Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Vietnam Travel Information You Can Use To Make It Simple

When traveling to a foreign country, it is a great idea to befriend some locals. Locals can give you unique and inside perspectives on the culture, and take you to places that are off the beaten path. This article will give you some tips about how to make friends with the locals next time you travel.

If you need to stop to take a break during a road trip, make sure that the area is well lit, and well populated or staffed. If you stop at a remote location where there are questionable people loitering, you could put your personal safety in danger, and risk having your car stolen.

Many of us read the book "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon. It gave a fascinating look at the back roads of America, and is worth remembering when you are planning a trip abroad. Finding those charming out-of-the-way places can give you rich experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. (But be sure to keep safety in mind, also.)


Look for coupons online for things you may want to do during your trip. You can get restaurant coupons for free meals when you purchase one meal or discounts on attractions, etc. This proves very helpful when traveling with your whole family and vacations can be very expensive to plan.

Always pack empty plastic bags in various sizes when you travel. They will come in handy for all sorts of situations, including wet swimming suits when checking out of your hotel, protection against leaking bottles of lotions or shampoos, and transporting hand-washed articles of clothing that have not quite dried before departure time.

Travel is not always expensive especially if you know how to do it right. By purchasing bread and cold cuts at a supermarket you can make yourself sandwiches for during the days lunch. Also there are many very nice hostels which have prices that are much better than any hotel you can find.

Before you leave, compile a playlist of all your favorite songs on a portable music-player such as an iPod. Listening to your favorite songs while you are traveling will make your journey less boring. Make sure you take some noise cancelling headphones with you if you are traveling on noisy public transport.

When traveling to a foreign country, try using public transportation. Many countries have exceptional railway and subway systems, better than anything in the U.S.A. Public transportation is usually inexpensive and you will never have to worry about getting lost on a lonely road. Just be cautious of pick pockets when you board the bus or train.

If you want to optimize the quality of the food that you eat on the plane, bring hot sauce with you. Most of the meals are not going to have a lot of spice and may be dry, as this additive will help to inject flavor into your meal.

As was stated at the beginning of this article, befriending locals is a great idea when visiting a foreign country. Locals can take you places that you would not otherwise see just sticking to tours. Apply the advice from this article next time you travel, and you will be sure to appreciate a unique and different adventure from your regular travel plans.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6739410

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Traveling in Vietnam is a Well-Rounded Experience

One of the most overlooked vacation destinations is Vietnam. Vietnam has a rich history and interesting culture that is well worth experiencing. Traveling in Vietnam can include a variety of tours of places like the Citadel, Hoi Ann and the Royal Tombs of Hue. There are also plenty of 5 star lodgings, restaurants and resorts located in Vietnam where you can enjoy not only the local culture, but also the amenities of home. What many people do not know is that Vietnam is a beautiful country with landscapes and vivid colors of nature not seen in other parts of the world which makes it a fantastic vacation destination.


Contrary to popular belief, Traveling in Vietnam is a pleasing experience where tourists are welcomed with open arms by the native Vietnamese people. They are fiercely optimistic and enjoy their independence through a thriving capitalist nation. Many business people in Vietnam are willing to bargain with you, so when you find souvenirs you like, make them an offer and see how much you can save on the regular price. They will wheel and deal with you in a well-mannered way that should leave you happy with your treasure.

Traveling in Vietnam is more than just a visit to a land rich with history. It is a land of holistic healing and being one with nature. One of the best ways to experience Vietnam is to enjoy the relaxation of their holistic health spas and resorts. Tao Garden is the most well renowned natural spas in Asia and its popularity is growing fast to other continents. It is located at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains and is an oasis of healing the body, mind and spirit in ways only nature can provide. You can enjoy swimming, exercise and natural foods during your journey to better health and well-being. There are many spas and resorts in Vietnam to help you experience only the best in feeling well.

If you want to see historical sites while Traveling in Vietnam, you can have that experience as well. You can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or go to the Old Quarter and have a Vietnamese beer. There is no end to what you can do in Vietnam. What you do is up to you. The sky is the limit when you are visiting Vietnam, so you can choose to visit the amazing spas and resorts, stay in a 5 star hotel, and eat amazing food. Go on treks into beautiful wooded areas and even enjoy the coastal beaches and bask in the sun. Vietnam makes a well-rounded vacation spot.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4183112

Friday, August 24, 2012

How to Plan Your Next Vietnam Travel Tour

Traveling to Vietnam
Vietnam holds a special place in my heart, every time I visit, I thoroughly enjoy the culture and people that make Vietnam what it is. Traveling to Northern Vietnam and exploring the countryside while staying with locals in their homes is a particular favorite of mine. If you haven't tried a homestay before, I would recommend finding a good Vietnam tour company to assist you. These companies work with the local villages and help bring them tourists which help improve the locals standard of living and provide an income source for their families. When you're looking for a Vietnam Tour company, be sure to see how they help the communities you travel to. Finding a tour company that gives back to their communities is very important. Some of the larger tour companies send bus loads of people to the main attractions and shuttle them out before they can really get to know the people. Traveling in Vietnam with a tour company that will provide small custom tours, is a much more personal experience and usually with a little research, these companies give a lot back to the communities they help serve.


The average income in Vietnam is under $300 per month and lots of families rely on income from tourists to help them get ahead in life and put their children through school. To me, there is nothing better then being able to help a family on your trip as they go out of their way to show you a good time and let you have a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle. So on your next trip to Vietnam, consider planning a homestay.
Now I understand most travelers, don't want a homestay for their entire vacation, there are many incredible hotels and resorts to stay at and place to experience. Here are some of my top favorites.

1. Ha Long Bay Cruise
Taking a cruise on Ha Long Bay is a must do activity if you are traveling to Vietnam, This UNESCO World Heritage site is an incredible place to see and experience. Taking a 2 - 3 day cruise on Ha Long Bay is a great way to get to see all that it has to offer.

2. Hanoi City Tour
Visiting Hanoi is an excellent way to experience the busy city life of Northern Vietnam. There are many wonderful attractions and places to visit and shopping in Hanoi's old quarter is a very unique experience, you just have to try. There are also dozens of incredible restaurants in Hanoi, some tucked back in alleys and very hard to find. Don't be afraid to try new things, but keep in mind that our western lifestyles aren't used to the drinking water, so try to drink bottled water unless you like living on the edge.

3. Hue, Vietnam
Hue, Vietnam is a special city with a lot of history in central Vietnam, there are lots of wonderful cultural events in this area and lots of great history. Visiting the Hue Citadel is a must do activity if you're in Hue, also having lunch at a monastery is a great way to experience the culture and enjoy a unique tasty meal.

4. Hoi An, Vietnam
This special beach city is a great way to enjoy the beaches of Central Vietnam and pamper yourself. Some of the finest resorts in the world are located in Hoi An, including the Nam Hai an incredible 6 star hotel which provides a luxurious experience you'll be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world. The beaches are great and it's a nice way to relax from your trip and spend a few days exploring the town and some of the local attractions.

5. Saigon, Vietnam
If you're in Southern Vietnam, you'll have to visit Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, many people still refer to this city as Saigon. This city has been more westernized then others in Vietnam, but you can still experience a lot of very unique culture and there are hundreds of incredible attractions to visit while staying here. There are some beautiful hotels that are very affordable to stay at. Usually Saigon is a great starting and ending point for a Southern Vietnam tour. There are lots of incredible small towns around Saigon that have the small personal experience many are looking for, but you can still enjoy big city resorts and amazing dining options if you aren't up to spending all your time in smaller villages.

Well, there are a lot more incredible places to see when you travel to Vietnam, but there are some of the top 5. To learn more about Vietnam Travel and all that there is to see and do in this wonderful country, check out our website at http://www.evietnamtravel.com. We provide tips and tricks when traveling to Vietnam as well as destination reviews and tour companies to consider when visiting Vietnam. I hope this article was helpful to you and that you can enjoy your next trip to Vietnam.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6781137

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Advantages of Self-Guided Vietnam Travel

The amazing friendliness of the Vietnamese, an amazing collection of unique cultures, awesome scenery throughout the nation and gorgeous calm beaches are the things travelers dream about. There are only a handful of countries that offer all of these and you can include Vietnam among these. Anyone can join an organized tour group through a travel agency. Why don't you do some research on your own, save some money and enjoy a personally planned experience of a life time - plan your own Vietnam travel.

A country with over 50 sub-cultures, awesome landscapes with sandy beaches, tropical weather and friendly hosts aren't found everywhere. Sure, you can enjoy these travel attractions by joining an organized tour or even hiring a private guide to escort you around the country, but both of these options create a barrier between you and the friendly locals.


Vietnam has over 86 million people and is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The two main concerns of travelers - heat and monsoon rains have been addressed in recent years. Modern accommodations and transportation with air conditioning are prevalent and many Vietnam travelers have decided to brave the inclement weather of the monsoons to enjoy some of the benefits the rains - mainly better "beach" weather when the rains of the day have passed.

A large variety of Vietnam hotels has emerged in the past few years - small family run "mini-hotels" to 5-star luxury resorts - make comfortable accommodations available to every travel budget. The "Backpacker Telegraph" provides access to bargain hotels by way of the internet and word-of-mouth. Spend a little time "surfing the web" and you'll find a wide range of places to spend a night or two to fit any budget.

Transportation "to and through" Vietnam can be financially managed by conducting a bit of research on the web. The large international carriers often offer great fares to various hubs in Asia. And the recent emergence of Asia's regional bargain carriers will provide that last "hop" into Vietnam if you can't manage to land in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi. Danang is now an arrival point for regional carriers from Thailand and other nearby countries.

In-country transportation can be arranged for a reasonable price by utilizing the "open tour" private tour bus industry, and if you're really adventurous you can try Vietnam's public bus system. Vietnam's railroads provide excellent transportation from one end of the country to the other. Both the private tour bus companies and the railroad provide a number of choices in the area of comfort. "Hard" and "soft" are the adjectives used to describe the levels of service available on the train. You might even chance a local trip on motorcycle or enjoy a trip around town on a cyclo.

If you're wondering what you do when you get to Vietnam, take a look at any Vietnam travel guide. There are "adventures" to meet the requirements of any traveler's abilities and desires. Providers of local tour services can be found "online", in travel guides, or "on the street" when you arrive in town. Waiting to arrange your tour until you're "on-site" will allow you to make last minute changes to your plans, stay a few extra days at someplace that catches your fancy or spend your money on something else. If you're on an organized tour you may end spending most of your time sitting near someone who's a pain.

Planning your own self-guided tour of Vietnam will not only benefit you financially, but also culturally. You'll not only save money, but you'll make some new Vietnamese friends along the way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3836756

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Vietnam Travel - Your Perfect Choice Now

Travel to Vietnam for a spectacular adventure at any time of the year, or on any budget. Vietnam is full of attractions, from hiking in the north, to shopping in the heart of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. History buffs will be pleased with the numerous historical museums, ancient pagodas, and places of interest from the Vietnam War. Food lovers will find the exotic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine unforgettable. Vietnam travel can be inexpensive for backpackers wanting a long holiday, while those with a midsized budget can find comfortable accommodations and tour packages.

Vietnam travel has become increasingly easy for the traveler in recent years. Booking a plane, train, or bus ticket to get around the country is relatively cheap and simple. Both plane and train tickets can be purchased in advance on the internet. Vietnam offers "open tickets" for the intercity bus system which can be used at anytime between selected dates. Boats can also be cheaply rented for transport in the Mekong Delta and other bay cities.



Northern Vietnam travel destinations include the capital, Hanoi, and the UNESCO World Heritage site at Ha Long Bay. Hanoi offers a wide variety of military and history museums, and Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is an important landmark. The spectacular, scenic cliffs of Ha Long Bay are an iconic scene from Vietnam that can be reached by taking a bus or plane from Hanoi.

Hue is Central Vietnam's most famous sightseeing destination. Situated on the banks of the 'perfume river,' Hue stands as a pivotal historic city just south of the DMZ. Like Ha Long Bay, Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is populated with tombs, pagodas, and palaces.

Southern Vietnam often takes up the bulk of the Vietnam traveller's holiday. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is a rapidly developing metropolitan area that offers phenomenal shopping and nightlife. Much like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is teeming with historical, cultural, and art museums. From here, tours can be booked to the Mekong Delta, or the beaches of the East coast. The Mekong Delta region has white sandy beaches ideal for relaxing, swimming, or fishing. Adventurous tourists can rent a boat to experience the floating market.

Bicycles can be rented in Ho Chi Minh City to be ridden to the east coast beach cities of Nha Trang and Mui Ne. Mui Ne is recommended for its scenic sand dunes, and Nha Trang is considered to have the finest beach in Vietnam.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5453187
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