Vietnam Travel Tour: Planning a Peaceful Invasion

Perhaps for most of us, Vietnam is more likely to be associated with epic war films due to its historical background. But there's more to it than being a mere battleground in movies. Its rich culture intermingled with breath taking highlands and terraces, pristine beaches and diverse island landscapes make it an ideal option for the next big adventure trip. Thus from north to south, here's a 'debriefing' travel guide for you to conquer Vietnam's top tourist attractions.

Infiltration and Timing
There are two approaches in 'invading' Vietnam, landing by plane in Hanoi and going south, or through Saigon heading north. Moving in and around the country can be through buses, trains or domestic flights. The optimal season to visit northern Vietnam is from May until October during summertime as winter times are cold and gloomy. Meanwhile, December to April is the best time to drop by the southern part as this is the dry season of the year.

Conquering Strategic Sites
Starting from Hanoi which is the country's capital, one immediate jump-off is the Hoan Kiem Lake, which means "Lake of the Restored Sword". This beautiful lake is one of the foremost scenic spots in the metropolis being embedded with a rich cultural history. Approximately 165 kilometers northeast from Hanoi is the Ha Long Bay. It is set in a 120 kilometer long coast line and literally means "Bay of Descending Dragons". Being the top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay comprises more than a thousand islands, each capped with abundant jungle vegetation, forming a fascinating seascape of limestone pillars. Some of the islands are hollow, having enormous caves within. No wonder it is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Numerous travel tour companies provide packages for cruising the bay.

Meanwhile, located near the Chinese border northwest of Vietnam is the Fansipan Mountain, which is the highest peak in all Indochina at 3,143 metres. Also, Sa Pa rice terraces can be found situated in the Muong Hoa valley, between Sa Pa town and the Fansipan mountain. Local tour companies will arrange hikes to both the rice terraces and summit taking a few days.

Going Further South
Marching downward the map, one should not miss the tallest pagoda in Vietnam, the Thien Mu Pagoda. Comprising seven stories high, it overlooks the Perfume River and is considered as the unofficial representation of the former imperial capital. Then, next stop is the fishing village of Hoi An situated on the South China Sea coast. It is commonly called the "Venice of Vietnam" because of the narrow canals that traverse part of the town.

Advancing further down, Nha Trang is Vietnam's most popular seaside resort town positioned along the second most outstanding bays in the country. It also happens to be the country's scuba diving capital. It features beautiful beaches with pristine sand and crystal clear water.

Don't forget to pass by the Cu Chi Tunnels. They are an immense network of underground connecting tunnels located roughly 40 km northwest of Saigon. They were utilized by the Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding places during the Vietnam War. They have now become a favorite tourist attraction in Vietnam.

Take a glimpse of how life is in the Mekong Delta, a region in southern Vietnam which is a very rich and lush area that produces nearly half of Vietnam's agricultural output. Interestingly, all the villages are often accessible by river rather than taking the road.

Before the battle is to be won, plant your victory flag in Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam located in front of Cambodia. The island's features and intact coral reefs will surely calm your wary soul. One of its beaches, named Bai Dai (Long Beach), was even selected by the ABC News as one of the five clean and beautiful beaches. Phu Quoc is also known for producing the best nuoc mam or fermented fish sauce in the world. Sounds fishy? Take the Vietnam travel tour challenge and see for yourself.

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Vietnam Travel Advice

Things to remember in your Vietnam visit:
A valid passport with six months validity and visa is necessary to enter Vietnam. Vietnamese visas are usually valid for only one entry. If you plan to leave Vietnam and re-enter from another country make sure you obtain a visa allowing multiple entries.

There is a low threat from terrorism. Petty crime is not confined to the backpacker districts but also occurs in the main tourist shopping areas. Do not walk in secluded locations alone, or with people you do not know. Keep your passport and important valuable in a hotel or any other secured place and keep a photocopy of the passport while roaming. Be on your guard against pickpockets and avoid carrying handbags or expensive items.

Local laws and customs are very strong here. Crimes such as sex offence, illegal drug possession, etc. may result in long imprisonment or even the death penalty. Foreign visitors are not allowed to invite Vietnamese nationals into their hotel rooms. Dress modestly while visiting local places and religious sites. Never take video cameras to the ethnic minority villages, as it is highly intrusive to the locals

Monitor the weather reports and plan your travel accordingly. The climate of Vietnam varies considerably from region to region. Monsoon, typhoon, cyclone and flooding are common here. For the best balance, try months of April, May or October.

Health care in rural areas are extremely basic. Make sure you have arranged comprehensive medical and travel insurance before the trip. Beware of street food and water while traveling.

Vietnam Dong (VND) is the country's official currency, but US dollar is widely accepted. While transactions, mind your change - the 500,000 and 50,000 notes look similar as does the 100,000 and 10,000 notes.

Vietnam's main mode of transport is by motorbike. But tourists require a Vietnamese driving license. Though taxi and bus services are quite common, rail travel in Vietnam is generally considered safe. Coastal travellers should be vigilant as piracy is common.

Noi Bai (35km northwest of Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (in Ho Chi Minh City), Danang (in Danang city) airports offer both international and domestic flights. If you missed out your direct flight to Vietnam, the best way is taking a flight to Bangkok or Hong Kong and gets a connecting flight on arrival.

By keeping in mind the above tips, you can have a safe and joyful Vietnam travel.

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Top 10 Things To Do In Vietnam

So here it is - our top ten Vietnam travel experiences ranging from the Mekong Delta to exotic Phu Quoc Island. If you're already booked a Vietnam trip, this should get you really excited, but if you're still in the process of building your Vietnam holiday, these are the absolute must-sees.

Halong Bay
A highlight of any trip to Vietnam, the enchanting archipelago of Halong Bay lies off the north east coast of Vietnam and comprises around 3000 limestone islands. Cruising around this magical bay on board a traditional junk boat is a magical experience that no trip to Vietnam should be without. Just try to save some room on your camera for the rest of your Vietnam trip!

Cu Chi Tunnels
An underground maze covering a whopping 250km, the Cu Chi tunnels were dug by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War to act as living quarters, command centres and ammunition stores. Crawling through the tunnels is an eerie yet thrilling Vietnam travel experience.

Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta produces one of Vietnam's most important exports - rice, and thus acts as the backbone of Southern Vietnam's economy. While you're travelling in Vietnam, you can take a boat trip down the Mekong, where you will pass the colourful floating markets of Cai Rang and Cai Be among others. Here, vendors will offer their wares from their boats jammed with produce, dangling their goods in the air from a long pole

Hue
Hue is the ancient royal capital of Vietnam and is rich in culture. Things to do in Hue include; a cruise down the Perfume River and visits to historic sights and monuments such as the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Palace of Supreme Peace.

Hoi An
Hoi An is located on the coast in Central Vietnam, and it's a favourite amongst travellers to Vietnam. It is well known for its excellent tailors, its art galleries, and its narrow streets crammed with tiny wooden cafes serving steaming coffee. There is a noticeable Chinese influence in Hoi An. Centuries ago Chinese traders came to offer their goods here and the charm of the town is still completely undeniable. There's plenty to do in Hoi An, from visiting the historic temple complex of My Son, to relaxing on the beach, or you could even try your hand at some traditional Vietnamese cooking. Either way, we're sure that Hoi An will become a highlight of your Vietnam trip.

Sapa
Tucked away in Northern Vietnam, this stunning area is home to hill tribes such as the Black H'mong and the Red Dzao. With hikes through the lush green valleys departing every day, and the opportunity to visit the famous Love Market, a trip to Sapa will give you an authentic rural Vietnam travel experience.

Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a splendid tropical gateway set with beautiful beaches and quaint fishing villages. There's plenty to do here if you're looking for more than just lying on a beach though. The interior of the island is a protected area where you can go for walks or even hiking. Phu Quoc is largely considered as one of Vietnam's star attractions so you'd be mad to leave it out of your own Vietnam trip!

Ho Chi Minh City
Packed full of interesting things to see and do, HCMC has plenty to keep travellers to Vietnam occupied. Visits to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace and the Revolution Museum will offer greater insight into the country's history, whilst trips to the numerous temples and pagodas will offer a far more spiritual experience.

Hanoi
The beautiful city of Hanoi is crammed full of local eateries, markets and shops. If you fancy a weird Vietnam travel experience, you could visit the mausoleum of former president, Ho Chi Minh. Perhaps you may like to finish a busy day with a trip to the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre, on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Cookery School
The Vietnamese cuisine is considered to be among one of the healthiest in the world. It is also widely regarded as one of the most fragrant of cuisines, making use of an assortment of herbs, including Thai basil, lemongrass and Vietnamese mint. Why not take the opportunity to create some typical Vietnamese dishes of your own during your Vietnam trip.

Anchors away in Halong Bay. Meet the hilltribes of Sapa and drift along the Mekong to tropical Phu Quoc Island. We'll help you build your very own Vietnam Travel Plan.

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