Visit Vietnam Guide

Vietnam Airline resumed service to Bangkok

2008-12-08T00:40:00.000-08:00

Vietnam Airlines (VNA) Saturday resumed its service to international Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok as the Thai airport recommenced full operations after a long shutdown due to antigovernment protesters.

Twenty stranded Vietnamese passengers were brought home on the first flight that landed in Vietnam around 2 p.m. Two other flights, one from Hanoi and the other from Ho Chi Minh City, are scheduled to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport later in the day.

Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, one of Asia's largest, resumed full operations on Friday after a 10-day closure due to the political crisis.

Tra Co Beach Vietnam

2008-11-03T12:39:00.001-08:00

Tra Co Beach is located in the Northeastern extreme of the “S-shaped Vietnam”, in Quang Ninh province. It is by the border with China, and around 8 kilometers from Mong Cai mountainous town and some 170 kilometers far away from Ha Long. With its advantages in terms of location, the beach is the destination of a number of travelers, especially those who come from China.

To the west, the province borders an extended forest and mountainous region. To the east, it is adjacent to the Gulf of Tonkin. It features a meandering coastline, numerous estuaries and tidal flats, and more than 2,000 large and small islands. Of which 1,030 have been named. The local annual temperature is around 22.7oC with two main seasons (Hot and Cold). The best time for swimming is summer season from April to September.

How to get there?
From Hanoi, going there by bus is a bit tired because of a long and uneven way of about 300km, and a long time of 7 hours. However, it is worth that you can enjoy the scenes of the Red river delta and will be surprised at different natural beauties from time to time and from plain to mountainous area.

Getting there by marine seems to be much easier and faster. After visiting Ha Long bay or Cat Ba island, we can take an express boat and reach to the beach after about two hours. By this way, you can also have a chance of enjoying the feelings of floating on the sea.

Mekong Delta, Vietnam

2008-09-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Mekong is one of the major rivers in the world. Starting from the Tibetan Plateau, it flows through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, before joining the South China Sea at the Southern-most tip of Vietnam. The Mekong Delta is the rice-bowl of Vietnam, and also an important aquaculture centre.

Today, the Mekong Delta is also a tourist attraction.The most common way to visit the Delta is through Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta, or My Tho, a smaller city famous for Hu Tieu My Tho - a pork noodle soup. It is about 5 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City. From there, you will be transferred to a boat and taken around the many tributaries in the Delta.

Direct flight from Hanoi to Nagoya

2008-08-14T01:48:00.001-07:00

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) launched its direct service from Hanoi to Nagoya, the third biggest economic hub of Japan, on August 12, announced the carrier.
This is the parnering route between the Vietnam Airlines and the Japan Airlines.

The direct flights linking Hanoi and Nagoya will be offered on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday on A321 Airbus with 183 seats.

After an inaugural ceremony held in Nagoya at 10h30 (local time) in co-operation with the Japanese side, VNA’s plane with nearly 160 passengers on board for Flight No VN967 began its travel from Nagoya to Hanoi .

Vietnam Airlines is now the sole carrier to operate the Hanoi-Nagoya direct service, and Nagoya is its fourth destination in Japan, after Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Simple itinerary to visit Vietnam

2008-07-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - The Old Quarter

Walking around Hanoi is similar to walking around Bangkok – you don’t know where to look first. You need to have every sense working overtime to keep up with its pace. The noise of the traffic, the smells from the foodstalls and the constant view of people and moving frantically around you will do nothing else but astound you upon touching down for the very first time.

The best known area of the city among travellers is the city’s Old Quarter, an area divided up into 36 different streets. In the 13th Century when the area established, each street designated to one of the 36 trades practised in the city. Some of these streets include Bat Dan meaning wooden bowls, Gia Ngu which means fishermen, and Hang Trong which stands for drum. Today there are over 50 streets in the area.

The Old Quarter is where everything is situated – it is where the majority of hostels are, as well as a vast selection of cafés and restaurants serving tasty cheap food. Due to the high number of tourists which descend upon this area there are stalls selling anything and everything and all this comes together to make the Old Quarter a melting pot of life.

Day 2 - The city of lakes

There aren’t many cities in the world that have as many lakes as Hanoi does. Walking around the different parts of the city you find you are never far from one. Hoan Kiem Lake can be found right in the centre of the Old Quarter. There is something fascinating about walking from some of the busiest streets in South East Asia to stumble across a wide open lake.

West of the old city is possibly the city’s number one attraction (with Vietnamese tourists anyway), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, just south of Ho Tay (West Lake). This chamber is where the body of Ho Chi Minh, the first president of the independent republic of North Vietnam, has been laid to rest. Seeing his body is, as you would expect a somewhat sombre experience but it is still quite unique and shouldn’t be missed when in the Vietnamese capital.

Built on a huge complex, beside the mausoleum is the Ho Chi Minh Museum which is dedicated to his life. There are wide open parks here also in this traffic free area making it that more pleasant to visit than other parts of the city.On the southern banks of the West Lake are some of the city’s top restaurants. This doesn’t mean that you will pay gastronomical prices. It just means you will get some top quality food at a price far, far cheaper than in the western world.

If you are the type of traveller who is always looking for new experiences that you will find nowhere else other than in the country you are visiting, try and visit Pho Nghi Tram. This street 10 kilometres north of the city centre has a strip of dog-meat restaurants, something which you don’t find every day.

Day 3 - Vietnam's ancient capital

While Hanoi has only been the capital of Vietnam since 1945, 95 kilometres south of the city is Hoa Lu. This ancient city was the capital of Vietnam from 968-980 under the Dinh dynasty and then until 1009 under the Le Dynasty.Hoa Lu’s two foremost points of interest are the two temples there – Dinh Tien Hoan and Le Dai Hanh.

Both are two commemorate the two dynasties which ruled there in the past. At the front of the first temple is a statue of Emperor Dinh Tien and the second is quite different with a collection of weapons, candles and more artefacts.

From Hoa Lu you are brought to Tam Coc. Meaning ‘Three Caves’, the scenery around here is awe inspiring and it is how it became known as ‘Halong Bay without the water’. You can watch the locals row their boats down the river here before visiting the caves.Organised tours visiting these sites depart from Hanoi around 7.30am on most mornings and return at 5.30pm that evening.

A type of puppetry which originated in Northern Vietnam is water puppetry. Hanoi is the best place to see this ancient art is in the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre in the Old Quarter. Two performances take place in this theatre on the north eastern shores of Hoan Kiem Lake and is an absolute must for any visit to Hanoi, the city where the artform originated.

Asean Travel Forum in Vietnam

2008-07-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

Vietnam will host the 28th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Hanoi from January 5-12, 2009. The theme of the forum “ASEAN Tourism – Striving for a New Height” aims to boost the ASEAN tourism industry and promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination at a time of fierce global competition.

During ATF 2009, there will be dialogues between ASEAN Tourism Ministers, the ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), travel seminars and exhibitions.

Vietnam is expected to welcome nearly 1,500 foreign visitors for ATF 2009 with 400 travel agencies from potential markets such as North America, West and East Europe, North-east Asia and Australia.

Year 2009 will be the last year for ASEAN to achieve full integration as the region moves closer to becoming the ASEAN Economic Community. The ASEAN tourism industry has made significant contributions to the integration process by strengthening exchanges and consolidating peace in the region.

10 reasons to visit Vietnam

2008-07-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Being one of the most charming capital cities in Asia where past, present and future are all bended so well in one single place, Hanoi truly deserves a several days stay. And, make sure you go these places to have best experience of Vietnam's capital city.

1. Ho Chi Minh complex, visiting his Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and his old houses. The Mausoleum is where the body of the greatest president of Vietnam is kept in a glass coffin. The Presidential Palace is a beautiful French building that was originally built for the French General Governor of Indochina, later on Ho Chi Minh worked in the building.

2. One Pillar Pagoda: Built in the 11th century as a memorial to the Goddess of Mercy. The whole pagoda stands on a column and it shapes like a lotus flower, erected from a little pond.

3. The Temple of Literature: the once biggest education center of Vietnam and also the most beautiful temple in the country dedicated to Confucius- the founder of Confucianism.

4. Museum of Ethnology: Biggest one in town displaying exhibits and lives of 54 groups of people living in Vietnam. The place has an exotic collection of traditional houses of peoples in Vietnam.

5. Old Quarter: Trading part of the city, most populated and flourish place in town. Thousands of tiny shops selling cheap things. Ideal to look for clothes, fake watches, fake Lacoste T-shirt and nice painting galleries. Every last 3 evening of the week, part of the Old Quarter is only for the pedestrians (traffic is banned). Local shops are the set up in the middle of the daytime-busy streets to sell local thing. Pretty good for going out having a look. Watch your language once you're here, just to be on the safe side.

6. Ngoc Son temple: A nice little temple dedicated to one of the 10 best generals in war history. The temple was built in the 18 century. Make sure you see a turtle (maintained in a glass coffin) to the small roof next to the temple, which used to be living in the water of the lake.

7. Cheap clothes and watches: Go to Hang Dao street (near the Sword Lake). This is where you can find a 4$ Lacost T-shirts or a 3$ Swiss watch. I'm sure they're not really bad comparing to a the genuin.

8. For a traffic experience? Spend around 3-4$/hour renting a cyclo, you will be cycled around the Old Quarter, be a part of the amazing traffic. After that, first thing you're gonna say is: I have survived.

9. Wanna taste a bit of the local culture? Go to cafe Lam (91 Nguyen Huu Huan street) where you taste nice Vietnamese coffee, but seeing the local is more interesting for those who expect)

10. Heard of the Water Puppet show? It originated in Vietnam and the ticket is about 2.5$ where you see 1 hour show of the stunning art takes place on the water. The Puppet theater is on the bank of the Sword Lake. Can't miss it.

6 reason why one must visit Vietnam

2008-07-07T06:59:00.001-07:00

Most people think of Vietnam as a war. But the old history has all gone. Now peace and safety resides. It's opening to the world as a friendly and exotic place on earth to be.So why don't you think of coming. I'll name some of the reasons why you should:

1. She's a new place. It's not touristy like in Thailand and many places you go, people got stunned by your appearance.

2. She's safe and friendly. The majority of people in Vietnam are farmers, pure farmers. Many of them have never learnt of much apart from the village they were born in. Naturally, they're almost all friendly and safe to be around. Moreover, the communist government does a good job in ensuring securities all over the country. Nothing of a crime has happened to tourists for the last decades.

3. She has lots to see: A thin country stretching for thousands of Km from North to South. It has beautiful mountains with colorful and rich culture hill tribes. It has beaches and many of those are considered best in the world but still, they're not touristy. Sound cool enough? Not end yet, she's home to 7 UNESCO World Heritages. Almost anywhere you go, you're tumble on a World Heritage.

4. She's cheap. If you want to, then 1 dollar could buy you a basic lunch or dinner. Wandering around and you want to find somewhere to sit and drink? Mostly you don't have to pay more than one dollar for it. Cheap accommodations and services are everywhere around the Old Quarter in Hanoi and Pham Ngu Lao street or Bui Vien street – Sai Gon (if you're traveling on a tight budget). If not a tight budget? Never mind. You have top hotels and resorts of the world in here.

5. Is travel here convenient? Sure, many companies operate the open bus (good quality in general) and they run almost to every capital cities in the country. Moving around is very easy.

6. After all, traveling is to experience the difference. And Vietnam simply is from any place that you have been.

Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam

2008-06-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

Consecrated in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Cuc Phuong, 120km south of Ha Noi and under the administration of Ninh Binh Province authority, spreads its land area of 22,200 hectares into the territory of Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh Provinces.

The terrain of Cuc Phuong includes a valley of 25km in length and 10km in width flanked by forested limestone mountains in the northern part of the Truong Son Range. The mountains around the national park rise up to 636m above sea level and surrounded by vast areas of forested plain. The mountains of Cuc Phuong National Park are of karst and marine formations which are estimated of 200 million years old. There are a myriad caves in the mountains of Cuc Phuong and some archaeological artifacts found in the caves show that Human Beings started inhabiting here some 7,000 – 12,000 years ago.

Cuc Phuong is located in the tropical monsoon climate area with temperatures ranging from 5 Degrees Celsius to above 35 Degrees Celsius and humidity from 60% to over 90%. The average annual rain fall is over 2000 mm.

Rain water in the park area follows a complicated drainage mechanism absorbing through the limestone and emerging on the lower slopes of the mountains as springs and geysers. The only permanent water source of Cuc Phuong which supplies constant amount of water is the Buoi River which gets the water from the Ma River and rinse out again into the same river.

Cuc Phuong has amazing diversity of flora and fauna. The vegetation of Cuc Phuong National Park is dominated by rain forests on limestone. In some places, the forest is stratified into five layers. Due to the terrain, the stratification is often unclear and broken. There are about 1983 species of trees in Cuc Phuong including Terminalia Myriocarpa, Shorea Sinensis, Tetrameles Nudiflora, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Moraceae, Lauraceae, Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae and Acanthaceae etc...many of which could be used for medicinal purposes (433) and many are edible (229).

Many species of trees at Cuc Phuong are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. There are also elements of flora originating from Himalaya, Myanmar and Malaysia found at Cuc Phuong.

Extensive surveys have identified three vascular plant species which by far are only found in Cuc Phuong: Pistacia Cucphuongensis, MelastomaTtrungii and Heritiera Cucphuongensis and not anywhere else in the World.

Cuc Phuong is home to over 2000 insect species, 110 reptilian and amphibian species, 65 fish species, 117 mammal and some 313 bird species, 280 species of butterflies. There are even the endangered Delacour Leaf Monkey, Trachypithecus Delacouri and the vulnerable Owston's Civet Hemigalus Owstoni at Cuc Phuong. Recently, the Leopard Panthera Pardus has been recorded at Cuc Phuong. Due to illegal poaching and contracting habitat areas at Cuc Phuong, the last individuals of some mammal species have disappeared such as Tiger Panthera Tigris and White-Cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates Leucogenys...There are about 40 species of bats at Cuc Phuong.

The bird species at Cuc Phuong National Park include some are listed as endangered ones such as the Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia Danjoui.

To protect the flora and fauna systems of Cuc Phuong, some 650 people of the local community was relocated to the outside of the park area in 1990. Still there are some 2000 people living inside the park area along the Buoi River marked for relocation. There are also over 50,000 people living scatteredly in the buffer zone of Cuc Phuong who are dependent on the natural produce from the park. Threats to the bio-system of Cuc Phuong range from people collecting firewoods, collecting mushrooms...to illegal logging and poaching. Also Cuc Phuong has turned into a tourist destination and could fall victim of irresponsible travel and bad travel management.

Recently Ho Chi Minh Highway Construction is cutting off some 150 hectares of Cuc Phuong from the main area which could result in destroying the habitat of some species; and in the long terms wastes, smoke and noise as well as commercial activities along the highway could pose huge environmental issues to the park.
Cuc Phuong has been the training and researching site for students and scientists whose study area involves archeology, geology, biology, geography...Various projects related to biodiversity conservation have been established at Cuc Phuong including the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (EPRC) which rescue primates confiscated from illegal trades, breed them and release them back to their habitat; the Owston's Civet Breeding Project and the Turtle Conservation Center as well as co-operation with international organizations in the related fields for researching the bio system of Cuc Phuong and raising environmental awareness programs among the public...

Paradissa Travel do offer eco tours into the Cuc Phuong National Park. But as part of responsible tourism, we only have small tour groups of fewer than 12 travellers with activities of wild safaris, bird watching and eco trekking. All tours are escorted by our environvental awareness-trained tour guide accommpanied by a professional tour guide provided by the park authority. All travellers are briefed on the environvental issues at the park, rules of the park and agree to follow rules while in the area.

Da Nang, Vietnam - Full of Culture and History

2008-06-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

Da Nang is the third largest city in Viet Nam, after Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, and it is the largest in the Central region. It has an area of 1,300 square kilometers and a population of 1 million. The city’s Hoang Sa district is an archipelago consisting of 18 islands.

Da Nang’s cultural history dates back only 300 years; It was settled by Vietnamese long after the North. Highlights for visitors include the Museum of Cham Sculpture and the ancient pagodas of Hai Chau Pho Da Long Tho.

Da Nang is on the end of an East-West Economic Corridor which stretches over Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Therefore, it is easy to organize international tours to the city. Da Nang International Airport is located in the center of the city. It is Viet Nam’s third largest international airport and a gateway to the Central region. The airport has domestic flights to Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Quy Nhon, as well as international flights to Bangkok and Singapore.

If you travel by sea, you can arrive at the port of Tien Sa. If you drive or take a bus, you can take National Highway 1 or National Highway 14B. When the Hai Van tunnel opened in 2005, it reduced the distance between Da Nang and Hue by 20km. This saved 30 to 60 minutes compared to travel over the old Hai Van Pass route.

What can be seen in Da Nang?
Marble Mountain is a cluster of marble and limestone hills. In Vietnamese it is called Ngũ Hành Sơn, literally "five-element mountains". It is located in Ngu Hanh Son District, south of Da Nang. The five 'mountains' are named after the five traditional elements of universe: metal (Kim Son), water (Thuy Son), wood (Moc Son), fire (Hoa Son), and earth (Tho Son).

All of these mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels. It is possible to climb to the summit of one of the peaks. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found, making it a tourist attraction.

Champa Museum
The Champa museum founded in 1915 is located near the intersection of Tran Phu Street and Le Dinh Duong Street and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum introduces the history of the Champa people. Inside is a veritable treasure trove with more than 500 Champa objects.
These objects show an advanced culture and civilization, including statues of the gods of Siva, Lasmi and Skanda. In the solemn and quiet atmosphere inside the museum, one can not only enjoy the cultural masterpieces of the ancient Champa people, but also listen to a guided tour of their legends, histories and beliefs.

One can then make educated guesses as to their aspirations for the future. To help one get into the spirit of things, visitors can also watch Champa dance performed by expert dancers from the Museum Hall.

Da Nang Cathedral
Known to locals as Con Ga church because of the weathercock on top of the steeple, Da Nang Cathedral was built for French and other Catholic residents in 1923. It is on Tran Phu Street. Other places to visit are Caodai Temple, Phap Lam Pagoda, Pho Da pagoda, and Ba Na hill station.

You can enjoy Da Nang beautiful beaches including My Khe beach, Thanh Binh Beach, Nam Beach, and China Beach.

Da Nang is creating a shopping street between the Hung Vuong-Phan Chau Trinh and Hung Vuong-Pham Ngu Lao intersections in the hope of luring more tourists to the coastal city’s downtown.

Vietnam travel guide

2008-06-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE

The majority of the population is comprised of the Viet or Kinh (87%) people who speak the Vietnamese language. The minority population is made up of 54 ethnic hill tribe people who mainly live in the extreme south, central and northern mountainous areas of the country. The best-known hill tribes are the TÃ y, Hmong, Zao, White and Black Thai, Muong (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa, Khmer in the South. Each hill tribe has its own unique customs and dialect and some are able to speak official Vietnamese language.

LANGUAGE

Vietnamese, the national language is tonal and monosyllabic, which means the meanings of the word change according to the pitch they are pronounced at. The accents and some words are quite distinct among the three regions of North, Central, and South.

Today, English, French and Chinese have replaced Russian as the most studied and spoken languages.

MONEY

The official currency, the dong and is non-convertible. There are coins 200, 1.000, 5.000 used in the local currency and the notes come in denominations of 100, 200,) 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 (2 notes), 100,000 (2notes) and 500.000 dong notes.

The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants. Travelers checks can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks, and require presentation of passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing travelers checks. Visa and MasterCard are accepted in some of the bigger hotels and restaurants. Prices are usually quoted in USD so if you are paying in Dong check the exchange rate first.

ATM machines are available at major cities: Hanoi , Halong, Haiphong , Hue , Danang, Nha Trang and Saigon .

At the time of writing trades at approximately 16,000 dong to US$ 1 and 20,000 VND to 1 Euro.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

No vaccinations are officially required by the Vietnamese authorities, however immunization against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, polio and Japanese encephalitis is advised. Please consult your doctors for further medical advice.

You should carry a basic medical kit that includes anti diarrhoea tablets and re-hydration salts. Medical standards outside Hanoi and Saigon are lower that those found in western countries.

COMMUNICATIONS & BUSINESS HOURS

Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving time.

Phones

Communication fees in Vietnam are quite high but impeccable. You can use pre-paid card phone services for your hand phone, the sim card costs around 15 US$. Prepaid card costs 100,000, 300.000 and 500.000 VND.

The best International rates are from the post offices that have a pay per call service and a fax service. The central post offices in Hanoi , Saigon and Hue also accept calling cards from various international telecommunications companies. It is not possible to make collect calls from Vietnam .

For lower cost, dial 171+00+ number you want.

Internet

Internet and e-mail services are readily available in most major places throughout the country. Some hotels will have this service available and there are many Internet cafes in the major areas. The speed of your connection will vary however depending on the time of day. Average charge for Internet usage is around 4.000 VND per hour in cyber cafe internet.

Several hotels for business travelers in Hanoi and Saigon are equipped internet with high speed access in business center and in room guest.

Trading Hours

Government offices and banks are open Monday to Friday. The banks close at 3:30 p.m. If you need to visit a government office do not do it during lunch periods. These usually last 1 to 2 hours. Post offices are open 7 days a week.

Most shops will be open until around 9 p.m. Snacks and bars will close around midnight however there a few new nightclubs in Hanoi and Saigon that stay open into the wee hours.

Arrival in Vietnam

2008-06-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

All visitors must complete an Entry/exit Card. This should be submitted together with passport and visa to the Immigration Department officials at the point of entry. The Exit portion will be torn off and returned to the visitor, who should retain this for presentation upon departure. It is a good idea to staple this into your passport on the page that has your visa stamp.

Customs procedures

All visitors must complete a Customs Declaration Form. Both the copy and the original will be stamped. The Customs officers will retain the original copy while the copy (so called yellow paper) will be given back to the visitor, who must submit it upon departure.

hese forms will be passed to you on your flight to Vietnam . Every form asks for your contact address in Vietnam .

Airport Departure Tax

There is a international departure tax of US$ 14 in Saigon and US$ 14 in Hanoi . Domestic departure taxes are included in air fare.

Getting There & Away

Ho Chi Minh City's (Saigon) Tan Son Nhat Airport is Vietnam 's busiest international air hub, followed by Hanoi 's Noi Bai Airpot. A few international flights also serve Danang. Singapore, Hongkong, Bangkok have emerged as the principle embarkation points for Vietnam but it's still possible to get direct flights from a number of major Asian and European cities and a few American, Australian cities. Departure tax is US$14 in Hanoi and 14 US $ in Saigon, which can be paid in Vietnam Dong or US dollars.

There are currently six border crossings for travellers coming to Vietnam, but more may open soon. All crossing points suffer from heavy policing and often requests for 'immigration fees'.

For getting to from China, it's become very popular to cross the border at Friendship Pass or Dong Dang, 20km (12mi) north of Lang Son in northeast Vietnam , to get to/from Namning. There is a twice-weekly international train between Beijing and Hanoi that stops at Friendship Pass. The other popular border crossing with China is at Lao Cai (near Sapa) in northwest Vietnam, which lies on the railway line between Hanoi and Kunming in China 's Yunnan Province. There's also a seldom used crossing at Mong Cai, Quang Ninh Province.

It's possible to enter Laos from Lao Bao in north-central Vietnam; there's an international bus from Danang to Savannakhet ( Laos ). The other crossing is at Keo Nua Pass/Cau Treo, west of Vinh.

The only crossing to Cambodia is via Moc Bai; an international bus links Phnom Penh with Ho Chi Minh City .

Traveller facts on Vietnam

2008-06-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

Weather

Vietnam's elongated shape stretching from the tropics to the subtropics zone accounts for the varied climate in the country. Vietnam is an year round destination, when one part of Vietnam is cloudy and rainy, there are other parts of the country that can be sunny and warm

North Vietnam enjoys 4 seasons, meanwhile Central and South have 2, rain and dry seasons. Heat and humidity are typical weather of Vietnam.

Weather is often a determinant factor in travel planning. Since Vietnam covers several climatic zones, the weather can change significantly traveling north to south. The chart below provides average daily minimum/maximum temperatures in degrees Celsius and average rainfall in millimeters. Please refer to this chart and our suggested packing list later in this document when deciding what to pack for your trip.

Clothing

Light, comfortable, easy to launder clothing is recommended. Winter months in Hanoi and rainy season in the central region can get cool so a sweater or light jacket will come in handy. Good walking shoes and sandals that can be easily removed are recommended especially when visiting temples and people's homes. Ensure you have suitable clothing packed for visiting temples and pagodas that you can cover up with. E.g. Shirts and long pants. No dresses, shorts, singlets, string tops or revealing clothing should be worn to temples and pagodas.

What to Pack

Vietnam is generally a casual country by western standards although people do like to dress in their Sunday best whenever the opportunity arises therefore simple and casual clothes are appropriate for almost any occasion.

The year round heat and humidity in the south, especially Ho Chi Min City makes lightweight quick dry clothing the most appropriate. The north and central highlands get cool enough for sweaters or light jackets for much of the year but the northern highlands will require cold weather clothes in the winter.

If you are not participating in any trekking tours sandals and lightweight shoes are sufficient. If trekking is included in your itinerary you will need trekking boots.

Food/Cuisine

The cuisine of Vietnam is excellante. Rice and noodle dishes are the staple of Vietnamese food and are garnished with aromatic lemon grass and/or fresh coriander. Fish, chicken, and/or pork dishes along with cooked vegetables and rice form a typical meal.
Asian and European food are available throughout the country.

Drinks

Drinking tap water or ice is not recommended. Bottled water is readily available but remember to check the seal for possible tampering. You should be drinking a minimum of 1.5 liters of water per day. This should increase as the temperature increases or you are engaging in physical activities.

Vietnamese coffee is usually very strong and has a punctuated mockup aroma and flavors. It is usually served in a small glass or cup with a drip filter and additional hot water in a thermos. As the filter empties you top it up from the thermos until you have the required amount of coffee. Condensed milk is added as a whitener and sweetener as it is usually not possible to find fresh milk away for the main cities.

Beer is available just about everywhere. Most places stock a selection of local and some imported brands. Draught beer comes in two varieties, Beer Hoi or Beer Tuoi. Beer Hoi is draught beer found on the street stalls and poured straight from the keg. Vietnamese quite often add ice to their beer when drinking. Beer Tuoi is found in the bars and restaurants and is chilled and served under pressure from the keg in a more conventional method.

Culture and Customs of Vietnamese - Part 2

2008-05-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

Taboos in Personal Relationships
It is best to call to people in a quiet voice, using their names preceded by Mr. Mrs., or Miss. Waving or beckoning with an upturned finger is considered highly impolite. If you must silently signal for someone to come toward you, do so by using the whole hand with the palm turned down. Not to do so would indicate an air of authority or superiority over the person being called or beckoned.

Never touch anyone on the head as this would be considered as a personal insult to the individual and perhaps even to his ancestors. Many Vietnamese believe the spirit resides there. Hence, the belief is that if a person is beheaded, his spirit will roam forever without finding a resting place. Also, don’t touch anyone on the shoulder. Some people believe that a genie resides there and it is undesirable to disturb him. If you mistakenly touch one shoulder, you must also touch the other shoulder and this helps offset the bad luck.

Confusing Personal Traits of Vietnamese
Vietnamese people have a habit of not looking into your eyes when they talk to you. This is often because of shyness, but one of the main reasons is that traditionally they do not look into the eyes of those they respect or those higher in rank when talking to them. This is to indicate politeness.

The smile of a Vietnamese can be very confusing in Vietnam to an outsider and cause misunderstandings. In some Oriental countries, a smile can mean sorrow, worry, or embarrassment. In Vietnam, it may indicate a polite, but perhaps skeptical reaction to something, compliance or toleration of a blunder or misunderstanding, or on occasion represents submission to judgment that may be wrong or unfair.

This is particularly true if the one making the judgment is at a superior level and perhaps has lost his temper. For instance, a laundress may ruin a favorite shirt and is called in by her employer to be asked about it. She may smile. This does not mean that she thinks it is funny that she burned the shirt, but instead is submission to the fact.

If the owner of the shirt loses his temper, she may keep smiling indicating politeness or patience with superiors. Because of this, foreigners should be very cautious in voicing their opinions and perhaps be a little more delicate, more tolerant and restrain from being obstinate.

Loud arguments or heated discussions are frowned upon and are seldom heard among the Vietnamese. Well-bred people are trained in self-discipline. It is best, therefore, for Americans or other foreigners to do their best to keep tempers in check, no matter what the circumstances, lest they be looked upon with disdain.

Vietnamese seldom use a direct approach in their dealings. To do so indicates a lack of tact or delicacy. Directness is appreciated in the Western world, but not in Vietnam. The Vietnamese do not like to say "no" and will often reply "yes" when the answer should be negative. This problem is further complicated by Americans posing negative questions such as, "It doesn’t look like it will rain today, does it?" The correct answer is often the one given by the Vietnamese--"Yes." We expect to hear "No." Think it out and you will see that the Vietnamese is really correct.

Best advice, don’t ask negative questions.
Hospitality
The Vietnamese love to be hospitable and will often invite you to dinner. If gifts are taken for the family, they should be items that they could not easily obtain themselves. To take something that they could buy easily would be a bad reflection on their economic means. They love anything from western countries, and it does not have to be expensive. If you give the children things, each should have a separate gift. It is not polite to take a whole bag of candy and give it to them as a group.

On short visits, drink the tea that is offered, even if you don’t like it and are afraid of the local water. It shows that you are welcome and well respected. Rank is always carefully observed by the Vietnamese in their homes and elsewhere. Servants never sit at the same table with their employers if outsiders are present, and only in rare cases otherwise.

On some occasions at an informal meal, the whole family except for the person inviting you to dinner, may get up from the table and eat elsewhere. This is not a show of disrespect for you but is simply a way of letting the guest spend time with his special friend.

At banquets, one should arrive on time and greet elderly persons first. If the dinner is served Chinese style, food should be transferred from the main bowl to your individual bowl before eating. It is impolite to eat anything with your chopsticks directly from the serving bowl. A guest may refrain from taking something he doesn’t like, but if the hostess serves it to you unknowingly, force it down if at all possible.

If the guest refuses, the host may doubt his sincerity and coax him even more. Individual bowls are usually changed with each course and are generally removed only when empty, except the last course. Here, a little something should be left to indicate to the host that there was enough food and everyone is satisfied.

Culture and Customs of Vietnamese - Part 1

2008-05-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

What you should do when meeting Vietnamese at the first time? These are some general notes which help you to be polite with Vietnamese culture and people.

Greeting People
Most of the Vietnamese in urban areas no longer bow when they meet each other. In formal gatherings, at religious place, and sometimes in the country areas, one may see the people clasp their hands together in a prayer-like gesture and bow slightly. This is not practiced to any extent in everyday life in Vietnam as it is in neighboring Thailand.

The custom of handshaking, formerly considered barbaric to the Vietnamese, is now achieving popularity due to the Western influence in the country. Men will generally shake hands and say the equivalent of "how are you" and tip their hats when greeting people. Women, especially those in the countryside, still shy away from shaking hands, especially with men from their own country. It is best not to offer to shake hands with a woman unless she offers her hand first.

Introductions
Whereas Americans often immediately introduce themselves in given situations, the ordinary people of Vietnam think this to be rather bold and like to have a mutual acquaintance make the introduction. They will rarely introduce themselves when going into a home or office until asked to do so. This may be due to their innate shyness and modesty.

Names carry great importance in Vietnam. Often Vietnamese will have secret names, known only to themselves and their parents. If it is given away, the person believes he is exposed to evil spirits. Except in rare cases, family names are seldom used outside of the family circle. Children are often called names in rank of birth, such as Chi-hai, Chi-ba (daughter two, daughter three).

One should call Vietnamese people by Mr., Mrs., or Miss until asked to go on a first name basis. They do not do this as quickly as Americans in their relationships with people. Especially important, when in the company of a third person, your friend must be called by his name with a Mr., Miss, or Mrs. proceeding it, as the case may be.

If this is not done, it may suggest great intimacy or friendliness, or can also be interpreted as being arrogant treatment of the individual by a superior.

Most Vietnamese names consist of a family name, middle name and a personal or given name. The order is reverse to the American custom. For instance, John Paul Jones’ name in Vietnamese style would be Jones Paul John. However, we do not call someone by his family name in Vietnam. If we use the names for instance, Miss Hau Dinh Cam. Hau is the family name. We would call her Miss Cam. Jones Paul John would be Mr. John. On very informal occasions, we might at their request call them Cam or John, but would always add a Miss or Mr. to the name in the presence of other people outside of the group.

An exception to this rule dates back to traditional customs of long ago when beloved leaders were called by their family names.

It is desirable to call Vietnamese professional and government officials by their title, i.e., Mr. Assemblyman, Mr. Doctor, Mr. Lieutenant, etc.

Jetstar Pacific, was officially launched

2008-05-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam's first low-cost airline, was officially launched here Friday, becoming a part of the world-renowned Qantas Group.

Jetstar Pacific, formerly known as Pacific Airlines Joint Stock Aviation Company, is set to revolutionize the local aviation industry by offering the promise of "all day every day, low fares" across its expanding domestic network under the Jetstar brand.

As Vietnam's first low-cost, value-based airline, Jetstar Pacific will change air travel in Vietnam by making it more affordable for more people to fly. This includes a fresh approach to airfare ticket sales and product, including online and through newly re-branded ticketing offices and airports across Vietnam.

Jetstar Pacific is Vietnam's first airline to offer online booking. Jetstar Pacific was committed to offering the lowest fares in Vietnam and will follow the very successful model of Jetstar, where the brand is already established across Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Jetsta Pacific is proud of being Vietnam's leading airline applying advanced technology, and looking forward to introducing new tools that further enhance customers' experience, and smart and efficient ways that will help it develop and keep low fares inthe future, he said.

Jetstar Pacific has an existing fleet of four Boeing 737s and a future order of up to 30 Airbus A320s by 2014 to support the Vietnamese carrier's plan for future growth in Vietnam and Asia under the Jetstar brand.

10 places that one should visit and see in Vietnam

2008-05-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

Vietnam is a country that is situated in the Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China and Laos and Cambodia. Where it was once a country ravaged by war, now, Vietnam has opened its doors to tourists that it is now fast becoming a go-to place in Asia, and here are ten places that one should visit and see in Vietnam.

1.) Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

This mausoleum is located in Hanoi, and this is where the great Ho Chi Minh is entombed. It is very strict here, so one should follow the rules of no talking or loud noises and no photo taking once inside the mausoleum. If you want to visit the mausoleum, do not go there in short pants as you will not be allowed to enter.

2.) Ho Chi Minh Museum

If you found the solemnity in the mausoleum too stifling, then the museum can take some of that feeling away. Here, you will get to see photos and old letters during the time of Ho Chi Minh. Just do not mind some of the gruesome pictures of the war though.

3.) Ho Chi Minhs Vestige

After the museum, you can visit Ho Chi Minhs vestige. This is where the great man lived and worked. You will also get to see here the houses where he lived in, which are always kept clean as the day he died.

4.) One-Pillar Pagoda

This is a short walk from the mausoleum and the museum of Ho Chi Minh. It is also one of the must-see destinations in Vietnam. Watch out though as the grounds can be crowded with a lot of tourists at one time.

5.) Hoan Kiem Lake

This is a relaxing place to be if you want a quiet time alone. In this park, you can have a leisurely stroll with your loved one. You can also visit the Ngoc Son Temple in this park, which is a good source for Vietnamese history and culture, among which is the story of the giant turtle that is said to inhabit the lake.

6.) Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

This is a nice way to spend the day with your family. The theatre tells of Vietnamese history and legends through the use of wooden figures representing men and women and the ever-present dragons. The story is told through music and the puppets dancing.

7.) Floating Markets of Can Tho

For a completely unique experience, you should visit the floating markets of Can Tho. You can also take a tour of the area by renting a boat. Some of the floating markets are Cai Rang (sells wholesales mainly), Phong Dien (for retails), Phung Hiep and Tra On.

8.) Ho Xuan Huong

If you want to go boat riding, then you should visit Ho Xuan Huong, which is also called Xuan Huong Lake. This is located in Dalat and is a favorite among tourists who want to get some peace and quite. This is also a favorite spot of honeymooners as they stroll hand in hand along the banks of the lake.

9.) Thung Lung Tinh Yeu

This place is called the Valley of Love and is also popular among honeymooners. This is a wonderful place if you enjoy canyoning. If you have canyoning in mind, then this is the place for you as they have canyoning operators as well who will guide you on your trip.

10.) Ho Chi Minh City

This was popularly known as Saigon. Here, you will get to see a lot of fascinating places such as the Reunification Palace of the Independence Palace. There is also the War Remnants Museum as well as the Museum of Vietnamese History if you want to know more about the history and culture of Vietnam.

Hanoi citadel hosts tourist week

2008-04-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

VietNamNet Birdge - A tourist week celebrating traditional trades and leading up to Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary kicks off at the Thang Long Royal Citadel this on April 27. Located at 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Hanoi, organisers are working to bring back the cultural atmosphere of the old capital under traditional rooftops with traditional activities and an open-air fair.

To introduce traditional trades and talented craftsmen, the monument will be decorated with handicraft products such as artistic stones, pottery from Bat Trang village, paper lanterns and silk from the northern province of Ha Tay’s Van Phuc village. Visitors will get a chance to learn about solemn rituals of worship, as well as ancient Vietnamese houses including bamboo houses from northern Vietnam and houses from Hoi An’s Old Square.

Visitors are welcome to join in on a festival procession for ancestors of trades to kick off the opening day. Ceremonies will be full of cultural features such as a spiritual festival with a thousand candles and torches, a march by craftsmen around the Citadel and a gong performance from north-western ethnic groups along with drums from Doi Tam village in the northern province of Ha Nam.

The week will also launch a fine arts and handicrafts competition, under the theme: Hallmark in 1,000 years of Thang Long-Hanoi. Coinciding with the festival will be the launch of a new cultural centre celebrating handicrafts. The Hoa Lu Handicrafts Company will open the centre on April 28, entitled Hanoi – Pho Xua Nghe Cu (Hanoi – Old Streets and Crafts) at 31 Hang Gai street. The 500sq.m centre is traditionally designed to resemble the capital’s old streets. Here tourists can admire old photos of Hanoi, a city plan dating back to 1890 and discover the city’s typical cultural traits. The centre will sell a variety of souvenirs and handicrafts. The centre’s employees are all tour guides familiar with the old streets of Hanoi and handicrafts villages.

The week-long event will bring in tourism companies from the northern provinces of Thai Binh, Lao Cai, Bac Giang and Ha Tay advertising tours on the Hong (Red) River and trade villages on the outskirts of Hanoi. The event is being organised by the Hanoi Citadel Conservation Centre along with the Vietnam Association of Craft Villages.

Ride bicycle in Vietnam

2008-04-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Across the Long Bien Bridge are some of the most interesting and untouched landscapes and small villages of Hanoi. Take a rare opportunity to explore another side of Hanoi.Begin your morning (winter) or afternoon (summer) in the old quarter of Hanoi before collecting your bicycles and starting your unique experience on the outskirts of the city. Try some red bean juice whilst you wait for the boat to take you across the Red River.

A world apart from busy Hanoi, ride along the river and enjoy the tranquility before breaking for lunch with a local family. After resting, further discover the beautiful scenery and rich rice fields that are the Red River Delta. Learn how rice is cultivated and see a rural way of life so close to the city.

Cost
$25USD per/person (Daily Departures)
Includes
Modern Treck mountain bikes, English speaking guide, transport to and from starting point, refreshment stop, set lunch/dinner at Culi Cafe.

Nightclubs in Hanoi

2008-04-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hanoi night club- vietnam nightclubs
1. Apocalypse Now
5C Hoa Ma
Tel: 9712783

2. Boss Night Club
Fortuna Hotel 6B Lang Ha
Tel: 831 3333

3.Club Monaco Discotheque
20 Hang Tre
Tel: 824 4233

4. Club Q
Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, Hanoi 360 Kim Ma
Tel: 8315000

5. Dong Da Magic
3 Thai Thinh
Tel: 5630257

6. Exotoca Nightclub
2 Yen Phu Road
Tel: 8238888 ext 5322

7. Green Lake Night Club
Lake Side Hotel, 6A Ngoc Khanh
Tel: 8350111

8. King Palace Night Club
Lake Side Hotel-23 Ngoc Khanh
Tel: 835 0111

9. Lido Discotheque
46 Hang Cot
Tel: 8257773

10. Magic Moo Club
23 Thai Thinh
Tel: 5630257

11. Metal
57 Cua Nam
Tel: 8241975

12. New Century
10 Trang Thi
Not available now

13. New Queen Bee
42 Lang Ha
Tel: 8350938

14. Paradise Club
19 Han Thuyen
Tel: 8247697

15. Royal Palace
20 Hang Tre
Tel: 8244233

16. Sparks
88 Lo Duc
Tel: 8257207

17. Up & Down Bar
Cosmos Bowling Center, 8B Ngoc Khanh
Tel: 8318668

Top 6 to do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

2008-04-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

1. War Remnants Museum - 28 Vo Van Tan. One of the best museum’s in Vietnam. There is an outdoor display with aircraft, tanks, bombs and other military hardware, as well as an indoor photographic display. Photos were taken by war correspondents during the French and Vietnam Wars. Very moving and extremely powerful images, a must for all.

2. Reunification Palace – 106 Nguyen Du. Along with the War Remnants Museum, this is on of the best places to visit in HCMC. The former HQ of the South Vietnamese Government, the Palace was taken by the North in April 1975. Now you visit the site, have a free guided tour and check out a great video at the end. Worth the effort!

3. Ben Thanh Markets – Even if your not into shopping, Ben Thanh Markets are something else. Small isles, huge variety and tough sellers make for an action packed visit! If you are into shopping and bargaining this is heaven! In the evening the markets close and the night Food Market opens. Cheap and tasty food is a great way to end the day!

4. Giac Vien Pagoda – 247 Lac Long Quan. Founded some 200 years ago, this is one of my favorite pagoda’s to visit. Set in District 11, it’s a bit of an effort to get out there, but as they say “it’s not just about the destination; it’s also about the journey!” The easiest way there is to get a Motor Bike Taxi (Xe Om). The pagoda is open from 7am – 7pm.

5. Cafe Hopping – HCMC has grown in size and in population. Business is booming and the younger generation is making some good money. With that, there are now many trendy and funky cafes all around the District 1 area. A great way to spend an hour or two is simply by having a coffee and watching the passing people. You could seriously be in Sydney or Melbourne!

6. Cyclo Ride – A must for all visitors to HCMC! Jump in and go for an hour around the city. Best time for me is at 5pm’ish to enjoy the peak and finish at one of the riverside Hotels for a rooftop cocktail!

Sơn Tây Citadel, Vietnam

2008-03-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

In Son Tay Town, Ha Tay Province, about 40km from Hanoi City. Body of the wall was built of hard sandstone with one gate on each side.

Sơn Tây Citadel was built by King Minh Mạng in 1822 to defend the western gateway to the city of Thăng Long (Hà Nội). Constructed mainly from laterite, the four-sided citadel featured a 1,303 metre perimeter with a 4.4 metre high wall, surrounded by a 20 metre wide moat. The foundations of various buildings may still be seen within the complex. The structure was almost completely destroyed by the French in 1883, leaving only the north and south gates standing. While the north gate has been restored unsympathetically using concrete, the south gate remains almost intact.

Each corner of the citadel was armed with cannon. Furthermore, there is the Kinh Thien Palace - the rest house of the king, residences and offices of provincial leaders, warehouses, and troop camps. Due to time and the effects of war, parts of the ancient wall were destroyed. Measures to prevent and restore this historical relic have recently been implemented.

Halong Bay, Vietnam for 7th wonder of the World

2008-02-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

Halong Bay is the jewel in the crown of Vietnam cruise travel destinations. Located 165km (102 miles) East of Vietnam's capital Hanoi, the 150,000 ha (370,658 acre) Halong Bay lies on Vietnam's Northeastern coast in the Gulf of Tonkin. Not only are Halong Bay's approximately 1,600 limestone islands and statuesque pillar islets and outcrops breathtakingly beautiful, the bay is deeply entrenched in Vietnam's history and mythology, and the folklore of the surrounding regions.

The Sino-Vietnamese "Ha Long" literally translates as "Descending Dragon". The true origins of the name are shrouded in mystery. Some say the name comes from a traditional Vietnamese legend; others say that the bay was given the name by the French during their colonial rule of Vietnam. Whatever the truth, there is no disputing Ha Long Bay's unique beauty. The World Heritage Foundation even says "Apart from Halong Bay, there are no equivalent sites on the World Heritage List …".

The Halong Bay World Heritage site is universally recognized worldwide for the value of its exceptional geology and distinctive biodiversity. The captivating seascape vistas, tranquil azure waters, diverse marine life and the rich culture of the local people only add to the charm and enchantment of cruising Halong Bay. Halong Bay cruises have been a Vietnamese favorite for centuries. The restful waters, expansive skies, abundant aquatic life and the serenely majestic outcrops, islands and islets captivate all who experience them. One of famous luxury brand name, Indochina Sails are now cruising on Halong Bay.Vote for Halong Bay to be one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Dalat - French Colonials

2008-01-06T02:24:00.000-08:00

At first glimpse, hilly and cool Dalat feels like a foreign country: locals go about in sweaters, berets and Sunday suits, and mist hangs over hilly neighborhoods with French villas lost in the mist.

That it’s so different is why it’s long been a place for French colonials, Vietnam kings and communist-era honeymooners have come to escape Vietnam’s heat and hassle. In the last 15 years or so, guidebooks have put Dalat at par with other itinerary staples as Nha Trang and Hoi An, but to be honest not all visitors are equally swayed by its gentle green mountains, brisk temperatures and quirky take on what tourism means (like the ‘Dalat cowboys’ offering pony rides or the dream-like tree/cave hotel with red-eyed kangaroos in rooms you can tour all day).

Nightlife is limited, and the dining situation not that much more advanced. But many like it – particularly for relaxed motorbike rides or canyoning and trekking tours to minority villages in the mountains. And sitting over coffee at Dalat Lake. And grabbing a beer or upscale meal at the French-built Dalat Palace hotel. And spending a couple days out of the heat.

Worth It? Not all visitors like Dalat equally, but if pollution, city hustle or the heat has you down, Dalat is about the best two-day rejuvenator in Vietnam

What to Do Number one: relax in the hills and soak up the night chill, then consider more active past times (day treks, canyoning trips, self-made motorbike rides).

Best Time to Go Anytime? Traditionally the best time is February to May, perhaps for early December’s Flower Festival; it’s dry November to May, but I’ve enjoyed drizzly, cool summer breaks here (with hordes of local tourists)

How Long? Two or three days

Gateway A convenient mid-way point between Saigon and Nha Trang, with buses going to both, plus a good-value flight to Saigon.

Fact The name ‘Da Lat’ refers to a river or stream of the local hilltribe the Lat. The town was founded a century ago as an idea by French scientist Dr Alexander Yersin for a hill-station retreat with a heat-break temperate climate

Christmas in Hanoi

2007-12-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Hanoi is familiar, but also strange.

Believe it or not, it was the Vietnamese version of Wham’s Last Christmas that first got me into the yuletide spirit this year.

There I was, sitting in a hotel lobby with my sister who was visiting, and we both looked at each other wide-eyed. We were watching dozens of parents and their excited children, milling around a Styrofoam Santa’s workshop, posing with his elves.

The wintry ambience was created courtesy of snow-in-a-can and wispy white cotton. We simply couldn’t resist joining in the chorus – in English, of course.

Christians make up 8% of the population, and Christmas is one of the four important festivals in the Vietnamese calendar – the others being the Buddha’s birthday, Tet (or the Lunar New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

However, Christmas seems to be a big deal. Those who have witnessed celebrations in the more Catholic Ho Chi Minh City claim that the Hanoi version pales in comparison. I personally think it’s remarkable how many non-Christians celebrate the season with their Christian countrymen.
It says more than some countries that constantly trumpet their supposed religious tolerance, yet behave otherwise.

Hanoi - Must Visit in Vietnam

2007-12-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country.

Hanoi hosts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples....Historians liken the life-giving Red River with its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; a cradle of civilization. The city boasts more than 1,000 years of history, and that of the past few hundred years has been well preserved.

Under French rule, as an administrative centre for the French colony of Indochina, the French colonial architecture style became donminant, many examples remain today: the tree-lined boulevards (e.g Phan Dinh Phung street), The Grand Opera House, The State Bank of Vietnam (formerly The Bank of Indochina), The Presidential Palace (formerly Place of The Governor-General of French Indochina), The cathédrale St-Joseph, Hanoi University (formerly University of Indochina), historic hotel Sofitel Metropole...

Hanoi also characteristically contains 18 beautiful lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake..., which are the lungs of the city, with their surrounding gardens and trees providing a vital source of energy.

Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze molding, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery. Hanoi has many famous traditional professional handicraft villages such as Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, Yen Thai glossy silk...

Some others prominent places are: The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), site of the oldest university in Vietnam; One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột); Flag Tower of Hanoi (Cột cờ Hà Nội); The Old Quarter and Hoàn Kiếm lake.

The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then comprised of merchants and households specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewelery, etc. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. The area is famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops. Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market (near Đồng Xuân market) in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food.

Hanoi is also home to a number of museums; including The Vietnamese National History Museum, The National Museum of Ethnology, The National Museum of Fine Arts and The Revolution Museum.

Highlights of Hanoi:

Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, House on stilt, fish pond..
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
Grand Opera House
Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Market
The Temple of Literature
Army Museum and Flag Tower of Hanoi
Bat Trang pottery village
The Vietnamese National History Museum
The National Museum of Ethnology
The National Museum of Fine Arts
The Revolution Museum.
Hoa Lo Prison
Water Puppet Show

Vietnam-Laos travel routes to improve

2007-11-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

Viet Nam and Laos have agreed to strengthen transport capacity on the route linking the two countries’ capital cities to meet the growing demand for passenger and cargo transport. The agreement was signed during an annual meeting between the two countries’ transport officials in Lao’s Savannakhet province.

The pact aims to develop international-standard transport services on the route, responding to a recent increase in local and international travellers using the route. It also outlines opening new routes from Vientiane to Ha Noi.

New co-operation deal
Director of the Vietnamese National Assembly Office Tran Dinh Dan and his Lao counterpart Thongteun Sayasen signed in Ha Noi yesterday a co-operation deal. The two sides agreed to further co-operation to improve their efficiency in managing operations of the two parliaments.
They will regularly exchange information, delegations and experiences.

They also agreed to regularly exchange their view points on international issues of mutual concerns at regional and international inter-parliamentarian forums. The Vietnamese National Assembly Office will consider helping the Lao National Assembly Office to upgrade the information and data base centre and library, and training cadres and build a working establishment for the latter. — VNS