Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's commercial headquarter, brash and busy , with a keen sense of its own importance as Vietnam emerges from years of austerity to claim a place in the "Asian Tiger" economic slugfest. Located on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's major port and largest city, with an estimated population of over eight million people, most of whom cruise the town's clogged arteries on an estimated three million motorbikes. True to its reputation, the city is noisy, crowded, but the central business district is rapidly developing in steel-and-glass precision to rival any city on the globe. The old Saigon still survives in wide downtown avenues flanked by pristine colonials. Hectic and eclectic, Ho Chi Minh City has an attitude all its own.

Saigon is a relatively young Asian city, founded in the 18th century, but its history tells the story of Vietnam's recent struggles. Settled mainly by civil war forces fleed from north Vietnam along with Chinese merchants and refugees, Saigon quickly became a major commercial center in the late 1800s. With a very convenient protected port along the Saigon River, the city became a confluence in Indochina for goods passing from China and India to Europe. Places like today's popular tourist stop Ben Thanh Market were abuzz with activity. When the French took over the region about that time, in the 1880s, they called the south "Cochin China," Annam being central Vietnam and Tonkin is the north. Saigon became the capital. We owe the wide boulevards and grand colonial facades of central District 1 to years of French control and influence. After the French left in 1954, Saigon remained the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) until national reunification in 1975.

After the progressive economic reforms, which opened Vietnam to foreign investment, aid, and cooperation, set the town on its feet. The city boomed while FDI flow is coming, led mostly by Asian investors (from Japan, Korea, and China). Now the future looks bright for this burgeoning “Tiger capital” claiming for a economic hub of indochina region.

There are two distinct seasons in Saigon: The always hot (average 28°C) and rainy season lasts from May to November, dry season from December to April.

Some of Saigon's tourism highlights include the Vietnam History Museum ; the War Remnants Museum ; and Cholon, the Chinese District, with its pagodas and exotic stores. Dong Khoi Street -- formerly fashionable Rue Catinat during the French era and Tu Do, or Freedom Street, during the Vietnam War, is once again a strip of grand hotels, some dating from the colonial era, new chic shops and boutiques, and lots of fine dining and cafes. Saigon's food is some of the best Vietnam has to offer, its nightlife sparkles, and the shopping here is fast and furious. The city is also a logical jumping-off point for excursions to southern destinations including the Mekong Delta, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Vung Tau beaches and Phu Quoc island.

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Posted in: Ho Chi Minh,The South

Valley of Love

LOCATION:

               Valley of Love is about 5 km far from the center of Da Lat city to the north.

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Another famous attraction in Vietnam is the Valley of Love (Thung Lung Tinh Yeu) in Dalat which is formerly known as Valley of Peace. Dalat is famous for honeymooners because of its cool temperature. Temperatures are pleasantly warm by day, and quite cool at night, down to perhaps 10C. Its temperature also attracts natives and tourists to the area.

The Valley of Love is where couples and lovers visit. Because of its name, many beautiful sculptures of lovers, and many couples and lovers walking around the area, i feel that the place is full of love.


Valley of Love is ringed by hilly slopes covered with pines and the man-made lake with sailboats and paddle boats ply the waters.

We walked for about 5 km. from the hotel to the Valley of Love. There were many Xe Om (motorbike taxi) from most corners but we prefered to walk. Whenever we feel tired and thirsty, we stopped over to the stores to have some snacks and drinks and get some rest. We just took a bus when we went back to the hotel.

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Posted in: Da Lat,The South

Dam Sen Park

LOCATION:

               03 Hoa Binh, Ward 3, District 11, Hochiminh City, Vietnam

PHONE: (84-4) 8. 896 0260/896 4706

FEATURES:

Opening time

Mon-Sat: 08:30 a.m – 06:00 p.m 

Sundays and Holidays: 08:00 a.m – 07:00 p.m

“Oh my kids did have a wonderful time at Dam Sen Park, and keep asking me to bring them back some day!”, smiled a young mother when asked about Dam Sen park in Hochiminh City.

Most families visiting Hochiminh City much enjoy interesting games in Dam Sen Park, the ideal place of interest for small children. Opened in 1999, it now covers more than 50 ha on the corner of Lac Long Quan and Hoa Binh Street, and comprises various areas. Annually, it has several new water slides added.

Aquatic games and activities are much available here for all kinds of visitors. Water fountains, water pupetry, water games, truly unique water slide experiences (including the amazing "Space Bowl"), etc. attract thousands of turns of guests. 

Ideal for kids. A series of water games for kids are of much interest. Also, a flower garden, a fun house, a ball game centre, electronic games, and so forth, are desired by every kid taking part in. Your kids will also feel the same, for sure! 

Also geared for adults. Not only kids but also many adults are fond of the park. A very beautiful rose garden and a prehistoric valley are ideal for couples to walk and relax, make-up rooms are deeply useful for women. There is also an area for camping and a lake offering many aquatic activities. A pavilion for dancing and the water puppetry is located near the lake.

Actually, Dam Sen park is a large-scaled park within the city, which is particularly convenient for city dwellers to come and enjoy themselves here, especially at weekends. A whole complex including Co-op mart, a modern bowling center, luxurious Sports and Gymnasium Center, etc. will satisfy all kinds of your needs for shopping, entertainment and give you a truly relax holiday.

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Posted in: Ho Chi Minh,The South

Duc Ba Cathedral

LOCATION:

          Duc Ba Cathedral is located on Han Thuyen Street, facing down Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

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          The resplendent Governor's Palace, completed in 1875, symbolized the regime's Political Power in Asia. And five years later, the Duc Ba (Our Lady's) Cathedral was Inaugurated, and became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient.
After the first French colonizing force arrived in Vietnam in the mid-19thcentury, it took only 21 years before the country had a cathedral to match the hulking Gothic edifices of France itself. The cathedral is supposed to represent the glory of the French Empire. Yet, as is always the case with colonization, this attempt to import French Traditions into Vietnam transformed the colonizers' culture in the process. Even though the cathedral is built in a Western architectural style, it has a Uniquely Eastern aspect.

Several architects put forward design Proposals for the cathedral, but in 1877 the Authorities selected Mr. Bourard, who was famed for his religious architecture. He envisaged, and executed, a basilica-like structure with a square plan. The cathedral is composed of two main central bays with two sidereal corridors, with Tall Pillars and light coming in through sets of high windows, and a semi-circular shrine. The style follows a Roman pattern, although the outside contains some Modifications: the cathedral's Gothic Vaults are, and a modern steel skeleton supports the whole building.
In 1894 a pointed minaret was added to the bell tower, at the behest of an architect named Gardes, who was also responsible for the Xa Tay Palace, the building now houses the Municipal People's Committee. The cathedral is a much smaller than Those in France, but it was the largest in the French empire. The interior is very large: the principal shrine and two additional bays are 93m long, and reach 35m in width at one point. The semi-circular shrine at the rear seats a choir khi services, and there are five Chapels. The walls are made of Bien Hoa granite, combined with red tiles from Marseilles, all without coating. Red tiles from France were also used on the Roofs, but They were later thế with tiles of equal quality from Phu Huu. Natural light streams in through stained-glass windows mà were made by the Lorin Company from the French town of Sartre.

The whole building is well-ventilated thanks to a system of air-holes placed above and under the windows. The Belfry is 57m high. For a long time it was the highest structure in the city center, and was the first thing an arriving traveler would see when approaching the city by boat. Six bells weigh a combined 25.850 kg. In 1885, the floor was taken apart and new Pillars were added, vì original foundation could not bear the cathedral's weight. Stepping inside the cathedral, tourists see a line of Chinese characters eulogizing the Jesus' mother, "the innocent and unblemished Virgin Mother", and stained-glass portraits of Vietnamese believers amid Asiatic plants. On the square in front of the cathedral, there is a statue of the Virgin Mother made of white marble, symbolizing peace. All told, it's an unusual building: a Western architectural and religious style that has been transplanted into, and adapted to, the East. The colonizers were trying to impose French beliefs and Customs onto Vietnam but once rằng culture arrived on Asia's shores, it took on a life of its own. The cathedral is seen as a unique synthesis, adding an unmistakable Oriental flavor to an ancient Occidental recipe.

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Posted in: Ho Chi Minh,The South

Diving in Nha Trang beach

As the Republic of Vietnam grows more and more as a favorite tourist destination in South East Asia, its shore line is home of some good dive sites in Nha Trang and off to the island of Mun also known as Hon Mun. Situated on the north east of Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), and far from the murkier waters of the Mekong river delta, Nha Trang offers great Vietnamese culture, essentially based on the harvest of the sea in a very traditional way. The coast line around Nha Trang has Developed through history its pure tradition of fishing Techniques and it will be possible to visit some of these Fishermen Villages, guardian of ancestrous traditional fishing secrets. Vietnam is the newest dive destination. Nha Trang offers fantastic sites: with over 350 different species of coral, also various and rich underwater life. Off Nha Trang lies the island of Mun, home of some interesting dive sites, where one of our dive package will take the adventurer diver.

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's premier scuba-diving locale. Visibility averages 15 meters but can be as much as 30 meters, depending on the season (late October to early January is the worst time of year).
There are around 25 dive sites in the area, both shallow and deep. There are no wrecks to visit, but some sites have good drop-offs and there are a few small underwater caves to explore. The waters support a good variety of soft and hard corals, and a reasonable number of small reef fish.

A full-day outing gồm boat transport, two dives and lunch thường the between costs U.S. $ 45 and U.S. $ 75. Most dive operators also offer a range of dive courses, Including a 'discover diving' program for uncertified first-time divers to experience the underwater world with the Supervision of a qualified dive master.

There are a dozen or so dive operators touting for business on the streets of Nha Trang. The places listed below are all long-running operators with environmentally responsible diving practices.

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Posted in: Nha Trang,The South

Cham Towers of Pagoda

              Despite being a major trading civilization, it never weilded a great deal of power, and so never really competed with the Khmers in the south or viets in the North. The Cham civilization had spread from Ancient India, and it is interesting to see some similarities Between the design of Cham Monuments and some others within India. In Nha Trang the Cham Ponagar temple complex (locally refered to as Thap Ba) is situated on a hill just outside the city, and is reached by crossing the Cai River from the main tourist stretch. At the complex there are four towers còn from an original eight, each of mà shows Differences in style, ngụ ý They were built over an extended period Between the seventh and 12th centuries AD. The largest, mà stands at 23m high, was built in 817 AD and contains a Lingham and a statue dedicated to Ponagar, or Lady Thien Y-ana, the beautiful wife of Prince North Sea. It is said that Lady Thien Y-ana Taught new agricultural and Weaving Techniques to people of the area, and in gratitude They built the tower to Honour her. Other towers in the complex are dedicated to gods - the central tower is in Honour of Cri Cambhu, and is thought to bless devotees with Fertility, than is visited by childless couples. In the North West lies a tower dedicated to Sandhaka, a wood cutter and foster father to Ponagar, and the tower in the south was dedicated to Ganeca, the daughter of Ponagar. Entrance to the towers costs 12,000 VND and opening hours are from 6 AM - 6 PM. Late afternoon is a good time to visit.

              To this day Cham, ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists come to Po Nagar to pray and make Offerings, according to Their respective Traditions. This site has a Continuing religious significance, than be sure to remove your shoes before entering.

              The towers serve as the Holy See, honouring Yang Ino Po Nagar, the goddess of the Dua (Liu) clan, mà ruled over the southern part of the Cham kingdom covering Kauthara and Pan Duranga the (present day Khanh Hoa and Thuan Hai provinces). The original wooden structure was razed to the ground by Attacking Javanese in AD 774 but was thế by a stone-and-brick temple (the first of its kind) in 784. There are inscribed stone slabs scattered throughout the complex, most of mà for related to history or religion, and nhập insight into the spiritual life and social structure of the Cham. Originally the complex covered an area of ​​500 sq meters and there were seven or eight towers, four of remain nào. All of the Temples face east, as did the original entrance to the complex, mà to the right as you ascend the hillock. In centuries past, a person coming to pray passed through the pillared meditation hall, 10 Pillars of mà can still be seen, before tiếp tục up the steep staircase.

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Posted in: Nha Trang,The South

Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. Located off the southern coast of Vietnam and Cambodia, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc Island forms a triangular shape and to the west of it is the Long Beach, the longest beach of the island. Today Phu Quoc Island is known as one of the major Vietnam popular destinations.

During the colonial rule of the French and the war with America, Phu Quoc Island was used as a prison. Ruins of the prison are visible even today. After Vietnam gained independence in 1975 this island was used as a re-education camp.

Nearly half the island lets you view the unspoilt beauty of nature. Phu Quoc Island is covered with forests and the beaches are deserted, creating an enchanting environment in the island. It provides a spectacular view with the perfect fusion of its blue waters, sandy beaches, and beautiful landscapes. In a visit to Phu Quoc Island, do not forget to view the magical sunset from the beach. The famous beaches in the island, other than the Long Beach, are Bai Dan and Bai Sao. Away from the beaches are the pepper fields, the rain forest, and the Da Ban Stream with its waterfalls. All create a perfect picture of Phu Quoc Island’s beauty.

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Posted in: Phu Quoc,The South

Con Dao

FEATURES:


          In a competitive world of luxury resort environments, the Con Dao Island has the potential to stand alone. This spectacular piece of land has the potential to become a prized name among the international jet set, to do the unexpected – to put Vietnam’s pristine Con Dao Island squarely on every elite traveler’s A-list.
Visit the world’s most coveted spots and hear the fervent whispers on Con Dao, both from those who’ve yet to uncover its secrets and from those who’ve already fallen under its sensual spell.

A mere 20 minutes from the expanded Con Son international airport, Con Dao district center, as it has for centuries, with boundless beauty. Formed by the sea and sculpted by wind, rain and sun, this jagged peninsula reaches northwards into the warm waters of the Sea of China. The expanse and diversity of unspoiled land is astonishing: 22.84 kilometers of coastline and bluff edges, three separate beaches of white, coral, and gray sands. Mother Nature must consider Con DaoIsland one of her finest hours.

Part sophisticated resorts, part primitive playground, Con Dao Island will fulfill a dream envisioned by the Vietnamese government, to introduce the natural and cultural treasures of Con Dao to an international audience. Those who embark on this remarkable journey will be among the first to explore the splendor of such a vast, unbridled wilderness. And uncover the wonders of a 897.8 hectare paradise, known simply as Peninsula Con Dao - Vietnam’s premier five-star destination.

To arrive at Con Dao is to discover the most seductive corner of the globe, wrapped in a masterfully designed residential resort community. Whether private resident or hotel guest, enlightened pleasures will ultimately include a world-class resort environment and soothing spas, pools that rate second only to the sea, sumptuous dining spots and open-air bars, exclusive tennis and beach clubs, a state-of-the-art marina, cultural programs and imaginative outdoor eco tourism pursuits, even a waterfront village with shops and restaurants set into the beautiful.

Imagine ….. an international resort environment that opens the mind and spirit to a seductive realm of experiences never dreamed of before. Such is the vision behind Con Dao… a blend of raw natural beauty and personalized luxury that rarely exists in the same setting.

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Posted in: Con Dao,The South