Premium Vietnam Travel

DAY TOURS

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:36:37 +0000

Saigon City Tours (1/2 day – 4 hours)

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Mekong Delta (My Tho) – Day Trip

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Handicraft Villages Tours

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Northern Nature Trail

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:35:26 +0000

Northern Vietnam is a treasure trove for travellers, containing a heady mix of ancient culture and undisturbed scenery. During this independent Vietnam itinerary, you’ll sail leisurely through the island labyrinth of Halong Bay, and hike in the plush national park on Cat Ba Island. You’ll then travel into the far north where traditional hill tribes live in a remote region not often visited by tourists. At Ninh Binh, you’ll row through the rice, passing between mighty rocks and paddy fields, and watching local boatmen row using only their feet. As a finishing touch to this Vietnam itinerary, you’ll climb to the Perfume Pagoda, standing impressively in a cave on a mountain peak. You’ll also have plenty of time to fall in love with Hanoi as you wander around its Old Quarter.

Click here for a full description of this independent Vietnam itinerary

Travels on the Railway

Discover Vietnam in true local style, riding the railway from place to place. Trains in Vietnam are efficient, reasonably comfortable, and endlessly interesting. They are a great way to meet local people and get chatting with other travellers. This independent Vietnam itinerary begins in the south, taking in the cultural riches of the region- bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the narrow waterways of the exotic Mekong Delta and the eerie Cu Chi Tunnels. You’ll then take the train to Nha Trang, passing through on your way to the ivory sands of tropical Palm Island. After a few days of relaxation, your train will weave its way north to Hoi An, a mesmerising town of tailors with huge local charm. You’ll then fly north for a junk boat trip through spellbinding Halong Bay, and an incredible overnight homestay with a mountain hill tribe. This Vietnam itinerary ends in the fascinating city of Hanoi, with its wide tree-lined boulevards and quirky cafes.

Click here for a full description of this independent Vietnam itinerary.

Vietnam Golf Getaway

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:34:08 +0000

Most golfing visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country’s natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by workers in conical hats.

Recently, Vietnam was named as the “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year” by the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO). With its fascinating history, ancient culture, superb climate, and now its offering of fantastic championship golf courses designed for the golfer on and off the course.

At present, there are over 20 golf courses in Vietnam, with more than 30 projects at some stage of construction. Among the existing golf courses in Vietnam, there are four 36-hole courses such as Vietnam Country Club, Long Thanh Golf Club and Song Be Golf Club in Ho Chi Minh City and King’s Island Golf Club, Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club in the North, four 18-hole courses and one 9-hole courses. Lately several new golf destinations have sprung up across Vietnam. Hanoi now boasts 4 championship golf courses in North Vietnam. Dalat in the highlands of Central Vietnam with its old world colonial-styled buildings boasts the unique Dalat Palace Golf Club – the only course in Asia to feature bent grass tee boxes, fairways and greens. Finally, the seaside resorts of Phan Thiet and Vung Tau also each boast one top resort golf course rounding out the choices for golf in Vietnam. The green & caddy fees are varied from one to the other and depend on the day of the week.

Vietnam has a wide range of excellent hotels and restaurants with welcoming clubs and hosts which will ensure Vietnam is the number one destination for your next Vietnam golfing holiday. Vietnam is a safe and secure golf destination. It is a great choice for a golf vacation, including some unique once-in-a-lifetime historical and cultural excursions. Our expert advice, local knowledge and insider tips are available to all. Now is the perfect time to experience Vietnam, Golf’s Hottest New Destination!

More information.

Vietnam Cruises

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:32:25 +0000

Valentine Junk Cruise

The luxury junk named Valentine begins its first voyage in early Oct 2007. With well-appointed spacious cabin, tasteful decoration and unique design, we are sure that the junk will bring all guests excellent experience; moreover, you will also have chance to explore the scenic beauty of this World natural Heritage. Actually, valentine is the best choice for those seeking a more exclusive and intimate experience.

Ginger Junk Cruise Description

Discover the splendors of Halong Bay aboard the Halong Ginger, a wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort. Measuring 38 meters (125 feet) in length, this newly built, custom-designed yacht features three decks that house an elegant restaurant, two bars, a small library, and a massage room-plus ten luxurious sleeping cabins. With so much space, passengers can truly unwind and enjoy the bay’s magnificent scenery.

Emeraude Classic Cruise

Every day, the Emeraude journeys through one of the world’s most dazzling natural wonders and into the sepia realm of a dream. Named for a cruising vessel that plied these waters between 1906 and 1937, the Emeraude aspires to the magnificence of the bay itself. Its air-conditioned cabins, en suite bathrooms, award-winning cuisine and spacious deck space set the stage for the voyage of a lifetime.

Tours in Vietnam

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:30:04 +0000

There are many tours that you can choose from. It really is just a matter of deciding on what time you have and what your budget is. Obviously, you should try to see as much as possible in the time allocated, by try not to cram too much into a shoert period of time, since you really won’t enjoy the experience.

Best of Vietnam

This really is the “Classic Vietnam” tour. Saigon and the Mekong Delta; World Heritages listed Halong Bay; Hue; and Hoi. The boat cruises on the Perfume Pagoda in an 11-day discovery and allowing you to experience three natural and cultural heritages listed by \ UNESCO.

Length of the trip: 14 days and 13 nights ?Trip type: Private & Daily departure ?Trip Starts from: Hanoi

Special Interest Tours

Victoria Orient Express

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Bassac Mekong Cruise

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Le CoChinChine Cruise

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Customized Tours

Vietnam Gourmet (9 days)

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Hanoi Cuisine Delights

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Taste Of Vietnam (12 days)

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Accommodation options

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:27:56 +0000

Accommodation is not an issue in Vietnam, even if you’re traveling on a pretty tight budget. Accommodation in Vietnam ranges from basic US$6-a-night dorm accommodation in backpacking hostels to world-class resorts, both in large cities and in popular coastal and rural destinations. Even backpacking hostels and budget hotels are far cleaner and nicer than in neighbouring countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos), and cheap hotels that charge US$8-10 for a double room are often very clean and equipped with towels, clean white sheets, soap, disposable toothbrushes and so on.

In hotels costing a few dollars more (US$12 per room upwards, more in Hanoi) you can expect an en suite bathroom, telephone, air conditioning and television. As with hotels elsewhere in the world, mini-refrigerators in Vietnamese hotels are often stocked with drinks and snacks, but these can be horribly overpriced and you would be much better off buying such items on the street. Adequate plumbing can be a problem in some hotels but the standard is constantly improving.

Most hotels throughout Vietnam now have very good high-speed Internet access and the use of computers is generally free, although some hotels levy a small charge. The more high-end hotels offer a multitude of amenities; such as elaborate buffets with local cuisine, spa treatments, local sightseeing packages, etc.

Homestay accommodation is easily booked through travel agents. However, some tourists are disappointed to learn that the “homestay” they booked is really a commercial hotel or the accommodation is situated in a separate building from the family home.

Ho Chi Minh – a city of contrasts

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:25:51 +0000

The centre of Ho Chi Minh is compact and ideal for wandering around. It boasts fine restaurants, immaculate hotels and glitzy bars amidst its colonial villas and venerable pagodas. There are many interesting places to visit including the markets, cathedral, river-port, Presidential Palace (perfectly preserved for some unknown reason!) and the nearby park which also houses a museum of Vietnamese History and Culture and a small zoo.

Ho Chi Minh City started life as a fishing village known as Prei Nokor and during the Angkor period (the 15th century) it flourished as an entrpot for Cambodian boats pushing down the Mekong River. Cargo ships still to this day jostle with rice barges and fragile sampans (an Oriental boat propelled by a sail or oars), whilst porters sweat in the humidity loading the boats.

The French seized Saigon in 1861 and set about a huge public works programme by building roads and draining marsh land. The war against the French lasted thirty years after which Saigon was finally designated the capital of the Republic of South Vietnam. American troops withdrew in 1973 and two years later Saigon had been renamed as Ho Chi Minh City.

This is a port that is steamy hot and endearingly stylish. The streets are lined with imaginative one-off boutiques, design stores and busy cafes where you will be able to meet the local people on an informal basis. Dong Khoi and Le Thanh Ton streets are favourites for elegant silk clothing, hand embroidered scarves, and lacquerware. (Many stores will provide a service of organising a container to ship purchases home) In many ways Ho Chi Minh City is far more cosmopolitan and hedonistic than the capital, Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh is also full to bursting point with people for whom progress hasn’t yet translated into food, lodging and employment, so begging, stealing and prostitution are very much in evidence. Petty crime, unfortunately, has increased in the last few years so much care should be taken when walking the streets or travelling on bicycles or motorbikes, especially after dark and around tourist nightspots.

Hanoi – the heart of the Red Delta

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:23:47 +0000

Founded in 1010, in 1954 it became the official capital of independent Vietnam. A peaceful city of lakes with leafy boulevards, Hanoi lies at the heart of the northern Red River Delta and somehow reflects an European feel. Especially the streets of the Old Quarter preserve age-old customs, where trade takes one back half a century, and temples, pagodas and monuments reflect the historic character of Vietnam. In this area there are many hotels which have been recently refurbished with a special care to the traditional architecture and design. Hanoi Hotels are surprisingly modest but preserve a unique charming environment.

Some of them are set in historical buildings: the Ritz Hotel for example or Joy Hotel Return Hotel, the Pearls hotel, the Old street Hotel, Y Van Riverside Hotel, Hanoi Plaza hotel and Hanoi Queen Plaza. They are all front serene Hoan Kiem lake and – quite surprisingly for the standard they provide-, the prices are extremely cheap. Spending a night in any of these Vietnamese hotels will cost you from around 3,5 euros per person up to 15 euros per person. Although Hanoi, and Vietnam in general, have been absorbing a tourist boom since1993, which of course has seen an infiltration of western-style food and fashions into the once inaccessible city, Hanoi has retained its appealing sense of the old world.

This means that the city provides many services for tourists as nice boutique hotels, internet cafes and restaurants offering wide range of food. Do not forget that tourism has in general a bad influence in the way local people live, too often being responsible for changing their tastes, habits and underlining economic gaps and unequal access to resources. So forth, it is important each one of us makes a difference in the way we wish to live the city.

Respecting local traditions and habits is important, from the way of dressing to general behaviour while in public areas, to gender differences roles. Regarding shopping for example, do not indulge in mass tourist souvenirs. Sometimes, the best way to take home part of the spirit, is taking a good shot, or buying some spices, or typical things that a local person would buy. From a notebook, to a normal pen, or a traditional t-shirt or a votive candle or a dolly used by Hanoi girls. This will help much more the local community than anything else.