May 21, 2013

Hanoi - Old Quarter

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Saigon Shopping

Saigon, Vietnam's largest city, has some great shopping and bargains at it's many markets and shopping centers. Bargaining is still a must when shopping. So bargain hard, always smile and have fun finding a great bargain when you head to Vietnam!

Big up big in Saigon!! 
Ben Thanh Markets

One of the best known shopping locations in the city, Ben Thanh is opened daily and you can basically get anything you want! From silks, to chop sticks. Spices or a fake Rolex, it's all on offer. 


Many shops now have fixed prices, but it's always worth asking for a discount. Ben Thanh can be quite hot and the shop assists will grab and shout in an effort to try all out to get a sale out of you! The market open all day and of an evening there is a food market along the outside of the main building.

Saigon Square

Full of everything you need and lots of things you don't. Great place to buy “seconds” with brand names including North Face, Columbia and more. Bags, jackets, clothing (men, women, children), shoes, watches, DVD's and more are on offer. Easy place to shop but does get very crowded. Bargain hard and snap up a great deal!

Diamond Plaza

Newly refurbished, Diamond Plaza is like most big shopping malls around the world. Big names and big price tags to go with it. There is also ten pin bowling, KFC, food court and a cinema in the complex.

Le Loi Street

A large boulevard in the middle of District 1, Le Loi Street is full of street stalls selling cheap t-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, books, cards and other assorted rubbish! There are also plenty of cafes if the shopping gets to much!

Tax Department Store

Four floors of stores selling brand name clothes and shoes along with knock off clothes, shoes, souvenirs and copied CD's and DVD's. Ground floor is full of jewelry shops, cosmetics, camera gear and watches. 

On the 1st floor a large supermarket offers the normal goodies and next door is a kids shop selling toys and clothing. The top floor is a market set up with a variety of goodies for sale. Highlands Cafe on the 2nd floor have great coffee and fruit shakes. 

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Travel Asia - Find a tour that suits you!

May 17, 2013

Traveling Vietnam and Cambodia


Popular for its historical significance and charming beauty, Cambodia and Vietnam rank high on the tourists list of places to see. Ancient cities, majestic temples and palaces and gorgeous scenic views of mountains, ravines and winding dirt roads, captivate all who visit Southeast Asia.

Start your tour at Cambodia's capital city of Phnon Penh, a French city built on the Mekong River in 1434. Learn the enchanting story of a local woman called Duan Penh and visit the rugged majestic Angkor Temple while you're there. The architectural significance alone is worth the visit.

Going north to Hue, an ancient political, religious and cultural center and the former capital of Vietnam, you can tour the palaces, temples and tombs where the Perfume River winds through the city. Enjoy the artistic masterpieces, festivals, monuments and handcrafted work created by locals.

History abounds as you stop at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. The 75 miles of underground mazes were laboriously built by the Vietnamese during the days of the Vietnam war. They hid supplies and ammunition here, then smuggled them from North to South Vietnam.

On to the charming village of Sapa where the Sapa Hill Tribes live. This tour requires walking over rugged trails to learn about their lifestyle. The village of Sapa is surrounded by mountains and the landscape is quite breathtaking. The tribes live in peace with one another as they raise goats, chickens and other farm animals and create handcrafts to share with visitors.

Hike through beautiful bamboo forests to Giang ta Chai to meet the H'Mong tribe who continue to wear the traditional costumes of days gone by. They are at one with nature, living off the land and quietly going about their daily duties of raising vegetable gardens and raising farm animals.

After leaving the mountainous terrain, the Emeraude Cruise awaits visitors. This 1910 steam boat cruise surpasses everyone's expectations and is found to be luxurious with a crew who are very attentive to their passengers. You will travel along the Halong Bay, pass by an amazing floating village, view the Con Coc Mountains and the Sung Sot Grotto.

You must also visit Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. Take a taxi, rent a motorbike, or a bicycle and enjoy your Travel tour with the tree lined winding roads where local artists and merchants sell their wares. Visit the Van Mieu, also known as the Temple of Literature, and Quoc Tu Giam, the National University, situated behind tall stone walls. This lovely area of Hanoi continues to be a monumental display of beauty. Last of all enjoy a day of browsing quaint shops and restaurants at the Ancient Quarter, also known as 36th Streets.

Author Bio: Gaurav works for OneTravel.com, an online travel company famous for the Cheap Tickets it offers on all the airlines.



Unique Vacations in Cambodia's Outdoors

 Cambodian adventure travel holidays have been slowly gaining popularity in the last few decades. This south Asian country has seen an extremely rich and colorful history, which has left an indelible imprint upon it's people and their heritage. Angkor Wat Temple, its most fabled site and the adjoining Angkor Archaeological Park, are the most prominent examples of this heritage, but the Cambodian landscape offers adventure travelers a wealth of opportunities - the provinces of Siem Reap, Koh Ker, and Preah Vihear afford a gateway to Cambodia's rich history, with their temples and shrines. 

The Mekong lowlands which Include the areas Of Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Thom and Kratie and extend to the beaches and islands in the elephant and Cardamom mountain regions in the west are another great area for explorers. For those seeking excitement and adventure there are plenty of heart stopping, pulse racing activities that Cambodia has on offer.

Angkor Wat
Cambodia is a very verdant country, and has several thousand acres of virgin wilderness, especially at the base of the Cardamom Mountains. These forests, though once the hub of dangerous Khmer Rouge activity, are now the den of less militant life forms, like the flying squirrel, the gawking monkey, and the elephant. In order to prevent the rapid erosion of the forest land by illegal poachers and the villagers who live on its fringes, the Cambodian government has introduced several guided excursions into the heart of Cambodian Cardamom forests, which enable outsiders to get a unique view of this country, and provide gainful employment to the locals. On these trips, the intrepid traveler will trek through tropical trees, braving the damp and leeches, to encounter every type and size of fauna - the wood spider, the rhino, the boar, and of course, the Asiatic elephant. On the way, trekkers will view occasional roaring waterfalls and picturesque bamboo huts at the forest fringes, while enjoying meals typical of the region - traditional rice and meat wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Cycle tours- If the quirks of nature are not your cup of tea another great Cambodian adventure outdoors is a cycling tour across the country. An activity geared to the entire family and individuals of all ages, this is a wonderful way of experiencing the untainted beauty of rural Cambodia, joining in with other cyclers and, staying at local taverns en route. As well, you'll have the chance to see Cambodian artisans at work and acquire hand-made handicrafts and textile typical of the region as you travel along the countryside
FCC - Phnom Penh
Rafting and mountain biking - are popular on the mountainous northwest Cambodian regions and the Mekong River. Biking up the hillsides or rafting in the steamy streams are part and parcel of activities that go hand in hand in this region in an area unlike any found in the west.
After strenuous activity and adventure, birdwatchers will appreciate the Prek Toa Bird Sanctuary on the banks of Tonle Sap Lake, and home to large waterbirds and fowl. Kratie River is great place for rest and relaxation, as well as the place to spot the Irrawady Dolphins. Additionally, Cambodian beaches offer plenty of leisure activities to end a great adventure travel holiday in Cambodia.
I'm a trip consultant, planner and manager who loves creating unique intercultural adventures for families. I want to impart information, tips and personal experiences especially related to family adventure travel. Please contact me to help you in planning your travel adventure. http://www.familyadventuretravelworks.comSylvia@travelworks4u.com
Article Source: Sylvia_Arad


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