Things to Do in Vietnam

[Nguyen Ngoc diep]

Hanoi Imperial Hotel would like to give you some advice for travelling in Vietnam

- Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels.This extensive network of nearly 500 km of Viet Cong tunnels used in the French Indochina and American wars. The tunnels have complete facilities, from kitchens to printing presses and even street signs, all of which were used to aid the NLF ( National Liberation Front) military. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze. Located in Tay Ninh a suburb it is 39 km northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City.

- Da Lat is the palce to be if you want to visit ian nteresting tribal village. Although most are located further out of town, you can visit the vilalges of some of hill tribles, such as Lat village and the Chicken Village ( with a huge statue of a chicken) close to Dalat itself. Do not forget your camera as the photo opportunities are endless!

- Paddle around Halong Bay in Quang Ninh which is similar to the islands found along the, this is one of Vietnam's most beautiful areas, Halong bay has facinating limestone formations, covers for night-time excursion, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and scores of small islets. There are plenty of activities such as Kayaking that are well worth taking time out for as this is one way to really appreciate the beauty of the area as well as a good way to see the fauna and flora without disturbing the nature around one.

- Haiphong is known as the City of Flower-lined Streets, and is the third biggest city of Vietnam, in comparison with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Here you can discover the Du Hang pagoda which is one of the most ancient pagodas in this city and is one you need to take your camera for. It was built three centuries ago and the decoration on the pagoda is exquisite as well as housing many ancient furnishing that never fail to interset visitors.

- Hanoi has lots to offer the tourist but if you are in the city you can't afford to miss the History Museum that includes artifacts from Vietnam's prehistory: proto- Vietnamese civilisations (1st and 2nd millennia BC), the Dong Son civilisation (7th century BC to 3rd century AD), the Oc-Eo (Funan) culture of the Mekong Delta (1st to 6th century AD); the Indianised kingdom of Champa (1st to 15th century), the Khmer Kingdoms, various Vietnamese dynasties and their resistance to Chinese attempts at domination, the struggle against the French, and the history of the Communist Party. It gives the visitor an excellent understanding of Vietnam's past and a better understanding of the present.

- Another Hanoi "must do", through a little out of town is the National Preserve of Cuc Phuong. This national Park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres.Caves and grottoes, where various artefacts have been discovered, can be located in the mountains within. It is located approximately 120km southwest of Hanoi.

- Visit Hoi An. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came to trade primarily for the high-grade silk, which is still produced in the area, and ceramics. The area is now one of four world heritage listed sites in Vietnam and there are lots of interesting things to see and do in the area.

- Meander along the Mekong on one of the many boat trips that are available taking you across the water or through the local canals on many interesting sightseeing excursions that definitely require a camera. Larger boats venture up the Mekong River and this is a definite MUST DO if you are in the are of Cantho or one of the other cities or villages that rely on this massive sourse of water for both transport and food. Climb Sam Moutain near Chau Docif you want to see dozens of temples, pagodas and the likes as it is well worth visiting. Located about 6km from the city, temples abound and the trek to the top of the mountain is so popular... though one can go by motorised vehicle if you so desire.

- Visit Phu Quoc Island the largest island in Vietnam that lies in the Gulf of Thailand, 45 km from Ha Tien and 15 km south of the coast of Cambodia. Phu Quoc Island, part of Kien Giang province, is also part of an archipelago consiting of 22 islands of all sizes. The island covers an area of USD 585 km2 and is 50 km long.It is also the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential.