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Vietnam tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Vietnam links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel. Order Vietnam Travel Brochures - for Free.
Vietnam The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was once a colony of the French, although the language is hardly spoken there today. Countries neighbouring Vietnam are: China, Laos and Cambodia.
For twenty years the country was a battleground of Communism against Capitalism, and a bloody nose for the Americans. Vietnam
National Administration of Tourism: Weather in VietnamView a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in places around Vietnam. Da Nang Weather, Hanoi Weather, Ho Chi Minh City Weather, Vung Tau Weather. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh The capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is near the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in the north of the country. From the 1880s to World War II, Hanoi developed as a French colonial capital. The region around Hanoi has been a wet-rice growing area for more than 2,000 years and is considerably cooler than the humid south. Hanoi still lags behind Ho Chi Minh City in terms of population, commerce, and standard of living, but it is the seat of power. For a long time that power was held by Ho Chi Minh, and you can visit his final resting place; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's former house, and a new Ho Chi Minh Museum are all nearby. Hanoi's lakes and shaded boulevards also make for pleasant afternoon strolls.
Hanoi
Sightseeing: Accommodation in HanoiHotels
in Hanoi: Sort Hanoi Hotels by: Hotel Price, Hotel Rating, Hotel Name. The Tonkin region stretches from the Hoang Lien Mountains, across the Red River to the islands of Halong Bay. The mountainous areas are home to many hill tribes, and Halong Bay has thousands of limestone islands in the Gulf of Tonkin; where exploring caves is the order of the day. Tours can easily be arranged from Hanoi. Hue was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty and the site of the Emperor Gia Long's imperial palace - the Forbidden Purple City. Outside the city walls are the tombs of past emperors. Accommodation in HueHotels
in Hue: Nha Trang: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Also called Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is located on the Saigon River near the Mekong delta, in the south of the country. The main downtown area, district 1, is built on a bend in the Saigon River, while the large Chinese market area of Cholon (district 5) is a few kilometres to the west. Saigon was captured by the French in 1859, and made the capital of the colony of Cochin China, and later all of French Indochina. Even if you don't stay in one of the upmarket hotels, a visit to them is a must. The roof garden of the Rex Hotel is an excellent place for an evening meal. The streets below are full of mopeds. All you can eat breakfast buffets are always a good deal and set you up well for the sweaty day ahead. Try the one in the Majestic. Ho Chi Minh
City: Victory Guest
House Saigon: Accommodation in SaigonHotels
in Ho Chi Minh City: Sort Saigon Hotels by: Hotel Price, Hotel Rating, Hotel Name. Vung Tau -- Saigon's Beach When you've had enough of the noise in Saigon and the you've seen the Reunification Hall, the Revolutionary Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, you can always take the hydrofoil to Vung Tau. Vung
Tau: Vietnam by RoadBuses go almost everywhere, and they're extremely cheap. Foreigners will pay more than the Vietnamese, unless their bargaining skills are good and the driver is sympathetic. Vietnam by RailThe train now goes all the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, but no-one in their right mind would want to do it all in one ride; there's too much see along the way. Best used for the Hanoi to Hue stretch, and Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City; if you don't have time for Dalat. Vietnam by AirAirlines: Popular flights to Vietnam are from Bangkok or Hong Kong. In a region that is on the move, Vietnam is without rival in providing the traveller with images of an authentic, enchanting culture, together with examples of Asian economic dynamism still in its infancy. Northern VietnamHighlights in the north of Vietnam includes Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island and Cat Ba National Park, Perfume Pagoda, Hoa Lu and Tam coc, Cuc Phuong National Park, Ba Be Lake and National Park, Tam Dao Hill Station, Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien Phu, Sapa, Fansipan Summit, Bac Ha Hill - tribe Market, Northern Mountain (Northwest and Northeast) and the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Central VietnamIn the centre of Vietnam, popular attractions include Hue, DMZ, Danang, Marble Mountains, Hoian, Cua Dai beach, My Lai, My Son Hollyland, Nha Trang, Cana, Phan Thiet, Dalat, Dalat Flower Garden, Hill tribe Museum, Lak lake, Kontum and Pleiku. Southern VietnamHighlights in the south of Vietnam include Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta, Mytho, Con Phung Island, Can Tho, Ca Mau, U-Minh Forest, Chau Doc, Con Dao Island and Phu Quoc Island. Hitchhiking Vietnam: General Advice About Travelling in Vietnam.Vietnamese people are very gracious, polite and generous and will make every effort to make guests feel comfortable. Do not be surprised if somebody you have just met invites you home to meet the family and friends. These are the experiences that will enrich your visit to Vietnam. From the worker's simple outfits in the rice fields to western style business suits in the city, the Vietnamese are conservative in their dress. Visitors wearing shorts are tolerated, even though you may see many shirtless Vietnamese men in shorts. Wear conservative clothing if you visit a culturally sensitive area such as a temple or pagoda -- the less bare skin the better. Keep in mind that, although tolerant, people may be judgmental. Unfortunately you cannot expect hospitality at every turn and you may experience problems with petty theft and pick pockets. This is more prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Nha Trang. In other areas, especially in the north, reports of these activities are extremely minimal. It is not something to be paranoid about but be aware of your surroundings. Below is a list of do's and don'ts to help you avoid some of the social taboos during your visit. Take heed of these pointers and you will be rewarded with a culturally and socially enriching experience. What You Should DoStore your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Most 4-star hotels have in-room safes, otherwise ask the reception to keep your valuable things in their deposit facility. Take a hotel business card from the reception desk before venturing out from your hotel. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier. Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions from your base hotel. You never know when you might need it! Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing. If invited into a Vietnamese home, always remove your shoes at the front door when entering. Ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. Things Not To Do in VietnamOffer money or push the issue. Drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of 2 litres per day. If you drink tea, coffee and alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will help to dehydrate you. Never carry more money than you need when walking around the streets. Do not wear large amounts of jewellery. There are two reasons for not doing this (1) It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public; (2) It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher. Don't be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings. Don't wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive. Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community. Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house. Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanour and you will be reciprocated with the same. Do not try to take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security. Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people. The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam. Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are
very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by their customs, and very forgiving if
you get it wrong, or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded. Vietnam Travel Guides Books
on Vietnam Travel:
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