Tourist Information

Hanoi
Hanoi has plenty to offer with plenty of public parks, bustling markets, busy nightlife and ancient monuments and temples. The city's beautiful old centre with broad avenues and historic mansions constructed during the colonial period reminds visitors of a French village. In the middle of the city lies Hoan Kiem Lake with the 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) sitting on an island in its centre.

The old French administrative centre is characterized by an enormous colonial-era châteaux and wide boulevards. It also houses Hanoi’s most popular attraction, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. His house is also another tourist landmark. Hanoi manages to still keep its unique charm that few other cities in Asia ever do. The city has many remarkable museums, pagodas, ancient towers and temples.

Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the nation's largest city and is the central nerve of Vietnam’s business, economics and culture and is definitely one of the best cities to visit. Must see attractions include the foreboding Notre Dame Cathedral (not to be confused with the one in France!!!), the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Of particular importance is the Giac Lam Pagoda, set in Dam Sen tourist park. This temple was a religious centre during the 19th century and now boasts a mini-museum of religious and cultural artifacts.

While in the city make sure you pay a visit to the Ben Thanh market where you will be able to hone your haggling skills and pick up some souvenirs. An interesting excursion from Saigon is a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels in which the South Vietnamese Communists concealed themselves and from which they launched attacks on US soldiers.

Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is about 170km east of Hanoi. A magnificent bay which is littered with about 3000 chalk islands and enormous peculiarly shaped rocks and caves sitting in the Bay’s limpid water of the East sea. The bay has earned accreditation of the natural heritage of the world.

Hue
Situated halfway between Vietnam’s two biggest cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City lays the city of Hue. The emperors of Vietnam once ruled Vietnam from Hue City. The beautiful architecture of the former ‘Forbidden Purple City’ and the Citadel can still be scene despite the damage caused by the war. The tombs of former Vietnamese emperors are within easy reach of the city. The Tomb of Minh Mang and the Tomb of Tu Duc are worth visiting and the city houses fine examples of Buddhist pagodas and other temples, such as the Thien Mu Pagoda.

Da Nang
Constructed on the banks of the Han river, Da Nang is Vietnam's fourth largest city. Da Nang offers amazing white sand beaches and scenic mountains. Remnants of the once prosperous civilization of the Champa Kingdom can be found here. Tourist attractions include the ancient Cham towers and the Museum of Cham Sculpture, the Marble Mountains with interesting grottoes and China Beach which was famous among American soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Nha Trang
Nha Trang has some of the country's finest beaches with clear water as well as many unspoiled coral reefs and a colorful marine life. Tourists can take boat trips, go swimming and sunbath in the secluded coves. Diving and snorkeling equipment is always available while seafood is abundant here. Numerous cafés and restaurants and modern entertainment can be found along the beaches.

Da Lat
At the altitude of 1,500m above sea-level, Da Lat is one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. Da Lat is also know as the “the honeymoon city”, it is has a temperate and pleasant climate, and is surrounded by evergreen forests, waterfalls, beautiful lakes and rich vegetation. Remember to visit the Dambri Waterfalls, the most beautiful and biggest one of the region.

Mekong Delta
South of Ho Chi Minh City are the flat, verdant planes of the Mekong Delta where much of Vietnam’s rice is grown. Visitors can take boat trips on the many tributaries of the Mekong.

Tay Ninh
The province of Tay Ninh is the home to Caodaism. This is a religion that can only be found in Vietnam. This is religion that has a blended Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity and was once very popular among the people of the region and in the Mekong Delta. Tourists will be amazed by the magnificent Great Temple.