Must see: Cham Pa Museum in Danang

After decades, the past influence of the Cham Pa dynasty on vietnam central regions is still prominent.

Location & History

It was started in 1915 under the support of the French’s Oriental Research Institution in Vietnam.In 1936, the museum was expanded before being officially opened to the public in 1939. Situated at the intersection of Trung Nu Vuong Street and Bach Dang Street in Da Nang, the heart of the ancient Cham Pa Kingdom, the museum houses the last collection of Cham Pa arts in the world. 

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Top 10 best place to visit in Vietnam

Most travellers to vietnam are attracted by the country’s wonderful natural beauty: From the green rice fields in the north to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta in the south. Vietnam however is also a country with a long history and ancient traditions. It has many historic attractions and old temples.

Following is an overview of the most amazing tourist attractions in Vietnam by touropia.com, a travel list website that features the most amazing sights around the world divided into various “best of” lists.

1. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is situated in north Vietnam round a 120km-long coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Halong Bay features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, others islands include lakes and some support floating villages of fishermen.

2. Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue)

With seven stories, the Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. The temple was built in 1601 during the rule of the Nguyễn Lords. The initial temple was very simply constructed, but over time it was redeveloped and expanded with more intricate features.

3. Hoan Kiem Lake (hanoi vietnam)

Located in the historical heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as the locals’ favourite leisure spot. Hoan Kiem means “returned sword”, and the name comes from a legend in which King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese. Later he returned the sword to the Golden Turtle God in the lake.

4. Hoi An

This fishing-village-turned tourist attraction is situated on the coast of the East Sea. Hoi An has been an international port from the 16th century although the serious shipping business has long since moved to the city of Da Nang. The heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shops. It is sometimes called the “Venice of Vietnam” because of the narrow canals that cut through part of the town.

5. Phu Quoc Island

Located in front of the Cambodia coast, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is what Phuket would be if it hadn’t been overrun by development. The island features pristine tropical forests, undamaged coral reefs and great beaches. One of its beaches, named Bai Dai (Long Beach), was chosen by the ABC News as one of five beautiful and clean beaches. Phu Quoc is famous for producing the best nuoc mam or fermented fish sauce in the world.

6. Sapa Terraces

Sapa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. Rice terraces can be found in the Muong Hoa valley between Sa Pa town and the Fansipan Mountain, on a backdrop of thick bamboo woodlands. Local mountain people, the Hmong, Giay, Dao, Tay, and Giay, grow rice on these paddy terraces, along with vegetables.

7. Mui Ne

The formerly little-inhabited beach south of the fishing village of Mui Ne has seen some serious development in the last 15 years. Due to strong sea breezes it is a popular destination in Vietnam for kite and windsurfing. No trip to Mui Ne is complete without a trip to the famous sand dunes located a short distance north of the town. The vast sandy expanse provide some great panoramic views especially during sunset.

8. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the river approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output. Subsequently, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, and all the villages are often accessible by river rather than by road.

9. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located about 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City centre. The tunnels, measuring 200km in total length, were used by liberation soldiers as hiding spots during the Vietnam War, and were the base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. The tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system.

10. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town located along the second most beautiful bays in the country. It features beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures. The city has about 300,000 inhabitants and is more lively and urban in character than other beach destinations like Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. It’s also a major scuba diving centre of Vietnam.

Read more: Great savings on hotels in da lat vietnam online. Good availability and great rates. Read hotel reviews and choose the best hotel deal for your stay.

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But cave in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Ninh Binh is emerging as one of the most exciting destinations during your Vietnamtour. It is endowed with wonderful landscapes such as Tam Co, Trang An, Van Trinh cave,…But cave ( Buddha Cave) has recently discovered and considered as one of the most beautiful caves in vietnam. 

But cave

>>> Explore vietnam places to visit  with Rough Guides: find out when to go, view itineraries and read about lakes, bays, street food and water puppets.

Located in the heart of Tuong Mountain, about 18km from Ninh Binh city, But cave is in Dong Lam hamlet, Son Ha commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province. But cave owns the length of 500 meters, with its numerous alluring stalactites hanging down with their diversified shapes. There is a stalactite with the height of 1.5m and the width of 2m looked like a Buddha appearing in fanciful scenery. Visiting But cave, tourists have opportunities to admire wild nature, mysterious jungle and listen the whistling wind.

After coming to the entrance of the cave, tourists may feel like they had just disappeared from the real world to get lost in such a hidden fairy site due to sparking stalactites with different shapes. The deeper you go inside, the more fanciful scenery is, which stimulate tourists to be curious about mystery of the cave. Don’t forget to take some photos to mark this memorable experience.

Besides, But cave gives tourists a chance to immerge in daily activities of villagers. You can drive bicycle through the bamboo lined path and learn about traditional culture of the wet rice cultivation. Or even, you can try being a shepherd tending buffalo, fishing, catching crabs, pounding rice or enjoying rustic foods cooked by yourself such as grilled anabas, crab soup,…

See more: Great savings on hotels in da lat vietnam online. Good availability and great rates. Read hotel reviews and choose the best hotel deal for your stay.

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Travel Tips: How to Spend One Day in Hanoi, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Hanoi

A comprehensive list of what to do in hanoi, Vietnam. Includes all the major sights and activities in and around Hanoi. One day in Hanoi isn’t nearly enough, but with nearby attractions like the Perfume Pagoda, the Red River Delta and the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay to explore, and many visitors heading south to Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant capital is often relegated to a day tour. Teeming with historic sites, colonial architecture and glitzy shopping malls, the capital can be overwhelming for first time visitors and while it’s cheap and easy to get around on your own, booking a sightseeing tour of Hanoi will save time and take the hassle out of your trip.

Make an early start and head straight for Hanoi’s top attractions, like the Temple of Literature, a magnificent complex built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong on the site of Vietnam’s first university and renowned as a prime example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. From here, walk north past the Museum of Fine Arts, temple of literature, Ngoc Ha village and the One-Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot) to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can view the body of the much-revered former president at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Also on site is his former stilt house, the grand Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, where you can learn about his role as a revolutionary leader.

Just north of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Hanoi’s West Lake offers an idyllic backdrop for lunch and the most atmospheric place to eat is at one of the floating restaurants. Pay a visit to the lakeside Quan Thanh Temple, the city’s oldest temple, and the Tran Quoc Pagoda before spending the afternoon exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A traditional Cyclo tour is a fun way to get around the Old Quarter, but it’s also possible to take in the highlights on foot, strolling along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, visiting Ngoc Son Temple or browsing the exhibitions at the fascinating Museum of History.

As the sun begins to set, make a beeline for the famous Dong Xuan Market, which comes alive in the evening hours. As well as shopping for clothing, handicrafts and unique souvenirs, this is one of the best places in the city to sample Vietnam’s legendary street food, so be sure to visit with an empty stomach. Finish off your day with another quintessential Hanoi experience – watching a water puppet show at the historic Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre or Bong Sen Theatre.

See more:  How to spend one day in sapa, vietnam

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Cheap boutique hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam voted by Theguardian.com

Busy street and traffic chaos are one of attractions of Hanoi tourism, but this is a suitable condition to choose reasonable price.

1. Guest House Y Lan

Address: 29 Hai Ba Trung street, Trang Tien ward, Hoan Kiem district, hanoi vietnam

It can be said that guest house Y Lan is one of realest guest houses in Vietnam. Mrs Oanh, owner of the guest house is able to speak French and a little English, will supply breakfast on marble countertops.

Room price is from USD 30 onwards

2. Hotel Maison D’ Orient

Address: 26 Ngo Huyen, Hang Trong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, vietnam

The hotel is located in the Old Quarter with handcrafted interior with a very nice style. It includes 12 rooms and named after spices (ginger, cinnamon, anise), interior made of bamboo, etc.

Room price is from USD 25 onwards

3. Hotel Maison d’ Hanoi Hanova

Address: 35-37 Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

It is a combination of luxury Indochine style and modern space. Maison d’ Hanoi Hanova is a perfect place for shopping lovers.

4. Homestay Maison Hai Ly

Address: number 8, 437 Ngoc Thuy street, Long Bien district, Hanoi, Vietnam

It is about 15 minutes from the Old Quarter; Homestay Maison Hai Ly is designed with ceramic tiles. With the combination of an open living room and kitchen facing private garden, the winter will be very cozy with wood burning fireplace. The summer will pick up natural light from the garden surrounded with walls. Breakfast is provided with herbs and seasonal vegetables from a nearby garden, very Vietnam meals.

The price costs USD 90 per night for two persons (added USD 15/person for one more person), breakfast included.

See more: Top vietnam things to do, plus suggested routes. Travel tips and advice for backpackers and independent travelers.

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Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi

Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, Hanoi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago. The temple of literature is often cited as one of Hanoi's most picturesque tourist attractions. 

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The beautiful banks of the Red River in autumn

you can check out this link to see more useful info about things to do in hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi’s autumn is not only special for its com or its fragrance of milk flowers but also for its white color of saccharum arundinaceum flowers (cỏ lau) on Banks of the Red River in late autumn. Co lau paint a white color on bank of the Red River, creating a poetic landscape.

Banks of the Red River is located underneath Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi, viet nam. It’s fertile alluvial soil emerging in the middle of the Red River. The landscape appears completely different from vivid landscapes of Hanoi when you look down from Long Bien Bridge.

Bank of the Red River is blessed with long sands, fields of white saccharum arundinaceum flowers waving with the wind, and green banana bushes.

This is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of co lau in autumn. Coming to this place this time, you will be amazed at the beauty of co lau since it stretches all through banks of the Red River.

What to remember?

You should discover this place by mountain bike since there are some roads that are hard for you to travel by motorbike.

You can hire a mountain bike which costs about $4/day at 13 Hang Dieu then ride to Long Bien Bridge and follow the iron ladder in the middle of the Bridge to head to Bank of the Red River.

Perfect time to enjoy this place is from 08:00 am to 3:00 pm.

You should remember not to ride near the edge of the river when passing through maize fields since there may be landslides.

You should wear a pair of trousers and shoes to prevent from many kinds of hemps and sharp stuffs.

See more: vietnam places to visit, you have a trip

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Da Nang Travel Guide

Though it does not boast French colonial building like Hanoi or pride in the busy nightlife like Ho Chi Minh City, vietnam danang has its own charm.

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Dalat Railway Station

Coming to vietnam da lat tourists will not only be surprised by the beautiful landscape, comfortable weather but also by the imprint of French architectures on this land. One of the most unique French monuments to recommend is Dalat Railway Station.

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Place to visit in Langbiang Mountain - Dalat

In vietnam da lat is a popular tourist destination. Da Lat's specific sights are pine wood (forming the name: "City of thousands of pine trees") with twisting roads.Lang Biang Mountains is located on Lang Biang Plateau, Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province. It’s only about 12km from Dalat centre and sometimes called Lam Vien Mountain as well.

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Enjoy bun cha Hanoi's old quarter

things to do in hanoi. You can eat hanoi's old quarter food street. Enjoy bun cha hanoi is one of the best ways to experience the authentic Vietnam in your trips to Vietnam, especially the Vietnamese street foods.

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Vinpearl land in Nha Trang

Located on one of the world’s most famous bays, Vinpearl Nha Trang Resort & Spa – an international five star hotel in the Vinpearl Nha Trang of hotel, tourism, resort and entertainment is considered to be “a twinkling pearl glued on the crown of the Sea queen”.

>>> Things to do in vietnam danang

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The romantic early winter beauty of flower petals in Ba Vi

With mountainous terrain, cool climate and rich vegetation. Coming Ba Vi in early winter, visitors will be admired a lot of beautiful flowers which make a blaze of colors. You will never be stuck for some things to do in hanoi, where ancient and proudly preserved Vietnamese culture is felt most keenly by visitors, and progress

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Water puppetry (Vietnamese: Múa rối nước, lit. "puppets that dance on water") is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century CE when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern viet nam. Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.

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Con Dao Archipelago history

Con Dao is the biggest archipelago in Ba Ria- Vung Tau province, and is also the most famous one in term of tourism. This archipelago contains 16 islands with the total size of 76 square kilometers, and the largest among them is Con Lon Island.

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Vietnam events: Elephant Racing Festival

To those who live in Tay Nguyen, Vietnam, elephant is their precious animal. In local people’s daily life, this wild animal has become a close friend with humans as they help people in working, transporting, and traveling.

>>> Hanoi’s old quarters: 36 street

If you wanna travel to Vetnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic to see things to do in vietnam. It’s really useful.

To those who live in Tay Nguyen, Vietnam, elephant is their precious animal. In local people’s daily life, this wild animal has become a close friend with humans as they help people in working, transporting, and traveling.

Elephants are most known for its loyalty as during the time under the government of Chinese dynasties, they were continuously fighting for the country by fronting battles with generals and armies. They take a certain role in Vietnam’s folklore, and hence become familiar to lots of people. To express the bond between human beings and this friendly creature, Elephant Racing Festival, one of the biggest festivals in Tay Nguyen,vietnam danang is held annually in the third lunar month.

As preparation for the festival, villagers feed their elephants with a wide range of food apart from grass, including corns, sugar canes, sweet potatoes, papayas, and bananas. Also, in order to preserve their strength, the elephants take a rest without hard work.

Attending the event, flocks of festival-goers from near and far are in their most beautiful and colorful holiday clothes. On this day, elephants from several villages gather at Don Village (Ban Don). Each time, ten elephants will run at the same time for about one or two kilometers; hence, the track’s ground should be even and broad enough. The competition is guided by the sound of tu va, a kind of horn. The first elephant which reaches the appointed destination will receive a laurel wreath as a sign of victory, and it will enjoy the achievement excitedly with sugar canes and bananas from surrounding people.

After finishing the race at Don Village, the elephants move to Serepok River for another competition—swimming. They also participate in games like football and tug of war. At the end of the festive day, all festival goers mass at Ban Don’s community house for feasting, drinking stem wine, and dancing in a jubilant atmosphere with the boisterous sound of gongs and drums.

Time: 3rd lunar month

Purpose: express the close bond between humans and elephants

Activities: elephants participating in race, swimming competition, and other games

See more: See more: vietnam places to visit

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Viet Nam Handicrafts

vietnam places to visit is a country rich in handicraft products, thanks to the hard-working, dexterous, and creative qualities of the Vietnamese people.

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Perfume River mussel cooked rice

“Com hen Song Huong” is a dish served at room temperature, made with mussels and leftover rice. It is a complicated recipe that includes sweet, buttery, salty, sour, bitter and spicy flavors.

>>>  Things to do sa pa, Lao Cai

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Busy in the day, more of a pleasure to wonder at night

Narrow bustling streets with vietnemese going about there business and the smell of food are the mood of these strees at night.

>>> The beauty of Ham Rong Mountain in sa pa, Lao Cai

Small art shops in and around bars, cafe’s & restaurants, intermingled with imitation North Face clothing shops make for an interesting place as you head down to sword lake.

The food everywhere we ate was fresher than ever & the choice of upmarket or ramblers bars gave a wide spread on the types of places people like to drink. You can buy cheap original artwork aswell of copies of the masters which only a proffessional could spot. In the day its another matter all together, its absolute chaos there must be 2 mopeds for every person living there and dont be surprised if you see someone actually in a shop shopping on there moped. Its like a tsunami wave after wave of mopeds through the streets.

Even the night market people drive round the stalls on ther bikes. But for all the chaos its like Tokyo, naturally organised somehow. In all our time in viet nam we didnt see an accident and we even joined in hireing mopeds everyday and joining the masses in transit which was exilirating. Whether there are traffic lights or zebra crossings it doesnt matter the traffic wont stop for you. You just need to walk, dont think just walk. Forget everything you were taught about crossing the road. You have to put your faith in others, literally close your eyes and use the force, you will be surprised but your confidence in not being hit will grow till you dont even stop before crossing, you just walk.

An area not far from hanoi center is about to be re-developed by the Koreans in a 6.5 Billion investment by the Vietnemes Government to bring the city forward into the 21st Century. The beauty of this place is it seems stalled in the 1960s which I fear will be lost in the near future. So if you have been putting of a trip hear for any reason, dont wait any longer. Vietnemese Airways Have recently started direct flights from Manchester to Hanoi.

One night around eleven while walking these streets, we passed a house with its front doors wide open. By chance Everton who are my football team were on the telly in the front room. The owner a 50+ year old lady noticed we paused in suprise and although she spoke no english undertood this team belonged to us and even though we are two 40 year old men had no problem letting us watch the first half while she done the ironing. I loved it its great…..

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About the Hoan Kiem Lake

If you are about to visit hanoi for a few days, it is very likely that you will reside somewhere near Hoan Kiem Lake.

If you are about to visit Hanoi for a few days, it is very likely that you will reside somewhere near Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is considered the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically. In fact, the more you spend time learning about the lake, the more special it becomes.

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