What to know about Cai Be

Posted by editor on 7:56 am in Blog | Comments Off on What to know about Cai Be

Introduction

Cai Be is a river-land mixed town in Vietnam. It is a district of Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Along the river, there are docks that handle passengers and goods, and the floating market. Cai  Be is the north shore of the tree My Thuan Bridge, the gateway to the city of Vinh Long and the Cuu Long River Delta. Nearby Vinh Long, it is the bustling Cai Be Floating Market, where you can see wholesalers on big boats hang a sample of what they sell from the top of a long pole. It is also a leisure time for boating to see small canals and visit orchards.

Cai Be is located on the left hand side of the Upper Mekong River with the population of 275.000 inhabitants (2004). Cai Be used to be the Administrative – Economic and Political Center of South Vietnam which called “Cai Be Dinh” (1732 -1757) and then Long Ho Dinh. Nowadays Cai Be is one of the most important centers for the distribution of the agricultural products, especially the tropical fruits for the whole country and also for the entire region.

The nature is fertile, harmonious; people are opened-heart, hospitality; a distinctive ecological system and the river network of South Vietnam together with a floating market; the cultural features are very distinctive but really special in general are made Cai Be as a Mekong Delta in miniature, a safe and attractive destination for travelers all over the world.

Visiting this place, travelers will have chance to enjoy the boat trip of on the mighty of the Mekong river for the dreamy and the pleasure moment. Please join with us to discover the “Countryside Civilization” where something news are waiting for your exploration.

How to get there

After 110km on the National Highway 1A from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers will arrive Cai Be being considered as a wild land where it is always ready waiting the discovery of the travelers.

What to see

Cai Be Floating Market

It is among the others in Mekong Delta such as Cai Rang, Phong Dien, Phung Hiep Floating markets. Up to now, the history of Cai Be Floating Market is still unknown but people believe that it was formed during time of the formation of the delta in 17th to 18th century by people came from the Central of Vietnam. They were the founders of the delta who cultivated and settled down here for years. According to “Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi”, Nguyen Lord declared to build the Long Ho Town in Cai Be (called Cai Be Town) in 1732, Cai Be river mouth where located the Cai Be floating market stretching 500m long is the center for many boats in the delta gathering and trading. This is the place for more than 400 boats doing the business everyday. It is so busy in the morning especially at 5-8am but it opens all day. Each boat has one bamboo stick on the front which used to hang the product of the boat. This is a kind of advertising to show what do the boat sell inside. Local people produce the farming products in the farm or in the garden and then they load them to the floating market. Some people come here to buy the products from the merchants and bring back to the markets in the mainland for selling to the customers.

Tropical fruits in Cai Be

Hoa Loc Mango: the name was after the name of Hoa Loc region. People can’t forget the sweet and fresh flavor of Hoa Loc Mango. According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuong, Hoa Loc Mango is the top of 120 species which Long Dinh Southern Fruit Institute developed and this fruit won the “The Queen Fruit” title in mango competitions.
The father tree is in Mr. Hai Cong garden now and Long Dinh Southern Fruit Institute had reproduced the cheap seedling to sell for farmers in the whole country. To choose the best one, people must distinguish the big shape, light brown skin from the others.
Cai Be orange: this is the most popular one and had a long history in this region. King and sweet orange can be found in Cai Be, An Huu, Tan Phong Island with the nice and unforgettable flavor. Once you come and taste the specialty here you can’t leave without emotion.

Dong Hoa Hiep Old House. There are quite some old houses in Dong Hoa Hiep Commune, Cai Be. Best preserved ones include Ba Duc Old House, Cai Huy Old House and Anh Kiet Old HOuse. They were built in old architecture typical in the region. Some were restored under cooperation program of Vietnamese government and Japanese organization, JICA.

What to do

Visiting Cai Be Market, you will have a great photographic opportunities as all manner of produce is traded from boats, communicate with the local, take sampans along canals to visit local houses and enjoy fresh fruits.

Where to eat

Mekong Lodge Riverside Restaurant. A semi-open restaurant with nice settings and great view of Tien River, especially during sunset. Excellent food yet need a wider range of wines.

Where to stay

Mekong Lodge, Hamlet5, Dong Hoa Hiep Commune, Cai Be, ☎ +84 933 449 391. An eco-resort set in a large and well-landscaped green area with good food, pure atmosphere and nice people, typical of Mekong Delta. Request a garden view bungalow if you are light sleepers. from US$60.

Travel Tips

Almost floating markets start in the very early morning and finish before noon. Thus, to catch the liveliest and busiest scenery, you should plan to stay one night in Vinh Long. Bring along camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.
Spend the day on the cruise or boat in Cai Be exploring the fascinating life on the Mekong River. This trip will allow you to visit a floating market and a beautiful island. This trip is an idyllic experience for anyone wishing to indulge in the delta’s most prized assets for a truly memorable and satisfying day visit.

Mui Ne tour guide

Posted by editor on 7:49 am in Blog | Comments Off on Mui Ne tour guide

Introduction

Mui Ne is a nice resort area in Phan Thiet, near Ho Chi Minh City (south Vietnam). Northeast of Phan Thiet the coastal road climbs over the slope of a Cham-Tower-topped hill and descends onto the long, sandy crescent of Mui Ne Bay. The formerly little-inhabited beach south of the fishing village of Mui Ne proper has seen some serious development in the last 15 years. Now it is a 15 km long strip of resorts that line up like pearls on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, shaded by coconut palms. The main resort strip lies between the addresses of 2 and 98 Nguyen Dinh Chieu and is actually named Ham Tien.

Given the choice, nature would move the sand around, much to the dismay of some developers. Beach sand tends to migrate up and down the coast seasonally, leaving some (but not all) spots with just a concrete breakwater rather than sandy beach. There is always a good sandy beach somewhere along this 10 km beach. Accommodations at higher addresses tend to be smaller and less expensive, somewhat removed from the main tourist section and more mixed in with local life. If a sandy beach is important to you, some research is called for before booking in that area.

A few bargain hotels have popped up on the inland side of the road, across from the beach-side resorts. If you stay on the inland side, you will need to pass though one of the resorts to reach the beach, which might or might not result in some hassle from the guards. The resorts jealously guard their lounge chairs and palapas, though the beach itself is open to everyone. If all else fails, you can always access a nice sandy stretch of beach via the Wax Bar at 68 Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

How to get there

By bus

Many overseas visitors reach Mui Ne via “Open Tour” buses that run between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang.  Most depart from HCMC between 7:30 and 9:00AM or PM. In the opposite direction, buses typically depart from Mui Ne around 2:00PM or AM and arrive in HCMC at 7:00PM or AM~ five hours at night or in the morning.The buses stop in the heart of the tourist strip in Mui Ne, so there is no need to take a taxi. The cost is about US$6 (105,000VND – Vietnamese dong) each way, and tickets are sold all over the tourist districts of both HCMC and Nha Trang.Several companies run buses directly to Mui Ne, popular with both locals and travellers alike. In HCMC they depart from the Pham Ngu Lao area (where you can also find their ticket office) and in Mui Ne they’ll drop you off and pick you up from your hotel.

By train

A train runs daily from HCMC to Phan Thiet, departing at 6:50AM and arriving four hours later. The return trip leaves Phan Thiet around 1:30PM. The train station in HCMC (Saigon Railway Station) is in District 3, about 3 km from the center. The railway station in Phan Thiet is about five km (80,000VND taxi ride) from the beginning of the Mui Ne resort strip, and taxis are abundant to take you there. There is a mid-sized red-color local bus from the station to Mui Ne for which tickets are sold on the train for 35,000VND per person.

By taxi

You might considering coming from Saigon to Mui Ne by Taxi, instead of Open Bus. Not only the departure times of the Open Buses might not suit your schedule, they are also slow sometimes, because the driver makes various stops at rather bad restaurants where he receives commission. The ride by taxi takes 4 to 5 hours, depending of the road condition, and will cost 70-100 US-Dollar, depending on your ability to bargain. Talk with all taxi drivers in airport to get best prices.
There are few paid roads on the way to Mui Ne, so taking extra money is common way to increase the bill. Tell the driver, that you want fixed price with all fees included. Using taxi counter will usually increase the bill to more than 110$.

What to see

Po Sha Inu tower is a derelict remainder of the ancient Cham culture that was built in the 8th century.

Fish Sauce Plants, where the famous nuoc mam (fish sauce) is produced. Big jars harbour the concoction that, after months in the blazing sun, is sold all over Vietnam to add some spice to the food.

The famous Sand Dunes (Doi Cat), on the main coastal road a short distance north of the fishing town at the north end of Mui Ne bay, about 10 km from the main resort strip. The whole region is fairly sandy, with orange sand threatening to blow onto the coastal road in some spots. The dunes that visitors visit are about 50ha (1/2km²) of open sand on a hillside with ten-meter undulations, staffed by dusty children with plastic slides, who will offer instruction and assistance if you want to slide on the sand. Avoid these children at all costs. The plastic slides that they offer are simply an excuse to to steal your belongings when you are not looking. They will offer to carry your bag for you as you go sliding, then steal your phone of wallet, and there are so many boys that you wont be able to tell who did it. The dunes also offer nice views of the sea coast to the north. In all, it’s worth a half-hour visit, especially if you have rented your own motorbike for the day. On the opposite side of the road are a series of small cafes, where you can park your motorbike for a small fee if you ride there on your own. Most day tours sold by local tour operators include a stop at the dunes. The trip by taxi from the main resort strip would be about 150,000VND each way, and less by xe om. It is reachable by bicycle in 30-45 minutes, passing the Fairy Stream on the way.

Mui Ne market and fishing harbour (Lang chai Mui Ne). Don’t miss out on an excursion to this quiet little village, at the north end of Mui Ne bay. The coastal road leads straight into the town (with a left turn required to continue up the coast). At the entrance to town is an overlook with a splendid view of hundreds of colorful fishing boats moored in the bay. Further along into town, just off the main road, there is a small but colorful market. If you take your transport just down to the water, you will reach the fishing harbour, where you can purchase fresh seafood (if you have any means to cook it) or purchase steamed crabs, shellfish, etc. to eat on the spot from local vendors. Walking along the beach, you’ll pass by fishermen sorting out their catch, ship-wharfs and, at the southern end of town, a section where clams have been ridded of their shells for many years, so the sand on the beach is by now substituted with littered shells.

The Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien) is a little river that winds its way through bamboo forests, boulders and the dunes behind the village, in parts resembling a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. Local kids will want to accompany you to show you the way (and of course earn a dollar or so), but since you’re just following the stream, there’s little need. For the most part, the stream is about ankle-deep and no more than knee-deep even at its deepest. It is sandy with few stones and can be walked comfortably barefooted. You can climb up the red sand hills overlooking the river valley and even walk there parallel to the river, however, the sand may be hot on a sunny day, so bring some footwear. Walking upstream for about 20 minutes, you will reach a small waterfall into at most waist-deep water, great to take a refreshing bath before heading back! To reach the stream, head along the main road towards the east until you cross a small bridge. The stream is underneath, you will see a sign pointing towards a path to the left, go that way to reach an easy place to enter the stream. By bicycle it’s about 15min from the main resort strip and shouldn’t be more than 20,000 by xe om.

What to do

Kite surfing is offered by many outfitters and hotels. Kite surfing instruction is available, starting at $60USD/hour, beginners package of 7 lessons start at $350 USD. From November till March you generally will have strong winds every day. The Winds in Mui Ne emerge by thermical movements, after the shores got warmed by the sun. You will have perfect wind everyday from 11 a.m. on until the late evening. Gusty winds are seldom. With strong winds, the sometimes choppy waves can be as high as 4 meters and more. The water is free of rocks, which makes it relatively safe to kite. However in the peak season there up to 300 kiters in the water at the same time. Beginners and Students, who mainly practice close to the beach front makes things a bit more dangerous. So watch out for other kitersufers and swimmers and control the speed, in particularly because swimmers are difficult to see when waves are high. Accidents between kitesurfers or between kitesurfers and Swimmers happen from time to time and medical facilities are limited in terms of their equipment and abilities.

All-terrain vehicle. You can ride one on White sand dunes.

Cooking class. If you want to learn to cook Vietnamese food, check cooking classes near C2SKY kitesurfing school (opposite Kim Shop). You will learn to cook pancakes, Pho Bo soup, shrimp salad and fresh spring rolls. All ingredients are ready, you’ll just mix them under supervision of Vietnamese cook. 400,000 VND per person (1 hour long)

Day Tours. Travel agents and restaurants abound with day tour offerings. The standard half day tour ($10-13 USD) takes in the fishing village, fairy stream, and the red and while sand dunes. Tours normally start at either 5:00AM or 2:30PM so you can watch the sunrise/sunset over the sand dunes.

Sailing was newly founded in 2010 in Mui Ne. This water sport has been gaining popularity since Mui Ne is considered one of the best places in the world to sail. Classes are available and offered by Manta Sail Training Centre on 108 Huynh Thuc Khang at $50USD/hour for individuals with certified international and local instructors. This foreign-owned centre is the only sailing school in Vietnam. The sailing area is safe, quiet, with no swimmers and a few advanced kitesufers.

Swimming. The sea is wonderfully warm, but it can be quite rough, with large waves and a strong rip tide. When the tide is in, there is not much of a beach to speak of. When wind is blowing it can be quite chilly to even think of swimming. The area between kilometer markers 11 and 13 has the largest stretch of enduring sandy beach. Since large waves normally emerge after 11AM you might prefer to swim in the early morning hours, when the water is flat and free of Kitesufers. Most mid-range and top-end resorts have swimming pools for their guests. Some are open for day users starting at 80,000VND per day. But you can always behave as guest from this hotel and buy a few drinks for these 80,000 dong.

Running. Run the annual Mui Ne Half Marathon held on the gorgeous grounds of Sea Links Beach Hotel every September. Racers and spectators can enjoy a family friendly event with distances of 5k, 10k and 21k to choose from.

Surfing. Sometimes you get good waves in mornings of windy season. Lessons, day trips and rentals are available, don’t hesitate to ask around. While Mui Ne is not the best destination for surfing, it can be good place to give it a try.

Windsurfing. If you like to do some windsurfing, go to eastern part of Mui Ne. Starting from Hai Au resort, there are some hotels that are offering good place to water start, rent or store your gear.

Water Sports. Most outfitters offer a host of water sports including kayaking, paddle surfing, and jet ski rental.

Where to eat

Every resort area is surrounded by restaurants specializing in seafood. The food is invariably fresh, well-prepared, and served in friendly and interesting surroundings. By all means get out of your hotel and try one of the local restaurants. The best restaurants are a moto ride away, found outside of the tourist/resort district on the ocean.

Smoky House, 125 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. Offers large, high-quality meals, and offers all customers free ice cream.

Joe’s – The Art Cafe, 139b Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien (across from Shades Resort), ☎ +84(0)62-374-3447. 24/7. Joe’s is the only place open 24/7, all night and all day in Muine. It’s a cozy old farmhouse cafe offering Western fare. A Canadian developed the menu, and the pancakes with maple syrup (50,000 dong including coffee) are great. The sandwiches with home cut fries and salad (60,000 dong) are also recommended. Two movies are shown each evening in the pillow-filled loft. Free WiFi, exhibits and live performances. A great place to have your bus pick you up at 2 a.m. when you head out and great for a chill spot for after party breakfast or a romantic glass of wine. drinks 10,000 – 60,000 dong, meals 50,000 – 120,000 dong.

Snow Restaurant and Club and Sushi Bar, 109 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St. Snow Restaurant famous for its coolness air-conditioned hall that is unique in Mui Ne. In our restaurant with pleasure you can try dishes from : European, Japanese, Russian and Vietnamese cuisines. All dishes are adapted under European taste and this is give you opportunity to try exotic dishes such as filet of crocodile or unusual fish and don’t lose your enthusiastic for Asian food. Only at Snow restaurant they can offer you sushi and paradise deserts, worlds favorite cheese cakes and sweets from French chocolate! After 10PM when almost all the places in Muyne are already closed come and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere of lounge bar as known as the best cocktail bar in town, where on a special order bartender can prepare for you a cocktail called “Better Mood” which exactly will rise up your mood on a few degrees higher! Evening cinema-sessions will relieve your rest! At Snow restaurant you can use free Wi-Fi Internet, free pool and free transfer from Taxi Malin to the restaurant and back to the hotel! All staff is very friendly and ready to help from 10AM to 2AM!

Ocean`s Republic, 120 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (look for the orange Sunumbrellas in front). 08:00 to 01:00. Ocean’s Republic is Muine’s first vocational training facility supporting local youth. They have a full bar and a series of theme nights: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday are Mongolian BBQ night; Tuesday & Saturday are German schnitzel night with roasted potatoes and salad buffet; on Wednesday, there is a 25% discount for all wines by the glass; on Friday, there is suckling pig with a salad buffet.

Lâm Tòng, 92 Nguyễn Đinh Chiêu, T:062-3847598. is right on the beach next to Jibes under some shady palms. You can even sit at tables in the sand. There’s a little hut with hammocks strung. Try one of the pancakes (bánh xèo) with condensed milk (sữa đặc), the fried fish with lemon, and the chicken fried in fish sauce. Disgusting service even for Vietnam. They always forget to bring some of the food. Price increases in 2013.

Where to drink

If you’re in the middle of the Mui Ne strand and want to wring out as much of the day and night as you can then you might consider the Wax Bar if you’re a beach party type or The Club if you like casino, disco, karaoke, billiards etc. For after you party~ Joe’s Cafe is a quiet stop open 24 hours a day and good for late drinks even in low season.

“Fun Key Bar”124 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Easy to recognize with is enlighted palm tree, great place to chill at the end of the afternoon , and later on have a great party with some good sound, they make some good crepes and waffle if your a little hungry, sandwiches are also very good. Free wifi, swinging hammock on the sea side make it a perfect place to be! Open Tuesday to Sunday from 16H00 to 03h00. Be careful, shots bar can make you done very fast.

Wax Bar, on the beach at 68 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (beside Rach Dua Tropico Resort; take the alley on the NE side to the beach, pool on your right, bar on your left). By day, it’s a fairly empty spot for hanging out in the shade, watching the kite surfers, playing a little sand soccer or beach ultimate, and enjoying the pool or waves if you are not attached to a resort. It’s a delightful spot at sundown, with pleasant breeze and pastel sky and your choice of beach-side tables, since the cool crowd does not arrive until late. Mats, pillows and torches are set out on the beach below with a pleasant mix of music coming from above. Located north of Coco Beach Resort. As for 2012 only locals are here.

The Club, 56-97 Nguyen Dinh Chieu across from Saigon Mui Ne Resort. For the casino, discothèque, billiard, karaoke suite type. Has all the casual elegance you could want. The casino uses all computerized tables, meaning there are no live dealers. The touch-screens are, by admission of the manager, “very sensitive.” If you make bets, even accidental (such as accidentally pressing the ‘repeat bet’ button), they are binding. Gambling here, particularly more so than any other casino, is done at your own risk. Vietnam has no regulations governing these sorts of enterprises, and ultimately a dispute will come down to who can bribe the police more.

Where to stay

Budget

Lan Anh, Huynh Tân Phát, Mui Né. Coming from Phan Thiet, turn left when entering the village, in the corner where there’s a business called Nhà Tho. Local guesthouse in the village, a couple of kilometers far from the resorts and beaches but close to shops, market and street food stalls. Perfect for experiencing local life. Owner family can barely understand english but are nice. Room with 2 double beds, fan, fridge, toilet and tv. Free WiFi. 150.000 VND / $7,5.

Hon Di Bungalows, 70 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (km 13), Trl: 062-847014, hdhongdi@yahoo.com. Has simple but nice bungalows with fan and attached bath for US$10-12. There is a shady courtyard strung with hammocks, and four of the bungalows are directly facing the beachfront. A small restaurant and Internet-access cater for your needs.

Bao Trang A nice small bungalow with a beach frontage a few doors away from Sinh Cafe ( turn right when exiting from Sinh Cafe office) Rooms are US$10 and $15 for fan and air-conditioned rooms respectively.

Keng Guesthouse, 185 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (About 100m east of Phuoc Thien Pagoda), ☎ 062-3743312 (yongkeng999@yahoo.com). Simple and clean guest house with all the usual facilities on the quiet end of the main strip, about 15min walk to the bar and restaurant area. Very fair prices for food, fruit, or drinks. The owner can speak decent English and is very friendly, she will try to help you with whatever you may need. Dorm 100,000, rooms from 160,000.

Thien Son. 102 Nguyen Dinh Chieu. Tel. 062 3847187 / 0918 610727(mob) Guest house just down the road from Joe’s cafe with clean, large rooms with fan or a/c($2 extra). Double rooms $12.Can get breakfast for about $1. Very friendly people though English is limited. Also organise the cheapest tours to sand dunes in town(depends on size of group, but from $4-$9) as well as buses to Saigon and Nha Trang.

Mid-range

Ngoc Suong Marina Hotel, directly across the road from TM Brothers Cafe, beside Tien Dat Resort. On the beach, with an excellent swimming pool. Rooms have mosquito nets, A/C, satellite tv, and ensuite bathroom. Seaside room with private balcony is $40USD including an excellent breakfast.

Xin Chao Hotel at 129 Nguyen Dinh Chieu .Newly renovated in 2012 this 18 room Hotel offers guests a choice of rooms in either the Villa or Poolside .The Villa ,a French Style Colonial building has been beautifully renovated and now offers guest a choice of rooms , all have A/C and ensuite facilities and some with TV. The Pool rooms are set out around a courtyard style pool with lush tropical gardens ,all rooms are ensuite and A/C .Prices vary with the seasons but range from $15 -$40.For more information and to book please use the web site www.xinchaohotel.com

Luxury

Grace Boutique Resort at 144A Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street has the looks of a Mediterranean Villa from the street. This is definitely a mid to high end ’boutique’ hotel. There are only 14 rooms, all very well appointed and with seaviews. The resort strong points are its well-trained staff, efficient and friendly service, a beautiful garden and a charming infinity pool. Rates include daily breakfasts. Discounts are offered during the low season and for long term stays. It is advisable to book well ahead during the holidays.

Shades Resort across from Joe’s Cafe at 98a Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street Has 8 lovely studios/apartments complete with kitchens, jaccuzzi or rainshower, preloaded computers and 42 inch sony flatscreen TVs and a lovely view. The site includes a lovely swimming pool and a bar with Bon Cafe coffees made with fresh milk from Dalat. Prices drop to less than half in low season and there are also long term rates available, but generally you can think of it as 45-200 USD a night. Rates include daily breakfast, daily bottled water, laundry service. Great view, the beach is wider or narrower according to the season.

Blue Ocean Resort at 54 Nguyen Dinh Chieu has rooms and bungalows starting at $80 for a single room and up to $256 for an ocean-side family bungalow. The rooms are beautiful, the food is exquisite and the property is serenely beautiful. Only meters from many of the kitesurfing schools, particularly Windchimes, which is directly outside the property.

Cham Villas Boutique Luxury Resort at 32 Nguyen Dinh Chieu has 6 Villas with beach front view and 12 villas with garden view. Each villa has a king size bed, bathtub overlooking a small private garden and a large private patio with comfortable club chairs and a day bed to reflect and relax.

Shopping

Along the Mui Ne strip are several small nameless shops; all selling the same sundries and souvenirs. You can find packaged snacks (Oreos, cakes, biscuits, ice cream, etc), liquor, clothing, and souvenirs.

Anything beyond very basic necessities should be brought with you. There is a small pharmacy, but it would be wise to bring your own first aid kit.

Standard souvenirs offered include wooden and laquered bowls, wooden statues, snake whiskey, and pearl necklaces. Compared with Ho Chi Minh City, souvenirs are almost five times more expensive in Mui Ne. The same small wooden bowl selling for $3USD in HCMC is priced at $14USD in Mui Ne.

Several travel agencies along the strip also double as used book stores. Most have a few shelves of English books, along with a small selection in German and French. Books cost 80,000 – 100,000VND and most shops will cut the cost in half if you trade in a book.

Coop Mart, Phan Thiet (corner of Nguyen Tat Thanh and Tran Hung Dao), ☎ 3.835.440 – 3.835.455. 8:00AM – 9:30PM. A large, Western-style grocery store that also sells books, jewelry, and necessities. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Mui Ne, you may have better luck here.

How to get out

There are dozens of small travel agencies along the Mui Ne strip that sell daily excursions around Mui Ne, as well as airline, rail, or open tour bus tickets to other cities. Be sure to shop around since some unscrupulous agents will often overcharge the unwary buyer.

Note of Warning on one tour company: Victor Tourist Company (part of Victor Cafe) charges a cheap price 300,000 – 340,000 dong to Hoi An, however, the overnight bus was severely overloaded with people sleeping on the floors and make shift beds placed over the bathroom. Not what you get from other tourist companies like Sinh Cafe.

The bus journey to Nha Trang takes about 5 hours. Departure for Nha Trang is at about 1 PM and 1AM.

Sinh Cafe buses stop right inside the compound of a large guest house in Nha Trang. The beach is just across the road. Air-conditioned rooms are US10. Rooms are spotless and even at this rate, rooms are cleaned daily.

Updated travel guide for Nha Trang

Posted by editor on 7:30 am in Blog | Comments Off on Updated travel guide for Nha Trang

Introduction

Nha Trang is a small city belongs to Khanh Hoa province on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is known as a beautiful coastal city in Vietnam and in the world. The city is just 265,47 km2, and 392,000 inhabitants. Since locating in the middle part of Vietnam which is easy to come from Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang and move to the South, Nha Trang is compared as a precious Pearl of Vietnam tourism.

In the history, Nha Trang was known as Kauthara under the Champa hundreds years ago. Until now there are still a lot of heritages and  Champa culture remaining here, especially Po Nagar towers . Nha trang had used to be small fishing villages before the French recognized that the place is an ideal for relaxing on beautiful beaches, they decided to invest to turn the town into resort city.

The position of Nha Trang is evaluated as one of the most beautiful Bay in the World, because of heavenly beaches , hot spring, the colorful beauty of the sea as diversity of fish, coral reef,… and nice weather  during the entire year which is favorable for some activities like swimming, sunbathing,  scuba diving and snorkeling.

Nha Trang is known as center of entertainment with series of Vinpearl land, Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Hon Tam resort,… . Besides, Cam Ranh Bay is considered as one of three harbors that have the best natural conditions over the world. Having the area of over 60 square kilometers and the 18-20m average depth, this bay is out of the wind as a result of being surrounded by many mountain ranges. Van Phong Bay has a wonderful nature, temperate climate, idyllic beach with mostly fine sand, surrounded by hills, mountains and tropical forests, colorful coral reefs, several vestige of salt-watered forest, specific and valuable sea creatures, which is endowed with an ideal environment. These are great potentials for the development of ecological tourism in Van Phong.

How to get there

By plane

Cam Ranh Airport (CXR), built on the grounds of an old American airbase in 2004, is located 30km from the city and serves only domestic destinations. Taxi fare from the airport to downtown locations is a fixed rate of 380,000 VND, though many hotels have their own buses. Do not offer to go by the meter here as it is about 100,000 VND more expensive than the fixed rate. Try to take a Mai Linh taxi as the Airport taxi drivers will quite often try to take advantage of you in some way.

A cheaper option is to take the airport bus at 60,000 VND to the old Nha Trang Airport. They sell the tickets for this mini bus at a desk near the exit of the airport. The old airport terminal is in the city not far from most hotels and taxi’s can be found there. Most city hotels should be reached by taxi for 40,000 dong or less. Mini hotel alley at 64 Tran Phu costs just 15,000 dong.

For the adventurous traveller, take a short taxi ride to a Phuong Trang bus stop in Cam Ranh, then catch the Phuong Trang bus, 40,000 VND to Nha Trang (about an hour). The bus stops and the buses are orange coloured.

After a major upgrade, the airport has since 2010 been renamed “Cam Ranh International Airport” and is looking to attract direct package tour flights from overseas.

By train

Nha Trang is a stop on the main railway-line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC or Saigon). The railway station is close to the cathedral in the northern part of town.
By bus

Most open tour buses arrive from Ho Chi Minh City in the south (10-12 hours) and Hoi An to the north (16 hours). They drop their passengers in the main tourist area around Biet Thu, while the public bus station is at 58, 23 Thang 10, about a 10 minute walk west of the center. North to Qui Nhon 6 hours on Mai Linh Express(115,000 dong) departures at 7.30,8.30,13.00 and 15.30 or 28 hours by TM Brothers bus (400,000 dong). Phuong Trang has several buses per day to Da Lat (hourly between 7am and 3pm, 3 to 4 hours, 120,000 dong as of July 2012).

Nha Trang to Hoi An departs at 7.00 PM. Nha Trang to Da Lat departs at 8.00 AM. Nha Trang to Mui Ne departs at 7.45 AM.

By car

Private car rental with a driver are usually modern air-con cars and can be rented for ~1,000,000 VND per day.

Car rental prices (as mostly anything in Vietnam) usually increase during holiday seasons especially around Tet (Vietnamese’s New Year). Make sure to avoid high prices by booking it beforehand with the car rental services.

What to see

Sites

National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, 01 Cau Da (on the left of the commercial port entrance), 058-590-037. Admission VND15,000. Open 7AM-4PM. This is like an aquarium with popular and rare species of the sea. A perfect place to bring kids as they will get to see sharks, turtles, coral reefs, lionfish, sea horses, and many other creatures.

Alexandre Yersin Museum, 10 Tran Phu St., 058-822-355. Admission US$2. M-Sa 8-11AM and 2-4:30PM. This is a scientific museum of a Swiss-born, Dr. Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943), who arrived in Vietnam in 1891 to study infected animals. He then later on produced a serum from horses and buffaloes. In this museum, you will be able to view all of his work as well as his equipment. Yersin never went back to Switzerland as he spent the rest of his life in Nha Trang. Don’t try to take pictures. Do respect the rules since they’re quite serious here.

Long Son Pagoda, Thai Nguyen St. Free admission. Open 8AM-5PM. At this pagoda, you will see a 79 ft. tall white Buddha. The pagoda was established in 1963 to honour the monks and nuns who died demonstrating against the Diem government. Beware of cheaters claiming they are students studying in the temple demanding that you offer a donation to the school before going up the pagoda. These “students” have no affiliation to the school and entry to the pagoda absolutely is free.

Po Nagar Cham Towers, 2 Thang 4 St. Admission US$0.8. Open daily 7:30AM-5PM. These four brick towers were built by the Cham civilization between the 7th and 12th century to honor Yang Ino Po Ngar, mother of the kingdom, and the incense aroma emanating from within makes it clear that this remains a religious site for the local Buddhists of Nha Trang today. The longevity of these last vestiges of a once-dominant South East Asian civilisation should impress temple enthusiasts even if the insensitive restoration and surrounding mass of tourists don’t. The small complex sits on a hill which enjoys views across Nha Trang’s fishing village. It is a 20-25 minute walk (or short motorbike ride) from the main beach strip, however be prepared to wander through the ‘real’ Nha Trang, quite a shocking change from the showy built up beach side resort.

Vinpearl Land. From the harbour you can take the cable car over to the island where Vinpearl resort and Vinpearl land is located. They have a small tivoli and some restaurants, attractions here include Underwater World (aquarium), Water Park complete with many exciting water slides and wave pool, Amusement Park with roller coaster, pirate ship, bumper cars, 4D cinema and many modern arcade machines and musical fountain and laser show at night time, usually 7PM. All included in the one price. 450,000 dong

Beaches

Doc Let beach, (around 50 km north of Nha Trang). Doc Let beach is more tranquil, cleaner and beautiful than the beach in Nha Trang. It is well worth taking a tour there. Local fishermen families sell and prepare seafood which they will cook for you on the beach for a very reasonable price.

Bai Dai beach, (On the road from Nha Trang to Cam Ranh airport). The road to the Cam Ranh airport is a very scenic road and worth going just to enjoy the scenery. As you have passed over the mountains there is a very long and nice beach named Bai Dai(around 21.6 km from Nha Trang city center and pronounced Bai Yai) which is clean and beautiful. You can buy food from small restaurants at the beach.

Bai Duong Beach, (1.5 km north on Tran Phu street over the main bridge). Bai Duong beach is smaller than in the main tourist area. The beach has a gentler grade, and warmer waters, and is also calmer, cleaner, and ideal for swimming.

Waterfalls

Yang Bay Waterfalls, (40 km west of Nha Trang). At the Yang Bay waterfalls, the Vietnamese have built up a concrete beach. It used to be a lot nicer before they built it but it is still a very nice place to visit. You can swim there, and walk around in the area. Bringing your own food and drink is recommended.

Ba Ho waterfalls, Near Ba Ho village (Approximately 20Kms North of Nha Trang). A series of three waterfalls and a quite fast flowing at (some points) river tucked away in the forest. Its a good one hour trip from Nha trang by moterbike through some rough, off road tracks ( especially in the wet season ) If you decide to go without a guide its preferable that you travel with someone as a flat tyre out here can be a common occurrence as I found out, although these can be fixed in the village or most local houses for a small fee. the turn off from the main highway north of Nha Trang can be easy to miss (a Stone pillar )but most locals along the road should be able to point it out. from the turn off its a straight track to follow to the river, there are limited amenities there although you can buy food, like rice and chicken and cold beers or soft drinks are also for sale from locals who will guide ( Follow ) you up through the forest this is preferable to having to carry your own food and drink and the prices are reasonable a small premium for their trouble, the “guides ” are pleasant enough showing you short cuts and footholds higher up the track. Taxis and motorbike guides are available in Nha Trang to take you there but its not too difficult to find yourself and in better weather, a pleasant drive, if your confident on a motorbike. be warned though that going off road on hired bikes can incur damage which you will be liable for.

Fairy Spring waterfalls (Suối Tiên), Suối Tiên, Diên Khánh District (Approx 20km SW from Nha ATrang). Fairy Spring is a small, cool stream and swimming hole much visited by the local youth on weekends. The swimming hole is at the end of a short jungle walk. It is a pleasant place to visit in summer. In winter the water is too cold to swim. The streams source is the area of Hồn Bà, the highest peak in the province. Bottled and canned drinks are available, but no food is sold here yet. The area is slowly being developed and will eventually become a resort with a hotel, bungalows, and restaurant. There is a small admission charge (10,000 dong per person, 3,000 dong per motorbike [2011]). To get there, go 10km west of Nha Trang to Diên Khánh, go through the old citadel (Thành Cổ Diên Khánh) to Diên Phước village (5km), turn left 4km to Suoi Tien village, then right 1km to the stream.

Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud baths (Suối Nước Nóng Tháp Bà), (4km NW of Nha Trang). On the north side of Nha Trang. 50,000 dong for hot and cool swimming pools and thermal waterfall only. Pay extra for the mud! They serve food and drinks here also. Update Feb 2011, 50,000 dong for the hot swimming pool and waterfall, 100,000 dong for shared mud bath (if you are 5-8 people you will probably get put in the same tub), shower, hot/cold water jets, hot jacuzzi, and the hot waterfalls and swimming pool. A massage by trained masseuses and entrance to the hot swimming pool costs 150,000 dong (Jan 2011) There was also a package for 500,000 which included a massage among other extras. A VIP spa package will cost you $US100 or more. If getting here by motorbike, if you carry on a further 500km past the mud baths you arrive at a railway bridge across the river that connects to a tunnel. Its a very scenic spot that’s popular for wedding photo shoots.

What to do

Sailing – Get a group together and hire a captain for about US$40 for the best sailing experience. Call the Nha Trang Sailing Club, +84 58 826528 for more information.

Surfing – Head out to The Shack for surf lessons. Run by Tippy, this bar/restaurant/surf club is a great palce to spend a day relaxing. The Shack is located in Bai Dai beach about 21.6 km south of Nha Trang. Visit their website for info www.shackvietnam.com

Biking and Rafting Tour, 1/12 Tran Quang Khai St, ☎ 058,3521541. Combination fast 30km downhill biking passing through minority village and meeting Raglai people. Then a 12km rafting trip down the Cai River. from US$45.

Relaxing – Thap Ba natural hotsprings: a must-have experience at an amazingly cheap price,(4$/pax) for the mineral pool and from 12.5/pax for the mudbath (incl.the mineral pool). More you are less it cost. Located on the outskirt of the city, this place provides the most relaxing services you can imagine (hot mud bath, mineral water bath and hot water pool and massages also available).

Waterland Thach Lam Stream, Suối Cát – Cam Lâm – Khánh Hòa (near Alexandre Yersin temple (about 22 km south of Nha Trang), ☎ +84 58 387-3878. It is the first eco – sport amusement park in the province. You can swim, play rafting and paint ball shooting, slide on grass(in a small car) there. Food and beverages are available

Diving & snorkelling

Close off-shore from Nha Trang sit a series of islands that offer decent diving and snorkelling, easily accessible by day trip. The city has about two dozen dive shops, making for fierce competition and great value. For certification training, Nha Trang offers perhaps the best value in the world, with PADI open water courses available with full equipment rental for as little as US$250. A two-dive boat trip with equipment rental and modest lunch can be had for as little as US$45, also a phenomenal value.

Coastal and undersea construction has stirred up a lot of sediment in the area, so under-water visibility is sometimes not great. The area is heavily fished, so fish life is also limited. You wouldn’t cross the world just to dive at Nha Trang. But if you always dreamed of getting a scuba certification, Nha Trang is a great place to do it, and any diver passing through would enjoy a couple of dips. The shops generally offer good-quality equipment and experienced, certified dive-masters. Diving goes on year-around, but in the October-December windy season, the boat ride can be a bit rough and diving is limited to a few sites in the lee of the islands.

Organization of the Nha Trang dive industry is sometimes complex. If you sign up for a trip with shop A, you might find yourself joined with a group and dive-master from shop B, which shares a boat with another group and dive-master from shop C, the boat itself being independently owned. Consolidation is especially active in the off-season, when few if any shops can fill a boat on their own. It’s a good illustration of Vietnamese culture, which does not stand on ceremony, and loves a bargain, and is very skilled at making maximum use of resources. The local dive-masters are mostly great, friendly guys with lots of stories to tell.

Coco Dive Center, 2E Biet Thu, ☎ +84-583-522-900. is a Vietnamese owned company, managed by “Seawolf” Jean Pierre, who imported recreational diving to Vietnam some 15 years ago. Very fair prices compared to most other diving facilities in town, services from snorkelling and introductory dives to Assistant instructor course. $38 for one dive (with snorkelling) and $55 for two dives. Their big boat offers a good comfort, even on windy days. Although, because of the size of the boat,they are unable to go to all the different dive sites. English, French, German and Vietnamese fluently spoken.

Jeremy Stein’s Rainbow Divers, 058-826-528 is longest running dive operation in Nha Trang, European-owned with partially expat staff. A two-dive boat trip costs US$75 (including water, coffee, tea, a variety of baguettes, cakes and fruits), about double the best deals available in town (but much less than what Rainbow charges in other locations.) The operation is well-organized and very professional, catering to divers who aren’t comfortable with the more low-key local shops.

Where to stay

Budget

There are plenty of budget hotels in Nha Trang costing less than $20 per night and nearly all are en-suite and have the usual air-con, cable TV, fridge, bedside table, wardrobe and night light. Most also have Wi-Fi, if not in rooms, at least in the reception area. “Mini-hotel alley” at 64 Tran Phu is a good place to head for as it has a dozen or so budget hotels located in a relatively quiet alley near the beach and the main tourist area. Don’t be surprised if you are followed by a motorbike rider, sometimes they can be helpful showing you where your hotel is but often they are just annoying but either way if you arrive at a hotel with one they will demand commission from the hotel, even if you have a booking!

Ha Tram Hotel, 64B/5 Tran Phu, ☎ 058.3521819. Newest hotel in mini hotel alley (opened 2011), close to beach and main tourist area in quiet and safe location. All rooms have air-con, en-suite with hot water, cable TV, Wi-Fi and fridge. Hotel has 15 rooms on 6 floors and has an elevator. US$10-15.

Pho Bien Hotel, 64/1 Tran Phu, 058.3.524.858. Mini hotel close to beach and restaurants. All rooms have air-con, en-suite, cable TV, fridge and Wi-Fi. This place is clean, has a terrific location & really is great value for money. Room 503 (dble) has an enormous balcony with fabulous sea views & costs US$17 Hotel has an elevator and 3 internet computers to use in the lobby. Price range from US$10-20.

Happy House Hotel, 64/13 Tran Phu, ☎ 058.3522.175. Budget mini hotel close to beach and main tourist area in quiet and safe location. All rooms have air-con, en-suite with hot water, cable TV and fridge. Hotel has 15 rooms on 5 floors and has an elevator.

Mid-range

Memento Resort, 15 Le Chan St.,Nha Trang. This resort is in the country side around 15 kilomters west of Nha Trang. In the middle of the rice fields you will find this little family owned resort. If you like a traquil place and want to enjoy the country side, then this is the place for you. They also have a swimming pool at the resort.

Vien Dong Hotel, 1 Tran Hung Dao St., 058-821-606. Price ranges from US$35-45. Well-known and affordable, with all the basic amenities needed plus some live entertainment at night.

Que Huong Hotel, 60 Tran Phu Blvd., 058-825-047. Another hotel within the walking distance to the beach. There is a nice restaurant accompanied with a pool hall and some disco. Great amenities offered as well as the services. Price ranges from US$55-105.

Nha Trang Lodge Hotel, 40 Tran Phu St., 058-810-500. For those who love the view of the ocean, this is the hotel to stay at. Most rooms overlook the beach giving you an extraordinary sea views. Rooms are equipped with phones, satellite TV, a minibar, etc. Service is great. Price ranges from US$60-170 per night.

Splurge

Nha Trang Hilton Bed & Breakfast, (+84) 58-3820-476. It’s is the only type of its kind, a bed & breakfast in Vietnam. Most lodging are in forms of resort and hotels, but this unique living arrangement; the Hilton Bed & Breakfast (not related to the Hilton Hotel) allows guest to interactive with the local Vietnamese and share in with their daily life & activities.

Six Senses Hideaway, 058-3728-222.The only way to get to this resort is by speed boat to Ninh Van Bay. Price ranges from $405 to 1,255 per night. This is more of a private resort, suitable for whoever wants to get away from everything to spend time relaxing with love ones. This resort lurks itself between the rocks and mountains and oversees the white sand beach. Dining is fabulous in the open air where the breezes slightly stroke through your hair. While taking your time to have a lovely dinner, the sun will slowly set, giving you a miraculous view of Nha Trang at night.

Evason Ana Mandara & Six Senses Spa, Tran Phu Blvd., 058-3522222. if you don’t mind the price, this is the spot to go all out and get the once in a lifetime royal treatment. It has been known to be the finest resorts in the region. Finest in all aspects from the setting of the place to the hospitality to the food and to the people. Available fine-dining restaurants where the food can alter to your own tastes. Of course, there are many other amenities that are endless to meet your needs. Price ranges from US$210-450 per night. The resort also offer great tours. Make sure you take advantage of that to learn more about the area and the culture.

Yasaka Saigon-NhaTrang Hotel, 18 Tran Phu St., 058-820-090. This hotel is a Japanese and Vietnamese joint style. Service here is very friendly, and it has all the amenities you would need. What is good about this hotel is that it is just walking distance to the beach. Price ranges from US$100-355 per night.

Sunrise Beach Resort Nha Trang, 12 Tran Phu St, 058-920-999. This resort is all polished marble and white columns with 10 floors. It has a great view of ocean-side as well as the sky from its glass rooftop. Price ranges from US$140-500 per night.

Diamond Bay Resort & Spa Nha Trang Diamond Bay, Song Lo 058-711711. This extremely spaciously laid out resort hosted the 2008 Miss Universe pageant. Hotel rooms, suites and villas. Enormous pool (non chlorinated) spa, fitness, several restaurants & bars, tennis, expatriate exec. chef and expatriate GM. Two private beaches. Prices range from $125-600 per night. Book with wotif.com.au for USD57 per night with breakfast for 2 garden view room.

Novotel, 50 Tran Phu (in the central tourist location), ☎ +84 (0) 58 6 25 69 28. Four star hotel. Awesome staff, food, room, internet. Smaller pool, but the ocean is less than 100 meters away. $105.

Sheraton, 26-28 Tran Phu. Five star hotel with swimming pool, gym and open air bar on 28th floor with great views across Nha Trang beachfront.

Vinpearl resort. Vinpearl resort is on an island in the Nha Trang bay. You can get to and from the island by cable car. It is a 5 star hotel with the biggest pool in Vietnam. If you stay here, you can have unlimited access to the water park etc. It’s quite expensive though.

Where to eat

Budget

Lanterns Vietnamese Restaurant, 72 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, ☎ 058 2471 674. Open daily 7AM – 11PM. A great local restaurant, in the heart of the tourist district, where you get to try some real authentic Vietnamese dishes. Great relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. They prepare some of the best local dishes in Nha Trang and have an offer of Western food for those who miss home. They also work closely with 2 local orphanages, where the children and their carers are invited to regularly dine at the restaurant. $1 – $7.

Guava Sports Bar, Lounge & Restaurant, 34f Nguyen Thien Thuat. 7am – midnight. Open from 7am for big portion western breakfasts (served all day for those who enjoy later breakfasts too)! Great for big portions and western favorites. Daily specials include English Sunday Roast Dinner, Steak Night, Meat Pies, Chicken Wings, Burgers and Pizza’s. The rooftop terrace offers a cook your own Vietnamese style BBQ, open from 5pm everyday, perfect for couples, friends and groups.

Hoa Hung bakery, 39 Phan Boi Chau St., 058-382-3141/ 72 Ly Thanh Ton St., 058-221-1992 Sponge cake < US$1, pate-chaud, chocolate cupcake, sesame toffee. Open daily 7AM-10PM. Founded from 1936 and recommended by the travel guide Le Routard, Hoa Hung is one of the best bakery in the country.

Lighthouse Restaurant, 03 Phan Van Dong, 0969-50-1000, run by westerners, vietnamese and western cuisine, main courses US$3-17, live seafood US$4-110, open 11am-last guest (kitchen till 10pm), clean and unique place for quiet lunch and dinner in relaxing atmosphere.Located about 7 km to the north of Nha Trang Lighthouse Restaurant is an ideal place for sunbathing (sunbeds, towels, umbrellas), watersports (stand-up paddle board)and relaxation at a daytime and romantic dining (with live seafood, caviar, sweet champagne and live violin music on request) for couples in the evening.

Midrange

Salut, 16 Tran Quang Khai Street, ☎ 058.3.526.168. 6AM-11PM. 2 storey corner located restaurant (previously called Hello), serving Western and Vietnamese food. Good food and cheap cocktails.  edit

Louisiane Brewhouse, Lot 29, Tran Phu (South along Tran Phu from the Sailing Club), ☎ 84 (58) 3 521 948. 8AM-11PM. Louisiane Brewhouse has it all: tasty locally brewed beers, fresh cakes and tarts (the chocolate and mango tart is a real treat), an in-house sushi restaurant with other Japanese fare, quality pizzas, steaks, Vietnamese food, and you can pick your own fresh seafood. Add to this a nice swimming pool, decent live music, and the fact that it is right on the beach with their own loungers. Only the pool table was a bit of a let-down, with one ball missing and children messing about.

Texas BarBQ and Steaks, 26 Tran Quang Khai Street, ☎ 058-224-0979. 9AM-10PM. A taste of Texas in Vietnam. They import their steak, chicken, and pork from the U.S. The ribs are smoked for 5 hours a day! Charcoal fired burgers and authentic Memphis and Texas BarBQ makes this a favorite for kids and adults alike. The owners, Charlie and Wayne always have great stories to tell. Nice waitress staff who speak English well. 60,000-550,000.

Treffpunkt German Bar and Restaurant, 6A Tran Quang Khai Street. 9AM – 11PM. Great homemade German sausages, brown bread and Apple Pie. Sausages start from 35k Dong and brown bread is 10k Dong. The owner, an East German is very friendly and has great stories to tell about his Vietnam stay. 35,000-100,000.

Shopping

Bamboo, 15 Biet Thu St., 058-910-774. Open 8AM-9:30PM. This is a popular T-shirt shop in the area. Lots of tourists visit this shop to get T-shirts.

Groove Shack, 101 Nguyen Thien Thuat St., 058-524-738. Open daily 2PM-10PM. This is the place to update your MP3 player. The prices are acceptable. Service excellent. Has now moved into Booze Cruise bar & Grill.

Tashunco, 17A Biet Thu St., 058-827-035. Open 7AM-10PM. This is a mini Western market where tourists can buy products like chips, cheese, soda, etc.

Maximark Supermarket, 60 Thai Nguyen, ☎ 058 3 818 727. Nha Trang now has a brand new large western style supermarket that’s located near to the train station. Opened early 2010, it covers 4,000m2 in area, in a four-story building. The supermarket itself is on the 1st floor. There is a food court on the 4th floor that includes a Jollibee fast food joint. There is also an arcade games area on the 4th floor, 2,000 dong per token. Above the food court on the 5th floor and new multi-screen cinema has opened, Lotte Cinema. You can get a free discount card but you have to wait 10 days before it becomes active.

A Mart, 27 Biet Thi Street (located on the corner just beyond an A-mart supermarket and Crazy Kim if walking away from the sea.). There are a couple of well stocked modern mini-supermarkets in the main tourist area called A Mart. These are very much aimed at the tourist market and few locals will be seen shopping here. Cheaper prices for drinks, food and toiletry items will be obtainable from the more traditional family run small stores, especially so if you tell them what the supermarket price is and challenge them to offer you a lower price.

Nha Trang Center, ☎ 20 Tran Phu. New shopping and entertainment complex on the main beach road. On the 3rd floor is a 10 pin bowling alley as well as a games arcade and a food court. On the ground floor are KFC and Lotteria fast food joints. There is also a 4D cinema – 40,000 dong for a 5 min roller coaster simulator ride. Room for up to 4 people. On the 2nd floor there is Citimart supermarket.

What to do in Quan Lan island

Posted by editor on 8:00 am in Blog | Comments Off on What to do in Quan Lan island

Introduction

One of the outlying islands of the Ha Long Bay region and technically in Bai Tu Long bay, Quan Lạn has been sparsely inhabited for quite some time. There are a few thousand residents and an influx of local tourists from Hanoi on weekends and holidays. The island itself is pretty sandy and has little in the way of forest, unlike others nearby such as Ban Sen. Today, ports exist both at the northern and southern tips of the island. It is a less developed and less touristy alternative to the more popular Cat Ba Island.

There are two larger villages on the island with some scattered houses and guesthouses on the roads in between. Minh Chau village is in the north and has a strip of hotels, guesthouses and cabanas along the white sand beach. Quan Lan village is in the center of the island with a street of guesthouses, restaurants, and karaoke venues. The Son Hau beach area has a few resorts and guesthouses near its white sand beach. The beaches of Minh Chau and Son Hau have been claimed to be some of the best in northern Vietnam, if not all of Vietnam, by locals and foreigners alike.

How to get there

Buses leave for the ports in Halong City and Cai Rong from Luong Yen or My Dinh bus stations in Hanoi.

For the Halong City port, catch a bus going to “Hon Gai” which will take about 4 hours. From Hon Gai (Halong City) the ferry leaves at 1 or 1:30 PM and comes back at 6:30 AM (or at 6:15 AM in the summer) and takes around four hours. As of May 2012 the price is 70,000 dong for Vietnamese and 130,000 dong per person for foreigners. This route gives you a scenic boat ride through Bai Tu Long bay and drops you off at the port just south of Quan Lan village.

For the Cai Rong port, catch a bus going to Cua Ong and tell the staff you want to get off at “Cho Cua Ong” (Cua Ong market) and they will drop you off at an intersection in front of taxis that can take you to Cai Rong town about 12 km away. The trip will take 5-6 hours to get to this point. From Cai Rong port there is a ferry at 7 AM (or 6:30 AM in the summer) and 2 PM. Boats from Quan Lan going back to Cai Rong leave at 7 AM (or 6:30 AM in the summer) and 2 PM. The ferry takes two hours. There is a speed boat that makes the trip in 45 minutes that leaves at 7 AM, 8 AM, ! PM and 2 PM from Cai Rong for 140,000 dong per person. Return boats leave around similar times. Private wooden boats can also be chartered for 1,600,000 dong per boat and take around three hours.

Ferry boats will drop you off at the port south of Quan Lan village while private chartered boats can drop people off at the northern port near Minh Chau.

How to get around

Transport is pretty limited: there’s really nothing on the road after sundown. The island is about 15 km and getting around on two wheels on your own is fairly easy.

Hiring a local to drive you somewhere can be an expensive proposition compared to metered taxis elsewhere but you do travel in a xe om (tuk tuk) that is less common to see in bigger cities in Vietnam. Prices are given per vehicle so it is cheaper if you travel with groups. A ride to get half way up the island costs foreigners 100,000 – 150,000 dong. From Minh Chau port or beach to Quan Lan village, almost the entire way across the island, is 250,000 dong. It is best to organize early morning rides to the port with a guesthouse or hotel the evening before. There are a few buses that cost 10,000 dong that only run on weekends.

Bicycles can be rented from hotels or guesthouses for 50,000 – 70,000 dong of varying quality. Motorbikes can be rented for 100,000 – 150,000 dong. Petrol can be found at the corner stores at the intersection in Quan Lan village for around 40,000 – 50,000 dong. Look for the large water bottles full of Ecto Cooler looking neon green liquid. The roads are generally in decent condition but still have potholes, are often covered in sand, and have construction cars careening across them. There would appear to be little vehicle crime as locks are not given with rentals.

What to see

Half-way down the island, the western side features an industrial port at the tip of a very long breakwater that dissects an expansive tidal mangrove flat.

On the eastern side of the island directly east of the breakwater is a fantastic beach, which can be reached either by trudging across undeveloped dunes and tidal waters, or heading south slightly then following the road down to the single building on the beach, billing itself as a hotel.

There are a few temples scattered across the island.

What to do

Walk about and explore, or swim. Don’t expect much except scenery, and you’ll have a good time.

Visit Minh Chau (northern) or Son Hau (central/eastern) beaches with beautiful water and soft white sand. Minh Chau beach has cabanas lining the beach with rentable hammocks, loungers, and chairs. There are inner tubes and volleyball nets for rent as well.

Where to eat

Food can be more expensive than the mainland. The cheapest food is generally found in smaller family run guesthouses. During the week food can be hard to come by and visitors should get used to variations of things made with instant ramen noodles. Staying at resorts and guesthouses out of town usually involves informing the staff of future meals and some heavy bargaining and negotiation for high prices.

Food in Quan Lan village can be found for around 25,000 – 50,000 dong for a noodle, rice noodle or congee (rice soup) dish. Rice and noodle dishes later in the day can be found for 25,000 – 80,000 dong. Seafood dishes abound in town and can be found for a wide range of 60,000 – 150,000 dong.

Food in Minh Chau is more expensive and can get into the 100,000 – 200,000 dong range. There is western, particularly French, food available at Le Pont hotel.

Coffee is the strong and bitter Vietnamese variety served black or with condensed milk and can be found for 15,000 – 40,000 dong. Beer can be found at places labeled “Bia Hoi” for around 10,000 dong for draft beers and 15,000 – 30,000 for cold cans. Cold drinks are hard to find as electricity is not constant. Ice cream in smaller stores have the consistency of melted and refrozen treats.

Most menus do not have prices and it would be wise to ask before ordering. Vietnamese menus are generally more extensive than the one to two page English menus. Wandering around town at off hours may also mean that staff are napping or off site and inquiring with neighbors is the fastest way to see if anything is available.

Where to stay

Prices are higher during weekends and holidays as many people go to Quan Lan Island as a weekend trip from Hanoi. The prices during high season (mid April – mid September) can be as high as double low season rates. The accommodation in Minh Chau and Son Hau tend to be more expensive as they are walkable to the nicer beaches. The lodging and food is generally cheaper in Quan Lan village. Not much English is spoken although most people are happy to write down prices for you on paper or using their cell phone. Electricity is only on from 10 AM – 2 PM and 6 PM – 11 PM by generator with some of the larger hotels and resorts having their own personal generators but controlling the hours air conditioning can be used.

Quan Lan village

During high season during the week on Dong Nam street (the main and really only street) in Quan Lan village, rooms with two double beds can be found with fan for 200,000 – 300,000 dong at most of the family run and some of the larger guesthouses and hotels.

Tuan Thuy, ☎ 0333 877 329. Close to the big intersection in town with cheap, delicious food and coffee available in the restaurant downstairs. Cheap motorbikes and bicycles are available for rent. Little to no English spoken but a limited English menu is available. Fan room: 200,000 dong.

Minh Vu Guesthouse, ☎ (+84)33 877 479. One of the oldest guesthouses in Quan Lan village that can be found on the east side of Dong Nam street on a corner leading out of town. High season room on a weekday with fan: 200,000 dong.

ANN Hotel, ☎ (+84)33 877 889 (sales@annhotel.com.vn). Clean, new looking hotel on the main road in Quan Lan village with a pleasant patio area for their restaurant. Food is slightly pricier than other places in town but appears to be fresher as shipments arrive daily and cold drinks are always available. The hotel does have its own private generator that is not always on. The staff speak some English, the most of any guest house in this village. The karaoke venue on the top floor appears to be quite popular and loud but usually stops when the town electricity goes out at 11 PM. Wifi is available in the lobby and restaurant. Motorbikes and bicycles are available for rent. High season on a weekday: two double beds with fan: 300,000 dong with a/c: 450,000 dong.

Song Chau Villa, ☎ 0333 877 566 (songchauvilla@gmail.com). Villa on the outside of Quan Lan village. Two person high season room: 450,000 dong. Low season: 250,000 dong.

Son Hau village

Van Hai Resort. Right on Son Hau beach with various types of standalone villas and bungalows along the sand. 1,600,000 dong to 2,500,000 dong.

Hung Lam Resort, ☎ (+84)333877888 (info@hunglamecotourism.vn). Two star resort a short walk from Son Hau beach with a restaurant, air conditioning and pier transfer. 600,000 dong to 1,600,000 dong.

Minh Chau village

Binh Minh Guesthouse. On a corner on the edge of Minh Chau village still walkable to Minh Chau beach. 400,000 dong on high season weekends.

Hoy Huang Guesthouse. Relatively new and large hotel with an on premise restaurant with a large menu. Food is in the over 100,000 dong range for most dishes. High season: 500,000 dong.

Minh Chau Resort, ☎ 0919 091 468 (minhchauresort@gmail.com). Resort near the beautiful Minh Chau beach on the north end of the island. Air-conditioning is available from 13:00 pm to 15:30pm and from 21:30pm to 6:00am. Weekdays: 1,500,000 dong to 1,900,000 dong. Weekends: 1,800,000 dong to 2,200,000 dong. Holidays: 2,200,000 dong to 2,600,000 dong.

Shopping

There are currently no ATMs on the island. A few small shops scattered in the villages carry the straw, coolie and safari hats you can see locals wearing as well as some clothing. There is a fish market at 5:30 – 6:30 and 2:30 – 3:30.

Hoa Binh updated travel guide

Posted by editor on 9:42 am in Blog | Comments Off on Hoa Binh updated travel guide

Introduction

Hoa Binh is a mountainous province located in the north. It is bordered by Son La in the west, Phu Tho and Ha Tay in the north, Ha Nam and Ninh Binh in the east, and Thanh Hoa in the south. The culture of Hoa Binh combines six minorities with their own languages, traditional literature, and festivals. The climate is hot and humid with high levels of precipitation during the rainy season. Several calamities such as heavy rains, floods, violent storms, and droughts occur in this area.

Tourists especially enjoy the minority specialty dishes including rice cooked in bamboo and grilled meat. They also enjoy watching traditional dancing, music performances (bronze, drums, gongs), and Thai minority singing and dancing. The remote minority  villages are attractive sites for tourists.

Located on Highway 6, Hoa Binh provincial is 70 km south-west of Hanoi. Hoa Binh town and the adjacent area was the cradle of the Hoa Binh culture. Archaeological finds show that this is the first place man domesticated crop plants.

Hoa Binh province is inhabited by various ethnic groups, the Muong, Kinh, Thai, Tay, Dao, H’Mong and Hoa.

Transportation

Hanoi-Hoa Binh: 76 kilometers

a, Motorbike

You can go by motorbike; it is suitable for visiting all landscape in Hoa Binh.

b, Bus

From Hanoi to Mai Chau, you must pass 76 kilometers to the Hoa Binh town.

Highway 6 from Hanoi to Hoa Binh.

What to see

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is located around 135km from Hanoi at Hoa Binh province, stay in a peaceful valley sheltered by the outside world by a dramatic ring of hills. On the way coming to Mai Chau , you will have chance to pass through the top of Cun mountain, from there you can take a fabulous overview of the valley with the houses on stilt and paddy fields, bring the first impression about culture of Mai Chau –Hoa Binh.

Mai Chau brings a different image about Vietnam , inhabited with minority groups, that mainly Thai people ,Thai minority is one of six minority groups at Hoa Binh province. Thai people are  livingat small villages like: Lac village, Pom Coong village, Van village, Buoc village …. , these villages make a community with lot of particular culture and festivals. Thai people devided into 2 groups White Thai and Black Thai, use their own language beside King language .

Kim Boi hot spring

Kim Boi hot spring belongs to Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh Province. It is natural mineral hot spring and good for human health. Kim Boi mineral water is eligible for drinking, bathing, soaking and it can treat stomachache, blood pressure… With an area of 7 hectares, this is a rustic resort that is peaceful and exciting.

Kim Boi mineral spring flows deep underground so that the mineral water has a temperature of 34⁰C-36⁰C. Coming to hot spring, you can register your reservation at the resort or V resort. The resort is built in this place next to the largest mineral water circuit.

With full of equipped modern system, conference, hall, swimming pool…you can relax, spa, organize cultural exchange, and enjoy the cultural program…  Kim Boi mineral spring has two large pools along with individual tub system that is replaced water daily to sever travelers. It is suitable for swimming, soaking to find the fresh, healthy and whiter skin. Besides, there has a sufficient mineral with high purity which is conductive to human. So that, this is also a place to cure diseases such as:rheumatism,stomach pain, gastro-intestinal… Kim Boi mineral water was bottled as beverage; it is the same kind of Thach Bich mineral water in Quang Ngai, Kum-Dua in Russia, Paven Barbia in Hungari.

Currently, Kim Boi mineral spring continues to be invested and renewed to preserve the beauty of green tourism, village tourism, culture tourism.

Thung Nai

Thung Nai belongs to Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province. It is far about 25 kilometers from Hoa Binh and 110 kilometers from Hanoi. The name ‘Thung Nai’ appeared because this valley has many deers who comes to place. The name ‘Thung Nai’ no longer appears on the tourist map but it is becoming an exciting destination for those who want to explore the wilderness. Thung Nai has rustic and grandeur beauty, a sparkling scene in the middle of Da River.

As a commune of Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province, Thung Nai is known with Ba Chua Temple, Thac Bo cave, Bo Grotto, Mu village and floating island… This is the place of many village with the mainly people is the Muong. The main vehicle is boat or canoe. People here exchange at Bo Market. The market is only opening in the morning.

Thung Nai has Thac Ba temple, the queen governs area of northwest, and the upper back is the Muong-Hoa Binh, the Thai-Son La… When finishing hydropower, water of Da river floods valleys, which creates small islands, is very beautiful. Here, residents are mostly the Muong. This is one of the famous lands of the Muong in Hoa Binh- Muong Thang.

The way to Thung Nai following the port of Binh Thanh, along the Da River, winding up and down with more than 10 kilometers, tourists will come to center of town and there has a large marina.

Da Bac Cave

Da Bac belongs to Lien Son commune, Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province. This cave is the masterpiece of the Creator that has combination between sculpture and painting, spectacular and romantic views.

Da Bac cave has 70 meters length, provided small room. It contains the potential value and many mysterious of nature. According to folklore, the fairies in the heaven are bored with fairy scene so they come to the earth. They soak in the beauty of the earth and enjoy Da Bac Lien Son Cave. The beauty in cave makes fairies surprise with sparkling stalactites, curved arch… The Jade Emperor was angry so that he closed the heaven gate. The fairies could not come back; therefore, they turned into mountain. Hence, Da Bac Cave is also known as Tien Cave.

Da Bac Cave was discovered in 1990 by chance of people. Initially, entrance of cave is small ravine that fits for one person. After that, local people make entrance larger in order to enter easily. Step into the cave, tourists will come to the Co Tien Cave.

What to do

Khai Ha Muong Bi Ceremony

Khai Ha is folk ceremony associated with agriculture, brings many marks of Vietnamese civilization. This is cultural activities- an indispensable belief of Muong Bi, Phong Phu on the New Year. The ceremony represents the dream of ethnic people about bumper crop, prosperous life, and happiness. Khai Ha start for New Year with two parts. According to provisions of Muong Bi, after the ceremony, people just go to forest to take bamboo shoot, woods… so that the ceremony is also called “xuong dong” and open forest ceremony. One unique feature of Khai Ha ceremony is repair Lo ditches. This is the ditch that assures irrigation for the whole region. As the rule, one person in each family must take part in common tasks such as: dredging ditch, making influenced flow. Each people is work hard until finished ditch was repaired.

The festival has folk games such as: crossbow and dragging… and unique traditional dishes. On the wide beach, boys, girls and even children can join the crossbow competition. In addition, there has throwing “con” along with love songs that starts of the couples love. The traditional contests are very exciting.

Xen Muong Festival

Xen Muong festival is one of the biggest festivals in the Thai to commemorate the ancestors who established Muong. The festival prays for the Thai happy and lucky. The festival begins bringing trays from Tao Muong house to the temple. The village patriarch wears yellow silk and indigo trousers.

The festival took place more exciting activities. Beginning of the festival is mainly celebrated dance, sing, drum and gong. The seconds day, there organized shooting competition.

Gau Tao Festival

Gau Tao also means outdoor activities. Gau Tao is the traditional festival of the H’Mong held in alternate forms. Every year, the H’Mong chooses one family to hold the festival. It is a great honor of any family in the village.

The preparations for the festival are made throughout the year, in which, finding and erecting neu tree are the important thing. This tree is considered as the sacred plants of the H’mong, the signs of the festival, happiness and prosperity. Before beginning festival, the selected family must decorate beautifully. On the top of the tree, there have two pieces of cloth: black mixed with red.

At the festival, from the morning to evening, on the whole roads, each men and women come to the festival. Along with the soul of traditional instrument, the men make clear avowal of love for the girl. The colorful umbrella, attractive dance creates power of love.

What to eat

Hoa Binh Man Pigs

The pigs roam are roasted, just shaved hair. After that, it will be washed before slaughtering to take viscera. Viscera do not wash with water; it only hangs up to drain blood. Therefore, meat can be kept for a long time. Then, it is mixed and putted to the pot to boil.  When meat cooked to medium, it is taken to the chopping-board, ethnic people slice them and display on the banana leaves. Meat is used together with roasted-salt and “hat doi”. If tourists enjoy the dish, they will fell the sweetness of meat, the aroma of banana leaves, the taste of “hat doi”… At the first time, visitors cannot forget.

Hoa Binh Pickled Pork

The pigs roam are mixed with glaze of forest leaves and roasted rice within 60 minutes. Then, they take banana leaves on the fire and clean them. Ethnics put banana leaves to the bottom of bamboo and sprinkle the meat with roasted rice. Then, they close the bamboo by banana leaves and put them into stove. When tourists enjoy pickled pork, they will feel the color of meat, acidity of forest glaze, salinity of salt, aromatic of rice. This dish is usually served with forest leaves.

Hoa Binh Pickled Bamboo Shoot with Chicken

The chicken roam has weighing between 0.8 to 1 kilograms cleaned and slaughtered to put away viscera. Then, people chop into small pieces and mix with pickled bamboo within 20-30 minutes. After that it will be cooked about 1-2 hours. When chicken is well-done, ethnics sprinkle the chicken with a little “hat doi”.

Hoa Binh Grilled Chopped Meat with Pomelo Leaves

The pork is chopped into square pieces, mixed with a bit of fish sauce, onion. Pomelo leaves are cut into 2 pieces and put them to broiler and roast in the charcoal. If guests enjoy the dish, they will feel the aromatic of pomelo and tingling tongue.

Hoa Binh Grilled Fish

Some types of fish such as: Crucian carp, catfish, carp… are usually grilled. Before grilling, people often thrust one stick from mouth to stomach of fish and then grilled them. Grilled fish is put into the banana leaves.

Hoa Binh Buffalo Cooked La Lom

Buffalo is roasted and shaved hair then chopped into small pieces, stewed in clay pot. After that, people mix them with “la lom”, small rice and stew with buffalo. This is a popular national dish of the Muong, Hoa Binh province.

Where to eat

Da Hop Restaurant

Address: Dinh Tien Hoang, Tan Thinh, Hoa Binh

Tel: 0218 3854926

Time: 07:00 am- 10:00pm

Da Hop Restaurant is famous for the field of high cuisine. After 20 years of development, Da Hop affirms its name and its cuisine by the dishes-herbs.

With the enthusiastic and thoughtful services together with clean food such as: shrimp, crabs and snails…, the restaurant servers many other dishes typical of the northwestern mountains.

Coming to Da Hop restaurant, tourists will soak into large and peaceful place. Along with harmonious decoration, the restaurant becomes more unique. With a large area of restaurant, Da Hopj can welcomed hundreds of guests, an ideal place for couples. Da Hop has combination between traditional oriental beauties with a modern sytle, it is the best choice for tourists when exploring Hoa Binh.

Guests will be especially pleased with the professional staffs, enthusiastic services that make you pleasure as at home.

Manh Ngan Restaurant

Address: Phuong Lam, Hoa Binh

Tel: 0218 3895 388, 0218 3895 388

Website: http://manhngan.com

Email: info@manhngan.com

Payment: cash

Cuisine is one of the passions in the life. The attractive and interesting dishes require people to have a sharp taste to perceive.

Manh Ngan Restaurant creates the cuisine space from flavors of seafood and traditional dishes in Hoa Binh and the whole country. Guests can feel delicious flavors on each our dishes.

Hien Luong Restaurant

Address: Dong Tien, Hoa Binh

Tel: (84-18) 358 7238

Time: 09:00am- 09:00pm

Payment: Cash

Coming to the restaurant, guests will feel comfortable when enjoying the delicious unique dishes. Along with the fresh air and enthusiasm staffs, we commit to serve you with professional style as well as thoughtful as possible.

We will be happy to serve you at the restaurants. Your presence of guests is the greatest praise for the restaurant, the service and essence of the cuisine of Vietnam.

Where to stay

The stilt house homestays all offer essentially the same thing for the same price (currently 50,000 dong excluding meals), so there is little point in recommending one over the other here. If you plan to stay in a stilt house, the best thing to do is walk around the villages (they’re very close, Lac starts where Pom Coong ends) and see which location you like best. Also check if there are other people staying – the rooms are communal so if you want more privacy you should go for one that has no other guests, and hope no-one else turns up!

For a bit of luxury, Mai Chau Lodge (+84 218 3868 959) is the only option. It’s located on the main road out of Mai Chau town, at the point where you turn off onto the dirt track for Pom Coong and Lac. It’s a lovely small boutique resort with a small pool, free shuttle transfers between Mai Chau and Hanoi, and the usual range of comforts you would expect in the $100+ bracket.

Hoa Binh Travel Tips

– Exchange money: You can exchange currency at the hotel where you live or go to Bank of Hoa Binh

– Internet: Free internet at the hotel

– Bank

ATM of BIDV

Address: Cu Chinh, Lan, Hoa Binh
Fax: (+84-4)-222003999
Tel: (+84-4)-22205544

Web: http://www.bidv.com.vn/
Email: bidv@hn.vnn.vn

ATM of Viettinbank

Address: 186 Cu Chinh Lan, Hoa Binh

Tel: 0218.897388

Fax: 84-4-39.421.032

Web:http://www.vietinbank.vn

ATM of Agribank

Address: Luong Son, Hoa Binh

Fax: (+84-4)-8313719

Web:http://www.agribank.com.vn//

– Hospital

Mai Chau town hospital

Address: Mai Chau, Hoa Binh

Tel: 3867161

Da River hospital

Address: Tan Thinh, Hoa Binh

Tel: 3854666

Da Nang updated travel guide

Posted by editor on 1:37 am in Blog | Comments Off on Da Nang updated travel guide

Introduction of Da Nang City in Vietnam. This is an article from Sapa Travel Vietnam

Da Nang is one of the cultural and educational centers of Vietnam, and it is also one of the biggest cities in Vietnam. Da Nang has a long coast with many beautiful beaches such as Non Nuoc, My Khe,… Coming to Da Nang, you will have opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery such as Ngu Hanh Son, Ba Na, Son Tra peninsula, Hai Van pass, beaches and many historical relics.

The city is located along Han River so that the French often called Da Nang as “Tourane”. Da Nang has an area of 1.200 km2 and its total population is about 800.000 people. It is not only convenient location but also easily accessible port. Situated on the path of national route 1A and the North-South railway, it is known as a hub for transportation. Da Nang city shares the border with Thua Thien Hue in the North, Quang Nam province in the South and The Eastern Sea. It is far 764 kilometers from Hanoi to the North, 964 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City to the South and 108 kilometers from Hue ancient capital to the North-South.

Da Nang terrain has either coastal or mountains. The high and slope mountain is in the South and North-South, from here, many mountains lasts to the sea. The mountainous terrain accounts for large area with the high of 700-1.500 meters.

Da Nang is situated in the typical tropical monsoon area with the high temperature. Its temperature has combination between the Northern climate and Southern climate. Every year, there has 2 seasons: the rainy season lasts from August to December and the dry season lasts from January to July. The average temperature is about 25,90C and the highest temperature is in June, July, and August at 28-300C. The area of Ba Na has the temperature about 200C. The average rainfall is 2.504,57 mm and the highest rainfall is in October and November.

How to get there

By plane

Da Nang International Airport (IATA: DAD) is the smallest of Vietnam’s three international airports. There are frequent flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on both Vietnam and Jetstar Pacific, as well as domestic service between Buon Ma Thuot, Da Lat, Hai Phong, Nha Trang and Pleiku and internationally Guangzhou, Seoul-Incheon, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai-Pudong, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo-Narita. Aside from a money changer, airport amenities are rather minimal, although some upgrading was done to the airport in late 2007 and early 2008 making the airport one of country’s most modern. As of November 2006, international departure taxes should be included in the price of your ticket. Compared to larger Vietnamese airports, Da Nang is a little bit laid back; local travelers often arrive less than 30 minutes before their flights; there are also a couple of restaurants/coffee shops opposite the terminal, which offer more choice, if not lower prices, than inside the departure area.

By train

The Reunification Express makes a stop in Da Nang. Many motorbikes and taxis are available outside of the station. Scheduled arrival and departure times are loosely followed. If you just want to get to Hue, you can also take the ‘local’ train which is slow (about four to four and a half hours from Da Nang to Hue, with several stops along the way; a car or taxi does it in two), but incredibly cheap (25,000 dong including a meal) and passes through some spectacular coastal scenery.

By car

There car two way to get in Danang by car: From Danang international airport: you can hire a car from some transfer service. It’s comfort, safety, speed and efficiency whether traveling for business or for pleasure. From Tien Sa or Chan May seaport: you can also hire a car to pick up you at the port.

By bus

Sinh Cafe, the popular bus-pass service, makes a stop in Hoi An, a short distance (about 30km) from the city. It is of a distance where a taxi is better than a motorbike.

At least two other bus-pass services make stops in Da Nang, and can be taken to either Hue or Hoi An or further in either direction. Fare to Hue is US$3 as of late 2007, trip takes about three hours with one refreshment stop on the way. The bus uses the tunnel so does not go over the spectacular pass between Da Nang and Hue.

By boat

Sustainable Tour operator & vegetarian restaurant “Karma Waters” 47 Cua Dai St, Hoi An tel. 0510 3927632 operates Danang – Hoi Boat tours & shuttle service.

What to see

Ba Na Hills

Ba Na – Chua Mountain tourist area belongs to Hoa Vang, Da Nang, it is far about 50 meters from the central city to the west. Located on the high of 1.487 meters above sea level, the temperature of this place is cool, the average temperature in the summer is about 180C, Ba Na – Chua Mountain is an ideal eco – tourism in the Central Vietnam

In order to step into Ba Na top, tourists should pass through 15 kilometers. This terrain is considered as small highland. Tourists not only enjoy fresh air but also contemplate the beautiful scenery. In addition, tourists can also enjoy the large space of Da Nang city, Vung Thung bay, Son Tra peninsula, My Khe beach, Ngu Hanh Son, Thu Bon River, Cham Island.

Ba Na has various flora and fauna. In the old-growth forest, there includes 256 species of fauna, 61 species of animal, 178 species of birds and 17 species of reptile. The flora includes 543 species. Besides, Ba Na has many rare animals such as: Crested Argus, Asian Black Bear, northern buffed-cheeked gibbon…

In 1986, Ba Na was recognized as natural reserve area, in which tropical forest and rare animals are protected. At the beginning of the 20th century, in order to serve the French’s vacation in the Central Vietnam, many hotels, villas were built along mountain side, Nui Mountain and Ba Na hill. After the war, this place was destroyed. Da Nang has recently restored and remodeled some ancient French villas, Buddhistical cultural area, hotels, bars…

Here, the Da Nang often holds fire camp night to propagate mountainous specialties and help tourists discover this place. From Vong Nguyet hill, tourists will be taken to central area. This system includes 16 cabinets, which serve about 320 guests per hour.

Annual year, Ba Na welcomes thousands of tourists in the whole nation and other countries. One night in Ba Na, tourists can hear the breath of mountain and wild animal. Ba Na is an attractive destination when you come to Da Nang city. Coming to Ba Na, tourists will be travelled by telpher. Ba Na telphers were built base on standard of Austria technology. With the total investment capital of 300 billion vietnam dong, Ba Na telpher has22 pillars, 94 cabinets and it can serve 1.5000 guests per hour and it just take about 15 minutes to go from the foot of Ba Na mountain to the Ba Na eco-tourism. According to the world telpher association, this Ba Na telpher system named in Guinness World Records. It is the world’s longest one-wire telpher network in the world (5,042.62m) and the telpher with the highest gap between the lowest and the highest stations (1,291.81m).

Ba Na telepher is an ideal destination. From here, tourists can enjoy the colorful picture as well as sparkling views. Sitting on the cabin, you will be contemplated the grandeur of mountain, rainfall, the old-growth forest… They will bring tourists the adventurous feeling as in the fairyland. Tourists will has wonderful experiences with four seasons within one day and has an abundant fauna and flora system.

Dien Hai citadel

Dien Hai citadel was built in 1813, near the Da Nang beach. In 1823, it was moved to mainland. In 1835, it was renamed into Dien Hai citadel. In 1847, Dien Hai citadel was expanded with Circumference of 556 meters, 5 meters height. It has 2 entrances, one faces to the South (the main entrance), and the other faces to the East. In the citadel, there has food, weapon and 30 big cannons. The citadel was built by bricks base one the Vauban design.

Currently, Dien Hai citadel relic is located at the Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau. The Western and Eastern wall still retain intactness. Recently, Dien Hai citadel relic has been remodeled.

Dien Hai citadel marks the spirit of the Da Nang and people in whole nation against the French to protect independence, freedom of Vietnam. This place is important citadel that contributes to defeat the French in 1858-1860. Nguyen Tri Phuong general of army statue was built here to commemorate glorious historical period of the city. Dien Hai citadel was ranked into historical relic on November 16th 1988 and was given relic stele stone on August 25th 1998.

Today, there have some evidences of Dien Hai citadel on Ly Tu Trong Street and Thach Thang ward, Da Nang.

Han River Bridge

Da Nang is located on the west side of the Han River and the beaches are to the east. In the middle night, traffic is restricted to get from crossing the Han River Bridge and it swings on its axis to allow shipping traffic to pass along the river. The area around the bridge is beautifully paved into a riverside promenade and is the location of Da Nang’s cultural centre.

Han River Bridge is the first bridge that Vietnamese architects and workers designed. Han River Bridge was built by the people of Danang and holds a special place in their pride for their city. The bridge is the unique swing bridge to be built in Vietnam and it is also an important part of Danang’s cityscape.

The Han River Bridge is the symbol for new vitality and the developing desire of the city-was built with the contribution of the entire city’s people. It is not also facilitates transport and potential for tourism but also a cultural spot of Danang people today left behind for the future generations.

Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain belongs to Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son, is far about 7 kilometers from Da nang city to the Southeast. Ngu Hanh Son is located on the yellow sand – bank with 2 kilometers length, 800 meters width. The kind of stone in Ngu Hanh Son has various colors and it is the source of sculpture and arts.

Ngu Hanh Son includes 5 mountains: Kim Son (Metal Mountain), Thuy Son (Water Mountain), Moc Son (Wood Mountain), Hoa Son (Fire Mountain) and Tho Son (Earth Mountain). Number No.05 is the important number in orient and 5 mountains contain unique sense.

Metal Mountain (Kim Son) is located in the Southeast, on the bank of Co Co River. Travelling by boat, tourists can contemplate the beautiful scenery. Ben Ngu, the place, the Kings often stayed each time come to Ngu Hanh Son. Today, it did not exist; however, people can see one ironwood pillar near the Quan Am pagoda.

On the foot of Kim Son Mountain, there has a cave with 50 meters length, 10 meters width and 10-15 meters height. The entrance has natural stone steps, the stalagmite creates Guan Yin statue, which is beautiful and lively.

Wood Mountain (Moc Son)

Moc Son is located near the sea, Thuy Son Islet to the East. The East and South is sand cave, the North is fields and the West is villages. Although it has the name “Wood Mountain”, it has fewer trees. The top mountain is divided into cog-shape as cock spur, so that it also has the name “Mong Ga” Mountain (cock spur mountain).

On the mountain, there has no pagoda; it only has white marble stone as the shape of people. The local people often call “Co Mu” or Guan Yin. In addition, there has small cave named Ba Trung Mountain. In two wars in Vietnam, local people and revolutionary cadre often used this place as shelter.

Water Mountain (Thuy Son)

Water Mountain is located on the area of 15 hectares and it is the highest mountain in Ngu Hanh Son. The mount has 3 tops as three Tam Thai stars so that it is named Tam Thai Mountain. The highest mountain in the northwest is Thuong Thai mount, Trung Thai is in the South and Ha Thai mount is in the East. The pagodas and caves concentrated in Thuy Son. Thuong Thai mount has Vong Giang Dai, Pho  Dong tower, Tu Lam pagoda, Tam Tam padoda, Tham Thai padoda, Hanh Cung padoda, Hoa Nghiem cave, Huyen Khong cave, Linh Nam cave and Lang Hu cave. On Trung Hai Mount, there have two entrances: Thien Phuoc Dia, Van Can Nguyet and some caves such as: Van Thong cave, Thien Long Cave, Van Nguyet Grotto. Ha Thai mount has Vong Hai Dai, Linh Ung Pagoda, Ngu Coc cave, Tang Chan, Fairy well and Am phu Cave.

Fire Mountain (Hoa Son)

Hoa Son includes two mountains and one stone line combining them. The mountain near Kim Son to the West is Duong Hoa Son, located on the Co Co River. On the Western mountain side to the North, opposing to Kim Son, there has 3 words of Han script “Duong Hoa Son” which are sculptured into the mountainous wall. In the mountain, there has grottos and Pho Son Da pagoda.

Earth Mountain (Tho Son)

Tho Son is located on the Northern Kim Son islet and Southern Thuy Son islet. This is the longest mountain in Ngu Hanh Son. The Western Tho Son is Ba Cha River. In the mountain, there has entrance that faces to the South-West; its name is Coc grotto or Bo De grotto. During two wars in Vietnam, Bo De grotto was considered as natural shelter for local people and revolutionary cadre.

On the Northern Tho Son, to the Da Nang, there has Long Hoa pagoda. It was built in 1992. This terrain contributes to the beauty of whole picture of Non Nuoc- Ngu Hanh Son Mountain.

The museum of Cham sculpture

The museum of Cham sculpture is located at No.02, 2/9 Da Nang city. In 1892, Charle Lemire collected Champa sculpture artifacts which are in Tra Kieu, My Khuong…and then he displayed them at the city garden, which is situated on the hill near Long Thu Pagoda. Camile de Paris added some sculpture artifacts of the Cham in Phong Le, Bang An… Initiatively, this museum was only rectangle architecture completed in May 1916.

The ancient contour in the design of two French architects still retains until now. Coming to museum of Cham sculpture as stepping into ancient culture, it converges all kinds of Cham quintessential culture.

Currently, the museum displayed about 300 original sandstone works and terra-cotta. All works have the date from the 7th century to 15th century.

Museum of Cham sculpture is the creativeness which base on Champa ancient art. It is small architecture but unique. Some architects appreciated that it was one of the most beautiful architectural museums in Southeast Asia and the world.

The museum is the unique place in Vietnam as well as in the world research about Champa culture. Artifacts displayed in the museum including sculpture arts such as reliefs, animals, human statue… They represent the development stages of Champa sculpture from the first period to the final period. It helps tourists as well as researchers know the whole stages of Champa art.

Two displayed samples rooms: My Son and Dong Duong were opened. These are displayed specious artifacts of two places which are arranged with modern facilities and techniques in display, light… This arrangement offers tourists new insights with ancient antiques. Each antiquity has noted clearly the date and place, so that anyone can also know about something about the Cham culture.

Associated with traditional trade village such as: pottery, brocade…, the ancient museum creates special space for tourists. In addition, tourists can visit Long Thu pagoda relic.

Non Nuoc Beach

Non Nuoc beach belongs to Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang city. It lasts 5 kilometers and it has arc shape along the foot of Ngu Hanh Son Mountain. The Nature blesses for Da Nang three the world natural heritage: Hue ancient capital, Hoi An old quarter and My Son. In addition, there have many beautiful beaches such as: Nam O, Xuan Thieu, Thanh Binh, Tien Sa, Son Tra, My Khe, Bac My An, Non Nuoc…

Somewhere in Da Nang beach has many coral, diversity of seafood. All beaches are very close to the central city, you can go by many ways. Non Nuoc beach has a combination between wave levels, climate, season… they are suitable for all kinds of water sports. Besides, tourists can visit Ngu Hanh Son, ancient pagoda, cave, village or floating on the Co Co River.

Non Nuoc Tourist Company includes 3 hotels with more than 100 guestrooms and swimming services such as: taking photographs, massage, restaurant, tennis, gym facilities… In addition, Da Nang city applies one kind of resort including hotels, restaurants, outdoor area, swimming pool… to serve tourists.

What to do

Overview Danang Festival

Festivals in Da Nang have many the same points among central Vietnam; however, it has some typical characteristics to create the special beauty of this place. During the festival days, you can enjoy the colorful area, traditional songs… Da Nang festivals formed from many years ago including Cau Ngu festival, Quan The Am festival (Guan Yin festival), Hoa My communal village festival, An Hai communal village festival…

Not only keep traditional festival but also the Da Nang creates new festival base on tradition: row-skiff racing. This festival holds on the National day September 2nd annual year on the Han River with dozens of local teams.

Cau Ngu Festival

Every year, after the Lunar New Year, people often hold the Whale festival. In Da nang, Cau Ngu festival is held in Man Thai, Tho Quang, Thanh Loc Dan, Xuan Ha, Hoa Hiep… Cau Ngu festival illustrates for aspiration about peace in their life, they always face with difficult things on the sea.

Guan Yin Festival

Guan Yin festival lasts 3 days and includes two parts: ceremony and festival. During Cau Ngu festival in Vietnam, the altar is decorated with colourful flags and other accessories for Cau Ngu festival in Vietnam. All family put the offerings on the altars. Fishmen decorate their boats with flowers and lanterns in Cau Ngu festival in Vietnam. The village chooses the group including the old, good men whose families do not have funeral to pray to heaven, god of the sea in Cau Ngu festival in Vietnam.

Because of the beauty of this place, the festival attracted many tourists come to Ngu Hanh Son. There has the Tug of war-one of the traditional games. With many cultural-sporty activities, Guan Yin festival contributes to respect and preserve the national character.

Hoa My Village Festival

Hoa My communal village festival holds during one and half day. The ceremony has many activities which have combination between traditional and modern. The festival is typical character of Da Nang culture.

An Hai Village Festival

In 2000, An Hai communal village festival was restored to remind people about the glorious past. An Hai communal village festival was held on August 10th lunar calendar. Having many activities in here, and people can enjoy the traditional songs.

What to eat

Quang Nam’s Noodles

Like Hue beef noodle soup and Hanoi beef noodle soup, Quang Nam’s noodle is made from noodle and broth too. However, noodles – the main ingredient of the dish have two types: white noodle is made of rice only and the yellow is made from rice and turmeric. The broth is cooked from pork bones for fatty flavor and high nutrition. The amount broth used is not as much as in Hue beef noodle soup and Hanoi beef noodle soup. That makes Quang Nam’s noodles differ from the other kinds of noodle in Vietnam.

Quang Nam’s noodle is served in a bowl that contains noodles, broth and variety of toppings. Toppings for Quang Nam’s noodles are very diverse: some slice of pork, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp or a half of boiled egg. Besides, roasted peanut, fresh vegetable and toasted Vietnamese sesame rice cracker are also added on the top of the bowl for authentic taste of Quang Nam’s noodles. That unique noodle can be offered as a fine dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner also.

Danang Beo Cake

The Da Nang likes the traditional cake on snack. “banh beo” is made simply: powdered rice soak into water for several minutes to have liquid. Then, mix with a little grease and pour into small cups. Enjoying “banh beo” properly is in each small cup, not in the bowl or plate as some restaurant, hotels.

The delicious “banh beo” is thanks to the shrimp, especially the sauce. Firstly, “nuoc mam” mixes with grease, sugar, garlic, chili and shrimp which create the unique flavor. When eating “banh beo”, people not use chopsticks but small bamboo stick. It is great when using it with spicy sauce. The sweetness of shrimp mixed with the flavor of garlic, chili… gives us unforgettable impressions.

Nam O Raw Fish Salad

Before scenting, the fish are pressed and people use it for sauce. Fish water is boiled and mixes with “nuoc mam Nam O”; we will have delicious sauce for Nam O raw fish salad.

Nam O raw fish salad can eat with vegetable. This is specious vegetable which only grows on the Hai Van Pass.

Each piece of fish mixed with sauce, chili, forest leaves … creates special flavor that you have never had before.

Jelly-Fish Salad

It is more difficult and more expensive to prepare tentacle jellyfish salad. The jellyfish are cut into small pieces, washed in cold boiled water, and then mixed with cooked chicken or thin slices of pork, boiled eggs, chili, unripe mango, ground peanuts and mints. Ear jellyfish salad must be prepared by skillful hands. They are put in a bowl in layers until dry. Then they are covered by ground peanuts, thin slices of plantain, unripe mangoes, chili, mint and savory leaves. Now we have a delicious jellyfish salad.

Jelly fish salad can use with rice of “banh trang gao”, ginger sauce and wine. Now, this dish has in the menu of some restaurant as specialty.

Where to eat

Chen Shabu Restaurant

The first impression is the large space. The tables are designed with special type; each table has coal stove which provides for roasted dishes. Stemming from the requirement of safe food, CHEN restaurant exports modern facilities in order to bring the fresh atmosphere for tourists.

If tourists want to enjoy “hot-pot – one people”, Chen restaurant will provide you require. Besides, restaurant has Sushi and Sashimi of Japan which will attract tourists. CHEN restaurant attracts many tourists to visit and enjoy dishes and also the restaurant is appreciated highly about the specialties and professional staffs.

Address: No.29 Pham Hong Thai, Hai Chau, Da Nang

Tel: (0511) 843888 – Fax: (0511) 843889

Website: www.chen-restaurant.com – Email: info@chen-restaurant.com

Phi Lu Restaurant

With the professional chefs, we assure to bring guests all kinds of traditional dishes, traditional specialties, Chinese dishes. Affordable price and high quality, we bring pleasure for each guest.

Payment: Cash/credit card (VISA CARD, MASTER CARD, AMES…)

Address: no.225 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau, Da Nang

Tel:  (84-511) 3 823772 – 3 823574 – 3868868

Fax: (84-511) 3 823574

Apsara Restaurant

The restaurant serves seafood and Vietnamese dishes with the famous chefs from Song Ngu seafood restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, this restaurant has traditional songs and traditional music of the Cham and Vietnamese.

Open: 10:00am- 02:00pm and 5:00pm- 10:00pm

Address: No.222 Tran Phu, Hai Chau, Da Nang, Vietnam

Tel: (84-0511) 561409. Fax: (84-0511) 562001

Blue Whale Restaurant

You just take a short drive to four UNESCO-listed World heritage sites: about 2 hours to the former imperial city of Hue, 30 minutes away to Hoi An ancient town, 90 minutes to the spiritual centre of the Champa civilization, My Son sanctuary and 3 hours to the Phong Nha Caves, considered by some an access to the inner earth!

Memory Lounge

With the capacity of 350 seats, Memory Lounge was built base on standard of 5 stars including restaurants, bar and 03 private rooms.

Memory lounge responds all demands of guests, businessmen with perfect menu. Professional services as well as experienced chefs, this is an ideal destination for tourists.

Hours of operation

Lunch: M – F, 11:00 – 2:30 pm

Dinner: M – Sat, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Bar: M – Sat, 5:30 pm – until

Contact memory Lounge

7 Bach Dang St, Hai Chau Dist

Tel: (84-8) 511 357 5899

Fax: (84-8) 511 357 5898

Email: order@loungememory.com

Heaven Restaurant

Located in the heart of Da Nang, our customers will enjoy a perfect blend of Vietnamese charm and international standards in service and hygiene. Having made these goals our personal commitment, we have opened our kitchen to the public eye and made our premises fully accessible for the handicapped.

At Heaven Restaurant, visitors can expect the highest interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. All completed with permanent exhibitions from local artists. Our aim is to promote Da Nang and Vietnam art and culture to an international audience.

Discover a surprising, unexpected place, and take with you an unforgettable piece of Da Nang.

Address: No.119 Le Loi, Hai Chau, Da Nang

Tel: 0511 2240891

Ashima 7 Restaurant

With the specialties and luxurious space, Ashima restaurant is an ideal destination for tourists to hold private party. If you are looking for comfortable and convenient space, Ashima 7 Restaurant is the best choice for you. The various dishes and affordable price, we assure to bring you unforgettable time.

Tel: 03-6435-3600

Address: No.54, Hai Chau, Da Nang

Where to stay

Budget

There are many small hotels along the east side of the river (Tran Hung Dao street), which generally start at 300,000 VND for a single room and have wifi, hot water, and a/c. Pham Phu Thu is a good street with many budget hotels in the center on the west side of the river.

Nha Nghi 278, 278 Le Van Hien, ☎ 0511.3844877. Cheap but nice guesthouse with wifi, hot water, a/c. Located east of the river. * Da Nang Trade Union Hotel, 50 Pasteur Street, Hai Chau District, ☎ (84-511) 825458. Located very close to the train station, has fast wifi, a/c, hot water, English speaking staff 250,000 VND for a single room.  edit 250,000 VND for a single room.

Hoa’s Guesthouse, China Beach. Hoa the owner will make you feel right at home. Very friendly atmosphere and the local social gathering place. Closed during TET. About US$8.

Phước Lộc, China Beach – Lô 19 B2. 1 Đường sơn Trà, ☎ 84 511 3847609. It’s in the main beach street, just opposite to the steet going to Hoa’s place. The hotel is new and an ok deal for the facilities that they offer (AC, wifi, hot shower sometimes, TV). They are 2 min walk to the beach. The staff don’t speak good english but they are very polite. Beware as the beds are thick but stiff as boards and the pillows are so thick they hurt your neck and make sleeping difficult. The hotel is located 20km southwest of town, and cost 300K VND by taxi from the city center!!!! US$10-12.

Mid-range

Sao Minh Business Hotel, 137 Nguyen Du St. Danang City Vietnam, ☎ (84-0511) 3530555. Spacious and cozy rooms, all equipped with Air-conditioning, TV with cable channels and Mini-bar. Facilities and services are Business center, Restaurant and bar. From USD 25.00.

Red Beach Resort and Spa, Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, ☎ (+84) 511 3842 767. All rooms are equipped and included with LCD TV with cable channels, Balcony/lanai/terrace, Air-conditioning, Complimentary breakfast, Private toilet and bath. Some of its facilities and services are Restaurant, Spa, Swimming pool, Pearl Island tour and Water sports facilities. From USD 72.00.

Daia Hote, a one star hotel, address 51, Yen Bai Street, Hai Chau District, Danang.Tel: 84511-827532, web site: www.daiahotel.com. A friendly old hotel, the owner is involved with charity. You can visit ” The Northwindbroom workshop” and “Bo Mung Orphanage”. Rooms range from US$17 to suites of US$30 per night. The hotel is near to Catholic Church nearby.

Golden Sea Hotel. Located in Pham Van Dong road.

Splurge

Fansipan Hotel Da Nang, Truong Sa Street, My Khe Beach, Ngu Hanh Son District, ☎ 05113.913.555 – 3913.455. All rooms have air conditioning, work desk, bathroom, IDD telephone, cable/satellite television, mini bar, wireless high-speed internet and hair dryer. Some of its facilities and services are souvenir shop, meeting room, restaurant & bar, elevator, banquet, front desk, housekeeping, security, bellman service, room service, tour desk and laundry service.

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, Truong Sa Street, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, ☎ +845113981234. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa comprises 200 hotel rooms, 182 residences from one to three bedroom and 27 ocean view villas. The resort features contemporary design, using Vietnamese craftsmanship and decor, setting a new standard in Asian hospitality and style.

Furama Resort Danang has 198 rooms and suites resort 15 minutes from Danang International Airport. The resort has its own Diving Center, spa and health centre. Room rate is from USD 175++ per room per night.

Lifestyle Resort Da Nang is a new five star hotel right on the beach, next door to Furama. 186 rooms and villas from $135 per night including airport transfers, breakfast and free wifi throughout the resort. Facilities include spa, Sea doo jetkis and towable tube, butterfly farm, a kids club and complimentary daily shuttle to Hoi An.

HAGL Plaza Danang, 01 Nguyen Van Linh street, ☎ 84 511 2 22 33 44. It offers 206 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have cable television, Internet connection, mini-bar, and shower with bathtub. Some of its amenities include spa and swimming pool, fitness room/gym, and restaurant, bar, and café. Best rates on official website start at US$96.

Vinpearl Luxury Da Nang, Truong Sa Street, Ngu Hanh Son District. An international hotel 5 stars with 200 comfortable rooms and villas. Best rates.

Shopping

There are several local shopping markets scattered around the city and a few shopping centres. Hung Vuong, Hoang Dieu, Phan Chu Trinh and surrounding streets offers a wealth of quality goods; clothes, shoes, homewares, dvds etc..

Danang Souvenirs is a new souvenir shop that specially designs souvenirs and gifts about Da Nang. You can buy typical souvenir products such as tshirt, teddy bear, key rings, magnet, etc. Add: No. 22, 2/9 St, Hai Chau District, Da Nang. If you’re new to the city and not sure how to find the direction, the office is within walking distance from Cham Museum.

How to get out

Frequent bus service to Hoi An in the day time (service stops at 6 pm). (15,000 dong – but foreigners may be refused passage at this price – you just insist until they accepting your 15,000 dongs. This is usually accomplished by handing the purser 15,000. The price is posted on the side of the bus, near the entrance), as well as other destinations throughout Vietnam is available at the intercity bus station. Try eventually to get on the bus along Dien Bien Phu, busstops are signed, the first being just after the roundabout at the west of the railway wich you cross 1 Km east of the busstation. Very near Danang is the village of Lang Co.
Danang train station is conveniently located close to the center of town.

Cu Chi tunnels travel guide and information

Posted by editor on 2:47 am in Blog | Comments Off on Cu Chi tunnels travel guide and information

The article about Cu Chi and the tunnels by Sapa Travel

Cu Chi is about 40 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over the American soldiers. Despite all the bombings in their town, the Cu Chi people were able to continue their lives beneath the soil, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground, but over 10,000 lost their lives here.

How to get there

A multitude of tour buses leave Ho Chi Minh City for the Cu Chi tunnels daily. Expect to pay around US$5 for a half day guided trip (not including admission to the tunnels), with 90 minutes travel and about an hour and a half touring the area. Buses mostly leave around 8:00, so consider a private car if this isn’t suitable. Tour operators on Pham Ngu Lao will quote from $45-75 return by private car, or possibly lower — don’t be afraid to shop around.

If you’re making the trip independently, hop on bus 13 from the Ben Thanh bus station. The last stop on the route is Cu Chi. Bus fare is 7,000 VND, and the ride is about 1.5 hours. When you arrive at the Cu Chi bus station negotiate a motorbike driver for the 20-minute ride for around 100,000 VND return (pay attention as starting price could be 200,000 VND or more). It is also possible to take bus 79. Ask the driver for Cu Chi tunnels, the ride will last about 45 minutes and cost 5,000 VND. The bus will reach a T-junction with Ben Duoc on the left and Ben Dinh on the right. Get off at this point and walk on to Ben Dinh, or stay on the bus as it drives right pass the Ben Duoc entrance. Warning, the buses are sometimes very warm and crowded but manageable.

Admission to the tunnels is 90,000 VND as at Febuary 2013, which includes a guide who may or may not speak English well. While friendly, these guides may attempt to rush the tour or distance you from paid guides/groups — just indicate that you aren’t ready to move on yet and take your time if you feel you’re being rushed.

There are actually two locations frequented by tourists:

Ben Duoc This is further out from Ho Chi Minh and many local Vietnamese go there. Tour companies can organize a day tour on demand, but you would be better off hiring a motorbike. Entrance is 80,000 dong and a motorbike should cost about $1-2 per hour. The round trip is about 6 hours. A walking tour with tunnels and temple last about 1-2h. The tunnels feature enlarged tunnel segments for you to crawl through and demos of the sleeping, medical and command quarters underground. The ticket office also features two Mig’s. Some guides here are lethargic and speak little English, but have show improvements recently. There are many dioramas including a mock village. A starch lunch is served for which a donation box is provided. Bats are also present.

Ben Dinh This is the touristed tunnels and you’ll be in good company. Note that all the tunnel sections at this site have been specially created for tourists and were never part of the real network. Also note that bats can be found roosting in some of the tunnels, so if you get bitten or scratched by one find a hospital quickly as bats may carry rabies.

If you drive to Ben Dinh on your own you find the real coordinates to the tunnels here (as the coordinates shown on google maps are obviously wrong and there are very little signs directing to the tunnels)

What to see

If you visit this place, you will have the opportunity to experience to walk down the tunnels, and see the weapons Viet Cong used to against their enemy. This is an important historical site to visit outside of Ho Chi Minh City.

The 75-mile (121 km)-long complex of tunnels at Cu Chi has been preserved by the government of Vietnam, and turned into a war memorial park. The tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system. Some tunnels have been made larger to accommodate the larger size of Western tourists, while low-power lights have been installed in several of them to make traveling through them easier and booby traps have been clearly marked. Underground conference rooms where campaigns such as the Tết Offensive were planned in 1968 have been restored, and visitors may enjoy a simple meal of food that Viet Cong fighters would have eaten.
Above-ground attractions include caged monkeys, vendors selling souvenirs, and a shooting range where visitors can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60.
This is the site of the Cu Chi tunnels, one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. Today it is one of the country’s prime tourist attractions, part of a new industry of war tourism. Sometimes, these spots seem to be memorials to wartime propaganda as much to the war itself.
Following the man in green fatigues, the tourists arrive at an open-sided hut, where the women in black show them to their seats. There, on a big-screen television set, the Vietnam War plays on: B-52’s drop strings of bombs, villagers run for cover, communist guerrillas fight back.
The Cu Chi tunnels, a 75-mile-long underground maze where thousands of fighters and villagers could hide, are at the top of the list of tourist spots for Ho Chi Minh City, 45 miles to the southeast. Another is the city’s Museum of War Remnants, with its displays of captured weapons and its catalog of horrors, which only recently amended its name, with changing times, from the Museum of American War Crimes. If you visit this place, you will have the opportunity to experience to walk down the tunnels, and see the weapons Viet Cong used to against their enemy. This is an important historical site to visit outside of Ho Chi Minh City.
The 75-mile (121 km)-long complex of tunnels at Cu Chi has been preserved by the government of Vietnam, and turned into a war memorial park. The tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system. Some tunnels have been made larger to accommodate the larger size of Western tourists, while low-power lights have been installed in several of them to make traveling through them easier and booby traps have been clearly marked. Underground conference rooms where campaigns such as the Tết Offensive were planned in 1968 have been restored, and visitors may enjoy a simple meal of food that Viet Cong fighters would have eaten.
Above-ground attractions include caged monkeys, vendors selling souvenirs, and a shooting range where visitors can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60.
This is the site of the Cu Chi tunnels, one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. Today it is one of the country’s prime tourist attractions, part of a new industry of war tourism. Sometimes, these spots seem to be memorials to wartime propaganda as much to the war itself.
Following the man in green fatigues, the tourists arrive at an open-sided hut, where the women in black show them to their seats. There, on a big-screen television set, the Vietnam War plays on: B-52’s drop strings of bombs, villagers run for cover, communist guerrillas fight back.
The Cu Chi tunnels, a 75-mile-long underground maze where thousands of fighters and villagers could hide, are at the top of the list of tourist spots for Ho Chi Minh City, 45 miles to the southeast. Another is the city’s Museum of War Remnants, with its displays of captured weapons and its catalog of horrors, which only recently amended its name, with changing times, from the Museum of American War Crimes.

What to do

Fire Weapons – choose between the AK-47, M16,.30 Caliber Machine Gun, M60, M1 carbine, M1 Garand and Russian SKS. Great fun, if you can put from your mind what these “toys” were really designed for! As of May 2012, firing an AK-47 costs 35,000 dong per bullet.You do not have to go the Cu Chi tunnels in order to fire a gun, the range and tunnels are separate. It is located outside the Cu Chi complex, by walking it is 1.5 miles or take a motorbike.

Where to eat

There are a number of stalls selling food and drinks near the entrance. Mid-way around the walking track is a kiosk/restaurant selling drinks and food and ice-cream at reasonable prices, and at the end there are samples of traditional “Tapiaco (Asian Potato)” to try.

Where to stay

Mekong Ecolodge, Quarter 5, An Hoa Hamlet, Dong Hoa Hiep, ☎ +84 933 449 391 (info@mekonglodge.com). US$65.

You can also rent a room in any hotels in Ho Chi Minh city stay and visit Cu Chi tunnel in one day. After that you can return to the downtown and enjoy your night in the lively atmosphere.

Shopping

There are numerous souvenir shops at the end of the walking track. Given the location there is some focus on war memorabilia, as well as the traditional Vietnamese souvenirs found elsewhere.

Things to do in Can Tho

Posted by editor on 7:37 am in Blog | Comments Off on Things to do in Can Tho

The article about Can Tho in Mekong Delta by Sapa Travel

Can Tho is the biggest city of the Mekong Delta, in Vietnam with an estimated population of 1,5 million as of 2012. The name comes from “cầm thi giang” – river of poems. It is also referred to as “Tay Do” meaning “Western capital”. The city is famous for its floating markets, Buddhist pagodas, delicious food and fresh fruits and the beauty of the Mekong girls.

Can Tho is located on the south bank of the Hậu River, the bigger branch of the Mekong River. It is in vicinity to Sóc Trăng, 1.5 hours from Long Xuyen, 3 hours from Châu Đốc and Rạch Giá, about 6 hours from Cà Mau, and 169 km (3 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City.

The climate is tropical and monsoonal with two seasons: rainy, from May to November; and dry, from December to April. Average annual humidity is 83%, rainfall 1,635 mm and temperature 27 °C.

How to get there

By Express Bus

Many operators serve Can Tho from cities in the Mekong Delta up to the center and north of Vietnam. You may have a short stop in Ho Chi Minh City. Most travelers arrive in Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City.

From Ho Chi Minh City bus operators servicing Can Tho are leaving every one to two hours around the clock from the Western Bus Station (Bến Xe Miền Tây). Prices are US$4-7. Smaller more local buses from Saigon to Can Tho leave in the morning. There are three main operators servicing routes from Ho Chi Minh City as well as other destinations – “Thanh Buoi”, “Phuong Trang” and “Mailinh”. The big operators also have a departure point in the center of the city at Le Hong Phong street, from where shuttle buses will bring you to Bến Xe Miền Tây. You can take a taxi to Le Hong Phong street in district 10. Look out for the office of “Thanh Buoi” (white background logo with a flower), “Phuong Trang” (red signs) or “Mailinh” (all green) or go straight to Mien Tay bus station in district 6. The taxi from district 1 costs around US$12 in May 2012. With most operators you will get a small bottle of water included in your ticket price. Bigger buses offer AC, but also entertainment program of Vietnamese films and music shows, which are usually perceived as too loud for “Western ears”.

Major Bus Operators

Thanh Buoi is providing the fastest service to Can Tho as the bus only stops for a 10 minutes on the way from Ho Chi Minh city. The ride takes about 3 hours. The company provides a small bun as a free snack and free water for customers. At the arrival in Can Tho shuttle buses bring you to your final destination inside the city. Have the address of your hotel ready. The shuttle buses are paid for as part of your ticket. Cost from HCMC (May 2012): 110,000VND

Mai Linh has a good reputation as an operator of buses and taxis. The service to Can Tho will stop for a food break for half an hour on the way. The ride takes 4 hours. The company provides free water. Mailinh has stopped to provide shuttle services for customers. Cost from HCMC (May 2012): 80,0000VND Please note: as of this writing it seems like there is no Mai Linh Bus anymore. – Though they are still operating taxis within the city. Update: Mai Linh offers express bus service between Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City, departing regularly from the western bus station in HCMC and the main Can Tho bus station. Costs vary by departure date, but are approximately 100,000 VND. (Updated Feb. 2013)

Phuong Trang has the largest number of services to Can Tho daily. There is a stop for 30 minutes in the large Phuong Trang highway service and restaurant point. The ride takes 4 hours. The operator provides free water in the bus. In Can Tho a shuttle bus will bring you to your final destination, if you have the address of your hotel ready. This is included in the price of your ticket. Cost from HCMC (May 2012): 100,000VND

By motorbike, car and taxi

By car, allow about 1.5 hours from Sóc Trăng, about 3 hours from Châu Đốc, about 3.5 hours from Rạch Giá (85,000 Dong in april 2012), less than 4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City (169 km, 100,000 dong), about 6 hours from Cà Mau and about 1.5 hours from Long Xuyen. It is possible to rent a car for US$120-150 for a one-way trip (or return trip in the same day) for 2-3 passengers from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. A driver is included in the price. In case you want to drive yourself, you should check well in advance about the conditions.

You might be slightly faster by motorbike than by car depending on your way of driving. It is quite easy to rent a motorbike in the tourist area in Ho Chi Minh City district 1. Most rental stores will rent a motorbike to you, if you can show a driving license of any country or will even not ask for a license at all. Beware that you are only covered by your insurance in case of an accident, if your driving license is valid in Vietnam. Most European licenses are not automatically accepted. You might need to take an additional test with Vietnamese authorities in order to comply with the local rules.

It is also possible to rent a taxi for about almost the same price as a car for 1 way from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. Try hiring a Vinasun Taxi or Mailinh taxi.

By boat

Apart from overnight boat cruises for tourists, there are not anymore regular boat transportation services to Can Tho. This is due to the fact that the time for driving to Can Tho has been reduced to less than 4 hours with the opening of the Can Tho bridge in 2011 and the finalization of the motorway around HCMC.

By air

Trà Nóc Airport now has a vast international terminal with convenient facilities. As of 2011, the airport is connected to Hanoi, Phu Quoc with flights on Vietnam Airlines and Con Dao with flights on Mekong Air.

What to see

Pagodas and Temples

Quang Duc Pagoda, Mau Than Street, one of the biggest and most active Buddhist Temples with monks living in the premises. Visitors are welcome at any time of the day. There are fewer people during the afternoon, when it is rather hot, but it gets very lively often in the evenings.

Churches

– Tham Tướng Church on Mau Than Street, nice little church build by the French

– Tin Lanh Baptist Church close to Can Tho University in Mau Than

Xuan Khanh Quarter

The Xuan Khanh quarter is the geological center of the city and part of the Ninh Kieu district. In the 18th century the quarter was originally named Tham Tướng after the general Tham Tướng who fought the Siamese troops in 1772 that were advancing from Ha Tien. As with so many places the name of the area was changed after the Vietnamese war to reflect the ideology of the new regime in power.

Mau Than Street is the central street of Xuan Khan and famous as the longest street in the Mekong Delta stretching over 30 kilometres. The street is named after the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, that was launched on the Vietnamese New Year on January 30, 1968 by forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam against South Vietnam. In Vietnamese, the offensive is called Tết Mậu Thân (Tet, year of the monkey). So in fact “Mau Than” actually means “year of the monkey”. Xuan Khanh Market at the beginning of the street is a daily stop for many citizens who get their food and other supplies here. Mau Than is also center for the local community as there are two churches and the Quang Duc Pagoda in just a few hundred metres distance. Depending on the day of your visit you may see many traditionally dressed monks and Buddhist citizens or a celebration service of one of the churches that often reach into the street in the evening (usually between 6pm and 8.30pm).

Xuan Khanh Student Quarter: Many students from the nearby Can Tho University live in Xuan Khanh or do their daily shopping in one of the local shops. There are small eateries in the street and alleys as well as cafe’s catering for the growing student population. As this quarter is less frequented by tourists, visiting Xuan Khanh you will find more local experience than in the upmarket Ninh Kieu pier. The best time to visit is in the afternoon and early evening. After visiting one of the churches or a temple, you could eat out in one of the street restaurants if you are up for an experience like a local student. There is also a famous alley with a dozen of hot pot restaurants here dubbed by locals Hot Pot Alley or in Vietnamese Hẻm Vit Nau Chao (refer to food section for more info). In the small streets and alleys coming from Mau Than you often find low budget snack bars or restaurants. In Nguyen Cu Trinh Street (side street of Mau Than) for example you can eat fresh mussels and sit on those plastic chairs they set up quickly and serve customers in the evening. If you dare also try one of the local sweets in the small corner alley at Hem 95 (Alley 95). After that you can visit one of the bars or cafes in Mau Than or relax on the roof top bar of the yellow mango colored Hotel Xoai, which means “Hotel Mango” as there used to be a mango orchard at this place.

Hai Bà Trưng area

Hai Bà Trưng street: This area is one of the main areas and attractions of Can Tho. Located directly at the Mekong river. It offers a park at the riverside with the Ho Chi Minh statue. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants around here and from here you can book boat trips, for example to the floating markets. Just look for some friendly tour guides, who speak English pretty well. They’ll also help you make the tour of your choice which offers a greater experience than the standard tours offered by the tourist office.

Local markets

Cái Khế Market or the longer form Trung Tâm Thương Mại Cái Khế (Cái Khế Commercial Center) is a big market on Trần Văn Khéo street catering for businesses including restaurants and hotels as well as end consumers. The market stretches over two sides of the street, with the area facing the river offering products for daily use, fish and other fresh food products that arrive on the river. On the other side of the market, you will find many wholesalers for textiles and home products.

Xuan Khanh Market, is a market predominantly for fresh food, fish, vegetables and fruits. Other products for all daily needs are also available. It is located at the beginning of Mau Than Street. Many locals still use the name Tham Tuong Market, according to the old name of the area, but it is officially called Xuan Khanh Market now.

Ninh Kieu Pier Tourist Market, The main market of Can Tho used to be an open market located on Ninh Kiều pier. Today, the only original building left is the beautiful old market hall, now surrounded with a garden along the river. Now Cái Khế markets further upstream the Can Tho river and Xuan Khanh Market host the increasing activity.

Floating markets

The floating markets are a very lively scene, accommodating much of the goods exchange throughout the area, and can be quite freely visited on board smaller boats for about US$5/hour per boat. You may take a tour from the Ninh Kiều pier, where the “boat ladies” are charmingly eager to welcome you aboard. On January 2013, starting prices are about 15$/25$ for 3h/7h tour with either one market + canal, either multiples markets + canal. It could be bargained down. Pay attention as there is an old pushy lady haunting tourists at the riverside to sell boat tours. Best to get your tour directly from a boat driver.

Cai Rang (Cái Răng) floating market is the main wholesale floating market near Can Tho. Go there early in the morning (as early as 5:30am), and come back through the small tributaries to Can Tho river; about 3-4 hours. The Mystic sampans offer higher-end breakfast cruises to Cai Rang floating market.

Phong Dien (Phong Điền) is further upstream the Can Tho river, and worth seeing as it is a retail market. It is very active at dawn, but slows down early too, so you may want to go there by land. The arroyos back to Can Tho are also very much worth a ride on a small boat.

Phung Hiep (Phụng Hiệp) is much farther away, in the neighboring Hậu Giang province, but deserves a trip if you are going to stay more than a few days, as it is always bustling with activity.

Tra On (Trà Ôn), in Vinh Long province, is just over an hour downstream the Bassac (the lower Mekong branch, also called Hậu Giang or Sông Hậu). It is a small floating village’s market anchored near the clouds’ island (Cù Lao Mây).

Beautiful Views

There are many bridges with beautiful views.

– Locals like to spend the evening at Nguyen Trai bridge, where a cool air is breezing from the river.
– A nice spot with a picturesque view is Ho Xang Thoi, a small man-made pond surrounded by the typical “skinny” apartments that you see in Vietnam. Makes for a very nice photo during sunset.

Canals

The canal system around Can Tho is a fascinating travel network, much more relaxed than the bustling roads. Hire a small row boat (probably with a small diesel motor as well) that can take you through the small canals that the larger tour boats can’t navigate. Tours from 6am to 2pm, including two floating markets and various sites along the canals, can be found for under 250,000 dong per person. Talk to Can Tho Tourist (on the corner near the Ho Chi Minh statue) to get an idea of the prices, but it is a bit more expensive than making your own arrangements. Ask around at the river front and make sure to negotiate the price. Beware of some boat drivers asking for more money to visit the canals. The original price should already include them.

What to do

Visit the floating market and enjoy a cruise on the river

In order to catch the most lively scene at the markets, tours start early in the morning, usually between 5-6am or according to appointment. The floating market tours are a highlight of every visit to Can Tho. There are several river markets in the area, the closest about 20-30mins by boat from Ninh Kieu pier.

Bassac cruises (discovery overnight cruises through the Mekong delta on board classic wooden boats). The Bassac wooden cruisers run regular overnight trips between Can Tho and Cái Bè, but also to Châu Đốc and the frontier, and provide high-end services including non-stop air-con and all meals cooked on board. $200+.

The Mekong Eyes combines regional boat-building traditions with modern comforts. Cruising Cai Be- Can Tho 100km, 9 hours

The Mystic sampans offer breakfast cruises on the floating markets; meals and sunset cruises on the river, and combine very well with cycling tours. $35+

Can Tho by night. Can Tho by night Can Tho looks much different at night than in day time from colorful street lights to Can Tho bridge lights. Want to see the difference? Can Tho by night tour will be show you the real Can Tho. It takes you on a journey to some local areas that most visitors do not get to see without guiding. You will get a full view of Can Tho city’s nightlife, and learn things that are not found in any guide book. You will enjoy the view over the riverside and Can Tho bridge from the high view, go over it, try some special local foods, go around the city, night market, Ong pagoda. 16$.

Visit a local Pagoda and Church

– Experience the Vietnamese service in a local church. Around 30% of Vietnamese are Catholic. There are two churches in Mau Than Street. Because of the hot weather, services are usually in the evenings. The Sunday service starts at 6:30 pm.

-Light an essence stick and give a prayer for your family in a Buddhist temple. See huge crowds of traditionally dressed Buddhists flocking to the Pagoda temples at weekly Buddhist events. The Quang Duc Pagoda in Mau Than Street is very popular.

Tour and make friends with locals – Can Tho Mau Than Street Tour (For groups of 4 or more after confirmation, starts usually at 5pm for about 45 mins), Start: 93 Mau Than, Xuan Khanh. Make friends with locals and students and join the English language Can Tho Mau Than tour taking place since the beginning of 2012. A group of young locals started to offer the free tours of Mau Than Street and the Xuan Khanh Quarter with the goal to give visitors insights into the local culture and meet people who you cannot usually meet as a tourist. It covers some interesting spots of the quarter like Tham Tuong Catholic Church build by the French, the Quang Duc Pagoda, Tin Lanh Baptist Church, Saigon Bakery, Xuan Khanh Market, surrounding area and streets of Mau Than and Can Tho University. The feature of the tour is that you have the chance to get many tips from local people for your travels around Vietnam – how to deal with motorbike drivers to taxis, shopkeepers and travel agencies. You learn how Vietnamese drink the ice coffee (Cafe da), how to get a good head massage at a barber shop, what to pay for at tailor shops and much more. The tour is done for the fun and making friends only. A donation to the welcome club is welcome.

What to eat

Local fruits

Can Tho is famous for its delicate cuisine and extra-fresh fruit and vegetables, and a good place to try and eat unknown fruits. Among the local produce, you may like to try the different varieties of mangoes, oranges, jackfruit, pomeloes, grapefruit, but also custard apple, corossol, longans or even durian. A place where the locals buy fruits are the markets like Xuan Khanh Market.

Hot Pot Alley

Hem 1 Ly Tu Trong dubbed Hẻm Vit Nau Chao, the Hot Pot Alley, is one of the attractions for locals and students in the Xuan Khanh Quarter that is still a kind of secret tipp in Can Tho even though it recently started to becoming popular with expats as well (especially with those who are not afraid of Vietnamese only menus). The alley hosts about a dozen restaurants all offering the same specialty, Can Tho Hot Pot in different styles with fresh fish from the Mekong river or with Duck (also a local specialty).

Hot Pots are served on a fire cooker on your table. As the soup gets cooking you can add different vegetables, leaves, egg noodles or rice noodles, tofu and eggs. You only pay for the side dishes you use and you can order more of any dish you wish. You also get free refills of the hot pot soup. Ask for “them nuoc” meaning more water. It might seem unusual to put in some of the leaves into the hot pot, but try and you will love it.

Where to eat

Café Hợp Phố (6 Ngô Gia Tự, close to Nink Kiều pier, www.hoppho.com.vn) offers quiet places in a green and nature atmosphere. Lot of drinks and meals available at good prices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other locations are: 124 30/04 Street, and 164 – 166 30/04 Street (this one has a football field, and it is across the street from Can Tho College).

Phuong Nam (Phương Nam), 48 Hai Bà Trưng (left in the middle of the Ninh Kiều pier, near the statue of Uncle Ho), ☎ 0710 3812077 (phuongnamrestaurant48@gmail.com). 10:00 – 23:00. Seated a classic building facing the river, the serves very tasty Vietnamese as well as some Western cuisine such as pizza and spaghetti. The service is nice and efficient, and a surprising variety of languages is spoken there, from English to French.Specially are snake meat and crocodile. Also a great choice of good vegetarian food.

Nam Bo (Nam Bộ), 1 Ngô Quyền (right in the middle of the Ninh Kiều pier, near the statue of Uncle Ho), ☎ 0710 382 3908 (restaurant@nambocantho.com). 06:00 – 23:00. Seated a classic building facing the river, the Nam Bộ serves very tasty Vietnamese as well as some Western cuisine such as pizza and spaghetti. The service is nice and efficient, and a surprising variety of languages is spoken there, from English to French to Dutch and even some Japanese.

Sao Hom (Sao Hôm), in the old market hall, facing the river (When on the Ninh Kiều pier, follow the pier with the river to your left hand, you cannot miss), ☎ 0710 381 5616 (saohom@transmekong.com). 06:00 – 23:00. Located in the central market’s hall, facing the Can Tho river, the Sao Hôm serves a large palette of Vietnamese cuisine, as well as some western food, too. The ambiance at night is unique.

l’Escale (the Port of Call), 1 Ngô Quyền, 4th floor (right in the middle of Ninh Kiều pier, on the top floor of the Nam Bộ Boutique Hotel), ☎ 0710 381 9139 (escale@nambocantho.com). 06:00 – 22:30. l’Escale is a fine restaurant with a view to the river and the bus boat wharf, with a bar and a wine cellar.

Phở Cali, Trần Văn Kéo Street (close to the central market in front of the Exhibition Centre and the Citimart supermarket).

Hợp Phố Spa (4 Nguyễn Du, close to Nink Kiều pier) Hop Pho Spa is the only premier day spa in Can Tho City, Viet Nam. It offers a variety of body massages and facial treatments with Pevonia (Product of U.S.A) – Award-winning natural skin care products. The professional team at Hop Pho Spa has a natural commitment to its clients’ well-being. They are motivated, well-trained and passionate about providing positive change in their clients’ lives. Whether looking for peace, relaxation, or rejuvenation, you will find it at Hop Pho Spa.

Gony Spa Cafe Lounge, Nguyen (close to Ninh Kieu pier). Offers a variety of food including pizza, pasta, beefsteak as well as local food. It also offers different shakes, smoothies, coffee and ice cream

Goat Specialties (Lẩu Dê Thanh Thuý) is a little aside of the city, and run by a French person who settled in Can Tho who offers a variety of dishes revolving around savory goat meet.

There are also a variety of other restaurants, the quality and service of which spans the whole range from poor to great.

Dog meat (Thịt cầy Trần Văn Hoài)

Duck soup (Vịt nấu chao Hẻm 1)

Where to stay

Budget

Nam Mon The Boutique Hotel (Friendly budget boutique hotel), C233/4 Nguyen Van Linh St, Hung Loi, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho City, Vietnam (The hotel is located on Nguyen Van Linh Street. It is within 10-minutes walk of 91B highway and the Can Tho Bus Station, 15 minutes walk to the City Centre.), ☎ +84 (0)710 6250 866 (info@nammonhotel.com). checkin: 1400hrs; checkout: 1200hrs. Newly renovated guest rooms and garden terrace on February 2013. Contemporary guest rooms with free wi-fi. Offers free daily breakfast. Fitted with warm lightings, the air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen LCD TV, minibar and coffee/tea making facilities. Each of the rooms have a bathtub and a rain shower. The hotel is located on Nguyen Van Linh Street. The Hotel also offers a Free City Tour for all guest who check-in at the hotel. Day Tours to the floating market and car rentals to other cities and destinations can be arranged at our Front Desk Counter. Free bicycle rentals, barbecue facilities, luggage storage, and a business centre with free printings available upon request. US$25/$32/$40.

Hotel Xoai (Newly opened mini-hotel with roof terrace), 93 Mau Than Street, Xuan Khanh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho City, Vietnam (Close to Cantho University main campus and opposite Quang Duc Pagoda.), ☎ +84 (0)907652927 (info@hotelxoai.com). checkin: 2pm; checkout: Check Out at 12pm. Young and friendly atmosphere. 23 compact rooms with double or single beds, private bathroom with shower, toilet, fan, AC, phone. Budget option is small. Standard and Deluxe rooms bigger and additional facilities. All rooms with windows. Fast free wifi throughout the hotel. Guests can relax on the roof terrace. Helpful and trustworthy staff, moderate prices for tours, no additional charge on bus bookings. US$11/15/23.

Hello 2 Hotel (massage and spa inhouse), 31 Chau van Liem Street, Ninh Kieu (Close to Ninh Kieu Quay), ☎ 0913 764 994. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Friendly and comfortable. Here, you can relax with special service and take care of your health for spa, massage from our young ladies, bar and drink coffee. US$15-25.

Spring Hotel, 22 Khu Dan Cu So9 Duong 30/4 (Ninh Kieu district), ☎ 0710 3839723 (springhotelct@vnn.vn). checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Very clean and friendly place. Rooms maintained and bed sheet changed daily during stay. Enjoy meals any time you want at the nice sitting area by the big windows on each floor. The downside is distance from the center and river (40mins on foot) but free bikes to ride around as well as motorbike rental. Staff are nice. Free wifi. USD$25/21/19/17.

31 Restaurant, 31 Ngo Duc Ke, ☎ 07103825287. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. One of several cheap and very simple places on this road. Rooms can be a bit smelly as the kitchen aromas waft upstairs. If you have an allergy beware of the dust from fans. Wifi works at reception, but not working in the rooms (most notably back ones). Avoid booking bus and tours there as it seems a lot more expensive US$17.

Xuan Mai Hotel (hotel in Can Tho city centre with no english speaking staff), Nguyen An Ninh 60, Can Tho, Vietnam. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Location is good. Relatively clean, but some rooms with older beds are said to have bed bugs. Rooms have LCD TV with Vietnamese channels. AC available with top up charge, but smell a bit old. Bathroom with bathtub. Warm water might not work at night because of their water system. Check for rooms with windows. US$16/19/25.

Mid-range

Kim Thơ. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 10.30. 3-star hotel that is clean with wifi and wired LAN in the rooms. Located in Ngô Gia Tự close to Ninh Kieu boat pier. US$90/110/130.

Kim Lan Hotel (hotel with 24 hour reception), 138 Nguyen An Ninh St, Can Tho, Vietnam. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Staff is friendly and trying to be helpful. Some rooms do not have windows. Hotel with mixed reviews and some complaints about bug smells and fungus in bathrooms. The front rooms are facing the street and might be bit noisy for some as the windows are not insulated very well, but offers a simple breakfast on top floor with a view over the city. $US58/68/78.

Splurge

Nam Bộ Boutique Hotel (7-suite classic hotel right on the pier, with cozy accommodation and caring service), 1 Ngô Quyền, Ninh Kiều, Cần Thơ (Right in the middle of the Ninh Kiều pier, facing the river), ☎ +84 (0)710 381 9139 (+84 (0)381 9139). The Nam Bộ Boutique Hotel has one of the finest diners in town, quiet and overlooking the river, l’Escale. $100+.

Victoria Can Tho, ☎ 71.810111 (fax: 71.829259). Luxury resort on Cái Khế island, including a swimming pool, a spa, a ballroom, and a rice barge for a scenic breakfast, lunch or dinner. Rooms from US$150+, river view suites from US$220+.

Shopping

– Supermarkets: There are many supermarkets in Can Tho such as: Coopmart (Hoa Binh Street), Metro Hung Loi . Maximark (opposite the bus station) and Vinatex Plaza in Xuan Khanh.

– Market Halls: A market to experience how the locals shop is Xuan Khanh Market at the beginning of Mau Than Street. The Can Tho main market is Cái Khế. The old market hall at Ninh Kieu pier offers some choice of souvenirs and finer handicraft for tourists.

How to get out

From Can Tho you can easily reach other cities of the Mekong Delta such as Sóc Trăng, Châu Đốc, Rạch Giá, Vinh Long and Cà Mau. If you are heading to the north from the main bus station be careful about what ticket you buy. If you are going with a mini bus and your destination is not directly on the route to Ho Chi Min City they might just drop you off somewhere. You will have to buy another ticket and end up paying way too much.

There are two ways to get to Phnom Penh from Can Tho. There is a bus operator leaving at the petrol station close to the bus station (Can Tho Ben Xe) early in the morning. Alternatively you can take a local bus from Can Tho to Chau Doc stay there overnight and take a bus to Phnom Penh from there.

How to travel in Ho Chi Minh city

Posted by editor on 8:01 am in Blog | Comments Off on How to travel in Ho Chi Minh city

Introduction of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This guide is from Sapa Travel, travel blog and information

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Prey Nokor, Saigon , is the largest city in Vietnam.

Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin-china and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955–75. South Vietnam, as an anti-communist, capitalist republic, fought against the communist North Vietnamese and Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, with aid from the United States and countries including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Saigon fell when it was captured by the communists on 30 April 1975, ending the war with a Communist victory. Vietnam was then turned into a communist state with the South overtaken. On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after Hồ Chí Minh (although the name Sài Gòn is still commonly used).

The metropolitan area, which consists of the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area, Thủ Dầu Một, Dĩ An, Biên Hòa and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9,000,000 people, making it the most populous metropolitan area in Vietnam. The city’s population is expected to grow to 13.9 million in 2025.

The Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area, a metropolitan area covering most parts of Đông Nam Bộ plus Tiền Giang and Long An provinces under planning, will have an area of 30,000 square kilometers with a population of 20 million inhabitants by 2020. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Economist Intelligence Unit and ECA International, Ho Chi Minh City is ranked 132 on the list of world’s most expensive cities for expatriate employees.

Geography

Ho Chi Minh City is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam, 1,760 km (1,090 mi) south of Hanoi. The average elevation is 19 metres (62 ft) above sea level. It borders Tây Ninh and Bình Dương provinces to the north, Đồng Nai and Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu provinces to the east, Long An Province to the west and the Indochine to the south with a coast 15 km long. The city covers an area of 2,095 km2 (809 sq mi) (0.63% of the surface of Vietnam), extending up to Củ Chi (12 mi (19 km) from the Cambodian border) and down to Cần Giờ on the Bien Dong coast. The distance from the northernmost point (Phu My Hung Commune, Củ Chi District) to the southernmost one (Long Hòa Commune, Cần Giờ District) is 102 kilometers (63 mi), and from the easternmost point (Long Binh Ward, District Nine) to the westernmost one (Bình Chánh Commune, Bình Chánh District) is 47 kilometers (29 mi).

Climate

The city has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet and dry climate, with an average humidity of 75%.[20] The year is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season, with an average rainfall of about 1,800 millimetres (71 in) annually (about 150 rainy days per year), usually begins in May and ends in late November . The dry season lasts from December to April. The average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F), the highest temperature sometimes reaches 39 °C (102 °F) around noon in late April, while the lowest may fall below 16 °C (61 °F) in the early mornings of late December into early January.

History

Many centuries ago, Saigon was already a busy commercial center. Merchants from China, Japan and many European countries would sail upstream the Saigon River to reach the islet of Pho, a trading center. In the year of 1874, Cho Lon merged with Saigon, forming the largest city in the Indochina. It had been many times celebrated as the Pearl of the Far East. After the reunification of the country, the 6th National Assembly in its meeting of the 2nd of July, 1976, has officially rebaptized Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City. The history of city relates closely with the struggle for the independence and freedom of Vietnam.

Economy

Ho Chi Minh City is the economic center of Vietnam and accounts for a large proportion of the economy of Vietnam. Although the city takes up just 0.6% of the country’s land area, it contains 8.34% of the population of Vietnam, 20.2% of its GDP, 27.9% of industrial output and 34.9% of the FDI projects in the country in 2005.[30] In 2005, the city had 4,344,000 laborers, of whom 130,000 are over the labor age norm (in Vietnam, 60 for male and 55 for female workers). In 2009, GDP per capita reached $2,800, compared to the country’s average level of $1,042.

In 2007, the city’s GDP was estimated at $14.3 billion, or about $2,180 per capita, up 12.6 percent from 2006 and accounting for 20% of the country’s GDP. The GDP adjusted to Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) reached $71.5 billion, or about $10,870 per capita (approximately three times higher than the country’s average). The city’s Industrial Product Value was $6.4 billion, equivalent to 30% of the value of the entire nation. Export – Import Turnover through HCMC ports accounted for $36 billion, or 40% of the national total, of which export revenue reached $18.3 billion (40% of Vietnam’s total export revenues). In 2007, Ho Chi Minh City’s contribution to the annual revenues in the national budget increased by 30 percent, accounting for about 20.5 percent of total revenues. The consumption demand of Ho Chi Minh City is higher than other Vietnamese provinces and municipalities and 1.5 times higher than that of Hanoi. As of June 2006, the city has been home to three export processing zones and twelve industrial parks. Ho Chi Minh City is the leading receiver of foreign direct investment in Vietnam, with 2,530 FDI projects worth $16.6 billion at the end of 2007. In 2007, the city received over 400 FDI projects worth $3 billion.

In 2008, it attracted $8.5 billion in FDI. In 2010, the city’s GDP was estimated at $20.902 billion, or about $2,800 per capita, up 11.8 percent from 2009.

By the end of 2012, the city’s GDP was estimated around $28,595 billion, or about $3,700 per capita, up 9.2 percent from 2011.[38] Total trade (export and import) reached $47.7 billion, with export at $21.57 billion and import $26.14 billion.

Transportation

Air

The city is served by Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, the largest airport in Vietnam in terms of passengers handled (with an estimated number of over 15.5 million passengers per year in 2010, accounting for more than half of Vietnam’s air passenger traffic. Long Thành International Airport is scheduled to begin operating in 2025. Based in Long Thành, Đồng Nai Province, about 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thành Airport will serve international flights, with a maximum traffic capacity of 100 million passengers per year when fully completed; Tân Sơn Nhất Airport will serve domestic flights.

Rail

Ho Chi Minh City is also a terminal for many Vietnam Railways train routes in the country. The Reunification Express (tàu Thống Nhất) runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi from Saigon Railway Station in District 3, with stops at cities and provinces along the line. Within the city, the two main stations are Sóng Thần and Sài Gòn. In addition, there are several smaller stations such as Dĩ An, Thủ Đức, Bình Triệu, Gò Vấp. However, rail transportation is not fully developed and presently comprises only 0.6% of passenger traffic and 6% of goods shipments.

Water

The city’s location on the Saigon River makes it a bustling commercial and passenger port; besides a constant stream of cargo ships, passenger boats operate regularly between Ho Chi Minh City and various destinations in Southern Vietnam and Cambodia, including Vũng Tàu, Cần Thơ and the Mekong Delta, and Phnom Penh. Traffic between Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s southern provinces has steadily increased over the years; the Doi and Te Canals, the main routes to the Mekong Delta, receive 100,000 waterway vehicles every year, representing around 13 million tons of cargo. A project to dredge these routes has been approved to facilitate transport, to be implemented in 2011–14.

Coach bus

Ho Chi Minh City has a number of coach houses, which house coach buses to and from other areas in Vietnam. The largest coach station – in terms of passengers handled – is the Mien Dong Coach Station in the Binh Thanh District.

What to see

Historical sites

Reunification Palace, Enter at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, ☎ +84 8 9693272. Open daily 7:30AM-11:00AM, 1PM-4PM. Also known as Independence Palace (this is the old name). This is a restored 5 floor time warp to the 60s left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to the North (construction started in 1962 and finished in 1966). Formerly South Vietnam’s presidential palace, the war ended on April 30, 1975 when tank #843 crashed through the gate. A replica of that tank is now parked on the lawn outside. Be sure to check out the impressively kitschy recreation room, featuring a circular sofa, and the eerie basement, full of vintage 1960s phones, radios, and office equipment, supposedly left exactly as it was found when the North took over. There is also a photo gallery and a propaganda film recounting how the South Vietnamese supporters and American imperialists succumbed to Ho Chi Minh’s indomitable revolutionary forces, upon which point the South Vietnamese supporters were forgiven and everyone lived happily ever after. Tours are available and are free, but not necessary. There is a nice outdoor café on the grounds outside the palace. Entry 30,000 dong.

War Remnants Museum (Formerly), 28 Vo Van Tan Street, ☎ +84 89302112, +84 89306325, +84 89305587 (warrmhcm@gmail.com). Open daily 7:30AM-12PM, 1:30PM-5PM, last admission 4:30PM. The museum was opened in a hurry, less than five months after the fall of the South Vietnamese regime. It has moved to new premises with 3 stories of exhibits and various U.S. military hardware (tanks, jets, helicopters, howitzers) on display outside the building. This disturbing display of man’s cruelty during the Vietnam (American) War includes halls full of gruesome photographs, a simulated “tiger cage” prison and jars of deformed foetuses attributed to contamination by Agent Orange. An exhibit on the 3rd floor tells the story of the war journalists from all over the world who documented, and often disappeared or died in the war. Watch out for the amputees who will try and sell you their wares. It’s a short walk from Reunification Palace — see the museum pamphlet for a map. Entry 15,000 dong.

On Le Quy Don, just south of the museum, is a soft ice cream vendor, a happy treat for about 2,000 dong in a hot and hectic city.

City Hall, end of Nguyen Hue Street. Originally called the Hôtel de Ville and now formally re-branded the People’s Committee Hall, it’s a striking cream and yellow French colonial building beautifully floodlit at night. No entry, but the statue of Uncle Ho in front is a very popular place for photos.

Museum of Vietnamese History, at the intersection of Le Duan Street and Nguyen Binh Khiem (just inside the zoo gates). The museum has a fine collection of Vietnamese antiquities. Read up on Vietnamese history first or you’ll have no idea what you’re looking at. Outside, the Botanical Gardens are very nice and a good place for a cheap lunch away from the crowds. If you care about animal welfare, avoid the zoo.

Ho-Chi-Minh Museum, Duong Nguyen Tat Thanh, Dist. 4. Open daily 7:30AM-12 noon, 1:30PM-5PM, last admission 4:30PM, 10,000 dong entry. The museum (in a French colonial era building) near the dock of Saigon shows the life story of the modern day father of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. There’s also a Ho Chi Minh book shop as well. Some may find the theme a little jingoistic but like most things it depends upon your point of view.

Religious sites

Central Mosque, 66 Dong Du, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, ☎ +84 8 824 2903 (Tourist information). 8AM-8PM daily. One of 12 mosques serving Ho Chi Minh City, the Central Mosque was built in 1935. It was originally constructed for worshipers from southern India then resident in Saigon, but now Muslims from as far as Pakistan and Indonesia come to pray. Friday draws the biggest crowds. The shaded verandah and cool stone floors make it an ideal place to sit, read or even nap in the heat of the day. As with most mosques, remember to take your shoes off before entering and dress conservatively if you wish to enter.

Notre Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà), Han Thuyen Street, facing down Dong Khoi (next to the Post Office). Closes for lunch and on weekends. A French-built Catholic cathedral in the city centre. Free entry.

Thien Hau Pagoda, 710 Nguyen Trai St, Cholon. Dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence. A festival is held in her honor on the 23rd day of the March lunar month. Don’t miss the gorgeous sculptures in the walls of the courtyard outside the temple. Entry free.

Quan Am Pagoda, 12 Lao Tu, Cholon (Just off Hung Vuong, close to Thien Hau Pagoda). Open 8AM-4:30PM. The oldest pagoda in town, home of a lot of incense and a cheerful puppy. Entry free.

Phung Son Tu Pagoda, 408 3 Thang 2 Blvd (On the outskirts of Cholon). Dedicated to the god of happiness and virtue. The pagoda itself is dusty and dwarfed by high-rises under construction nearby, but the small, sculpted grounds are a good place for a rest from the hectic city.

Architectural attractions

The Bitexco Financial Tower, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business and entertainment district, is the most exciting commercial property development undertaken in Vietnam to date. World renowned American architect Carlos Zapata, the creative mastermind behind Bitexco Financial Tower, drew inspiration for this skyscraper’s unique shape from Vietnam’s national flower, the Lotus. To the Vietnamese, the lotus is a symbol of purity, commitment and optimism.

Built at a time of unprecedented growth for the Vietnamese economy, the Bitexco Financial Tower is designed to represent the energy and aspirations of the country’s people and is an iconic embodiment of the new and dynamic Vietnam.

The Observation Deck, (Saigon Skydeck) on Level 49 of the tower offers sweeping 360‐degree panoramic views of the entire city and the nearby Saigon River. Head up to the 54th floor, the one with the helicopter deck (change elevators at the 50th) and ask for the “bar”. Happy hour 17:00-20:00 for not too expensive drinks with free music nuts and olives and a great view of the city.

Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1. Phone: +84 8 39156 156 Ticket price: VND 200,000 for the sky deck

What to do

If the heat starts to get you down, there are several water parks where you can splash around to cool off.

Dam Sen Water Park, 03 Hoa Binh, Ward 3, District 11, ☎ +84 8 858 8418, +84 8 865 3453 (damsenwaterpark@vnn.vn, fax: +84 8 858 8419) . Mon-Sat 8:30AM-6PM, Sundays and Holidays 8AM-7PM. Close to the city centre. Opened in 1999, with new water slides added each year. This water park offers some truly unique water slide experiences, including the amazing “Space Bowl”. The slides have been badly designed and it’s a common sight to see someone clutching their head when leaving them. Restaurant, health services, and animatronic dinosaurs are on the premises. Take bus n°38 from Ben Thanh bus station. Admission is based on height and time of arrival; under 0.8m free, others 40 – 110 000 dong (90 000 after 4pm).

There’s also Water World in District 9, Ocean Water Park in District 7, and Dai The Gioi Water Park in District 5.

Visiting hair salons is also a must do for tourists, as Vietnamese are famous for it. Hair wash, manicure and pedicure cost no more than US$10.

MegaStar Cineplex, . Vietnam’s leading world-class cineplex venue with 2 locations in HCMC and the first to offer 3D movies (at Hung Vuong Plaza only). All locations present first-run US Hollywood and International releases and are located at shopping complexes. (1) Hung Vuong Plaza (about 20-30 min from CBD). 126 Hung Vuong Str, District 5, Level 7. (2) CT Plaza (near the airport). 60A Truong Son St, Tan Binh District, Level 10. The latest show session times and dates are available online.

Galaxy Cinema at 116, Nguyen Du, District 1, is a favorite among locals.

My Tiger Tour Motorbike Tours, 844/120 Huong Lo 2, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam, ☎ +84 129 586 8586. Licensed motorbike tours around the city with themes like food, shopping, twilight, general sightseeing, and more. Tours are available in English, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.$50 250.000 vnd to 1.000.000 vnd, ($12-$48 USD).

Dai Nam Tourist Park, Thu Dau Mot Town, Binh Duong Province (Catch the 616 Bus from the Bus Station, or talk to a travel agent). Located about 40km from Ho Chi Minh City, the Dai Nam Tourist Park, opened in November of 2008, it is one of the newest and largest tourist attractions in Vietnam. It features the Dai Nam Van Hien Temple, an entertainment site, open range zoo, shopping areas, hotels, local and western cuisine sites, and the largest man made mountain range in Vietnam. Costing over 50 billion dong to build, this park is the beginning of mass tourism in Vietnam, although it is aimed at both tourists and locals and comes highly recommended. Transport options to the park are quite convoluted and as the park is new, online information is scarce. Reports are that you can catch the 616 bus from the main bus terminal in Ho Chi Minh, but most hotels will tell you that’s not possible and insist on a private taxi. According to the locals, it is very much worth a visit, purely just to view the temple. Entry is 100,000 VND for adults, 50,000 for children. Be aware that most attractions in the park cost extra on top of the entry fee, but adult tickets combining the zoo and beach can be had for 280,000 VND.

Twenty-Three September Park, (Across from Ben Thanh Market and running the length of Phan Ngu Lao Street). Running along Phan Ngu Lao Street are a number of parks which fill up with locals before sunset, after work. They play a variety of games which you can participate in: badminton, kicking a shuttlecock and women group aerobics (to music) are all very popular and great to watch. If you sit down by yourself in the open area near the Ben Thanh market a number of young university age locals will come and ask to practise English with you, this is a great way to spend an evening and the best way to meet intelligent interesting youth, they will question you either individually or in groups and share with you a lot about their country. *Beware* of those men who want to introduce you to their ‘sister’ who’s working as a nurse and wants move to your country. They will try to make you come into their home so you can reassure their parents, but will actually gamble and cheat at cards with you and/or ask you for money after telling a sad and fake story about some dying relative.

Emperor Jade (Tortoise) Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Hoang or Phuoc Hai Tu), 73 Mai Thi Luu St. Considered by many to be Saigon’s finest pagoda. Check out the room filled with unusual figurines, to the left of the main hall. There are many turtles in a concrete pond in the courtyard.  edit
Saigon Street Eats (street food tours of Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Phu Nhuan Dist, HCMC, Vietnam, ☎ +84908449408. Sample some of the world’s best street food with Saigon Street Eats, run by an Australian-Vietnamese couple who love to share their obsession with Vietnamese food. Morning and night tours available. (Ignore the address, Saigon Street Eats will pick you up from your accommodation.) $40-$55.

Saigon Riders (Culture Meets Adventure), ☎ =+84 913 767 113. Quality guides and safe drivers offering bespoke and off-the-shelf tours on the back of their motorbikes around Ho Chi Minh City and a little further afield. Tours range from a half day exploring the sights of the city to full day excursions in and beyond Saigon. USD$29-$69.

Shopping

Markets

Chợ Bến Thành aka Ben Thanh Market, Southwest end of Le Lai: a den of thieves, but some great shopping. Ben Thanh is recognizable from its clock tower on the large traffic circle. The largest old-style market in the central district, with several hundred small stalls stuffed with goods on almost impassably narrow aisles. Due to its popularity with tourists, the market is now divided between tourist goods (jeans, T-shirts, smaller souvenirs in abundance) and regular items (fruit and vegetables, rice, kitchen wares, flowers, meat, fast food and local-style pickled fruits and candies). Most items are not price-marked, and vendors always quote a 50-100% higher price to tourists, so bargaining hard will save you money. The chief method of parting visitors from their money is ambiguity: for example never making it quite clear how many you are being quoted for; or what the exact price is; or what exchange rate is being used to calculate your change. Be ready for these onslaughts (often by a sweetly smiling young lady), or be prepared to part with more cash than you need to. Right at the north side (back) of Ben Thanh Market are some shops that are operated by Ben Thanh Group and they sell goods at fixed price and much cheaper than the stalls in the market. No bargaining needed. If the good selection of knock-offs here just won’t do, there’s plenty to be had in the surrounding side street shops or night market later. If retail warfare isn’t your cup of tea, you could skip the touristy Ben Thanh altogether and go to Chợ Bình Tây .

Saigon Square will be good place for visit. It is a twin of Ben Thanh but with air-conditioning. Haggling your way through this place is the rule of thumb. Local middle-class Vietnamese shop here on the weekends too. Consider planning your shopping here during the day and go to Ben Thanh for the night market. The Day Ben Thanh can be planned as a sight seeing instead of a shopping spree. It is a stones throw from Ben Thanh Market.

Chợ Bình Tây in the Chinatown, the more underrated twin of Ben Thanh, selling everything from spices, Chinese medicines, silk to obscure varieties of fermented fish, dried seafood and jerky. If you are searching for a variety of Vietnam silks and velvets, skip the tourist trap Ben Thanh Market and head for Bình Tây instead. Most of Chợ Bình Tây is wholesale goods. In fact, you can see much of Ben Thanh Market’s goods are from here.

Night Market (just outside of Ben Thanh Market). Here you can enjoy many kinds of different food and drink, and go round to do your shopping as well. Open from 18:00 (when the Ben Thanh Market closes).

War Surplus Market, sometimes called the American Market or “Cho Cu” or “Khu Dan Sinh” in corner of Yersin and Nguyen Cong Tru, District 1. Hidden behind rows of hardware and electric supplies shops, just brace yourself and enter. Dense warrens of stalls with old American military gear of indeterminate authenticity (e.g. “nice collection of so called authentic GI’s Zippo lighter from the war era”), cheap t-shirts, and military paraphernalia. Don’t hope to find a genuine Marine Zippo; they’re all fake now.

Supermarkets and department stores

Tax Department Store, now known as Saigon Square, is located on the corner of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue. This is a rather sterile department store of sorts filled with stalls selling touristy kitsch, although the selections get better as you ascend the levels. There’s a good supermarket on level 2. If you are traveling here by taxi, the new name may be met by blank expressions from taxi drivers. The old name seems to work. The name in Vietnamese is “Thuong Xa Tax”.

Small western-style supermarkets, can be found on the top floor of the Parkson department store one block northeast of the Opera House, and in Diamond Plaza, behind the Cathedral, on the top floor of the department store. Citimart can also be found at 230 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1 (Quan 1), 10/15 min walk from Zen Plaza.

Co-op Mart Supermarkets, frequented by throngs of the Saigon middle-class and backpackers alike, can be found everywhere around HCMC. In District 1 they can be found at the corner of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Nguyen Dinh Chieu, about 1km from the centre OR in Cong Quynh, walking distance away from the end of Backpacker street Pham Ngu Lao. Prices are reasonably lower, though the selection leans more toward Vietnamese culinary requirements.

Western/Japanese-style department stores 3 stores are near the centre. For most visitors, the only reason to go there is to enjoy the air-con, and derive some amusement from the silly-high prices of western-branded consumer goods.

Parkson on Dong Khoi a block north of the Opera house

Diamond Plaza, further north behind the Notre Dame Cathedral

Zen Plaza on Nguyen Trai two blocks west of the New World Hotel.

Souvenirs

Phuong Mai Art Gallery, 129 B Le Thanh Ton St., District.1 (near the Norfolk Hotel and the Revolution Museum). A gallery showing contemporary Vietnamese artists, both established and emerging. There’s another showroom at 213C Dong Khoi in District 1.

Oil-Painting – Bui Vien Street, near backpackers area in De Tham and Pham Ngu Lao streets, in District 1. There are several shops along this street selling oil painting at reasonable prices (ranging from 450,000-5,000,000 dong). If you want a portrait of a Vietnamese painting or even have your own photograph oil-painted, shop around here. You can get a readily available portrait within a day or two.

Where to eat

Budget

Food stalls are scattered all over the city, but there’s a fair collection in the Ben Thanh market (see Buy). For local fast food, try the ubiquitous Pho 24′ chain (though it can be more the twice the price of local fare). Additionally, foreign fast food franchises Lotteria and KFC have established presences in the city.

Interestingly, there isn’t any single McDonald’s in Ho Chi Minh City.

The setback of eating street food or food done on holes-in-the-walls in any town or city in Vietnam is unsure good hygiene. Street hawkers are not only cooks but they are also cashiers. They touch money and often flip over the bills with their fingers moistened with their saliva (added flavor to food). If a bun (baguette) is dropped in the pavement, it is still picked up to be mixed with the rest of the bunch. A hawker (hawkers are about 90% women able to carry loads on poles with their petite body) may cough or sneeze and while preparing food, cover her mouth with her bare hands then resume what she was just doing. Food may have unwanted items like hair particle or even pubic or armpit hair-like strand. Utensils may be washed from the same portable small 1-litter size ice-cream container washing basin, without detergent. Debris on spoons are just wiped off from the water on that small dish. Drinking glasses may just be dunked two or three times and ready for the next user.

On holes-in-the-wall, if there is shortage of counter space, contained food is placed on the floor. Floors are mostly wet and muddy. Utensils are washed on the floor itself. Waiters tossed used chopsticks and other dishes like bowls and if they don’t get in the tub, they go right in the floor to be picked up later. Vegetables and meat parts are also cut in the floor and if they fell off, they are picked up again. Big quantities of vegetables are placed in plastic buckets and cleaned in the toilet faucet. The plastic buckets may have been used as bathing or toilet flushing pail. And when they are not used, they may be stacked together and stored in the toilet.

But street food and holes-in-the-wall food are absolutely flavorful, fascinating, exotic, ingeniously contrived, and cheap with all the elements of the nutrition pyramid and all the tastes – sweet, sour, salty, hot – well represented.

Along Pham Ngu Lao there are many budget Westernized options, and venturing a bit further into the side alleys can uncover some better choices than on the main streets, with much lesser noise and escape gases. This traveler, for instance, had an incredibly tasty bowl of pho at a small roadside establishment near Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon for 10,000 dong, much more flavorful than the stuff at Pho 24 or Pho 2000. It is useful to remember that the local Vietnamese do not necessarily have to spend 50,000 dong on a good meal, and explore accordingly.

Cafe Terrace’, 65 Le Loi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Great place to try all sorts of Vietnamese dishes, from noodles to banh mi to spring rolls. No wifi. Nice outdoor seating good for people watching. Seems to be popular with the local, younger, well-heeled Vietnamese crowd.

The Burger Corner, 43 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Delicious rice & traditional hamburgers. The combo meals are cheap but tasty. The restaurant often offers their customers coupons too.

Dong Ba, 110A Nguyen Du, Dist 1. This is a shop that sells Hue Food including Hue beef noodles and traditional banh beo rice cakes.

Trang, 102/6A Cong Quynh, Dist 1. Local food including excellent crab served in a friendly atmosphere. Not too far from Pham Ngu Lao.

Pasteles de Saigon, 40 Bui Vien, Dist 1 at the entrance of an alley full of guesthouses and small restaurants. Excellent bread, sandwiches, cacao and more. Has Vietnamese and Lavazza coffee (it would be more creative to have the better Vietnamese or Lao cofee…). Service can be slightly indifferent. Inexpensive.

Pao restaurant & caffe, 158 Bui Vien, Dist 1. This restaurant is just open on May 2009 but very unique decor with all small instruments, traditional dress, hats, of the minority ethnic group in North of Vietnam. Truly Vietnamese food like spring rolls, hot pot, pho, 35,000-60,000 dong. They have a live Vietnamese instrument show on every Friday, Sunday.

“Pho 19”, 19 Nguyen Trai St., District 5. A small space and very cheap place for Pho and Bo Kho. Excellent Pho and Bo Kho, a bowl costs only 25,000-30,000dong. Open only 6AM-11AM.

Pho Bo Vien Quoc Ky, 52 Ngo Duc Ke (near Nguyen Hué, District 1). A nice and cheap place for a soup. Try the sate version of the usual Pho or My, a spicy delicacy.

ATTENTION: for above Saté-Pho they ripped me of 72,000Dong – zero discussion in English possible. Either you are able to discuss their pricing in Vietnamese with them – or better forget the place!

Doner Kebab, 198 Bui Vien st., District 1. Inside the backpacker area, you could easily find this small hawk. 23,000 dong for each Turkish kebab.

Dream Cones, 16 Nguyen Thi Nghia St., Ben Thanh Ward, Dist. 1. Gelato ice cream for less than 16,000 dong a scoop. Quirky and cool neon atmosphere, with lots of white leather seating. Free unlimited (unsweetened) iced tea served with your ice cream.

Falafellim, 97 Pham Ngu Lao St., District 1. Homemade falafel, tahini and hummus in soft pita bread pockets. Sadly it has closed, but has reopened (in a sense) in the guise of a small Kosher restaurant down the alley at 121/37 Le Loi. Open only Mon-Thur 6:30-9:30PM.

Pho Quynh, 323 Pham Ngu Lao St., District 1. Their specialty here, is without a doubt, pho. Their pho is excellent, with locals who come regularly and lucky backpackers who stumble upon it. It is air-conditioned on the second and third floors, and a bowl costs 40,000 dong. They also have a decent banh mi bo kho (beef stew with carrots, served with french baguettes) if you are looking for a pho alternative. Open 24 hr.

Pho 2000, 3 locations, one sharing space with I Love Burger, one right next to Ben Thanh Market, and the last toward the end of Le Thanh Ton Street. The restaurant was once visited by a former US president, Bill Clinton. Has pho (including a seafood version), along with the usual Vietnamese rice dishes, including a superb vegetarian curry.

Pho 24, Clean modern chain found everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. Excellent beef noodle soup, very cheap. Watch out for the fake Pho 24/24 on Pham Ngu Lao Street, which does not belong to the chain and serves terrible and expensive food.

Thiện Duyên Bễn Thành (vegetarian restaurant), 174 Calmette (near the city bus station), ☎ +84 8 3914 7453. Well presented vegetarian food.

BanhMiBistro, 76 Vo Thi Sau, District 1, across from Le Van Tam park. Great fresh gourmet sandwiches, especially the famous Vietnamese “Banh Mi”. Bread is baked fresh in the store. There are 3 other outlets around town.

Cafe Lam, 175 Bui Vien, District 1. Excellent restaurant in backpackers area. Huge portions with rock bottom prices. US$1 for a big tiger, US$2 for a chicken curry w/ rice which is so large you won’t finish. This is a very inconspicuous place but most of the customers are regular expats. The food is nothing special but the prices, portions, and drink options make it a good bet. Fruit salad to die for, lovely smoothies, and great Tom Yam soup!

Cafe India, 250 Bui Vien, District 1. Self-described as the “best south Indian food in city,” this place is one of the best budget options in the backpacker’s area. Their “happy menus” (thalis) – available all day – are 5 item meals that weigh in at 25,000 dong (vegetarian) or 50,000 dong for the chicken option.

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, 15-17 Phan Chu Triuh (opposite west entrance of Ben Thanh market, near the corner to Nguyen An Ninh). 8AM-10:30PM. If the heat in Ben Thanh market gets the better of you head over the street and have a snack or a nice cooling frozen yogurt in A/C. Mains from ~40,000 dong, frozen yogurt 25,000 dong/100g.

The Khmer Viet Kitchen, 185/14 Pham Ngu Lau, ☎ +84 126 5492647. 7AM-11PM. Vietnamese and Western food with a big pasta, sandwich and burger menu, also do enchiladas. Mains from ~40,000 dong (vegetarian~35,000 dong). Beer from 20,000 dong.

Thao Nhi, 185/20 Pham Ngu Lau. -10PM. Vietnamese and Western food with excellent beefsteak, salads, Vietnamese crêpes, Dalat wine… Tasty, healthy, friendly and very cheap. The location is very quiet. Mains from ~40,000 dong (vegetarian~35,000 dong). Beer from 10,000 dong (jan/13).

The Lunch Lady (Nguyen Thi Thanh), 23 Hoang Sa. 11AM-3PM. The famous Lunch Lady was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show and definitely lives up to the billing. Different noodle dish every day. 30,000 dong.

Bun Cha Van Anh on the corner of Truong Son Street – that’s the main street to the airport – and Song Day Street. ☎ +84 8 486308. No A/C, no menu, no English, no toilet, no walls – just bun cha Hanoi (grilled porky bits with cool rice noodles, soupy stuff and fresh herby veggie stuff that you mix together with condiments to form whatever you like)

Mid-range

Baotique Bar and Restaurant , 35 Ton That Thiep – Quan 1. HCMC . Next to Temple Club and Fanny Ice Cream. The restaurant offers modern Vietnamese food and a good selection of wine by famous Chef from New York Michael Bao but the price is surprisingly affordable. The seafood here is highly recommended ,set lunch ( 8 USD ) is always a treat . Open from 8am to 12am. Price range 20.000vnd (1$) to 400.000vnd (20$).

DeciBel Lounge , 79/2/5 Phan Ke Binh – Quan 1. HCMC ☎+84 8 627 0115. Close to the Jade Emperor Pagoda. The restaurant cafe deciBel Lounge is a place where you can find monthly art exhibition, a nice range of Mediterranean food and Vietnamese breakfast and lunch set menu. Open from 7am to 12am. Price range 20.000vnd (1$) to 200.000vnd (10$).

Barbecue Garden , 135A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Quan 1. HCMC ☎+84 8 823 3340. Located 100 m from Ben Thanh Market, behind the General Sciences Library. US$5-7 range. The restaurant is a barbecue specialist with both Vietnamese and International recipes.

Hoa Khai Vegetarian Restaurant, 124 126 Nguyen Cu Trinh St, Cu Trinh Ward District 1. About 500m west of the backpacker area. 10.7638 106.6896. Vietnamese vegetarian food. Tasty. 100k dong for a full meal.

Bi Saigon, 185/26 Pham Ngu Lao Str, District 1 (in an alley just off the main tourist street, Bui Vien). Extensive menu with a choice between Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican and other styles. Open plan kitchen so you can see your food being prepared.

Black Cat 13 Phan Van Dat, D1, HCMC. Fresh and juicy beef patty. Jumbo burger is US$15.

Hanoi Oi Bistro , 225/7, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Phường 5, District 3. Spread over 2 floors, serving modern and traditional Vietnamese cuisine including some personal northern Vietnamese recipes of the owner/chef Thuy Linh, who is also an accomplished singer in a famous band, 5DK, one of a handful local acts specializing in World Music genre. Local singers, actors, celebrity types, and other locals and foreigners flock to this bistro for its unique take on modern and classic Vietnamese food and its ambience. From US$2-5 and upwards.

Hoa Mai Coffee #43-45 Do Quang Dau Street. ☎+84 8 836 8310. Located in a fun, up and coming area, just off Phan Ngu Lao, between Phan Ngu Lao Street and Bui Vien Street. Restaurant downstairs, on the second floor is a comfortable bar with pool table. International food and local dishes. Around US$2-5. Fresh fruit shakes, spring rolls, Vietnamese noodles and pasta.

Huong Dong Recently moved a bit further from the centre, to 68 Huynh Tinh Cua. A modest, open-air restaurant serving mostly southern country-style food. The name literally means “scent of the fields”. It’s a place where families and groups of friends gather, drink a lot of beer, eat a lot of food, and make a bit of noise. You might need a few beers to get up the courage to try some of the more exotic offerings, including field mouse, whole frog, pigeon porridge, and coconut worm. A whole char-grilled ga ta (local style free-range chicken) is 170,000 dong, head and feet included. A wide variety of other meats and seafood is available for 50,000-80,000 dong. Quirky English translations of the long menu add to the spirit of adventure.

La Sen Restaurant (Nha Hang La Sen), (moved from 30 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Phuong 6 – Quan 3, location unknown). ☎ +84 8 930 6682. Opening hours 9:30AM-11PM. Clean medium-priced restaurant serving food from the regions of Hue, Saigon and Hanoi. Just in the centre of district 3. Friendly service, full A/C, 2 floors and room for about 100 persons.

Lemongrass, 4 Nguyen Thiep Street. Near the Opera House. A very touristy Vietnamese restaurant. Most dishes are in US$4-6 range, although some seafood items are more expensive. Daily business lunch US$3++ and weekly special dishes. Expanded to a twin outlet on 14th floor of Palace Hotel Saigon, 10 min away from the first outlet. Same menu, same price.

Ngoc Suong Marina,19C Le Quy Don, is a restaurant specialising in seafood. Fish salad and clams cooked in white wine.

Lion City Cafe & Restaurant, 45, Le Anh Xuan, District 1 (Opposite New World Hotel), ☎ +84 8 3823 8371. 7PM-3PM. The biggest chain of Singaporean restaurants in Vietnam, all ingredients imported. 100% Singaporean food with a head chef and owner from Singapore. US$3-8.

Papaya by Chi Nghia , 68 Pham Viet Chanh, Binh Thanh District (near the Zoo). Small place specializing in northern style Vietnamese cuisine. Run by the chef/owner, who has 25 years of experience with Sofitel hotels, cooking and presentation is 5 star quality. From US$2-5 and upwards. Very clean, and nicely decorated.

Quan An Ngon, District 1. Two different restaurants operate with the same name within a few blocks of each other, one at 160 Pasteur Street, and the other (recently reopened) on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia across from the Reunification Palace. Set in atmospheric old French villas, with similar menus Vietnamese food, including regional specialities prepared in numerous independently-operated food stalls around the perimeter. Both are popular and both tend to be jammed at peak hours requiring a wait for a table. (The name literally means “restaurant of delicious eating”.) The one on Pasteur has dozens of kerosene lamps burning for “atmospheric” decoration at night, so if you have asthma or COPD or feel you got enough pollution already, better to try the other one. Mains from 45,000 dong.

Quan Nuong, 29-31 Ton That Thiep. A delicious, reasonably-priced open-air barbecue restaurant on the roof above Fanny’s ice cream parlor and the Temple Club (see splurges below). Every table has a grill in the centre, and the menu includes a variety of meats and seafood which you can grill yourself. Try the bacon wrapped salmon & the beef wrapped cheese skewers. They also serve a variety of mostly southern-style salads and noodle dishes. It’s very popular and often fills up by mid-evening.

Sushi Bar, with four locations: corner of Le Thanh Ton and Ton Duc Thang in Q1, about six blocks northeast of the Opera House; on a large alley full of restaurants off Ton Duc Thang by the river and near the Legend Hotel; on the food-court floor of Zen Plaza on Nguyen Trai; and in the Saigon Court apartment building on Nguyen Dinh Chieu. Probably the best sushi value in Saigon. They serve a larger and more interesting variety than the typical American or European sushi restaurant, at half the price. Draft Tiger beer is 24,000 dong. Very popular, so you can expect to wait during the middle dining hours.

Spice, 27c Le Quy Don in Q3. Largest and most visited Thai restaurant in HCM. Mostly local Vietnamese and expats as it is out of the tourist area. Authentic Thai food prepared by the two Thai chefs. Food is fresh and served within minutes. Tom yam kung and papaya salad, spice shrimp or Bangkok briany: fusion of Thai with other cuisines. Seating over 200, in A/C, al fresco or Thai style on floor mats. Delivery available to all districts. Top floor BBQ.

Swiss Chalet Restaurant, 54 Pasteur St. in District 1 ☎ +84 8 3915 3983. Opening hours: Every day from 11:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. They serve a large variety of traditional Swiss food such as cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, Steaks, Rosti potaoes and many more. More than that they also have many other Central European dishes. The restaurant is known for its large portions, cosy interior and friendly staff.

Une Journée à Paris, 234 Le Thanh Ton St. Q1, 100 m from Ben Thanh Market. Authentic French ‘boulangerie, patisserie, et salon de thé’. French petit dejeuner at 50,000 dong, with egg/bacon 100,000 dong.

Wrap and Roll, 62 Hai Ba Trung. A growing chain. Wrapped Vietnamese fusion food in a modern minimalist setting. Try the desserts. Beer and a meal should cost less than US$10.

JJ’s Brazilian Barbeque, 279 Pham Ngu Lao. A Western-style barbeque restaurant that serves one of the best steaks in HCM. The all-you-can-eat Churascco buffet with free-flow salad bar cost only 550,000 dong. A beer and a meal from the Ala Carte menu should cost less than $15.

Splurge

1960 Presidential Club, 22nd Floor, Sailing Tower, 111A Pasteur, Dist.1 (www.diamondlife.com.vn). Located on the top floor of a 22-storey building, from here you can have unobstructed view of the Reunification Palace down below. The venue is actually a combination of a restaurant specializing in Vietnamese and Italian cuisines, a spa offering traditional Vietnamese therapies as well as an out-door swimming pool with a great view of the city. If you are looking for a nice day of relaxation for your mind and body, go and give this place a try.

Au Lac do Brazil, 238 Pasteur, between Dien Bien Phu–10:40, 20 October 2011 (EDT)152.26.9.1and Vo Thi Sau. Just to prove that Saigon has everything, here is a Brazilian-style churrascaria (all-you-can-eat restaurant featuring barbecued meat), with live Latin music Tuesday to Saturday. They also have a new outlet in Sky Garden II, Phu My Hung, Dist 7. It’s a larger and less crowded one with usually better service. Price US$30+per person.

Co Ngu, on Pasteur just before Dien Bien Phu, Q1. Nice Vietnamese and Asian-fusion food in a Villa setting, with indoor and garden seating. Popular for business groups. Prices higher than average for Saigon, but a better value than you will find in the tourist section of town.

Hard Rock Cafe, part of the Kumho Asiana Plaza complex, which is located at 39 Le Duan Avenue, Dist. 1. The usual American burgers and grill dishes. Around 290,000 dong for a burger meal. Good service and friendly staff. They also have live bands on selected evenings. Great choice if you are craving Western food, and want to pick up some memorabilia from the Rock Shop.

Huy Long Vien, 99 Nguyen Du, across from the Reunification Palace. Chinese food from Peking Duck to all you can eat dim sum. It’s big and fancy inside with an ancient China ‘theme’. There’s also some a guy who pours tea out of a long kettle while performing Kung fu poses.

La Habana, 6 Cao Ba Quat, Q1, two blocks northeast of the Hyatt and opera house. Outstanding Spanish and Cuban-style food, including a large tapas menu. Also one of the few places in Vietnam that makes really good cocktails.

La Hosteria, on Le Thanh Ton a few blocks east of the Hilton. A gourmet Italian restaurant with excellent home-made pasta dishes in the range of 125,000 dong and main dishes 150,000+.

L’En tete, 1st floor, 139 Nguyen Thai Binh, Q.1 (at the junction with Calmette). Excellent French restaurant in a area not normally associated with high dining. Great for a leisurely dining experience, good food with main courses ranging from 150,000-450,000 dong. Open 5PM-midnight,

Pomodoro’s, Decent small Italian restaurant on Hai Ba Trung, a block from the Hilton and around the corner from the Sheraton and Caravelle Hotels. Delicious lasagna is their specialty; the pizzas are a bit oily. Dinner of 2 starters, cocktails, 0.5 litre carafe of wine, mains and deserts for roughly US$50 but with poor service.

Tân Nam, 60-62 Dong Du, Q.1 (A few doors from Sheraton Saigon). The ground floor is open-air, the upper floor has A/C. Rather expensive and mediocre food, around US$10/person but they will park your motorcycle while you eat, and wander around the waterfront.

Temple Club, 29-31 Ton That Thiep, Q.1 (first floor, with an ice cream parlour below) has a 1930s ambiance with separate bar, restaurant, and lounge area sections. The food is fair but most people come to soak up the atmosphere.

The Deck Saigon 38 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 (15 minutes from the centre of Saigon) ( Tel # 8 3 744 6632) (www.thedecksaigon.com) The only 5* restaurant on the banks of the Saigon River. Modern fusion cuisine using the best local ingredients. Extraordinarily glamorous cocktails created by renowned New York mixologist, open air dining on large wooden Deck alongside the Saigon River or inside air conditioned area and bar. Arrive in style – The Deck can arrange to bring you and your guests right to your dinner table by boat. When you have a location as good as ours, right on the river, there’s no other way to arrive.

ZanZBar Restaurant & Bar 41 Dong Du Street, Q1 (diagonally opposite Sheraton Hotel) has modern casual-upscale feel with extensive range of international & Vietnamese cuisine (plenty for vegetarians to choose from). Eclectic crowd comprised of local Vietnamese, local expatriates and visiting tourists. Wine-by-glass and cocktail menu. At night the lit up columns create a great ambience.

Halal Food

D’Nyonya Penang Restaurant, 58 Dong Du Street, D1 (Beside the Mosque and Sheraton Hotel), ☎ +84 8 6678 6044. Malaysian owned, authentic Malaysian cuisine and local Vietnamese menu.  edit

Four Season Restaurant, 2 Thi Sach Street, D1, ☎ +84 8 825 7186. Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine.

Halal@Saigon, 31 Đông Du, District 1 (Opposite to the Indian Jamia Mosque, near Sheraton Hotel), ☎ +84 8 3824 6823 (Vietnamese), +84 8 38274602 (English) (info@halalsaigon.com, fax: +84 8 38274603). 10AM-10PM. Vietnamese, Malaysian and vegetarian cuisine prepared to Halal guidelines. Has a Malaysian owner and there are several Malaysian staples on the menu, however it is primarily Vietnamese, with a wide range of dishes from around the country.

Lion City Cafe & Restaurant, 45 Le Anh Xuan, District 1 (Near Ben Thanh market opposite New World hotel), ☎ +84 8 3823 8371. 7PM-3AM daily. Certified halal, serves halal food on 2nd floor.

Pro döner kebab, 169 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Distr.1, ☎ +84 8 2200 5959. Turkish place with good service serving real doner kebabs, halal style.

Vn. Halal (Muslim Food Restaurant), 14 Pham Hong Thai, P. Ben Thanh, Q 1 (near Ben Thanh Market), ☎ +84 8 3822 0252. Malaysian cuisine and Vietnamese food.

Where to stay

Budget

The main backpacker hangout is Pham Ngu Lao in District 1, just a short walk (10-15 min) from Ben Thanh Market. The lanes and alleys in the area between Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien are jammed with 5-10 room mini-hotels offering prices around US$15 per room (air-con with hot shower and cable TV). They probably offer the quiest places in the city. There is no difference in price between single or double occupancy so if you are traveling alone you might want to try finding a dorm bed for around $6 (but there are not many of them around.) Keep heading southwest away from the backpacker hustle closer Ng Thai Hoc, you’ll likely find that as the alleys get smaller the rooms get quieter and owners more friendly. The area swarms with touts and other nuisances – be warned that the area is not the safest, and it’d be wise not to run around carrying something like an expensive DSLR camera, thereby making yourself a potential target for thieves.

Cosman Rucksack inn, 189 Bui Vien St, District 1, ☎ +84 8 66802368 (tuan@cosman.vn). Brand new place, great breakfasts for US$7. Professional high calibre chef serving delicious foods at very reasonable prices. Staff very friendly and helpful, although English is not the greatest. Two free computers for all guests to use, free Wi-Fi. Nicer and cleaner than most places on the road. Around 20 beds, little privacy. Japanese capsule-like sleeps for US$5.

Mai Guesthouse, 241/41 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 38369176 (maiguesthouse@yahoo.com.vn). Newer Guesthouse run by a very friendly family in main tourist area of District 1. Rooms with A/C, refrigerator, cable TV, ensuite,viber internet and wifi. Highly recommended. Room prices from US$16-28.(4 single bed / 28$,2 twin-bed /04 persons /24$/night,double 02 persons/16$/night).Visa & Mastercard accepted.

An Phuong 2, 295 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 920 5509 / +84 8 836 9248 (anhphuong2@yahoo.com). Situated directly across from where the buses drop tourists, it is a friendly family-run guesthouse, very clean and homely. Free internet, cheap laundry and all rooms have double glazing. US$15.

Private Studio, Vo Van Kiet Street (two minutes ride from Ben Thanh market). checkin: 2:00 pm; checkout: 1:00 pm. Fully furnished studio with air conditioning, kitchen, washing machine and internet connectivity. It is located in a residential area on Vo Van Kiet Street and is accessible to business and entertainment centers. Friendly Host. Free House Keeping Services USD 25.

Blue River Hotel, 283/2C Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 3837 6483 or mobile +84 903 679994 (blueriver1126@yahoo.com). Amazing small hotel in an alley off Pham Ngu Lao. They can arrange an airport pickup for US$15 (though an official taxi from the airport counter will run you only US$8). Some staff members speak English and the service is good. $25 for a room without a view. US$30 for a room with a view that may or may not have a balcony.

Dai Huy Hoang Hotel, 283/22 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 (in a small and quiet alley that links Pham Ngu Lao and Do Quang Dau. Coming from Pham Ngu Lao the alley is next to the ‘Canadian Hotel’.), ☎ +84 8 3837 0677 (daihuyhoang06@yahoo.com). Comfortable rooms with A/C, fan, free internet and breakfast. Friendly staff. US$ 13-20.

Diep Anh, 241/31 Pham Ngu Lao street, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, ☎ +84 8 38 367920 (guesthouse.diepanh@gmail.com). Very friendly owners. Rooms with A/C, refrigerator, cable TV, ensuite, and wifi. Very reasonably priced minibar. US$10-30.

Ty Mon, 693 Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Dist. 2, Ho Chi Minh City, ☎ +84 862870526. Friendly owners, very good basic rooms with AC, TV, decent furniture and fridge. Very cheap price, used by Vietnamese people mostly. A bit far out from center. US$8-12.

Duna Hotel, 167 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 8373-699. All rooms have A/C, satellite TV, a fridge, elevator. Pleasant staff. Note that the front door is locked relatively early (around 11PM ~midnight) and to get back in you must bang loud enough on the shutter door so that the staff sleeping inside can wake up and let you in. From US$12 for a single room with no window to US$30 for a triple with a window facing the street.

Hanh Hoa Hotel, 237 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 38372361. With a real Rattan feel to the hotel. Vietnamese styling, with bamboo interiors, rattan beds, and authentic wooden floors.

Hotel Bi Saigon, 185/26 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 (in alley #185), ☎ +84 8 836 0678. Clean, comfortable and terrific staff. In-room internet US$3/day (bring your own laptop). The lobby houses the La Table De Saigon restaurant. Double US$27.

Ly Loan, 241/11/2 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 (From airport take a taxi to Pham Ngu Lao St (7 km) and enter alley 241 (between Liberty 4 Hotel and ABC Bakery), 15 m into the alley, turn left. A few min walk from the bus stops (on Pham Ngu Lao street) you can see the alley 241 between Liberty 4 Hotel and ABC Bakery) turn into 241 alley about 2 min and turn the left side, it is on the 1st house), ☎ +84 8 837 0067 (phphuong90@yahoo.com). Family run guest house in a small, safe, quiet alley. Some English is spoken. Rooms are spacious and nicely furnished. With A/C, hot water, big beds and some with balconies. Free internet and wifi. Warning, two yapping small dogs. March 2013: dogs extremely small, not very yappish, and completely nonthreatening, even to a dog-phobic, so “warning” is a bit overblown. Very friendly place. Recommended. US$16.

(mimibackpackerhostel@yahoo.com). Lovely 20-something Cherry runs the place, speaks great English, and knows everything about HCMC. Great and friendly staff. The place is newly remodeled and squeaky clean. They can setup tours, do laundry, etc. The place has AC rooms, wifi, public computers (“free internet!”), and sells drinks.

Thanh Thu Guesthouse, 241/– Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1. looking for sugar cane drink shop and you will found teen age boy who always play game online and speak english a little bit but he so cute. good and clean room free wifi 10-13 us.

My Home, 241/43 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 5559 3898 (myhome.roomforrent@gmail.com). Friendly staff and clean. The buses from up north drop you right near this hostel. A/C, hot water, comfortable beds, free internet with wifi. Free bananas at all times and they do laundry. Tourist bars and clubs are a couple hundred metres away. Singles US$12, doubles US$18, triples available.

Nam Chau, 171/2 Co Bac St. (near Co Giang St), ☎ +84 8 3837 0294. Nice and very clean. US$ 10-15 (oct. 2010).

Ngoc Minh Hotel, 283/9 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1. Clean hotel with friendly staff, free internet and wifi. Elevator available. 5 stories, garden on top floor and free breakfast From US$20.

Nguyen Khang Hotel, 283/25 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 (in a small and quiet alley that links Pham Ngu Lao and Do Quang Dau. Coming from Pham Ngu Lao the alley is next to the ‘Canadian Hotel’.), ☎ +84 8 837 3566 (nguyenkhanghotel@yahoo.com.vn). checkout: If checking out after noon but before 5PM half of the room rate is charged. Has a nice vibe and good staff, free internet (PC in lobby and wifi in rooms). Free breakfast served on the ground floor from 7AM-10AM. Recently built (or remodelled), Clean, tastefully simple in decoration, rooms are rather small but have A/C, fan, TV, fridge (and those at the front have large windows). Visa and Mastercard accepted. US$10-20.

PP Backpackers, 283/41 Pham Ngu Lao (in an alley off PNL along with various other guest houses and hotels, there’s a list over the entrance at #283), ☎ 01262501823 (duncan11poolton@hotmail.com). Run by one friendly Englishman, this hostel offers clean dorms and rooms, can book tours and offers a big breakfast (even the so-called ‘small breakfast’) for US$1. Dorm US$6.

Rainbow Hotel, 283/5 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 836 0039. checkin: march 8; checkout: march12. Large, bright (albeit somewhat worn) rooms, and those at the front have a nice view. From US$15.

Tam Anh Guesthouse, 241/21 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 8 3837 0756 (tamanhhotel@gmail.com). A clean and secure family-run guesthouse. Good A/C, free wi-fi. Laundry service provided. US$11-15.

Tan Dat My Hotel, 81-83 Ong ich Khiem, District 11 (About a 15min taxi ride to District 1), ☎ +84 8 3963 4424. Large rooms with a view, A/C, wifi, fridge, cableTV and a free rooftop breakfast next to the Dam Sen Park. French bakery 30 m away. American style supermarket 10 min walk on the same street. US$17.

Thien Hong Hotel, 241/34 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 (In one of the small alleys running between Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien.), ☎ +84 8 3920 6078. Helpful and friendly owners, free wifi, TV in rooms with many channels including the Australia Network. A/C room with no window US$15.

Thanh Guest House, 84/9 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, ☎ +84 9 318 8588 (nicolassang02@gmail.com). Warm and friendly guesthouse. Lobby inside the house with comfy sofa, cableTV and internet. Free wifi throughout. Trips and tours can be booked at reception. US$12-18.

Nga Hoang Hotel, 269/19 Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, ☎ +848 3 9203 356 (ngahoanghotel@yahoo.com, fax: +84 8 3920 3357). Friendly German and English speaking staff. A/C rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, wifi, cableTV with international channels. Baggage storage and laundry service. Travel desk can arrange flights and bookings. US$12/day including breakfast.

Xuan Spring Hotel, 185/34 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, ☎ +84 8 837 2115 (manager@springhotel.net). A/C, refrigerator, cableTV and private bathroom with hot shower and free internet. Online bookings. Good service. US$14-17.

Mid-range

The area around Ben Thanh market along Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong has many reasonably priced hotels with clean rooms in the US$25-35 bracket; some provide free wifi.

Binh Hung Hotel, 9A Nguyen Thai Binh St., Tan Binh Ward., Dist 4, ☎ +848 3948 2515 (binhhunghotel2009@gmail.com). Nice, clean, modern hotel with fantastic service. As the writer was checking in, the front desk helped a backpacker not staying at the hotel arrange a bus ticket at no cost (hotel is not a travel agency, ticket was arranged through bus station by phone). Rooms are equipped with A/C, cable TV, and bathrooms with toilet, shower, and bathtub. Internet is lightning fast. Great bang for your buck. From US$25.

Thuan Thien Hotel, 277 Le Thanh Ton St., Ben Thanh Ward., Dist 1, ☎ +848 3822 8122, [45]. A/C rooms, cable TV, DVD,, coffee/tea maker, mini-bar, and a private toilet and shower with bathtub. High-speed Internet, dry cleaning and laundry service, and a travel agency for booking tours. From US$34.

Asian Hotel, 146-148-150 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, ☎ +84 8 3829 6979. Asian Hotel is located along Dong Khoi Street in the Ben Nghe District of Ho Chi Minh City. Every room has A/C, cable TV, and internet.

Dai Nam Hotel, 79 Tran Hung Dao St., District 1, ☎ +84 8 3824 2525 (sales@dainamhotel.com.vn). 3 star. 5 min walk from Ben Thanh Market and the backpacker area on Pham Ngu Lao Street. Breakfast and free in-room wifi. The Gossip night club is in this hotel. US $35-55.

Elegant Hotel, 122F-122F1 Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, ☎ +84 8 3925 8866. All rooms and suites have A/C, LCD TV with satellite channels, IDD telephone, coffee/tea maker and mini-bar. Bar, cafe, spa and massage services, business centre, fitness room & gym, and high speed internet access. From US$35.

Golden Rose Hotel, 3A Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, Dist 3 (20 min from airport), ☎ +84 8 3824 7248 (info@goldenrosehotel.com). 80 modern and cozy rooms with A/C, cable TV, mini-bar, and safe. Jacuzzi and fitness centre, high-speed internet and massage services. From US$60.

Ngoc Ha, 53, Le Anh Xuan. Close to Ben Thanh market and the New World Hotel. Clean and decent rooms, A/C, fridge, wifi in the lobby. Rooms US$25-35 including simple breakfast.

Bloom Hotel I, 270 Le Thanh Ton St., Ben Thanh Ward, Dist. 1,Ho Chi Minh City (Very near Ben Thanh Market), ☎ 0848 38258698. Lovely modern, clean hotel. Rooms come with LCD flat screen tv’s, and the air conditioning unit is a mini computer located on the wall which controls all functions of the room. The suite has a spa tub. Free Wifi access, and friendy staff. 25-40 USD.

Y Thien, 247 Ly Tu Trong, (5 min from Ben Thanh Market), ☎ 84 8 824 8176. Full service hotel with a range of clean rooms with large bathrooms. Sizes from tiny and windowless (yet functional), to full wall window overlooking the city and streets. The 4th floor room to the right of the elevator is US$20-25. CableTV, A/C, fan, refrigerator, elevator, all night guard for bikes, hotel safe. If you don’t want to stay in the backpacker area and are willing to pay a little more, it’s a good option.

Nhat Ha Hotel, 252 BC Le Thanh Ton Str – Ben Thanh Ward – District 1, ☎ +84 8 3824 6368. 57 rooms decorated with traditional Vietnamese handicrafts. IDD telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar, and A/C. From US$33.

Sanouva Hotel, 175-177 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, ☎ +84 8 38 275 275. Central business district 15 min from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. A/C, 32″ LCD TV with cable, internet and IDD telephone. Restaurant, bar, café, car rental, travel bookings, tour services, and safe deposit boxes. From US$55.00.

Spring Hotel [53], 44-46 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1. ☎ +84 8 829 7362. Boutique hotel. Clean and walking distance to major attractions such as Ben Thanh Market and Cathedral. From US$32-74.

The area around De Tham is close to the Ben Thanh market and is the backpacker area of the city.

An An Hotel, 40 Bui Vien Street, District 1, ☎ +84 8 3837 8087 (ananhotel@anan.vn). Clean, popular and offers comfortable rooms with double glazing in the centre of the action on De Tham, free wifi in room and lobby. US$40 superior double room to US$50 for a luxury double room.

An An 2 Hotel, 216 De Tham Street, District 1, (On the corner of De Tham and Bui Vien, about 20 m down from the original An An hotel), ☎ +84 8 3838 5665 (anan2hotel@anan.vn) This is a (much newer) sister hotel to An An hotel. From US$22 (with window) for standard single, US$25 for double and US$36-$50 for superior and luxury with balcony. The prices can be lowered if you stay for 4+ days (ex: US$20 for double for 6 days).

Many of Saigon’s historical hotels are in the hands of Saigontourist, the former state monopoly. Thanks to recent competition, service and facilities are adequate, although not quite up to modern standards; but if you want to experience a little colonial atmosphere, these remain far and away the best choices at the moment.

Continental Hotel, 132-134 Dong Khoi Street. An old-school colonial hotel dating back to 1880 and the setting of Graham Greene’s novel The Quiet American . Garden, huge rooms, nice balcony views. From US$60 and up (taxes, service, breakfast included). On the minus side, there is no pool, and traffic noise can be irritating.

Dong Do Hotel, 35 Mac Thi Buoi Street, District 1. New hotel with clean and comfortable rooms. From US$20-35.

The First Hotel, 18 Hoang Viet St, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, ☎ +84 8 3844 1199. 4 star hotel, 104 A/C rooms, cableTV, mini-bar, shower with bathtub, and wifi. Casino and ballroom, fitness room, tennis court, swimming pool, airport transfer and car rental. From US$75.

Mai Hotel, 4A-4B Thi Sach Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. Opened in 2008 and expanded with a second wing. Clean and comfortable rooms with A/C and bar fridge. Right around the corner is the Apocalypse Now Club. Breakfast included, free wifi in the lobby, while connections are a little patchy in the rooms. From US$30-55

Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard. Ideally located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, next door to the People’s Committee Hall. Another old standby, former haunt of the press corps and site of the daily news briefing during the Vietnam War. The 5th floor rooftop beer garden is famous and its symbol, the golden crown, is rotating again. The rooms are very pleasant and there is a swimming pool on the roof. Buffet breakfast. From US$70.

Thien Thao Hotel “, 89 Cao Thang, Ward 3, District 3. A small hotel with thin walls but also clean and comfortable with A/C rooms, bathtubs, local and cable channels on a large plasma TV, and minibar fridge. About 20 min walk away from the heart of District 1. Bakery and several restaurants less than 5 min away, free wifi in the rooms and three computers in the lobby. From around US$30, breakfast included.

Xuan Loc Hotel, 47-49-51 Le Anh Xuan, District 1, ☎ +84 8 3827 4641, +84 8 3827 4642, +84 8 3827 5507, +84 8 3827 5508 (xuanlochotel@hcm.fpt.vn), [60]. 3 star hotel with clean and comfortable rooms. Breakfast available, internet and computers are provided. From US$60.

Mekong Lodge, 196/1/20 Cong Hoa St, Tan Binh Dist, ☎ +84 933 449 391. A good hotel for those love nature. from US$60.

Splurge

Luxury hotels are popping up faster than mushrooms in the monsoon rains. Expect to pay closer to US$200 for any of these unless you marry the owner’s daughter. The Caravelle, Sheraton, and Hyatt are all within site of each other near the Opera House, in the heart of the city-centre tourist district . New high quality boutique hotels are popping up around the city, an example being Villa Thao Dien in the city’s most elite neighborhood.

Caravelle, 19 Lam Son Square @ Dong Khoi, across from the Opera House, in District 1. In-house restaurants and spas. 7 km from the airport. Deluxe rooms from US$188 per night. May 2009 celebrated their 50th year in Saigon. During the war it was home to many war correspondents and the rooftop bar served as their local “watering hole”.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel, Corner of Le Van Huu St, Le Duan Boulevard and Hai Ba Trung St, District 1. Located at Asiana Kumho Plaza which also houses the Debenham stores and the Hard Rock Cafe. Dinner buffet is US$40++. Can walk to city centre.

Hotel Majestic, 5 star hotel in District 1, at the waterfront at the end of Dong Khoi Street. It got its start in 1925, and though it has undergone a number of renovations since, it maintains the same basic look outside. Rooftop bar serves mediocre ice cream and drinks. Has a non-smoking wing.

Mövenpick Hotel Saigon, 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District, ☎ +84 8 3844 9222 (hotel.saigon.reservation@moevenpick.com, fax: +84 8 3844 9200). checkin: 2PM; checkout: noon. 5 star hotel in the Phu Nhuan, 10 min away from the exhibition centre and international airport and 20 min from the Ho Chi Minh city centre. 251 rooms and suites for short and long staying guests. All rooms are equipped with individually controlled A/C system, TV, minibar, private safe, hairdryer. Broadband internet access is available in all rooms. From US$120.

New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, ☎ +84 8 3822 8888 (reservations.saigon@newworldhotels.com, fax: +84 8 3823 0710).

Hotel Nikko Saigon ( Ho Chi Minh ), 235 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1 (beside Nowzone Shopping Mall), ☎ +84 8 3925 7777 (reservation@hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn, fax: +84 8 3925 7766). checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12 noon. From $160.

Park Hyatt Saigon, 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Adjacent to Opera House), ☎ +84 8 3824 1234 (saigon.park@hyattintl.com). checkin: 3:00 pm; checkout: 12noon. 5 star hotel which features a collection of contemporary Vietnamese art, a variety of non-smoking dining options including an alfresco setting, an Italian restaurant, Opera, the signature Vietnamese/Western restaurant, Square One, Park Lounge that serves Afternoon Tea, and a martini bar, 2 Lam Son. The hotel also consists of a 20 meter pool, fitness center and the Xuan Spa. US$220-$520.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel, 8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1. On the river and near the main tourist-shopping district, a block off of Dong Khoi.

Saigon Domaine Luxury Residences, 1057 Binh Quoi Street, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, ☎ +81 8 483556 6163. 4 star serviced apartments, cableTV, radio, A/C, safe, hair dryer, internet, phone, mini–bar and coffee/tea maker. Swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, business facilities and currency exchange. Car rental and airport and city transfers available. From US$169.

Sheraton Saigon. On Dong Khoi, in the heart of the tourist shopping district. Complete with Prada shop in the arcade. Restaurants and around US$40 for an all you can eat buffet dinner. Red and white wine included.

Sofitel Plaza Saigon, 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, ☎ +84 8 824 1555 (reservations@sofitelsaigon.com.vn, fax: +84 8 824 1666). 290 room hotel in the city centre. Airy if slightly small rooms, comfy beds, free wired internet. Several restaurants, including a buffet and a breakfast spread. US$160-300.

Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Minh City, No 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, district 1, ☎ +84 8 3822-9197/8 (enquiry.hochiminh@the-ascott.com, fax: + 84 8 3822-1755). The serviced residence is located in the heart of the business district. It offers 172 apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom. Each apartment is fully furnished with an open kitchen concept, contemporary western style decor and balcony. Daily rates starts from 2521000 VND.

Thao Dien Village (Villa Thao Dien Hotel and spa resort), 195 Nguyen Van Huong St., Thao Dien Ward, Dist. 2 (15 min by taxi from district 1), ☎ +84 8 3744 6457 (hotel@thaodienvillage.com, fax: +84 8 3744 6458). A colonial style boutique hotel in tropical gardens on the banks of Saigon River. 22 rooms, spa and health club. 4 restaurants; Ngon (Vietnamese), Villa Romaine (Italian), Chaba (Thai), and Tama-Gawa (Sushi bar). Private functions are available at any of the restaurants. Every saturday at 7:30PM there is a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show on the riverside outdoor terrace of Ngon Restaurant. Facilities available for weddings and parties. The Event House can accommodate up to 300 guests.

Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong, District 5 (Chinatown), ☎ +84 8 3833 6688 (reservations@windsorplazahotel.com, fax: +84 8 38336888). checkin: 2PM; checkout: 12 noon. A 5 star hotel with 386 rooms in Cholon (Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown). Several restaurants including an extensive Western and Asian buffet on 4th floor; a Chinese restaurant serving live seafood, southern Chinese cuisine and dim sum; and a rooftop international restaurant that has panoramic views of Cholon. Recently upgraded including free wifi located in public areas. Hotel guests can take the free hourly shuttle to the business district.

Get out

Can Tho is the biggest city of the Mekong Delta and famous for its floating market, delicious food and fresh fruits. The name comes from “cầm thi giang” – river of poems. The city is also referred to as “Tay Do”, meaning “Western capital”. It has an estimated population of 1.5 million. Can Tho is 169 km (3 hr) from Ho Chi Minh City. You can get tickets at Le Hong Phong in district 3 and take a free shuttle bus to Ben Xe Mien Tay, where the air conditioned buses leave and cost around 100,000 dong. Free Shuttle buses in Can Tho will bring you directly to your hotel.

Cu Chi Tunnels – day-trips are tirelessly flogged by travel agencies around Pham Ngu Lao, and can be done as a half-day trip, or as a full-day with a stop at Tay Ninh to see the Holy See of the Cao Dai religion. Tours, including admission, should cost 70,000-110,000 dong, and are available every day of the week. It’s worth taking the trips to see these amazing structures so cleverly carved underground and used for survival during wartime. There is also a shooting range in which tourists can fire the same guns used in the tunnels during the war.

Can Gio – the virgin mangrove forest 30 km South of the city, entrance to the Park is near Ca Cam bridge, typical day break from the civilization.

Dalat – popular temperate mountain side ‘European’ escape.

Ha Tien – close to Cambodian border, by the sea.

Mekong Delta – boat tours are available with an almost infinite mix of itineraries. They can be short overnight trips, leisurely meanders over several nights. If doing a two or three day Mekong Tour, expect to be shuffled between tour companies along the way though.

Tay Ninh – Cao Dai Holy See and Ba Den mountain.

Mui Ne – popular beach resort about 4-6 hr away by bus.

Vung Tau – city with good beaches, about 2 hr away by bus, or less by boat along the Saigon River. The boat ride costs 250,000 dong (at Sep 2011).

Phnom Penh – a 6 hr bus ride to the capital of Cambodia ranges from US$10-12 (210,000-252,000 dong). When you pass into Cambodia and the bus rests for 15 min, do not buy anything from the roadside cafe. Instead, cross the road to purchase drinks or food from the roadside shops because prices can be up to 50% cheaper than the bus stop cafe. Alternatively you could book a tour with boat and bus to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, which will have you spending a night in a cheap hotel in Chau Doc before making the trip over the border (cross-border package prices may include visa support, which should cost 360,000-530,000 dong). Avoid Kumho Samco as they will try to charge $25 instead of $20 for the Cambodia visa. See Cambodia Page for more info. Try Mekong Express or MaiLinh.

Con Dao Island travel guide and information

Posted by editor on 7:36 am in Blog | Comments Off on Con Dao Island travel guide and information

Today, Sapa Travel will show you how to travel Con Dao Island and when to visit

Introduction

Con Dao islands are a group of 16 islands. The largest island is known as Con Son.

Con Dao served as a prison island for political prisoners during the French colonial era, when it was known as Poulo Condore, and in later years the Saigon regime imprisoned opponents of the regime in the infamous cells known as the “tiger cages”. The old prison buildings are still standing and are open to the public as is a small museum tracing the island’s history.

Besides having an interesting history, Con Dao is also an island of immense natural beauty with forested hills, deserted sandy beaches and extensive coral reefs making for some excellent diving.

Con Dao is another sad example of a National Park doing nothing to preserve the environment, however due its remote and little known location it has been preserved (So far) from the effects of development. 80% of the land area of the archipelago is a National park offering primary jungle teeming with interesting life such as the endemic black squirrel and the crab eating macaque. Beautiful beaches and hidden lagoons are also to be found here, with very few tourists Con Dao is a paradise off the beaten track. For now at least.

Most of the surrounding marine are is a no-take marine protected area (MPA). Sadly as in all of Vietnam the national park is a travesty. The national park is in no way responsible for the amazing health of the pristine reefs that surround the islands, home to a large variety of marine life incomparable to anywhere else in Vietnam.

Con Cao National Park is currently under going scrutiny of its operations by the World Wildlife Fund and The United Nations Development Program, both groups played a key role in the set up of the National park. Recently funding was withdrawn by another key aid organization DANIDA, as evidence was produced that they were operating in violation of their charter and that the Park was run for personal profit at the expense of the environment. Consider carefully and ask around on the island before using any of the National Park services. International oversight is desperately needed to be sure the environment abuses are halted. Recent reports to the National Park of the spotting of slaughtered turtle shells drying in the sun on the roof of the Anh Dao hotel have produced no inquiry, investigation or prosecution of the hotel.

How to get there

Con Dao Airport (IATA: VCS) is served by VASCO (a Vietnam Airlines [http://www.firstchoice.vn/vietnam/flights/ )

Flights operated by VASCO (Vietnam Airlines) may be booked at Vietnam Airlines offices or through most tour operators in Saigon. It may be better to book through an official Vietnam Airlines office or through their official website to avoid complications or scams.

There is an overnight ferry from Vung Tau Port (not the city centre, ask to be dropped off at 1007 D 30/4 and it’s a five minute walk from the main street) which takes around 12 hours and leaves at 5pm. The boat from Vung Tau only leaves on certain days and information on dates of departure is hard to obtain although when last checked, ferries were running daily when the seas are generally calm (March to July). The price is 250,000 VND for a bunk. The boat is divided in to large cabins each filled with a large number of bunks. There is no luggage storage so keep an eye on your valuables. There is a small noodle stall on the deck which also sells drinks and cigarettes. It’s also possible to stock up at the terminal with well priced supplies and takeaway food. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal up to an hour in advance. The trip can be rough and the boat is reasonably small. At Ben Dam port, on the main island of Con Son (pronounced like concern), minibuses greet passengers and cost 50,000 VND for the ride into town. They will drop you off at your hotel, if booked, or will take you one of their mate’s establishments if you haven’t.

There are several points worth noting about these services:

– The Con Dao (Con Son) Airport is on the far north end of the island and a long way from anything else. If you have booked a hotel they will arrange airport transfer for you.

– VASCO (Vietnam Airlines) operates ATR72-500 turboprop service on this route so overhead bin space is limited. Depending on your ticket VASCO/Vietnam Airlines will allow 10-20kg free baggage (Excess baggage is relatively inexpensive by international standards).

– Air Mekong no longer runs, they stopped running in February 2013.

– If you have not booked with a hotel and have your airport transfer arranged, getting into town is easy. There are a number of vans available coming to the airport for all the flights and the all of the hotel buses will be happy to take you along for 50,000 VND, (6/2013) they will even drop you at your destination if you know it.

– Taxis are also available depending on arrival time. Have your hotel information written down for your driver. See the next section for more information on taxis.

How to get around

On Foot Con Son Village is small, flat and easily traversed on foot. Because of the intense sun and very little shade on the streets walking is best left for the morning or evening.

Motorbikes can be easily rented and there is relatively little traffic. There has been an enormous increase in the number of motorbikes for rent, better deals are often found outside of hotels, as the hotels mark up the same bikes you can hire locally.There is only one petrol station on the island and it has very limited hours 7-10:30 a.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Be sure to get a bike with a full tank of gas as there is none available for sale on the streets as in the rest of Vietnam. They are fun to ride but a drag to push around.

Driver You maybe able to arrange for your hotel to take you limited places for a fee.

Xe Om Motorbike taxis are easily found in Con Son Village. As in all of Vietnam most of these guys are hard working and honest, but there are a few scoundrels.

Taxis are becoming more plentiful on Con Dao. They are generally more expensive then the vans and buses, and presently there are no English speaking drivers. Write down your destination before you choose to use their service, no reports of overcharging yet.

Bicycle Are a great way to get around the town, it is small and flat.

You could ride one up to the airport or Ben Dam port but it would be an ambitious undertaking.

Helmets It is illegal to ride a motorized vehicle without a helmet or a Vietnamese Driving license.

What to see

Today Con Dao has great historical import and attracts Vietnamese and increasing numbers of foreign tourists to the renovated prisons.

Prisoners were kept in extremely overcrowded conditions on the island and as many as 20,000 are believed to have died here and this can be relived here. A guide from the nearby Revolutionary Museum is costs less than US$1 and includes an informative guided tour.

The Cemetery is a National Shrine to 20,000 + heroes in this country, you will not score any points by wearing short pants, or showing your shoulders in and around the Cemetery. Please Do Not Even Think about riding your motorbike over the graves ! The Vietnamese come to this island for the sole purpose of visiting this cemetery. Again the recent influx of budget tourists is starting to strain the feelings of the local people here, as few actually benefit from your visit. The foreign money is concentrated in the larger government run hotels. Please do give a moments thought about where you spend your money. Book services for motorbikes outside of your hotel, eat in the local places, shop in the local market.

Con Dao is part of a maritime and national park and is made up of 16 or so islands. The islands are mostly rugged and still have a lot of original forest cover and associated flora and fauna. The most famous indigenous animal is the dugong or sea cow. With an estimated population of 8-10 it is rarely seen. Several species of rare squirrel and monkeys are found here and there is an important breeding program for turtles on Bay Canh island near to Con Dao island.

The islands have very nice beaches, great swimming and snorkeling opportunities (however snorkeling on the main island is generally only good in one area accessible from May to October) and a very relaxed, colonial feel to them. Con Dao is a nice antidote to the crowded cities.

The Turtle Tour can be booked at the national park office for 1,500,000 Dong and you may see a turtle laying eggs. Turtle season is ONLY from June to Early September. The N.P. will gladly sell you tickets out of season and promise turtles, the trip is not cheap. Be aware and do not fall for this.

Rainforest hikes can be booked through the National Park Office. Some hikes require a guide. Some of the trails are unmarked, so having a native guide is useful. There is good information available on the island for self guided hikes and most of the rangers only speak Vietnamese.

The N.P. guides will generally trundle you though the woods, stop and have a few shots of whiskey with their buddies and trundle you back, to get home in time to have a nap. The trails are seeing much more traffic now, and only the hike to the far north bay, Dam Tre, requires a guide and awareness of the tides ! Do be careful !

Motorbikes can be rented through most hotels, and riding them up Con Dao’s mountain roads can offer some of the best views for travelers looking to take in Con Dao’s natural beauty and scenery. (please try local options first, as most hotels take a 30% commission on rentals of their staff motorcycles, after paying them around $100 per month, the greed is abhorrent)

Watch out for the strong wind that can whip up at any time at the southern most point of the island near Nhat Beach, several westerners have not heeded warnings and been injured by the strong gusts that can be found there.

What to do

Con Dao has the best diving in Vietnam. The coral is relatively untouched and very impressive. The marine life is the best in Vietnam, boasting turtles, rays, giant barracuda, cuttlefish, cobia as well as a whole host of tropical reef fish. You can dive most times of the year as there are 16 islands to choose from and you can get good visibility pretty much most of the year. Having dive insurance is mandatory in Con Dao due to its remote location.

Dive ! Dive ! Dive ! (Nguyen Hue Street) Is affiliated with S.S.I. and owned by an American and offer PADI courses. $90 for one dive, $70 for second dive (March 2013).

They have extensive local experience and knowledge of the islands both above and below the water. They do daily dive and snorkeling trips from a 15 meter custom built dive boat or 5 meter speed boat and also have diving on the only penetrable wreck in Vietnam: A 60-meter steel freighter. They also have bicycles, snorkeling gear and camping gear for rental. Buy today, dive tomorrow diving and medical insurance available. Stop in for tourist information as they are likely the only people you will meet on the island who speak English, Dutch, French, and German. Also they are a terrific resource in regard to bookings for all of the new budget accommodation opening on the islands, from $15 a night double. They also run turtle trips to a much higher standard then the National Park, at a comparable price, and have great hiking guides.

Senses Diving Con Dao

Senses Diving are a PADI Dive Resort run by friendly English and South African PADI instructors who have been on the island for over 18 months.

Operating daily dive and snorkeling trips, a range of PADI courses as well as trekking, historical and turtle watching tours. Also offering local tourist information, travel and booking advice on Con Dao and Vietnam in general. Based at the Six Senses Resort at Dat Doc Beach(office hours from 9am-4pm)and CASA Cocktail Bar, 16 Le Duan st.(from 5.30pm till late. Prices are comparable to other dive companies operating on the island. Website – www.divecondao.com – email – info@divecondao.com

Trips to the turtle sanctuary can be arranged through the National Park office North of the main town. Overnight stays can be arranged. This office will also provide very detailed information about possible treks and walking opportunities but be aware the island has plenty of no go areas due to the large military presence here.

Be aware that the turtles are likely only nesting in July and August with a few hatch-lings still coming out in September. Do not book a turtle tour outside of this time as it is very likely you will not see any.

Shopping

There is a good fruit and vegetable market in Con Son town that starts early – 6am or so. Prices are cheap and the locals don’t seem to overcharge foreign purchasers. As the number of budget travelers increases and the full blown screaming fits over 1000 dong on the part of the back pack crowd, you can be sure that the attitudes of the vendors will change. Please keep it under control, you may win the fight over 1000 dong but the next traveler behind you will surely pay the price for your “success”. Everything here is simply more expensive as it has to come by ship or plane.

Where to eat

Dining options are still relatively limited, although new restaurants have opened in the last few months.

Thu Ba. Good local restaurant with good service and good seafood.

Phuong Han, 38C Nguyen Hue. Becoming quite popular with the tourist crowd, atmosphere needs some work, but the food is good and it is reasonably priced. Very popular for lunch.

Tri Ky, Nguyen Duc Thuan St. Offers tasty, fresh seafood at reasonable prices, and has an English menu available, although offerings are relatively sparse. If not well-versed in Vietnamese, the “pick and point” method is usually best for communicating to waitresses what seafood you want.

For lunchtime, you can also find some local restaurants that serve good noodle soups for 15000 dong. One is located on Nguyen Hue street, after the crossing with Vo Thi Sau street, when you drive towards East on the left side.

Most of the larger hotels have restaurants attached to them. Decent food is available at most hotels, but be prepared to pay somewhat more than Saigon prices. Also, hotels may not have everything on their menu available. Ice for drinks may run out before the end of the evening.

Seatravel Con Dao, 6 Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao province, Vietnam. The Seatravel Con Dao resort has an open-air lobby that doubles as a restaurant, and offers outside seating with excellent views of the ocean. Food prices are somewhat pricey (for Vietnam), but that is the case with most of the hotel restaurants on the island. English menu available, however, some of the better foods, such as their beef and veggie pho, are not listed and usually best ordered by simply asking the waitstaff directly. Western-style breakfast omelette is excellent as well. You can be served with great western taste menu with caesar salad, greek salad or pan fried salmon and garlic.

Saigon Con Dao. The Saigon Con Dao resort also has a restaurant, with views of both the ocean and the old Con Dao prison museum. A pretty good variety of food, and excellent Vietnamese coffee. English menu available.

Six Senses Resort. The Six Senses also offers some more upscale dining options for travelers, but the location of the hotel is outside of the main town. If staying at one of the other hotels (ATC, Seatravel, Con Dao Resort, Saigon Con Dao Resort)located closer to the main town, it is best to get to Six Senses by motorbike. It is best to check with them for availability before making your way there.

Where to drink

Hotels & Restaurants Beer is available at hotels and restaurants. Cocktails and mixed drinks, while offered on hotel menus, will not always be available. Ice has been known to run out early in the evening.

CASA Cocktails Bar- 16 Le Duan street, the only bar in the town at the moment. Available for a wide range of expertly made cocktails, selection of international wines and cold beers. Very relaxed atmosphere, with chilled music. A warm, friendly welcome from the owners, who speak excellent English. Great place to unwind after a day of trekking or diving – gets busy with travelers in the evenings. It is also a meeting point for divers and is the town office of Senses Diving.

Easy to find – near Thu Tam “mini-mart”- the biggest family store in Con Dao. 5 minutes walk from Phuong Hanh and Thu Ba – two favorite local restaurants.

BYOB There is a shop near the market which sells cold beer and Vietnamese wine.

Where to stay

There are currently several relatively cheap resorts on the island although more are being built.
National park guest house – just outside of town (300,000 Dong)

A.T.C. resort – is slightly over priced compared to the other hotels but the food is good.

Saigon Con Dao – (Government Owned) is lacking in character, but is clean and has a nice swimming pool.

Taxis Duy Khai www.condaodulich.com.vn Clean rooms with a/c and fan with ensuite bathroom. Central location. 300,000 dbl.

Nha Nghi Ba Doan Great location, welcoming and hospitable owners. Clean, spacious, light rooms with a/c, fridge, tv and ensuite with hot shower. Large communal area with sea view and kitchen facilities. 350,000 for double.

There is also the Con Dao resort and the Con Dao Sea Travel hotel towards the end of town. Both offer bungalows right on the beach at the end of town,where the beach is quiet and nice, although sometimes littered. The prices range from $45-70 USD. Sea Travel -large bungalows open right onto the beach and offer some of the best views and locations for Con Dao, especially on a budget.

Con Dao Camping is the first choice in budget accommodation on the island at around $35 per night. Not a camp site, but a handful of bungalows/cabins located on the beach with stunning views. All have air-con, tv, toilet, wi-fi, shower and are clean and comfortable.

Elsewhere in Con Son there are small guest houses and hotels which offer room rates from $15 – $35 US per night Whilst these are not on the beach they are usually clean and relatively new and comfortable.

Only the larger resorts (Saigon Con Dao, Sea Travel, ATC and Con Dao resort) offer pick ups from the airport. Most of the bus drivers however are very friendly and will offer stranded travelers a lift into the town.

The Six Senses Con Dao resort and spa located 10 minutes from the airport and 10minutes to the town. The 50 private pool villas offer space and privacy along with an uncompromising standard of luxury. All villas feature stunning views and butler service.

Safety

Con Dao is remote.

As in all of rural and most of developed Vietnam, medical care is rudimentary.

Evacuation by helicopter to Saigon takes 5 hours, costs $5,000 and must be prepaid in cash.

Serious issues that need evacuation to Thailand will require 8 or more hours as a result of the government not allowing “Medical Wings” access to Con Dao with out first stopping in Saigon adding four hours to the trip and costing $30,000.

So if you are considering travel here, seriously consider getting good travel insurance.

There are some stray dogs around and people do get the occasional nip. (So far, no Westerners )The dogs become aggressive and territorial at night, and during the day they can be found sleeping in the middle of the road.

Health

There is NO malaria here.

Mosquito season is February to April. The mosquitoes are not abundant, nor are their bites particularly painful. Regular mosquito repellent is available and it works, purchase in the pharmacy, across the street on the left side of the market under the name Soffell.

There are sand flies that move around the island. The bites are painful and easily infected. Do NOT scratch. Immerse in hot water. Take a HOT shower to get relief to sleep. Mosquito repellant does not work well for sand flies. You can buy proper repellant just past the pharmacy at 4 Nguyen Hue Street, they also have treatment if you are having a severe reaction).

Sand fly season is January to May

Do not drink the water. In the interest of environmental conservation and the reduction of plastic waste, refill your 1 liter water bottles from larger purified containers.