Vietnam Things to do and see

HANOI

Capital of socialist Republic of Vietnam. Formerly known as Thang Long (meaning Ascending Dragon), Hanoi is charming city with its famous lakes, the Old Quarter shaded boulevards and former French colonial construction. The city of Hanoi is a small part of greater Hanoi, which has a land area of 2,139 square km and a population of nearly 2,500.000. The city is situated on the right bank of the Red river. Hanoi was chosen to be a capital in 1010 by the King LyThai To. Through several successive dynasties, it is remained as the country's Capital city, the heart and soul of the whole nation and has borne a variety of names, including Dong Kinh (or Tonkin), Dai La, Dong Do ... the city was finally named Hanoi (the city in a bend of the river) by Emperor Minh Mang (Nguyen dynasty) in 1831. From 1902 to 1953, Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina. There are two main seasons in Hanoi: the hot rainy season from May to October with the hottest month - July (average temperature is 31 C ) and the cold-dry season with coldest month: January (average temperature 14 C).

Water Puppetry

Water puppetry is a Vietnamese traditional kind of Art. You can see the puppetry show in a number of Vietnamese cities, including Hanoi. Some of the puppets are in need of a paint job and the management could turn down the music a touch. The show lasts about 1 hour. You are given the unfolding story and a fan. The musical interludes provide you with a glimpse of tranditional Vietnamese instruments. You can buy tickets at the Water Puppetry Theater (57 Dinh Tien Hoang street) or at Green Bamboo office.

HAI PHONG

Hai Phong is one of the 3 largest cities of Vietnam (after Sai Gon and Hanoi). Hai Phong was built into a commercially city anciently and after the French domination in July 1888. Hai Phong is the short form of "Defense of Coastal Region".

At present time, Hai Phong is a big port city of Vietnam, a city for Trade and tourism, a communications focus by all means (on roads, on waterways and by airways, railways). With the population of about 2 million on an total area of over 1,500 square km2, just 103 km from Hanoi in the North - East direction, Hai Phong is located in the economic growth triangle of the Northern Vietnam: Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh.

Lying in tropical area, Hai Phong is always influenced by monsoon, average temperature is 23 - 24oC, annual average rainfall from 1,600 - 1,800 mm. Present Hai Phong remains places of interest for sightseeing such as Du Hang Pagoda, Hang Kenh communal house, the beach of Do Son.

HO CHI MINH CITY

The city has had different names through the years and the latest one - HoChiMinh city - appeared in 1975, after National Reunification. But nowadays it is still called SaiGon.

Along with the Capital of Hanoi, HoChiMinh city (former Sai Gon) has now become Vietnam's an important economic and cultural center. It is the largest city of Vietnam with the length of 25 km and over 20 km across. Population is about 5 million. People here are friendly and hard-working. Under the former regime, it was considered " The pearl of the Far-East". HoChiMinh city is nice. The vegetation is green all the year around thanks to fertile land, maritime climate, abundant sunshine, almost equally distributed between the rainy and dry seasons.

CU CHI

Cu Chi is the network of underground tunnels with the length of more than 200 km in Tay Ninh. Situated at the gate of Sai Gon and linking it to the revolutionary bases, Cu Chi played an important role in both wars of resistant against colonialism and neo-colonialism. It has total area of 43oo hectares. These tunnels were constructed and used by Vietnamese soldiers to conduct operations. There are living area, sleeping quarters ,storage centers, underground hospitals, kitchen, and communication centers. These tunnels stretches from SaiGon to the Cambodian border. The tunnels nowadays maintains its original.

VUNG TAU

Vung Tau is about more than 100 km from Sai Gon. Before 17th century, the city was under Khmer rule and the town began to develop as a seaside resort at the beginning of the 20th century. In Vung Tau there are some relatively nice beaches such as Back Beach, Bai Troc, Bai Dau Beach, Bai Nghinh Phong. Vung Tau is a rich area. It is famous for its various natural resources and has now attracted direct investment from outside.

TAY NINH

Tay Ninh is considered as the Holy Land. Between 1975 and 1979, Tay Ninh province was increasingly encroached upon by Cambodian Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge. This area is strongly influenced by CaoDaism. The religion became formalized in 1926 and has developed. About one km to the east of Tay Ninh are a number of Cham Temples and about 15 km from Tay Ninh is located big and nice Ba Den mountain (Black Lady mountain).

Cao Dai Holy See

This is the principal temple of the Cao Dai religion. The Temple is constructed on nine levels, which express the 9 steps to heaven. On each level there is a pair of columns decorated with dragons. The main temple consists of an intriguing complex of architectural styles, ranging from Oriental to European.

MY THO

My Tho is located nearly 80 km from Sai Gon with population of about 100,000. It is considered as the site of Vietnamese soldiers' first victory. My Tho is a prosperous area, famous for its rice production, fruits and orchards.

In My Tho you can visit Vinh Trang pagoda - the oldest and famous one in the South Vietnam, My Tho church, Dong Tam snake farm.

Sa Dec

Sa Dec (135 km from Sai Gon) is famous for the many flower nurseries that transport fresh flowers daily to Sai Gon. A french military general and the governor of Cochinchina were killed here.

CAN THO

Can Tho - 170 km south of SaiGon - is the cleanest and nicest city in Me Kong delta with 200,000 inhabitants. Since the colonial days, it has been the delta's major center of rice cultivation. There is an important rice research institute here, as well as a university. The city is surrounded by many canals and ferrtile rice fields.

CHAU DOC

Chau Doc is a part of An Giang province, near the Cambodian border and possesses both the largest Khmer and Cham populations in Vietnam. An interesting and curious feature of Chau Doc are the floating houses in the River. There are many ranges of mountains, beautiful landscapes such as Sam Mountain, Tay An pagoda, Temple of Lady Chua Xu ...

DA LAT

Dalat is one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam and sits on the latitute of 1530 meters above level sea. Average temperature is from 15 to 20 C. The rainy season last from April to November. The total area is 70 square kilometers with population of 100,000.

DaLat was founded by a French - Andre Yersin in the late 1890s. In 1900 General Governor of Indochina - Pol Doumer decided to choose DaLat as a resort. DaLat is a highland city with more than 2500 villas. Many of them are french style.

In the center of the city is Xuan Huong Lake. The lake bears the name of 17th century Vietnamese poet. Around the city there are waterfalls, beautiful flower gardens, pine forested valleys, lakes, golf courses, for example : Valley of Love, Camly fall, Prenn fall, Datanla fall, Truc Lam Thien Vien pagoda.

Pleiku

Pleiku is located in the center of a fertile plateau and about 550 km from Sai Gon. The total of population is 40 000. Most of the town's inhabitants are from variety of ethnic groups. In Pleiku you can see Gia Lai forest, Yali waterfall. You will also have opportunities to ride an elephant, enjoy folk dance performance.

ConTum

ConTum (50 km North of Pleiku, 900 km from HCMC) is also inhabited primarily by ethnic minority groups such as Giarai, Bahnar, Rengao ... It was badly bombed during the war against American imperialists and has been recovered after National Reunification. 20 km southwest of Con Tum is the spectacular JraiLi waterfall.

NHA TRANG

Nha Trang (1450 km South of Hanoi and 450 km North of HCMC) is the capital of Khanh Hoa province, lies along the East sea with population of 240 000. The name of Nha Trang comes from Cham word "Eatran" ("Ea" means water and "tran" - bamboo). NhaTrang possesses many islands, clean beaches, coastal climate, sunshine. Average temperature is 23 C. Summer lasts from May to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang runs only from October through early December.

In Nha Trang there is one airport, railway station and 2 big ports. Apart from beautiful beaches, in Nha Trang tourists visit Cham towers, LongSon pagoda, Hon Chong Promontory.

HOI AN

Hoi An is an ancient town in Vietnam, less than 30 km to the south of Danang. It is located on the bank of the Thu Bon river, near the East Sea. It was untouched by the fighting during the Vietnam war and remains its centuries-old Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. In the 17 - 19 centuries, Hoi An was one of the most important port in Southeast Asia. In 17 century the French Priest Alexandre de Rhodes arrived here and described Vietnamese language into Latin - based quoc ngu script. Hoi An was also the site of the first Chinese settlers in southern Vietnam. Today Hoi An attracts many tourists thanks to its valuable architectural works such as: Phuc Kien pagoda, Japanese Covered Bridge, Japanese tomb, Hoi An church, Tan Ky House.

DANANG

Danang is a largest city in the Central Vietnam with population of 500,000. It has different names through years: Cua Han, Touranne and now Danang.

In 1858 the first French colonialists came to Vietnam through Danang. The independence here was obtained truly in March of 1975.

Danang is one of the most progressive city in Vietnam in term of exploiting Vietnam's new free market principles. It is aggressive in attracting foreign investment and have developed rapidly. Coming to Danang you can visit Cham museum. There are beautiful sculptures reflecting the 1000-year Cham period. Indonesian and Malaysian influences are seen in the works before 10th century. The museum was found in 1915 and expanded in 1935.

In Danang you also visit Danang Cathedral, HoChiMinh museum, Cho Han market, and admire the views of Non Nuoc beach, Marble Mountains.

Hai Van Pass

The name of HaVan Pass means Pass of the Ocean Clouds. It is located a few kilometers from the north of Danang. The weather here changes dramatically, truly separating the South from the North. This area is considered as one of the nicest views in Vietnam.

HUE

Hue originally called Phu Xuan was built in 1687 and became the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. During that time it was the cultural, religious and economic center of Vietnam.

In Hue you can see charming women with elegant Vietnamese tranditional dresses and conical palm leaf hats. Tourists who have come to Hue even once can not forget the gentleness and gracefulness of its people in their relation with them. Tourists also can enjoy special food in Hue such as rice with corbicular (com hen), steamed thin rice pancakes (banh uot) and other dishes.

In the surrounding of Hue there are over a dozen mausoleums and royal tombs, but most attractive of them are Gia Long, Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums. Besides, in Hue you there are famous pagodas such as Tu Dam and Thien Mu which is on the left bank of beautiful Huong river.

Lang Co Beach

Located on the North side of the Hai Van pass and about 30 km from Danang, Lang Co is a peaceful, quiet, clean beautiful beach with white sand and palm lines. You can walk for kilometers on the beach at Lang Co and not see a sole individual for hours.

Hai Van Pass

Hai Van pass (the pass of the Ocean Clouds) is a few kilometers to the north of Danang. The weather changes dramatically, truly separating the south from the north. This area is considered as one oof the most views in Vietnam.

Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu is in Ninh Binh province, about 120 km from Hanoi. Hoa Lu used to be Vietnam's capital from 968 AD to 1010 AD. This was the time of the Dinh and early Le Dynasties. Hoa Lu has the good location, it was surrounded by limestone mountains with paths that prevents the Chinese enemies. Today 2 temples are built here to express gratitude of the 2 Kings.

Tam Coc

About 10 km from Hoa Lu is a wonderful natural landscape - Tam Coc. It is called "Inland HaLong". Tam Coc means three caves. All visitors have to take boats along the river to see limestone islands and go inside the caves, and visit Thai Vi temple.

Cuc Phuong

150 km south of Hanoi and west of Nam Dinh. This natural park covers more than 25,000 hectares. It is an important archeological site discovered in 1974 in the grottoes here. There have been numerous discoveries here of prehistoric tools and artifacts. In this park live thousands of different species of wildlife.

Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh is 74 km southwest of Hanoi and the capital of Hoa Binh province. It is famous for its hydro - electric operation that generates electricity to all parts of the Northern Vietnam. Here live different hill tribes such as Muong, Thai, Dzao. Tourists can take boats along Black river (Da river) to visit these minority groups, enjoy pipe rice wine.

Perfume Pagoda

The pagoda is in Hoa Binh province, 60 km southwest of Hanoi. This is a complex of pagodas constructed into the side of the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich mountain. Here you can take boat to visit Trinh temple, then climb up to Thien Tru pagoda, Tien Son cave and Huong Tich cave.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau district in Hoa Binh province is a beautiful highland valley populated mostly by the Thai ethnic group. Surrounded on all 4 sides by jagged peaks, the valley has intensive paddy cultivation. Visits can be arranged to villages. It is possible to stay in the tranditional stilt houses of the White Thai villages. Handicrafts include delicate hand embroidery, textiles and fabrics, tranditional musical instruments.

HALONG BAY

Ha Long is in Quang Ninh province and 167 km from Hanoi. The area attracts a large number of tourists, both foreigners and Vietnamese.

Ha Long means Descending dragons. The total area of the Bay is 1500 square kilometres with thousands of limestone islands. The area looks like a mountain range in the sea. In April 1994 HaLong was considered as a city and then was recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. Visiting Ha Long Bay, travellers can see the remains left by primitive at the last 20,000 years. Ha Long Bay is also the ideal object for scientific research in geology, geography, biology, oceanography.

Cat Ba

Cat Ba is the largest island in the Ha Long Bay region with the total area of 355 square kilometres and the population of 12,000 people. They mainly live by fishing, rice farming, growing apples and oranges. Cat Ba National Park is famous for its flora and fauna. The island possesses at least a dozen species of mammals and many kinds of birds such as hornbills, hawks and cuckoo birds. The park is surrounded by fine beaches with coral reefs offshore. Cat Ba features small waterfall and grottoes in limestone rocks formation.

Son La

Son La located about 350 km from Hanoi, on the Laos border. In this mountainous and forested region live different minority groups such as H'Mong, Black Thai, White Thai, Muong ... Son La is about two third of the way between Hanoi and Dien Bien Phu. So travellers always have a stop on their way to Dien Bien.

DIEN BIEN PHU

Dien Bien Phu today is a famous tourist destination. This area involves in Vietnam's history and is well-known all over the world. Here French forces were defeated by Vietnamese patriots in May 1954. Dien Bien Phu battle interrupted 9 years of resistance against French colonialists in Vietnam. About 95000 French soldiers died here. Today you can go to visit Dien Bien Phu by air plane or by car. The trip to Dien Bien Phu will help you know more about daily life of ethnic groups and the famous battle field.

Lai Chau

The total area is more than 17 square kilometres and its economic potentiality is forestry. Lai Chau province shares borders with China and Laos. The population consists mainly of the Thai, Si La, and La Chi minority groups. The monsoon tropical climate brings a rainy summer and a short winter. The annual average temperature is 23 C and the average rainfall is 2,500 mm.

Lao Cai

Lao Cai is on the Chinese border at the end of the rail line. 340 km northwest from Hanoi and 40 km northeast of Sapa, it is the gateway to Sapa. Nowadays the border into China is open, so many people can go to China through Lao Cai. Lao Cai have been more and more changing rapidly.

SAPA

Sapa is a magnificent small town. Sapa is more than 1500 meters above level sea in the northern province of Lao Cai. In Sapa there is the highest mountain - Fansipan (3143 meters). Different ethnic groups live here.

The town has been under Japanese, French, Chinese and Vietnamese control at various times in it history. It was most recently rebuilt by the Vietnamese.

The night market in Sapa is the principal tourist attraction. Here not only the place for people purchase their products handicrafts, but also exchange the thought, meet each with other, look for new friends and lovers. It is the nice cultural feature. You can see here minority villages, streams, Silver waterfall ..

Fansipan

Located in Lao Cai province, this area is the site of Vietnam's highest pick, at 3143 meters high. The mountain is climbable but lest done in the winters.

Yen Bai

Yen Bai is located in Tay Bac in the northern part of the country. This is at the base of the delta. In February 1030, the Vietnamese army started an uprising here against the French colonial authorities based on the initiative of the Vietnamese Nationalist Party. The tropical monsoon climate is divided into 2 seasons: the cold season lasts from November to March and the hot season, from April to October. Annual average temperature is 22 C.

Ba Be Lake

BaBe Lake is in Bac Can province. It is one of the most beautiful and valuable natural lakes in the world. Ba Be means 3 lakes. In fact it is a part of Nang river. There are many kinds of births and plants. Coming here, you can rent a boat and go along Nang river to visit Dau Dang waterfall and some minority villages.

Cao Bang

In this area there are some places where President Ho worked before the August 1945 Revolution such as PacBo, CocBo cave, Lenin steam, Khuoi Nam stream. Nine ethnic minority groups inhabit here, including the Tay, Nung, Dao, H'Mong. The total area is more than 6000 square kilometers with the population of 560,000. The famous sites here are Thang Then in Tra Linh, Ban Gioc in Trung Khanh.

Lang Son

Lang Son is located farther north where the 0 km landmark of National Highway 1A starts, more exactly at Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship gate). This is an important communication way to and from China. The main ethnic groups found in that area include the Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao and Ngai. People live majorly by farming.