Vietnam Beaches

Posted by David Stewards | Travel and Tourism | Sunday 4 July 2010 8:45 pm

Vietnam owns over 3000km of coastline, with some fine ‘year-round-sunshine’ beaches and spectacular lagoons in the south. A beach break is the perfect retreat after (or in between) a challenging adventure, and there is no need anymore to fly your clients elsewhere for a beach extension. In recent years Vietnam has emerged as an attractive beach destination.

Every coastline has its own charm. Nha Trang, the most popular municipal beach, offers all the sun and fun, including snorkeling, diving, surfing and beat trips to nearby islands. Nha Trang has 6 miles of splendid white sandy beach with azure water, backed by green hills and palm trees. The town has little noise or pollution because locals prefer walking or biking to motor-biking. Nha Trang is also known for its sparkling nightlife.

A more peaceful retreat is Mui Ne, a long and beautiful stretch of sand, lined with swaying palm trees. A fine collection of resorts have opened up along the coast, from superb upscale hotels to comfortable boutique-style bungalows. The winds of Mui Ne attract wind nad kite surfers and equipment can be hired on the spot. Eleven km outside Mui Ne liens PHan Thiet, a bustling little fishing port and a typical example of a town that has retained its traditional fishing village culture. Other places of interest include the magnificent sand dunes, Fairy Spring and Takou mountain, with its 49m long Buddha, the largest of Vietnam.

Phu Quoc island is a mountainous and densely forested hideaway, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Ringed with white sandy beaches and transparent waters it’s the perfect place for a well deserved beach break. Phu Quoc also boasts the country’s whitest sand, which contrasts nicely with the turquoise waters. China Beach offers another alluring option for those planning Vietnam beach holidays, and this past hangout for US troops is now transforming itself into a definite best beach in Vietnam consideration. Phu Quoc is also a best place to watch the sunset in Vietnam.

Best Cycling Tours in Vietnam

Posted by John Philips | Travel and Tourism | Tuesday 23 March 2010 10:36 pm

Vietnam is beyond doubt, one of the best places in the world to be spend your vacation in. If you are planning to visit some really beautiful place for your vacations, then nothing can be better than a vacation to Vietnam. Vietnam is a place that is much loved by adventure lovers especially for its best cycling tours. The land of Vietnam can be best explored through cycling trips as it takes the visitor to the core of the land. There are several very good tour operators who conduct some of the best cycling tours in Vietnam. These tours include cycling, boating, visits to several cottage industries, fruit gardens, floating markets and the homes of the local people. The very activity of cycling along the places in Vietnam gives the tourist a different kind of zeal to explore the nature in a better manner.

If you are one of those people who are always craving for adventure and fun, then Vietnam is the place for you to be during your vacations. Vietnam cycling tours offers the best of the thrills and an adventurous experience. A conductive cycling tour can be well availed by contacting the various cycling tour operators that are easily available based on your needs and requirements. The varied terrains and the topography of Vietnam are the basic reasons why cycling is so popular and full of thrills.

The cycling tour programs vary in levels of difficulty in Vietnam. They are designed in that way in order to make this activity popular and exciting for everyone. There are certain people who like cycling but are not confident with slopes, while some people prefer to indulge in hilly cycling. So, the difficulty levels are basically devised for the enjoyment of all the people as people can pick up their cycling tours according to their comfort and confidence level.

These cycling sessions can be held anytime of the day and span up to a couple of hours per day. The duration of the cycling session is largely dependent on the physical condition, interests and the difficulty level of the tourist cyclists. Even if one is a novice, these excursions take ample care and security of the visitors and thereby instill a new confidence in their cycling skills along with bringing them closer to nature. These tours are accompanied by expert guides who guide and instruct the cyclists throughout the excursion.

Self-Guided Vietnam Travel

Posted by Alan Smith | Travel and Tourism | Sunday 14 March 2010 10:07 pm

A country with over 50 sub-cultures, awesome landscapes with sandy beaches, tropical weather and friendly hosts aren’t found everywhere. Sure, you can enjoy these travel attractions by joining an organized tour or even hiring a private guide to escort you around the country, but both of these options create a barrier between you and the friendly locals.

Vietnam has over 86 million people and is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The two main concerns of travelers – heat and monsoon rains have been addressed in recent years. Modern accommodations and transportation with air conditioning are prevalent and many Vietnam travelers have decided to brave the inclement weather of the monsoons to enjoy some of the benefits the rains – mainly better “beach” weather when the rains of the day have passed.

A large variety of Vietnam hotels has emerged in the past few years – small family run “mini-hotels” to 5-star luxury resorts – make comfortable accommodations available to every travel budget. The “Backpacker Telegraph” provides access to bargain hotels by way of the internet and word-of-mouth. Spend a little time “surfing the web” and you’ll find a wide range of places to spend a night or two to fit any budget.

Transportation “to and through” Vietnam can be financially managed by conducting a bit of research on the web. The large international carriers often offer great fares to various hubs in Asia. And the recent emergence of Asia’s regional bargain carriers will provide that last “hop” into Vietnam if you can’t manage to land in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi. Danang is now an arrival point for regional carriers from Thailand and other nearby countries.

In-country transportation can be arranged for a reasonable price by utilizing the “open tour” private tour bus industry, and if you’re really adventurous you can try Vietnam’s public bus system. Vietnam’s railroads provide excellent transportation from one end of the country to the other. Both the private tour bus companies and the railroad provide a number of choices in the area of comfort. “Hard” and “soft” are the adjectives used to describe the levels of service available on the train. You might even chance a local trip on motorcycle or enjoy a trip around town on a cyclo.

If you’re wondering what you do when you get to Vietnam, take a look at any Vietnam travel guide. There are “adventures” to meet the requirements of any traveler’s abilities and desires. Providers of local tour services can be found “online”, in travel guides, or “on the street” when you arrive in town. Waiting to arrange your tour until you’re “on-site” will allow you to make last minute changes to your plans, stay a few extra days at someplace that catches your fancy or spend your money on something else. If you’re on an organized tour you may end spending most of your time sitting near someone who’s a pain.

Romantic Getaway in Vietnam

Posted by Alan Smith | Travel and Tourism | Monday 18 January 2010 1:42 am

Officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam is perhaps the most romantic as well as the scenic destinations in the world. Vietnam is a nation located in Southeast Asia on the eastern region of the Indochina Peninsula. Occupying an area of about 1, 25, 000 square miles, the country is about the size of New Mexico in the US or Italy. It has China to the north, Cambodia and Laos to the west, and the South China to the east. With Hanoi as its capital, Vietnam is truly a rich tapestry of towering mountain peaks, primitive forests consisting of rare as well as beautiful fauna, graceful rivers, mysterious caves, incredible rock formations, lush deltas, magnificent beaches, and dazzling waterfalls.

However, things to see and explore in Vietnam are far beyond its scenic attractions. For history buffs and curious travelers, Vietnam offers a wealth of attractions related to rich culture and history of the place. Geographically, Vietnam consists of three sections: central, north, and south. Central Vietnam is home to some of the best beaches and lagoons in the nation. The ancient imperial city of Hue is also situated in this region. The northern region of the country is much famed for its alpine peaks and the fertile deltas and plains.

Most prominent among the attractions found in this region are the historic city of Hanoi, the plains of Vinh Yen and Cao Bang, and the charming Halong Bay. When comes to the southern region, it is home to such attractions as the modern city of Ho Ci Minh and the fertile alluvial delta of the Mekong River. Apart from these, Vietnam consists of a large number of archipelagic islands and a huge continental shelf. In fact, Vietnam has such a great number of attractions that it takes a month or two to explore them all.

Other prominent attractions in the country are Dalat, which is considered the jewel of the southern highlands region; Muine, an enchanting beach destination; Mekong Delta, renowned for its floating market; Vung Tau, much famed for its temples and pagodas; and Phu Quoc Island, which is regarded as a paradise on earth, Thus, goes on the attractions of the country. Additionally, the country’s landmarks cover an array of lakes, interesting museum and art galleries, and nature parks and gardens. Likewise, while your stay in Vietnam, you can enjoy a number of activities from fun filled and leisurely activities to adventure as well as educational activities.