Hoi An travel

Hoi An lies on the coast of the South China Sea, in the centre of Vietnam. The entire old town is UNESCO Heritage Listed due to the fact that it is a very well preserved example of a South East Asian trading port, with architecture and street layouts that date as far back as the 15th century. Influences in Hoi An come from it’s time as a major town of the Hindu Cham people, as well as subsequent Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Dutch influences. Centre Vietnam tours packages

Because it was such a busy trading port for so long, the architecture in Hoi An is a unique mixture of many different styles.

My wife and I only had half a day to spend in Hoi An. We didn’t have much of a plan, other than to sample some of the great food that everyone talks about and to walk around and check out the architecture and vibe of the town.

Hoi An was basically left to rot by the French, when its status as a major port was taken over by nearby Da Nang. Today tourism keeps the city alive, and it’s very obvious.  Heading towards the market, walking along the main strip next to the major river on the banks of the old town, everything is geared up for tourists. Steakhouse playing American country music, check. Pubs full of westerners downing cheap lager, check. Tourists wearing conical hats, purchasing trinkets and carrying around SLRs that they never take out of auto mode, check. BASSAC CRUISE

Hoi An travel

There were a lot of touts in Hoi An trying to sell all kinds of junk, and a few individuals that did not quit even when it was obvious that we were not interested in what they were selling. Nonetheless, my wife and I had several encounters with people that just wanted to have a chat.

Vendors like this can be found throughout Hoi An. Banh Bao are delicious steamed buns that come with a variety of fillings including pork, chicken, vegetables and shrimp. The vendors also often sell “White Rose” which is a translucent, rose-shaped shrimp dumping – a local speciality.

To the right of the photo below is Hoi An’s Central Market.  This is the market that all of the tourist guides tell you that you must visit. It’s interesting to walk through, with vendors selling all kinds of things but, as you’d expect, it’s overpriced and there’s not really much of value here.

One thing that Hoi An is very famous for is its dressmakers and tailors. In the space of a day you can get suits, dresses and shoes made very cheaply. My wife and I had no need for any of these things, however if you are interested I’d recommend doing your research before hand. There are a lot of touts here that will vie for your custom and by all accounts, many of the ones in the centre are either overpriced or of poor quality. Find out who is reputable before you arrive and don’t be swayed by others when you arrive. Be warned – the touts can be very persistent.

Despite what I just said before about the Central Market, the food hall there is very much worth checking out. My wife and I had two great meals here – they key was avoiding places that didn’t have locals eating at the tables and avoiding anybody who tried to come up to us to get us to eat at their stall.

The lady below made a great bowl of noodle soup. this soup was similar to Pho crossed with chicken soup. The broth was a chicken broth and the noodles were very thin. We went for beef brisket on the meat side of things, and the usual set of condiments were available.

After eating our noodles my wife and I spotted a few locals eating at the stall below. The food looked good so we decided to order a plate of what everyone else was eating.

If any of my readers can tell me the name of the below dish I’d be really grateful as my research has drawn nothing but blanks. It was steamed rice topped with a bit of everything that was cooking above really. A fried pancake, shrimp, sprouts, an almost curry like pumpkin concoction and some unidentifiable pork bits. It was very delicious, and there were all sorts of flavours going on.

The colours and architecture of the shop houses in the old town is very charming. Once you head away from the crowds, Hoi An is a very pleasant town to walk through. It’s very peaceful and laid back.

As to be expected in Vietnam, there are people eating and relaxing down alleyways and unassuming areas. My wife and I stumbled across a place further down this alleyway which was in a residential area and had a few tables full of old men playing cards. We got a few odd looks when we took a seat but soon enough they went back to their card game and we were left to enjoy our Vietnamese coffees, sitting under a roof fan watching something with very bad reception on a television that must have been at least 30 years old. The atmosphere was perfect, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

Overall I think that Hoi An is a city that is worth visiting. You can find some great food, the architecture is very interesting and the laid back vibe of the place is refreshing, especially if you’ve just arrived from one of Vietnam’s larger cities.

Yes it’s touristy and the touts can get annoying at times, but wander only a few minutes away from the centre and things really change. The tourists and touts disappear, and peace and quiet is yours to enjoy. The immediate surrounds of Hoi An looked very interesting and if I’d had a full day there I would have loved to have hired a bike and spent a few hours exploring. It’s an area that certainly lends itself to such an activity.

Food wise, Hoi An has a reputation as being a hotspot and from what I could see this was certainly the case. My wife and I ate as much as we could in half a day, which only allowed us to scratch the surface of what was on offer.

7 Incredible Things to do in Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region

7 Incredible Things to do in Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region

The Central Highlands region of Vietnam is a lush forested area home to indigenous tribes, traditional villages, the captivating city of Dalat, sparkling waterfalls and the odd elephant here and there! Centre Vietnam travel tours

Soak up the culture of Dalat

The Central Highlands is elevated at 1,500 meters and offer a welcome respite from the tropical humidity of the south of Vietnam and the landscape is dominated by lush rolling hills, punctuated with ancient villages. Few travellers make in this far inland, which is to your advantage. The main highlights are the former battlefield sites, the indigenous tribes and the charming city of Dalat, dubbed Vietnam’s original resort city. MEKONG EYES CRUISE

Dalat goes by several different names: ‘the Jewel of the Central Highlands’ and ‘City of Eternal Spring’ are just two. Whatever you choose to call it, Dalat is the very antithesis of Ho Chi Minh City 300km further south: it’s cooler and more laidback. The city was established as a hill station in the late 19th century, designed to offer respite for the resident Europeans from the oppressive heat and humidity of Saigon. Today Dalat retains its unique culture, from the exquisite French colonial architecture of the French Quarter, to the European villas and traditional farmhouses. In fact some of the larger Colonial properties have been fully restored and are in use today as hotels. Emeraude cruise

Don’t miss the gingerbread-style Dalat Cathedral (pictured above) which was built in 1931 for exclusive use of the French visitors and residents. Stop by the magnificent Crémaillère Railway Station, which is resplendent in bright yellow Art Deco style, although sadly its not used a great deal anymore. And gawp at the truly bizarre Hang Nga ‘Crazy House’ which was designed by a local war hero’s daughter and which has mystified travellers for years. Its architecture is likened to that of Antoni Gaudi and the grounds are said to be inspired by Dr. Seuss.

7 Incredible Things to do in Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region

Dalat is also known as the ‘City of Thousands of Pines’ thanks to the abundance of fragrant pine trees that line the banks of the many lakes. Chill out with a trip on one of the lakes, both natural and artificial including Da Thien, Ho Xuan Huong and Tuyen Lam. The city is also famed for its beautifully fragrant flower gardens filled with roses, orchids, lilies and camellias. Don’t miss the delightful Dalat Flower Park, located towards the end of Xuan Huong Lake which covers an impressive 7,000 sq. meters. Also in the area are individual flower gardens set around an authentic reconstructed Vietnamese teakwood house. Give your legs a rest and opt for a brief cable car ride u over Dalat’s pine forests, which also takes in an impressive hill-top pagoda. Alternatively a 4×4 trip up the Langbiang Mountain offers spectacular views over Dalat’s mountains, valleys and cityscape. Get here for either sunrise or sunset for an awesome view.

Finally Dalat firmly cements its position as the honeymoon capital of Vietnam with its dreamy palaces and summer houses. The thirteenth and final emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty Bao Dai (1913-1997) resided at the city’s three heritage sites, which are known as Palace I, II and III. Together with the Dalat Palace Hotel and the Dalat Du Park Hotel many of the structures was established around 1922. The Emperor also perfected his swing at the Dalat Palace Golf Club, with its sprawling greens, built in European style.

Try the world-famous coffee of Buon Ma Thuot

The capital of Dak Lak Province is Buon Ma Thuot, which is best known for its production of famous Vietnamese coffee. Catch the annual festival each March which is dedicated to the ‘black nectar’. The town also offers a gateway to the Yok Don National Park…

Hike in the Yok Don National Park

Head about 40km west of Buon Ma Thuot to explore the vast National Park of Yok Don. This biodiverse forest is an important conservation site and is home to nearly forty different animal species which are globally endangered, including the Asian elephant, leopard, red wolf and tiger. Established in 1986, the park is an excellent place to hike the forested hills and traverse the pretty waterfalls and Srepok River. Birdwatchers will also be in their element with over 250 different types of bird species to be found here.

Explore the heritage of Lak Lake

Ho Lak, aka Lak Lake, is the largest natural lake within Vietnam’s Central Highlands and visitors are treated to a glimpse of everyday traditional life that take place on the banks of the lake. Jun village at the southern end is home to the traditional M’nong settlement who still live in authentic stilt houses crafted locally from wood and rattan. As well as the M’nong, there are also other colourful minority hill tribes that call this are home, such as the Edeh and Jarai. Travellers can ride an elephant alongside the lake or take a dugout canoe (or a boat if you’re not feeling adventurous) across the lake to explore Emperor Bao Dai’s former hunting lodge.

Discover the minority hill tribes of Kontum

The quiet village of Kontum offers a fascinating insight into rural life. Centuries old Sedang, Rengao, Bahnar, Gieh Trieng  and Jarai minority hill tribes live in settlement which are centered around the ‘rong’ – a massive communal building where communities gather. Don’t miss the Tan Huong Church, the wooden Montagnard Church which was constructed in 1913 and the colonial-style Catholic seminary.

Chill out in Ngoc Hoi

The small town of Ngoc Hoi is close to the border with Laos on the popular Ho Chi Minh walking trail. Visitors can stay here and soak up the calm atmosphere prior to crossing over into Laos.

Experience Pleiku for yourself

The town of Pleiku is located in the Gia Lai Province and is home to communities of the Kinh ethnic group. The town has a pretty little pagoda, the Minh Thanh Pagoda, which travellers can wander around. Close by is the Bien Ho Lake where visitors can try their hand at fishing or hire a local boatman to ferry them across the lake.

Vietnam Weather, climate and geography

Vietnam Weather, climate and geography
Weather & climate

Best time to visit:
Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south with three distinct climatic zones. Tropical monsoons occur from October to April in the centre and from May to September in the north and south. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year. It can get exceptionally hot, however, all year round, but the north has a cooler time between October and April. Temperatures around the country can reach up to 40C in the height of the hot and rainy season (May to September), but the northern highlands and Hanoi can often seem chilly and damp in the winter. Vietnam travel Packages

There is no one ideal time to visit Vietnam as a whole but at any time of year there will be sun somewhere. The high season is from September to March but bad weather can disrupt travel in the centre of the country during this period, particularly from September to December. For the beaches in the centre of Vietnam, Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, it is best to go between May and August. The autumn is the best time to visit Halong Bay when there should be clear skies. LA MARGUERITE CRUISE

Required clothing:
Loose, natural fabrics all year, but warmer clothing is required in the highlands, and in the winter in north Vietnam. Rainwear is essential during the wet season.

Vietnam Weather, climate and geography

Geography
Vietnam lies within the tropics and is principally agricultural with a central tropical rainforest. The 'S'-shaped country shares borders to the north with the People's Republic of China and to the west with Laos and Cambodia. The eastern and southern shores are lapped by the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Bai Tu Long Cruise

Northern Vietnam is dominated by the Red River plains that bisect Hanoi, and the Lo and Chay rivers. To the north and west of Hanoi are green hilly areas; particularly well known is the Sapa Valley. East of Hanoi, Halong Bay features a stunning natural formation of more than 3,000 limestone islands jutting sharply out of the South China Sea.

To the south, it is the Mekong River and its fertile plain that governs the geography and consequently the rice industry. Among the plains, in the middle of the thin country and to the southwest are mountainous areas, known as the highlands, where farmers grow rubber, tea and coffee.

Saigon shopping guide

Vietnam is a country with extremely attractive tourist, thousands of years of history and incredible landscapes, however you can't let pass the opportunity to do some shopping in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Here we review the best shops, the best markets and above all, places where to find the best prices and deals. South Vietnam tours
What to buy in Ho Chi Minh City?

In the former Saigon can buy clothes, bags, accessories, accessories, shoes, lingerie, jewelry, cosmetics, makeup, perfumery, sports footwear, sportswear, books, computing, photography, mobile covers, fabrics, silks, coffee and Vietnamese tea, handicrafts, seeds and Oriental ingredients, clothes tailored... in Ho Chi Minh City you can buy everything cheaper than in Spain, with the exception of Apple mobile phone: the iPhone. Indochina Sails cruise
A list of our favorite shops that we recommend to do some shopping in Ho Chi Minh City.

Clothing Stores

Council: in Vietnam should not rely on sizes, because sizes are Vietnamese, if something you like try you.

Before buying clothes in Saigon: in Ho Chi Minh City can buy designer clothes, imitation brands quality, medium quality clothing and Vietnamese brands. MEKONG SECRET CRUISE

Saigon shopping guide

Us you we recommend to buy good clothing replica of big brands (Armani Exchange, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, etc), it is better to pay a little more and bring us good genre, which not allow ourselves to be carried away by the cheap prices and as well other worse quality forgeries that look at first sight.

For shirts, polos and t-shirts is important to look at the quality of the cotton. A cheap cotton to a good cotton price may be double, but certainly outweighs by far.

Counterfeit medium quality / low

In the Ben Thanh market, night market or the market day is the tourist shopping centre par excellence.

There you can buy t-shirts, shirts, Polo shirts and trousers of replicas of all brands of the market (Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Armani, Calvin Klein, etc), jackets and The North Face Kit, etc... Also in Ben Thanh Market, it is easier to find European sizing.

The clothes we buy clothes there may be considered as tourist or as souvenirs for family and friends. It's very cheap, but the quality is medium - low.

High quality fakes

Asia is the factory of the world. Most of the clothes that circulates around the world is manufactured in China, Vietnam and surrounding areas. The same factories being mass produced clothes for big brands (authentic clothing) used those production processes and manufacturing to generate surpluses of very similar quality. We are talking about exact replicas, of quality that you can wear on a daily basis for years.

Maximark mall is Midway Airport, it is necessary to travel by taxi, but the ride is worth. On the second floor of the Mall you can find replicas of the best brands of the market top quality: Armani Exchange, Diesel, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, DKNY, Tommy, Polo, etc...

If you decide to buy local brands clothing Vietnamese, you'll find clothes of high quality at very good prices.

Our two favorite of Vietnamese clothing brands are Unicolor (mens) and Blue Exchange (fashion casual men and women). You have a Unicolor store at the Mall Maximark. Blue Exchange shops are scattered throughout the shopping streets of Saigon, but you have a very large tent with few people on the top floor of the Citi Plaza Mall.

Throughout the city of Ho Chi Minh City will find brands most fashionable of Vietnam, and for example Nhat Minh Anh Dieu. In stores Pierre Cardin sells An Phuoc Vietnamese brand, but for shirts's man one of Vietnamese brands by his relation quality / price is Viet Tien.

Clothing brand

If you intend buying in Saigon is your favorite designer clothes you're in luck, all the brands in the market will cost you less money than in Spain with the exception of Zara.

We advise you to go to a mall to make this kind of purchase, since in any small shop, you can be paying a high price for a fake, good, but fake.

Saigon Centre

Because of its great location, right in the middle of the main avenue Le Loi, one of the best areas in purchases of clothing brand is the commercial centre Saigon Centre, where you will find a little of everything. The appearance and distribution of Saigon Centre a little reminiscent of El Corte Inglés, with several floors dedicated to man and woman, escalators, etc...

Sai Gon Square

To little meters of Saigon Centre, in a perpendicular Street, we have the Sai Gon Square Mall. Sai Gon Square is a chain of shopping centers scattered throughout the city of Ho Chi Minh City, although the prices are the same. Sai Gon Square mixes great with small positions of market stores inside. There we can find, in addition to clothing, jackets, coats and much equipment The North Face, which are not capable of ensuring is its authenticity.

Zen Plaza

A couple of streets from the Ben Thanh market we have the Zen Plaza shopping center, situated in the shopping street Nguyen Trai. In addition to restaurants and leisure area, this Mall has a lot of offer of casual clothing, for example Diesel brand clothing.
A point in favor of this mall is that once we get out of the mall, we are on a street full of shops.

NowZone

A little further away, but also in District 1 have the Mall NowZone. This shopping center of the city of Saigon is relatively small and with fewer offer the previous, however have shop talk and very good prices for the Levi's brand.

Stores Sportswear

There are relatively few sportswear shops in Ho Chi Minh City. Our favorite is the official Adidas store. They have the same catalog, the same clothes and qualities than any other store in the group, but generally the prices are 20% cheaper than in Spain already that practically all items are manufactured in Vietnam.

The vast majority of the models of Nike shoes to run, the so-called line Nike Running, are made in Vietnam, and therefore quite cheap.

Luxury Shopping

A whim not hurt anyone and if you can afford it, these are your stores. In the city of Ho Chi Minh City luxury and super luxury stores are all in District 1, in the vicinity of main street Le Loi and strategically situated front of 5 star hotels.

Le Loi to go to A Street crossing City of Ho Chi Minh City, at the foot of the hotel Rex, have stores of Vertu, Bulgary, Burberry, Cartier, Channel.

A couple of streets of this place, just in front of the Theatre of the Saigon Opera House, in the basement of the Caravelle hotel we have Louis Vuitton shop and stores of luxury watches.

Malls Parkson and Diamond Plaza

To finish the list of luxury shops, we must refer to upscale Parkson and Diamond Plaza shopping malls. In these stores you do not pretend to find good prices nor 70% discount, you can however give you the pleasure of buy to the Pretty Woman in a mall in fancy paying Spanish prices.

As curiosity will say that marks which in Spain are very normal as Zara, H & M and Mango, in Vietnam are considered luxury brands. Having said that, that don't be surprised seeing the jet set Vietnamese buying on the handle or the Vietnamese teenage girls pining for a shirt from H & M.


Tailors and Clothing as

It tailoring Dung is without a doubt one of the best options when it comes to making and buy clothes tailor-made, either for men or for women.

Are you interested / to make custom clothes on? Want more information on Dung tailoring shops and more tailored suits for men and ladies? here you go: Tailored suits in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fabric, silk and textile

The reference for the purchases of fabrics, silks and textiles in general is An Dong market. Located in district 5, also it is necessary to take a taxi from the 1st District. This Vietnamese market in any rule, is located just behind the modern, luxurious and expensive shopping center An Dong Plaza, where there are obviously not many customers (see Markets in Vietnam).

An Dong Market is the place where many Vietnamese traders make their purchases of textiles, clothing, tourism, etc... before selling in other parts of the city of Ho Chi Minh City (eg Ben Thanh market).

Although the An Dong market can find practically the same items as Ben Thanh market, at a price much like Ben Thanh Market unless you buy multiple items.

The strong point of the An Dong market are fabrics. If we have in mind let us a tailored suit, either of man or Knight, and buy An Dong to later visit the Dung tailoring fabrics on the market interested that compile you the costume.

shopping streets

As best enjoy shopping in Saigon is going to store the various shopping streets of the city. The most prominent shopping streets are:
Commercial Le Loi Street: the most tourist street in the city of Ho Chi Minh, the precious Saigon Street so to speak. Located in the heart of the city, begins at the Saigon Opera and ends at the Ben Thanh market.
We have lots of small shops and luxury shopping malls. It is a constant temptation for travelers by the number of items sold and prices. Le Loi Street is a good place to start shopping, but usually prices will be the most expensive.
The great advantage of Le Loi Street is that we can find almost anything and sizes also suitable for foreigners.
Commercial Nguyen Trai Street: following street Le Loi, after passing the Ben Thanh market, Nguyen Trai starts the shopping street. Here all the shops you find are small shops at street and multitude of posts Street by way of improvised street markets. It is one of the best places to buy accessories and backpacks
Calle commercial Luu Van Lang: is one of the corners of the Ben Thanh market have small shopping street Luu Van Lang, where are your specialty shoes for women.
Commercial Hai Ba Trung Street: shopping street, close to the Cathedral of Saigon, full of stores covering the 1 distitros and 3 of Ho Chi Minh City. The best of this street are shops (man and woman), clothes shoes and restaurants.
Calle commercial Cach Mang Thang: also called CMT 8 Street is a lengthy commercial Street perpendicular to Nguyen Trai covering several districts of Saigon. The more away from District 1, higher probabilities of finding good sales and offers. We recommend to rent a bike to explore the street from beginning to end and quietly stop at any store that you like.

Shoe Stores

If you like the shoes in Vietnam you will require several suitcases to get all the pairs of shoes that you are able to buy for 50€.

With regard to man shoes there are variety and quantity, but Madam shoes is the strong point of Vietnam: sandals, shoes heel, ballerinas, shoes, boots, slippers, etc... the amount of designs, colors and models that are offered in Saigon is overwhelming.
Most of the shoes are made of plastic and / or leatherette, if you want a good leather shoes have to look a little more.

One of the best places to start looking for shoes is the Street Luu Van Lang (attached to the Ben Thanh market), we recommend you pass through there at sunset, about 7 in the evening.

The Ben Thanh and An Dong markets also have plenty of shoes and footwear. If you have little time we recommend the Ben Thanh market, if you have a couple of free hours to go shopping, please read the An Dong market, you won't regret it.

The Street Hai Ba Trung is very good choice for buying shoes dress or to find some shoes that convinen that something in your wardrobe.

Stores Handbags, belts, watches and accessories

After the clothes and shoes, their turn to handbags, belts and accessories.
We venture to say that 90% of the bags that are sold in Vietnam are forgeries, in some cases, handbags replicas are so good that it is impossible to distinguish authentic bag. The only site where you can buy an authentic bag (eg: Louis Vuitton bags) is in the official shop authorized, not you fies from any other store.

Bags

Important note about bags: the Vietnamese authorities do not allow that fakes of brands that have shop in Vietnam sold, that is not allowed, does not mean that it does not. If you are interested in a bag of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Carolina Herrera or similar you speak with the owner of the store and will teach you a catalogue with all models that can not put in conspicuous places, but it does have on sale. Negotiating price or directly ask to see the bag and any dependents will bring your bag from a nearby place wrapped in bags or inside any box so that it is not very visible.

The best place to buy handbags is Ben Thanh night market, all bags that are sold there are replicas whose prices ranging from 4€ (120.000VND) to 35€ (1,000.000VND).
Here's the detail of a few bags that we bought in Saigon, Louis Vuitton bag seems 100% authentic, inside actually says made in france.

The price of the bag depends on materials and the quality of the copy. A good price for a bulk bag are 15€ (380.000VND), for an exact a Louis Vuitton handbag copy have to pay 30€ (900.000VND) after much bargaining.

As an alternative to buy handbags at the Ben Thanh night market we have the shopping street Nguyen Trai, or better said, the Street stalls located on both sides of the street Nguyen Trai. The best time to walk the street in search of bags is in the afternoon (around 16: 00), you will not find as much variety as in Ben Thanh night market, but the price is cheaper.

Bags are also sold in the market An Dong. As there are many small shops scattered inside, it costs more find what we want. The prices are almost the same as in the Ben Thanh night market, with what we recommend to go to the An Dong market only if we have not found the bag that we want in the other stores or if we want to take advantage of the visit to buy clothing or textiles.

belts

When buying belts in the city of Ho Chi Minh we have to keep in mind that not only models available have exhibited belt, but we also assemble and customize the belt in the act in the event that we do not like the buckle closure, etc..
Basically you choose the type of material (we recommend leather), the color and the type of buckle. The owner or any dependents will take you measures and they will cut and adjust the belt in the Act.

Belts prices ranging from 5€ to 12€, depending on the material and the type of closure. The vast majority are black leather belt / brown where they change the buckle with the emblem of the various brands: Hugo Boss, Polo, Armani, Gucci, Energie, Channel, DKNY, etc...

As for handbags, one of our favorite places to buy belts is Ben Thanh night market.

Purchases of belts and accessories in Saigon
Belts and Accessories
Glasses and complete purchases Ho Chi Minh
Sunglasses

Watches

Do you want a rolex? or maybe more like it perhaps a Seiko?, James Bond Omega watch or you are more than one Channel Watch... no matter, in Saigon you can buy copies of all models on the market for less than $10, but if the clock is late you don't;-) protestes

Watch stores in Vietnam
Stores Watches

Inside the Ben Thanh market you have replicas of all conceivable models. If you want to buy a watch a little more curious but you don't want to spend a fortune, for 50€ you have good authentic watches at Citi Plaza shopping center.

Sunglasses and Accessories

In Vietnam, we can buy many models of sunglasses so genuine as replica sunglasses. Gives equal to be a street post or an optics, they all have copies and forgeries of sunglasses Ray-Ban, Channel, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Oakley and the like.
The best authentic sunglasses in optics and after asking the clerk, in Vietnam there is any kind of problem admitting that a goggle is false, but on the contrary, it justifies the high price of a genuine product that precisely because there import.

The prices for authentic glasses are slightly lower than Spain (for the tax issue), copies made-in -china are much cheaper. To buy sunglasses we recommend any of the malls in Saigon.

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are two very good stores to buy backpacks, bags, briefcases, suitcases, etc... the first store is called Thuong is nothing but pass the Ben Thanh market, just opposite the Park (Le Lai 10 Street). This store has lots of backpacks replicas of The North Face, covers for cameras, etc. The second store is called popularly Lo Ba 70 Nguyen Trai Street (1 kilometer shop Thuong, following that same street in a straight line).

Both stores are 2 small neighborhood shops at street level, are recognizable because they have so many genre that leaves the store.


Jewelry

The price of gold, gemstones, diamonds, jade, etc... is set by the market, however the low taxes paid in Vietnam joined the labor is cheaper, made ​​in Vietnam and in particular the city of Ho Chi Minh raised a good place to buy some jewelry.

Throughout the 1 district there are many jewelry stores, mostly in the vicinity of Ben Thanh market, however, I recommend Cartino jewelry, located in a small shopping centre the 182 Ly Chinh Thang Street. Various designs and prices of jewelry, pendants and rings that sold in the store can be viewed on their website www.cartino.vn

Jade Bracelets

One of the most typical jewels of Vietnamese women are Jade bracelets, easily recognizable by its green colour. Depending on the quality and purity of the jade your price will be greater or lesser, a good Jade bracelet costs about 35€ (1,000,000 VND). Sell this kind of bracelets and bracelets of Jade Ben Thanh market, the Citi Plaza Mall and also in An Dong market.

Lingerie stores and swimwear

Most malls have a section of lingerie and swimwear. For swimwear we can find deals at the supermarket Coopmart, although best prices throughout the city you will find in the lingerie in the 298 Street Hai Ba Trung Trang Phuc Lot store.

Camera Stores

For the picture and above all, photography enthusiasts SLR are in luck. Cameras photos are slightly cheaper in Vietnam than in Spain, but everything else is 3 times cheaper: objectives, lenses, filters, tripods, memory cards, covers, triggers, etc...

Strategically located to have a couple of photo shops on Le Loi Street, but if looking for good deals you should first stop by May Anh KTS Camera shop in the 22 Street Huynh Thuc Khang (parallel to Le Loi Street).
You can buy filters neutral reflex camera imported from Japan for 3€, leather cases for 6€, etc.


Computer stores and electronics

The precious iPad is priced almost the same as in Spain, the same goes for the iPhone and in general with other Apple products. In Vietnam we fake Apple Store, iCenter calls with an aesthetic very similar to genuine Apple stores.

We can find a good deal for laptops, although we recommend buying consumables and peripherals in Vietnam, as they are much cheaper.
Huynh Thuc Khang Street is one of the best places to do some purchases of computers, technology and electronics in Vietnam.


Shops to buy coffee, tea, herbal teas and ingredients eastern

Vietnam is a country famous for its coffee and teas. Try an authentic Vietnamese coffee and you'll know why.
If you like and finally decide to buy coffee, tea, herbal teas or any other Vietnamese ingredient / oriental, markets are best to buy coffee. Whether any street market of Saigon, large markets such as Ben Thanh and An Dong or even the floating markets of the Mekong delta.

Bookstores, stationery, toys, souvenirs, etc.

To buy this kind of articles it is best the Street Le Loi. The vast majority of shops and street stalls of District 1 of Saigon are very tourist-oriented and we find curious souvenirs to bring back home, apart from the famous Vietnamese Hat called Non the.

If you like reading or want to learn Vietnamese, do not hesitate, stop by any bookstore and buy any book, whose prices are around 3€. We recommend the Sai Gon Bookstore Bookstore, Le Loi 60 Street, whose top floor is dedicated to books on languages. Our second recommendation is the Fahasa Bookstore bookshop located on 52nd Street Nguyen Hue.

Must-try traditional foods when visiting Ancient Capital of Hue

Hue is the capital of Vietnam in Nguyen Dynasty, located in the Central of Vietnam. This city still remains a lot of historical vestiges and cultural heritages of an Ancient Royal Capital. Hue is also well-known with royal cuisine (foods served for the King), which is the combination between taste and aesthetic, the combination among color of ingredients to create an art of work. However, there is another thing making “amazing cuisine” of Hue is traditional foods. Hue’s traditional cuisine is so distinctive from other regions in the country, which is considered as the best in Vietnam. And these are some special traditional dishes that you should not miss when visiting Hue. Centre Vietnam tours
 Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled-meat vermicelli)
This food is totally different with “Bún Chả Nướng” from Hanoi. It is a mixture of rice vermicelli, grilled pork, fresh vegetables and other special ingredients. Bun thit nuong has no broth, but a sauce made by grinded peanut. The pork is mixed with some ingredients to be tastier and then be grilled on fire. A bowl of bun thit nuong includes rice vermicelli in the bottom, some pieces of grilled pork above, kinds of fresh vegetable around and the sauce on the top. When eating, you should add a little chili sauce and lemon squash then mix all of them together to enjoy the special flavor of the dish.
Bun thit nuong present every corner of Hue, becoming a popular street food here. Besides, in almost all “bun thit nuong” restaurants, there are also some of other dishes including bún mắm nêm (“mam nem” is a kind of traditional sauce made from fish), khoái pancake (also “xèo pancake” in Northern), nem lụi. You should try all of them because they are so specific and delicious. Mekong delta tours Vietnam

Cơm Hến (Clam rice)
Clam rice probably is the most unique and symbolic food of Hue cuisine. The primary material of rice clam is cold rice and small clam. Clam is boiled and then their flesh is taken to stir-fried. Hue people said the best clam to make this food has to be caught from Tam Giang pond. Com hen contains rice, clam, Indian taro (Hue people called it “Bạc hà”), pepper, peanuts, fried pork grease (Tóp mỡ), some of herbs and fish sauce sprinkled above. Because people here considered clam as a “cold food”, they add pretty much chili sauce or red pepper into the bowl of com hen. So, it can be very spicy. Therefore, you should prepare yourself before enjoy it. Paradise Cruise
In addition, beside the bowl of com hen, they will add a special bowl of soup made from boiled clam broth for you to sprinkle into com hen if you like. However, for people who try it at the first time, it may be really hard to eat, so remember, you should smell the soup before you try.
Now, except for Com Hen, Hue also has Bun Hen (Clam vermicelli), My Hen (Clam noodle). They are as similar as Com Hen, but they use vermicelli and noodle instead of rice to make the food more diverse.

Must-try traditional foods when visiting Ancient Capital of Hue

3.      Bún Huế
Bún Huế is general name of many variation of rice vermicelli soup having a same major ingredient called “mọc”. Mọc is small balls made from grinded meats. The meats to make Mọc can be pork or crab or shrimp. Moc is the most important thing that decides the distinctive taste of Bun Hue. Besides, it also contains cubes of brown congealed pig blood, which are very good for anyone suffer from high blood pressure. Another special thing in Bun Hue is the broth, prepared by simmering pork bone for a long period of time and after that adding other elements to create mixed taste.
Depending on the kind of meat making Moc or the additional ingredients, there are many variations of Bun Hue, including Bún bò giò heo (pig’s trotters), Bún mọc Cua ( Moc made from crab), bún mọc (Moc made from pork),…
bun Hue
4.      Bánh canh cá lóc ( snake-head tapioca noodle soup)
Bánh canh (tapioca/rice noodle soup) is the specialty of Central Vietnam. There are many kinds of banh canh representing each place, for example, Trang Bang rice noodle soup (Tay Ninh province), fish roll tapioca noodle soup (Binh Dinh province), etc. And Snaked-head tapioca noodle soup is the representative of Hue.
Tapioca is kneaded with water, then be cut into long thin slides and be hard-boiled. Sneak-head fish is a kind of fish living in freshwater. The meat of fish is cut into small slides and then be stir-fried. The bone of fish is used to boil the broth. A bowl of banh canh ca loc is pretty simple: tapioca noodle, some slides of fish, green onions, eryngium leaves, and the broth. But it is a combination of a lot of flavor, including the sweetness of broth, the greasiness of snake-head fish and the toughness of tapioca noodle. And to avoid the smell of fish, the food is added pretty much chili sauce, so it is extremely spicy. It is highly recommended that you should find something cool to drink with.
banh canh ca loc
Hue is the central of Vietnamese cuisine, so there are various foods waiting for you, including Banh beo, Banh nam, Banh loc, Banh uot, Che (sweet soup), Tom chua (sour shrimp sauce), vegetarian foods and other royal dishes. If you are an astronomer, you have to visit Hue and enjoy yourself.

Pac Po: Ho Chi Minh’s Cave

Right on Vietnam’s northeastern frontier with China, Pac Bo Cave is an important historical site in an enchanting location. The landscape along the Chinese border, in Vietnam’s Cao Bang Province, is characterized by forested limestone mountains, blue rivers and rice fields. Small villages of mud and straw houses dot the narrow valleys. The scene can’t have changed much since 1941, when Ho Chi Minh walked across the border from China, entering his native Vietnam for the first time in 30 years. Tours North Vietnam

In 1911 Ho had left Vietnam from the Saigon docks on a French ship. Working as an assistant cook, the ship took Ho to five continents, before he finally settled in Paris with a friend. During his 30 years of absence from Vietnam, Ho travelled widely, making many powerful friends (and enemies) in the process. He formed close attachments to communist and socialist parties in Europe, the USSR and China. Although Ho was often many thousands of miles from his homeland, he never lost sight of his goal of the liberation of Vietnam from French colonial rule. He learned from and made alliances with nationalist and independence groups across Europe and Asia. Ho was himself co-founder and founder of several ideological movements and political parties, notably the French Communist Party and the Indochinese Communist Party. In the winter of 1941, Ho finally crossed the Chinese border, near Pac Bo Cave, and set foot on his native soil once again. He lived in Pac Bo Cave for several weeks before moving on to avoid detection. Four years after Ho’s clandestine return to his homeland, Vietnam celebrated its independence from French rule and Japanese occupation, when Ho read the Declaration of Independence to a crowd of thousands in Hanoi, on September 2, 1945. Vietnam Mekong river cruise

Grandiose shrine to Ho Chi MinhPac Bo Cave is an hours’ drive from Cao Bang, the provincial capital, on the Ho Chi Minh Highway. This new road now runs the length of Vietnam; starting, appropriately, at Pac Bo and ending nearly 2,000km to the south, in the Mekong Delta (read more about this road HERE). After a beautiful drive through steep, verdant valleys the road comes to an abrupt end at a big car park. If you visit on a weekend or national holiday, chances are this car park (and the rest of Pac Bo site) will be full of coaches, carrying Vietnamese tour groups, who make the pilgrimage here. However, if you come on a weekday, especially during the middle of the day, the car park will be empty and you may well have this beautiful site all to yourself. Tickets are bought (10,000vnđ [$0.50]) at a kiosk by the car park. On the left, before entering the site, there’s a huge pagoda-esque shrine to Ho Chi Minh. Reached via a long staircase, you can purchase sticks of incense and place them in front of a grandiose gold statue of Ho, seated in a throne, as if he were an imperial monarch; an image he never cultivated during his lifetime. There’s a small museum behind the shrine but, at the time of writing, a much grander one was being built next to the ticket entrance. Alova Gold Cruise Halong bay

Lenin CreekFrom the car park it’s a pretty 10 minute walk – or 5 minute drive – along a paved lane to the beginning of a pathway, which loops around the Pac Bo Cave area. There’s a basic map of the path printed on the back of the entrance ticket. At the start of the pathway there are stalls selling Ho memorabilia, refreshments, and ‘ethnic’ trinkets. The gorgeous pool of turquoise water opposite the stalls is Lenin Creek, and the limestone hill behind it is Karl Marx Peak, both named, in the revolutionary spirit of the time, by Ho during his stay here.

Pac Po: Ho Chi Minh’s Cave

Once you start on the stone path around the area you’ll see information plaques amongst the foliage and by the stream. As this site is aimed at domestic tourists, none of the signs have English translations. This is a pity because, unlike other revolutionary sites where plaques usually regurgitate socialist mantras, at Pac Bo they simply mark spots where Ho would fish, swim, pick fruit, or write poetry during his time here in 1941. Rather bizarrely, Ho himself revisited Pac Bo as a ‘pilgrim’ in 1961. By then, at the age of 71, Ho was regarded as one of Vietnam’s greatest national heroes, and his brief stay at Pac Bo Cave had become the stuff of legend. On his return to the cave Ho made several speeches and gestures at the site, which are now also commemorated with stone tablets along the path.

Pac Bo Cave entranceIt’s a beautiful walk, with the blue waters of Lenin Creek on one side and dense jungle foliage – screaming with cicadas and tropical birdsong – on the other. The path leads away from the stream, up some steps, to Pac Bo Cave. In the summer it’s extremely humid under the canopy of trees, so it comes as a relief when – after entering the small, concealed entrance – the air inside the cave is cool and damp. Shafts of light enter the cave through small holes in the limestone. A couple of soft light-bulbs help to illuminate Ho’s wooden bed, a kettle over a campfire and the strange, Daliesque formations in the limestone, that Ho named Karl Marx. The cave is small and so well-hidden that one wonders how anyone could have found out Ho was sheltering here.

The stone path continues on the loop, passing under creepers and vines growing out over the water in all directions, creating a web of roots and branches. Next to a small sand beach by the creek, a block of limestone has been fashioned, through millions of years of erosion, into the shape of a table. Ho used this as his ‘office’ for writing poetry and translating texts. It’s forbidden to sit at this ‘table’ but the beach by the creek is a lovely place to sit a while and soak up the serenity of Pac Bo. Lenin Creek would be perfect for a refreshing swim but bathing is not allowed; this is a sacred place for most Vietnamese people.

Lenin Creek running through Pac Bo area

The whole area, despite its popularity with domestic tourists – which, unfortunately, is usually a catalyst for kitsch decoration and trash – is exceptionally well-kept, tasteful and understated. There are signs every few metres reminding visitors to throw their rubbish in the ample number of bins provided. This site, unlike the majority of revolutionary monuments in Vietnam, manages to induce a contemplative, respectful mood while not forcing its significance on the visitor or embellishing the site unnecessarily. It’s by far the ‘best’ commemorative attraction I’ve visited in Vietnam, and one of the most engaging historical sites too. It would be better if the information plaques were also in English, but perhaps the new museum will offer some background information in languages other than Vietnamese. Unlike the brash, ostentatious shrine to Ho Chi Minh that greets you by the car park, the rest of Pac Bo Cave area is elegant, sophisticated in its simplicity, and unpretentious; a fitting monument to the man who lived here from February 8 to the end of March, 1941.

Top 3 Festival in Sapa

Xoe Dancing Festival in Ta Chai Sapa

Time: The 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Ta Chai Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Agriculture Deity (administer of fields and gardens).
Characteristics: Xoe dancing of the Tay. Hanoi – Sapa 5 days
Xoe Dancing Festival in Ta Chai Sapa
Xoe Festival in Ta Chai is the spring festival of the Tay to pray for good crop, full of grains and rice. The ritual is rather simple with a tray of offerrings put at the foot of a neu tree which show the sincerity of villagers to the god of farming. After the magician observes rituals, the whole of the village take part in dancing of xoe in the boisterous sounds of gong, drum with many special styles of dance such as: xoe in group, xoe in couple, xoe in four person, xoe greeting… Paradise Cruise Halong bay

Top 3 Festival in Sapa

Thuong Temple Spring Festival Sapa Vietnam

Thuong TempleTime: From the 14th to the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province.
Objects of worship: Tran Hung Dao.
Characteristics: A palanquin procession, tug of war contest, wrestling contest, and con throwing, sticks pushing, no (arbalest) shooting.
Thuong Temple Spring Festival Sapa Vietnam
Thuong Temple is located on the Hoa Hieu Hill, Lao Cai City, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao – the famous general of Tran Dynasty. He commanded the Dai Viet troops defensive in Lao Cai in 1257.
The spring festival is organized at the cutural center of Lao Cai Ward and Thuong and Mau Temples. The ceremonies include the opening festival, processions of the Holy Mother and Thien hau Nuong; worshipping ceremony takes place on the 14th day, thanksgiving ceremony is on the 15th day to pray for peaceful and prosperous things to everyone. Mekong Mango cruise
It involves traditional singing and dancing performances and mountainous ethnic games: con throwing, arbalest shooting, tug of war, stick pushing, wrestle, cocks fighting, swinging… The spring festival is alco displayed brocade souvernirs, local goods which are made by girls of the Mong, the Dao, the Thai…

Traditional festivals in Sapa Vietnam

Sapa is very famous for its traditional festivals.Spring festival is filled with colorful traditional religious customs. Long Tong festival is the most specific activity of the Tay people. It reflects the desire to have good crops, health, as well as many children and grandchildren.
Traditional festivals in Sapa Vietnam
Spring festivals
The days of the festival are filled with colorful traditional religious customs, such as blessing heaven for a child, fortune or a lucky and happy life. This is also the time that mountain villagers, boys and girls, all display their best clothes and new costumes.
Many entertaining contests also take place such as gun shooting, Giao Duyen singing style of singing where a boy and girl sing traditional love songs to express their love for each other), pan-pipe playing and dancing,kung fu, ball throwing and feasting.
Long Tong Festival
It is the most specific activity of the Tay people. It reflects the desire to have good crops, health, as well as many children and grandchildren. The ceremony involves solemn rituals, such as staging a procession for the Water, worshipping ceremonies to the Village Deity, the Stream Deity and the Mountain Deity, and worshipping the con tree.
There are many merry games such as “nem con” (a game in which boys and girls throwcloth balls), tug—of—wars, playing cockfights by banana flowers, and buffalo fights by aspara-gus. Boys and girls come to the festival to folk dance, sing love songs, and make friends.

Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam

The top 7 souvenirs to buy in Vietnam, whether you are on holidays or on a business trip.

Apart from the joy of discovering a new culture, taking photos and tasting the exotic flavors of Vietnam, shopping might bring you more opportunities to get in touch with local habits.

A shopping tour is usually the last step of a trip and it is always a bit tricky. The second “HCMC 100 exciting things”, a campaign promoting activities in the city, announced some time ago the top 7 souvenirs to gift to friends, family members and loved ones. The results came from a poll voted on by travelers and expats. Travel to Vietnam

Hopefully more of these events will be coming to other major cities, such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and others.

CONICAL HAT

Ao dai

Non la (leaf hat) is a circular cone made of bamboo cataphylls, notable for it’s romantic adornments. The non la is more than an indispensable tool for people in Vietnam: it has become a cultural symbol. The style differs by region, so for example those of the Tay people have a distinct color, while in Thanh Hoa they use only a 20-hem frame. Hue’s is thin and elegant, while Binh Dinh’s is thick. Mekong delta tours

Vietnamese wear the non la all year. The shape protects the wearer from the downpours of the rainy season like an umbrella, and provides shade and protection from the heat during April and May, when temperatures climb to unbearable levels.

Top 7 Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam

Local Insight: At a workshop, you can get a hat for only VND 3,500 - VND 10,000. Depending on the quality, price at souvenir shops range between VND 30,000 and VND 100,000.

Since the 18th century, the ao dai (long dress) has been Vietnam’s national costume. There are three main styles of ao dai nowadays. Halong bay cruise

“Trendy” ao dai reach to the floor and fit the curves of the body by using darts and a nipped-in waist; the “hippy” ao dai is brightly colored and very popular among young teenagers; and the “mini” ao dai have slits extended above the waist and the panels reach only to the knees.

The usual way to acquire an ao dai would be to pick the fabric first. Usually there are two different colors, one for the long dress itself and a second contrasting color for the trousers worn underneath. After the fabric is chosen, you bring it to a tailor specialized in creating ao dais. Usually it takes around one week until you can pick up the finished product, but please keep in mind that during the preparation for Tet (lunar new year), it can take significantly longer.

Local Insight: An ao dai costs at least VND 700,000. If you can spend the time and have experience finding decent cloth and a good tailor, you might have your stylish ao dai at a reasonable VND 1,500,000.

Silk is woven from the cocoons of the silkworm. Thus, It has always been considered extremely luxurious and only available to the nobility. The days when silk had only been manufactured for Vietnamese royalty is long gone, and the fabric has become widely used throughout the country. Silk and its beautiful products are affordable nowadays, so tourists have a chance to choose their favorites and gift them to friends and family.

Local Insight: The price for regular Vietnamese silk is at least VND 70,000/m and over VND100,000/m for premium kinds. Silk below that price is originating from China and of questionable quality.

The art of hand-embroidered pieces of clothing and framed silk pictures is an old handicraft tradition in Vietnam. You will mostly encounter picturesque natural scenes like flowers, trees, animals and birds, patiently stitched one colorful thread at a time. But also daily life scenes, even portraits can be created with this ancient technique. Tourists are frequently baffled by the vast variety of designs, offered in hand embroidery shops, the vibrant colors and the intriguing depth of the artwork.

In some shops, tourists can explain or sketch their individual idea to the artist, who creates a personalized present for friends and family.

If you visit Da Lat, there is a workshop & gallery for marvelous and artful hand embroidery images upstairs in the central market.

Local Insight: You can buy a small hand embroidered product for around VND 500,000. For bigger pictures, the price can be VND 2,000,000 and above.

Sand painting is the art of pouring colorful sand and powdered pigments on a sticky surface and fixating it later with spray, so it doesn’t come off again. However, there is a second art form called sand painting, which is practiced in Saigon: The artist pours the colorful sand between two glass panes or in a specially designed mug or vase. The layers of sand form an enthralling piece of art, that looks stunning on every shelf and makes an excellent souvenir. Vietnamese sand picture art comprise 4 categories: Landscape, portrait, labor scenes and the traditional art of calligraphy.

Local Insight: The price for artful sand pictures ranges from VND 300,000 to VND 700,000.

GUOC MOC

wooden clogs

Wooden clogs (guoc moc) were a sort of traditional footwear for men and women alike in the past. After the feudal period, they mostly remained in a trio of Non la, Ao dai and Guoc moc to increase the gracefulness of Vietnamese ladies when attending important festivals or any special events in town. Guoc moc are rarely used nowadays, but tourists can catch a glimpse of them at traditional activities like the Cai Luong and Ca Tru performance.

Local Insight: Being considered as quite old fashioned footwear, the real Vietnamese wooden clogs are hard to find. If you can find some around VND 150,000 then go for it.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

A handmade musical instrument can also make a nice keepsake. Bamboo flutes and mini t'rungs are very popular among visitors. Since the flute is just a small bamboo pipe and the t’rung can be easily disassembled for transport, they are convenient to carry home and don’t use up too much space in your already stuffed luggage.

The sweet tone of these instruments will thrill your ears and remind you of the most memorable moments from your trip to Vietnam.

If you are in Saigon, there is a nice old man, playing and selling simple flutes in Le Loi street at the sidewalk. If you are interested in hearing more traditional flute play, there is a student club of young flutists, who meet in the evening hours at 23/9 Park near Ben Thanh Market to play and practice. Nguyễn Thiện Thuật street in D1 is also known as “guitar street”. There are many shops and workshops for instruments, mainly guitars and their relatives - like the ukulele.

Local Insight: Prices for a t’rung range from VND 300,000 to VND 1,000,000. Simple bamboo flutes come at around VND 10,000.

You should expect to bargain for the items you want to take home as souvenirs. One “trick”, that can be applied in Ben Thanh Market is to browse the fixed-price shops outside and negotiate with the inside shops for the items you want to buy. We also have a blog post on bargaining at the market which shows you some tips to bargain and suggest some of the best places for shopping apart of the Top 10 Shopping Places in HCMC.

Vietnam safe country travel statistics must knows

Vietnam safe country travel statistics must knows
Yes. In General, Vietnam is a friendly and safe country to travel both alone and with your family and friends. By using common sense and awareness you will minimize your chances of encountering any troubles in your travels.

Crime Rate
Like many countries in South East Asia, Vietnam has a high crime rate. But, the majority of crime in Vietnam relates to petty theft such a bag and jewellery snatching, pick pocketing, theft of items such as cell phones, wallets and unattended motorbikes. Caution needs to be taken when visiting heavily populated tourist areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Hoi An or any crowded areas where thieves can easily snatch your belongings and run. Many unsuspecting tourists have lost their belongings to the swift actions of a thief and an accomplice on the back of a motorbike. These thefts usually take place whilst the victim is located roadside. PANDAW CRUISE

Comparative Crime Rates By Country:

The table above compares the rate of homicide in 6 different countries around the world. As documented, Vietnam has a relatively low homicide rate of just 1.6 per 100,000 of the population. This is comparable to developed countries such as Australia (1.0)  and France (1.1). According UNODC source the United States Of America Homicide Data recorded (4.7) Homicides per 100,000 in 2012. Alova Gold Cruise

Violent Crime

Vietnam safe country travel statistics must knows

Violent crime against tourists in Vietnam is quite rare and should only be considered as a moderate risk factor whilst traveling through most regions of Vietnam. But like anywhere in the world, we suggest that you should travel with caution. To minimise your probability of encountering troubles, we highly recommend you keep valuables such as jewellery, watches, cell phones, wallets, purse or money out of sight. Splendours of Vietnam and Cambodia (17 days,16 nights)

What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Crime In Vietnam?

Vietnam is now a very popular tourist destination with millions of new visitors every year. Overall you will find traveling in Vietnam safe and non threatening. If you do happen to be a victim of crime or theft, the best thing to do is contact your hotel/hostel manager who can put you in contact with the local Police or hospital if needed. We suggest you remain cautious and vigilant, but don’t let this stop you from enjoying the adventure and beauty Vietnam has to offer.

Saigon nightlife

Saigon is another name of Ho Chi Minh City, the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). Being the biggest city in the country, it also has the most diverse and very active night life. Even though most of the places are closing after midnight and most probably you will not find entertainment spots running 24/7, this city always has something to offer, and if you are searching for fun, you will definitely find it, regardless of day of a week. Ready for adventures? Here we go!

Southern Vietnam with extension to Cambodia 10 days

Bars

People in Saigon like to spend time in bars, and there is plenty of them in the city. Most of them are located in the city center, and here you can find everything – from beer houses to fancy cocktail bars. And if you love magnificent views, choose one of the rooftop bars and enjoy watching the sleepless city! SONG XANH CRUISE

Bia Sai Gon 73
If you come to Vietnam, you will, probably, learn very fast what is “bia hoi”. From Vietnamese, it means “fresh-brewed beer”, and it is extremely popular among locals. One of the most popular bars that serves bia hoi is Bia Sai Gon 73, located in the heart of backpacker area of Saigon. It has plastic chairs along the pavement, and is always crowded with both, travellers and locals. A jug of beer will cost here nearly $0,5, and you will definitely enjoy its easy and relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 73 Bui Vien St, District 1 , Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Alova Gold Cruise
Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 am

Chill Skybar
We are not sure if you will ever get a chance to see more spectacular view on the city than from Chill Skybar. Located on top of AB Tower, the bar offers a rich variety of drinks and a fine dining menu as well. Each evening, since 9:30 pm, it hosts live performances of DJs. Come here before the sun goes down, and enjoy all the colours of Saigon.
Address: AB Tower, 76 Lê Lai, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 5:30 pm – 2:30 am

Saigon nightlife

Q Bar 
This is one of Saigon's longest-running bars, that had been opened in 1992, and is always full of happy people. It is located in the historic Opera House building, and is considered to be a place of worship for locals and a “must” for expats and tourists. This is an excellent choice for chilling during the weekdays and for loud parties during the weekend!
Address: 7 Lam Son Square ,District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours: 11 am – 12 am

Clubs
During weekends young people in Saigon often choose to spend their nights out in clubs, enjoying loud music, dancing, drinking and simply having fun together. Curious about how do the dance floors look here? Follow our piece of advice!

Apocalypse Now
This is one of the first clubs opened in Saigon and is also one of the most popular in the city. It has two floors and an outdoor terrace. On the first floor the DJ usually plays quite mainstream music and global hits, while on the second floor you may crash the retro party with the music from 80s and 90s! The club is open till 4 am, so if you party till early morning, it should become your choice!
Address: 2C Thi Sách, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours: 8 pm – 4 am

Lush Nightclub
Lush Nightclub is a good alternative for those visitors who prefer contemporary design and great selection of music. This is definitely a club with a style. Sometimes it gets overcrowded, but this is just another proof that this is one of the best spots to visit in Saigon.
Address: Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 8 pm – 3 am

Gossip Club
The club is  located in the Dai Nam Hotel and is a popular place among local models and celebrities. Gossip club is a home to DJ Stanley, the former winner of the Heineken Thirst Competition, who regularly plays here. This is a fabulous way to experience local clubbing culture, excellent service and relaxing atmosphere.
Address: 79 Tran Hung Dao, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 11 am – 12 am

Music
Saigon can be easily called a heaven for music lovers, as there is a big number of places holding live performances in different styles and genres – from flamenco to hard rock. Just choose the one you want!

Sax N Art Jazz Club
Sax N' Art Jazz Club had been voted the best jazz club in Saigon and is highly popular among local people. The place is owned by a famous local saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan. It regularly hosts jam sessions and live concerts of famous Vietnamese musicians. Sometimes there is a fee nearly $5, which is added to your first drink.
Address: 28 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 7 pm – 12 am.

Acoustic Bar
The first thing we should tell you about Acoustic Bar is that performances here are not only acoustic. The second thing is that this is a home of rock music in Saigon. You can hear here songs of young and talented Vietnamese musicians, as well as renditions of legendary hits – from John Lennon to Rolling Stones.
Address: 6E1 Ð Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 6 pm – 12 am

Seventeen Saloon
This is a crazy two storey live music hall inspired by Wild West. Joyful rock’n’roll parties with featuring a live Filipino band of performances of Vietnamese musicians always last here till late night! You will definitely have a lot of fun here and make it a night to remember!
Address: 103A Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 7 pm – 2 am

Top 10 Saigon foods you should not miss

These are simple yet delicious dishes. Look yummy?
1. Broken rice

Cơm tấm, or broken rice, used to be called "poor people's rice” since it was made from grains that broke during harvest or cleaning and were sold cheap.
Over the years it has become a popular dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It is usually served with grilled pork ribs, bì (thinly shredded pork mixed with cooked and thinly shredded pork skin) or chả (a mix of steamed eggs, crab meat, ground pork meat, Jew's ear mushroom, and vermicelli) or both. SONG XANH CRUISE
It can be found almost everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces, from street stalls with plastic stools and tables to fancy air-conditioned restaurants.
2. Kuy teav

There are around 20 different versions of hủ tiếu (kuy teav) – a noodle soup consisting of rice noodles with pork stock and toppings – in HCMC.
The most famous ones are hủ tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh rice noodle soup), hủ tiếu sa tế (Chinatown satay noodle soup) and hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho (My Tho rice noodle soup).
There is also a dry version (without soup and with sauce) of kuy teav. Alova Gold Cruise
3. Bánh mì

Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) is so famous that it has entered the Oxford English Dictionary. It defines bánh mì as "a Vietnamese snack consisting of a baguette (traditionally baked with both rice and wheat flour) filled with a variety of ingredients, typically including meat, pickled vegetables, and chili peppers."
The best bánh mì should be grilled over coals, with the crispy shell filled with meat, crunchy pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, smeared with mayonnaise and pâté, and seasoned with a few drops of soy sauce and a spicy chili condiment. travel South Vietnam
Saigonese have many choices of filling for bánh mì -- like thịt nướng (grilled pork), xíu mại (Chinese meatballs known as shu mai in Chinese), and chả cá (deep-fried fish paste).
4. Fried rice flour cakes

Top 10 Saigon foods you should not miss

Bột chiên (fried rice flour cakes) is a dish that originated in China and has become a popular street snack in Saigon.
It is made from rice flour cakes chopped into chunky squares and fried in a large flat pan with whipped eggs and green onion.
It’s served crisp with a sweet rice vinegar and soy sauce concoction and some shredded pickled young papaya and carrot to cool down the dish.
5. Mixed rice paper

Bánh tráng trộn (mixed rice paper) is the favorite snack of teenagers in Saigon. It is like a salad made of shredded rice paper mixed with jerky, dried shrimps, roasted peanuts, boiled quail eggs, shredded mangoes, fried onions, and herbs.
It is seasoned with chili sauce, salt, cashew oil, and onion oil until it is sour, spicy, salty, and sweet at the same time.
The dish can be found anywhere in Saigon but the most famous street for bánh tráng trộn is Nguyen Thuong Hien in District 3.
6. Papaya salad

Gỏi đu đủ (papaya salad) is made of shredded papaya, rice crackers, sliced jerky, roasted peanuts, and herbs seasoned with chili sauce.
It is usually sold on carts pulled by street vendors. The most famous spot to buy this dish is in front of Le Van Tam Park on Hai Ba Trung Street.
7. Pork and shrimp rolls

Gỏi cuốn (pork and shrimp rolls) is one of the healthiest snacks in Saigon. It is made of tightly wrapped rice paper bundles filled with sliced pork, shrimp, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and vegetables. A Hoisin sauce topped with crushed peanuts and chili is often served on the side for dipping.
8. Phá lấu

Phá lấu is pig/cow intestines boiled down to a soft texture in a salty broth. It can be served with bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) or noodles.
9. Sweet soup

Chè (sweet soup) is the perfect dessert in always-hot Saigon. There are a myriad of sweet soups differentiated by origin, taste or ingredients.
10. Snails

If one comes to Saigon for the first time, chances are they will be invited first to a coffee shop and then to an ốc (snail) eatery.
Saigon is famous for many kinds of snails and diverse styles of cooking.

How to Spend a Weekend in Hanoi, Vietnam

Iconic image of Vietnam, with tea-pickers dressed in local conical hats

There are so many things to see in Hanoi and the real question is not ‘How to spend a weekend in Hanoi” but how much can be possibly be fitted into one weekend?

A good place to begin is the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex. This attraction was developed around a old French palace. The first unique feature is having to enter the museum passing through a rigorous security system. Guards ensure visitors do not stray from the accepted area during tours that can require several hours if all areas are visited. The first area, devoted to Ho Chi Minh photos and biographical information has explanatory data in English, French and Vietnamese. Classic North Package 7 days

The next area contains the body of Ho Chi Minh. Upon entering here, visitors are given a list of rules that must be strictly observed including no photography allowed. Visitors are required to leave such equipment at a check-point. Guards have authority to issue warnings and/or escort offenders out of the mausoleum. Guests are encouraged not to miss a massive statue of Ho Chi Minh located on the fourth floor. Huong Hai Sealife

Continuing around the complex, visitors pass the palace, not open to the public, but are allowed to enter and photograph Ho Bungalow which is a wooden structure on a stilt base. One highlight of this area is viewing the presidential vehicle collection.

How to Spend a Weekend in Hanoi, Vietnam

A very popular site within the complex is One Pillar Pagoda. This Gothic-style edifice was erected in 1049, only to be almost totally destroyed when set on fire by the French in 1884. Restored around 1955, the pagoda was originally created by Emperor Ly Thai To to honour the mercy goddess, Quan An. The base of One Pillar Pagoda is situated in a lotus pond. JAHAN CRUISE

One must-see during a weekend in Hanoi is St. Joseph’s Cathedral erected in 1887. The church was closed for 10 years (1975-1985) during the North/South Vietnamese reunification period. This massive structure, flanked by two towers, dominates the entire city. Whether entering the cathedral or electing to walk around it, visitors are treated to breathtaking stained-glass windows and beautiful paintings of Christ on the outer walls. At Christmas, the courtyard becomes a festival site complete with vendors selling refreshments including a confection resembling cotton candy.

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Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) is definitely a not-to-be-missed site. According to legend, Emperor Le Loi encountered a giant tortoise while boating on the lake. The tortoise gave him a gigantic sword and a set of directions he was to follow regarding this sword. After defeating his enemies and returning the sword to the tortoise, the emperor erected a pagoda out in the lake to honour the tortoise. While no visits are allowed at this particular pagoda, a similar site, Ngoc San Pagoda, is open to the public. This pagoda whose name means ‘Bridge of the Rising Sun’ is entered by crossing a red wooden swinging bridge. Ngoc San Pagoda honours various Vietnamese forefathers.

One place of special significance to Americans is Hoa Lo Prison, more familiarly-known as the Hanoi Hilton, dating back to 1896. Among many military personnel incarcerated at this facility was current Arizona Senator John McCain. Exhibits in the prison include McCain’s flight suit and photos depicting his capture. One eerie, up-close-and-personal experience is afforded by seeing the guillotine where many prisoners met their death.

History and military buffs must also see Viet Nam Women’s Museum housing exhibits including feminine accounts of life in a tunnel located under the DMZ. Also on display are implements and outfits worn by women soldiers fighting alongside North Vietnamese male soldiers.

Top 5 things to do in Halong bay

Parasailing in Halong Bay
Parasailing is an adventurous activity that recently has provided on Tuan Chau Island, Halong Bay as well as many beaches of Vietnam(like Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau). With parasailing, tourists will have chance to enjoy beautiful seascape and especially experience an excited feeling in the middle of open airspace. It’s really worthy to try once in your life. The time for parasailing is upon your request. Travel Halong bay

Halong Bay Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is most favored by tourists who like energetic activities. Seaside lime-stone mountains are interesting challenges for tourists to reach the top. All professional climbers coming to Halong agree that Halong Bay is the paradise of adventurous mountain climbing as it has thousands of islands with high lime-stone mountains. This activity is usually combined with kayaking to explore natural environment of Halong Bay. AMALOTUS CRUISE

Top 5 things to do in Halong bay

Halong Bay Scuba Diving
For tourists who love discovery, scuba-diving will be a favorite activity on Halong Bay. By scuba-diving, tourists will have chance to see the wonderful underwater world of Halong by their all eyes. It must be an amazing experience when you can explore various kinds of fish as well as pristine coral reefs at the bottom of Halong Bay; and even touch them. All facilities are regularly checked and match safety standard. Therefore, it’s unnecessary to worry about your safety. Ninh Binh – Halong 3 days

Halong Bay Squid Fishing
Squid fishing on Halong Bay at night is an interesting activity at which tourists can experience the feeling of being a fisherman. Tourists will have the instruction from local fishermen about how to fish a squid in the sea. The squids caught will be used to make dishes for tourists. This is also an ideal time to gaze Halong Bay by night. The sea water surface is sparkling with reflected light from cruises anchored on the bay.

Halong Bay Squid Fishing

Swimming in Halong Bay

Swimming in Halong Bay

Halong, the World Natural Heritage Site, was blessed with calm and clear sea water. Therefore, there is no better way to experience wild nature of Halong Bay than swimming. Dipping in cool jade-green water of Halong Bay, tourists will feel free and relaxing. This is also a good chance to enjoy the charming beauty of beaches on Halong Bay. Some suggested beaches for swimming are Ti Top Beach, Tuan Chau Beach, Bai Chay Beach, Quan Lan Beach, and Ngoc Vung Beach.