VIETNAM MAJOR PLACES OF INTEREST

  A historic country filled with vibrant cities, beautiful scenery, a diverse culture, and delectable cuisine. Get a chance to admire French architecture, sail the emerald waters, and cycle through the lively markets decorated with straw hats. From the green lush rice fields of Sapa to the bustling energetic nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City, vacation in Vietnam and experience a whole new world.   Vietnam is a country of attractive natural beauty and peaceful village life. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious. This gracious country is an outstanding travel destination   HANOI Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, was founded in 1010 AD during the reign of King Ly Cong Uan. The pleasant and even charming city is a city of famous lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks, museum monuments and ancient architectural features. The Old Quarter is an enchanting place of stroll around and do shopping. Popular attractions are Hochiminh Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Temple of Literature, etc.   HALONG Halong Bay is one of the most magnificent scenic spots in all of Vietnam and was designated by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994, It is a picturesque bay with some 1969 islets rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Washed by water and lapped by waves for hundreds of thousands of years, the limestone basin has been carved into stalactic caves, crescent beaches and odd-shaped formations.   SAPA At an elevation of 1,500 meters, about 380km from Hanoi, Sapa is Vietnam’s most picturesque hill station and is well off the beaten tourist track. The French founded the village on the slope of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain in 1903 and used it as a cool gateway. From the town center, visitors can see cloud-capped peaks, crystal clear streams and steep terraced vegetable gardens. There are a number of nice hill tribe villages and local fairs to visit   NINH BINH Ninh Binh, about 90km from Hanoi, is also known as “inland Halong Bay” with many limestone formations and huge rocks that dot the area and jut out of paddy fields and canals. Ninh Binh is endowed with the historical relics dating back to the Dinh, Early Le, Ly and Tran dynasties (10^th – 13^th centuries). Major attactions are Hoa Lu Ancient Capital with the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, Tam Coc Bich Dong, Trang An cave, Van Long Preserved Area, Thung Nang (Shining Valley), Cuc Phuong National park, etc.   HUE Being Vietnam’s feudal capital from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen dynasty, Hue is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples set in a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume River. With those vestiges and cultural treasures, Hue become Vietnam’s first World Cultural Heritage site recognized by UNESCO IN 1993.   DANANG The busy sea port of Danang in Central Vietnam is the country’s fourth-largest city. The French named the city Tourane after it succeeded Hoi An (Faifo) as a vital deep water trading port in the 19^th century. More recently, Danang was made famous in the Hollywood film “Good Morning Vietnam”. A short drive from downtown Danang takes visitors to the splendid beaches of Non Nuoc, My Khe and Tien Sa. Danang is also the gateway to nearby World Heritage sites such as My Son, Hoi An and Hue.   HOIAN 30km south of Danang by the Thu Bon River, the tranquil town of Hoi An was a noted commercial harbor city in Southeast Asia from the 15^th to the 19^th century. A lot of building including bridges, houses, temples, streets, etc. were erected during this period to serve merchants coming from china, Japan, Portugal, France, etc. Today, a delightful mixture of ancient structures with local residents everyday life creates a unique image of a modern day town in the atmosphere of bygone days. This living museum was declared a World Culture Heritage site by UNESCO in late 1999.     MYSON My Son, 70km southwest of Danang, bore witness to the splendid Hindu-influenced culture flourishing along the coastal plains of Vietnam during the 4^th – 14^th centuries. Filled with architectural treasures and sculptures, the area is Vietnam’s most important Cham site and most of the temples were dedicated to Cham kings associated with divinities. This complex was recognized as a World Culture Heritage in late 1999   HOCHIMINH CITY Located on the banks of the Saigon River, Hochiminh city (formerly Saigon) is a rapidly developing and dynamic city. The city is considered the economic capital of the country and keeps booming with new hotels and businesses. Yet “The Pearl of the Orient” still retains its charm with shaded boulevards, pavement cafes and French-European-styled buildings. The 215-kilometer Cuchi underground tunnel system was built in 1930 and features numerous underground shelters, sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals and social centers. It’s a must-see site for a visit to Hochiminh city.   THE MEKONG DELTA This huge river delta is covered with rice fields and winding tributaries of the Mekong Delta of which the estimated length is 4,023km. From the high plateau of Tibet, The Mekong River flows through China, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam where it discharges into the East Sea. The part flowing through Vietnam is known as Cuu Long Giang (nine-dragon river), divided into two major branches, the Tien Giang (the Front River) and Hau Giang (the Back River). The Mekong Delta is home to a bustling rural culture with its lush vegetation, islet farms and floating markets. It is considered the rice bowl of the nation.   Though each individual town is difficult to be singled out, My Tho (75km from HCMC), Vinh Long (136km from HCMC), Ben Tre (85km from HCMC), Dong Thap (162km from HCMC), Can Tho (170km from HCMC), Chau Doc (285km from HCMC), Ha Tien (390km from HCMC and 110km from Chau Doc), Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, etc, are all especially worth paying visit to.

LAOS MAJOR PLACES OF INTEREST

  Laos, a landlocked country, was once part of old IndoChina. A French protectorate, Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang (Land of a Million Elephants). With deep Buddhist roots, Laos is now a country on the rise. With rivers, hills, mountains, Laos is a country still yet to be industrialized like their surrounding neighbors. Come here and you can explore the world as nature intended.   Vientiane Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR, is an example of French colonial city building the main city centre is built in an axis around the memorial call Patouxay, mdeled after the famed ArC de Triomphe of Paris. Vientiane is also home to the famous Wat Sisaket, Housing more than 8000 Buddha statues, and Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home of Emeral Buddha. Also recommended is a visit to Luang Stupa, the most important religious monument in Lao, built over the chest bone of Lord Buddha.   Vangvieng The small tourist town of VangVieng is gate way the the most scenic region Laotian Highland of spectacular mountain formations, natural caves,gargling rivers, virgin forests and valleys. A visit to the famous park Ou Cave System and Golden Cave is highly recommended. The Tham Poukham, also known as the “Golden Cave”   for housing a sleep Buddha Statue, is also home to glimmering stalactite formations and a spring fed blue enjoy a captivating sunset over Laotian Highlands from Vangvieng   Luang Prabang The ancient twon of Luang Prabang situated in Northern Lao, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 considered by many travelers and writers as being the heart of Laotian culture, the tinny town is encircled by mountains and is 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong River. Here visitor are subjected to an inflamed economic bubble that does not apply to the rest of the country. Being Lao Premier tourist destination and (arguably) Southeast Asia’s most beautiful spot, ironically tourist will pay more for immate pleasures of eating, drinking and sleeping than they would in the country’s capital city Vientian.

CAMBODIA MAJOR PLACES OF INTEREST

  A destination in old French IndoChina, Cambodia is a hot spot for travelers. A dazzling place filled with history and intrigue, present day Cambodia is thriving and looking forward to the future. Travel to the capital Phnom Penh and experience the hustle and bustle of the capital city. Or experience old-world Cambodia and travel to Siem Reap. View the pinnacle of the Khmer Empire from the Temples of Angkor. Angkor Wat, the zenith of Khmer ingenuity and genius, will blow your mind away. The intricate carvings and detail in these structures are incomparable. There are also the Bayon Temples, easily recognizable by the looming stone faces there, which pay homage to the old Khmer rulers.   SiemReap SiemReap is  gateway to visit the world famous Khmer era wonders of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temple complexes, both are UNESCO World Heritage Site. Angkor Wat Temple complex was built as a miniature replica of spatial universe of Hindu Mythology, is conceived as Moundt Meru surrounded by the continent and oceans. Marvel at the 800 metres long bas-relief engraved ib stone depicting the epic events of Khmer   history and mythology. Angkor Thom temple complex, covering a South gate, Bayon temple, Phimean Akas, Elepahnt and Lepper King Terrace, give an insight into the architectural genius of ancient Khmer.   Phnom Penh The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is a quite an dcharming French Influenced city situated on the banks of the milghty Mekong river, was once known as “Paris of Indochina”. This ancient city, built 1434, is a treasure trove of French Conlonial architecture.

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