The diverse ecological system and magnificent natural scenery have turned Tra Su melaleuca forest in the Mekong province of An Giang into a popular tourist attraction, especially in the high-water season.
Nearly 100 kilometers from Long Xuyen City, each year Tra Su melaleuca forest welcomes 10,000 domestic and international tourists.
With the area of 845 hectares, Tra Su is home to 140 kinds of plants, mainly melaleuca, and dozens of reptiles and birds, including two kinds of birds listed in Vietnam’s Red Book.
Most likely, the best time to visit Tra Su is from the middle of September until the Lunar New Year when the whole forest becomes inundated.
To reach Tra Su forest, visitors have to go for a walk about 500 from the car park. Along the walking path are lotus ponds and rows of green trees as a warm welcome to visitors. At the forest’s gate, tourists take a motorboat or row boat to explore Tra Su.
You will feel overwhelmed with numerous green melaleuca and water-fern floating on the surface. Along the way, you will see birds perched on tree trunks, bunches of water lilies, and the water’s surface full of water ferns. It’s great to admire the nature beauty and enjoy peaceful vibe of Tra Su melaleuca forest.
In the early morning or late afternoon, visitors may get a chance to see large flocks of birds flying from or to their nests. However, the forest becomes livelier in the afternoon when thousands of white storks fly and chirp all around the forest. The white of storks contracts with the green of the melaleuca forest, which gives tourists peaceful and relaxing feelings. In addition, there are also many species of other birds and animals.
Visiting Tra Su melaleuca forest in An Giang, Vietnam is an interesting destination for tourists who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Surely, the journey to Tra Su will leave you unforgettable experiences.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi the famous historical site in the suburb of Hanoi – Son Tay ancient Citadel.
Located in Son Tay town, more than 40 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, Son Tay citadel is an ancient and unique military architecture in Vietnam, which was built in 1822 under the reign of King Minh Mang.
Nowadays, the most famous and beautiful citadel in the North attracts numerous of tourists both in Vietnam the citadel is surrounded by a lot of old green trees
Most likely, when visiting Son Tay ancient citadel, the first impression of tourists is the image of ancient trees of hundreds of years. The rough roots get stretched and embrace the moss walls of the ruined ancient gate, which creates the ancient beauty of the citadel. Moreover, there is a moat surrounding the citadel as an addition for its tranquil beauty.
The rough roots of ancient trees of hundreds of years old embrace the moss walls of the ruined ancient gate.
Come back to the past, the citadel was solidly built for protecting the western gateway of Thang Long City (Hanoi now). Its walls, about 4.5 m high, were built of laterite – the typical building material of Son Tay. It currently remains three gates in the South, the North, and the West. All are made of old bricks. Especially, the citadel is surrounded by a moat over 25 meters wide, 4 meters deep and 1,792 meters long, connecting to the Tich River.
Another gate of the citadel.
The walls were built of laterite in Son Tay citadel.
A little romantic in the ancient citadel in autumn.
Today, some works inside the citadels are still preserved such as a flag tower of 18 meters high, Kinh Thien palace, and two lotus ponds in front of Kinh Thien Palace.
The works inside the citadel
The peaceful and ancient scenery of Son Tay Citadel has made it an ideal destination for young couples to take nice wedding photos.
The couple is happy in the wedding photo in Son Tay citadel.
Moreover, due to a lot of green and old trees covering the citadel, it is also an interesting place for walking and relaxing after a long day of hard work.
read more: old quarter Hanoi
The citadel is also an ideal place for walking.
Son Tay Citadel has belonged to the National Heritage of Vietnam since 1994. Along with Co Loa ancient citadel, Hanoi citadel, and Hue Imperial palace, Son Tay Citadel is one of the great symbols of Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
The sweltering heat in Vietnam If you and your family are staying in the capital city, it’s good to know some cool places to let your children out in the sun and play.
Kinder Park
If you stay in Old Quarter in a rainy day and you think your kids still deserver a interesting, playful day, grab a taxi to Kinder Park for $4-5, one-way. This huge indoor play area is attached to Ho Tay water park.
The site offers games such as rock climbing, role playing in which kids pretend to be doctors and firemen. The pricey entrance fee of 120,000 dong per hour is well worth the hours of entertainment.
Address: 614, Lạc Long Quân Street, Hanoi
Little tip: avoid any play area in the weekends at all cost.
Nghia Do Park
The park deserves the title “Best park for kids in Hanoi”. Taking a stroll in the park every dry and sunny days, you unfailingly find dozens of children cheerfully playing and monopolizing the zipline and other playing equipments in the precinct of the playground.
The site is also the ideal place for joggers want to enjoy the fresh air in early mornings and late afternoon around the calm lake. The entrance free is as low as 2,000 vnd, plus you can bring along cheap eats bought from the outside right at the gate.
Address: The park faces the Museum of Ethnology on Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Hanoi.
Reunification Park
Kids have loads of things to do here like train riding around the park, trying carnival ride, swan boats and running on trails. The park covers a huge area with its lake taking one hour to finish a round of walking.
Visit Vietnam can sometimes be awkward, sometimes disturbing. A few years ago, I had always thought that taking the train should only be my last resort. However, recently, I have learned a few things that can make your train ride a bit smoother.
Don’t be cheap
A cabin like this will make sure that you are ready for action in the morning Getting a cheap seat means you’re going to share that space with the people who aren’t willing to pay for a seat. If you’re planning to travel just a few hours, then that might not be a problem. But if you’re taking a night train, believe me, this will be a pain. Just spend some extra Dong to get a bunk bed or an exclusive cabin. Make sure you get a good night rest to get enough energy for a day of excitement.
Book in advance, but not online Online booking doesn't always work. So it's best to buy ticket at the station Online booking doesn’t always work. So it’s best to buy ticket at the station There are many ways for you to secure tickets in advance. However, booking tickets online is not one of them. Your booking would eventually get lost because of “reasons”. If possible, head to the station yourself to get the tickets a few days early. This will make sure that you get the desired seat while taking a train in Vietnam.
If you can’t make it to the station, ask the front desk of your hotel. For some extra cash, they will get you the tickets.
Prepare food and power You can get some refreshments on the train, though I wouldn’t recommend them. They don’t cost much. They just suck. There are no breaks on the trip long enough for you to get out and buy something. So it’s best if you just pack some snack for the road. Also, there is no way to charge your phone on the train. So make sure that your devices are fully charged, and bring some backup batteries as well.
Short distance makes taking a train in Vietnam better If you’re only planning to spend 2-3 hours on the train, there shouldn’t be any problems at all. Instead of spending many hours on a train, why not consider making multiple pit stops along the way? Our website has information on every city and province of Vietnam. So no matter where you choose to visit, there is always something worthwhile. Consider this option if you are a fan of spontaneous exploration and willing to take the time.
The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu, 文廟) (known as Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám in Vietnamese) is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple hosts the "Imperial Academy" (Quốc Tử Giám, 國子監), Vietnam's first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of King Lý Thánh Tông. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. The temple is located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. The various pavilions, halls, statues and stelae of doctors are places where offering ceremonies, study sessions and the strict exams of the Đại Việt took place. The temple is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese đồng banknote. Just before the Vietnamese New Year celebration Tết, calligraphists will assemble outside the temple and write wishes in Hán characters. The art works are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations for special occasions.
The temple was built in 1070 and was reconstructed during the Trần dynasty (1225–1400) and in the subsequent dynasties. For nearly two centuries, despite wars and disasters, the temple has preserved ancient architectural styles of many dynasties as well as precious relics. Major restorations have taken place in 1920, 1954 and 2000.
see more other places in vietnam : things to do in ho chi minh
"In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat, the second year of Than Vu (1070), in the 8th lunar month, during the reign of King Lý Thánh Tông, the Temple of Literature was built. The statues of Confucius, his four best disciples: Yan Hui (Nhan Uyên), Zengzi (Tăng Sâm), Zisi (Tử Tư), and Mencius (Mạnh Tử), as well as the Duke of Zhou (Chu Công), were carved and 72 other statues of Confucian scholars were painted. Ceremonies were dedicated to them in each of the four seasons. The Crown Princes studied here."
In 1076, Vietnam's first university, the "Quốc Tử Giám" or Imperial Academy, was established within the temple to educate Vietnam's bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other members of the elite. The university remained open from 1076 to 1779. In 1802, the Nguyễn dynasty's monarchs founded the Huế capital where they established a new imperial academy. The academy at the Hanoi temple lost its prominence and became a school of the Hoai Duc district.
Under the French protectorate, the Temple of the Literature was registered as Monument historique in 1906. Campaigns of restoration were pursued in 1920 and 1947 under the responsibility of École française d'Extrême-Orient (French School of the Far East) and again after the World War II.
The King Lý Thánh Tông built the school. It was built in 1076 AD at the time of King Lý Thánh Tông. It was built as a school for the rich and royals to study because education is very important. After that, it was used as university for everyone because there weren't enough universities for everyone in Hanoi. They wanted that a lot of people would go to the school so they expanded to make more space for more people and since it was expanded for more people wanted to go to the school to study well. It was rebuilt because the wood that the kings used in the olden days had been so old that it started to break and fall apart. As the days went by, the kings kept replacing the wood and now we have replaced the wood with concrete or metal,stone and new wood. When the French ruled Vietnam at around 1945- 1954, they destroyed some parts of the temple for sick people and wounded people since the hospitals were full and there was no where for people to go when they are sick or wounded.
This capital city of Vietnam once served as the headquarters of the North Vietnamese communist army. Today, it provides a beautiful and educational window into a country that is most often visited through the Southern, tropical Ho Chi Minh City, once called Saigon. Where the South is palm trees and beaches, the North is tall, sharp rocky mountains full of waterfalls, deep emerald waters with pearl farms, and a culture that is as unique as it is beautiful.
A visit to Hanoi provides travelers with a fascinating blend of East and West. There are bustling streets full of bicycles, motorbikes and cars; an elegant blend of Asian Pagodas, communist block buildings and French Colonial relics; and there are a host of fun and unique attractions in Hanoi for the adventurous traveler.
One Pillar Pagoda If Buddhists were to build a treehouse, it would likely look a lot like this. This eleventh century temple was built by the emperor in gratitude for finally being blessed by a son. The temple was meant to look like a lotus flower blossoming from a single pillar in the pond, similar to the one seen in the prophetic dream of a child that this emperor had received. Inside, there is a small shrine to the Bodhisattva of Mercy. The current structure is a rebuild, as the French had the first destroyed after their retreat from the country.
Hanoi's West Lakeflickr/Francisco Anzola This largest urban lake is a favorite location for tourists and Hanoi residents alike. It is where the high-end homes of Hanoi’s wealthy live, and contains a large number of hotels, restaurants, and luxury shops as well. It has been a popular location for residents here for thousands of years, and is home to one of Hanoi’s four sacred temples, as well as the oldest pagoda in the city. This pagoda, dating back to the sixth century, can be found on an island in the center of the lake. Boating, sightseeing, and shopping along the boardwalk are common activities here, and well worth the trip.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theaterflickr/charles chanThis theater celebrates a peasant art form that began in the rice paddies over a thousand years ago. Puppets were simply carved and puppeteers would stand in the water of the paddies, using it as a prop, and act out traditional activities like farming, or legends like the golden turtle and the emperor. The more modern version continues the use of water and audience participation. Traditional Vietnamese instruments perform an opera that narrates the puppets’ actions, and musicians will interact with puppets, encouraging the heroes and warning them of impending danger. Guests of the theater needn’t brave the monsoon weather that once would pour on outdoor audiences, but can sit and enjoy a meal while discovering this ancient dramatic art.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleumflickr/archer10The final resting place of Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh sits in Ba Dinh square, the location where he read the nation’s declaration of independence in 1945. This tall, blocky pillared building is modeled after Lenin’s crypt in Moscow and meant to evoke a traditional communal house, though to many tourists it looks like a concrete cubicle with columns. Contrary to his desire for a simple cremation, the embalmed body is on display in plexiglass casing, and a dress code of long sleeves and pants is required to visit. The mausoleum is closed for a couple months around the end of the year, when the body goes to Russia for maintenance.
Ho Chi Minh Presidential PalaceBehind Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a humble stilt house, where Ho Chi Minh supposedly lived in the 60s, though some claim that it would have been too risky during the war for him to live here. The house is an interpretation of a traditional rural dwelling, and has been preserved just as Ho left it. It’s set in a well-tended garden next to a carp-filled pond. It shares grounds with the much more luxurious and impressive Presidential Palace built for the French Governor of the Indochina colony in the early 1900’s. The palace is now used for official receptions and isn’t open to the public.
Hanoi Hiltonflickr/Ken McChesneyThe Hoa Lo Prison, sarcastically coined the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs, was originally built by the French to house Vietnamese political prisoners. The North Vietnamese Army later used the prison to house prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. Well known figures such as Senator John McCain, James Stockdale and Bud Day were just a few of the many prisoners of war that spent time in this prison. Two thirds of the prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers; the rest was turned into a museum and is now a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi. In 1999 a Hilton Hotel opened in Hanoi and was carefully named the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnologyflickr/namhoLike many colonial regions that were united by European rule, the country of Vietnam is actually a coagulation of 54 different officially recognized ethnic groups. The Museum of Ethnology strives to give a better understanding of each one, and does so quite elegantly. It is widely believed to be the best of all the modern museums in Vietnam. Displays include a combination of art, everyday objects, and historic artifacts to better tell the story of each unique culture.
Temple of LiteratureThis is one of the temples of Confucius, and home of the nation’s first university. Originally built in 1070, the temple is meant to honor all scholars. Today, calligraphists will come and write good will wishes in Han characters during the Asian New Year at the steps of the temple, to give as gifts. The temple was built to replicate Confucius’ birthplace, with five courtyards and various temples and other buildings throughout the expansive grounds. Of special note are the Stelae of Doctors, a series of over 100 carved blue stone turtles, which honor the names of all who pass the royal exams.
Hanoi's Old Quarterflickr/Andrea SchafferThe old quarter is a mesh of the old and the new, as antique narrow streets snake between old brick buildings, covered in modern motorbikes and street vendors. This region of Hanoi is a mix of French Colonial architecture and ancient temples, and sits along the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is the center of many attractions in Hanoi, from temples to the water puppet show to its street market. As the quarter was designed around the market, you will find that the streets here are all named for the kind of products that were once sold along its sidewalks, from wood to silver to paper.
Hoan Kiem Lake Known as the lake of the returned (or restored) sword, this lake marks the historical center of ancient Hanoi. The name comes from a legend in which Emperor Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese. Later, while boating on the lake, he encountered a giant turtle, which grabbed the sword and carried it down to its depths, Every morning at around 6am local residents practice traditional t’ai chi on the shore. The lake also houses Jade Island, home of the eighteenth century Temple of the Jade Mountain. The island is reachable via the red-painted and picturesque Morning Sunlight Bridge.
A long, narrow country squeezed in between the South China Sea and the Laos and Cambodia borders, Vietnam is a land of striking landscapes that range from the lush rice terraces and forested mountains in the north to the picturesque valleys of the Central Highlands and the fertile delta and beautiful beaches of the south. Included in the mix are booming modern cities, colonial towns, traditional villages, archaeological sites and otherworldly islands. An overview of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
Best Hotels in Hanoi
Dalat Climate Year-round cool weather and idyllic scenery of misty valleys, lush pine trees and colorful flowers are some of the reasons that Dalat was once used by Vietnamese emperors and French colonials as a summer retreat. Today, this charming town in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam is a popular destination for those looking for relief from the heat. A walkable city, Dalat is a beautiful scene of French colonial architecture and villas set amid picturesque landscapes.
My Sonflickr/besar bears Located on the central coast of Vietnam near the Duy Phú village is the important archaeological site known as My Son. One of Southeast Asia’s most notable ancient sites, My Son was once a significant center of religious Hindu ceremonies where the kings of the Champa Kingdom built numerous temples devoted to the worship of the god, Shiva, between the 4th and 14th centuries.
Ho Chi Minh City Climate Lying along the Siagon River near the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City was formerly known as Saigon and served as the capital of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of the reunified country, offering plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic and modern attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife.
Hue Climate Situated on the banks of the Perfume River in Central Vietnam, Hue once served as the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty. Today, the vestiges of this former glorious period are reflected in the city’s architecture, culture and cuisine, making it one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Of the city’s monuments, the Citadel is the most famous. Once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, the Citadel is a sprawling complex of grand palaces, ornate temples, walls and gates Another important landmark on the river is the city’s official symbol, the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Mekong Deltaflickr/jorgecab Colorful floating markets, fruit orchards, rice paddies, sugar cane groves, bird sanctuaries and quaint villages are all what draw many to the Mekong Delta in southwestern Vietnam. Nicknamed “Vietnam’s Rice Basket,” the Mekong Delta is an agricultural region made fertile by the maze of canals and streams fed by the Mekong River. Stretching from the Gulf of Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta feeds more than a third of the country from its rich plantations, orchards, rice paddies and fish farms.
Nha Trang Climate Located on one of Asia’s most beautiful bays off the coast of South Central Vietnam, Nha Trang is a popular seaside resort city. Picturesque mountains, beaches and lush islands all make it a favorite destination among tourists, Vietnamese and scuba divers. Adorned with resorts, palm trees and a lovely promenade, Nha Trang’s beach is its main draw. Amusement and water parks provide fun for everyone with roller coasters and wave pools.
Sapa Climate Surrounded by pictorial mountains, rice terraces and a diversity of hill tribes in the remote northwest of Vietnam, Sapa is a quiet town frequently used as a base for trekking in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and touring rice paddies and traditional villages. From the town, there are many organized tours that aide tourists in mountain hikes and exploring the nearby rice paddies and remote villages. These tours present views of beautiful waterfalls and the opportunities to experience the food, customs and way of life among the local tribes.
Hoi Anflickr/jmhullot Located off the coast of the South China Sea in South Central Vietnam, Hoi An is a beautiful, old city dating back 2,000 years to the Champa Kingdom. The city’s historic architecture, traditional culture and textiles make it a popular destination in Vietnam. At the heart of Hoi An is its atmospheric Old Town which is small enough to walk around easily. The narrow, winding lanes of the Old Town are lined with beautiful old architecture, traditional wooden houses and hundreds of tailor shops selling clothing, shoes, bags, souvenirs and custom-made services.
Hanoi Climate For the last century, Hanoi has the Indochina and Vietnam Wars to emerge as the booming capital city of a reunified Vietnam. At the heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, an open-air museum of historic Asian and French colonial architecture that has largely remained intact despite the bombings of the Vietnam War. Here among scenic tree-lined boulevards, tourists can browse busy markets, sip coffee at quaint cafes and visit prominent sites like the Grand Opera House, the Presidential Palace and Saint Joseph Cathedral.
Ha Long Bay
With its aqua-green water and cluster of limestone rocky outcrops rising from the water like sea dragons, Ha Long Bay resembles a scene from a fantasy story. Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, this otherworldly bay features more than 2,000 jungle-covered islands pitted with intriguing caves, grottoes, sinkholes and lakes. Many of the islands have been sculpted over the centuries by natural processes into fantastic formations.
Saigon’s Top Sights
You may be surprised to know how many tourists put the former American Embassy at the top of their list of things to see in Ho Chi Minh City.
If you are one of them, resist temptation and head first for the
History Museum near the entrance to the zoo. This unassuming, musty
place, with its grimy glass cases, houses a formidable collection of
artifacts from Vietnam’s two thousand years of recorded history. Even a
very brief visit will help put many of the other things you will see as
you tour Saigon in some kind of historical perspective. The museum also
has a water puppet theater and one of the best stocked and most
reasonably priced gift shops in the city.
From
the museum, head down Le Duan Boulevard towards Reunification Palace,
the former Presidential Palace occupied for nine years by Nguyen Van
Thieu. Tourists stop at the front gate to snap photos by the thousands,
but few venture inside. You might find yourself practically alone and
wander from floor to floor as though you owned the place. Maps still
hanging in the underground military operations rooms remind visitors how
close the ‘‘enemy’’ was. On the top floor you will find yourself in a
party room with a stage and a huge lanai. Below, lavish reception halls
and office, a gambling room, and a private movie theater are all
self-indulgent and tasteless reminders of why our side lost.
Only a
few blocks away the new U.S. Consulate sits on the site of the former
U.S. Embassy. Before it was torn down you could you stand at the gate it
is easy to imagine the helicopter removing a fortunate few from the
roof, while thousands fought and screamed outside the fence. The
building became a scar and was thankfully torn down. Ben
Thanh Market should be your next stop. Here, you will find practically
every staple commodity imaginable except automobiles and real estate. If
consumerism offers intimate glimpses of how people live, wandering
among the tiny, packed stalls here will give you some unique insights
into modern Vietnamese life. The food court here has delicious and very
tasty local specialties. Produce, flowers, and meats are sold on the
sidewalks surrounding the building.
see more >>places to visit in vietnam
A
visit to Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, can take an afternoon,
if not an entire day. Like Chinese districts in San Francisco, London,
New York and Bangkok, Cho Lon is one of the oldest and most mysterious
parts of Saigon. Cho Lon means ‘‘big market,’’ and the best place to
begin your visit is at the overwhelming Binh Tay Market. Although it is
likely to be hot and crowded, take your time here. The variety of goods
here is positively astounding and will give you uncanny glimpses into
modern Vietnamese life. Friendly bargaining should save you from 20% to
40%.
Although there are many beautiful pagodas in Ho Chi Minh
City, one of the most interesting is the Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda on
Nguyen Trai. It is certainly one of the most lavishly decorated.
Enormous coils of incense hang from the ceiling, looking like great
skeletons of Christmas trees. Stand quietly along the shady wall inside
for a few minutes to observe visitors dropping in for a quick prayer.
If
you have an afternoon or two to escape the frenetic pace of Ho Chi MInh
City, several nearby places make interesting day trips. Within sight of
Saigon Gòn, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of an extensive network of
underground passages which extend as far as Cambodia. Built by the Viet
Cong, the tunnels played a strategic role in the Communists’ victory.
Since the vast network included hospitals, kitchens, dormatories,
weapons factories and even classrooms, thousands of guerillas could move
themselves and their weapons undetected for great distances. A section
of the tunnels is open to visitors. If you are small enough, you can try
to wiggle through some of the narrow passageways. Another tunnel system
at Ben Duoc was constructed just for tourists to crawl around in. If
that’s not enough wartime nostalgia, you can even fire a variety of
automatic weapons.
Another fascinating day trip is to Tay Ninh,
the center of the Cao Dai religion, which has perhaps two million
followers in Vietnam. Cao Dai is a 1920’s invention which took the best
of Catholocism and Asia’s great religions, plus a dab of Hollywood. (The
sect has bestowed sainthood on Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill, among
others.) Visiting the ostentatious but breathtaking cathedral is the
highlight of the trip to Tay Ninh. The noon worship service is open to
visitors has been compared to a scene from Disney’s Fantasia.
Travel agencies around town offer a somewhat-hurried combination Cu Chi and Cao Dai Temple tour for about ten dollars. Shopping
As
corny as it sounds, Saigon is a paradise for shoppers. Beautiful
handicrafts and deliciously tacky tourist junk are in endless supply. If
you love to shop and have at least elementary bargaining skills and a
good eye, your money will go a long way and you can enjoy virtually
endless retail entertainment. Your bargaining skills will come in handy
everywhere except major tourist shops. Generally speaking, anything not
marked with a price sticker can be had for about two thirds the price
first quoted.
While there are fine shops throughout District 1,
there are several streets which are especially good for shopping,
particularly Dong Khai, and Le Thanh Ton behind the Rex Hotel. Many
shops here sell jewelry, amber, ceramics, antiques, furniture, silk and
apparel. The stalls along Le Loi Street between Ben Thanh Market and the
New World Hotel sell all kinds of war surplus and hardware items. Lacquerware
made here is practically the best in the world and is still a real
bargain. Scores of shops around District 1 sell boxes, trays, desk
accessories, vases and other lacquerware items. Rosewood boxes and bowls
are especially lovely. These make wonderful gifts.
If your
friends at home love tacky tourist crap, you are in luck! You will find
an astounding array of toy helicopters made from Coca Cola cans, fake
Zippos and cigarette lighters made from hollow M-16 ammunition, and Good
Morning Vietnam T-shirts.
HCMC’s tailors are reminiscent of Hong
Kong’s before the seventies. Custom made shirts usually take three to
four days and cost seven to ten dollars, not including the fabric.
If
you are a Coffee lover, buy enough to fill those empty corner of your
luggage. Vietnamese coffees are among the best in the world, and very
inexpensive. Because Saigonites drink so much of it, the beans on
display in scores of shops around District 1 are always quite fresh.
Whole beans sealed in a plastic bag will last quite well until you
return, and provide a lingering souvenir of your visit to Ho Chi Minh
City.
you can visit vietnam VietNam have many beautyful sights
Thanks to its geographic condition Sapa
has one of the most favourable climates in Vietnam. The temperature
remains stably cool throughout the year though winter may see more
severe changes, with frost and even snow (mostly from mid-December to
mid-January).
Humidity is relatively high all year round, between
83-87% and temperature ranges within 15-30 Celcius degree. If you
include Sapa in your itinerary, make sure to bring some warm clothes
since it can get quite cold at night (see packing tips for Sapa).
How hot is Sapa?
Not very, in comparison with Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Thanks to its high altitude, Sapa is an ideal location for summer
retreat during the overheated summer time and the scarcely populated
town also has pretty fresh air.
How wet is Sapa?
Be
prepared to bring rain coat if visiting during summer time too, since
there is infrequent showers. In the winter, fog and frost often make it
cold enough to keep yourself warm with rain- and wind-proof outwears.
Best time to visit Sapa
In
the summer, Sapa is a popular escape destination for domestic
travellers, which may hamper the authentic and original experience of
the town. This high season often falls between June and August.
In
contrast, March-May and September- November are the two recommended
periods to visit Sapa if you want a more laid-back natural and
rejuvenating holiday.
September is the harvesting season in Sapa
so get your camera charged in full or else you will regret every single
step you walk. see more >> places to visit in vietnam
f you are looking for a luxury and relaxing place to pay a visit, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is the most optimal choice.
An overview of Flamingo Dai Lai Resort Located
in the poetic mountainous area of Northern Dai Lai Lake in Ngoc Thanh,
Phuc Yen, Vinh Phuc Province, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort, which is 45
kilmeters away from the center of Hanoi capital and 10 kilometers away
from International Noi Bai airport, is one of the 10 most beautiful
resorts in the world with leading deluxe eco-resort complex in the North
of Vietnam. The resort is blessed with spectacular landscape with the
perfect combination of charming scenery, fresh air all around the year
and biologically diverse ecosystem. Additionally, this is also the land
of miracles with a long history of the ancient Vietnamese people
fighting against the powerful invaders to maintain cultural identity and
the independence of the nation.
Spreading over 123 hectares and
being surrounded by 500 hectares of water and 10,000 hectares of natural
forests, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort catering to beauty and high-class,
meets the international standard with modern facilities and
exceptionally diverse services system including Flamingo Central Resort,
exclusive eco-system villas, a chain of sport clubs, entertainment and
healthcare services.
Unique and brilliant design initiative Built
with the orientation of preserving and conserving the environment
ecosystem accompany by sustainable development strategy, Flamingo Dai
Lai Resort was planned and designed according to the concept ‘To live
luxuriously in the harmony of nature’ by both excellent Vietnamese and
foreign architects, specialists.
The area of artistic landscapes
accounts for 60 percent of the total area involving landscape lakes,
land-art grass hills, colorful flower rows in accordance with other
splendid landscape such as Thien hill, rock and water Square, bamboo
park. Therefore, it cannot be denied that Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is the
sole place in Vietnam that was invested with the purpose of creating
imaginative landscape space.
Blessed by nature with the unique
ecosystem of an island with thousands of birds, two central lakes, three
marvelous streams, six rich forests and seven splendid hills, Flamingo
Dai Lai Resort is actually a true ‘dream space’ of those who desire
living with friendly nature.
Especially, the cutting-edge design
of luxurious villas follows the modern and deluxe architecture. However,
the design still utilizes the harmony with nature encircled by
refreshingly cool forests, quiet and peaceful streams and natural beach
with the endless extension of white sand.
With the total
investment of 3,000 billion VND, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort truly deserves
the paradise of rest – new lifestyle in harmony with nature.
Outstanding sites Thien Yen Villa
Covered
by the spatial green garden, the villa involving the design of the
living room heading outwards the spacious nature associated with
kitchen, bar and modern utilities, creates a cool atmosphere with a view
to helping customers enjoy the subtle combination of peaceful nature
and the interesting rhythm of birds and green trees.
Additionally, a convenient room for reading book helps people relax after a hard-working day.
To
share the secret of magical attraction here, it is worth mentioning the
existence of the modern system of perfect spas and saunas for the pure
purpose of creating full relaxation, energy and time for families to
share love and care for each other. Visitors’ expectation will be met as
this is actually what they hope.
The location of this
seminar room belonging to Seminar Central is behind the land-art grass
hill, thereby creating creative working space in order to be convenient
and comfortable for generating brilliant initiatives and high
productivity. Hence, participators will definitely feel satisfied with
what Flamingo Dai Lai Resort brings about.
Flamingo beach
Going
through uninterrupted pipe tree hills, this unique beach includes
seemingly endless green color shaded by coconut palms or casuarinas.
Bamboo Wings restaurant
There’s
nothing quite like grabbing a delicious meal with Flamingo style in
Bamboo Wing restaurant closely attached to the green and open natural
space.
