Thung Nai is a quite new place in Vietnam tours

Thung Nai impresses anyone who sees it from the very first time with the harmonious combination of mountains, lakes and charming houses nestled in between the high hills.

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Thung Nai, Hoa Binh

Located in Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province, just about 110km north-east of Hanoi center, Thung Nai is a popular destination for weekend retreat of both tourists and upper class Hanoians who can afford the time and cost.

History

Once upon a time, Thung Nai was a great valley covered by the vast forest, which is home to numerous deer. Hence, the local people call it “Thung Nai” means “the Valley of deer”.

Since the 1980s when the Da River hydropower plant was constructed, Thung Nai has become a huge lake containing the water served for the operation of this hydropower plant. All initial surrounding high mountains become floating green islands and create poetic and magnificent scenery which can enchant any tourist. Thung Nai is called “the second Ha Long Bay on land” in the North of Vietnam (the first position was taken by Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh province).

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Visitor Information

Most tourists traveling to Thung Nai choose the Windmill guesthouse, which is located on Friends Island as an ideal place for a comfortable and relaxing stay. The guesthouse area consists of a large two-storey redbrick house and a windmill offering visitors a breath-taking view of Thung Nai, a stilt house functioning as a communal dinning place, and a tennis court lying in the lush orchard. The Windmill itself is often regarded as an attraction of Thung Nai.

Activities

Staying in the Windmill, tourists will be served local specialties like grilled Muong pork, smoked or grilled Da River fish, or fish sour soup, and straw wine. After the dinner, tourists, especially the youngsters often gather for the campfire in front of the guesthouse, and watching the sparkling fishing canoe floating in the lake by night.

Waking up in the morning, tourists can refresh themselves by breathing the fresh air and enjoying the natural beauty in early morning. A boat tour to discover sites around the lake in Thung Nai like Ba Chua Thac Bo temple, Thac Bo grotto (with a lot of stalactite in various shapes), Ngoi Hoa village of Muong people is also a good option. Especially, tourists who luckily come here on Sunday morning can drop by Thac Bo floating market, just 20 minutes by boat from the Windmill, where they can buy fresh fish, shrimp caught by local people.

Best time to visit Thung Nai

Thung Nai is said to be most beautiful in the autumn, when the water level reaches the highest and the valley is filled with the romantic lake water. Try visiting Thung Nai this time to best enjoy the landscape.

How to get there

From Hanoi, tourists can travel to Thung Nai easily by car or motorbike. After riding along the National Highway 6 and reaching Hoa Binh town, turn right and keep riding 20km toward the upstream of Da River then stop at Binh Thanh marina. From here, tourists will get on the boat and begin the trip to discover the beauty of Thung Nai.

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The Hanoi Opera House is situated on Le Thanh Tong St., Hanoi

An essential part of Hanoi’s 000 year history, Hanoi Opera House is without doubt one of the most famous cultural and architectural monuments of Hanoi. Located on the famous August Revolution Square, Hanoi Opera House is just a few steps from Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Old Quarter and Vietnam History Museum. The Opera house was constructed for ten years from 1901 to 1911 and modeled on Palais Garnier – the older of Paris two opera houses, Hanoi Opera House embraces the European architectural style under the Renaissance period with the Italian-made marble floor, copper chandeliers and exquisite French murals on the ceiling, thus making the place one of Hanoi’s singular architectural landmarks.

Hanoi Opera House

In the past, the theater solely hosted performances by Western artists for French officials and wealthy Vietnamese. Nowadays, Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi’s cultural centers where art shows, concerts, dance performances and other events usually take place, with the scale ranging from national to international.

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The theater is the place where the Vietnamese Orchestra chooses to perform on regular basis, occasionally along with famous artists from all over the world. In the past the place had invited the violinist Hilary Hahn, the cellist Yo-yo Ma, the pianist Wolfgang Glemser or the conductor Gudni Emilsson. The two remarkable classical concerts performed annually at Hanoi opera house are Toyota Concert and Hennessy Classical Concert, which both are international-scale performances with renowned classical artists.

Moreover, there are a variety of art events ranging from the traditional Vietnamese music to the more trendy pop music by domestic singers with high reputation such as My Linh, Thanh Lam or Hong Nhung. The price also varies depending on the scale of the events, but normally ranging from 100.000 VND to 500.000 VND and up to 2 million VND for a VIP seat, which can be considered reasonable for Western standards.

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Cao Pha Valley in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province

Here it’s the season of rainbows and raindrops and a time when tourists flock to the region to enjoy the picturesque terraced rice paddies at their best, overflowing with water.

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The season is commonly referred to by local people as ‘the season of falling water’ referring to the torrential downpours that saturate the paddies sending the water cascading down the mountainside.

Vietnam’s highway 32 is infamous for its many attractive tourist destinations and exotic beauty stretching from Tu Le to Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai province.

Let’s enjoy a few images of the Cao Pha Valley in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province this rainy season

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Tam Coc Caves means three caves, these caves are located in Ninh Binh province, it takes around 90km by bus from Hanoi. This destination is the most famous and popular sight to be visited in the northern Vietnam. Tam Coc caves are also considered as ” Halong Bay on land”.

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Exploring Tam Coc caves, you are enjoyed riding the boat along the river and going through the caves under the rocky mountain, it will be unforgettable experienced for you because this trip is very specially, wothwhile and fun for both of a couple and family with children or even with the old people who like rowing on a small wooden boat along a beautiful and long river under the rocky mountains.

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Once you travel to Tam Coc caves you also should not miss to visit both of Hoa Lu and Bich Dong with its full route is Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Bich Dong in Ninh Binh. It is very easy for you to catch a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, it takes around just two hours by bus from Hanoi to this famous sightseeing.

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Vietnam tour destinations of My Son - Quang Nam province

My Lai is a small hamlet in Son My village, Quang Ngai Province where took place the massacre in March 16th, 1968 on Vietnam War, it killed the life of 503 people from the adults, women to children. Now a day, in the evidence’s precinct of My Lai it is reappeared the ragged and terrible framework of this war.

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Arrival to My Lai, you will are also seen some houses which were restored to show about a wicked war, it killed some whole families, there are some families having had until five persons to be killed at the same time, then the American army were burned down their houses, for example as the house of Mr. Do Ky, his whole family had five members to be killed together at the same time.

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Now a day, everyday there are the hundred tourists to arrive here to burn incense in the massacre’s memorial. Outside the campus, it is reappeared a denuded village’s landscape after this massacre. Now, in My Lai there is also a famous museum where is kept the images about the American army who killed series the local people in this village at that time, beside these images there are also the models which are reappeared the terrible activities of the American army.

It is far away around 12km from the center of Quang Ngai Province to My Lai, and it is around 130km from Hoi An to My Lai. Now a day, the roads lead to My Lai to be easy for tourists to visit and explore this historical famous site, so that if you are the tourists who prefer to find about the history of this destination, you should miss it on your trip to the central area of Vietnam.

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The city is the provincial capital of Quang Ninh province

Quang Ninh is a province in the northeastern Vietnam, it is far away from Hanoi around 176km, it takes around 3.5hours by bus from Hanoi to Quang Ninh. Quang Ninh is considered as a Vietnam which is zoomed out because it has full points such as the beach, island, delta, midland border, hills and mountains.

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Specially, Quang Ninh has a very famous sight is Halong Bay where is accepted by UNESCO as one of seven natural heritage in the world, so that Halong Bay is a main destination of Quang Ninh as well as of the northeastern Vietnam.

Beside Halong Bay where almost tourists in the world prefer to visit once they arrive to Hanoi or explore the northern Vietnam, Quang Ninh also has another famous attractions such as Bai Tu Long Bay, Co To Island, Tuan Chau Island… Quang Ninh also has many another famous destinations where attract a lot of the domestic tourists who live in Vietnam prefer to visit every year such as Ho Thien Temple, Yen Tu Mountain…

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Travel to Quang Ninh, you also should not miss to try the local seafood at here, and Cha Muc is one of the most famous food in this province.

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Vung Tau - famous destination in Vietnam

ung Tau is one of the very interested destinations in the southern Vietnam, it is just around 125km  and takes around three hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. This destination is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.

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With the length of the beach is 20km, Vung Tau attract a lot of tourists not only everywhere in the world but also there are many tourists from Ho Chi Minh City who prefer to travel and relax at here in the weekends because this beautiful beach is located not so far from a bustling city as Ho Chi Minh City.

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There are many different vehicles for you to choose to go to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City such as catching a bus, taxi, or hydrofoil or even riding a motorbike, all of these vehicles are fine and easy to go to Vung Tau to relax in a such beautiful beach in a short or long time.

Vung Tau is not so large so that the best vehicle to discover Vung Tau complete and convenient is by motorbike, you could rent a motorbike to go around Vung Tau and stop to swim and relax in any beach on the way.

Vung Tau is not only famous with a long beach but also this is also a cultural and historical land. Arrival to Vung Tau you will feel very pleasant with a large and cool roads, below is the sea and above is the tranquil pagodas.

The tourist could travel to Vung Tau any time in the year because the weather at here is not so hot and cool every time, you just need to avoid the weekend occasions because there are a lot of tourists arriving to Vung Tau at this time to relax so that all services are easy full booked and its prices are also always increased in the weekend time.

Exploring Vung Tau, you should not miss the most famous attractions such as Bai Sau Beach, Bai Truoc Beach, Long Hai Beach, Bai Dua Beach, Con Dao Island, Vung Tau Light House, Statue of Jesus Christ, Thang Tam Temple…

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Lung Cu Flagpole has an important political meaning of affirming National territory

In Vietnam’s map, Lung Cu, which every Vietnamese people wants to visit once, is the proud peak of our country. The location becomes the North Pole sovereign sacred symbol of our country. The pole was erected on the top of Dragon Mountain of Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District with the height of 1,468 meters above the sea level. Lung Cu Flagpole has an important political meaning of affirming National territory sovereignty, as well as attracting domestic and foreign visitors.

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The Pole copies Hanoi Pole model with total 33,15 meters height. The pole’s body is octagonal-shape designed, attached with 8 kettledrum figures and 8 green stone embossments illustrating historical periods of our country and people, custom, habit of Ha Giang ethnic group. The flag covers 54 square meters, symbolizing 54 brother ethnic groups who always unite, together build and protect the country.

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Vietnam Lung Cu flagpole, about 24km from the centre of Dong Van district, is a tourist destination that is meaningful for domestic visitors. Lung Cu mount is liken as “a high forehead of the motherland” where marks the extreme North of our country. From its top, visitors can see the whole of beautiful and spectacular landscape.

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Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the Old City of Hanoi

Situated in the heart of Hanoi, this delightful body of water also lies close to the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Legend has it that in the early 15th century, during the Minh Chinese occupation, General Le Loi was presented with a magical sword by a divine, golden turtle, which lived in the lake’s waters.

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With the help of this sword, Le Loi expelled the Chinese from Thang Long, present-day Hanoi attractions In the mid-19th century, a small pagoda called Thap Rua or Turtle Tower was built to commemorate this supernatural event. Located on an islet in the center of the lake, the structure has since become a prominent city icon.

On an island at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake stands Den Ngoc Son or Jade Mountain temple, one of the most beautiful and revered religious buildings in the capital. The temple can be accessed by an attractive red-painted, arched wooden bridge. This is the celebrated The Huc or Sunbeam Bridge. Dating from the Nguyen Dynasty in the early 1800s, the temple’s building is exquisitely preserved. Decorated with upswept eaves and elaborate carved dragons, the predominant colors are red, gold, yellow and black. The temple was established by a mandarin named Nguyen Van Sieu. A stylized stone ink slab rests atop the temple’s gate, while nearby, a tapering stone pillar represents a traditional writing brush. The ideograms on the stele translate as “writing on a clear sky.” In the antechamber, a giant turtle that died in the lake in 1968 is preserved. Den Ngoc Son is dedicated to the spirits of the soil, medicine, and literature, as well as to Tran Hung Dao, the general who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

To the east of the lake is the large, bronze Statue of Ly Thai To, honoring the great founder of Thang Long. The statue, which has already become quite popular with pious Vietnamese, is venerated with incense and flowers.

Today, Hoan Kiem lake is one of the city’s most popular venues, generally packed with couples taking a stroll, people practicing Tai Chi, and old men playing chess. The lake also plays a major role during the city’s Tet celebrations, with stages for live music and a huge fireworks display.

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One of the most unusual features of Ha Long Bay is the Bo Ham lake

Situated on the south-west side of Hạ Long Bay, Ba Hầm Lake is found on Ðầu Bhalong bay vietnam - baham lakeê Island (Calf Head Island) in Lan Hạ Bay. This island is part of the range of islands at the farthest end of Hạ Long Bay, bordering the immense zone Long Châu Sea. Ba Hầm Lake is situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs.

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The lake is a system comprising three wide and round pits, linked together by a narrow and meandering tunnel. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in a myriad of strange, colored forms. The silence is disturbed only by the sounds of the boat’s oars. On the island are many species of plants such as orchids, Benjamin figs, banyans and cycads, which blossom throughout the year. It is also the homhalong bay vietnam - baham lakee of yellow-haired monkeys, birds, flying squirrels and bats. Under the deep blue surface of the water are the animated lives of shrimp and fish.

Although 25 km from the shore, it has long been considered an ideal tourism zone. The entrance is a open semi-circular hole in the flat stone wall on the north-west side of the island, 4 to 5 m above the sea.

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Starting from the entrance, tourists enter the first tunnel, which boasts a forest of stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes and various colours. They fall down the water surface like the roots of banyan or ficus trees. The deeper one pushes into the tunnel, the darker it becomes. The river is deep yet so clear that one can see shoals of fish swimming. Some 100 m from the entrance one finds a shaft of light coming from the roof of the tunnel, which reveals different kindhalong bay vietnam - baham lakes of orchids clinging to the cliff, cycads growing here and there, trúc duôi gà (a kind of reed with cock’s tail-liked yellow leaves) flourishing in clumps. In the southeast cliff of the second tunnel there grows an old carambola tree, which bears fruits all year round. Tourists can find groups of monkeys, flying squirrels, or silver-headed parrots gathering in its branches. Lying one cliff away from the second one, the third tunnel is home to various species of bats and butterflies.

Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, you feel like boating in an abyssal well walled by mountains. Ba Hầm Lake is one of the beauty spots of Hạ Long Bay.

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Sam Son beach for every moment of the day there are different beauty

Driving 16km from the center of Thanh Hoa and 170 km from Hanoi, tourists in Vietnam travel will reach Sam Son Beach in Thanh Hoa province. This place has been a famous spot for Vietnam tourism since the beginning of the previous century, when the French begun building facilities there to serve themselves and the courts of the Nguyen regime. In addition to the gifts that the nature presents, Sam Son also has many attractions for the travelers to explore.

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Sam Son Beach- One amongst the Most Beautiful in Northern Vietnam

This is a long and beautiful beach reaching more than 16km in length. Visitors will have some unforgettable moments when they wallow in the cool blue sea, listen to songs of the wave and the wind, and take a nap on the sunlight sandbanks or build sand castles. Also, this is a good place to try various local seafood varieties such as shrimps, crabs, fishes and also to bring back home some nice souvenirs. The very flat and gentle sandbank, combined with the clean and blue water makes the scenery of Sam Son beach magnificent and attractive.

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Sam Son attracts a larger number of tourists in Vietnam travel in summer vacation annually

Besides the beaches, Sam Son also has another fascinating destination with many natural attractions and historical relics: the Truong Le Mountain range. The part that is contiguous to the sea is called Co Giai Islet. On top of this islet, there is a small pagoda named “Doc Cuoc”, which means “One Leg”. The pagoda is the place for the local people to recall the epic legend of a giant that manages to slay a sea monster and to guard the sea in the past. Also, there is a special rock name “Trong Mai”, formed with two huge boulders on a flat rock. There is a story that these rocks represent a pair of husband and wife, who love each other passionately even when both have been transformed into birds.

Beautiful Landscape of Truong Le Mountain Range

If you are a lover of beach travel and making tours to Vietnam, Sam Son beach that is in top of beautiful beaches in the North Vietnam should be listed on your trip.

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Nha Trang -- where doing nothing comes easy

With over 250 days of sunshine each year, some of the best hotels in Vietnam, miles of sandy beach and an ever increasing range of sports facilities, entertainment venues and nightlife, Nha Trang has plenty to offer all visitors.

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Beach: 

The 6km-long (4 miles) sandy beach, fringed by palms and casuarina trees, is one of the best in Vietnam with clean water, making it a perfect place for swimming. Visitors can rent a sunbed and vendors regularly pass by selling soft drinks and fresh fruit. The offshore islands and coral reefs are ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving and watersports centres rent out windsurfers.

Beyond the beach: 

Pride of place are the Po Nagar Cham Towers (in the north of Nha Trang on Cu Lao overlooking the Cai River), built by the Cham people between the 7th and 12th centuries. They are still a place of worship, and Vietnamese come here to pray and make offerings. A gleaming white Buddha, visible from all over Nha Trang, sits on top of a hill reached from the Long Son Pagoda below. To the south of the town, on a promontory jutting out into the South China Sea, are Bao Dai's villas (just north of Cau Da Dock), a holiday retreat for Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, where you can explore the grounds. Once you have had enough culture, escape by boat to the islands for some cooling swimming and snorkelling in pristine seas or relax in the hot waters and mud baths of Thap Ba Hot Spring.

Family fun: 

If the kids find the beach too tame for them the Phu Dong Water and Amusement Park on Tran Phu Street can provide hours of entertainment. There is even a night market for souvenir shopping and food stalls to end the day with a delicious meal of fresh seafood and local specialities. Children will love the opportunity to see the colourful marine life in the South China Sea on a glass bottomed boat tour. For a thrill and a day of fun take the kids on the cable car across the sea to the Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre Island where there is an amusement park, food village and shopping. Take a boat excursion to the aptly named Monkey Island and feed the resident troop of monkeys.

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Exploring further:

Two hours from Nha Trang is Whale Island, a resort where you can really get away from it all. Stay in beach bungalows and explore the unspoilt island with its impressive array of birdlife or you can sail, canoe, windsurf or go diving and see colourful fishes and coral and even whales and whale sharks on their annual visit from April to July. Explore the highland areas with an overnight excursion to Buon Ma Thuot passing rubber and coffee plantations en route and stopping at a waterfall for a refreshing swim. In Buon Ma Thuot visit an ethnic minority village and ride an elephant.

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Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam travel guide

Buon Ma Thuot lies about 190 km inland from Nha Trang and around 200km north of Dalat. A large town in a coffee plantation area, it’s the provincial capital of Dak Lak province but its main interest for visitors are the natural surroundings and the thirty or so ethnic groups in the area. Dak Lak is warmer and more humid than Dalat, with a rainy season from April to November.

The town itself is nondescript apart from the Kha Doan Pagoda, an unusual combination of the features of an Ede long house with a roof designed in accordance with Hue imperial architecture. It was built to commemorate the wife of Emperor Khai Dinh – her son was Emperor Bao Dai, the last of the dynasty.

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Gia Long WaterfallMost of Buon Ma Thuot’s attractions lie well away from the town. They include the excellent Gia Long and Dray Nur waterfalls, both little visited. Gia Long is adjacent to ancient forest – Emperor Bao Dai used to hunt there.

The forest is spectacular – enormous trees, vines, and a profusion of insects. Nearby is a natural swimming pool, an almost rectangular basin with a sandy bottom.

On the other bank are the remains of a bridge and lake built by Bao Dai, now being slowly strangled by the lush vegetation.

Dray Nur is a complete contrast. Set in dry, arid land, its waters thunder over black volcanic rock. Its comparatively barren surroundings enhance the impact of the falls – standing at the bottom among the swirling mist, the noise is deafening.

Serene Lak Lake offers travel in a dugout canoe across the lake to ride working elephants and meet their mahouts through ethnic villages, some with homestay facilities.

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About thirteen miles from the town there is a settlement of Ede people who live in distinctive longhouses on stilts. It's a good starting point for a hike through Nam Kha Forest.

Further away to the northwest is Yok Don, Vietnam’s largest national park. Several ethnic groups live within it, notably the M’nong people who traditionally specialised in hunting and domesticating the wild elephants that roamed in the area.

However, the effects of US bombing and defoliation, together with loss of habitat from agricultural encroachment have drastically reduced their numbers. The journey to Yok Don is quite taxing, but the forests are striking and there are many species of flora and fauna, some very rare.

Although depleted, there are still plenty left, both wild and domesticated. Elephant riding in Yok Don is the real McCoy rather than the gentler tourist version at Lak Lake. During the dry season, two-day safari-style forays into the deep forest can be arranged. Homestays are possible, and there’s a few bedrooms available in the park’s headquarters – either way, don’t expect anything other than the most basic accommodation.

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Danang is the largest city in Central Vietnam

Originally known as Cua Han, it gradually developed into a commercial port replacing Hoi An in the early 18th century, when European shipbuilding was improved and large deep-draught vessels could easily enter Danang Bay. The city was associated with the French colonialists who, after establishing their domination of the whole of Vietnam in 1889, separated Danang from Quang Nam Province and renamed the city Tourane under the control of the Governor General of Indochina. After the defeat of the French in 1954, it was given its present name under the authority of the Saigon government.

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Its international fame arose from its role during the American War. In March 1965, American marine units landed and started to set up a major military complex to support the combat bases and operations in and near the De-Militarised Zone, about 220km to the north. American troops and the Saigon government expanded Danang into a political and military centre with an airport, ports, warehouses, roads, and other infrastructure. Industry flourished, and the population grew.

In March 1975, the advancing North Vietnam Army (NVA) captured Hue, and by the end of the month, panic spread through Danang and order collapsed. In early April, with NVA tanks advancing on the city, the chaotic evacuation and airlift began. The human story of the event was documented in the 1997 film ‘Daughter from Danang’ featuring a child and mother separated at that time.

Today, Danang is an important port and Vietnam’s fourth largest city but, despite its substantial business travel potential, there's a dearth of decent hotels with only the upmarket Furama Resort above a three-star standard.

Nevertheless, its a pleasant place but without a great deal of interest for the traveller apart from its ancient association with the Cham Kingdom, represented by its famous Cham Museum, and a Cao Dai temple second only to the Cao Dai Holy See in importance. However, not counting the DMZ, Hue, My Son and Hoi An, there are places worth visiting not far away.

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My Khe Beach

Made famous by the American War, the actual location of the GI’s rest and relaxation area is a small section of My Khe beach, part of the long stretch of sand that runs south alongside the coast for hundreds of kilometres. Nearby, is the Furama, Vietnam’s premier first class resort hotel, the only First Class hotel within reasonable reach of Hue.

My Khe Beach is down the sand from the Furama - it’s easy enough to spot. You can still see the old aircraft hangers at the back of the beach. The American forces used them to house bombers, unwittingly in full view of the Vietcong who maintained a spectacular network of tunnels in the Marble Mountains.

The Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a popular spot for Vietnamese visitors, about ten kilometres from Danang.

Also known by their Vietnamese name of Ngu Hanh Son (Five Mountains Range), they face the East Sea and contain some of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The colour of the marble in the five peaks differs: the Thuy Son mountain has pink marble, while the Moc Son mountain’s is white and the Hoa Son mountain’s is brown.

It’s a commercialised site, but the shrines and pagodas built into the caves in the limestone hills are interesting if not too crowded. At its base is Non Nuoc, a stone carving village with more than a thousand people involved in making fine art works and Buddha statues from high-grade limestone, mostly for export worldwide.

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Da Lat is one of the top prioritized destinations in Vietnam

The Facts

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At the southern extremity of the Central Highlands is the city of Dalat. Originally built by the French colonists, Dalat still bears a passing resemblance to a French town, an impression that is diminishing as Vietnamese-style buildings proliferate.

Dalat can be reached by air, but only from Ho Chi Minh City. However the drive from the south is quite satisfying, especially as you climb up through rubber, mulberry, coffee and tea plantations. The road from Dalat to Highway 1 and Nha Trang is also gratifying with plenty to see on way.

There are some good hotels, the crown going to the excellent Sofitel Dalat Palace, arguably one of Vietnam’s best, but there are very few restaurants serving anything other than Vietnamese food.

‘Discovered’ by Dr. Alexandre Yersin at the end of the 19th century, Dalat grew into a large hill station attracting French civil servants, administrators and military personnel seeking a refuge from the heat and humidity of the Mekong and the coastal plain.

Dalar marketLocated high in the mountains nearly 1500m above sea level, Dalat is now popular with Vietnamese visitors because it has a cool and equable climate usually remaining between 10º C and 20º C throughout the year. This ‘eternal spring’ is responsible for its increasing importance as a fruit and flower growing area. First class blooms, soft fruits and vegetables are grown for export and airlifted all over Asia.

The ‘Romantic City’ or a Mecca for eccentrics?

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You’ll come across the first label quite frequently, but don’t be misled. It’s equable temperatures make Dalat a popular choice for Vietnamese summer newly-weds who don’t want to consummate their union in a pool of sweat. If you are hoping to find peaceful seclusion with tucked-away bijou restaurants, the gentle refrains of violins or classic guitar, and secluded strolls by the light of the moon – forget it!

In reality, the most accurate description of Dalat’s ‘romantic’ features is ‘off the wall’. Forget about the much-touted, and mostly tacky and over-commercialised, attractions and look upon Dalat as an expedition in to the bizarre.

Dalat’s real attractions

Approached in a different way, Dalat has a lot to offer. Here’s a few examples, not in any particular order.

The Ugly Duckling

Most cities would yearn for a large water area with plenty of space as a central feature. Dalat has Xuan Huong, a splendid artificial lake with a seven kilometre perimeter. However, the local tourism authority has ‘enhanced’ it by the addition of a fleet of two person plastic ‘pedaloes’ shaped as huge swans. It’s an introduction the kitsch that is to come!

Welcome to wonderland.

The quintessence of counter-culture, Hang Nga’s ‘Crazy House’ is a truly memorable guest house if you don’t mind being uncomfortable. It defies description – seeing is believing!

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Sapa is still a fascinating destination

Getting there

Two main roads wend their way into the north western mountain area: the latter part of the trip offers good views, but the roads are poor and the twelve-hour journey is tiring. For most visitors, overnight train travel to Lao Cai and by road to Sapa is the best option.

The original Lao Cai town was destroyed during the 1979 invasion of Vietnam by the Chinese Army. As none of the present buildings predate the event, the only attractions for visitors is the road to Sapa and the border gate with China

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Sapa’s history

Sapa came into existence as a hill station during the French occupation. Previously a Black H’mong village, it was ‘discovered’ early in the twentieth century and developed as a resort for French military officers, civil servants and business people. Its marked similarity to alpine areas in France and its temperate climate made it a haven from Hanoi's clammy winter dampness and sultry humid summer. By 1940, it was a sizeable town populated almost entirely by French citizens.

As France’s grip on the country weakened, the buildings emptied. After their victory at Dien Bien Phu, the Viet Minh demolished most of the buildings. One that escaped was the summer residence of the Governor General of Indochina, which was commandeered by the Secretary General of the Vietnamese Communist Party as his holiday retreat. That was also flattened during the 1979 Chinese invasion.

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Sa Pa today

Today, a few buildings have been restored, notably the church, shelled by the French as the Viet Minh began to advance through the northern mountains. Several of the new buildings are vaguely based on the long gone French villas – the Auberge Hotel is a good example. Apart from that, the only enduring memento of the French presence is the inclusion of open fires and chimneys in many buildings – a welcome addition as the temperature often slips below zero in winter.

Sapa has several reasonable local hotels, and one of international standard. A recent arrival is a small four-room guest house owned and managed by the Hoa Sua organisation. It’s comfortable, friendly and puts money into the local economy.

The ethnic minority groups

The main attraction of this area, apart from its superlative natural beauty, is Vietnam’s largest concentration of ethnic groups. Many distinct groups live in this area and, apart from those living around the tourist centre of Sapa, their dress, buildings, traditions and lifestyles have changed little over the last hundred years.

Visiting markets

We always recommended visits to the more remote markets that have so far escaped the attention of the package tour companies. It’s usually a long drive, but what you see is far closer to the traditional culture than those in the tourist areas. However, they don't sell products designed for tourists, unless you want pigs, agricultural implements and so on.

For souvenirs, buy from the markets in Sapa or Bac Ha. Both are already commercialised, but by making your purchases there, you'll be dealing direct with the producer, not giving the profits to a wealthy shop owner. Bear in mind that very few of the souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels in the tourist areas are owned by local people.

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Top 10 Hotels things to do in Da Nang

The best hotels in Da Nang are ultimate retreats for visitors looking to unwind after a long day of exploring Vietnam’s rich culture. Featuring well-appointed accommodation, modern amenities, and excellent service at great rates, these establishments also offer convenient access to Da Nang’s many dining outlets, shopping venues, historical sights, and sandy beaches.

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Guests can easily visit iconic attractions such as Marble Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hue, Hoi An, and My Son Valley, as well as enjoy various recreational activities in China Beach and Lang Co Beach. For those staying in other parts of Vietnam, Da Nang is also easily accessible thanks to daily domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From luxurious beachfront resorts to stylish city hotels, our comprehensive guide of Da Nang’s most popular hotels will help you find the right accommodation you’re looking for.

MOST BOOKED HOTELS
in Da Nang
Guest Rating
Fusion Maia Resort4.5/ 5
Vinpearl Da Nang Resort & Villas4.5/ 5
Furama Resort Danang4.4/ 5
Brilliant Hotel4.4/ 5
Novotel Danang Premier Han River4.3/ 5
Pullman Danang Beach Resort4.4/ 5
Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Resort4.4/ 5
Orange Hotel Danang4.6/ 5
A La Carte Da Nang Beach4.2/ 5
Premier Village Danang Resort Managed By Accor4.5/ 5
1
Fusion Maia Resort
Da Nang

usion Maia - Spa Inclusive Resort is an all-villa resort dedicated to one paramount factor: relaxation. This five-star property in Hoi An is a spa-inclusive concept that is original and effective in its mission. With 80 chic Pool Villas, four Spa Villas, and three Beachfront Villas, absolute privacy is guaranteed - thus adding to a greater sense of relaxation. Simple and clean decor add to the Zen-like atmosphere at Fusion Maia - Spa Inclusive Resort. Pool Villas enjoy individually controlled air conditioning and a host of room amenities including a plush en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, quality bedding, and a lush garden complementing the swimming pool. The four Spa Villas have two bedrooms and are spacious in design while the three Beachfront Villas are ideal as a family getaway or even a honeymoon nest. Read More...

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2
Vinpearl Da Nang Resort & Villas
Da Nang
Vinpearl Premium Da Nang
from
USD
 189
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Vinpearl Luxury Da Nang Hotel is a five star hotel located in a prime position along Non Nuoc Beach (voted the sixth most beautiful beach in the world in a Forbes Magazine poll). This beautiful property has its back to the remarkable Marble Mountain range and is only 15 minutes by car to Da Nang International Airport. Consisting of 200 guestrooms, this magnificent hotel mixes and matches modern contemporary Vietnamese design with traditional pan-Asian and French touches. Read More...

3
Furama Resort Danang
Da Nang

A five-star property, Furama Resort Da Nang is right on the beach and enjoys beautiful sunrises and balmy tropical days of sun-soaked weather. Fitted out in pan-Asian style with rattan furniture and period pieces, each room type is a masterpiece in elegance with parquet floors, quality rugs, and tasteful lighting arrangements. Room categories at Furama include Furama Villas, Garden Superior, Garden Deluxe, Lagoon Superior, Ocean Deluxe, Ocean Studio Suite, and Ocean Suite. Each category features individually controlled air conditioning, a ceiling fan, IDD telephones (three to each room), radio and flat-screen TV, en-suite marble bathroom with modern amenities, a business desk, mini-bar, refrigerator, safety deposit box, tea and coffee-making facilities, electrical adaptors available on request, with high-speed Wi-Fi in all public areas and rooms. Read More...

4
Brilliant Hotel
Da Nang
Brilliant Hotel

Brilliant Hotel lies in the center of Da Nang City. This 4-star hotel boasts panoramic views of the Han River. Guests can enjoy three different dining options. Da Nang International Airport is only 2 km away. Son Tra Peninsular is 7 km away from the hotel while the Ho and UNESCO Heritage Site is 45 minutes away. It takes one hour to reach My Son Sanctuary. Read More...

5
Novotel Danang Premier Han River
Da Nang
Novotel Danang Premier Han River
from
USD
 125
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Novotel Danang Premier Han River can be found in a very central location on the west bank of Han River in Da Nang. Da Nang Railway station is just one km away while Da Nang International Airport is also close by; just 2 km away. The Cham Museum is also near. The hotel is 37-storey high and it boasts panoramic views of the beaches and the city. The outdoor swimming pool is perfect for relaxation and for a good swim. Read More...

6
Pullman Danang Beach Resort
Da Nang
Pullman Danang Beach Resort
from
USD
 166
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Pullman Danang Beach Resort is a five-star located on the beautiful white-sand beach of Bac Ny An. With 187 guestrooms and cottages, Pullman Danang Beach Resort has a warm feel to it and a family atmosphere. Ideal for Meeting and Incentive groups, its the perfect location for beach-lovers, too. Accommodation at Pullman Danang Beach Resort offers sea views and garden views and feature individually controlled air conditioning, complimentary coffee and tea-making facilities, complimentary free bottled drinking water replenished daily, free daily newspaper, iron and ironing board, en-suite bathroom with hair dryer, shower and bathtub, along with brand-name toiletries, a mini-bar, refrigerator, a safety deposit box, high-definition TV with international channels, electronic key card, and quality bedding and foam pillows. Read More...

7
Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Resort
Da Nang
Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Resort
from
USD
 97
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Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Spa has to offer its guests a private beach area and a large outdoor swimming pool. Da Nang International Airport can be reached by car and it is a 10 minute drive away. Da Nang Train Station is within walking distance from the hotel while Hoi an Ancient Town is 20 minutes away and it can also be reached by car. The hotel provides free airport shuttle services for every guest staying at the hotel. Read More...

8
Orange Hotel Danang
Da Nang
Orange Hotel Danang
from
USD
 40
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Orange Hotel Danang places you in the center of Da Nang, within just a 15-minute stroll of Museum of Cham Sculpture, Chi Lang Stadium, and Han Market. Highlights at this hotel include free breakfast, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge. All 44 rooms feature LCD TVs with cable channels, and you can enjoy free WiFi, fireplaces, and free bottled water. Room service and room service make in-room dining easy, and minibars provide refreshments. Nice touches to enhance your stay include slippers and free toiletries, while premium linens invite a good night's rest. Read More...

9
A La Carte Da Nang Beach
Da Nang
A La Carte Da Nang Beach
from
USD
 74
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At A La Carte Da Nang Beach you'll be 1.2 km (0.7 mi) from My Khe Beach and 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Han River Bridge. Highlights at this aparthotel include 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and a restaurant. All 202 soundproofed apartments feature LCD TVs with cable channels, and you can enjoy free WiFi, iPod docks, and coffee/tea makers. In-room dining is convenient with amenities like kitchenettes and room service. Nice touches to enhance your stay include rainfall showerheads and bathrobes. Microwaves, free newspapers, and free bottled water are also available. Limited housekeeping is available. Read More...

10
Premier Village Danang Resort Managed By Accor
Da Nang
Premier Village Danang Resort Managed By Accor
from
USD
 228
BOOK NOW!
A luxury stay in Da Nang awaits you at Premier Village Danang Resort Managed By Accor. You'll be 2.1 km (1.3 mi) from My Khe Beach and within 5 km (3 mi) of Museum of Cham Sculpture and Dragon Bridge. Highlights at this beachfront hotel include 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor swimming pools, and a full-service spa. All 79 rooms feature private pools, private plunge pools, and fireplaces. Kitchens and 24-hour room service make dining in an option. Balconies or patios, living rooms, and dining areas are also available

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Vietnam offers travellers the best and the worst of the internet

Vietnam offers travellers the best and the worst of the internet – very often at the same time.

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On a good day, Vietnam offers world class and inexpensive 3G mobile and broadband internet services to travellers. And the internet’s easy to access too. Mobile data and call plans for travellers are available for sale at Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi airports. Ubiquitous cafes, restaurants and bars offer free wifi.

But there are bad days.  And they seem to be occurring more frequently and with increased severity.

On a bad day, travellers get to take an involuntary journey back to the pre-internet era, or the dial-up days of the 1990s.

Vietnam’s internet is a fickle and confusing thing. It’s pervasive – from 3G mobile services that reach to some of the most remote areas of the country, to fibre broadband services that, at their best, shame the far more expensive services I use in Australia.

You’ll struggle to find a cafe, bar or restaurant anywhere in Vietnam that doesn’t provide complimentary, easily accessed wifi.

With the exception of one or two international hotel chains, free wifi is standard at Vietnam’s hotels and resorts.

So far so good. Vietnam’s sounding like one of the world’s most internet friendly places for travellers – far better in fact than many more developed travel destinations.

And the Vietnamese people love the internet. There are more than 40 million internet users in this nation of 90 million. That’s a lot of customers for the country’s telcos. Vietnam’s internet penetration is very high in relation to its economic development too.

So what’s the problem? Well there are a few.

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Social Networks

Vietnam has frequently been listed as one of Facebook’s fastest growing markets. But there’s an official ambivalence about the US social network. Access to Facebook can require a little finessing – at least on a desktop.

Vietnam runs a low level block on Facebook that can require DNS setting changes or a VPN to circumvent. As I say though, it’s a low level block and it’s easy to get around.

It’s nothing like the severe block China’s Great Firewall imposes on Facebook, YouTube, Google and other US tech giants. And curiously, mobile services are exempt from Vietnam’s blocks. If you’re using your mobile, you can usually expect stable access to Facebook.

Twitter’s situation is also a little complicated. Some local ISPs seem to block it occasionally. Like Facebook, these blocks only seem to hit desktops. I’ve never had a problem accessing Twitter on mobile.

Unlike Facebook, Twitter has very low user penetration in Vietnam.

Other social networks including YouTube, are popular and accessible in Vietnam. International news, current affairs and other English language sites enjoy reasonably clear access in Vietnam as well. That’s as long as you don’t want to read about Vietnam while you’re in Vietnam. Sometimes individual news pieces from the BBC and other international news and current affairs broadcasters are blocked. But most news coverage seems to make it through.

Vietnam is listed by Reporters Without Borders as an “enemy of the internet”. This is because of the harsh way the country treats its dissenting bloggers and journalists – rather than anything likely to impact on the internet experience of travellers. Vietnam’s more heavy-handed internet censorship applies mainly to Vietnamese language sites and so isn’t likely to impact travellers either.

Cable crises

Probably the biggest internet headache travellers face in Vietnam is frequent disruption to the country’s perilously fragile international marine fiber cable. Over the past few years, these disruptions have become increasingly frequent and can render access to international sites slow or impossible.

Much to the amusement of locals and foreigners, sharks are often blamed for these ocean cable ruptures. Information on the failures tends to be incorrect or contradictory, leaving plenty of space for Vietnam’s hyperactive legion of conspiracy theorists to speculate on what is really happening.

Whatever the cause, the inconvenience to travellers is trivial compared to the brake these outages put on Vietnam’s productivity. They usually last for several weeks. And Saigon’s just come out of the worst outage I’ve experienced.

The official line is that new cables will be connected in 2016 removing this over-dependence on a single cable. Given that Vietnam is located in one of the busiest internet corridors in the world, many have asked how this vulnerability could have been allowed to plague the country for so long?

So if you’re travelling to Vietnam, expect pretty good, inexpensive, internet access – unless you’re here during one of the country’s infamous and all too frequent outages.

Tips for getting a local SIM card in Vietnam

Local prepaid SIM cards are available at Saigon and Hanoi airports and are also widely available in cities and towns if you’re arriving overland.

Viettel, which is owned by the military, seems to have the most extensive network and is the country’s biggest mobile provider. Vinaphone and Mobifone are also popular and have good national coverage.

Some of the major companies have SIM card plans tailored to the data and call needs of travellers. At time of writing, 3GB of mobile data can be purchased for around 200,000VND

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Hanoi City - Destinations

Hanoi's location

This beautiful capital strategically lies at the center of the triangular basin of the Red River. With around 5 million people year 2012, and an area of 920 square km, Hanoi is now the country’s center of economy, politics, culture, and society.

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Hanoi's natural conditions

Hanoi is famous for numerous rivers, lakes, and mountains alongside and in the surroundings. Scattered around are places of sight-seeing, which are so much attractive thanks to green lands full of streams, rivers, and mountain, such as Tam Dao, Con Son, Kiem Bac..etc. Hanoi is also well known for typical tropical seasoned place of South East Asia with four seasons: fresh, green and cool in Spring, a bit hot in Summer, fine in Autumn, and cold in Winter. Yet the most interesting thing is that all those take place in most sites of the capital. “Leisure around the rivers in the suburbs or walking down the green mountains like Soc Temple in Soc Mount, Ve Linh Mount, Phuc Tuong Mount, etc, in autumn brings in such a great feeling.

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Hanoi's history

Before being named “Hanoi” as present, the capital had had several names throughout history. In 1010, Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the King Ly, Ly Dynasty, moved the capital of Đại Việt (the Great Viet) to the site of the Đại La Citadel. Claiming to have seen a dragon ascending the Red River, he renamed it Thăng Long (Ascending Dragon) - a name still used poetically to this day with the belief that this was good omen of the country’s future. It remained the capital of Vietnam until 1397, when the capital was moved to Thanh Hoa, also known as Tây Đô (Western Capital). Thăng Long then became Đông Đô (Eastern Capital). King Minh Mang, under the Nguyen Dynasty, has laid the name “Hanoi” on the capital since 1831. This means “a city lying between Rivers or River Interior”, which are Red rivers. Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on July 2, 1976. 

Many historians reckon that the city was established more than 1,500 years ago. Therefore, with the length of living, Hanoi is very rich of cultural, historical and traditional values.

Hanoi's historical places visiting

Within the “River Interior City”, there are a number of historical and beautiful places to get by. Mentioning about Hanoi, what comes first to tourists’ mind is the ever first historical University of the capital and also the nation – Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Translated as “The Literature Temple”). Besides its foremost meaning, Van Mieu is also the place to worship Confucius, setting doctor steles. Youngsters and youth always come here to pray for success by touching the rock tortoises’ head before any examinations, cause it is believed to be very sacred.

Since Vietnam is a Buddhism-oriented nation, its capital has been the Buddhism center for centuries. As a result, it is not surprising that there are as many as about 600 temples and pagodas in Hanoi. For Buddhist tourists, among many great pagodas, Tran Quoc Pagoda should be the first to pay a visit. It is not only the oldest one among those 600, (6 century years old), but also one of the most gorgeous and sacred. The second that is worth visiting is Mot Cot Pagoda (One-Pillar pagoda), another symbol of the capital. Its special architecture is similar to a lotus on the top of water.

Located near the two symbolic pagodas and right in the middle of the capital it is the historical Lake – Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of Returned Sword), and Ngoc Son Temple with 100% natural beauty. Related to the Lake, Vietnam has a classic story telling about King Le Loi after winning over Minh invader, returned the magic Sword to the Tortoise down in the Lake. Since then, the Lake was named “Hoan Kiem”. It is more surprising that up to now, the historical Tortoise still sometimes appear up the Lake surface for a moment.

As for Catholics coming to Hanoi, there are also great Churches to come for praying or visiting. From 19th century, many Catholic churches were built in here. The biggest one is Cathedral. And Cua Bac church is a beautiful original typical French architect.

As you may have found out, Hanoi is more an antique and peaceful city than a modern one. This might be seen quite clearly when you take a walk around the 36 Old Quarter. This is a typical characteristic of Hanoi with small old streets, tube houses which still remain their shape from 19th century. Additionally, the beauty of Hanoi in the past is also found in the ancient citadel, right nearby.

Historical places that worth to pay a visit cannot be without Ba Dinh Square, the political area where President Ho Chi Minh read the Independent Declaration on the September 2nd, 1945. As famous as this is the House of Parliament, Presidential Palace, President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, etc.

To know more about Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, both in terms of history, tourists should spend one or two days on visiting the nation’s Ethnology, Military, History, Ho Chi Minh,... museums. These will open a huge detailed picture of this antique and beautiful historical city.

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