Regional Travel
This page introduces some of the other places we recommend in Central Vietnam. While Hoi An and Hue are quite famous, there are many, many places with unique cultural and historical significance. Central Vietnam also boasts a lot of natural landscape, from the mountains to the coast. Hopefully, our brief information can get you started on a trip off-the-beaten path.
The food of the central region is some of the spiciest and most delicious in the country. Of course, we offer a few recommendations. Enjoy! ^_^
The food of the central region is some of the spiciest and most delicious in the country. Of course, we offer a few recommendations. Enjoy! ^_^
Buon Ma Thuot
Why should you choose Buon Ma Thuot as your ideal tourist destination?
Although Buon Ma Thuot is located in central Vietnam, nothing here (from the customs and living habits to nature, humans) is the same as other places in Vietnam, in particular, or the world, in general. Second, besides the pristine natural forests, majestic waterfalls and legendary stories associated with them, you can also participate in village festivals such as Cong Chien Tay Nguyen, elephant race festival, and enjoy dainty morsel at this place. Furthermore, winter here is also very great with the rather cold of mist mornings, fresh air, and there will be nothing better than if you sip a cup of warm Tay Nguyen coffee. Lastly, you should go in March because there are a lot of festivals, the time is peaceful, and the weather is best. Therefore, we recommend that you prepare a comfortable mental and toughness healthy to take a memorable and ideals trip.
Historical and cultural significance of the area
Buon Ma Thuot (formerly Lac Giao) is the capital city of Dak Lak Province, in the central highlands of Vietnam. Its population is approximately 300,000. The city is the largest in Vietnam's Central Highlands region and is famous as the regional "capital of coffee ". In the past time, this is a land of the Ê Đê Kpă people. They lived along the Ea Tam streams in long house. The chieftain was known as A Ma Thuot. In 1904, Dak Lak Province was established by the French and Buon Ma Thuot was selected as the provincial administrative centre. Buon Ma Thuot was originally settled by the Ê Đê, but due to the incoming Viet settlement after the Vietnam War and the active acculturation policy, less than 15% (around 40,000) are still Montagnards (indigenous mountain people). An important battle took place there at the end of the second Vietnam war. Now, Buon Me Thuot is a small city and peoples' lives are very poor. However, Buon Me Thuot is growing day by day in a positive direction.
How to get there, lodging options, what to bring, how much it costs
There are many different ways to get to Buon Ma Thuot: by plane or by road. But the best way we chose is by road because we can see landscapes and buy some souvenirs. During your trip, the transportation here is essentially a motorcycle. Sometimes, you’ll go with your own two feet.
Instead of staying at hotels or motels, you may be asked to stay in the Rong house in order to experience the lives of the indigenous people. Also, you can save a little money for your pocket.
Instead of staying at hotels or motels, you may be asked to stay in the Rong house in order to experience the lives of the indigenous people. Also, you can save a little money for your pocket.
Ninh Binh Caves
Why should you choose Ninh Binh as your ideal tourist destination?
About 100 km from Hanoi to the south, Ninh Binh is a place that has given birth to great and outstanding wonders. Coming here, everyone not only has a chance to discover the vestige of historical monuments as well as the Viet Nam’s traditional culture but also contemplate its incredible scenery. By its nature, the length of history, Ninh Binh was known as the second Ha Long in the country. Wherever you go in Ninh Binh, you can expect to receive a warm welcome from local people. Nowadays, Ninh Binh is a popular tourist destination that more and more is becoming attractive many travelers who come from Viet Nam and another country. We believe you will feel happy and never forget about this exciting trip.
Historical significance of the area
Considered one of the original sacred lands, it has 975 notable sites, of which 80 have been dubbed national heritage sites. Whenever referring to the history of Ninh Binh, we definitely have to mention the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital because it was the first capital of the central state centralized during feudalism in Viet Nam. It exsisted 42 years from 968 to 1010, and is associated with the career of three successive dynasties continuously : Dinh, Le, Ly. The wooden structures have been rebuilt over the years and the oldest temple is now 300 years old. The 200m-high Bai Dinh Pagoda Mountain, with its many caves and areas of worship, is part of the larger Trang An Grottoes eco-tourist complex and is slotted for serious for improvements.
Ecologically and historically rich, much like the rest of the province the Bai Dinh Pagoda Mountain area was recognized as a cultural and historical heritage site in 1997. Moreover, Ninh Binh is endowed with a system of beautiful grottoes, mountains, forests, rivers and the sea with natural protected areas, national parks, biosphere reserves, and the national tourist sites like Tam Coc- Bich Dong Caves, Trang An Caves, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Van Long Nature Reserve. Besides, there are a lot of specific kinds of festivals, village handicrafts, and food that you should not miss. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital festival, Sedge village, embroidery village, Kim Son Wine are typical culture of them.
Logistics
If you want to visit Ninh Binh, you can choose many different ways to go. For example, if you come from a city or a country far away from here, you can travel by plane which costs 1M- 1.5M VND and land at Noi Bai airport or Hai Phong airport and catch a bus or car to get there. Apart from the plane, the train is a public transportation with a lot of visitor use due to its convenience and low cost for people who are not eligible for payment, with its cost about 400,000- 500,000 VND. Located around 100 km to the south of Ha Noi, it can offer one day trip for tourist. For people who want to spend the night to enjoy the nature, there are many mini Hotels or Ressorts such as: Xuan Hoa Hotel, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Kinh Do Hotel with comfortable facilities. In addition, if anyone would like to understand about lifestyle, customs and traditions of the people of Ninh Binh , you can live with the local people in their homes through homestay model. Except for clothing and footwear, you should prepare your luggage with some things like sunscreen, food and drinking water, insects drugs, medicines for common diseases, and umbrella to have a prefect trip.
To sum up, Ninh Binh is a location as a miniature terrain of Viet Nam. Go to Ninh Binh if you can, if you have an opportunity.
To sum up, Ninh Binh is a location as a miniature terrain of Viet Nam. Go to Ninh Binh if you can, if you have an opportunity.
My Son
Summer is a great season for the holiday trips and visits with family or even friends. If you want to discover many ancient, majestic architectures, My Son sanctuary is a perfect choice for you.
My Son was built between the fourth and twelfth centuries by the Champa kingdom, which occupied parts of central VietNamm for over 4,000 years. It was built to honor Shiva; we can find many Shiva statues in there.
When you have an opportunity to go to My Son, you not only enjoy the grandeur of the temples and ancient tower but also feel admiration of the accuracy and excellent texture in Champa architecture. My Son presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia. The tower temples have a variety of architectural designs symbolizing the greatness and purity of Mount Meru. It is evidence of Cham engineering skills while the elaborate iconography and symbolism of the tower-temples give insight into the content and evolution of Cham religious and political thought. Because of its cultural features, My Son was recognized as " a world heritage" site in 1999 by UNESCO.
My Son was built between the fourth and twelfth centuries by the Champa kingdom, which occupied parts of central VietNamm for over 4,000 years. It was built to honor Shiva; we can find many Shiva statues in there.
When you have an opportunity to go to My Son, you not only enjoy the grandeur of the temples and ancient tower but also feel admiration of the accuracy and excellent texture in Champa architecture. My Son presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia. The tower temples have a variety of architectural designs symbolizing the greatness and purity of Mount Meru. It is evidence of Cham engineering skills while the elaborate iconography and symbolism of the tower-temples give insight into the content and evolution of Cham religious and political thought. Because of its cultural features, My Son was recognized as " a world heritage" site in 1999 by UNESCO.
Arriving
You can get there in several ways: by bus, boat, taxi, or motorcycle. Tour Fare: International visitors (100,000 VND) and Vietnamese (60,000 VND), including entrance fees and services. You should prepare maps, camera, water, and an umbrella (if the weather is too hot). When traveling to My Son, if you want to stay overnight, there are many choices for you like the hotels, the motels. There is also an eco-tourism project with lodging. We assure that people should not miss the opportunity to go there once in your life. Come here to enjoy a great atmosphere and immerse yourself in the culture of the Cham hundreds of years ago.
Phong Nha Cave
To arrive, start from the University of Foreign Languages. Turn right to Phan Dang Luu Street. Next, you turn right and go straight to Dien Bien Phu Street. After that, you turn left to Le Do Street and go ahead to the crossroads of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. Keep going about 7 kilometers, turn left, go straight about 35 kilometers and you will see Hai Van Pass. The next step, you go straight on Highway IA (also called AH1). You pass Hue City and Dong Ha City. You keep going straight on the highway IA, you spend the first intersection and go ahead to the second intersection. Next, you turn left and go straight about 25 kilometers. It’s Phong Nha – Ke Bang.
Budgeting your trip
To help you have the most careful money preparation for the trip, we will list the prices of services:
* bike rental 20,000-30,000 VND/day * scooter rental 120,000 VND/day * parking 15,000 VND (2 caves) * Phong Nha cave entrance fee 160,000 VND (2 caves) * Paradise cave entrance fee 240,000 VND (2 caves) * Boat 320,000 VND/boat but the boat can take up 14 people so if there is more people on the boat you can pay fewer money. * Overnights ranging from 850,000 to 1.7M VND per night. We suggest http://baoninhbeachresort.com.vn/, http://sunsparesortvietnam.com/, or Tan Binh Hotel. Thus, you have to pay totally about 750,000 to 855,000 VND for a trip to visit Phong Nha Cave.
* bike rental 20,000-30,000 VND/day * scooter rental 120,000 VND/day * parking 15,000 VND (2 caves) * Phong Nha cave entrance fee 160,000 VND (2 caves) * Paradise cave entrance fee 240,000 VND (2 caves) * Boat 320,000 VND/boat but the boat can take up 14 people so if there is more people on the boat you can pay fewer money. * Overnights ranging from 850,000 to 1.7M VND per night. We suggest http://baoninhbeachresort.com.vn/, http://sunsparesortvietnam.com/, or Tan Binh Hotel. Thus, you have to pay totally about 750,000 to 855,000 VND for a trip to visit Phong Nha Cave.
Why you should visit Phong Nha Cave
Phong Nha Cave is the largest and the most beautiful cave in Vietnam. It is located about 50 km northwest of Dong Hoi town, Quang Binh province. Phong Nha is noted for its thousands of meters of underground passageways and river caves filled with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. If tourists come here, they will have a wonderful time to travel by boat along the Son river. The boat was bobbing on the waves. During boating, tourists can see a few scattered villages and some water buffalo grazing. The beauty of Phong Nha Cave is like a beautiful picture. Tourists always feel pleasant because the people in here are very friendly and kind. Recognized as the World Heritage Site by Unesco in July, 2003, it is regarded as one of the two most beautiful caves in the world. Phong Nha cave is the major site of tourism attracting a great number of local and foreign tourists alike every year.
Ecological and cultural significance of the area
Belonging to the Phong Nha Ke Bang karst, Son Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, 60km from the city of Dong Hoi, Phong Nha Cave is regarded as the "Heavenly Men First up" of Vietnam. In Phong Nha-Ke Bang, there is a system that consists of approximately 300 large and small caves are known as the "kingdom of caves" of which the most typical are Tien Son Cave, Cave of Heaven, and the Son Doong. The cave system in the area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was formed by tectonic happening inside Ke Bang limestone mountains more than 400 million years ago in the Paleozoic era.
Phong Nha is unlike other tourist destinations in Vietnam, as it is located in the pristine Ke Bang forests seeming untouched and pristine. Legend has it that more than a hundred years ago, the young King Ham Nghi fled Hue and hid from French troops in this area.
Know before you go
Phong Nha mainstream of the 14 chambers connected by a long corridor to 1500m of water. From the 14th chamber we can follow the narrow corridor further to go in the chamber and no less broad but somewhat more dangerous, where limestone weathering process still continues cuffs. 800m upstream of the boat to the cave called fords shallow water: Water disappears favor sandstones. Stalactites hang down from above, stalagmites protruding from the bottom up as trees bristling with strange shapes stimulate the imagination
7 best things of Phong Nha Cave:
7 best things of Phong Nha Cave:
- The longest water cave
- The highest and widest cave
- Wide sandy beaches and beautiful rock
- The most beautiful underground lake
- Magnificent stalactites and the virtual one
- The longest underground river Vietnam (13969 m)
- The most beautiful and widest dry cave
Hue Imperial City
In 1802, Hue became Vietnam’s capital under Nguyen emperors. In 1945, Bao Đai emperor lost control on Hue. In 1968, in the Viet Nam war with the Americans, Hue was almost completely destroyed. Over 5000 civilians were killed.
Today, Hue people are friendly. They love to talk with everyone; however, they are so shy. Hue people have a special relation among each other: having a get-together with their neighbors. They are extremely dynamic and sociable in many activities in daily life
“Poetic Hue, dreamy and romantic Hue, Hue – the city of two World Heritages…” is what people always call Hue city - the latest imperial capital of Vietnam under Nguyen dynasty(from the 17th to 19th century). Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam. So far, Hue remains to be the only originally historical vestiged city in Vietnam.
Today, Hue people are friendly. They love to talk with everyone; however, they are so shy. Hue people have a special relation among each other: having a get-together with their neighbors. They are extremely dynamic and sociable in many activities in daily life
“Poetic Hue, dreamy and romantic Hue, Hue – the city of two World Heritages…” is what people always call Hue city - the latest imperial capital of Vietnam under Nguyen dynasty(from the 17th to 19th century). Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam. So far, Hue remains to be the only originally historical vestiged city in Vietnam.
Art and culture
Architecture in Hue is a blend of royal architect, folk, religious, traditional and modern sides. If you like something mysterious and architecturally valuable, you should take a visit to the tombs of ancient Kings.No architects who would like to discover ancient architecture of Vietnam could ignore Hue’s old citadel vestiges. Hue Citadel is designed as a stronghold with a complex system of structures which were closely related for highly solid defense. The harmony between architecture and the visual Nguyen reflects psychological reconciliation "God’s - Location " of Hue. The folk art has made the royal art a new vitality.
Cuisine
Reid on Travel, it’s said that of Vietnam’s 1700 dishes, 1400 may come from Hue. In order to become well-known as gentry, stylish Hue proved itself in culinary arts, not only in the stage of selecting materials, but also to the picky cook until processing, decoration,.as Each dish is raised to truly be a work of art.
It seems that through the skilled hands of women, food has been blown into something of the soul and spirit of Hue. Hue specially preserved 1000 Hue style cuisine cooking, including Court dishes of the Nguyen Dynasty.
In the category of traditional music in Vietnam, only Nha Nhac reached national stature. Along with the cultural space of gongs Highlands, this is the intangible heritage of Vietnam has been officially recognized by UNESCO.
It seems that through the skilled hands of women, food has been blown into something of the soul and spirit of Hue. Hue specially preserved 1000 Hue style cuisine cooking, including Court dishes of the Nguyen Dynasty.
In the category of traditional music in Vietnam, only Nha Nhac reached national stature. Along with the cultural space of gongs Highlands, this is the intangible heritage of Vietnam has been officially recognized by UNESCO.
Cham Island
Summer is a great time to have a awesome vacation. Cham Island the best choice for you.
People who first came to Cham Island (Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam) certainly found a charming island. An ultramarine green color of pristine forest connecting with ribbon of white sand beach with a smooth, gleaming in the yellow sunshine and deep blue sky ...
Not only is there natural beauty here, the people here are the true "gift" for dedicated island visitors. The cordial, hospitable souls will make it difficult to leave for those who wander.
People who first came to Cham Island (Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam) certainly found a charming island. An ultramarine green color of pristine forest connecting with ribbon of white sand beach with a smooth, gleaming in the yellow sunshine and deep blue sky ...
Not only is there natural beauty here, the people here are the true "gift" for dedicated island visitors. The cordial, hospitable souls will make it difficult to leave for those who wander.
Reasons to visit
There are three main reasons why many tourists to the island:
CULINARY SPECIALTIES: Cham Island is famous for bird nest, sea cucumber and abalone prices only 2/3 of the land. Besides the snails, clams, squid, the specialty is serving meals on the island tour. Meals are simple and inexpensive but full of local products that customers can be fed. A bitter herbs mixed plate of sesame oil and peanuts, a plate of boiled wild vegetables sauce, fresh sea fish in tomato sauce, tomato soup cook lily. Squid dish, snails, oysters, abalone dish becomes a dotted position for the rustic but exotic enough cooling power for a holiday full of seafood. ultimate dessert for a cake at the leaves. Tasting the sweet cake roll bar fresh new leaves in the class understand why the Quang Nam - Da Nang said to want to eat cake at Cham Island, where bread is made from the leaves of the forest freshness.
LOCAL PEOPLE: The friendly Cham will make any visitor will want to be back here at least once. To know more clearly about there, we should take a look about historical, culture, ecological significance.
The historical and culture: Cham island with more historic relic focus regular, part of the Sa Huynh’s culture, the Cham Pa’s culture and the Dai Viet’culture. Where this that amount historical monument signals threshold and archaeologists large with 27 historic relices part different genres and datings various.Bai Ong historic relic, where lived Tiên Sa Huỳnh’s peoples, is the oldest in Hoi An (3.000 years) Bai Lang historic relic is also a historic important of the archaeologists‘s Cham Pa system in Hoi An. Besides, there are many manufacturing traditional cultural beliefs such as Dai Can temple, Thanh Hoang temple, Tien Hien temple, Than Nong temple, Yen temple, Ông Ngư shrine,Cô shrine, Xóm Cấm wells...
DIVING: Cham Island has cool weather with a diverse plants system. The plants are always overlay above islands. The corals around the beach area are listed on protected species lists.
CULINARY SPECIALTIES: Cham Island is famous for bird nest, sea cucumber and abalone prices only 2/3 of the land. Besides the snails, clams, squid, the specialty is serving meals on the island tour. Meals are simple and inexpensive but full of local products that customers can be fed. A bitter herbs mixed plate of sesame oil and peanuts, a plate of boiled wild vegetables sauce, fresh sea fish in tomato sauce, tomato soup cook lily. Squid dish, snails, oysters, abalone dish becomes a dotted position for the rustic but exotic enough cooling power for a holiday full of seafood. ultimate dessert for a cake at the leaves. Tasting the sweet cake roll bar fresh new leaves in the class understand why the Quang Nam - Da Nang said to want to eat cake at Cham Island, where bread is made from the leaves of the forest freshness.
LOCAL PEOPLE: The friendly Cham will make any visitor will want to be back here at least once. To know more clearly about there, we should take a look about historical, culture, ecological significance.
The historical and culture: Cham island with more historic relic focus regular, part of the Sa Huynh’s culture, the Cham Pa’s culture and the Dai Viet’culture. Where this that amount historical monument signals threshold and archaeologists large with 27 historic relices part different genres and datings various.Bai Ong historic relic, where lived Tiên Sa Huỳnh’s peoples, is the oldest in Hoi An (3.000 years) Bai Lang historic relic is also a historic important of the archaeologists‘s Cham Pa system in Hoi An. Besides, there are many manufacturing traditional cultural beliefs such as Dai Can temple, Thanh Hoang temple, Tien Hien temple, Than Nong temple, Yen temple, Ông Ngư shrine,Cô shrine, Xóm Cấm wells...
DIVING: Cham Island has cool weather with a diverse plants system. The plants are always overlay above islands. The corals around the beach area are listed on protected species lists.
Directions
Firstly, coming to Hoi An and ask the local people the way to go to Bạch Đằng harbor. Because in this place, there is only one vessel to go to island, you must come there at 7:30 a.m. Get on the vessel and wait for vessel's departure. If this is the first time you have been in a vessel, you should choice a seat on the 2nd floor to see beautiful landscape.the price is 30.000VND/person.
Around 10:15 a.m, the vessel docks at Bãi Làng, this is the most densely populated area in island. Opposite to harbor, there is a tourist center and Marine conservation center, you can come in to visit and take a lot of information about this island. Then, you can ask the staff of 2 centers about the address of the local people who have the form of bussiness that called " home stay ".The price for homestay is that 100.000-150.000VND/room, you can eat at that house , it cost about 40.000-50.000 VND.
Another way to get there is: you go to Cửa Hội Harbor, then rent a cano (to get there, it takes abt 25mins). In Cham island, there don’t have any services, you have to pay abt 100.000 VND for a day to live in local people’s house. If you are going to live here for 2 days, you should take a tour because they will hold a lot of interest programs to make you have a memorable trip.
Around 10:15 a.m, the vessel docks at Bãi Làng, this is the most densely populated area in island. Opposite to harbor, there is a tourist center and Marine conservation center, you can come in to visit and take a lot of information about this island. Then, you can ask the staff of 2 centers about the address of the local people who have the form of bussiness that called " home stay ".The price for homestay is that 100.000-150.000VND/room, you can eat at that house , it cost about 40.000-50.000 VND.
Another way to get there is: you go to Cửa Hội Harbor, then rent a cano (to get there, it takes abt 25mins). In Cham island, there don’t have any services, you have to pay abt 100.000 VND for a day to live in local people’s house. If you are going to live here for 2 days, you should take a tour because they will hold a lot of interest programs to make you have a memorable trip.