The Central Highlands

 

The central highlands of Vietnam is a very stunning destination because it owns so many beautiful landscapes, rich culture and traditional custom of different minorities. Traveling to Central highland, tourists will have a great chance to discover the beautiful things via so many attractive activities from trekking tour to Eco tour.

Besides owning the spectacular scenery, central highland is very famous with a lot of coffee. This region has slowly opened up to tourists in the pass. However, in the recent years, the tourists can discover the main destinations of this area such as Kom Tum, Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak , Plei Ku and off course Dalat is the most highlight of this area.

The central highlands is a home of 47 different minorities with diversified culture and custom, so when traveling to this area, tourists will have a great chance to enjoy the space of Gong culture which is special music was recognized by Unesco in 2005 after Hue court music.

Traveling to the central highlands, tourists will have a chance to riding the elephant and discover the different tribal village, enjoy the Can Wine during enjoy the dancer in Gong dance show and other activities that will bring you a memorable Vietnam trip.

The best time to travel to Central Highlands

Weather in Central Highlands is influenced by Tropical Wet & Dry climate with temperature is from 18 to 34oC, the hottest month is June when a maximum temperature is about 34 – 35oC, the coldest month is December. So, it is nice place for tourists travel all year around. However, the best time to traveling in this place is from November to May of next year when you can enjoy the beautiful of coffee flowers on March, magnificent landscapes in Buon Ho, Phu Cuong waterfall, or plantations of rubber and much more impressive places.

How to get to Central Highlands from Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Danang.

If you are traveling to Central Highlands from Ho Chi Minh you can take the flight of Vietnam airlines which offer 02 flights per day to Pleiku, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. From Plei Ku, you can take the private transfer from local travel agents or take a taxi to city centre.

If you are traveling to Central Highlands from Hanoi, you also can take the flight of Vietnam airlines to Buon Me Thuot and Plei Ku. Vietnam airlines offer one flight in the morning for both places. From Buon Me Thuot and Plei Ku, tourists can book the private transfer or taxi to the city central.

If you are traveling to Central Highlands from Danang, you can take the flight of Vietnam airlines to Buon Me Thuot and Plei Ku. To Buon Me Thuot, they offer one flight in the afternoon. To Plei Ku, they offer one flight in the late afternoon. Besides, if you would like to have a package trip to Central Highlands from Danang, you can take the private transfer with the routing is Danang – Kon Tum – Buon Me Thuot – Dak Lak – Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh.This routing is an amazing trip for those who like to get a memorable adventure Vietnam tour.

Top tourist attraction to see in Central Highlands

The central Highlands is an amazing destination for tourists who like getting off the beaten track, it is quite easy for tourist to combine the Central Highland adventure tour with the main tourist sites in the big cities such as Ho Chi Minh, Hoian, Dalat or Nha Trang. So in this article we would like to introduce the main tourist attraction you must see in the central highland when traveling in Vietnam.

01 – In Kon Tum

Kon Tum is a beautiful mountainous province which is located in the West of Truong Son mountain range which has the border with Quang Nam, Quang Ngai provinces Laos and Cambodia, so it owns so many interesting things including mountains, hill, plateaus, and valleys. So, when traveling to Kon Tum, tourists not only have a great chance to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes but also explore the traditional culture and custom of local people.

• Ethnic villages: When traveling to Kon Tum, the first thing tourist want to see is a ethnic village, because there are so many minorities live together. In Kon Tum, tourists can come to visit Konkotu Village which is representative for Ba Na group. This village is located only 10 km from city center. Ba Na group is one of the minorities who is still keeping a lot of traditional custom such as dancing and playing with different instruments.
• Kon Tum church: This church is located in the centre of Kon Tum city which was built in 1913 to 1918 by a French Prie. The contraction of this church is combined between Roman style and Bahnar still house. The decoration was very close the nature, daily life and culture of people in this place.
• Communal house (Rong house): This is a beautiful and special house only can find in Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. It is a symbol of the culture of people in the central highlands. This is very amazing, imposing stilt house in the middle of village use for public ceremonies such as the wedding, meeting, or praying ceremonies.

02 – In Buon Me Thuot

Buon Me Thuot is considered as a capital of Central Highlands, it does not have many tourist attractions as in the main cities like Hoian, Saigon, or Dalat but Buon Me Thuot is a very nice place for tourists discovering different hill tribes, imposing waterfalls, and enjoy the bird watching and riding the elephant.

• Dray Sap Waterfall: This waterfall is one of the most imposing waterfalls in Buon Me Thuot you must see in your Vietnam tour. Located in a primary forest in Nam Ha commune, only 30km from city centre. This waterfall is attracted tourist by its beautiful view and nature.
• Dray Nur Waterfall: Dray Nur is another waterfall on Sepepok River, it is also very beautiful waterfall but less well known than Dray Sap because it is smaller.
• Buon Don (Don Village): Don Village is the most famous place to visit in Central Highlands. Traveling to this village, tourists will have a chance to take elephant ride crossing Serepok river and going around the village.
• Coffee in Buon Ma Thuot: When traveling to Buon Me Thuot, one of the most famous and beautiful place which tourist cannot skip is visiting coffee plan station. Coffee of Buon Me Thuot is not only famous in national, but also in international. If you are person who likes the taste of Coffee, this is a perfect place for you to choose the different type of coffee and we think you cannot skip the most famous Trung Nguyen coffee

03 – In Plei Ku

Plei Ku is a provincial capital city of Gia Lai, this area is very fresh with cool weather all year round, so it is very suitable for growing rubber, coffee, and pepper trees. Besides, when traveling to Plei Ku, tourists also can visit a lot of beautiful tourist sites such as beautiful Sea lake, Yaly Hyrdo station, T’nung lake, Fossil Tree Water Park.

• Sea lake ( Bien Ho): Sea lake is the most beautiful natural lake in Plei Ku with the area of 250 ha and the depth of 40m. The lake is surrounded by mountain and pine forest trees. Traveling to this place, tourist will have an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and escape from the chaos of the city. In this lake, you also can take a boat trip to discover the beauty of the lake.
• Yaly waterfall and hydro power station: This is the most fabulous and largest waterfall in Pleiku which is located in the north of Plei Ku city with 15km only and between Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces. Besides Yaly waterfall, you also can visit Yaly hydro power station which is located on Sisan river which far from Yaly waterfall 5km only. This is the second largest power station in Vietnam after Hoa Binh power station on Da river in the Northwest Vietnam.

Interesting things to do in Central Highlands

Central highlands is one of the most exciting places you should discover in your Vietnam holiday. Because it is home of indigenous tribes, traditional villages, sparkling waterfalls and the odd elephants. When traveling to Central highlands, you will have a lot of opportunities to do the interesting things like riding elephants, Hiking & camping in the national park or enjoying overnight in long-house-on-stilt.

• Hiking & Camping in Yok Don National Park: This is the biggest national park in the central highlands and also in Vietnam with a lot of different pieces of birds and animals are noted in the Red Book. When visiting this national park, tourists have a chance to ride the elephant and take the boat to cross the Serepok river to go deeply to the jungle where tourist have a chance to hike through the forest and stop for camping.
• Trekking to village Ede village: When traveling to central highlands, all most of the tourists cannot miss the trekking tour to visit Eden village where you can visit the traditional long- house-on-stilt of Ede hill tribe. In this village, tourist will have a chance to better understanding about the lifestyle of hill tribe in this area.
• Discovering the heritage of Lak lake: To be one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Vietnam. Lak lake is the most pretty one with a natural beauty of surrounding mountain and forests. When traveling to this lake, tourist can take part in some exciting activities such as ride the elephant to visit Jun, Le village – the traditional village of M’nong people. Besides, tourist also can take a canoe to travel around the lake to learn how local people fishing by their traditional way.
• Visiting beautiful waterfalls: When traveling to Central Highlands, the imposing waterfalls are places tourists should not miss because of their natural beauty.
• Trekking to Banar village: If you are a person who want to deeply explore the lifestyle of hill tribes in Central Higlands. Banar village is one of the most interesting village you should discover. In this village, you have a chance to explore the beautiful Rong house, meet the Banar people and learn about their traditional culture and custom. Besides, you also can enjoy the Gong show, drink wine and dance with local people here.

More information on Cambodia here. Laos here

Have a nice trip!

Da Lat – The “Little Paris” of Vietnam

 

Dalat is capital city of Lam Dong province. It is located on Lang Biang highland – a part of Central Highland of Vietnam. Dalat is a beautiful, peaceful and romantic city in Vietnam because most of houses were built in French style during the French colonization. Besides, Dalat is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam. It owns so many tourist sites such as Lovely valley, Xuan Huong lake, Lake of Sighs, Lang Biang mountain, others beautiful landscape and different minorities.

As in Sapa, Dalat has beautiful climate with the warm temperatures during the day and cold at night. The climate of Dalat is very suitable for so many different kinds of flowers. This is why Dalat also has a nick name is the city of flowers. Nowadays, travelers come to Dalat not only for relax, but also for exploring the history, culture, and traditional custom of local people.

The best time to travel to Dalat

If you are looking for the best Vietnam holiday, Dalat is one of the best places you should not skip. It is quite different from other cities in Vietnam since it is located on the valey of Lang Biang Mountain. The weather in Dalat is very cool and refreshing all year around. However, the best time to Visit Dalat is in dry season from October to December, because at this time the weather is very nice and comfortable. So you will have chance to take part in a lot of outdoor activities. It will be much more amazing if you travel to Dalat from December to March when you can see flowers in everywhere and also very convenient for you to get some jungle trekking tours.

Top tourist attraction to see in Dalat

Traveling to this city from Ho Chi Minh city you can take the shuttle bus, private transfer or take the flight of Vietnam airlines. This city features many interesting landmarks which we would like to mention as below:

01 – Datanla waterfall

This waterfall is one of the most beautiful ones in Dalat, only 5 km from downtown of Dalat, Dantalan meaning water under the leaves, because according to the legend Datanla used to be called Da Tam N’nha by the Kho people who had been living there in the old time and did not know there was a stream under the leaves. After they found this stream and waterfall, the word Da Tam N’nha changed to Datanla.
Discover this waterfall, tourists can walk down to the fall or tourists can take the roller-coaster to the site. Besides, tourists also can have more some adventure activities including climb the cliff, discover the forest, go along the stream to come to Prenn Bridge.

02 – Xuan Huong lake

Located in the centre of Dalat, Xuan Huong lake is one of the most beautiful tourist sites you must see in Dalat. The lake has an area of 32 hacta and overage deep of 1.5m. Visiting this lake, tourist can use the elegant swan boat ride to discover the beauty of the lake. Besides, tourists also enjoy strolling along the lakeside or resting under the conifers.

03 – Linh Phuoc pagoda

Only 8 km from Dalat city, Linh Phuoc pagoda is the most unique pagoda in Lam Dong province
It was built from 1949 to 1952. The remarkable feature of the pagoda is the Dragon- shaped which was made from the broken pieces of glasses in the design of Khai Dinh’s Tomb in Hue. It is very sanctified which is suitable for people coming to worship and sightseeing.

04 – Valley of Love park

Valley of Love is one of the most romantic tourist sites in Dalat, it is only 5 km from city centre to the north, a beautiful place for those who love camping or picnicking. Besides, travelers also can go trekking or hire a car riding to Vong Canh Hill to enjoy the stunning view of this valley.
Traveling to this park, tourists not only love this park because of place of amusement, but also for western like cowboy with their fake guns, and wide hats.

05 – Domaine de Marie Church

Located on the nice hill with an area of 12 ha, only 1 km from city centre, this is special church because it has no bell tower and its roofs are similar to the roofs of communal houses of Ethnic minority in Central highland.
The church opens from 5 Am on every Sunday and 5:15 AM on every other days.

06 – Lang Biang mountain

Located in Lac Duong district, 12 km from city centre, Lang Biang mountain is one of the most attractive destination which most of travelers do not skip when traveling to Dalat. This is a beautiful place for taking photos and for those who like to discover the culture of ethnic minorities in Southern Highlands.
From Dalat central, you just take 15 minutes by taxi, motorbike or private transfer to the food of Lang Biang mountain where you can see different hill tribes live together.

07 – Bao Dai’s summer palace

Located only 2,5 km from city centre, Bao Dai’s summer palace is the most attractive tourist sites must-see for most of tourists when traveling to Dalat. The palace was built under the dynasty of King Bao Dai from 1933 to 1937. When visiting this palace, tourist will have chance to explore the living of royal family through 25 rooms and its amenities. You will see the working place of the king, living place of his family, besides you also can see a lot of valuable items still preserved in good condition.

08 – Dalat flower gardens

Dalat flower park: Located at the end of Xuan Huong lake and just 2 km from city centre, Dalat flower gardens being the top must-see in Dalat city tour where travelers can enjoy hundreds kinds of flowers.

Langbiang Flower Farm: Located in 42, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh street, 5 km from city centre. This flower farm is famous for the dominance of eustomas. This kind of flower has made the name of Langbiang farm all over country.

Anh Quynh Orchid Farm: Located in 44B Van Kiep, Dalat city, this farm is famous for a lot of beautiful orchid flowers.

Interesting things to do in Dalats

Easy rider motorbike tour

This tour will offer travelers a big chance to see and understand about local custom, culture of hill tribe groups. Besides, you also have chance to explore the new routes for best view and scenery which will give you a lifetime memory.

Dalat cable car

If you would like to view Dalat city from sky, book the long cable car to watching city will be the best way. Located on the Robin hill, Dalat cable car will offer you the best opportunity to wallow in the nature, fly above the flower gardens and Western-styled architectural villas.

Walking around the night market

Walking around Dalat night market, you will be surprised by a variety of products such as wools, food, fruit, vegetables, This market is an idea place for visitors to do the shopping or just to go for a walk at night in the center of Da Lat city.

Crazy house ( Hang Nga house)

Located in 3 Huynh Thuc Khang, Dalat city, Crazy house was designed by Vietnamese architect and impressionist Dang Viet Nga. The house is more like a gallery than a hotel, with giant animals on display like a spider and a giraffe that doubles as a mini tea house.

Truc Lam pagoda

Not far from city centre, Truc Lam pagoda is an amazing place travelers should not miss, because it is not only the biggest one but also is one of the most popular tourist sites for both domestic tourists and international tourists.

Da Lat Cremailere Railway Station

When traveling to Dalat, tourist not only attracted by so many beautiful landscape, comfortable weather, but also attracted by French architectures of this city. Dalat Cremailere railway station is one of the most unique ones which most of tourist would lie to discover in their holiday in this romantic city.

Walk around Xuan Huong lake

When traveling to Dalat city, Xuan Huong lake is a beautiful place you should not miss. Specially, if you walk around the lake it is about 7 km and you can get the different view on city and it is very interesting to see the local people relaxing at the lake side.

Golf in dalat

If you like to playing golf, Dalat is a wonderful place for you to play your favourite sport. The following are some of the best golf course in Dalat:

Dalat Palace Golf Club: It is located in 1500m above the sea level. This is the first 18-hole course consider as the best one in country with lake, pine trees, valleys and beautiful flower gardens.

Sacom Tuyen Lam Golf Club: this golf club is situated in a narrow valley surrounded by pine forests however, it is also an amazing place for you to enjoy your favoutite.

The Dalat at 1200 Country Club: Located between 1200 and 1600m above the sea level with small streams, lakes, and waterfalls that meander through the holes that makes this golf course looks very romantic and you will be very comfortable when playing in this one.

Hiking in Dalat

Hiking in Dalat is quite easy and simple if you would like to discover Dalat city by your own, just rent a bike and use the local map then you can go. Lang Biang mountain is the best place to hike where you can enjoy spectacular nature, marvelous view of Dalat City, forest, rivers and houses of hill tribes.

Adventure sports

Dalat is an amazing place for you to enjoy the great outdoor sports including whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding and canyoning. However, it is not easy if you want to do by yourself. So, the best way to enjoy these adventure sports is book via travel agents in Dalat. Phat Tire Ventures company seem the most professional in organizing this kind of tour.

Best spas and massages in Dalat

Rosy Spa: Located in 10/1 Phu Dong Thien Vuong street. Rosy Spa is the most professional service. This Spa offers the various service with the best quality and price is pretty cheap. Besides, the staffs are very friendly and can speak abit English.
Dalat Edensee Spa: This is one of the best services in Dalat with the area covers more than 2000m2 it has all modern facilities for health and beauty care. This Spa opens from 9:00 to 21:00. Besides, this Spa also has other service such as pool, gym, sport activities, kid’s corner: opens from 8:00 to 20:00

Recommended restaurants in Dalat:

When traveling to Dalat, travelers have different options to taste the local food of Dalat. Nguyen Tri Thanh street is a street offers a good variety of restaurants. Besides, you also can find the good ones in other destinations in Dalat city. Let’s Vivu travel recommend you some restaurants as below:

01 – Trong Dong restaurant: Located in 220 Phan Dinh Phung, Dalat city, abit far from city centre. However, this restaurant is one of the most excellent restaurants in this city offers fresh and delicious food. Most of travelers said that they will come back this restaurant when they have chance.

02 – Nam Phan restaurant: Situated in the beautiful garden with 4 floors, this is the most recent Khai family endeavour and another jewel in their culinary crown. Nam Phan restaurant provide authentic Vietnamese cuisine with perfect service will bring tourist a memorable time when enjoy their food.

03 – Hoa Sen vegetarian restaurant: Located in 52 Truong Cong Dinh, Hoa Sen restaurant offer the various menu for vegetarian including traditional Vietnamese soups, hot pots, baked tofu dishes, salads, sandwiche etc and hot tea. The nice atmosphere with professional and friendly staffs will give you a warmest feeling.

04 – Blue water restaurant: Located in 02 Tran Quoc Toan with lovely lake side view, Blue Water restaurant offers the Chinese taste with very fantastic menu and good food. The price is a bit expensive compared to other restaurants; however, the portions were large and tasty.

05 – Le Rabelais Restaurant: Located in , this restaurant offers you a grand selection of culinary experiences. Le Rabelais is a French style restaurant with warm, welcoming and professional staffs, this restaurant is perfect place for meeting friends, partners or pleasure at any time of the day.

Shopping in Dalat

Dalat is not only the romantic destination for visiting, it is also a heaven of shopping. If you like shopping in this area, we suggest you the famous place as below:

Dalat central market: Situated on the food of the hill, Dalat central market is a lovely place for you to shopping because this market provides so many kinds of foods.

On the right of market, you can find so many kinds of flowers in the stores. In this place, you can immerse yourself in the colors of flowers. Besides, you also can see the dried flowers, they are very beautiful. Buying the dried flowers will be the best choice if you would like to bring a corner of Dalat to your home.

Moving on inside, you can see the fresh fruits and vegetables, they are very delicious. Moreover, you can find the dried fruits and Dalat wine and so many other things.

Other tips

Getting around:

Far from Lien Khuong airport 30km, Ho Chi Minh 300km, it is easy for tourists travel to Dalat by plane, private transfer, taxi or public bus.
Besides, traveling to Dalat from other big cities, tourists also can take the flights as below:

• From Hanoi to Dalat, you can take the flight of Vietnam airlines, Viet Jet air and Jestar air
• From Danang to Dalat, you can take the flight of Vietnam airlines
• From Vinh to Dalat, you can take the flight of Vietjet air
• From Ho Chi Minh to Dalat, you can take the flight of Vietnam airlines and Vietjet air.

In Dalat, you can get taxi to travel around city by the following taxis:

• Dalat taxi: Tel:+ 063 3 666 888; + 063 3 55 66 55
• Duc Trong taxi: Tel + 063 3 678 888
• Bao Loc taxi: Tel + 063 3 722 222
• Red star taxi: Tel + 063 3 95 95 95

Currencies, ATMs & Credit cards:

In Dalat, you can use both currency Vietnam dong and USD, however, USD will be a bit limited and you just use in the big place such as at hotels, and restaurants.

Have a nice trip!

The Seaside Town Nha Trang

 

Nha Trang, the picturesque beach of Vietnam located just 400 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

The city is the capital of Khanh Hoa province, situated on the south central coast of Vietnam. Tourism operators in Vietnam are offering various Nha Trang travel packages, suitable to your budget and travel priorities.  It will be an enjoyable experience if you can plan your tour program with some of the best tour operators like Vivutravel, who have ample experience in organizing tailor-made travel packages and their Nha Trang travel guide is rich with all the amusements that you can cherish forever in your life.

The beach lay stretched along the curves of Tran Phu Streets with beautiful promenades, seafood restaurants, and refreshment stalls. It is the scuba diving center of Vietnam. What makes Nha Trang different from other beach destinations in Vietnam is its urban character, and you can find pulsating activities all throughout the years, especially during the season. In the Nha Trang travel packages, your can have destinations covering most of the fantastic and enjoyable locations.

Make use of Nha Trang travel guide plans

It is imperative to take advantage of the Nha Trang travel guide programs in its fullest, from the moment you land into the land of history.  All foreigners have to get an entry permission to visit Vietnam. Entry visas are available online, and tourist can apply for their visa requirement by remitting the required fees online.  After obtaining the landing permit, the tourist visa will be stamping at the international entry points.  Your travel agent, Vivutravel can give you the required visa guidance and take care of your tours in Nha Trang.

How can you reach to Nha Trang?

Different modes of transport can take you to Nha Trang, once you have landed in Vietnam. The options are always depending on your priority and the kind of travel plans you want to have.  You can opt for the luxurious or economic mode of transportations.

By Plane

Cam Ranh Airport (CXR) is the airport located near to Nha Trang. It is a modern international airport 30km away from the city. It serves both international and domestic destinations. Taxis are available from the airport to Nha Trang, which will cost you about VND 380, 000.  Four-star and five-star hotels offer airport pick up service, make use of that for your Nha Trang family tour.

By Train

Tourists can conveniently use the train facilities since Nha Trang has a railway station on the trunk route connecting the two largest cities of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi

The railway station is close to the cathedral in the northern part of town. If you want a soft-sleeper, which is the highest class available on Vietnamese trains, you can book your train ticket directly at the train station in advance for economic tours in Nha Trang.

Best Time to Visit Nha Trang

Anytime during the year is favorable for a trip to the tourism city. The summer often starts from May with sunlight and hot weather, suitable for natural tourism such as ecotourism, ocean tourism or water sports.  It would be better if you can plan your trip after summer or before summer for watching the cultural events and visiting historically significant places.  Some of the notable locations you can intend to visit during this season are Bao Dai Villa, the Nha Trang Aquarium, Ponagar Temple Tower, etc.

The best time to visit Nha Trang would be from February until April when the temperature is in moderate at around 26-27 degree Celsius, and humidity stays at the lowest level of the year. Spring months are also the best time to dive here. Nha Trang has coral-rich dive sites, and if you are a diving enthusiast, you should not miss out Small Hill, South Reef, and Moray Beach After, all around Mun Island, which are spectacular areas for coral diving.  So, never miss out to include the coral diving areas in your Nha Trang tour packages.

Try to avoid autumn season. During fall, Vietnam experiences torrential rain, and heavy storm, which is seasonal phenomena and will be a disturbing experience for the tourist.  So you must be careful about selecting your tour package season, or check with your travel agent, Vivutravel, who can give you precise climate feedbacks.

01 – Beaches

The main attraction is the famous beaches in Nha Trang.  However, before you finalize your Nha Trang travel packages, consult with your travel agent, Vivutravel about the tropical conditions, if you are not familiar with it.  The beach can be disappointing when the weather is gray, and the waves are choppy if you do not select a proper season for your beach activities.

• Bai Dai Beach: The picturesque beach is 30 KM away from the Nha Trang city and is easily accessible from the Cam Ranh airport road. It is spotless and beautiful. The thoroughfare to the Cam Ranh airport is a very scenic and worth enough to enjoy the scenery.
• Doc Let beach: This is the more relaxing, beautiful and cleaner beach in Nha Trang. It is around 50 km north of Nha Trang. You can enjoy the local cuisine here. Local fishermen families sell and prepare seafood which they will cook for you on the beach for a very reasonable price.
• Bai Duong Beach: Bai Duong Beach is smaller than in the main tourist area. The beach is famous for its warm, crystal clean water and best-recommended picnic spot for swimming. This beautiful beach is 1.5 km north on Tran Phu Street over the main bridge.

The beautiful waterfalls:

Nha Trang has many waterfalls. Let us find out some of the great waterfalls included in the Nha Trang travel packages.

• Ba Ho waterfalls: Driving 20KM north from Nha Trang will take you to the magnificent waterfalls, Ba Ho and it lay very close to the Ba Ho village. It is a series of three waterfalls, which are quite fast flowing at some points, and the river tucked away in the forest. You can find many Taxis and motorbike guides in this area. However, it will not be difficult to find the location of the waterfalls, and you can easily negotiate to the area on a rented motorbike. If you are planning for a Nha Trang family tour, this will be an excellent location.
• Yang Bay Waterfalls: The waterfalls have undergone a lot of facelifts, and it has changed to a concrete beach from its natural look.  However, one may say that the natural beach was quite good than the new concrete beach, you can still find busy beach activities here. You can swim there, and walk around in the area. Bringing your own food and drink is recommended. This waterfall is 40 km west of Nha Trang.
• Fairy Spring waterfalls: The waterfall is around 20km southwest from Nha Trang and is one of the impressive picnic spot included in the Nha Trang family tour. Fairy Spring is a small, cold stream and swimming hole much visited by the local youth on weekends. The swimming hole is at the end of a short jungle walk. It is a pleasant place to visit in summer. In winter, the water is too cold to swim. The streams originate from Hon Ba, the highest peak in Nha Trang. You will not get any general foods other than the canned drinks.  Therefore, make sure to carry some snacks and drinks during your trip.
• Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud baths: The waterfall is 40 km northwest of Nha Trang. It is famous for hot and cool swimming pools, thermal waterfall and mud bath.  Food and drinks are available here.  The mud bath will cost you about VND150, 000 for a shared bath. The clay bathtub can accommodate 5 to 8 people at a time, and if you are in a group, naturally you all will have to take a collective sharing mud bath.  You can have more fun such as hot Jacuzzi, hot natural shower, hot waterfalls and hot or cold-water jets and much more.

Activities to Do in Nha Trang

If you are an adventurous person or moving around a group of adventurous people, it will be a pleasant experience, exploring the Nha Trang private tour programs.

Diving and snorkeling: Nha Trang offers diving and snorkeling, which is indeed one of the attractive element of the trip. The tour program can easily cover in a day trip. The city has approximately two dozen dive shops.  Nha Trang offers one of the finest diving and snorkeling certification training.  It is worth for the value what you are spending, and you will have all the equipment support on a rental basis for the certification training for US$ 250.

There are a lot of diving centers in Nha Trang for diving and snorkeling. Some of them are Vietnam Dive Center, Coco Dive Center, Jeremy Stein’s Rainbow Divers, Aloha Mark Scott’s Diving Vietnam, Angel Dive, Octopus Diving and Sailing Club Divers.

• Sailing:If you are opting for a Nha Trang private tours or Nha Trang family tour, you can form a group and can hire a captain. The trip will give you a fantastic sailing experience. For more information, you can contact Nha Trang Sailing Club. Your tour operator Vivutravel can help you in contacting the Nha Trang Sailing Club and make the arrangements.
• Surfing: For people who are interested in surfing, Nha Trang is the best place to do that. The Shack is the best place in Nha Trang for surfing lessons. The Shack is in Bai Dai beach about 21.6 km south of Nha Trang.

 

Other Places to Explore

There are many other places in Nha Trang, which can offer you thrilling experiences. The following areas you can cover in a day and are part of Nha Trang travel packages.

• National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam: It is like an aquarium with popular and rare species of the sea. It is an interesting oceanographic museum for children, and you can watch, live ocean life, such as sea horses, sharks, coral reefs, turtles and many other sea creatures.
• Alexandre Yersin Museum: Dr. Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss scientist and bacteriologist established the museum in 1891 that was responsible for developing antiserum against bubonic plague. In this museum, you will be able to view all of his work as well as the equipment he used for his research activities. Yersin never went back to Switzerland as he spent the rest of his life in Nha Trang.  Photography prohibited inside the museum.
• Long Son Pagoda: At this pagoda, you can see a 79 ft tall white Buddha. The pagoda established in 1963, to honor the spiritual leaders who become martyrs, during the protest movement opposing the government led by Ngo Dinh Diem. Do not get trapped if people approach you pretending as students studying in the temple and asking you for a donation for their school. The temple opens at 8 Am and 5 PM.  Entry is free.
• Po Nagar Cham Towers: It opens daily between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM.  It is a cluster of four towers built during Cham civilization and dated back to the 7-12th century in honor of Yang Ino Po Ngar, who is the founder of the dynasty.  Today, it is a famous religious center for Buddhists community in Nha Trang, and you can find people worshiping in this brick tower.

The architectural reminiscent of this temple is a showcase piece of South East Asian civilization, and it is one of the most scintillating locations included in the Nha Trang family tour, and visual treat for temple enthusiasts.  The complex on the hilltop overlooks the fishing village of Nha Trang gives a panoramic view. By walking less than half an hour, you can reach on top of the hill or take motorbike ride.

• Fishing village: Between the old and the new bridge located the fishing village.  The in and out movements of fishing boats are indeed a fascinating and eye catching experience.
• Vinpearl land: From the harbor, you can take the cable car over to the island where Vinpearl resort and Vinpearl Land located. The picnic spot has a small Tivoli and some restaurants, attractions here include Underwater World (aquarium) and water parks themes.  There will be plenty of amusement activities such as roller coasters, bumper cars, water slides, wave pool, musical fountains, 4D cinema, etc.  Another attraction is the regular laser show conducting at night 7 PM.
• Nha Trang Cathedral: The famous Cathedral is a few minutes away from the train station.  It is a monumental structure demonstrating the French Catholic influence, overlooking the Nha Trang city and a famous worship center for the Vietnam Catholics.

Do you love foods?

If you are a food lover, you will like the tours in Nha Trang. Like any other large resort location, you can find plenty of food outlets meeting your budgets. The choice is always yours; you can enjoy a luxurious star restaurant food or the typical Vietnamese footpath kiosk. Nha Trang, no doubt, is famous throughout Vietnam for its seafood but also offers a broad range of Western cuisine.

There are plenty of footpath restaurants, which are moderately clean and neat meeting your expectations, serving authentic Vietnamese foods. You can have expensive banquets to economic foods, and everywhere you can find the domination of seafood items, the Vietnam delicacy!

Conclusion

Nha Trang offers something for everyone. Be it budget bars, luxury food outlets, there are so many things bemusing your curiosity as a traveler. Exotic and pristine beaches, verdant landscapes, friendly people, are the real attraction of this beautiful picnic spot.  Unspoiled coral reefs and hot springs bathing locations are indeed a magnet for every type of visitors. There are many places to see and explore in and around Nha Trang.  Select your appropriate Nha Trang travel packages from the various tour options offering by Vivutravel, to make your trip a pleasant experience forever.

Discover our stay in Nha Trang with a seaside tour in Nha Trang.

Have a nice trip!

My Son – The Cham Sanctuary

 

The World Cultural Heritage My Son tower-temple complex belonging to Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province has its geographic coordinates:

• Latitude: 150 515 North.
• Longitude: 1080 573 East.
• Total conservation area : 1,158 ha.

• Distance from My Son to Tra Kieu (Simhapura Imperial City): 20 km.
• Distance from My Son to Hoi An Ancient Town (The World Cultural Heritage): 45km.
• Distance from My Son to Ancient Capital of Hue (The World Cultural Heritage): 145km
• Distance from My Son to Da Nang: 68km.

Located in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province. 70km southwest of Danang City, 20km away from the Tra Kieu Citadel, and 40km away from the Ancient Town of Hoi An. My Son site is a group of temple-towers of Cham people, an imperial city during the Champa kingdom, an example displaying the evolution and change in culture, a foremost evidence of Asian civilisation which is now extinct. With its great value, in December 1999, the complex of My Son Cham Towers has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

My Son site was an imperial city during the Cham kingdom, between the 4th and 12th century. The construction of My Son was likely to have been started in the 4th century. During many centuries, the temple complex had more buildings and stupas constructed of varying sizes and became the main cultural vestige of the Champa civilization in Vietnam. Aside from religious celebrations, which allowed the dynastic royals to spiritually connect with the gods, My Son was also a cultural and religious centre and was the burial place of kings and religious leaders.

The site has been selected by UNESCO as a world heritage listed site, at its 23rd meeting, under the criteria C (II) and criteria C (III):

Criterion (II): The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction the Hindu architecture of the Indian sub-continent into South-East Asia.

Criterion (III): The Champa Kingdom was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South-East Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son.

My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king.

According to records on the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Siva Bhadresvera genie. In the late 16th century, a big fire destroyed the temple. Step by step, historical mysteries were unveiled by scientists.

01 – History

Through stone stele and royal dynasties, they proved My Son to be the most important Holy Land of the Cham people from the late 4th to the 15th centuries. For many centuries, the Cham built Lip, a mutually linked architectural complex, with baked bricks and sandstone. The main temple worships the Linga-Yoni, who represents the capability of invention. Beside the main tower (Kalan) are several sub-towers worshipping Genies or deceased kings. Although time and the wars have destroyed some towers, the remaining sculptural and architectural remnants still reflect the style and history of the art of the Cham people. Their masterpieces mark a glorious time for the architecture and culture of the Cham, as well as of Southeast Asia.

Each historical period has its own identity, so that each temple worshipping a genie or a king of a different dynasty has its own architectural style full of different impression. All of the Cham towers were built on a quadrate foundations and each comprises three parts: a solid tower base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and sacred tower body, representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the shape of a man offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing things that are close to the spirits and human beings.

2 – Architecture

According to many researchers of the ancient Cham towers, the architectural art of the Cham towers at My Son Sanctuary is the convergence of different styles, including the continuity of the ancient style in the 7th-8th centuries, the Hoa Lai style of the 8th-9th centuries, the Dong Duong style from the mid-9th century, the My Son and My Son-Binh Dinh styles, etc.

Among the remnants of many architectural sites excavated in 1898, a 24 metres high tower was found in the Thap Chua area and coded A I by archaeologists and researchers on My Son. This tower is a masterpiece of ancient Cham architecture. It has two doors, one in the east and the other in the west. The tower body is high and delicate with a system of paved pillars; six sub-towers surround the tower. This two storey tower looks like a lotus flower. The top of the upper layer is made of sandstone and carved with elephant and I ion designs. In the lower layer, the walls are carved with fairies and water evils and men riding elephants. Unfortunately, the tower was destroyed by US bombs in 1969.

After the My Son ancient tower complex was discovered, many of its artifacts, especially statues of female dancers and genies worshipped by the Cham people, worship animals and artifacts of the daily communal activities, were collected and displayed at the Cham Architecture Museum in Danang city. Although there are not many remnants left, those that remain display the typical sculptural works of cultural value of the Cham nationality. Furthermore, they are vivid proof, confirming the history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich cultural tradition.

My Son is one of the can-not-miss attractions when you visit Central Vietnam. Usually, tourists come to Hoi An ancient town and then take a day tour from there to this site. Holding the unique sanctuary beauty of an ancient culture as well as diversified architecture style, My Son holy-land will be a treat for cultural and architecture lovers. For day tours departing from Hoi An to this site, visitors might want to check out this itinerary for a day trip form Hoi An or this itinerary for visiting both Hoi An and My Son from City Insight tour.

Check out our Hoi An – My Son tour here.

Have a nice trip!

Hoi An – The City of Lanterns

 

Hoi An is a peaceful and ancient city on Vietnam’s central coast and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is easily able to cater to the tastes of the travellers from all continents.

Why not take a look at our Hoi An travel guide to really discover what this wonderful city has to offer.

Traditional, welcoming and warm-hearted, this city is very laid-back and quiet compared to the vibrancy of its main cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This is an intriguing place that is jam-packed with sights to explore and still able to retain its old world charm. Its culinary scene is rated as one of the best in Southeast Asia, while the city is also rich in cheap tailors who are able to prepare the bespoke clothes in no time.

The architecture in Hoi An is a rich fusion of European, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese influence that dates back to the early 16th century. In its heyday, the Thu Bon River was constantly in use by merchant vessels that were involved in the world trade activities.

This city is rich in street side cafes, pagodas and historical homes. Other great attractions to experience on the Hoi An tour packages include the pristine beaches which are easily reached on a short bicycle ride.

How to get to Hoi An

The closest airport to the city of Hoi An is the Da Nang International Airport (DAD), which is about 30 km north of the city, and based in the heart of Da Nang city. From the airport, it is possible to take a car or a minibus journey to Hoi An which can take a further 40 to 45 minutes. The cost of this trip is likely to cost in the region of 108,000d-431,000d – although this does depend on the number of passengers on board. But a great positive of taking the car journey is the very scenic coastal route that is taken and includes sights of the local rice paddies and small towns.

Other forms of transport include the train and bus services. The town of Da Nang is the closest train station, which is then a short journey to Hoi An by taxi. For the bus service this is quite restricted with most of the routes limited to the Da Nang region. However, there are a few bus tour companies that offer direct travel to Hoi An which can help to avoid making the extra stops and changes in transport.

Getting around

Hoi An is a relatively small city that makes it quite easy to get around the area without too much difficulty. There are certain periods of the day that restrict motorized vehicles in the old town, and throughout this time the streets are only open to cyclists and pedestrians. Bicycles are readily available to hire and make a cheap and reliable option to get to the beaches. Additionally, many of the local hotels provide guests with a bicycle at a minimal charge.

The cyclo is a great way to get around the old town with many waiting near the Quang Trieu Assembly Hall and an hour long ride can cost about 100,000 dong.

Food and drink

Hoi An is appreciated for its diverse range of dishes. From upscale restaurants to mobile carts, the food is of a very high standard and fabulously cheap with the way wide range of must tries including the white rose dumplings, Hoi An wontons, chicken, mi quang, cao lau, and some of the finest banh mi in the country. Additionally, there are plenty of food tours and cooking classes in the local area.

Accommodation

Most of the hotels and guesthouses in Hoi An are within a short distance of the historic old quarter, although there aren’t that many places to stay that are directory within the confines. But those are can be quite expensive.

Hoi An is a perfect destination for the top range and mid-range travellers who are able to get a very nice hotel for about $50-$100 per night. For the low-cost accommodation for the backpacker, there are plenty of dorms that can cost in the region of $10 per night, but these are usually a good 10 to 15 minute walk from the town.

This city is an extremely popular itinerary destination on the Vietnam tour packages .The prices for the hotels and guesthouses can fluctuate with the season and demand. But for those tourists willing to travel in the low season it is possible to get deep discounts if booked early and online. Plus for those that are staying at the family run guesthouses, it is often possible to get a great bargain. However the more formal establishments like the hotels are less able to give discounts and will quote the standard prices.

Hoi An sports and activities

01 – Bicycling

Most of the hotels in Hoi An provide the lowest price (roughly 20,000d-40,000d per day) or complimentary bicycles for guests to ride. A relaxed bicycle ride gives access to a very scenic workout that can get you to An Bang Beach within about a 20 min ride. This is a perfect destination to completely relax and enjoy the sun. For the more adventurous and energetic, there is the opportunity to travel to the Cua Dai lighthouse and the picturesque small village that is just further on.

02 – Boating

One of the main highlights of a tour packages in Hoi An includes exploring the 15th century trading port on the Thu Bon River. There are several types of boats to hire and can range from 30,000 dong (rowing boat) to 100,000 dong (sunset cruise to a local fishing village). A trip to the Cham Islands on a speedboat is a really fun time and easy to arrange through a travel company or hotel.

03 – Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

A visit to the UNESCO recognized site of Cham Islands makes it possible to explore nearly 165 hectares of coral reef and over 945 species of marine life. With these islands just 25 miles off the Hoi An coastline, this is a great destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. The underwater landscape is very scenic and rich in macro life. For the less experienced divers, there is the opportunity to sign up for a PADI-certified course with prices starting in the region of 1 million dong for a single day course to 7,000,000 dong for the more complete three-day open water course.

Things to do in Hoi An

01 – Bamboo beach huts

For the more unique accommodation in the local area, it may be worth a visit to one of the bamboo beach huts. The Under the Coconut Tree huts are situated about 2 minutes from An Bang beach and nearly 10 km from Hoi An’s old town. This type of accommodation is perfect for those that enjoy the laid back atmosphere that has the open-air dormitory. This Vietnamese-run hostel is very popular  and listed in many of the Hoi An travel guide must-see places and can cost about hundred 75,000 Vietnam Dong for the dorm beds or 600,000 Vietnam Dong for the private rooms.

02 – Beaches

Cua Dai and An Bang beach are relatively close to the city of Hoi An and a really relaxing place to visit in the afternoon. The beach at Cua Dai has been designated one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites – although both of these beaches are able to offer clear waters and white sand, and are able to offer high-quality beach side restaurants. Plus, it is also possible to have the food served to you while you are relaxing on the beach.

03 – Bicycle tour

The Hoi An tour packages with cycling in mind are a really great way to fully appreciate this charming city. The fully guided tour around the city makes it possible to see the best sites and learn about the local economy and history. A morning bicycle tour for a small group can cost in the region of 280,000 dong. Most of these tours are easily booked at your hotel, guesthouse or hostel, but it is best to include in your Vietnam tour package when planning your Vietnam holiday at Vivutravel.

04 – Central Market

The Central market is a great destination for those that love to shop. It is among the finest markets in Vietnam and is conveniently placed on the river side and perfect to buy local food, souvenirs, gifts and spices. Because of its riverside location, there are plenty of food dishes at the very affordable prices. Additionally, there is a local fish market that is really worth a visit.

05 – Cooking lesson

Similar to many of the tourist cities enjoyed with Vietnam travel is the ability to sign up for a cooking lesson to fully appreciate the Vietnamese cuisine. Lessons are available at many of the restaurants that also include the process of preparing and picking the raw ingredients. It’s even possible to start the day with a 5 AM fishing trip to catch the fresh ingredients. A 4 to 6 hour cooking lesson can cost around 550,000 Vietnam Dong.

06 – Full Moon Festival

One of the best times to visit Hoi An is within the full Moon Festival which takes place monthly on the 14th day of the lunar cycle. The streets are lined with brightly coloured lanterns and shut down to road traffic for the duration of the festival. This is a perfect opportunity to party with the local people because the streets are lively with dancing, plays and folk music.

07 – Fukian Assembly Hall

The Fukian Assembly Hall was built in 1697 and is a perfect example of Chinese architecture. The main temple has been dedicated to Thien Hau, who is the goddess of the sea, while other statues include Thien Ly Nhan and Thuan Phong Nhi which are believed to protect the sailor that is distressed. Additionally, there is also a sailboat at the scale model size inside the temple.

08 – Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge is believed to be constructed in the late 16th century by Hoi An’s Japanese community, which makes a great historic destination to explore and a perfect site for taking photographs.

09 – Museum of Folk Culture

The Museum of Folk Culture is quite small but has the job of preserving the traditions that relate to the dress of Vietnamese culture in the rural districts. It has a variety of exhibits that include figures in costumes which make it really easy to appreciate what the past culture was like.

10 – Old Houses

There are several houses throughout Hoi An that have transferred the interior into a museum like state that makes it possible for the tourist to get a first-hand view for the locals in the pre-colonial and colonial periods. The most impressive old houses to visit include the Duc An and Tan Ky homes.

11 – Quan Cong Temple

The Quan Cong Temple was built to honour the Chin Dynasty in the 17th century, but today it is a thriving tourist attraction that is able to display spectacular architecture. Inside the actual temple are statues of Quan Cong, Chau Xuong (adopted son) and one of Quan Cong’s protectors.

12 – Tra Que Vegetable Village

A great day to cycle around the villages of Hoi An to see the rice paddy fields and farming activities before reaching Tra Que Vegetable Village to learn how to farm. An interesting tour for family.

13 – Night Market

It is so nice to walk to Hoi An’s night market to shop for local sovenirs like coloful lanterns, taste delicious Hoi An’s food along the Hoai River. If you are romanic enough, take the boat trip in front of the Japanese Bridge to see the ancient town in sparkling lights.

Discover our eco tour tour here.

Have a nice trip!

The Da Nang Seaside Resort

 

Danang is Vietnam’s third city, the largest in Central Vietnam which is famous for its stunning coastline and sandy beaches. Where there is sea there is fish and the seafood dishes within Vietnamese cuisine are rightly finding a host of loyal patrons. This Danang travel guide even suggests tourists might like to learn more in a cookery lesson or two.

It now has a population of 1 million and the city has many reminders of the Vietnam War. It led to an initial hostility to tourists but that has very much disappeared. Some of Vietnam’s best beaches are here, My Khe perhaps being the best known.

The four lane coast road is indicative of the investment taking place and the popularity of this stretch of Vietnam’s coast. If you are considering a holiday after your marriage then a honeymoon in Vietnam focusing on Danang is a serious contender.

How to get there

Danang actually has an international airport though it is primarily used for domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It does make this city very accessible from other parts of the Country of course and such Asian cities as Tokyo, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

There are good rail links with the non-stop express to Hanoi taking just two hours. Local services are slow with stops at most stations.

Bus services are good and they include buses to Cambodia and Laos as well of course to the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

Best time to visit

The monsoon rainfall is late autumn, early winter while the hottest months, May to August are also dry. When a visit to Danang is part of Vietnam private tours covering the whole of the country there are regional variations to consider because in other parts May to August will mean rain.

Things to see and do

01 – Cham Museum

Cham Museum has a collection of stone sculptures from the Hindu-practicing Cham civilization, which existed in central Vietnam from the 1st Century until the 14th century. There are many different images, many wildlife, and their removal from their original ‘’homes’’, generally My Son, has prevented their loss from looting.

02 – The Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are just out of town. They include Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son and Tho Son while there is a host of Buddhist temples inthe caves and grottoes making them a popular pilgrimage site. Those feeling energetic might like to explore the whole region but it is important to have good footwear to do so.

03 – Ba Na Hill

Ba Na Hill Stationis at almost 1.500 metres and was a French Resort in the 1920s with villas and restaurants.It provides great views over the South China Sea and it temperate climate makes it especially appealing. A cable car, the highest and longest in the world is the means of access.

04 – Cham Island

Cham Islandis worth a visit. There is the Hai Tang Pagoda, the market and it’s a great place for a seafood lunch. You can swim, snorkel and fish as well.

05 – Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Buddhist Temple on the Tra Peninsula has great views over the sea which are shared by a 67 metre high statue, Quan The Am.

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation there is plenty of choice. Those on organisedVietnam family tourswill be able to select from a number of alternatives provided by their tour companies. As Danang grows in popularity there are new hotels being built all the time.

However there are plenty of small hotels and hostels, many on the east bank of the river. Mid-range hotels cater for businessmen as well as tourists and there is plenty of accommodation located close to the popular beaches, some of luxurious standard including famous international chains.

Vietnam travel can be budget or luxury but in every case it will be a memorable experience.

Travel tips

Danang is a city and in common with every city in the world it is important to use your common sense. Vietnam is a fairly safe place and anyone on Vietnam travel packages is unlikely to come across many problems.

Discover the temples of Angkor in Cambodia here.

Have a nice trip!

Hue – The Imperial City

 

Hue in Central Vietnam is the ancient capital of the Country during the time of the Nguyen Dynasty from the beginning of the 19th Century until the end of World War II.Emperor Bao Dai then abdicated and Ho Chi Minh’s government took charge. Life got no easier and Hue fell to the Viet Cong who believed a number of people were sympathetic to the South leading to major reprisals. American forces recaptured it but unfortunately during the fighting much of the original city was destroyed. Our Hue travel guideintends to show why you should visit today.

How to get there

Phu Bai airport has daily flights with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but they are regularly disrupted by the weather during the rainy season. The alternative is Danang Airport two hours’ away.

There are regular trains linking Hue to Vietnam’s three major cities, Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh. There are sleeper facilities to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The buses are good and regular and there is even a service to and from Laos.

Best time to visit

Hue’s climate is not very good. The mountains to the south result in everything from mist to rain so an umbrella is very useful most of the time. Winters can also be a little cold, often with persistent rain though temperatures in summer rise to the high 30Cs. Summers are fairly dry but there can be heavy showers.

Things to see and do

This Hue travel guide has made a selection of a few of the highlights for those on Vietnam private tours

01 – Imperial Citadel

(Đại Nội) is the major attraction in Hue. There are temples, pavilions, museums and galleries with plenty of exhibits chronicling Vietnam’s history. There has been a fair amount of damage over the years though there has been some restoration work done.

There is much to see in Hue for those interested in history and culture and here is just a selection of the things to consider if you are on holiday in Vietnam and visiting Hue.

• The Ngo Mon Gate was built in 1833 and is the main entrance to the Imperial where the Emperor would address his officials and the people.
• Thái Hòa Palace is thehall, where the Emperor would receive foreign dignitaries.
• Trường Sanh Palace was the home of King Tu Duc’s mother.
• Forbidden Purple City behind Thai Hoa Palace was virtually destroyed in 1968.
  The Emperors’ Tombs are along the Perfume River to the south of the city perhaps best seen from the river. They are from a time towards the end of the 19th Century and forward when the Emperors where really only figureheads during French colonial days. The best are the Tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.
• Alba Thanh Tan Hot Springs has plenty of activities each intended to improve your health; spa therapies, massage and games including a Zipline.
• The imperial cuisine banquet is an experience and visitors may even get the chance to learn more and try their hand at dishes; soups, desserts, often pork as the main meat and shrimp.

02 – Thien Mu Pagoda

Situeted on a bluff over the Perfume River has some fine gold and silver Buddha images. Thiem Mu Pagoda has some valuable images of Buddha in gold and silver. It looks down on the river and represents the symbol of the City.

03 – The Imperial Tombs

South of the river other major attractions of Hue. One of the best ways to see them is to take a cruise which a Hue travel agency will happily arrange. Depending upon the time you have, the main tombs to see are:

• Minh Mang’s tomb is probably the best. There is a large site enclosed within a wall where forest and water create a peaceful atmosphere. There are two lakes with bridge crossings, statues, temples and pavilions.
• Tu Duc Tomb dates back to the 1860s and the Emperor spent a great deal of time there. Formerly, there were around 50 buildings here. Some parts are still in excellent condition with temples dedicated to wives and courtesans often more impressive than the Emperor’s tomb itself.
• Khai Dinh’s tomb is the most recent. It was built in 1925 and is the best preserved of the tombs of Hue. It is an impressive and fairly small site with the tomb itself very detailed with mosaics depicting dragons.

04 -The Thanh Toan Bridge

It’s made of wood and is a short distance out of Hue. It is a rural setting that is worth some of your time if you are in the area.

05 – Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang is fresh water and very productive; shrimps are the main economic activity but it is also a place that tourists will surely enjoy.

06 – Thuan An Beach

Thuan An Beach is at the mouth of the river and is just a few minutes from Hue. It is a lovely place to swim or just relax and take in the fresh air.

07 – Lang Co Bay

Lang Co Bay is a little further away. There is a village with the waters a great source of seafood and a beach for tourists to enjoy.

08 – Bach Ma national park

Bach Ma is an ideal destination for adventurers and nature lovers. Bach Ma Trekking tour is highly recommended for one day trip.

Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation at all price levels. If you are using Vietnam travel packages, your tour company is likely to have made all your arrangements. However if not there are budget hostels, hotels ideal for Vietnam family tours as well as the height of luxury.

Travel tips

It is important to use your common sense of course but Hue like all of Vietnam is a fairly safe place. It is important to be polite because there is a chance of being approached by locals with some form of scam in mind; politely decline anything that sounds doubtful. Vietnam travel should be a pleasant experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Have a nice trip!

Quảng Bình Province – Central Vietnam

 

Quảng Bình in Vietnam’s north-central coast has a border with Laos in the west with the South China Sea/North Pacific its eastern boundary. At its narrowest the province is just 40 km wide. Fairly mountainous, the highest peak is over 2,000 metres with some 85% being hills and mountains. It was once part of the Cham Kingdombefore being taken by the Đại Việt. It was part of Annam under French rule and then North Vietnam, just a short distance from the Demilitarised Zone during the Vietnam War; consequently it suffered tremendous damage from bombing during that struggle.

The coastline is almost 120 km long with five rivers flowing into the sea within its borders while there are over 150 lakes, some manmade within the Province. Quang Binh is a fairly poor province though agriculture and fishing continue to be developed. Tourism is certainly helping to improve the local economy. This Quang Binh travel guide hopes to show you why you should visit this part of Vietnam.

How to get in Quang Binh?

The main highway north-south runs through Quang Binh and there is also a road connection to Laos. The railway is another transport alternative while domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City come in to Dong Hoi airport. Those on countrywide Vietnam private tours will have all their arrangements made for them.

Best time to visit

Spring starts in February and for 3 months it is warm with a little rain until hot and mostly dry weather sets in between May and July. It then cools and the peak rainfall months are September to November. Winters have slight rain with average temperatures about 15C. There is not really a bad time to visit Quang Binh which is good news because there are always parts of the country that will be wet while others are dry.

Things to see and do

Our Quang Binh travel guide must begin with the World Heritage site of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park containing many trees that are several hundred years old, some fairly rare. It covers 200,000 square kilometres and contains over 300 caves and grottoes. There are orchids amongst the flora and a significant population of primates while the gaur is a fairly recent discovery. There are bats and several reptile species while there are more than 200 bird species, some extremely rare such as the sooty babbler, the red-collared woodpecker and the brown hornbill. Finally few places have as many butterflies as this lovely park.

Few of the many caves have been surveyed and it is estimated that the total length involved exceeds 70 km. The caves hold many records including the longest underground river. Currently the most popular are Phong Nha, Tien Son, Thiên Đường (PARADISE CAVE) and Hang Én though they would all give way to Son Doong but there is currently a strict limit on numbers allowed to visit with no sign that the restriction will be lifted.

Quang Binh has several impressive white sand beaches; Nhat Le, Da Nhay and Ly Hoa notably.Bird Island or Hon Ong is a four-hour boat ride from Hong Hoi town, isolated but home to a huge number of seabirds.

Bang Spa is a hot spring region in Lệ Thủy District. Water shooting out of the jet hole has been recorded at 105C. There are health care facilities to enjoy.

There are sites on the Ho Chi Minh trail within Quang Binh.
There are several small ethnic groups living in the mountains and if you have a chance to see their daily lives.

Accommodation

Vietnam tour packageswill include all the necessary arrangements for visiting this area. Those wanting an active holiday are the most likely to be looking for local accommodation to allow them exploration time. The Vast majority of the accommodation in the Province is in Dong Hoi and ranges from backpacker hostels to fairly good hotels suitable for Vietnam family tours.

Travel tips

Vietnam travel involves being prepared for a range of different circumstances. That means rain, hot weather and rough terrain. If you want to explore caves then you need to have comfortable footwear and be careful where you are walking. If it is hot and humid you need light clothing and perhaps something that is showerproof. Good tour companies are happy to advise you on all the things you will need to truly enjoy Vietnam. It is a country with really special things to see and some of them are in Quang Binh.

Check out our 02 days tour in Ninh Binh here.

Have a nice trip!