Mekong Delta, Vietnam  – Rated #9 Destination by Lonely Planet

Can Tho Floating Market - Mekong Delta

Vietnam is always good value, but you can now skip the package trips arranged in Ho Chi Minh City that tread the same worn-out routes. It’s become easier, more rewarding and just as cheap to go on DIY multiday adventures to destinations like Ben Tre, Chau Doc and the floating markets of Vinh Long, and some less-seen ones like Ha Tien or Tra Vinh. Go by air-conditioned bus or hire moto-taxis as you go; the latter know ferry crossings on roads not on any map. Boat trips go for US$5 to US$10, while most guesthouses run US$10 to US$25.

Take a ferry or plane from Rach Gia to the beaches of Phu Quoc Island, then fly back to Ho Chi Minh City. Short flights are cheap – under US$50.

Complete Article Here

A Breath of Fresh Air, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

SAIGON - NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

A few weeks in HCMC and we had found a few interesting restaurants, could find our way to the supermarkets and had managed to master the rules of the road. I’d never fully understood the ‘Chaos Theory…

One Sunday morning, however we had a desire to escape the city, the confines of districts, traffic lights, smog and noise, even if it was only for a few hours.

It was never going to be a road trip, but just a chance to see what lay outside this sprawling city’s borders. Our first foray into the unknown.

So after reviewing a map and selecting, by virtue of the closest road to our flat that would take us out the city, we jumped on the bike. Out of District 5, hugging the river along District 8 into District 7.

A lovely view along a bustling street looking across at the boats moored in the channel over to the high rise buildings, we headed off towards Phu My Hung.

The marked difference between the wider expanse and expat influence of District 7 to our own home in District 5 was there for all to see. Modern apartment blocks, villas and apartments being constructed along the road, busy with lorries delivering building materials and removing waste.

This may not have been the right road to choose but soon it was all behind us. The traffic ceased, the construction lorries gone and now just a few other motorbikes and an open highway ahead of us.

Clear of all the buildings we drove on, the road splitting through the greenery and wildness of the countryside just a few kilometers out of the city.

What a difference in such a short space of time. Time to remove the ghastly face mask and feel like you are breathing fresh air again. At each bridge crossing the many channels, local fishermen would be parked at the side of the road, with several rods lazily dipping into the water below as they patiently waited for a tug on the lines and another fish to add to their buckets. Such a serene sight, only a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

As we drove on, little hamlets would appear, the buildings clinging to the side of the road, staying as close as possible to gain some passing trade from the few bikes that would go past.

Small general stores, stores selling woven baskets and bike repair shops dotted along the road with the owners comfortably sitting in the tranquility of a peaceful Sunday afternoon. The scene would be repeated at every hamlet, a much slower pace at each one the further out of the city we drove. Stopping at one such village we soon had a crowd round us, not only children but a few adults looking at the strange foreigners stopping off in their little area.

The short trip may not have had the appeal of the many tourist attractions in HCMC, but the chance to drive without a mask and not gulp in wave after wave of exhaust fumes and to escape this manic city, even just for a few hours was like a holiday in itself. As my old Gran would say, a change is as good as a rest.

By Greig Callan in HCMC

Source:  ( http://www.en.baomoi.com )

via A breath of fresh air, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam – Cambodia Railroad to be Built

Trans Asian Network - Cambodian-Vietnamese leg will be built shortly.

New railroad route Kampong Speu, Cambodia via Binh Phuoc, Vietnam.

The Vietnam – Cambodia leg of the Trans Asian Railroad will transport people and commodities to markets in the region and as far away as Europe – with emphasis on the ASEAN – China Free Trade Area.  The project seeks to draw business to the Singapore – Kunming railroad project.

The Chinese Railway Ministry’s Third Railway Survey and Design Institute has invested US $3 million to fund the study for the past 2 years.

The railroad leg is nearly 260 kilometers (162 miles) and connects Kampong Speu Province in Cambodia with Loc Ninh District in Binh Phuoc Province, Vietnam. It will cost nearly US$ 686 million according to staff.

The land necessary for the project has not yet been acquired from the current land owners.

The railway will be part of an intra-Asian railway that runs from Singapore to China via Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is expected to be complete within 30 months.

Travelers to Vietnam and Cambodia will find that the new rail service will cut the 20 hour bus trip from  Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Thailand (750 kilometers) considerably and make the journey much more comfortable.

The return of rail service legs will connect Singapore with China going through the territories of Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.  Travelers will be able to use the new routes to travel as far London via China & Russia.

Solo in Saigon – Easy Vietnam Travel

SAIGON - NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

The idea of traveling alone is not new. People have been doing it for centuries and for the past three years, this writer has been touring parts of the US on his own.

Preparing for Vietnam Travel

This was what I told myself while preparing for my trip last weekend to Ho Chi Minh City, which was formerly — and is still more popularly known as — Saigon.

It was only later that I realized that on those US trips, I had friends and family who put me up for several nights.

Saigon would be different. This time, I would be on my own.

Our Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacific.com) plane arrived past midnight on Friday so there was little else to do but head straight to my hostel located in District I or the backpackers’ district.

I booked a single room at Bich Duyen (bichduyenhotel@yahoo.com), one of the top-ranking hostels according to user reviews on the travel Web sites Tripadvisor and Hostelworld.

I wanted a place that was clean, safe and not too expensive and I got exactly that: a small, high-ceilinged room on the fourth floor of a five-storey walkup. Although the climb on the very steep staircase always left me out of breath, I felt safe as soon as I locked my door.

The next three days were spent exploring the city and included a day-long Mekong River cruise booked through the hostel.

Chanh, one of the staff at the hostel, was very helpful. As soon as I had eaten the banh mi (crusty French roll) and breakfast omelet that he cooked himself, Chanh whipped out a mimeographed map of Saigon and proceeded to mark some of the city’s tourist spots.

Armed with the map, I sauntered out, determined to see everything on foot. Within minutes, however, I was drenched in sweat. The weather in Saigon is similar to Manila’s — humid in the morning, painfully hot at noon followed by strong rains in the afternoon that leave you feeling sticky.

I was only able to make it to the Ben Tranh market that sells everything from fabric and ladies’ accessories to lacquer ware and cooked food before I copped out and agreed to a city tour on board a Vietnamese cyclo. The driver offered to show me the sights for 15,000 VND (Vietnamese dong) or around P30. I agreed although I thought it was too good to be true. Turns out, I was right.

By the end of the two-hour tour, he demanded 500,000 dong or around P1,000 but I managed to bring it down to 150,000 dong or roughly P300.

When you’re a passenger on a cyclo, you can see everything in front of you as there are no obstructions to your line of sight. It’s like riding an open carriage made for one.

As we cycled our way up and down the streets, the driver pointed out Notre Dame Cathedral, the post office, Saigon Opera House, the Reunification Palace and some of the grander hotels. He even waited while I had lunch at Nha Hang Ngon (160 Pasteur, quananggon@hcm.vnn.vn).

Friends had told me that the food in Saigon was delicious but I did not expect all my meals to be tasty, satisfying and so inexpensive.

The vermicelli topped with grilled pork and fried spring rolls at Nha Hang Ngon, the huge bowls of Vietnamese pho (rice noodle soup) served at Pho 2000 or the small eatery near the hostel, the fresh spring rolls made to order at Kim Cafe — each of these beautifully plated dishes cost under or around P100. Even the apportioned lunch of chicken stew, steamed vegetables and rice on the Mekong River cruise was plentiful and tasty.

After traveling solo for a few days, I realized that it is an eye-opening experience but a shared meal always tastes better.

via BusinessWorld Online Edition |Solo in Saigon.

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Country Travel Guide) by: Nick Ray publisher: Lonely Planet, published: 2009-07-01 ASIN: 1741791596 EAN: 9781741791594 sales rank: 10190 price: $15.22 (new), $17.49 (used)

Experience the best of Vietnam with Lonely Planet. Our 10th edition is so full of practical information that you’ll be watching the sunset from a junk on Halong Bay, sucking back bia hoi street-side in Hanoi, or bargaining like a local in Ho Chi Minh City in no time. In This Guide: Detailed itineraries on beaches, food, the Ho Chi Minh Highway and more. Comprehensive information on everything from food and language to health and transport. Full-Color chapter on the hill tribes of Vietnam.

More Info on Vietnam Travel

Author: Naveen Marasinghe

GO THERE NOW!

The Notre Dame Basilica in the Vietnamese city of Saigon is yet another imprint of French colonialism in this historic city. This cathedral located in downtown Saigon was established by the French colonists for religious service for their own nationals. The cathedral stands at over 58 meters with two tall bell towers flanking it from either side.

The cathedral was established following the French capture of Cochinchina and Saigon in the middle of the 19th century. The first church that was built was at the site of an abandoned Vietnamese pagoda, Bishop Leferve who was in charge of the construction decided to turn the pagoda into a church. Because the first church was too small, a larger one was built on the banks of the Charner canal and was known as the Saigon church.

This church which was built mostly of wood was damaged by termites and subsequently a design competition was organized to create a new cathedral. The winning design by architect J. Bourad was chosen, his design blended modern revised Roman style elements of Gothic architecture. Later two tall bell towers with bronze bells were added, as was a statue of Pigneau de Behaine which was installed in the flower garden. However the crowing glory of the cathedral was the Peaceful Notre Dame statue that was built with Roman granite. This spawned the cathedral’s new name- the Notre Dame Basilica.

Many legends and stories surround this cathedral which sees many faithful devotees flocking to its doors. In 2005, the statue was reported as shedding tears which attracted thousands of people to witness the supposed miracle. According to reports the tears were shed down the right cheek of the Virgin Mary statue.

Located in a busy part of the city, a Saigon hotel can be found nearby with ease. A hotel in Saigon that offers great access to places of interest as well comfortable accommodation is recommended for travelers.

About the Author:

Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing agency that offers integrated Internet marketing solutions and specializes in serving the online travel and hospitality industry. (http://www.emarketingeye.com/ )

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Beautiful Notre Dame in Saigon

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Mekong Delta – Floating Market

bluetwistie | MySpace Video

A LOOK AT VIETNAM’S FLOATING MARKETS OF THE MEKONG DELTA

For several generations, these markets have kept afloat rural livelihoods, a way of life, and a distinct culture.

Floating markets are great tourist draws.

Found only in Southeast Asia, the sight of boats as shops and food stops, the colors of the boats and the produce, ranging from flowers to fruits and vegetables to everything else found in on-land markets, never fail to impress.

However, if you were to tarry a while, the markets have interesting stories to tell, stories of those whose families have been clothed and fed for generations by them, of those who have met their life partners there, and those who cannot imagine their lives without it.

When the first rays of the sun spread their light, thousands of boats of different sizes have already converged along the Tien and Hau rivers in locations that have remained the same for centuries, whether it is Cai Be (Tien Giang Province), Tra On (Vinh Long Province), Phong Dien (Can Tho City) or Thoi Binh (Ca Mau Province).

Not only have the boats gathered, but the markets are already in full swing at dawn. The scene of sellers skillfully throwing and catching goods from one boat to another with the skill of jugglers is one that stands out, but there are many other chaotic scenes where the underlying method is not immediately apparent.

Unlike shops and stalls in ordinary markets, sellers cannot cry out their wares since it is impossible to be heard amidst the noise of running boat engines. So samples of goods are hung on bamboo poles that can be easily seen from afar.

Floating markets draw people from everywhere, and a boat’s initials, like registration plates, identify where it is from. A boat marked “TG” is one that comes from Tien Giang Province, for instance.

Among the big boats are small ones darting in and out selling cooked food and drinks to market-goers and visitors. These swimming canteens skillfully draw alongside boats ordering food and drinks, but there are also occasions when the big boats make a food stop by the side of smaller ones.

One would expect that a floating market is no place for a service industry, but these days, they also offer several “modern” services like installing ringtones and wallpaper for cell phones and cell phone repairs.

Repositories of culture -

Floating markets are also living museums of the southern traditional culture that has been fostered by the Mekong Delta’s interlacing waterway systems.

With the advent of several new road networks and bridges over many rivers, as well as the setting up of supermarkets on the mainland, the indispensability of floating markets has been dented somewhat, but the waterways still offer the only route to several rural remote areas in the region.

But many locals still prefer floating markets which have been a part of their daily lives and livelihoods for generations.

The floating market has helped Van raise her three children and send them to school.

Lam, a merchant from Hau Giang Province who drives his boat to Can Tho City’s Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the biggest in the south, says: “My whole clan lives as vendors on floating markets. We own more than ten boats.”

They have an advantage in working together because they can easily exchange information about prices and demand and supply in market, Lam adds.

Di Ba, as she is called by everyone at the Cai Rang Floating Market, is probably the most famous name among food sellers here. For more than thirty years, the woman whose real name is Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van, has taken her small boat to the market, serving bun (noodle) to the locals.

Her family was very poor, Di Ba says. “Like other poor people, my husband and I have to go “down” the river for a living since we don’t have any job or land.”

However, this 60-year-old woman has not only raised her three children well, but also given them a complete education that has changed their lives. Her children don’t want their mother to continue selling noodles at the floating market at her age, but Di Ba cannot quit. “I am so attached to the market that I feel uncomfortable if I am separated from it.”

SOURCE:  Thanhnien daily

Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island is situated off the South coast of Vietnam, close to Cambodia. This small and unspoiled island is only a short flight from Saigon and remains a quiet and laid back destination, perfect for those wishing to escape the crowds. According to many, the beaches of Phu Quoc Island are the best in Vietnam. Tropical jungles and white sandy beaches make it a perfect relaxation spot in southwest Vietnam. There are resorts and hotels for every budget – assuring any Vietnam traveler a memorable visit. The island can be reached by air or by ferry from Rach Gia on the mainland.  Any Vietnam land tour should include Phu Quoc’s sandy beaches and seafood cuisine.

PHU QUOC PHOTOS

Phu Quoc Island Vietnam – Tourist Biz Up 97% 2009 to 2010.

SNORKELING PHU QUOC

image: http://static.flickr.com/4010/4324426843_ca59f5cb18_t.jpg

Phu Quoc is in the Gulf of Thailand, off the south coast of Cambodia, west of Vietnam.

It is Vietnam’s largest island with mountainous terrain covered in thick tropical jungle. In July 2010, Phu Quoc National Park became a part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve for its plant species and marine ecosystems.

Phu Quoc has been likened to Phuket, Thailand before it was developed. It offers idyllic tropical beaches with solid tourist infrastructure, while maintaining a rough, edge. The main town of Duong Dong has a sleepy fishing village ambiance. Seafood is a highlight of Phu Quoc, and the island is renowned for its fish sauce made from anchovies.

2010 saw an increase in traveler to Phu Quoc of nearly 97% from 2009, and with plans for an international airport underway, Phu Quoc won’t be much of a secret for much longer. Phu Quoc was popular with northern Europeans, North Americans and Australians. Domestic tourism, while less prolific, is growing.

The best time to visit is between December and May, the dry season, with April and May being the hottest months (up to 35°C). The easiest way to get there is to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Airport, a journey that takes one hour and costs around US$60 (RM182) on Vietnam Airlines.

Demand for rooms in Phu Quoc outweighs supply during the high season, so book early. One reviewer remarked on the “commando mosquitoes” and another recommended visiting during the hot months.

A UK traveler remarked: “Touring the island gave us a great thrill and sense of adventure. Some roads do not yet have tarmac and really give a sense of how life used to be, both simple and fulfilling. You must visit this gem before commercialism takes over.”

22 Seconds of Phu Quoc – Enjoy

Fingernail Beach, Phu Quoc Island

via Phu Quoc Island Vietnam Top Travel Destination For 2011 | PhuQuocHotels.net.

by amasc

Vietnam Land Tour -  Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is the name given to the area of south western Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and enters the sea. The Vietnamese refer to this area as the Nine Dragon River Delta and this region is the perfect place to explore and get a feel for the local culture whilst on your Vietnam tour.

The best way to experience the culture of the local people on your Vietnam holiday is by arranging a visit to a local market. In Saigon, Ben Thanh is the place that the locals visit to buy their food and catch up with all the weekly gossip. The market is also the perfect place to do a spot of historic sightseeing on your Vietnam holidays, as the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace are all located a short walk away. The Reunification Palace was historically said to be the place that the Vietnam War ended on 30 April, 1973, as it was here that tank number 843 rammed through its gates after Saigon surrended.

Another well known district worth visiting on your Vietnam holiday is the area of the Chu Chi tunnels. This immense network of underground tunnels was the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War and also an underground base for the Viet Cong. It is possible to arrange a tour by a Vietnam War Veteran and listen to some of their incredible experiences during your Vietnam holiday. You are certain to leave the tunnels feeling incredibly humbled over some of the experiences that you have heard.

If you enjoyed visiting Ben Thanh then take a Vietnam tour, on a traditional flat-bottomed Sampan boat, up the Mekong to the famous fish market. Whilst here you can experience the local culture and visit a traditional Vietnamese village, where the friendly locals are bound to make you feel more than welcome.

The Cai Rang Floating Markets are amongst the third biggest in the country, and when you take a Vietnam tour in this area you’re sure to attract the attention of many hawkers. Fresh papaya, coconut candy, beer and even smuggled cigarettes are amongst the items that you will find for sale in the region. From the Cai Rang Floating Market you can also arrange excursions to visit bee farms, orchards and coconut candy factories, all of which will give you ample opportunity to try the local produce.

Before leaving your Vietnam tour and sailing up the Mekong River to Cambodia you may want to stop over in the Khmer town of Chau Doc. Chau Doc is famous for its range of fish sauces and trade in catfish, and as such the floating fish houses are one of the most visited attractions in the area. These houses are lived in by the local population but feature giant floating fish cages underneath the living area.

Sunset at the Sam Mountain is sure to be one of the highlights of your Vietnam holiday. As you extend up the mountain, there are plenty of attractions that can be visited en-route from the Tay An Pagoda, to the Temple of Lady Xu and the Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau. However, with the sunsetting over the green paddy fields and views of Cambodia in the distance, here is the perfect place to end your Vietnam tour.

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New domestic air route to Mekong delta launched .

Saigon to Can Tho and Phu Quoc.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on March 28 launched a new air route from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong delta city of Can Tho and the southern resort island of Phu Quoc and vice versa.

The first flight of the route was carried out on ATR-72 plane.

The HCMC-Can Tho-Phu Quoc flights will serve passengers every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Vietnam Airlines offers passengers to the newly-open route with a discount price of VND304,000 (USD18) for each section (from HCMC to Can Tho, Can Tho to Phu Quoc and vice versa) till May 30.

This was Vietnam Airlines’ 31st domestic air route and the third one to the Mekong delta region.

In recent years, demands for travelling from HCMC to Can Tho increased sharply. The airlines expects that along with the Hanoi-Can Tho route, the new air route would help bring passengers to Can Tho and other Mekong delta provinces, even to Phu Quoc, the country’s largest resort island, off shore Kien Giang Province.

In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam Airlines opened five new domestic and international air routes and is actively making preparations to join the global airline alliance Skyteam in June.

(Source: VNA)