7 best places to visit in Vietnam

Cyclo Tours
Address 1: 123 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel:   (84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 / Fax: (84-8) 38229070

With its wild jungles, fantastic street food and white sandy beaches,Vietnam deserves to be on every traveller's hitlist. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, there are a number of sights and sounds that draw the crowds.

But it's not just all about the star turns. In a country where exotic Asia fuses with Parisien chic, there are many surprising sights and fascinating places to explore. Our girl on the traveller's trail, Catherine McGloin, shares seven of her favourite places in Vietnam.
 

1. Huế

For culture vultures, there is no shortage of temples, tombs, pagodas and crumbling palaces to admire and explore. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Huế is home to the Citadel, once the emperor's private residence, and the Forbidden Purple City, where he housed his many mistresses. When your feet are weary, grab some bún bò Huế  (beef noodle soup) and watch swan pedalos cruise the Perfume River as the sun sets.

 

 

2. Hoi An

Foodies can feast on street food in Vietnam's culinary capital. If you fancy trying your hand at Vietnamese cuisine, many restaurants offer half-day cooking courses. Sounds too much like hard work? Hit An Bang Beach instead for a day lounging on the deserted sand, sipping on ice-cold cocktails at the bar.

 

 

3. Sapa

Go trekking in the hills of Sapa for amazing views across the jungle and mountain ranges of north-west Vietnam. Equipment is cheap and easy to come by so don't worry if you're not a natural mountain goat, you'll soon be up there, gazing at the views as the mist rolls in across the peaks.
 

 

4. Halong Bay

Sail among the jagged rocks of over 2000 islands in the Gulf of Tonkin at Halong, which translates as 'where the dragon descends in to the sea'. If you want to get a closer view, hire kayaks and explore the caves or find your own deserted bay.

 

 

5. Hanoi

The hustle and bustle of Vietnam's capital can at first seem intimidating, but don't let the weaving motorbikes and screaming street hawkers put you off. Behind the hustle and bustle you'll find tranquility in the Temple of Literature, peace at One Pillar Pagoda, and more charming French patisseries then you could wish for.

 

 

6. Ben Tre

A little off the beaten track, head to Ben Tre to experience life on the banks of the Mekong without the tourist crowds of spots like My Tho. Cruise along the river, stopping at a coconut candy factory to sample the sweet treat the area is famous for. For a touch of romance, set sail at dusk to catch fireflies and watch the sunset.

 

 

7. Ho Chi Minh City

Former Saigon is now Vietnam's international business hub. Get your gladrags on and head up to one of the many skybars, found on the top floor of the city's sleek skyscrapers. Cocktail in hand, admire the best view of Ho Chi Minh City by night.

 

Hanoi in the eyes of foreign friends: the distinct difference

Cyclo Tours
Address 1: 123 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel:   (84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 / Fax: (84-8) 38229070

The writer of Asia tourism CNNGo, Bruce Foreman, has just made some interesting comments on the difference of Hanoi.

Crossing the street…

Crossing the street in Hanoi is an absolutely new experience to foreigners. When you step down the roadway, do not think about going back because it is more dangerous than keep going. Therefore you only can choose to keep going and try to avoid vehicles on the road.

Draught beer…

Draught beer is a speciality in Hanoi. Foreigners really love it. Many sidewalks in the Old Town of Hanoi become beer shops, and they attract a lot of people, many of them are foreigners. To foreign visitors, the most popular address to enjoy draught beer is the intersection of Ta Hien street and Luong Ngoc Quyen.

The relics of war…

Hanoi has many relics of war. One of them is Hoa Lo prison that is known as “Hilton hotel” in Hanoi in wartime and a place detaining arrested American pilots.

The Old Town..

Streets of The Old Town are the specific characteristic of Hanoi. If you do not go to the Old Town when coming to Hanoi, it means you have not ever known the capital of Vietnam. Names of streets in the Old Town are named after goods sold there. However, some streets now sell goods that are not related to their own names.

“Quang gánh”(a equipment that helps to hold loads at the end of a carrying pole)

“street hawker" or "gánh hàng rong"in Vietnameseis a special character in Vietnam, which you can see a lot in Hanoi. Goods are very various from souvenir to food and drink.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi is the only capital in Southeast Asia that has the mausoleum of a leader. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is always a tourist attracction when foreign travellers come to Vietnam.

French style

Hanoi features distinctive French architectures, which makes the difference of  Hanoi in comparison with many cities in Asia. Food and drink imported from France like coffee and cripsy bread also contribute to the unique and peculiar of Hanoi food.

Cai Be Princess Cruise

http://cyclotour.com.vn/tours/cai-be-princess-cruise/408.html

Cyclo Tours
Address 1: 123 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel:   (84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 / Fax: (84-8) 38229070

Enjoy the Mekong river on private cruises on board authentic sampans, explore the Mekong unseen paths cruising throughout the delta and its numerous zigzag canal systems. The Mekong Horizon Co., Ltd’s head quarters based in Phu An – Cai Lay (next to Cai Be, Tien Giang Province).

Day 1: Cai Be - Phu An - Dong Hoa Hiep

(Overnight at local house by the river – basic accommodation)

- The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at 10.30am the latest. Upon embarkation on your river junk, you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The cruise will begin with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. We will then proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer.
- On the way, stop will be made at some local home factories to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other regional specialties are made. A delicious lunch will await you at “Le Longanier”, a superb Indochinese villa located by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations.
- After lunch, your sampan will cruise deeper into the country side on smaller canals and arroyos passing under several small traditional bridges made by wood and bamboos. Stops can be made during the cruise to visit some fruit markets and plantations on the banks (bananas, water melon, and longans), an opportunity to make contacts with local inhabitants. Along the river, local houses are still traditionally made of wood and palm tree leaves. On the river banks, you will observe some very large rice fields while cruising between numerous suspended fishing nets, an ancestral way of fishing in the Mekong Delta.
- The cruise will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island. You will disembark at an ancient Mandarin house dating from late 19th century located on the river banks. After being greeted by the owners, you will proceed to the check-in formalities and leaded to your room.
- Rest of the day at leisure in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at the ancient house.

Day 2: Dong Hoa Hiep - Vinh Long - Sa Dec

- After breakfast, back on board your private sampan for your second day cruise in the delta. You will discover Dong Hoa Hiep island, a peaceful escape where you will be able to discover the rural life style and daily activities of the delta inhabitants such as roofs making with palm tree leaves, a bricks and tiles artisanal factory, net fishing,…
- These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and remaining unknown to many people.
- We will proceed the cruise up-stream on the Tien Giang River, another large arm of the Mekong. On both sides of the river, locals are recolting water jacinth, another famous Mekong delta product used for furniture and baskets. On the banks, some dark smokes in the sky will lead us to one of the biggest bricks and tiles factory where we will you have an interesting visit.
- Back on board, we will cruise to Sa Dec. The town is appearing like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals, with various kinds of activities on the banks. We will disembark at the local market place, and have a short walk through it. Your lunch will be served at on board.
- In the afternoon, visit of Sa Dec charming and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets and beautiful old houses dating from the last century, among some old Chinese temples, ancient Dinh, including the primary school of Marguerite Duras famous writer. (See Marguerite Duras novel turned into a famous movie, “The Lover”).
- The excursion will end at around 04pm. Your own private transportation vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Saigon or will proceed further to your next destination.

Cyclo Tours

Address: 
123 Ly Tu Trong street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
30 Phan Boi Chau street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Phone:
(84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 Hotline:0965555678
Fax:
(84-8) 38229070
Email:
booking@cyclotours.com.vn
Website:
http://www.cyclotours.com.vn
Fanpage:
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Beautiful Islands To Visit In Vietnam

Cyclo Tours
Address 1: 123 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel:              (84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 / Fax: (84-8) 38229070
Email:          booking@cyclotours.com.vn 
Website:     www.cyclotour.com.vn


Vietnam is a popular tourist destination in South-East Asia and it attracts a large number of tourists to its long seashore. There are a number of beautiful islands in Vietnam. You can choose a few of these islands as it is not always possible to visit each and every one of them. However, one must absolutely visit the following five as they are very beautiful and hugely popular among the tourists.

Con Dao – Ba Ria – Vung Tau

Con Dao is actually an archipelago that has more than 16 islands and attracts a large number of tourists for its pristine blue beaches and white sand seashore. You can enjoy a variety of food here like different types of snails and fish at very low prices. You can cook the seafood dishes by yourself to save a lot of money.

Phu Quoc Island – Kien Giang

The Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in Vietnam and also the largest one in the archipelago of Thailand Bay which consists of 22 islands. This island, also known as the Pearl Island, is a favorite destination among tourists as it has a rich abundance of beaches, streams and amazing waterfalls.

Fish Island – Nghe An

The Fishland is a collection of big and small sized islets that located in the middle of the sea around 4km from the shore. The biggest islet is 133m high and the small islet is around 88m above sea level. The tourists can enjoy bathing in the sea and enjoy the fresh air. Generally people indulge in sightseeing activities by boat, visit the fishing farm and the Thuong and Ha pagodas.

Ly Son Island – Quang Ngai

Ly Son is the coastal commune which consists of three islands – Big Island, Small Island and Mu Cu. The island was founded almost 25 million years ago and it has a unique 5 mouth volcano. The visitors to this island get charmed by the presence of huge minerals that comes in different shapes and the desert beaches. The food here is very unique and delicious and one must not leave the island without tasting the great food.

Vinpearl Land – Nha Trang

The Vietnamese Pearl or Vinpearl Land is a tourist site that is known for its sheer luxury. The blue beaches and the white sands attract tourists in large numbers but the real attraction is the game center which is a favorite among all visitors. This island generally attracts the affluent tourists from all over the world.



A trip to Vietnam will not be complete without visiting the mesmerizing islands. Unlike the islands in Thailand, the Vietnam islands have not received a great amount of coverage in travel guides but they are beautiful in their own right. Anyone who leaves this Asian country without visiting one of its islands will be making a gross mistake. They are really beautiful and at least a couple of days should be earmarked for the island tours in Vietnam. The best method would be approach a travel agency that deals in Vietnam tours and passport service and ask them for a guided tour of these awesome islands.

About the author
This list of popular Vietnamese islands has been brought to you by Ellen Nicola who has vast experience in the travel industry. She has worked in this industry for about 20 years. She has also been involved with expanding online information on travel since the inception of the World Wide Web.

THE 20 BEST BEACHES IN VIETNAM

Cyclo Tours

• Address: 
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  • 30 Phan Boi Chau street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
• Phone:(84-8) 38229068 - 38229069 Hotline:0965555678
• Fax:(84-8) 38229070
• Email:booking@cyclotours.com.vn
• Website:http://www.cyclotour.com.vn
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With over 2000 miles of coastline, Vietnam has plenty of secluded coves with white sands and waters fit for snorkelling. For days spent sunbathing and evenings watching stunning sunsets, these are the best beaches in Vietnam:

Long Beach, Phu Quoc

Long Beach (Bai Trong), spanning the west coast of Phu Quoc Island, is a 20km stretch of largely deserted soft yellow sand and swaying coconut palms. Ideal for sunbathing, sunset watching and swimming, this beach is great for classic tropical beach views and is undoubtedly the best Phu Quoc has to offer.

Star Beach, Phu Quoc

The largely undeveloped east coast of Phu Quoc is less frequented than, but just as beautiful as, the more popular west. A strong contender for the most beautiful beach on the island, Star Beach (Bai Sao) has dazzling white sands and mesmerizing, often calm waters. A few beach restaurants line the pale blue waters, and in season there are kayaks for rent and half-day snorkelling trips by boat.

City Beach, Nha Trang

Nha Trang, a delightful south coast city, is generally recognised as Vietnam’s premier beach destination. Six kilometres of sand joins the sea to the city, with rolling waves on one side and fringed on the other by cafes, restaurants, and some unusual modern sculptures. Watersports, day trips by boat and of course fresh pineapple are all readily available, but bear in mind the more choppy waters of November and December mean the beach loses much of its appeal.

Hon Chong Beach, Nha Trang

Just north of Nha Trang lies the secluded Hon Chong Beach – less refined than its central counterpart but worth the trip for the night-time views across the bay to the city centre. Cheap seafood restaurants abound at its far end.

Ho Coc Beach, Ho Coc

A spellbinding, often deserted beach, Ho Coc offers a primitive but wonderful five kilometre stretch of golden sand. The beach has clear waters and is backed by fine dunes, and the Binh Chau Hot Springs are located conveniently nearby in case sunbathing gets too much.

Doc Let Beach, Hon Khoi peninsula

Doc Let beach, on the splendid Hon Khoi peninsula, is a pristine location for a day’s beach-bumming. White sands and casuarinas (evergreen trees) make for a delightful, uncrowded scene. Good accommodation options are available, and even more secluded beaches can be found nearby.

Dai Lanh, Hon Ghom peninsula

The Hon Ghom peninsula is coated in largely empty, endless beaches. Perhaps the best is next to Dai Lanh, a tiny fishing village at the northern end of a one kilometre-long beach, hemmed between clear, turquoise waters of the South China Sea and a mantle of green mountains.

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My Khe, Quang Ngai

My Khe in Quang Ngai consists of seven kilometres of powder-soft sand, backed by casuarinas (evergreen trees), and is very good for swimming. Hamlets stand along the beach, while fishing boats are sometimes moored off it, and there’s a handful of restaurants that only get busy at the weekend.

Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An

It’s a popular bike (or motorbike taxi) ride from Hoi An to the clean, white sands of Cua Dai Beach. The best way to enjoy this stretch is to take an umbrella and deck chair at one of the many beachfront café-restaurants – you’ll be expected to at least buy a drink – to minimise hassle both from hawkers and other visitors. That way you can sip cocktails and watch spectacular sunsets over the Chám Islands just off the shore.

Cam An Beach, Hoi An

Cam An Beach, just north of its more popular counterpart, Cua Dai Beach, is a pleasantly scruffy alternative to the tourist focused Cua Dai. Ramshackle bars dot the far less visited beach, seen as the local expats’ beach of choice.

Con Son Island, Con Dao Archipelago

Con Son is ringed with pleasant beaches – Lo Voi and An Hai are nearest Con Son town, but Dam Trau to the north and Bat Dat Doc to the east are less frequented and just as nice.

Ca Na, southern coast

Numerous parked coracles (round boats) line the beach at Ca Na, with its invitingly clear water and healthy, but razor sharp, coral. It’s easily accessible and, if wanting a little more solitude, just 2km to the south lies another good stretch of sand.

Ninh Chu Beach, Ninh Chu

Five kilometres north of busy Phan Rang lies the pleasant, wide crescent of Ninh Chu Beach. Less popular with tourists than Mui Ne or Nha Trang, the beach still provides a quiet midweek stop, good for swimming, sunbathing and beach games in general.

My Khe, Da Nang

About three kilometres south of the city of Da Nang, My Khe is a long stretch of sand popular with seafood-craving locals, where US servicemen were once flown for R&R during the war.

Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh province

Quy Nhon, a small seaport town, is bordered by a beach admittedly less picturesque than others along the coast, but, for this reason, almost free of foreigners. For more adventurous travellers, this is a good place to get away from tourists, something which only adds to the town’s intrigue.

Non Nuoc Beach, Da Nang

Non Nuoc is a dusty, unkempt village, inhabited since the fifteenth century by stone carvers. Follow the paved road east from the village and you reach Non Nuoc Beach, a pleasant and stretch of beach that competes for business with its northern neighbour, My Khe. A note of warning, however: there’s a powerful undertow off this coast, so riptides are particularly dangerous.

Cat Co 1, 2 & 3, Cat Ba

Three small, sandy beaches lie to the east of Cat Ba Town on the island of Cat Ba, just to the west of Ha Long Bay. Romantically named Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2 and Cat Co 3, One and Three are linked by a cliffside path that’s a joy to walk anytime, day or night, and Two is a quieter retreat.

Doi Duong, Phan Thiet

The unassuming capital of Binh Thuan Province, Phan Thiet is generally of less interest to foreigners than the sands of Mue Ne just along the coast. However the absence of tourists is, for some, a draw in itself. Doi Doung is the town’s own stretch of beach, and is very popular with the locals. To get to the best bit, head around 700m northeast from the main entrance point on Nguyen That Thanh.

Ha Long Bay

Whilst not technically a beach, kayaking across tranquil waters and swimming amidst twinkles of phosphorescent plankton are both possible in spectacular Ha Long Bay. From November to March there can be chilly days of drizzly weather when the splendour and romance of the bay are harder to appreciate, but the gorgeous caves and beautiful scenery make up for this in the summer months.

Quan Lan, Bai Tu Long

A long skinny island on the outer fringes of Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan’s main attractions are the empty, sandy, and relatively clean beaches lining its east coast. Few specific sights in this area mean the beaches are relatively deserted – prepare to find yourself engaging even more closely with locals than you’re used to.

Explore more of Vietnam with the http://cyclotour.com.vn/tours.html for your trip and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.