displays a collection of over 200 artifacts from the Sa Huỳnh culture - considered to be the original settlers on the Hội An site - dating to over 2000 years ago. This museum is considered to be the most unique collection of Sa Huỳnh artefacts in Vietnam.

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The most attractive beach destination for your Muine Holidays

Golden Holiday Travel : Stretching 192km along the coast, the southern province of Binh Thuan boasts great potential for tourism development, especially sea tourism - the most popular destination in Vietnam and perfect beach to end your Vietnam Tours, Vietnam Holidays before coming home.

Mui Ne - Vietnam tours, Vietnam Holidays
“Paradise” of health resorts

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On October 24, 1995, a total solar eclipse occurred in Phan Thiet city of Binh Thuan province, attracting hundreds of thousands of domestic and international scientists and visitors. Since that day, the name Binh Thuan has become well established on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world, and October 24 has become the Province’s Tourism Day.
Regarding Binh Thuan’s tourism sector, it is impossible not to mention Mui Ne – Phan Thiet which is considered a paradise for health resorts. The image of Mui Ne with white sand dunes stretching out in the bright tropical sunshine, waves crashing into the calm fishing village, rows of coconut trees and stone steps, has long been familiar to visitors.

Mui Ne is also endowed with sand dunes, a magnificent landscape which has become an endless source of inspiration for photographers due to constant wind-driven changes in its appearance. It is also the capital of resorts in Vietnam, with over 100 eco-convalescence centres, resorts and villas, with natural, beautiful sites, modern architecture, a fresh sea environment, sunshine, wind and sand.
Binh Thuan province has Phan Thiet Bay which, rather shallow and very windy, is ideal for sea sports such as surfing, sailing and kite surfing. From October to April, when the wind gusts are at their highest, Binh Thuan is besieged by international friends who come to windsurf and kite surf.
Apart from sea related amusement activities, visitors can participate in other unique sports on land, such as conquering the sand dunes, paragliding in the brilliant sunshine, or golfing at Phan Thiet or Sea Link golf courses.

With these advantages, every year Mui Ne attracts over two million visitors, including over 220,000 foreign visitors, coming from Russia, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Britain, South Korea, China, Japan, the US, Canada and Mexico.

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Mui Ne, Vietnam Tours, Vietnam Holidays
Land of festivals

In addition to its sea tourism potential, Binh Thuan also has cultural and festival tourism strength because of its many cultural and architectural works, as well as unique festivals of the Viet, Cham and Hoa ethnic groups.

Binh Thuan is home to Po Klong Moh Nai Temple, a typical cultural work of the Cham people, where over 100 precious objects of Cham royalty are preserved, such as the crowns, robes, boots, shoes, rings and bracelets of the kings and queens. It also has Po Sah Inu Towers, dating from the 8th Century, devoted to the Shiva Genie and a sacred set of stone linga and yoni of the Cham people.
Binh Thuan also boasts many unique cultural works, such as the oldest lighthouse in Southeast Asia (built in 1899) at Ke Ga Cape, Vietnam’s biggest Buddha statue on Ta Cu Mountain, the biggest whale skeleton in Van Thuy Tu Communal House, the most colourful Co Thach stone ground in Tuy Phong District and the relic site of Duc Thanh School, built in 1907 in Phan Thiet City, where President Ho Chi Minh taught before he went abroad to seek ways to save the country. In particular, the project of Binh Thuan Water Tower, a unique architectural work designed by Lao Prince and architect Souphanouvong, was completed in 1934 and is considered a symbol of Phan Thiet City.
Apart from a system of tangible heritages, the community of ethnic groups living in Binh Thuan also has a rich system of festivals and rituals, such as Cau Ngu (fish worshipping) Festival of the Kinh ethnic group; Kate Festival of the Brahmin Cham ethnic group; Nghinh Ong Quan Thanh Festival of the Hoa community in Phan Thiet City; and Dinh Thay Thim Festival which bears the specific cultural features of Binh Thuan Province - it is one of few festivals in Southern Vietnam listed in the dictionary of Vietnamese Festivals.

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