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Traveling by Train in Vietnam: Our Guide

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Traveling by train in Vietnam

An interesting option to cross Vietnam (or just to cover a part) is to take the train: which is certainly the oldest and most famous means of transport in Vietnam. From the trains you can enjoy breathtaking views and have an authentic experience in contact with the local population.

Vietnam’s shape is perfect for going from north to south, or viceversa, and you certainly won’t get lost anywhere. Moreover, traveling by train has other advantages, especially if you’re in a rush and want to slowly enjoy the atmosphere of the trip in order to discover the country.

How to book and buy a train ticket in Vietnam

Traveling by train within Vietnam is a different and stimulating experience, even though many young travelers prefer to cross the country seated on an old motorbike or in a bus.

After deciding how to travel and where to go, to buy a ticket you can go to one of the ticket offices found inside the station. Remember to bring your passport with you, because it will be required in order to buy your ticket or confirm your booking and information on your ticket. [Read more…]

Traveling to Ha Long Bay, an Earthly Paradise (Under Touristic Assault)

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Traveling to Ha Long Bay

In these articles I will bring you to discover Ha Long Bay, one of the 7 wonders of the natural world!

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Known for its emerald waters reflecting millions of limestone rocks and islets that shoot up from the water, the bay recreates an almost surreal and mythical scene.

Many of these rocky formations are islands where nature provides a true spectacle: jungle, caves and vast marine and animal biodiversity.

How to get to Ha Long Bay?

The bay is located in the northeast of Vietnam, in the Gulf of Tonkin, off of the provincial capital of Ha Long, a few kilometers from the Chinese border.

To visit the bay you can stay in Ha Long City or get there from Hanoi.

From Hanoi

Hanoi is located 165 kilometers from the bay and in 4 hours you should get to your destination. There are various ways for getting from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay; for sure the most comfortable way is by bus, which you can also book directly at your hotel, or the minibus, a comfortable option that comes right to your accommodations.

You could also opt for a private car and driver. This last option is certainly not as cheap compared to the previous choices. [Read more…]

Traveling Along the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

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Traveling along the Mekong Delta

The eleventh longest river in the world, and one of the longest in all of Asia, the Mekong is certainly the most important in ex Indochina. The famous river starts in Tibet and, after crossing more than 4,000 kilometers through six countries – China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, it empties into the South China Sea.

The Mekong is called “Cuu Long Ciang” by the Vietnamese, or the “River of the Nine Dragons”, a definition of the eight estuaries of its delta. After doing some reading, I discovered that the number eight is an unlucky number in Vietnam, and for this reason a dragon was added to its definition.

The dragon, a mythological creature that’s revered in Vietnam, symbolizes size and strength; in this area the watercourses are an important source of life, both for transporting merchandise of all types and for agriculture. For this reason the river is likened to a dragon. [Read more…]

Tourist Itineraries in Vietnam for Trips of 1, 2 or 3 Weeks

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Tourist Itineraries in Vietnam

In this article you’ll find a lost of tourist itineraries for Vietnam. To make it easy, we’ve divided it into three categories (click on the links below to go directly to the category you’re most interested in):

If instead you’re interested in our “general” advice for traveling in Vietnam, you can read this article.

One week itineraries

Saigon, the Mekong and Dalat: History, tropical fruit plantations and floating markets

  • Itinerary type: History/Nature.

[Read more…]

From Ha Giang to Meo Vac: Authentic Vietnam (5 days by motorbike or minivan)

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Traveling to Ha Giang

The appeal of the north

The emotions and multiethnicity that you’ll discover when traveling in Vietnam will stay with you your entire life. It’s an experience so profound that only time will cause it to vividly emerge in your mind, ready to be recounted.

In this article I’ll bring you to the northwestern region of Vietnam, specifically in Ha Giang Province, on the border with China’s Yunnan Province, where the two countries share an immense spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism and Confucianism, ethnic minorities and an impressive natural landscape.

Ha Giang

Ha Giang is a peaceful town immersed in the green karst mountains at the base of the Dong Van high plain. I suggest that you choose it as a base for the trip I’m about to recommend.

Like Sapa, the region’s attraction is the limestone mountains that extend over a wide area. But here, compared to the northeast they have a unique rocky formation, with peaks and villages of countless ethnic groups clinging to the mountains or at the bottom of valleys, where I still wonder how they manage to live and grow things there.

But let’s go in order.

How to get to Ha Giang

[Read more…]

Traveling to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc: Natural reserves, caves and surreal scenery

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Traveling to Ninh Binh

An overview of the town

Ninh Binh is located in north Vietnam, along the Red River Delta, and is also known as “Ha Long Bay on Land”, because it looks a lot like famous Ha Long Bay with its karst formations; but unlike the famous bay, this is located in the interior and “floats” on immense rice paddies and waterways.

In this area you can see, and if you want, participate in the rural life of Vietnam. In fact the entire province is relaxing, without much traffic and very few tourists. You can also fully enjoy the panorama, from ancient temples, fishermen among frangipani, rice paddies and karst formations.

How to get to Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is the perfect place to relax after visiting Hanoi, the chaotic capital. It is located about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, and 200 kilometers southeast of Ha Long Bay; it is therefore easily reachable by train or bus from main towns.

The ideal time for visiting this part of Vietnam is in my opinion the rainy season (from May to October), because it is in this period that nature is at its lushest and the rice paddies are a shiny green. During the rest of the year, the beauty will be just as disarming but the colors will tend towards yellow. [Read more…]

Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park: An Adventure Through the Largest Caves in the World

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Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park

Why go to Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park

First of all I feel I should recommend this park to you because it is one of the natural wonders of Asia, not to mention a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the most spectacular national park in Vietnam, with mountains covered with tropical jungle and rivers that proudly flow out of the gorges that open out of the mountains.

Here nature was gentle and superb, gifting Vietnam with an impressive underground system: the largest caves in the world.

How to get to Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park

The park is located in central Vietnam, more or less where the country begins thinning out and everything becomes more serpentine, between Laos and the sea.

There are lots of ways to get there, whether you’re coming from the north or south of the country, seeing that it’s the park destination with the greatest natural interest. [Read more…]

Traveling to Sapa: Excursion in the Rice Paddies of Northern Vietnam

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Crazy House Photogallery

Sapa is an old mountain station in the northwest of Vietnam, dear to the French since 1922. If you like hiking, you absolutely can’t miss seeing this valley that at first glance, will seem like a post-realistic painting.

In fact, Sapa is surrounded by small villages of ethnic minorities and farmers dedicated to growing rice and other cereals and sweet hills with rice terraces in view. It’s an unusual and spectacular scenario.

When to go to Sapa?

The best period for visiting the town is from March to May or after the summer when there will be less rain.

Despite being late into the rainy season with thick fog, I had the pleasure to also observe the mountain peaks on two bright days. If you don’t have the same good fortune, I can assure you that the town will still be colorful and bright, thanks to the colorful clothing of the ethnic minorities that live there and around, with whom I’m certain you’ll come into contact with.

How to get to Sapa

Coming from Lao Cai, whether by bus or motorbike, you’ll enjoy a stupendous landscape of terraced hills.

In the northern region of Vietnam riding a motorcycle is common among travelers, both for the unique mountain landscape as well as the road that is, to say the least, unusually spectacular. From Hanoi, for example, it’s 380 kilometers away, and you can also put the bike on a train, get off at Lao Cai and do the last part – about 40 kilometers uphill and curvy – on bike. However the town, being very touristy, is well connected and there’s even a bus station. [Read more…]

Traveling to Da Lat, the City of Flowers, Coffee and Strawberries

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Traveling to Da Lat

If you’re looking for a romantic destination that’s also a fresh place to find refuge from the tropical sun of the south of the country, Da Lat is the right place: an enchanting and flowery hill city, 300 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh and 140 kilometers from Nha Trang, in Lam Dong province, in southern Vietnam’s highlands. Da Lat is surrounded by lakes, large pine forests, greenhouses and plantations of coffee and strawberries which has made it famous as a tourist destination for both foreigners and locals.

Also known as little Paris, Da Lat is a beautiful mix of homes built during French colonization, where colonists in fact built this location to escape the humidity and pressing rhythm of Ho Chi Minh. It’s also a main draw for those interested in architecture.

How to get to Da Lat?

You can get to Da Lat by land, enjoying the landscape – as I always prefer, -, as well as by bus and by train: from Ho Chi Minh it’s about 7-9 hours away and from Mui Ne, about 5 hours. If you prefer, you can fly to Da Lat from various destinations; the airport is located 30 kilometers from the city center. [Read more…]

Crazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse) in Da Lat, in Vietnam

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crazy-house-dalat-0
The Hang Nga Guesthouse, best known as “Crazy House”, is an extremely unconventional building designed and built by Vietnamese architect Đặng Việt Nga in Da Lat, in Vietnam.

The building, which is often described as “the fairy-tale house”, mimics the form of a tree and contains “natural” decorative elements such as animals, mushrooms, spiderwebs and caverns.

To alleviate the costs during construction of the house, from 1990 Đặng Việt Nga opened the house to tourists. Not only is it possible to visit the house (as I did), but you can also sleep there (there are 10 bedrooms).

The price for a visit is about 40,000 VND (about two Dollars!), while the price of rooms vary from 30 to 60 Dollars a night.

The Crazy House is open to visitors every day from 8:30 in the morning to 7 in the evening. The address is: 03 Huynh Thuc Khang St, Ward 4, Da Lat, Vietnam.

If you’re passing through Da Lat, I recommend you visit it!

Here are photos of Crazy House: [Read more…]

Travel to Vung Tau: The Beach “near” Saigon

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Travel to Vung Tau

About 125 kilometers South of Saigon is the seaside town of Vung Tau, at the tip of a peninsula separated from the main land by the Co May River. It is very popular with locals at weekends and holidays, being so close to Saigon.

Getting to Vung Tau from Saigon

There are buses from Tan Son Nath airport, and mini vans that leave every 15 minutes from Mien Dong bus station.

The journey takes around 2 hours, and the mini van will drop you at any hotel or Guesthouse in Vung Tau. It is a good idea to get the phone number or business card of the driver, so that when you want to go back to Saigon, you can ask to the receptionist of the hotel where you stay to call the driver. The mini van will then pick you up at your hotel, at the time of your choice.

There is also a boat that leaves from Bach Dang Pier, located in Saigon’s District 1. Note that the boat is a bit more expensive (around 200,000 VND).

Where to stay in Vung Tau

There are hotels and lots of guesthouses in Vung Tau. They are very low priced, you can get room with fan for as little as 50,000 VND. Weekends and holidays will be a bit more expensive, with pricing starting at around 200,000 VND.

Click here to check out the best hotels in Vung Tau.

When to go in Vung Tau

You can visit Vung Tau all the year. The dry season is from November to March, when the weather is cooler. In April it gets quite hot and the rainy season is from May until October. [Read more…]

Travel to Da Nang, the City at the Mouth of the Han River

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Travel to Da Nang

Da Nang is on the coast surrounded by beautiful beaches on two sides and the Han river running through the city. Around the city there are also mountains and many pagodas; it is an interesting place to stay and it offers easy access to surrounding places to visit, such as the ancient city Hoi An, only 20 kilometers south of Da Nang, and the Hivan Pass, a few kilometers north.

Getting to Da Nang

Da Nang is in the middle between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; there are many daily flights from either city with Vietnam Air or Viet Jet, which is a low price airline.

Also if you are coming from Thailand, then Air Asia has recently started direct flights Bangkok to Da Nang. Also there is a regular train service from Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. The travel time is about 16 hours from either city but the time can vary. Buses also offer overnight leaving in the afternoon and arriving in Da Nang in the early morning.

Where to stay in Da Nang

There are many hotels spread over the city, from 5 star luxury to budget hostels. Some hotels offer long term stay at a very reasonable price. In low season you can find decent hotels for about 8 USD per night, in both Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Finally, it’s easy to find rooms by just turning up, except at holiday times such as TET which is in February about the same time as Chinese New Year. In such a periods it is recommended to book well in advance. [Read more…]

Travel to Hoi An, the Ancient Port of Central Vietnam

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Travel to Hoi An

Once a vibrant, energetic port town along the Thu Bon River, Hoi An has grown into one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations – and for good reason. Its rich history, unique culture, and mouth-watering cuisine, make this charming waterfront town a hit among visitors. Today, the entire town is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site, ensuring the preservation of its lavish Chinese congregation halls, wooden houses, and fascinating past.

More than a few leave Hoi An laden with shopping bags, as the Old Town is home to innumerable tailors, who fashion just about any clothing item or accessory you can imagine. Wander around the Old Town and you’ll find scores of high-quality, handmade goods, from wearable items to traditional handicrafts. Though Hoi An may not be as big or bustling as other destinations in Vietnam, in many ways that’s part of the town’s charm, as it provides a beautiful, peaceful respite from the noisier, more chaotic streets of urban Vietnam.

Getting there

Hoi An is most often reached by way of Da Nang, the modern metropolis 30 kilometres north whose status as a regional hub affords travellers access to an international airport as well as a train station and plenty of bus transport options.

Da Nang International Airport welcomes flights from destinations across Vietnam as well as a handful of international destinations within Asia. Nearby, the local train station is a major stop along the country’s north-to-south line, while the city’s bus station connects to other, smaller destinations throughout the area. Da Nang public bus number 1 also travels along the coast between downtown Da Nang and Hoi An every 20 minutes from 5:30 AM to 5:50 PM.

Beyond mass transit, a handful of Easy Rider companies can provide transport to Hoi An by way of single- and multi-day trips from destinations like Hué and Da Lat. These tailored motorbike tours feature experienced drivers/guides and stop at several attractions en route to Hoi An, such as Lang Co Beach and the scenic Hai Van Pass. [Read more…]

How to Get a Visa for Vietnam: The Complete Guide

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vietnam visa

Do you need a Visa for Vietnam? Click here to get in touch with the agency we recommend!

This article is a complete guide with all the information necessary to apply for a visa for Vietnam (if you need one). Below are the subjects that we are going to cover (you can click on them to skip directly to the section you’re interested in):

[Read more…]

Tours in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking Your Trip

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tour in Vietnam

This article is a complete guide with everything you need to know about enjoying a tour in Vietnam. Below, you will find the subjects that we will cover in this article (you can click on them to skip directly to the section that interests you most):

[Read more…]

Travel to Hanoi, the Capital of Vietnam

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Travel to Hanoi

Unlike certain places you might visit around the world, Vietnam’s capital still lives up to the hype, be it the postcards, the Instagram images, the Youtube videos or the TV travel shows.

With its scenic inner-city lakes and ponds, its pocket-sized temples billowing incense into tiny cobbled backstreets, and of course its ultra-modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, Hanoi is a metropolis that’s about as enthralling as they come.

Just a two-hour flight from Hong Kong or Bangkok, or four hours from Shanghai or Singapore, a trip to Hanoi makes for an affordable and time-efficient weekend getaway.

For those with a few more days to spare, perhaps as they embark on a north-to-south exploration of Vietnam as a whole, Hanoi’s endless backstreets hold enough secrets to warrant a week’s stay or more.

P.s. Click here to read our guide to travel in Vietnam (visas, tours, money, etcetera).

Here’s our guide on how to make your visit a success, including travel tips, sightseeing recommendations, eating and drinking suggestions in Hanoi, and ideas for your onward journey.

[Read more…]

How to Book an Hotel (or hostel) in Vietnam

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Booking a Hotel in Vietnam

In this article I’ll explain how and where to book a hotel (or hostel) in Vietnam. If you’re interested in booking a hotel in a specific city, click here to read our reviews.

If you need firsthand information on how plan your travel in Vietnam, click here to read our complete guide.

Which online portal should I use to book a hotel in Vietnam?

Despite the existence of many online portals that allow you to book one or more hotels, in my opinion for Vietnam the best are without a doubt Agoda and Booking. [Read more…]

The Best Hotels in Hoi An, the Ancient Port of Vietnam

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Hoi An located in the Vietnamese province of Quang Nam is one of the most popular touristic destination in Vietnam because of its well-preserved ancient trading port. Finding a good place to stay in Hoi An can be difficult because of the large number of options available. Here you’ll find the review of the best hotels whatever your budget may be.

If you are interested in the general idea of how to book hotels in Vietnam, you can read our recommendations here.

Reviews of Luxury (5 star) hotels in Hoi An

Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An


Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An is a gorgeous resort in Hoi An with beautiful rooms and villas to accommodate smaller families to larger families. It features two bedroom villas for larger families offering breathtaking views of the ocean front and Deluxe rooms for couples and smaller families. The resort offers all inclusive packages to make the stay hassle-free. The staff is attentive, friendly, and goes out of the way to help out the guests with their needs and enquiries. The resort is 25.69 km away from the Da Nang Airport and only 6.17 km from the Nguyen Tat Thanh Bus Station. It is a great choice for families with kids as it offers services like kids club, kid’s swimming pool, family room, playground and babysitting service. The rooms are high on cleanliness and offer garden, pool, and oceanfront views. Stay connected throughout the stay with free Wi-Fi provided in rooms and public area. The resort offers exceptional facilities and services in addition to friendly staff who also speaks fluent English to cater to guests from western part of the world.

[Read more…]

The Best Hotels in Hanoi, Paris of the Orient

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Hanoi, capital of Vietnam is the biggest city of the country and the second in population. Here you’ll find any kind of hotels, from the cheapest hostel to the most expensive 5 stars hotel. Given its extension, finding the right hotel may be a challenge, especially if you don’t know the city. This guide features a selection of the best hotels in Hanoi, whatever your budget may be.

In this guide we have selected hotels in two different areas, downtown and near Noi Bai Airport.

If your looking for a general recommendations on booking hotels in Vietnam you can click here to read our guide.

Reviews of Luxury (5 star) hotels in Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel


Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel is one of the top hotels in Hoan Kiem District’s French Quarter that not only enjoys great location amid must-see attractions but also provides excellent facilities. The hotel features 364 smoke-free rooms with many categories to suit guest’s needs and budget. Some of its top services include child-friendly services, train station pick-up service, full service spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and 3 restaurants. It is located at a distance of 3.61 km from the Gia Lam Aiport while the Hanoi Railway Station is 1.39 km away. The hotel is also a popular stay option for western travellers. The staff is friendly, attentive to guest’s needs, and speaks fluent English, French, German, and Japanese for effective communication with guests from different countries. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, facilities for disabled, room service, and child friendly services are some of the added benefits of staying at the hotel.

[Read more…]

The Best Hotels and Crusies in Halong Bay, UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Halong City located in the Vietnamese province of Quảng Ninh is one of the most popular touristic destination in Vietnam because of the Halong Bay a spectacular natural site declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Finding a good place to stay in Halong can be difficult because of the large number of options available. Here you’ll find the review of the best hotels and cruises whatever your budget may be.

If you are interested in the general idea of how to book hotels in Vietnam, you can read our recommendations here.

Reviews of Luxury (5 star) hotels in Halong

Vinpearl Ha Long Bay Resort


Offering gorgeous sea views, the Vinpearl Ha Long Bay Resort is a beautiful beach resort with 384 guestrooms and exceptional facilities. The hotel is located in the Quang Ninh area of Vietnam, 9 km away from the city center. Since it is located right on the beach, it allows guests to enjoy the most of the beach away from the city’s hustle-bustle. The Ha Long Night Market and Cho Bai Chay is only 32 minute walk away. Some of the top facilities at the hotel include free Wi-Fi across the property, free buffet breakfast, and airport transfer. In addition, free shuttle service, child-friendly services like babysitting, children’s pool, free cribs and pet lodging further add to its exceptional services. The private beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, spa, BBQ facilities ensure the guests have a great time at the hotel in addition to staying in comfy and luxurious rooms. English speaking staff makes the stay for guests from Western countries even more comfy at the hotel.

[Read more…]