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

Dengue Fever In Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City — The number of patients with dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City is still on the upward trend, according to the city’s Preventive Medicine Centre.

The city has recorded 10,550 patients with dengue fever since the beginning of this year. Ten cases have been fatal, compared to two during the same period last year.

From November 3-9, the number of dengue fever patients increased to 294. In the previous week, October 27 to November 2, the number was 261.

In previous years, this is a time when the number of patients with the disease decreased, but this year it was heading in the opposite direction, Pham Viet Thanh, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Health Department, told the Giao Duc (Education) newspaper.

Districts 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Thu Duc and Binh Chanh have all recorded a high number of patients with the disease this year.

Paediatric Hospital No1 has been admitting 60 children with dengue fever each day on average for the last week, with two-thirds of the children from the city.

Thanh said the department had set up 25 teams of inspectors to visit all the districts and check on measures to prevent and control outbreaks of fever dengue and the hand-foot- mouth disease (HFMD).

The inspectors found that many companies, schools and households had not taken steps to have areas with mosquito larvae sprayed with chemicals to kill them. Since the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, it is inevitable that the number of dengue fever patients will rise.

Thanh said it was important that local authorities co-operate with residents to destroy mosquito larvae.

His department continues to work with the Department of Education and Training to try and control dengue fever outbreaks at schools, especially kindergartens and primary schools.

Read more about the Dengue Fever outbreak through out Vietnam HERE!

VIETNAM wiki travel + for Android

is a useful Vietnam Travel App for everyone loves this S-shape- country. It provides you all information surrounding your trip to discover Vietnam. Written in 3 languages English, Japanese and French supporting you to search easily. Once you click in any one of these three languages, all information about facts, maps, weather, attracted places, historic sites, foods, restaurants, hotels, shopping and transportation will appear in detail..

Attractions: Introduce you many famous places of 3 parts in Vietnam with direction map, and local history… of the place you want to go. Hanoi, the Capital city, is the largest metropolis except for Ho Chi Minh city, and is the center of politics, economy, culture and transportation in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh city is one of the most bustling cities of Vietnam where you can find the remains of the times to the best five star in the world. And it is also a city of commerce, industry, travel …The Centre of Vietnam is not only known for its 3 World Cultural Heritages ( Imperial Citadel of Hue, Old City of Hoian and Ruins of Myson) but also attractive for its unspoilt beaches.

Foods: provide a full imagine of Vietnamese cusines from North to South. Lists of restaurants and tastes of each part will give a full understanding of the culinary experience of Vietnamese recipes and cuisines. Famous for its lively, fresh flavors and artfully composed meals, Vietnamese food and cooking is the true ‘light cuisine’ of Asia.

Hotels: app helps you find all information of hotel you want to stay quickly; you can reserve/ cancel rooms easily.

App will be great for preparing for your trip, but even better for navigating in Vietnam with exact imformation, beautiful images, and easy access whenever without internet connectioned.

VIETNAM wiki travel + – there is something new to discover and experience Vietnam at every moment!

MAKING BIRD CAGES – VAC VILLAGE, VIETNAM

Vietnam travelers who enjoy handicrafts and craft skills will enjoy a trip to Vac village in the Thanh Oai District near Hanoi. It’s about 35 kilometers from Hanoi City center. Like many Vietnamese villages, Vac village is one of those communities that specializes in one product or craft. Most able members of village families are involved in the building of bird cages – some children as young as 8 years old contribute to the work force. Some successful families in Vac are considered rich by Vietnamese standards.

The selling price of a bird cage can vary depending on size and decoration. Prices go from USD$20 – to $200. One family turns out 10 small cages a day. Most are sold immediately. $200 a day is a lot of money in Vietnam, considering the per capita income for Vietnam is less than USD$1000 a year.

Check more photos here.

Vac Village should be added to any crafts village itinerary  when visiting Hanoi.

Vietnam Travel Budget

Here are some general guidelines for setting a Vietnam travel budget.

OLD QUARTER, HANOI, VIETNAM

The first subject you should be aware of when planning a Vietnam travel budget is that prices in Vietnam are very volatile – prices can escalate daily – unfortunately prices decline slowly.  Inflation is a major problem in the Vietnamese economy. (October 2011)

Hanoi and Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City – Plan on 2 or 3 days in these popular Vietnam travel destinations.

Accommodations – Family run hotels and guest-houses start at about US $12 (240,000 VND) for an air-conditioned single room.  Mid-range hotels are about US $40 (800,000VND) and luxury hotels have “no limit”.  Other areas of Vietnam can be 10-20% lower, depending on your bargaining abilities.

Transportation – Buses in Hanoi and Saigon are cheap, but you have to know how to navigate.  Taxis are about US $.50 (11,000 VND) per kilometer.  Always determine the distance to your destination and then bargain with the taxi driver.  Metered taxis are notorious for overcharging.  If you’re adventurous, consider a Xe Om (motorbike taxi), they’re cheaper and fun (I think so.), again establish the price in advance.  Trips from airports to popular destinations can also prove costly if you’re not aware of market prices.

In-country transportation is really cheap – open tour buses can get you from Saigon to Hanoi for about US $30.  Railroad transportation is cheap, but railroad car conditions have deteriorated recently.  Airfares are comparatively cheap.  Adverse weather can have a serious effect on travel plans – do some research on weather conditions you can expect in parts Vietnam you plan on visiting.  The wet monsoons occur in the north, central and south areas Vietnam during different parts of the year.

Vietnamese Dining

Food – This can vary greatly.  Cheap meals can be enjoyed for US $5-15 a day by picking cafes that cater to foreigners on a bargain rate Vietnam travel budget.  Upscale restaurants can be found in and around luxury hotels.  “Street food” is popular with some Vietnam travelers – make sure the food is prepared in front of you – don’t take chances on food that has been sitting in the tropical heat.

“Touristy” attractions – There are a lot of cultural attractions in Vietnam that are free – churches, pagodas, colonial era government buildings – that can be enjoyed on a “walking tour”.  Cheap day and over-night tours can be arranged through agencies like Sinh Tourist (formerly Sinh Cafe).  These tours will get you to the sights you want to see, but will also expose you to “tourist traps” along the way.  If you’re short of time and have the money, consider hiring a Private Vietnam Tour Guide.  This will save you time and some the aggravation of riding with 15 to 40 tourists on a bus.

The bottom line for a Vietnam travel budget is you can get get by for US $25 a day and UP!

Halong Bay

Just over 160 kilometers east of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, Halong Bay is famous for its dramatic rock formations. With thousands of limestone karst rock islets soaring from its waters along with caves, mangrove forests and sandy beaches, the bay offers spectacular kayaking opportunities.

Caves give way to hidden lagoons, channels are bordered by tall cliffs covered in lush, green vegetation and locals sell crafts and snacks on small boats around the bay. Many people choose to stay on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay and take day trips by kayak to secluded lagoons, caves and floating markets. The best time to visit is October to June, but kayaking is available year round. Halong Bay is accessible from Hanoi by bus and taxi.

Ba Be Lake

Located in the Can Province northwest of Hanoi, Ba Be Lake is the centerpiece of Ba Be National Park. Surrounded by talllimestone cliffs, the shores of the 6.5  kilometer-long lake host traditional villages inhabited by ethnic minorities making their living farming and fishing. The tropical forest in the surrounding park is home to 300 wildlife species, including one of the world’s rarest primates, the snub-nosed monkey, and more than 400 plant species.

Kayaking is usually offered as part of a tour of  the national park, which also includes biking and visiting traditional villages. Kayak tours include paddling on the Nang River followed by an entry onto the lake through a striking 100-foot-high, 1,000-foot-long cave. The bus ride from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake takes six to eight hours.

Mekong Delta

Probably the best known waterway in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is actually fairly new in the kayak tourism industry. The locals have been paddling these rivers and canals for centuries using their famous stand-up paddle method, but most tourists view the region from larger boats.

Located to the south of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, the Mekong Delta has a flatter terrain than the destinations to the north. The river is lined with farms and towns and river traffic is high in some areas. A network of tiny canals cuts through the water plants on the banks, leading to small villages and floating markets. You can kayak along the Mekong, staying the night in small guesthouses along the way. If you join a kayak tour, you will be able to visit local farms, gardens and homes. Many tours also use a larger boat with sleeping cabins as a base.

Perfume River – Hue

Located about 960 kilometers south of Hanoi, the Perfume River winds its way through verdant tropical forests dotted with ancient pagodas and the tombs of several Nguyen emperors, including Gia Long and Minh Mang, to Hue on Vietnam’s eastern coast. In addition to the tombs and pagodas, kayakers can visit a traditional bronze casting village and Sinh village with its rustic paintings. Bicycle trips just off the river visit sites such as the Royal Tiger Arena, an historic animal fighting place, and Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb.

Source: usatoday

Vietnam Travelers  should be aware of the business conditions that Vietnam Tour Agencies are under going in today’s economic conditions.   Relying on good negotiating / haggling skills should get travelers some good prices for day tours or 1-2 night tours.

The following article should provide some insight into these conditions and allow Vietnam travelers to plan accordingly:

Vietnam Travel, Vietnam Land Tour, Vietnam Tour, Travel to Vietnam

Vietnam’s  National Highway, in running as world’s best cycling route

Vietnam’s 1A National Highway has been nominated as the world’s best cycling route by ‘Lonely Planet’, a travel guidebook owned by BBC Worldwide.

“This iconic road runs the length of the narrow country from north to south. It is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam, a long but immensely rewarding trip along the best parts of Vietnam’s coastline. The route has some reasonable hills, climaxing in the mighty Hai Van Pass (496m) (the border of Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city in the Central)– with a breathtaking descent as pine-clad mountains loom to the west and the sea vanishes into the east. Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural hamlets”, the book described.

Other cycling paradises mentioned are in Isle of Wight, England; West Coast, Tasmania, Australia; Luberon and Mont Ventoux, Provence, France; San Juan Islands, Washington, USA; County Clare, Ireland; La Farola, Cuba; Otago Peninsula, New Zealand; Cape Breton Island, Canada; Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

via SGGP English Edition- VN’s National Highway, world’s best cycling route.

Sapa – A Vietnam Traveler’s Mountain Destination

Sapa - Grazing Water Buffalo

Sapa is an ideal destination for almost any Vietnam traveler.  If you’re looking to escape from the summer heat, you could do worse than hop on an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa via Lao Cai train station. Today, it’s a popular destination for numerous Vietnam travelers – after all, it was created as a hill station by the French in the 19th century.

You will not be disappointed.  Sapa lies about 1,600 meters above sea level and is pleasantly refreshing in summer compared to the coastal lowlands.  You can see the terraced rice paddies from the edge of town or from the window of your hotel room.  You’ll also have a fantastic view of the forest covered Hoang Lien Son Mountains.

Arrange for a guide in advance or search out a local ethnic guide if you feel the need.   Rent a motorbike and visit the Giay people’s village in Ta Van Commune, which nestles in the hills some 10km from Sapa town center along a tree-lined winding road.

Hiring a local guide will allow you to to learn some of the customs of the local minority tribes.  Several of the minority villages you could visit are  Cat Cat, Sin Chai, Ta Van Giay and Lao Chai.  You’ll find these minority villages nested into the sides of mountains by the side of a stream.Home Stays -  experience the daily life of mountain minority tribes.

The “home stay” experience provides travelers a look into the daily life of the minority peoples.  Home stay hosts provide traditional meals consisting of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and free-range cattle and poultry.

In response to the emerging popularity of “home stays” among foreign travelers, a number of houses have added second floors to provide a “private” area to stay when not interacting with their hosts.

Some of the older homes have “resident” wild swallows that have built nests for generations.  Home owners take pride in their feathered guests, often pointing the bird families out to guests.

Another attraction welcomed by some Vietnam travelers:  Some villages offer a break from the busy “marketing” in the streets of larger towns and cities of Vietnam.  Just a quiet day or two in an out of the way mountain village.

You can return to Hanoi by returning to the Lao Cai train station and then getting aboard a night train.  If you have time on your itinerary you can take the loop west to Dien Bien Phu and then south and east back to Hanoi via tour bus … Or if you’re really adventurous – a motorbike.

Hoian to Nha Trang – Sleeper Bus from Hell

So we took the sleeper bus which were really excited about. The bus had nearly flat beds on a lower bunk and upper bunk. We thought it was hilarious, these things are built for small Asian people not anyone who is over 6ft tall. As the Westerners squeezed themselves in (Teej has loads of room). Our roomies were a couple of Italian lads, a crazy Dutch couple and underneath us a French family. A local guy got on and told TJ she was in his bed but he got it wrong and realized he had to sleep next to the Dutch couple behind us (cozy). We had blankets on most of the chairs. We set off and it soon became clear that we had a driver with road rage and he loved the sound of his horn and for the next 14 hours he beeped and overtook mopeds, only o stop and pick up more locals people and boxes of things which were stored in front of the toilet which was sellotaped shut for the duration.

HERE’S A BRIEF VIDEO OF WHAT YOUR WHOLE TRIP COULD BE LIKE.

Note the honking horn – sweet dreams.

The bus stopped at midnight and we were told we had to get off and stretch our legs. This is when we stumbled upon the snake and starfish jars which we thought were pickled things you could buy to eat, in fact it was a wine which we later found out is supposed to help rheumatism (however you spell it). Beer was 35d (well expensive compared to the 9d we were paying), suppose that is service stations for you, all over.

Carried on with the journey from hell and I’m not sure we got any sleep as the bus started bounding. TJ was clinging on for dear life to the bedside handles. Pulled into Nha Trang expecting a beach resort in the morning, not many people got off, us and a German girl and a Belgium lad. The rest went to Mui Ne beach.

Interested in a holiday in Vietnam?

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Found the backpacker hostel which we had booked and just from walking down the street we decided we would do 1 night and not 2 so they hotel kept oiur deposit of 5gbp (so we lost the price of a dinner with a few beers).As it was early and we had a broken night of sleep we went to have breakfast and invited a guy called Casper along who had also just checked in and was on his own. Had breakfast at Guava which was lunch- massive portions, reminded us of Bills Produce Store in Brighton and a big mug of coffee. They bar played funky lounge music – Nightmare on Wax etc and was quite a difference to previous places. They also did a lot of projects for charity to help the poor.

Had a wander around Nha Trang and the beach was OK, very popular with the locals. Decided to sleep under a palm and got slightly burnt. Went to the top of the Sheraton and took some photos, nice hotel! Had dinner back at Guava (creatures of habit) and had our own little table BBQ with marinated ostrich and vegetables. Way too much food for for 7.50 with a few beers- cheap as chips.

via Nha Trang, Vietnam | TJ & Russ RTW | STA Travel Blogs.