Adventure World

Vietnam

Vietnam is an experience of Asia like no other. Hanoi, the capital, surprises you with architecture reflecting Vietnam's long history with influences as near as China or as far as France.

Saigon overwhelms you with its sheer human energy. Hue, the old imperial capital, conjures up vibrant images of an exotic past. Long sandy beaches meet majestic mountains in Central Vietnam and Halong Bay has stunning landscapes.

Perhaps, most of all, you will remember the smiles of welcome, the invitations to "drink tea" and the bright eyes of the young children growing up in a peaceful Vietnam.

Top Highlights

Hanoi: The capital Hanoi is a city of broad, tree-lined boulevards, parks, lakes and elegant French villas and colonial-era buildings painted in muted hues of yellow and orange. The tree-lined shore of Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi, and is where residents perform mesmerising 'Tai Chi'.

The Old Quarter, also known as the '36 Streets'. Each street is named for what it sells, eg. Silver St, Gold St, Shoe St, Fish St, Tin St, Bamboo St etc. Great place to shop.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is an unforgettable experience, as inside an imposing building lies the embalmed body of the founder of modern Vietnam.

Water Puppetry, a remarkable Vietnamese art form combining music, fireworks and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on the water. The performing stories depicting Vietnamese legends, and festivals.

Halong Bay: Located in the Gulf of Tonkin 170 km from Hanoi, Halong Bay is an impressive collection of nearly 3,000 islands covering an area in excess of 1,500 sq km forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars and cliff faces. Many of the forested islands in the Bay have hidden caves and grottoes which are easily explored by boat or kayak.

A full exploration of Halong Bay takes 2 to 3 days, though a day trip ex Hanoi provides enough time to get a feel for the place. Cat Ba Island, home to Cat Ba National Park, is the largest island in Halong Bay and is actually comprised of 366 islets and islands and is home to a variety of forested zones, coastal mangrove, freshwater swamps, beaches, caves and waterfalls.

Hue: Hue (pronounced 'whey'), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see the remnants of Hue's royal past with tombs of Emperors, moated ruins of Citadels and Vietnam's best known pagoda, Thien Mu - a seven-storey stupa, 21 metres high, with each level dedicated to one of the various human forms taken by Buddha. A sampan trip on the Perfume River is a must, as many of the attractions can be found on the River, like the Thien Mu Pagoda and a number of Royal Tombs. Hue's spectacular Citadel is built on the same principles and design as Beijing's Forbidden Palace. The ten-metre thick outer walls enclose a vast compound of palaces, temples, meeting halls and pavilions, many of which are now sadly victims of war and the passage of time.

Hoi An: The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has narrow pedestrian-only streets and is a great place to wander around. Silk abounds, and many clothing shops can be found in Hoi An - it is cheaper to have clothes made here than in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. The town is also home to dozens of art galleries, textile houses and museums. The Japanese Covered Bridge was built over a small canal in 1593 to link the Japanese and Chinese quarters. The best way to get around Hoi An is by cyclo, on foot or hire a bicycle. A half-hour pedal (5kms) at a leisurely pace along a country road brings you to popular Cua Dai Beach.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): A stroll along Saigon's most famous street, Dong Khoi takes you past the Caravelle and Rex hotels made famous in the war. Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), originally built for the French Governor-General in 1868 has over the years been abandoned and occupied. The War Remnants Museum leaves most visitors shocked and stunned at the graphic war photos on the walls. Ben Thanh Market is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City. Local and imported products ranging from garments and textiles to handicrafts, flowers, and vegetables can be found here.

Cu Chi Tunnels -imagine digging 250kms of underground tunnels by hand in a war. The Viet Cong lived in these underground tunnels, out of sight of the Americans who eventually knew they were there but couldn't get at them. Sections of tunnel are open to visitors.

Mekong Delta: Known as the food bowl of Vietnam, it is formed by various tributaries of the mighty Mekong River. The gateway is My Tho, approx two hours drive south of Ho Chi Minh City. Day trippers will get to ride on sampans along the busy Mekong River and see the hundreds of boats plying the water with market goods. On land you can visit coconut candy factories, fruit farms and small local villages. We recommend spending a few nights in this area so you can get right into the Delta.

Further south is the riverside town of Vinh Long. The canal network and villages surrounding Vinh Long are more rural than those seen in My Tho, and are perhaps more representative of village life in the Mekong.

Can Tho is located in the very heart of the Mekong Delta. This bustling city, the largest in the region has broad boulevards and an elegant waterfront which connects it to the rest of the Mekong Delta via a system of rivers and canals. Chau Doc is a port town near the Cambodian border.

More highlights: Sapa, Marble Mountains, China Beach, Nha Trang and Dalat.

Fact Sheet

• Country Dialling Code: + 84
• When to Go: Vietnam is a year-round destination, and has a tropical monsoon climate with wet and dry seasons, which vary from north to south. In general, the dry season lasts from Nov to Apr in the north, south and central highland regions. The coolest, driest times to visit are: Oct to Jan (north), Feb to Apr (Central Highlands) and late Dec to Mar (south).
• Capital: Hanoi
• Official Language: Vietnamese
• Electricity: 220V, 50 cycles, two-prong flat.
• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). US$ dollars are widely accepted.
• ATMs: Widely available in main cities, and in some smaller towns.
• Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in major cities and many tourist centres. NB: Expect a commission charge when using.
• Email & Internet Access: Internet cafes can be found in nearly every city. Internet usage can be slow due to narrow bandwidth.
• Tipping: Tipping is not expected, but is appreciated. Recommend tip in restaurants, cafes, drivers, guides, etc. It is customary to make a small donation (in the box provided) when visiting a pagoda.
• Bargaining: Bargaining is a way of life in Vietnam.
• Public Holidays: TET, the Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday for the Vietnamese. It usually takes place in February and is celebrated for five days. Visitors should be aware that virtually all businesses are closed, and accommodation tight during this period.
• Geography: Vietnam shares its land borders with Cambodia and Laos to the west and China to the north. Vietnam's eastern border is the 3,000 kilometres of coastline. The country covers an area of 329,600 sq km and its two main cultivated areas are the Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the south. The country's topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges.
• International Airports: Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport (35 km north of the city). Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nha Airport (7 km northwest of city).
• Air: Vietnam Airlines fly the main domestic routes and operate some international flights.
• Train: The Reunification Express runs between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is 1726 km long, and takes 33 hours. Recommend Soft Sleeper class (two tiers, four beds per compartment) for longer / overnight journeys.
• Boat: Good way to cross in to Cambodia (from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh). Halong Bay cruises.
• Cyclo: An excellent and cheap way to get around the cities and towns. Settle on fare before getting in, around US$1 per hour. And always pay the exact amount in cash, don't expect change.
• Bicycle:A great way to get around Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. Easily rented from hotels and cafes.