The Morning Walking Tour Hanoi

At 5.00/ or 5.30, our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, and then start walking 2km  to hidden places in old quarter "36 streets", by local language "Pho Co", now some business names are "Cafe Pho Co" or " Pho Co Hotel".....

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This unique tour starts early to experience the streets before the Sunday hectic bustle, and the motorbikes take over the streets.. You keep walking to some small walkways and alleys, past sidewalk, passing special tunnel houses and very dark, narrow. This area is packed with the local people who live there. It can be easy for you to see a family of 3 or 4 generations living in one small, tall house, many houses are built very close together, certainly our guide will share the lives of the people living there.

At 6.20, seeing Hanoi Cathedral, also known as Saint Joseph's Cathedral, was inaugurated on Christmas Day 1886, two years after its construction. Its design is similar to the architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Many catholic rituals have been held there. A ritual ceremony dedicated to Jesus Christ is held in this cathedral every year on March 19.

At 6.45, joining with early birds walking 3km around Hoan Kiem lake "returned sword lake" to do exercise in the fresh and friendly  environment. The seniors exercise in the park every morning.  Ho Chi Minh preached that all Vietnamese should exercise each and every day. They tend to take a social outlook on it and exercise together. There was even an area in the park where you could learn how to dance, certainly you can join to dance with locals for fun,

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Especially through wet markets. They often meet every early and many sellers leave as soon as the modern Vietnam take off their aprons and head to work. Night is day for some farmers who often bring in their produce as early as 3 or 4.00 am.

At 7.30, tour guide will introduce some popular local breakfast such as "noodle soup with chicken or beef, sticky rice or steamed rice paper rolling pancake, other thing.... and drinks "coffee or iced green tea with lemon to choose as your favor and desire.

10 reasons that tourists are attracted in Vietnam

1. Street Food

The best place to eat in Vietnam is on little, plastic stools on the sidewalk. Eating on the street is by far the most exciting and accessible way to truly experience daily life in Vietnam, and it’s also where you’ll find the best food. Street food is everywhere in Vietnam. At any hour of the day, you’ll find Vietnamese people of all ages congregating under market awnings or outside store fronts, chewing down and enjoying each other’s company. Whether it’s noodle soups, like the iconic pho or bun ca, or bun cha char-grilled pork served over rice noodles with herbs and dipping sauces the street food in Vietnam is nothing short of amazing.

Vietnam street foods

2. Coffee

Think of coffee and you will probably think of Brazil, Colombia, or maybe Ethiopia. However, as the second biggest producer of coffee in the world, It therefore comes as no surprise that I love Vietnam – a country that takes its coffee very seriously. Coffee often seems to be the lifeblood of Vietnam — well, along with beer, tea, rice and pho. Vietnamese coffee is certainly known for being strong, and is perhaps an acquired taste for many — whether a coffee connoisseur or just someone who likes a shot of caffeine in the morning. You really can’t walk far without the tempting aroma of coffee greeting your nostrils, and a hit of the particularly strong brew is enough to keep you going for hours.

Vietnam Coffee

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If you like your coffee black then ask for cafe den, but if you prefer a bit of sweetness and creaminess you’ll want cafe sua; this comes with a shot of condensed milk in the bottom of the cup or glass, so be sure to give it a good stir before drinking. If you want milk but no sugar, you will probably be out of luck. Both are available as nong (hot) or da (with ice). Some places will serve it ready percolated, but at other joints you’ll be given the cup with a mini cafetiere perched on top and have to wait for the hot water to drip through. There are various other coffee options including cafe trung (with egg) and cafe sua chua (with yoghurt) …

3. Fresh Seafood

Fresh Seafoods

One of the most extraordinary things about the markets in Vietnam is that the food doesn’t smell at all. You’ll walk into the food section and see freshly caught fish, snails, crabs and prawns and brace yourself for a fishy smell. But because the fish you see in the market was caught just a few hours ago, you won’t smell a thing. We swear.

4. Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

You might not recognize all the vegetables you’ll find in Vietnam, but you should try them all. From bitter melon to morning glory, the vegetables go into everything from shredded salads like green papaya salad to stir-fries. Like all the other food you’ll find in Vietnamese markets, everything is super fresh.

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Don’t be alarmed if you see spiky fruits you can’t identify. It could be a durian, dragon fruit or rambutan and they’re all worth a try. (Be warned: durians smell like feet and are not for the faint of heart.) You’ll also find mangos, papayas, mangos teens, jack fruit and a fleshy fruit with a bumpy green skin called custard apples, among more familiar fruits like pineapples, bananas and watermelons.

5. Fresh Herbs

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs are essential to Vietnamese cuisine; their flavors and perfumes enliven countless foods. The crisp, refreshing addition of these herbs and greens cuts salt and fat and brings levity to some of the heavier dishes. Used as garnishes or wraps, herbs also serve as great palate cleansers and most of all, they make food really fun to eat. Pinched off their stems or chopped, raw leaves are tucked into rice paper rolls, dropped into hot soup, mixed into cool salads, stir-fried with noodles and wrapped up with grilled morsels in lettuce. Vietnamese people enjoy large quantities of fresh herbs, and in fact, herbs are collectively known as “rau thom”, which means "fragrant vegetable."

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6. Caves

  

Mammoth caves that hold entire jungles and lakes are still being discovered in Vietnam. Son Doong Cave, the biggest cave in the world, was only first explored in 2009, and didn’t open to tourists until 2012. Trips into Son Doong are still highly controlled, expensive and limited, but there’s a vast network of caves that are much more accessible. Paradise Cave, pictured here, in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, is 19 miles across and offers a variety of tours into its interior, including an easy walk on the boardwalk at the beginning of the cave and a trek past the boardwalk for the more adventurous. Headlamps and nerve are required. Visit before the sights become overrun with tourists.

7. Mekong Delta and Ha Long bay

Mekong Delta 

The Mekong Delta is an area in Southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River dumps into the sea. Visitors can go to Can Tho, the largest city in the area, and get a real taste of rural life in this region affectionately known as the “rice bowl.” Traveling up the backwaters in Mekong Delta Cruises, visitors will be wowed by the floating markets and above all else, the friendly people who live in the region.

Ha Long Bay

Halong Bay is not only one of the World Heritage Sites but also the jewel of Vietnam tourist sites. Your Vietnam tour is certainly an exciting memory with the majestic bay and mysterious caves. Your Halong bay cruise will be more unforgettable with one or two night on cruise. Nothing can compare with the comfortable felling and relaxation when your family enjoys the delicious seafood cooked and served by the skillful cooks while seeing the most beautiful and romantic natural sites in the world. You also have chance to swim in the emerald green waters and discover the dreaming extraordinary landscape.

8. Sapa

Sapa Vietnam

Sapa is always beautiful in four-seasons. Sapa has a majestic, dreaming and romantic beauty. Spend your Vietnam tour in Sapa, you not only have a chance to enjoy the fresh air of a region of the northwest, but also visit the old French villas, 100m high Silver waterfall, learn the life of H 'Mong people in Cat Cat Village. Specially, you can take part in the “Love market” on Saturday and climb the “Heaven Gate”, “Cloud Yard” to record the images of Sapa town engulfed in fog. Sapa hotel price is not expensive. However to enjoy the fully Vietnam tour in Sapa Excursions, visitors should choose the 3 or 4 star hotels. The weather in Sapa, it is cool and comfortable. Therefore; choosing Sapa, visitors never regret. There are also many yellow terraced rice fields look like a golden ladder in Sapa in summer and at the end of autumn. Seeing yellow terraced rice fields from high points brings tourists much emotion.

9. Hoi An

Located in Quang Nam province, on the banks of Thu Bon River, Hoi An is said to be an Eastern Oriental classic captivation. The weather in Hoi An is comparatively warm during the whole year. It is good for tourists to visit Hoi An any time when you have free time. Hoi An is the mix of old and new, the ancient architecture and the daily life of the local people.

Hoi An Vietnam

Hoi An has quiet and romantic beautiful with old houses, quiet streets, the dishes bringing Quang – people‘s soul will certainly be a nice space for families to make their relationship closer. In addition, tourists can also immerse themselves in the fresh water of Cua Dai Beach. Tourists should not miss the town's traditional houses, pagodas, halls and museums like Tan Ky House, Duc An House, and Tran Family Chapel. The best time to visit Hoi An is at the night of full moon – on the fifteenth of month. There will be power off and burn the lanterns, you can enjoy the ancient town of shimmering Hoi An. Hoi An is the best choice for your Vietnam tour in September.

Hoi An is also renowned for being shopping paradise selling wonderful antique pieces, handicrafts, souvenirs, and etc. It is even easy to have a tailored Vietnamese traditional cloth made by the famous dress-maker. Come to see and explore the charm of Hoi An yourselves, your Vietnam family tour will surely be a life-time memorable journey.

10. Vietnam Golf Tours

Vietnam golf tours

Golf is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam and Paradise Travel offers numerous golf tours to some of the most beautiful courses in the country. Take in some sightseeing in Vietnam's most popular destinations and play on some its newly designed modern golf courses surrounded by spectacular scenery. You can go on one of our specially designed golf tours or plan your own trip around Vietnam's best golf courses, which are on par with any courses in the world.

The most beautiful paradise cave in Quang Binh.

Toi Cave is not as big as Son Doong Cave, but that its natural features are as valuable as a miniature version of Son Doong – the world’s biggest cave in the central province of Quang Binh.

Wiht the natural beauty of the Dark Cave will help visitors travel through the forest and explore Sinh Ton (Survival) Valley, E cave and Thuy Cung (Aquarium palace) Cave while crossing through the 6-kilometre Toi Cave.

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Arriving at: E Cave, Sinh Ton Valley, Thuy Cung Cave Visitors have the option of swimming in the cave’s river, visit well-known for its century-old trees and unique flora and fauna such as flowers, mushroom, monkeys and multi-coloured butterflies and set up tents, have dinner, rest and experience an exciting night in the forest with games and art performances.

On the second day, with necessary equipment, especially a lighting system,  visitors will   cross through Toi Cave, admire the breathtaking scenery of the cave with its long-wide underground river segments and spectacular stalagmites and guests take a mud-bath and observe the magnificent fossils dating back millions years.

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Final visitors turn to the poetic Chay River to enjoy a quiet space or join underwater adventure games, take on a thrilling zip line and taste traditional Vietnamese dishes.

With this unique feature, Dark Cave slowly conquering the audience a lot of tourists, even the most discerning traveler.

NHA TRANG TO VIETNAM

Nha Trang Bay, covering 507 sq.m with 19 named islands and dozens of small rocky outcrops, is located in Khanh Hoa Province, and was acknowledged as one of 29 most beautiful bays in the world.

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The 7km long white sandy beach of Nha Trang is known as Vietnam’s Mediterranean coast. It is sunny nearly all year round, with an average temperature of 23 °C (degree Celsius). The magnificent coral seabed in Nha Trang makes it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling from March to October.

For those not interested in diving or sunbathing, other attractions in the city and surrounding area include the Ba Ho waterfalls, the 'mineral' mud baths, the Cham Tower and Long Son pagoda... Further afield, Nha Trang is a perfect base to explore outlying places such as Whale Island, Jungle Beach and even the central highlands – Buon Ma Thuot, Da Lat hill resort which are certain hundreds km away.

 Nha Trang Sightseeings

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PONAGAR CHAM TOWERS: Eight Po Nagar Cham Towers were built on Cu Lao Marble Hill, 2 km north of Nha Trang, between the eighth and 13th centuries. The largest of the four remaining towers was built in honour of Po Nagar, also known as Lady Thien Y-ana or the Goddess Mother; she spent part of her life teaching weaving and agricultural techniques. Standing on the top of the hill, one can admire the beautiful landscapes of the coastal region of Nha Trang.

HON CHONG: A well-known spot of scenic beauty, the Rock Hon Chong is not only attractive to visitors to Nha Trang but also no less allure to the local inhabitants, children as well as grown-ups who have made frequent visits to this place. In vernacular, it means the "Husband Rock", the name given to one of the two rocks, the couple, the other one is the wife. This stone couple is always open wide to visitors, who come in hundreds every day, and through different in moods and tastes, they never leave the spot unsatisfied. The Hon Chong is among the key places in tours to Nha Trang. It is quite near central Nha Trang, only one kilometer from the Po Nagar Temple (The Thap Ba).

DOC LET: The place gets its Vietnam name of Doc Let because if you want to reach to the sea, you have to cross high sand dunes and if you are not strong enough, the sand would seem to hold you back and quite a few people to lag ("let" in Vietnamese) to the destination. However, there is a great compensation for you once you have finished your conquer of the dunes. In front of you now would be a wonderful beach with fine, smooth, and pure and the blue sea with tiny waves. The sand beach runs as far as 10km from Dong Hai Village to the Cement Factory of Hon Khoi.

Doc Let is not only an ideal swimming beach, but its natural landscape is also quite attractive to tourists. Islands of every sizes and shapes off shore into two bows hindering the wave. The big island from afar looks like a sunbathing girl.

MUN ISLAND: From the gravel beach of Hon Mieu, you will see three small islands lying in a row; they are Hon Tam, Hon Mot and Hon Mun; among these, Hon Mun has a most attractive landscapes.

Its name derives from the geographical features - the high cliffs in the southwest are too risky, ragged with numerous caves; here rocks and stones are all ebony-like black, which is rarely found on any other islands.

It is also one of the seven islands in the Nha Trang sea that attract thousands of salanganes to come and build their nests, which give thousands of tai, i.e products from their nests every year.

NHA TRANG OCEANOGRAPHY INSTITUTE: The Institute was founded in 1923, on the large tract of waste land next to the port Cau Da. The laboratory, research room, library and store house,... these all make a large compound of high buildings, the structure of which is in perfect harmony with the surrounding slopes poetically named the "Dragon dancing over the waters", crowned with the green foliage that provides restful shades.

Once in Nha Trang visitors will be impressed with the breathtaking of the blue rolling sea and the azure soaring sky, a visit to the Oceanography Institute will show a wide collection of rare patterns of sea life, which presents the long work of half a century. Among these can strange corals of tree-form and varied colours, crabs, oysters, shrimps, pearls of enormous size, sea snakes of numerous sorts, whales, sharks...be seen.

There are other special species from tropical seas as well. Quite a hugely resourceful package of knowledge for you, visitor with a heart to love and a keen mind to know more on your welcome visit to Nha Trang Oceanography Institute and this beautiful city.

Da Lat is a charming city in the mountains of Vietnam

Firstly, get there and hire a suitable accommodation for yourself.

If you are now in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, plane would be the best choice for you. Time-saving and convernient for a long distance.

When you come to dalat, you can find a hotel on Phan Boi Chau road or Nam Ky Khoi Nghia road. These hotels are cheap and near the market. Or if you choose a hotel which is far center, you can rent a motorbike supporting your travel. It’s just cost about $4 – $6/day.

Now it’s time to explore beautiful Dalat!

There is no special order from our lists, just want to suggest best places with interesting experiences for you.

da-lat-01(3)

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Pongour waterfall

About 40 kilometers south of Dalat you’ll find Pongour Waterfall.  These magnificent and powerful falls are 20 metres high in the mountains and about 100 metres wide in rainy season and are the largest falls in Vietnam. Visitors can hear the echo of the water falling into the lake from a long way away. You can arrange for a tour, or rent a motorbike and get there by yourself! You may have to make a steep climb down to the bottom of the waterfall, but the view is absolutely amazing.

da-lat-crazy-house-vietnam

Crazy House (Hang Nga Guest House and Art Gallery)

It’s hard to meet people who have visited Dalat and have not been to Hang Nga Guest House and Art Gallery, which also known as the ‘Crazy House’ because of its bizarre concept and tree-like shape.

There are a dozen rooms, decorated with its own unique theme. You’ll find tunnels, ladders, concrete kangaroos; tigers and bears. It’s just “crazy” not scary. Just visit and experience different view of art. If you are lucky, you might have the chance to chat with the designer herself as she is usually present there.

Paradise-Lake-of-Dalat-Vietnam

Xuan Huong Lake

This manmade lake has become a major landmark. It is unimpressive, honestly but its charm still can make you fall in love with it. Flowering plants and trees, the beautiful reflection of willow and peach trees along the banks of the lake, then number of restaurants, cafés, shops, accommodation and a variety of business venues nearby, together make up the beauty of Dalat. Here, you can enjoy picnicking, cycling and jogging, horse-cart riding and riding swan paddle boats as well as celebrating weddings.

Things to do in Vietnam

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Stroll through the lantern-lit old quarter in Hoi An at night and feel as if you've stepped back in time to when this picturesque town was an important medieval trading centre Enjoy a ride on a cyclo through the bustling streets of Saigon – a unique way to watch local people go about their everyday life Cruise amidst towering limestone islets and hidden lagoons on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay on a converted traditional junk boat Spend a couple of days in Vietnam's elegant capital Hanoi, exploring the jumble of narrow alleyways in the old French Quarter Crawl through the tiny tunnels of Cu Chi (near Ho Chi Minh City), a vast underground network once used by the Viet Cong as communication and supply routes during the Vietnam War Hit the beach! Best beach side locations include Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet, Con Dao and Mui Ne Enjoy breath-taking views from the top of Hai Van Pass (near Hue),which crosses a spur of the Annamite Range that juts into the East Sea Drift along the backwaters of the vast Mekong Delta and see a traditional way of life as you cruise among local barges, full of vegetables and fruit, at Cai Rang floating market Head to the far north of Vietnam around Sapa and discover colourful hill tribes and some outstanding trekking Visit the Royal Tombs and Imperial Palace in Hue, where Vietnam's last feudal dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty, ruled from 1802 to 1945

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Travel to vietnam things to do

The famous attraction of Vietnam beautiful always attract the attention of tourists from around the world. Here are the destinations that tourists should not be miss while traveling in Vietnam.

Part 1: Travel in Northern Vietnam 

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Sapa: Famous for mountain Fansipan, is the most high mountain in Indochina along with the terraced fields of the season ravishing golden vast plateau vitality. Sapa- an ideal destination for trekking tourism, biking tourism, climbing tourism ....

Ha Giang: Where buckwheat vast flower fields and the fields of reform flower stretching endlessly to the foothills with thousands of rock standing on the spectacular cliffs. When coming to Ha Giang, guests will feel a ravishing sight of a majestic plateau with a vast field of flowers throughout the four seasons.

Halong Bay: A timeless beauty of the beautiful scenery at there, home to more than a thousand islands have given Halong Bay a legendary beauty of a world  famous natural wonder.

 Hanoi: Hanoi thousand years of civilization with ancient architectural uniqueness and the destination of the buildings historical stature and Old Quater is one of the factors stimulating the discovery and exploration of domestic and foreign tourists.

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Ninh Binh: excellent destination for tourism explore mountain, cave, lagoon, river, Pagoda (Bai Dinh Pagoda is a famous pagoda Ninh Binh, Vietnam). The landscapes here is like a picture wearing captivating the hearts of all visitors.

Mai Chau: When talking about  Mai Chau one can not not tell about charm of the romantic nature of the rolling mountains. Here bold cultural identity of Thai white. Every year thousands of visitors welcome to learn and explore the natural and the life of people locals at there. Mai Chau also has another name "Mai Chau valley".

HISTORICAL TEMPLE IN HANOI

This is History! 

The Temple of Literature was founded in the year 1070, and was dedicated to the Chinese Philosopher, CONFUCIOUS.

In 1076, it became Vietnam's 1st University. An archeological study has found that the majority of the site belongs to Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225 - 1400), it really is very old. 

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There are side passages between the five courtyards, and these were used by Royalty who entered through the main gate, and students had to enter via the side passage ways. 

The open pavillions in the courtyards were used for students to study. The 1st two courtyards are mainly gardens and trees, with the third courtyard being taken up by a large pond called 'The Well of heavenly clarity".

On either sides, there are pavillions with steles which are sitting on top of a large Tortoise. These steles honour the schools successful doctorate candidates. The next courtyard is the Sage courtyard which is paved and has buildings on three sides. Here, is the "great house of ceremonies " and inside is a large lacquered statue of Confucious. The last courtyard is Thai Hoc, and here you find the large Drum and Bell Tower in vietnam.

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We visited here on a city tour, and this made it all the more interesting as we were told the details of all we were looking at.

5 Boutique hotels in Hanoi

Maison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel

Located in great location on Hang Trong Street, the hotel was built on the typical Hanoi “tube house” with very narrow front but very deep inside like a tube. From the hotel, it takes you only a minute to walk to Hang Gai – the main shopping street in the old quarter and only 2 minutes to HoanKiemLake – where you can have the great walk and interact to local people doing exercise there in early morning.

The design of the Hotel is a modernized classic, referencing Hanoi French colonial past with its Asian Art Deco façade. Inside, the mix of French colonial and Asian accents continues, with colors and decorations evoking Hanoi’s long history.

The hotel is not very big which consist of 55 room, but you can feel the hospitality of the staff here right when you enter to the hotel. The restaurant for breakfast or daily meals is also great and each of the room of the hotels has it own authentic and unique style, that reflect very local identities.

The only low point of the hotel is some of the room they do not have window with the view as the typical style of the house in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Constructed on the original ancient house in Hanoi Old Quarter, the hotel has great combination of the traditional Hanoi Style as well as elegant style of French architecture and decoration. The ground floor still keep the original well of the house from hundred years ago with the nice garden and the space local people call “heavenly well” that allow the light and air ventilation to the hotel.

The location of the hotel is great too. Right in one of the typical street but not touristy of Hanoi Old Quarter, you can feel and experience the real daily life of Hanoi people in the Old Quarter. The hotel just only 2 minutes to walk to Dong Xuan – the biggest whole sales market in town and 7 minutes walk to Hoan Kiem Lake. The room is very comfortable and well equipped with very nice décor and nice bathroom. The staffs are friendly and helpful.

The other highlight of the hotel is very authentic and nice décor restaurant and bar. The breakfast is outstanding. The hotel also has very nice and comfortable spa on ground floor.

The only low point of the hotel like all the other boutique hotels in Hanoi is the standard room is quite small

The Experience - overnight on our romantic Syrena Cruise

The tour will depart from Ha Noi capital. Our modern shuttle bus & our friendly English Speaking staff will pick you up at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter area at 08h00(if your hotel is located outside the Old Quarter please let us know for assistance)

12:15 Embarkation at Syrena Harbor.

12:30 Check in whilst enjoy a welcome drink and cruise briefing.

13:00 Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay and admiring the fascinating rock formations in the Bay. Cruise to Surprise Cave.

14:30 Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave. Walk up 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and tour around for approximately 45 minutes.

15:30 Back to the cruise and continue cruising to the Titop Island.

Arrive at Titov Island. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach or climb the steps of the Rock to the top of the island for taking photos. After visiting Titov, guests can book kayak with the cruise team. (surcharge for kayak will be applied)

Vietnam National Parks

Aiming at protecting rare and endangered species from deforestation, negative impacts of urbanization and climate changes, system of national parks in Vietnam has been widened and developed.

The first national park of Vietnam - Cuc Phuong National Park, was established in 1966. According to statistic in August 2010, Vietnam now has 30 national parks with total area of 10,350.74square kilometers (accounted for 2.93% of territory on the mainland). Among them, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park was titled by UNESCO as the World Natural Heritage Site and Bai Tu Long National Park was recognized as a part of the World Natural Heritage Site – Halong Bay. Moreover, there are 8 national parks listed in the list of International Biosphere Reservation by UNESCO, including Cat Ba, Xuan Thuy, Pu Mat, Cat Tien, Ca Mau Cape, the Upper U Minh, the Lower U Minh and Phu Quoc National Park. And four were declared as ASEAN’s Heritage Parks: Hoang Lien, Ba Be, Chu Mom Ray and Kon Ka Kinh National Park.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – private car transfer/no guide

In the morning: 08:00 – 08:30 a.m: Our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel and start to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969, then visit Ho Chi Minh’s museum where tourists will learn what he had done for Viet Nam and some other countries and a lot of information about President Ho Chi Minh. The next place is One Pillar Pagoda which is a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square pond. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature the first college of Viet Nam dedicated to Confucian. Have lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon:

If Tues, Thurs, Sats and Suns: After lunch, drive to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Which is on the shore of West Lake, the Museum of Ethnology. The last place of city tour is Hoan Kiem Lake (Restored Sword Lake), Ngoc Son Temple. Drop off at your hotel.

If Mons, Weds and Fris: After lunch, we will visit Bat Trang Ceramics Village. Drop off at your hotel.

Vietnam travel tips: Travel essentials

Internet and email

Accessing the internet in Vietnam has become a great deal easier, though it is still monitored and controlled by a government fearful of this potentially subversive means of communication. Occasionally social networking sites like Facebook have been blocked.

There’s no problem about logging on in the major cities and tourist centres in Vietnam, where you’ll find dozens of internet cafés, while many hotels also offer internet access. Many upmarket and even some budget hotels offer wi-fi broadband access in your room – sometimes free to attract custom. Even remote regions are wired to the web these days, though the service may be slower and more expensive. Rates in the big cities currently stand at around 100đ per minute, with some places charging by the hour (about 6000đ).

Traveling to the North of Vietnam

Traveling to the North to explore the spectacular mountainous scene, the peaks appearing from a distance like islands jutting above a sea of cloud, the forests harbor many species of wild animals, butterflies and flower. You don’t miss the chance to view the breathtaking landscape of flower blossoming seasons unique of the Northeast region of Vietnam.

 “”We don’t divide the seasons into spring, summer, autumn and winter. Rather, we think of time in terms of when flowers bloom”  a “professional” flower traveler said.

Buckwheat blossoming season ( Tam Giac Mach)

When autumn coming ,  farmers finish harvesting their crops on the terraced fields on Dong Van Stone Plateau in the northernmost province of Ha Giang, buckwheat plants start to blossom, turning the whole region into a charming pink painting. The flower is characterized by triangle-shaped pistils and this is why local people call buckwheat the “triangular flower”. Buckwheat flowers characteristically open in pinkish white and then turn light purplish. Nobody knows exactly how long the buckwheat plants have been in the region. However, the locals often use its grain-like seeds to make their food, such as cakes and to make a kind of tasty wine.

Hotels Hanoi in Vietnam

Y Lan Guesthouse

Hanoi is the world’s copycat capital when it comes to hotels, restaurants and tour operators, but there’s nowhere else like Y Lan Guesthouse, quite possibly the most authentic homestay in Vietnam. Behind a thick door off a busy boulevard in the French Quarter, the quiet, modest guesthouse faces an incredibly beautiful 150-year-old temple. The tiled temple, fronted by wooden columns and dangling orange lanterns, houses the ancestor altars of the family of Mrs Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, the guesthouse owner. Bedroom number three, with louvered shutters, has a balcony overlooking the pretty fan-shaped tile tips of the temple. No-nonsense Mrs Oanh, who speaks French but little English, provides breakfast on the marble-topped table next to the family kitchen, and will take you inside the family temple if you ask. 

This perfectly pitched Hanoi hotel combines Indochine elegance with a modern ambience. Ceiling-height padded silk headboards prop up wonderfully comfortable beds layered in white cottons in rooms with polished wooden floors, silk lamps, red Oriental trunks-turned-tables, and chairs upholstered in silver cotton and chenille. Its location on Hang Trong, just south of the Old Quarter, and just around the corner from one of the most popular shopping streets, Hang Gai, makes it the perfect base for shopaholics. After a day pounding the streets, head to the top-floor Le Royal Spa, for a soothing foot massage.

Nha Trang Tours

Heaven alike resorts, colorful coral reef underwater, pristine untouched beaches and harmonious combination of modern complexes and entertainment spots are unique features nowhere else Nha Trang can have. Though Nha Trang is having its name in lights due to the excellent scuba-diving and snorkeling, or palm-fringed beaches with clear blue water, they are not the only things the coastal Town can offer. Come to Nha Trang, one also has an opportunity to experience its own distinctive treaties. The golden pearl in Vietnamese tourism industry is also glad to be chosen a host place for many beauty competitions worldwide such as Miss Earth or Miss Universe.

Halong Bay Tours

Located approximately 3-hour northeast drive from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is yet another must-see place in Vietnam. The Bay is proudly rewarded World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Ha Long Bay is well-known for its magnificent grottos, white sand beaches, stunning limestone islets and turquoise water with strange-shaped rock formations. There may be no such experience more pleasant than waking up to the sound of waves and birds welcoming the new day or trying out kayaking trip to discover the less-known caves and hidden coves. Only in Ha Long Bay do tourists have a chance to visit fishing villages, understand the local ways of lives making.

Top Vietnam destinations to visit in 2016

Crazy and calm, exciting and relaxing, Vietnam is among the rare destinations where your experience can be stretched to its limits. When it comes to tourism, Vietnam is a reverberating symphony of culture, history, landscape and at its heart, the people. Traveling to Vietnam, you will find that these categories are not rigid but rather diverse and dynamic. Every landscape you tread, every architecture you see, every dish you taste and every person you meet has a story to tell you. Therefore, no matter what preferences you have, Vietnam can offer you your best travel experience.

In 2016, Vietnam is forecasted be an even more ideal destination. Major international and regional events, especially Hue’s Festival 2016 and Asian Beach Games 2016, will be held at various tourist destinations. Another reason why Vietnam should be on your list in 2016 is about affordability. Although tourism has witnessed giant leap for the last decade, in Vietnam, prices are low compare to other countries. Take for instance, while having a decent vacation in Bali will cost you no less than $100 per person per day, a lovely two-day cruise tour in Halong Bay is only around $140. The deal gets even better if you are a backpacker: it only costs you around $20 a day to discover and enjoy the most “expensive” metropolises of Vietnam.

Below is a must-go list for you to start with:

Hanoi is a unique city where seemingly contradictory characteristics happen to exist in harmony. It is where the people embrace rich cultural legacy while thriving to modernity and affluence. It is where you can easily find thousand-year-old pagodas, colonial French-style buildings, and modern skyscrapers all located on the same street. And it is where you can find hip-hop dancers showcasing their skills with daring moves in the same park where old grandfathers are doing Taichi with a calm and relaxing demeanor.

When it comes to tourism, there are endless choices for a thrilling and satisfying excursion in Hanoi. In this city of more than one thousand year of historical continuity, you can virtually walk through time as you visit various tourist attractions and historical sites. Some of them date back to as far as the 1000s C.E., such as One Pillared Pagoda, Temple of Literature and National University. The Old Quarter or the Ancient Streets, which is regarded as Base Camp for many foreign tourists, is also a historical landmark as it was actually conveyed many centuries ago, encompassing streets that made and sold all sorts of commodities. The sights of modernity such as high-rise buildings with shopping, dinning and entertainment complexes, are, of course, visible everywhere in the city