Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [6]
16 Bahnar villages • Spend the night in a communal house (rong) where timeless village ceremonies are performed and important decisions are made. See also "Kon Tum and the minority villages"
17 Temples and pagodas • The Vietnamese architectural style is best represented by its temples and pagodas, which reflect the country’s diverse range of religions: Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang is a good example.
18 Dambri Waterfalls • Even in the dry season you’re guaranteed a drenching at these impressive fifty-metre falls near Da Lat.
19 The Mekong Delta • Putter through this fertile farming region, surrounded by classic Vietnamese scenery.
20 A boat trip in Ha Long Bay • Navigate the silent waters around the thousands of limestone islands jutting out of the water at Ha Long Bay, dubbed the eighth natural wonder of the world.
21 Hon Chong Peninsula • Enjoy the Mekong Delta’s most attractive palm-fringed beaches, dramatic offshore isles and calm waters.
22 Bia hoi • Bia hoi bars are fun, friendly, cheap and a great way to mingle with the locals. Order a refreshing glass of bia hoi (lager-like beer) in any of the back lanes in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
23 Browse the markets • Markets such as Binh Tay are good grazing grounds for snacks such as soups, spring rolls and sticky rice cakes. Try a banana-leaf filled with pâte to keep you going while you shop.
24 The citadel, Hué • The former capital’s historic citadel, mausoleums and gardens are idiosyncratic enough to impress even the most jaded traveller.
25 The Red River Delta • Slow the pace down with a trip to the countryside and experience a lifestyle little changed in centuries.
26 Coffee • Vietnam’s best coffee grows around the hills of Buon a Thuot. Drink it the Vietnamese way – strong and short, with a dollop of condensed milk – at one of the quirky cafés scattered all over town.
27 My Son Cham towers • These battered but beautiful towers near Hoi An are all that remain of the once-powerful Champa kingdom.
28 Cao Dai Cathedral • Vietnam’s most charismatic indigenous religion goes in for exuberant architecture, with its Supreme Being symbolized by the all-seeing Eye.
29 Lak Lake • Paddle around the serene waters of Lak Lake in a dug-out canoe, ride on an elephant, or take a guided trek into the surrounding forests and then feast at sunset whilst overlooking the sparkling water.
30 Chill out on Phu Quoc • Unspoilt beaches lined with coconut trees circle the island. Feel the sand of Bai Sao between your toes or sail south to the unspoilt An Thoi islands for fine swimming in crystal-clear waters.
31 Shopping • Browse the colourful shops lining the streets in Hanoi to pick up some unusual souvenirs.
Basics
Getting there
Red tape and visas
Health
Getting around
Accommodation
Eating and drinking
The media
Festivals and religious events
Sports and outdoor pursuits
Crime and personal safety
Culture and etiquette
Shopping
Travel essentials
Getting there
While the number of airlines offering non–stop services to Vietnam is gradually increasing, the majority of visitors take the cheaper option of an indirect flight routed through a carrier’s domestic hub to one of Vietnam’s three international airports: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. With time in hand, you can generally build a stopover in Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong, for example, into your schedule, usually at no extra cost. It’s also worth investigating the cost of buying a bargain–basement flight to Bangkok and a separate ticket through one of the region’s low–cost carriers, such as Jetstar, Tiger Airways and Air Asia, for the Vietnam leg.
Airlines that fly in and out of both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City normally sell you an open-jaw ticket, which allows you to fly into one city and out of the other, leaving you to travel up or down the country under your own steam.
Airfares always depend on the season, with the highest generally being July to August, during the Christmas and New Year holidays and around Tet,