Top 10 places to visit in Vietnam

1. Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh)

Attractions: Cu Chu tunnel, Chinese town, War remnants museum, Vietnam History Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, ...

Ho Chi Minh is a city worth exploring. If you don't think that? You should travel to Saigon.

The best time to travel to Saigon: The best time to visit Saigon is in the dry season – from December to April.

2. Mekong Delta

Attractions: Homestay, Floating market, Ancient Houses, Pagodas, Khmer peopal pagodas, Eco-National Park, Islands,...

With 13 provinces and 1 metropolitan city (Can Tho), Mekong Delta is the popular place to visit with travellers. If you don't have much time in Vietnam, you should travel to Mekong in one day (Tien Giang, Ben Tre province), 2 - 3 days (Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap province, Can Tho City), 3 days - 4days (Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Can Tho, An giang),...

The best time to travel to Mekong Delta (Vietnam): Travel to Mekong Delta are suitable all year round but the best time is the monsoon from June to September.

Cai Rang Floating Market

3. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang Province)

Attractions: Phu Quoc Sea, Phu Quoc National Forest, Suoi Tranh waterfall , Pepper Plantations, Ham Ninh Fishing Village,...

The same size as Singapore, the island of Phu Quoc lies off the west coast of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. A visit to Phu Quoc is a good, affordable opportunity to relax, spend time on the beach, and snorkel or scuba-dive. Get there soon and someday you'll be able to say, "I went there before it was touristy."

The best time to travel to Phu Quoc: The coolest time to go to Phu Quoc is from December to February.

Phu Quoc

4. Mui Ne, Phan Thiet

Attractions: Phan Thiet Harbour, Thuy Tu Temple, The Sand Dunes, Cham Tower, Beaches,...

Phan Thiet and Mui Ne are basically the same destination. Phan Thiet is the biggest town in the area, but Mui Ne is where you're going to end up. Mui Ne is a beachside town with numerous resort-like accomodation.

The best time to travel to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet: The waves are best from August to December, and the wind is best from November to April, so never really a bad time to go.

5. Nha Trang

Attractions: Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang Bay (islands,…), The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, Beach, ...

Nha Trang has a split personality. One takes the form of a smaller Danang – a bustling Viet namese city humming with commerce but blessed with access to a beautiful beach.

The best time to travel to Nha Trang: Nha Trang has a warm, fair and beautiful climate nearly all year round, with the exception of late October, November and early December.

6. Dalat

Attractions: Bao Dai Palace (The last Vietnamese emperor palace), Da lat Market (night and day)

Dalat Railway Station, Falls: Prenn, Datala,…, Pagodas: Thien Vuong Co Sat (Chinese pagoda), Linh Ung,…

The best time to travel to Dalat: The dry season lasting from November to March, and the rainy season from April to November. During the winter months, the average temperature is 10 C while during summer it is around 20 C. Ideal weather is from November to March, when the air is fresh and cool.

7. Hoi An

Attractions: Hoi An District, Japanese Covered Bridge, Central Market, Riverside Museum of History and Culture, ...

The best time to travel to Hoi An: February and April are among the best time to visit Hoi an when rainfall is low and temperatures are pleasant. The temperatures can get hot during summer time and during the rainy season, particularly during October and November, rains can be frequent and heavy. If you can, time your visit to Hoi An for the full moon during on the 14th day of the lunar year each month for the Full Moon festivals, when the town becomes the stage for traditional songs, dancing, games and food, with lanterns lining all of the streets.

8. Ha Noi

Attractions: Hanoi Old Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Museum of Ho Chi Minh, History Museum, Water Puppet Theatre, Hanoi Opera House

The Tran Quoc Pagoda,...

Imagine a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of newAsia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.

The best time to travel to Ha Noi: The best time to visit Hanoi is from September to December when it isn't so humid. The weather turns quite cold and wet in January and this continues until March. The humidity can prove oppressive from May to the start of September and there's a danger of flooding.

9. Ha long

Attractions: Virgin Cave at Bo Hon Island, Pelican Cave at Bo Hon Island, Floating Villages and Fish Farms, Sung Sot Cave at Bo Hon Island, ...

Ha Long Bay is located in the northeast corner of Viet Nam, 165 km from Ha Noi. In the Province of Quang Ninh. Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,553 km2 with 1,969 islands, of which 90% are limestone islands. To the west and north west, Ha Long Bay stretches from Yen Hung district in Ha Long city to Cam Pha town in Van Don district; to the south-east and in the south, Ha Long Bay borders the western shore of Tonkin Gulf; to the southwest the Bay borders Cat Ba island (Hai Phong province).

The best time to travel to Ha long: It is possible to visit Ha Long Bay year-round, with the best time to visit from October through April, although during the winter months of December, January and February, the weather can be cool and overcast with low visibility. During the summer months from May to September, temperatures rise and storms are more likely during the rainy season.

10. Sapa

Attractions: Cho Phien (Weekend market): Bac Ha, Coc Ly; Silver Water Falls (Thac Bac); Cat Cat Village; Ta Phin Village and Cave;...

The best time to travel to Sapa: The dry season is from January to June with March to May the best time to visit. Temperatures in January and February are regularly around 0ºC. The rainy season falls in June and August. September marks the end of the rainy season which is a good time to visit then by mid-December temperatures start to fall significantly making this September to mid-December period the best time to be there.

Read more...

Where to travel in October

Where will you travel in this October? New York City (USA) to join Greenwich Village Halloween Parade? Munich (Germany) to join Oktoberfest? China (China’s National Day is on 1st, Oct)? Laos (water festival, Bun Nam boat races (suang heua))? Or Vietnam?

In October in Vietnam, there some places you should travel to...

1. Ha Noi - Hanoi’s 1000th Birthday

HaNoi - The capital of Vietnam will turn into a party zone for 10 days (from 1st - 10th, Oct), leading up to the city’s 1000th birthday on October 10th. Expect to see parades, music, art and food shows, a flying lantern festival and a fireworks show.

Ha Noi before the 1000th birthday

2. Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai Province)

Mu Cang Chai is a district in northern Yen Bai Province, It's about 300km Northeast of Hanoi. This is the best time to travel here when they start and harvest a crop.

The rice terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai

3. Tri Ton (An Giang Province, Mekong)

Khmer people in Mekong will celebrated their Dolta Festival - the second largest Khmer festival after Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) (from 4th - 6th, Oct). The festival is held annually by the Khmer ethnic minority group in the provinces of Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang and An Giang to give thanks for bumper harvests.

Oxen racing

Special, The part of traditional celebrations for the Khmer people’s Dolta Festival is Oxen Race festival in An Giang Province. This year, Oxen race festival will be organized in Tri ton district (An Giang Province). It's on 5th, Oct, at Tà Miệt Pagoda (Ta Miet, Luong Phi, Tri Ton disttrict, An Giang Province).

Read more...

Schedule of activities of 1000th birthday anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi

Will you travel to Ha Noi (Vietnam) in October? From 1st, Oct to 10th, Oct, 2010, the Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi will be celebrated in Ha Noi (Vietnam). This is the biggest event in Vietnam in 2010 and that's a chance to know Vietnam history, Vietnam cultural,... Here is the detailed schedule of activities within 10 days of 1000th birthday anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi.

Welcome to Ha Noi

October 1st

8h: The opening of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi at The park of King Ly Thai To statue (Dinh Tien Hoang Road)

9h30: Art performances at 5 stages around Hoan Kiem Lake

14h: The opening of the exhibition named “Art and literature works through different periods” at Viet Nam Exhibition Center for Culture and Arts (2 Hoa Lu Street)

15h: The opening of the exhibition of Hanoi’s art images at Showrooms at 45 Trang Tien Street

19h30: The opening of the exhibition named “Social and economic achievements of Viet Nam and Thang Long – Hanoi” at Viet Nam Exhibition and Fair Center (138 Giang Vo Street)

19h30: The opening of historical and revolutionary film week at National Cinema Center (87 Lang Ha Street)

20h: The special art program named “The whole country with Hanoi” (live) at The park of Ba Kieu Temple (Dinh Tien Hoang Road)

20h: Concert named “International integration – faith in the future” at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street)

October 2nd

8h: Display of typical documents, items, antiques of Thang Long – Hanoi at Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (9 Hoang Dieu and 19 Nguyen Tri Phuong streets)

9h: Introduction of the bookshelf named “1000-year culture of Thang Long” at National Library (31 Trang Thi Street)

14h: Checking and announcing result of science research work at state level named “Researching and promoting natural, economic, social conditions and historical, cultural values of Thang Long – Hanoi for comprehensive development” at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street)

20h: Performance of selected songs composed in honour of Thang Long – Hanoi at The park of Ba Kieu Temple (Dinh Tien Hoang Road)

20h: The opening of Thang Long international tourism festival at Bao Son Paradise (An Khanh Commune, Hoai Duc District)

October 3rd

7h: Marathon for the peace at Around Hoan Kiem Lake

20h: The art program named “Thang Long – Hanoi in Ho Chi Minh age” at Hang Day Stadium (10 Trinh Hoai Duc Street)

October 4th

8h30: The closing and prize awarding ceremony for the contest named “1000-year culture of heroic Thang Long – Hanoi” at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street)

15h: The opening of the exhibition named “Vietnamese heroes and cultural celebrities” at Revolution Museum (25 Tong Dan Street)

15h30: The opening of the exhibition named ”Famous battles and campaigns in Vietnam’s history” at Viet Nam Military History Museum (28A Dien Bien Phu Street)

17h: The opening of Thang Long – Hanoi calligraphy exhibition and festival at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (58 Quoc Tu Giam Street)

20h: Announcing and awarding the nationwide press prize about Thang Long – Hanoi at Au Co Art Center (8 Huynh Thuc Khang Street)

20h: Performance of ancient dances at The park of King Ly Thai To statue (Dinh Tien Hoang Road)

October 5th

9h: Introduction of art work named “Pottery Road” at Yen Phu Road

14h: The opening of the exhibition named “Bat Trang Pottery – tradition and modern” at Bat Trang Pottery Village (Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District)

14h: The opening of the exhibition named “Hearts with Thang Long – Hanoi” at Friendship Culture Palace (91 Tran Hung Dao Street)

20h: Performance of Vietnamese famous artists at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street)

20h: The art performance named of “Thang Long’s strong impetus and the country’s song” at Hang Day Stadium (10 Trinh Hoai Duc Street)

October 6th

8h: The opening of Hanoi kite art festival at Square of My Dinh Stadium (Le Duc Tho Road)

8h: Vietnamese martial art performance named “Thang Long Spirit” at Quan Ngua Sport Palace (55 Doc Ngu Street)

8h30: The opening of Hanoi Museum at Hanoi Museum (Pham Hung Road)

14h: The opening of statues of Ho Chi Minh and Ton Duc Thang at Thong Nhat Park (354 Le Duan Street)

14h: The opening of Hoa Binh Park at Hoa Binh Park (Co Nhue Commune, Tu Liem District)

14h: The opening of exhibition on ancient Thang Long – Hanoi at Hanoi Museum (Pham Hung Road)

14h30: The opening of Kim Dong Theater at Kim Dong Theater (19 Hang Bai Street)

20h: The opening of Hanoi Worker Theater at Hanoi Worker Theater (42 Trang Tien Street)

20h: The opening of Dai Nam Theater at Dai Nam Theater (89 Pho Hue Street)

20h: The opening of Hanoi gastronomy festival at Ho Tay Water Park (614 Lac Long Quan Road)

October 7th

8h: The opening of international conference named “Sustainable development of heroic and cultural capital, the city for peace” at International Convention Center (11 Le Hong Phong Street)

9h: The closing and prize awarding ceremony for the international contest named “Hanoi – Your Rendezvous” at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street)

20h: Traditional music performance at Hanoi Opera House (1 Trang Tien Street).

October 8th

7h: Art and culture programs of Hanoi’s youth at Outdoor stages in the whole city

20h: Exchange program named “Thang Long – spirit of the country” at National Convention Center (Pham Hung Street, Me Tri Commune, Tu Liem District)

20h: Street festival at State Bank Square (49 Ly Thai To Street).

October 9th

8h: The opening of Thanh Tri and Vinh Tuy bridges at The southern head of bridges of Thanh Tri and Vinh Tuy

9h30: The opening of Thang Long Boulevard at Intersection of Pham Hung and Tran Duy Hung roads

20h: Performances of international art troupes at Outdoor stages in the whole city

October 10th

8h: The 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi at Ba Dinh Square

20h: The art and culture program to celebrate the 1000th birthday of Thang Long – Hanoi at My Dinh Stadium (Le Duc Tho Road).

What should you do?

- Book a package tour to Ha Noi

- Or book a flight to Ha Noi, and book a hotel in Ha Noi (Vietnam).

Read more...

Requesting for Travel-mates in Ha Noi

You need a travel-mate (a local travel-mate) while you travel to Ha Noi? Why you don't contact to Hanoikids. 

Hanoikids? 

Hanoikids, established in 2006 is known as a student-run organization based in Hanoi, Vietnam.

By voluntarily taking city tours in Hanoi, they hope to bring to travelers from all over the world an insight into our culture, tradition and beautiful sight-seeings. Each individual can explore their full potential through cross-cultural experiences and extracurricular activities.

With the lodestar of a volunteer organization in bringing tourists a “local breath”, doing tours is one of the most important activities to Hanoikids. Hanoikids's members will help tourists explore Hanoi, not only present them Hanoi’s history and cultural aspects but also give them a chance to have a closer interaction with local people, experience the real Hanoi by heart by accompanying them to the popular sites in Hanoi and also to many behind-the-scenes streets and corners.

Hanoikids members and tourists

Fee?

Hanoikids is a volunteer organization so they do not require any charge. Tourist only have to prepare the expenses during the tour like admission frees, restaurant meals and drink, and transportation fees.

All of tourist's contribution (if applicable) will be used like a fund for Hanoikids development not for personal purpose.

How to contact?

To enjoy your time in Hanoi with Hanoikids member, please show some of your information that help Hanoikids easily arrange the tour and take some minutes to send us to hanoikidsvn@gmail.com at least 2 weeks before the requested day. Hanoikids will try to have prompt reply as soon as possible.

For any immediate assistance, you may give a ring to the Head of our Tour Operation Department: Ms Loan Nguyen at + 84 972 518 680 and she willing to help you:

(i) Your full names and nationality (for reception desk contact)

(ii) Number of participants

(iii) Date and time (Please note that most Hanoikids members are available from 9-12am and 2-5pm everyday but this is very flexible. Which would you prefer, a full day or a half day tour?)

(iv) Places you would like to visit (you may want to have a look at our suggestion below and please feel free to email us for your demand)

(v) Special request (please let us know if you have any special request, for instance: special concern on food, architecture, shopping, etc.)

(vi) Means of transportation (would you mind traveling by taxi?)

(vii) Your hotel and its address (if possible)

Visit http://hanoikids.org to search more.

Read more...