A new day dawns on Cua Dai Beach

As Cua Dai Beach near the ancient town of Hoi An is pretty quiet in the early morning, it is preferred by tourists who want to experience the fresh breeze of the ocean and take a stroll on smooth white-sand stretches when a new day begins.

Tourists can come to the pristine Cua Dai Beach on foot or by cycling through four kilometers from the heart of Hoi An to the beach located on the outskirts of the city nestled by Hoai River and surrounded with rustic nature.

A leisurely walk and a swim in the calm turquoise waters are what locals often like to do. Travelers can follow suit or do their own thing to welcome a new day, as the tree-lined wide beach and small waves make it suitable for recreational activities.

Local men play football and then jump into the sea for a refreshing bath, while elderly people exercise in front of the sea or soak themselves in the water as they believe salt water is good for their health at the beginning of a day.

Some tourists take a relaxed walk along Cua Dai Beach for their morning exercise and at the same time observe the life of local people by the sea at daybreak, which includes watching fishing boats coming onshore and fishermen selecting fish, seafood and other rewards after a night of hard work at sea.   

Near the shore, fishermen row some thuyen thung (a basket-like bamboo boat) on gentle waves to catch fish and seafood before the sun rises high in the blue sky. The picture of thuyen thung swaying on the sea and the pinky sky and clouds at dawn makes for a beautiful sight as the new day begins by the coast.

At the beach at Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa, staff members lead buffalo out to help with the clean-up at the beginning of a day and to plough the sand to make it soft for guests to walk on. This plowing also reminds tourists of a similar scene that they may see in the rice paddy fields of rural areas of Vietnam. 

There are tourists, particularly children who take great pleasure in building sandcastles, and doing this in the early morning on Cua Dai Beach is the best time as the sandcastles can stand out on the beach that is leveled when the tide recedes.

Some newly-married choose Cua Dai Beach for their wedding pictures in the early morning because the mountains, islets, old and modern boats add to a perfect background for shots of the happy couple.

Thing to do in Hoian, Vietnam

1. Travel to Hoian - Hoian tour and vacation package.
2. 5 Star hotel in Vietnam - Review and Booking 5 star hotel in Vietnam.

The perfect trip: Vietnam

From the island-studded seas of the north to the meandering waterways of the south, Vietnam is a country defined by the diversity of its land and the resilience and generosity of its people.

Halong Bay: Best for coast

Once upon a time, a friendly dragon lived in the heavens above Halong Bay. With invaders from the seas threatening Vietnam, the gods asked the dragon to create a natural barrier to protect its people. The dragon kindly obliged, performing a spectacular crash landing along the coast – digging up chunks of rock with its flailing tail and spitting out pearls – before grinding to a halt.

This scene of devastation is now known as Halong Bay – Halong literally translates as ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’. Less exciting explanations of this landscape involve eons of erosion by winds and waves – but nobody disputes the splendour of the end result. Rising from the shallows of the Gulf of Tonkin are thousands of limestone islands – towering monoliths lined up like dominoes, some teetering at worrying angles.

‘In Vietnamese culture, dragons are the protectors of people,’ explains Vo Tan, a guide who has been bringing people to Halong Bay for two decades. ‘I once saw a picture of Halong Bay taken from above, and it even looked a bit like a dragon.’

Sailing into Halong Bay, it’s easy to understand the hallucinatory effect these strange shapes can have. The islands’ names testify to the overactive imaginations of sailors who’ve spent too long at sea – Fighting Cock Island, Finger Island, Virgin Grotto (which is said to contain a rock the shape of a beautiful woman). Having largely resisted human settlement, the islands have become home to other creatures. From above, sea eagles swoop down to pluck fish from the waters, carrying their prey – still flapping – high into the air, and squawking congratulations to each other from their nests. Down below, countless jellyfish drift about the hollows that run beneath the cliffs.

A local legend tells of another, altogether more sinister creature lurking in the waters of Halong Bay. A gigantic sea snake and close cousin of the Loch Ness Monster, the Tarasque was seen on three occasions by 19th-century French sailors, with sightings sporadically reported in Vietnam’s tabloids since. I ask Tan who would win in a battle between the Tarasque and Halong Bay’s famous dragon.

‘Of course the dragon would win,’ he grins. ‘In Vietnamese stories, the good guys are never allowed to lose.’

See more: Halong travel

Where to stay and eat

Most visitors to Halong Bay arrive as part of an organised tour sailing from Halong City. Bien Ngoc Cruises offers a spectrum of day trips and overnight tours, with many itineraries including Titop – an island with outstanding views of the bay (two days from £60 per person).

Hanoi: Best for city life

It’s rush hour in Hanoi, and the streets of the city’s Old Quarter throng with hundreds of scooters. The pavement and the central reservation are fair game in the chaos; zebra crossings exist more as a personal challenge than a guarantee of safe passage. These are streets where Evel Knievel might have written the highway code; where a grandma on a scooter will think nothing of driving headlong into a tidal wave of oncoming traffic.

See more: Hanoi tours

Hanoi is a city that refuses to grow old gracefully – a millennium-old capital of crumbling pagodas and labyrinthine streets, now undergoing a werewolf-like transformation into a 21st-century Asian metropolis. In the Old Quarter, ancient temples now neighbour karaoke joints, and dynasties of artisans ply their trade next to shops selling cuddly toys the size of grizzly bears. Hanoi is a city that muddles up its past with its present – where a statue of Lenin raises a clenched fist to teenagers who skateboard past him every afternoon.

Few have studied the changing face of the city as closely as Do Hien, an artist who has spent a lifetime painting Hanoi’s streets. He welcomes me to his studio, and idly leafs through sketches of city life – couples waltzing beside the willows of Hoan Kiem Lake, and alleyways where hawkers prepare steaming bowls of pho.

(Source: BBC)

8 items necessarily have to travel to Vietnam

Whether traveling to dust off the resort or items such as identification, toothpaste, pain medication... should always have in your backpack.

It's a shame if you come to Vietnam without visiting Sapa

1. Identification

Was traveling abroad especially to travel to Vietnam, you never have to carry identity papers.

If you are traveling abroad, it must prepare a passport, identity card, check airfare and hotel bookings papers or other services. In case of accompanying children must bring a birth certificate for the baby.

But domestic travel, you also have to carry the ID card / driving license, train tickets, booking and documentation services for hotel registration procedures.

2. Cash, ATM card

You would think that, of course, will travel to carry money. But you still have to prepare thoroughly for the road at the base to forget. You should prepare an emergency fund and if traveling overseas, is indispensable to go to that country's currency exchange before leaving.

Do not forget to bring your ATM card in case of cash also can call for emergency assistance by relatives.

3. Cosmetic bags = secret fresh

Proactively prepare yourself for a bag of cosmetics including lotion, sunscreen, body wash, facial cleanser, shampoo...

Especially toothbrush and toothpaste is indispensable in your travels. A small tube of toothpaste, do not take up much space will be more convenient to move and travel. Thanks to it, you will feel confident and comfortable.

Moreover, the unexpected moments and romantic kisses throughout the trip will make you feel more confident with him.

4. Bags medicines, medical instruments

Do not forget to prepare personal medicine bag when traveling, such as cold medicines, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, insect bites drugs, oil and wind, stomach pain medications, motion sickness medication, aircraft... to prevent the at cold or misadventure, night or unfamiliar places where you are not familiar paths should not be purchased.

5. Footwear Trainers

When you travel frequently to move and walk a lot. So, if you bring sturdy shoes or high heels will be a big mistake because it will make your feet swell.

You should be prepared canvas shoes, sports soft, flat base for easy travel and climbing. And if you go to the beach, you should prepare a pair of sandals for a stroll on the beach.

6. Paper towels, hand towels, bath towels

When traveling you should be prepared to add to damp paper towel to dry your hands when moving the car or while eating. Also, the washcloth and towels are also indispensable in your journey.

Although the hotel where you will prepare a washcloth and towel for you, but to ensure hygiene and health for yourself, you should take the best.

7. Gel washing dry

Normally we do not pay attention to these things, but to ensure their health and family for the trip, you should bring antibacterial soap to keep your hands clean, minimize of food poisoning.

However, when traveling on the bus or in places where there is no water available to wash, antibacterial hand wash gel, the solution is extremely handy. You and those who do not need to rinse with water while maintaining bactericidal, deodorant for hands, very suitable for moving and picnic.

8. Camera, charger and spare battery

Indispensable camera to capture your moments and the beauty of the places you will travel to, so later you can " show off " to everyone and keep family memories.

Do not forget to prepare additional battery charger and a pair of extra batteries to the battery at all, but there is so much beauty there, you would have missed that.

The best way to discover Halong bay

Has anyone compared, for Ha Long Bay as a giant natural museum, a garden of Eden ''optimistic'' that while it 's easy to not want to fascination.

Contemplating such a way that it is true by Halong contains many of the unique value of the natural landscape, geology, geomorphology, cultural - history, more than one general psychological well traveled to discover something new, strange, fascinating.

Explore kayaking Halong always gives visitors the feeling interesting and attractive.

There are many ways to explore Ha Long Bay, Overnight cruise on Halong bay or you'll get yourself kayaking in the wilderness, new, get into the cave.

Visitors feel like to tune into nature, exploring new and exciting things . Most of the sites selected for kayaking is the area beautiful, pristine bay: Hang Luon, Peach Ba, Ba Ham Lake, Ba Hang, Ba Men Temple, Dau Be Island ...

With Halong package tour, including those who went to Halong Bay many times still get the feeling that a new bay completely .'' Of course , the message content is highly promoted as the main but not the sizzle .

In Vietnam Travel Magazine issue recently , Brian Janles , a tourist from Australia eager to tell interesting feeling when alone in a kayak to explore Luon Cave : '' Most impressive to me is when for boats to get into the cave.

Discover Halong bay by kayak, an exciting form of travel

As far as rowing in the dark , hundreds of delicious drop across the face , which forced her to lie down on the new boat passes through . Feeling tired arms , but after the end of the journey to explore the bay by kayak has left me with many interesting '' ...

These are just two of the many options for visitors to explore Halong Bay . Meeting the needs of visitors , some service businesses in Ha Long Bay boats designed small enough for some families , on which you'll choose the destination to visit , or to find feeling of floating in the Gulf of poetic , romantic in a certain location .

Because the majority of the island inhabitants as Shengli , Ngoc Vung , Quan Lan is located far from the center of Ha Long City, the corporate travel business conditions do not permit construction of tours take guests to explore the island life so most of the people , the fishing village on the bay as Ba Hang , Cua Van is a destination for tourists .

Also, Ha Long Bay has many interesting things such as fishing , exploring karst lakes , scuba diving ... but for various reasons so far, most of these services are not a product that meets the needs visitors .

Although there are certain restrictions on service quality but undeniably Halong Bay has many interesting and attractive. To feel that, in the mind of many travelers , the most practical is to discover for themselves , contemplate.

Why choose Vietnam ANZ Travel services?

Why choose Vietnam ANZ Travel services?

Package - Easy Access - At the same: customer can use a variety of services for us, the different tours , airfare, hotel on the website without the need to consult many places

Tours - In addition to the tour by our company organization , other tour products we are selecting the travel agency partners with reputed best programs are reasonably priced with high quality sites popular tourist destination and the most interesting in the world to deliver and sell to customers. Especially with the overseas tour , all tour companies in Vietnam are selected and collaboration with overseas partners . With all our foreign partners are reputable partners large and experienced professional to serve customers who are Vietnam.

Logo Vietnam ANZ Travel (Pic source: http://www.tourstovietnam.net/)

Whether customers use the product tour , the unit of service by our partners as distribution agents , customers are entitled to the commitment to quality because we offer . All the products we use to serve your tour suppliers ( hotel , car , air tickets ... ) are detailed contract provisions are committed to ensuring quality standards general

Through Hotels - http://www.tourstovietnam.net/hotels/ the off chance you have special ( lower when trading directly at the hotel ) when placing room . All hotel rates are inclusive of taxes , service charges and credit card fees ( if applicable ) .

Airfare - Company brings you the most preferential price and all promotions . Especially our free delivery for customers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Prices - Our prices are reasonable and ensure if the product is made ​​by our agent, the price is equal to the selling price of the tour company that provides services, air ticket

Commitment to service quality

.

I- view of our business:

These views were trading below the company's employees understand , and instill absolute compliance with :

Tour operator : No organized tours shoddy , substandard tour of the tourist industry , construction and sale of tour programs appropriate to the requirements of clients , avoiding the journey , the complex line , the lack of scientific arrangement of the tour travel ...

The tour staff : Always choose and understand the " nature " of a product tour , so that gives customers the most suitable product tour travel needs of each group ( traditional tour tours, resorts , tour exploring , adventure tour , honeymoon tour ... )

Always give the customer the tour with good service , competitive price

Always put the top prestige , not for profit fraud , save fool customers ...

Always put yourself in the customer's position to make decisions , to act most probably ...

Always make every customer satisfied with the company by understanding and implementation perspective : " The customer is always right " .

II - conh policies of corporate business

All employees in the company are understood to be one that is:

" New customers are the future decision makers, the existence and development of our company "

So all employees are always interested in the concept and thought:

 " Serve your customers as we serving our own "

We are highly appreciated by customers reasonable prices , stable quality tour , selling methods and provide diverse services , service flexibility and best customer support ( Customer Support by Phone , email , live chat , skype call ... the method of payment for various domestic and overseas , can pay by ATM , credit card , Western Union , paypal and method is preferred in other foreign

The company has a staff , guides dynamic , enthusiastic , highly qualified professionals . To ensure best customer service we perform and tour ticket delivery service to take place in the city of Hanoi .

VIETNAM ANZ TRVEL - A BRAND VIETNAM - PRO STYLE

is the motto and goal of our business .

So we always look forward to your long-term cooperation with customers for the trust and the interests of both parties .

When ordering products of our company tour , you will feel completely comfortable and satisfied in every way because companies always give you what you desire and concern :

Sell ​​the right price , you will be assured of absolute value and never overpay for services too low 1

True quality : you will be assured of equal quality tour contract detailing the services of quality hotels , the food , types of cars .... as touted .

Competitive prices : For multiplexed tour group tour you will be buying retail prices for tour groups . Prices are lower than you organize tour

Service attitude : you will be serving as the company motto Customer is king .

Services Diversity and Flexibility: We not only tour that also provides services related to travel , you can only use the car rental services , hotel reservation services in / as well as foreign service or buy a ticket ... services at reasonable cost and are tightly controlled

Reliability companies : With the investment in basic infrastructure , with business license in TCDL international travel ( International Travel License No. 0744 / 2007 / TCDL - GP - LHQT - We escrow to ensure quality of service to customers ) , with a high sense of responsibility , we want to bring the absolute safety for the customers who have purchased our tour with firm commitments tour legal value and the actual value exactly as we agreed with the customer .

If you choose to purchase our company's tour even once , we believe and hope that you will be completely satisfied in every way .

With a desire to serve the customers better and more thoughtful , the company is always ready to receive and appreciate all the comments of the customers. So if your guests are anything unsatisfied product or service or services of the company , please direct reflection of the Director Travel Center companies .

At any time . We will be resolved quickly and timely feedback to all or any of the problems that have not satisfied your customers .

" Taking customer satisfaction to our happiness" is what all employees Vietnam ANZ Travel is OPEN mind day and strive !

All for your satisfaction !

Con Dao Island

Con Dao Island are an archipelago of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, in the Southeast region of Vietnam, and a district of this province.

Description
Situated about 185 km (115 mi) from Vung Tau and 230 km (143 mi) from Ho Chi Minh City, the group includes 16 mountainous islands and islets. The total land area reaches 75.15 km² and the local population is about 5,000.

 

Con Dao Island (Picture: Vietnamtravel-Packages.Com)

The island group is served by Con Dao Airport.

History
Formally a Khmer Empire territory known as Koh Tralach islands were settled by the Vietnamese by the 17th century.

On June 16, 1702, the English East India Company founded a settlement on the island of Pulo Condor (Poulo Condore) as an entrepot for ships plying between India and China. Three years later on March 2, 1705, the English agents were murdered, the factory destroyed, and the remaining settlers were expelled by the Vietnamese.

During the internecine wars for the Court of Hue, the Nguyen Prince Nguyen Phuc Anh ceded the islands to France in the 1787 Treaty of Versailles in return for military assistance. The treaty however was abrogated as France failed to provide the aid.

It was only under conquest that the islands came under French control in 1861. During the French colonial era, the island was made infamous for its penal facilities and the notorious "tiger cages". Vietnamese nationalists were sent here to serve their sentence for anti-French activities. Many Vietnamese Communist leaders were "schooled" on Con Dao Island as well.

Con Dao National Park

Many of the islands were given protected status in 1984 as part of Con Dao National Park. This natural preserve was subsequently enlarged in 1998. Endangered species protected within the park include the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle and the dugong. Ecosystems represented in the park include seagrass meadow, mangrove and coral reefs.

Con Dao National Park is working with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Vietnam to further protection in the marine areas, with programs to establish a Marine Protected Area that protects coral reefs, seagrass beds and species, while also developing sustainable nature-based ecotourism. The island's management is strongly geared towards sustainable use, hoping to learn from previous experiences in Vietnam and the region to balance development with conservation.

See more: Con Dao Tour

Vietnam overview

History Vietnam
Vietnam's history is one of war, colonisation and rebellion. Occupied by China no fewer than four times, the Vietnamese managed to fight off the invaders just as often. Even during the periods in history when Vietnam was independent, it was mostly a tributary state to China until the French colonisation. Vietnam's last emperors were the Nguyễn Dynasty, who ruled from their capital at Hue from 1802 to 1945, although France exploited the succession crisis after the fall of Tự Đức to de facto colonise Vietnam after 1884. Both the Chinese occupation and French colonisation have left a lasting impact on Vietnamese culture, with Confucianism forming the basis of Vietnamese social etiquette, and the French leaving a lasting imprint on Vietnamese cuisine.

Halong Bay - Vietnam (Pic: http://www.tourstovietnam.net)

After a brief Japanese occupation in World War II, the Communist Viet Minh under the leadership of Hồ Chí Minh continued the insurgency against the French, with the last Emperor Bao Dai abdicating in 1945 and a proclamation of independence following soon after. The majority of French had left by 1945, but in 1946 they returned to continue the fight until their decisive defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The Geneva Conference partitioned the country into two at 17th parallel, with a Communist-led North and Ngo Dinh Diem declaring himself President of the Republic of Vietnam in the South.

The tank that ended the war, Ho Chi Minh City
US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the Southern Vietnam government, escalating into the dispatch of 500,000 American troops in 1966 and what became known as the Vietnam War - although the Vietnamese refer to it as the American War. What was supposed to be a quick and decisive action soon degenerated into a quagmire, and U.S. armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, on April 30, 1975, a North Vietnamese tank drove into the South's Presidential Palace in Ho Chi Minh City and the war ended. Over 55,000 Americans and an estimated 3 million Vietnamese were killed.

The American Vietnamese war was only one of many that the Vietnamese have fought, but it was the most brutal in its history. Over two thirds of the current population was born after 1975. American tourists will receive a particularly friendly welcome in Vietnam, as many young Vietnamese aspire to American culture.


Politics
Vietnam is a one party authoritarian state, with the President as the Head of State, and the Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The Vietnamese legislature is the unicameral National Assembly, from which the Prime Minister is selected. In practice, the President's position is only ceremonial, with the Prime Minister wielding the most authority in government.

Economy
Bustling central Hanoi
Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult. After the failures of the state-run economy started to become apparent, the country launched a program of (renovation), introducing elements of capitalism. The policy has proved highly successful, with Vietnam recording near 10% growth yearly (except for a brief interruption during the Asian economic crisis of 1997). The economy is much stronger than those of Cambodia, Laos, and other neighboring developing countries. Like most Communist countries around the world, there is a fine balance between allowing foreign investors and opening up the market.

There are extreme restrictions on foreigners owning property or attempting to sell. It is very difficult for them to trade without negotiating 'fees'. Business can be done via local partnerships with all the attendant risks.

Power and services is another issue. There are often 'rolling blackouts' when there is not enough electricity at times. For this reason, many shops have portable generators.

According to government estimates Vietnam sees 3.3m tourist arrivals each year. Vietnam has a return rate of just 5% compared to Thailand’s whopping 50%.


People
Most people in Vietnam are ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh), though there is a sizable ethnic Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, most who are descended from migrants from Guangdong province and are hence bilingual in Cantonese or other Chinese dialects and Vietnamese. There are also numerous other ethnic groups who occupy the mountainous parts of the country, such as the Hmong, Muong and Dao people. Theres also a minority ethnic group in the lowlands near the border with Cambodia known as the Khmer Krom.

Buddhism is the single largest religion in Vietnam, with over 85% of Vietnamese people identifying themselves as Buddhist. Catholicism is the second largest religion, followed by the local Cao Dai religion. Other Christian denominations, Islam, and local religions also share small followings throughout the southern and central areas.


Culture Vietnam
Due to its long history as a tributary state of China, as well as several periods of Chinese occupations, Vietnamese

culture is heavily influenced by that of Southern China, with Confucianism forming the basis of Vietnamese society. The Vietnamese language also contains many loan words from Chinese, though the two languages are unrelated. Buddhism remains the single largest religion in Vietnam, though like in China but unlike in the rest of northern Southeast Asia,the dominant school of Buddhism in Vietnam is the Mahayana School.

Nevertheless, Vietnamese culture remains distinct from Chinese culture as it has also absorbed cultural elements from neighboring Hindu civilizations such as the Champa and the Khmer empires. The French colonization has also left a lasting impact on Vietnamese society, with baguettes and coffee remaining popular among locals.

Climate Vietnam
Vietnam is large enough to have several distinct climate zones.

• The South has three somewhat distinct seasons: hot and dry from March to May/June; rainy from June/July to November; and cool and dry from December to February. April is the hottest month, with mid-day temperatures of 33°C (91°F) or more most days. During the rainy season, downpours can happen every afternoon, and occasional street flooding occurs. Temperatures range from stifling hot before a rainstorm to pleasantly cool afterward. Mosquitoes are most numerous in the rainy season. December to February is the most pleasant time to visit, with cool evenings down to around 20°C (68°F).
• The North has four distinct seasons, with a comparatively chilly winter (temperatures can dip below 15°C/59°F in Hanoi), a hot and wet summer and pleasant spring (March-April) and autumn (October-December) seasons. However, in the Highlands both extremes are amplified, with occasional snow in the winter and temperatures hitting 40°C (104°F) in the summer.
• In the Central regions the Hai Van pass separates two different weather patterns of the North starting in Langco (which is hotter in summer and cooler in winter) from the milder conditions South starting in Danang. North East Monsoon conditions September - February with often strong winds, large sea swells and rain make this a miserable and difficult time to travel through Central Vietnam. Normally summers are hot and dry.

Vietnam Bank
Most of the banks in Vietnam are opened from 8AM to 3PM from Monday to Friday (closed on Saturdays and Sundays).Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available at 5 star hotels and in big cities like Hanoi, Haiphong, Hue, Danang and Ho Chi Minh city.


Vietnam Currency
Vietnamese currency is the Vietnam Dong. All kinds of papernotes which are in circulationhave the nominal values of 500,000; 200,000, 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000 dong. Types of coins are 5,000; 2,000; 1,000 dong. Foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, hotels, international airports or at official currency exchange booths. The exchange rate between Vietnam Dong and US dollar is about 21,050 VND/USD (as of December 2011).

Holidays
By far the largest holiday of the year is Tết, celebration of the New Year (as marked by the lunar calendar), which takes place between late January and March on the Western calendar. In the period leading up to Tết, the country is abuzz with preparations. Guys on motorbikes rush around delivering potted tangerine trees and flowering bushes, the traditional household decorations. People get a little bit stressed out and the elbows get sharper, especially in big cities, where the usual hectic level of traffic becomes almost homicidal. Then a few days before Tết the pace begins to slow down, as thousands of city residents depart for their ancestral home towns in the provinces. Finally on the first day of the new year an abrupt transformation occurs: the streets become quiet, almost deserted. Nearly all shops and restaurants close for three days, (the exception being a few that cater especially to foreign visitors; and hotels operate as usual.)

In the major cities, streets are decorated with lights and public festivities are organized which attract many thousands of residents. But for Vietnamese, Tết is mostly a private, family celebration. On the eve of the new year, families gather together and exchange good wishes (from more junior to more senior) and gifts of "lucky money" (from more senior to more junior). In the first three days of the year, the daytime hours are devoted to visiting -- houses of relatives on the first day, closest friends and important colleagues on the second day, and everyone else on the third day. Many people also visit pagodas. The evening hours are spent drinking and gambling (men) or chatting, playing, singing karaoke, and enjoying traditional snacks and candy (women and children.)

Visiting Vietnam during Tết has good points and bad points. On the minus side: modes of transport are jammed just before the holiday as many Vietnamese travel to their home towns; hotels fill up, especially in smaller towns; and your choice of shopping and dining is severely limited in the first days of the new year (with a few places closed up to two weeks). On the plus side, you can observe the preparations and enjoy the public festivities; pagodas are especially active; no admission is charged to those museums and historical sites that stay open; and the foreigner-oriented travel industry of backpacker buses and resort hotels chugs along as usual. Visitors also stand a chance of being invited to join the festivities, especially if you have some local connections or manage to make some Vietnamese friends during your stay. When visiting during Tết, it's wise to get settled somewhere at least two days before the new year, and don't try to move again until a couple of days after.

Lesser holidays include May 1, the traditional socialist labor day, September 2, Vietnam's national day, King Hung celebration on April 12th, commemorating past kings, and Liberation Day on April 30th, marking the fall of Saigon in 1975. Around those times, trains and planes tend to be sold out, and accommodations at the beach or in Dalat are hard to find. Best to book far in advance.

Source: Internet

Hello (Xin chào)

Hello (Xin chào)!

This is the blog of http://www.vietnamtravel-packages.com & http://www.traveltoindochina.net website, the website of Vietnam ANZ Travel. Vietnam ANZ Travel is a strong brand with 10 years of travel in tourism activities in Vietnam and Indochina, Vietnam ANZ Travel offers tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

With the creation of this blog we hope to create a 2-way communication channel between Vietnam ANZ Travel and http://www.vietnamtravel-packages.com & http://www.traveltoindochina.net customers, as well as the Vietnam ANZ Travel clients.

In order to better serve the customers invite you to send us the feedback.

Thank you

Royal International Park in Halong

Hoang Gia international park (Royal Park) runs along Bai Chay Beach, from Bai Chay Wharf to Ha Long Night Market. It is a comprehensive resort totaling 10 ha. Restaurants in the park serve European, Chinese, and Vietnamese food and seafood.

You can enjoy yourself to the fullest with the entertainment and recreation services: 400 m artificial beach, bars and bathing services center, emergency station, park, garden of birds and orchids, archery grounds, cactus, sensation train, ghostly house, discotheque, karaoke bar, electronic car, art gallery, open-air stage, water puppetry and traditional music and singing; museum; quay for sight-seeing tours.

400 m from Bai Chay is Reu Islet, an attractive eco-tourist site with several kinds of rare birds and animals namely python, ostriches, dwarf horses, and fish, and ornamental trees.

It also provides a wide range of services such as restaurant and open-air bar, park, and canoes for cruising around.

Vietnam’s Cultural Theatre

You will have a chance to enjoy Vietnam’s traditional dances & songs such as Moi Trau song, Katu dance, and Champa dance. Especially, you are able to join with our dance through Sap dance. Each day there is a presentation of 3 shows with a duration of 45 minutes per show.

The performance time (local time) are as follows: 19:30; 20:45; 21:45 daily

Water Puppet Theatre

Formed in the 12th Century during the “Ly” Dynasty. The first performance was for Ly King in Long Doi Pagoda, Duy Tien of Ha Nam. Since then, water puppet show became one of the Vietnamese traditonal culture. Each day there is a presentation of 3 shows with a duration of 45 minutes per show.

The performance time (local time) are as follows: 18:30; 19:45; 20:45 daily

Museum

Exploring one of the largest selection of antiques such as Bat Trang pottery and porcelain, Dong Son bronze drum, Cham Pa wooden sculpture etc. Coming from Vietnam, China, Japan, and Thailand. Especially, two antique tombs from Han and So Dynasty. 

Art-gallery 

Displays more than 200 outstanding paintings by Vietnamese renowned artists. Some paintings win prizes locally and abroad such as: “Fruit harvest” by Mr. Phai, and “Girl’s Portrait” by Mr. Nghiem etc. 

Balloon

This is the only game in Halong. You can see a panoramic view of Halong Bay on it

Deluxe Shopping Center 

Located nearby the Baichay beach. It has a total of 25 blocks with 138 units. This is a place to concentrate the world’s & Vietnam’s famous products like Pierre Cardin, Bossini, Khai Silk,... 

Contact: Royal International Joint-Venture

Address: Bai Chay, Halong city, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Tel: (84-33) 846658 ; Fax: (84-33) 846728 ; Email: royalsales@hn.vnn.vn

Sapa Restaurants

Places to Eat in Sapa
The offer of places to eat in Sapa is quite varied. It won't be difficult to find a place that suits your tastes. On the walk from your hotel to the market you will see many restaurants. Prices are somewhat more expensive than in the rest of Vietnam, but still a real bargain.

For a real Vietnamese experience, try the soup noodles (Pho Bo or Pho Ga) at first hour in the morning. A Bun Cha (meat balls) or some Nems (Vietnamese rolls) for lunch, and a vegetable salad for dinner. And nothing tastes better than a Vietnamese Beer after a hard day trekking ...

Ta Van Restaurants 
Add: Cau May Street - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province.
Tel: (84-20) 871522 ; Fax: (84-20) 871539

Delta Restaurants
Add: 33 Cau May - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871799 ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoa Sua Restaurants
Add: Thac Bac Street- SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871766 ; Fax: (84-20)

Mimosa Restaurants
Add: Cau May Street - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871377 ; Fax: (84-20)

Bamboo Restaurants
Add: Muong Hoa - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871075 ; Fax: (84-20)

Khanh Hai Restaurants
Add: 58 Phan Xi Pang - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 872180 ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoang Lien Restaurants
Add: Cau May Street - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871876 ; Fax: (84-20)

Obsvervatory Restaurants
Add: Xuan Vien Street - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871126 ; Fax: (84-20)

Sa Pa Restaurants
Add: 18 Tue Tinh - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 872130 ; Fax: (84-20)

Auberge Dang Trung
Add: Cau May Street - SaPa Town - Lao Cai Province
Tel: (84-20) 871243 ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoa Ban Restaurants
Add: 58 Phan Xi Pang - SaPa Town - Lao

Sapa Trekking

Sapa Trekking in the Mountains

For the ones really fit, I recommend the three day trekking to the Fan Si Pan mountain.

Mount Phan Xi Pang, as locals call it, is a 3500 yard high peak (3143 m). During the trek you will have the chance to see how locals live. And even sleep in a local home. You will need special permits to do a home stay. For this reason I recommend reserving one of the trekking tours in Hanoi or Sapa.

The best season to do this trekking is in summer. In Winter conditions may be too tough.

I did not do this trekking, so I cannot give you my personal impressions. All I can say is that if you like the picture on this page, you will love the Farsipan trek.

Sapa Silver Falls or Thac Bac

Eight miles (13km) from Sapa is the Thac Bac Water fall (the one in the picture). You can get here easily on a motorbike.

This is one of the region's major attractions. It is possible to climb to the top of the waterfalls. From there, there is an excellent view of the waterfalls.

If you come here, follow the road and you will get to the Tram Ton pass.

Agents Vietnam Travel

Vietnam Travel Highlinghts, Agents Vietnam Travel

Established in 2009, our western managed sales team live, breathe and love Indochina. It is our home, after all. For tailor made holidays to Indochina, small group departure tours and a one stop travel shop, look no further than Vietnam ANZ Travel!

Don't want to pay for meals until you are here? Would rather pay for entrance fees direct? You choose the parts of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Thailand you want and we organise it. Simple as that!

• North Vietnam Travel
• Travel Across Vietnam
• South Vietnam Travel
• Northern Vietnam Highlights 7 Days
• Mai Chau Adventure Tour 6 Days
• Halong Emotion Cruise 2 Days
• Highlights of Vietnam 10 Days
• The Best of Vietnam 14 Days
• Combined Mekong Delta Tour & Phu Quoc Island 6 Days
• Discover South Vietnam 5 Days
• Le Cochinchine Cruise from Can Tho to Cai Be 3 Days
• Indochina Travel Tours
• Vietnam Siem Reap Angkor in Mind 8 Days
• Glimpse of Indochina 17 Days