Friday Photo - Saigon Horse Races

This image was taken at the Saigon Horse Races. Held each weekend, it's a fun few hours, checking out the jockeys, horses, punters and trying your luck with a bet - it's not everyday you get to put 20k on the nose!

Image by Adam Hurley

Bus Travel In Vietnam

© Photographer: Ruthrgb | Agency: Dreamstime.com

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel through out Vietnam is on the good old bus!

These days travelers are not required to squeeze onto local buses full of pigs, chickens and sacks of rice. Many companies now offer short and long haul journeys on modern, air-con buses where each passenger has their own seat and can cruise along comfortably!

Several operators like Sinh Cafe, TM Brothers, An Phu etc offer "Open Tours", similar to a hop on, hop off service between HCMC and Hanoi. Tickets are cheap and can be easily booked at any travel agent, backpacker cafe or at your hotel.

Here are some of the cities, distances and trip lengths, so you can plan your journey to Vietnam!

• Saigon to Nha Trang              450km       9 hours.
• Saigon to Mui Ne                    200km       5 hours.
• Saigon to Dalat                       308km       6 hours. 
• Dalat to Mui Ne                       200km       6 hours. 
• Nha Trang to Mui Ne              250km       5 hours
  
• Nha Trang to Dalat                 214km       6 hours. 
• Hoi An to Nha Trang              530km       11 hours. 
• Hue to Hoi An                        140km        5 hours (with stops) / 3 hours (direct).
  
• Hue to Hanoi                          670km       12 hours.
  

The above information was kindly given by the Mandarin Cafe (24 Tran Cao Van Street, Hue). A great place to meet, eat and drink.

Safe Travels...........!

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Travel To Vietnam and Cambodia

As one of the hottest destinations in not only Asia, but the entire world, Vietnam and Cambodia are both becoming more accessible for travelers young or old, rich or poor!

To experience either country exactly the way you want, let Adam (more about Adam) help you organize your travel arrangements. Whether your a five, silver service traveler or a budget oriented backpacker, Adam has 8 years of travel experience that can help you make your holidays more enjoyable and more rewarding.

So don't mess around searching the web or talking to travel agents that haven't been here, email Adam and get first hand, up to date travel information. Find out the best towns and cities, best places to see and where to eat. Get the latest visa information, discover affordable and comfortable hotels, all you have to do is ask!

What is on offer:

• Independent / Groups Tours
• Day Tours (Halong Bay / Mekong Delta)
• Bicycle Tours
• Photography Tours
• Hiking Tours
• Transport Bookings
• Hotel Bookings
• Free Travel Advice
• Business Travel Arrangements
• Good, Old Fashioned, Honest Advice!

Take Advantage Of The Free Travel Advice Offer

Adam offers free travel advice. Simply email Adam and he'll give you his honest and personal option. Make sure you include as much information as possible to allow him to provide the best possible advice! Contact Adam Now Via Email.


Tours In Vietnam and Cambodia

Tours offered through this website are operated and booked through Hai Yen Travel (Hanoi). So when you book, you book local - meaning cheaper prices and a local experience!

So dust of the bags, get excited and contact Adam for all your Vietnam and Cambodia travel needs! Email Now

To see more of Vietnam and Cambodia, visit Adam's photography blog at vietnamandcambodiaimages.blogspot.com

Or join me at Facebook.com - http://www.facebook.com/vietnamcambodia

Destination Vietnam - From the Mekong River Delta to Ha Long Bay

© Photographer: Oxygen64 | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Samantha Berkin

Fortunately, the present-day experience of traveling from South Vietnam to North Vietnam is not at all like it was during our parents' time. Instead of fighting from a swift boat in the Mekong Delta, you can now be enjoying cheap beer on a luxury liner. You can even make silly television shows about making the entire South-to-North trek on underpowered motor scooters in the rain.

Either way you look at it, the experience is, shall we say, a lot safer. This is even true if you are stupid enough to be taking a scooter into Vietnam traffic as an inexperienced Westerner, but just barely so.

Vietnam is a stunning country with rich history, beautiful, powerful scenery, and it is a good value destination on top of that. It is also popular as a destination for some of the older crowd. There is a generation of tourists out there, freshly retired, who want to visit the country under more favorable circumstances than they did in the past, people who want to choose to visit the country rather than be forced to do so.

Starting in the South, cruising the Mekong River is a popular place to start. Many travelers choose to start in Cambodia and cruise down the river before disembarking outside Ho Chi Minh (Saigon for all you old-schoolers out there) and taking a bus in. Another highlight of a trip in the area can be taking the Cu Chi tunnels into the city instead. The Viet Cong dug this nearly 200 kilometer-long network of tunnels to infiltrate American camps in Saigon during the war.

Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, modern city, and the most populous one in Vietnam. It is also a traffic nightmare, as well as an excellent place to go shopping and pick up some trinkets for the folks back home. Don't forget the Presidential Palace and possibly a visit to the War Remnants Museum while staying here.

Next on the list of places to see would have to be Nha Trang, consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in Vietnam, as well as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The scuba diving in particular is making this a huge backpacker destination. More and more, however, the big tour companies are also catching on to this fact. Just check out a comparison of Vietnam tours, browse around, and you will find that many of these tours include Nha Trang. Additionally, it was the site of Miss Universe 2008, and will play host to Miss World 2010. Not my thing, to be sure, but for some, I guess this is an attraction.

Most people do not have forever to dilly-dally in Vietnam, so for the next major attraction on the list, we are going to have to jump all the way forward to Hoi An, home to numerous small museums concerning the history and culture of the region. This ancient town has been remarkably well-preserved over the years, well enough for the area to be recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a traditional South-East Asian trading port.

Hue is another great ancient city with an amazing amount of monuments . This was the Royal City, the ancient capital of Vietnam. The "Pass of the Ocean Clouds" is supposed to be an unforgettable drive. Our imaginary itinerary next takes us to Hanoi, the capital and second largest city of Vietnam. Hanoi has been a city for nearly 1000 years, and this has necessarily left its mark on the area. If you want culture, history, urban tourist attractions, and the like, the city is definitely a must-see.

Of course, the true must-see destination of Vietnam, and where we will end our journey, is Ha Long Bay. This site should be recognizable to backpackers, seasoned world trekkers, and even those armchair travelers out there whose idea of travel is watching an old VHS flick on the tube television. This was where the young couple floated around for days in Indochine (an amazingly beautiful movie, which I highly recommend, by the way.) In more recent times it was highlighted in Tomorrow Never Dies, one of the forgettable Pierce Brosnan Bond films.

Beyond all that, it is shockingly beautiful. The landscape is utterly surreal, with over 2000 small limestone islands erupting from the placid jade waters. A complex of grottos and caves, mountains and beaches, floating fishing villages and spectacular sunsets should enthrall you. Silently, you mourn the fact that you must inevitably return from this island paradise to the drudgery and office politics of the paper company you work for in Scranton.

I'm a world traveler and recent Columbia University graduate. I'm looking to share some of my experiences/tips with others so they can discover their next perfect trip. I'm a little older than your usual graduate, because I took gobs of time off to travel extensively!

Travel guides, tours, and tour reviews

Friday Photo - Angkor Wat, Cambodia

This weeks "Friday Photo" belongs to a friend of mine, Adam Martin.

Any budding photographers out there, can take a good lesson from this image. Angkor Wat recieves millions of visitors every year and is photographed by most of them. My money is on Adam being one of the few to capture Angkor this way.

So remember - What ever you're looking at, there's a different way to look at!

See what I mean.........



Check out more of Adam's Images at:

• Photography Blog - www.asianimages-adammartin.com

• Calendars/Prints/Posters - www.redbubble.com/people/adammartin
  

Travel Guide to Hanoi in Vietnam

© Photographer: Chaikovsky | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Julie Bowman

Vietnam is so lucky to be blessed with an abundance of rich culture, ancient historical monuments, inspiring and diverse natural scenery, luxurious beaches, verdant green rice-paddy fields, huge mighty mountain peaks, deep rivers and mysterious deep forests. Vietnam has a rare natural beauty and is amazingly rich in her natural scenery and beautiful destinations like the deltas of the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is situated in the heart of the south east of the Indochina Peninsula. The border countries include China in the north, Laos on the northwest border and Cambodia which is on the southwest border. Located to the east of Vietnam is the vast and amazing South China Sea. An adventure holiday Vietnam is sure to delight and thrill travelers from around the world.


Visiting Hanoi is an absolute "must do' on your list of locations to visit while on your travels. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and is a city full of incredibly rich history. Hanoi is also the cultural centre of Vietnam with plenty of ancient historic charm. And did you know that there are more than 600 pagodas and temples dotted around Hanoi as well as a huge abundance of French colonial buildings, which you can see on many of the streets? Your tours are highly recommended to include the following sites and locations so you get the most from your trip:


French Colonial Architecture - Ancient Hanoi is so fortunate indeed to be blessed with many beautiful French colonial buildings which were constructed by the early French settlers. The buildings to see include the Grand Opera House, the majestic Presidential Palace, which was built between 1901 and 1906, the cultural State Bank of Vietnam, the well preserved hotel the Sofitel Metropole and the soaring and mighty Cathédrale St-Joseph.


Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is situated in an amazing building right in the centre of Hanoi and actually on display within the mausoleum building itself is the well preserved body of Uncle Ho as the Vietnamese call him - Mister Ho Chi Minh himself, whose body is actually embalmed and is presented to his public and any visitors. He does look incredibly peaceful indeed and almost as if asleep. This visit will be a highlight of your tour to Hanoi.

One-Pillar Pagoda - Constructed in 1049, the One-Pillar Pagoda is a very well respected monument amongst Buddhists and travellers alike and also makes an intriguing and delightful site to visit on your tour.

Old Quarter - Explore the often unexplored side to Asia that you have only dreamed about by discovering the historic bustling back streets and lanes of Hanoi's Old Quarter, which is an absolute must see on your visit. A Vietnam holiday is sure to delight.


http://www.puretravel.com/Guide/Asia/South-East_Asia/vietnam

Helping Hands Cambodia

Over the past few years, a friend of mine, Brian, has been traveling between Darwin and Cambodia helping out Deborah Groves, founder of Helping Hands Cambodia. a great charity helping out tons of kids and their families.

While I am yet meet Deborah, Brian has told me plenty about his journeys and experiences while hanging out in Cambodia and it has all been extraordinary tales of amazing work done by Deborah and her staff at Helping Hands.

Today Deborah published a newsletter outlining their recent work and also some stories/photos from the recent storms in Cambodia, which also affected Vietnam and the Philippines. You can read it here - Helping Hands Newsletter (PDF). To get your own copy or to read older newsletters, subscribe via the website, links below.

Once you're done with the newsletter be sure to visit their website and also Deborah's photography site - great images! See below.

Helping Hands Cambodia also need donations to help them continue the great work being done, so don't be shy......you know want I mean.......forget that latte and check out Helping Hands Cambodia!!

Helping Hands Cambodia

• Website - www.helpinghandscambodia.com/helping_hand.htm
• Photography - www.helpinghandscambodia.com/compassionate_camera.htm
• Newsletter - Oct 2009 - PDF version here
• Donations - www.helpinghandscambodia.com/Donating.htm

Saigon's X-Factor

Opened for a month now, a couple of friends and I headed off to see what all the talk was about Saigon's newest x-factor. And it may surprise you, that the x-factor is rock climbing!

That's right folks, X-Rock Climbing has recently opened their new location at the Phan Dinh Phung Sports Center and they're bringing plenty of fun and something totally different to this vibrant mad city!

Originally located in District 2 (now closed but may open soon), the newest location boasts a 16m high climbing wall including lead climbing, beginner (or easier) sections and for the hard core climbers you can wrap yourself around the 3.75m over hang! There is also a smaller "Boulder" wall which stands at 3m and can be climbed without ropes.

Staff at the western managed X - Rock Climb are all trained in climbing, safety and can assist you in climbing techniques and basic know how. Gear is available for rent including shoes, harness, ropes, belay devices, helmets etc.

While I know little about climbing and associated gear, one the lads that was in our group is an Outdoor Education Instructor and gave the equipment, staff and wall the big thumbs up! Good enough for me!

As a non-rock head, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of X-Rock and look forward to heading back there again soon in an effort to reach the top!

Juicy Details You Need To Know:

X - Rock Climbing

Address - Phan Dinh Phung Sports Center - 75 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, HCMC.
Phone - 08 6278 5794
Web - www.xrockclimbing.com
Cost - Varies greatly, check out the website for details. The morning cost us 270,000VND with equipment, no staff assistance.

Pho Ga - Chciken Noodle Soup

© Photographer: Bozmanboz | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Looking for steaming bowl of noodle soup to start off the day? Sick of hanging out in District 1 with all the other travelers?

Then make your way to Quan An Son Nga at 200 Ly Chinh Thang Street in Ho Chi Minh Cities District 3 and try their Pho Ga! The place is a small sized eatery with the standard make up of a Pho Restaurant - plain metal tables, plastic chairs, simmering broth and lots of chicken!

The Pho is hot, tasty and comes with the plenty of chicken and fresh greens, which you can add to taste.

They also serve up a number of other rice dishes and are happy to grab you a coffee or green tea for a small charge.

Pho Ga and a coffee will be lucky to cost you more than two bucks. Now get on ya horse and try it out!

How To Make Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup)

Broth

2 yellow onions, about 1 pound total, unpeeled
Chubby 4-inch section fresh ginger, unpeeled
1 chicken, 4 pounds, excess fat and tail removed 
3 pounds chicken backs, necks, or other bony chicken parts
5 quarts water
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1-inch chunk rock sugar* (about 1 ounce)
2 tablespoons coriander seeds, toasted in a dry skillet for about 1 minute until fragrant
4 whole cloves
1 small or 1/2 large bunch cilantro (bound stemLy s about 1 inch in diameter)

Bowls 

1 1/2–2 pounds small flat rice noodles (bánh phở), dried or fresh
Cooked chicken, at room temperature
1 yellow onion, sliced paper-thin, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes and drained
3 or 4 scallions, green part only, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, leafy tops only
Black pepper

Optional garnishes

3 cups bean sprouts (about 1/2 pound)
10 to 12 sprigs mint (húng) 10 to 12 sprigs Thai basil* (húng quế)
12 to 15 fresh culantro* (ngò gai) leaves
2 or 3 Thai or serrano chiles, thinly sliced
2 or 3 limes, cut into wedges

Get the Full Recipe At Viet World Kitchen

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2010 Calendars On Sale Now - Images From Vietnam and Cambodia.

A Tropical Country

© Photographer: Rfoxphoto | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By John Parks

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country located in Southeast Asia, and is home to more than thirteen million citizens, bordering Thailand, Laos, and other Asian countries. The people of Cambodia are made up of a variety of cultural backgrounds, from Hindu to Muslim, and a few traditional tribal villages are scattered throughout the outskirts. Cambodia is a completely tropical country on the gulf of Thailand, with average temperatures ranging from sixty-five degrees fahrenheit to ninety-five degrees.

Aside from the tropical climate, a unique geographical feature in Cambodia is the lacustrine plain, which takes up an estimated nine thousand square miles of land, and is widely used for wet rice cultivation, and is a designated ecological reserve. About seventy five percent of Cambodia is less than three hundred feet above sea level, with the few exceptions being three mountainous formations, the highest of which being less than seven thousand feet in elevation. With Cambodia being so low in elevation, the rainy seasons can prove to be wet, dreary, and even dangerous due to violent Monsoons.

Monsoon season in Cambodia lasts from May to October, and is accompanied by violent gusts of ocean-laden wind from the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. During this wet season in Asia, villages become flooded, sometimes to the point of destruction, and even fatalities can occur. During this five-month span of tropical monsoons, and high humidity, Cambodia comes to life with a colorful array of flora and fauna. The region is home to more than two hundred species of mammal, eight hundred bird and reptile species and well over a thousand fresh and marine water fish. Lush plant life thrives in Cambodia, and in particular because of the efforts of The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, a unique environmentally aware project, surrounding the lake.

On a sadder note, Cambodia has the highest deforestation rate in the world, and in the past thirty years alone, has lost an estimated sixty-two percent rain forest coverage. Between the years of 1990 and 2005, Cambodia lost close to ten thousand miles of forestry, leaving a mere thousand square miles of forest left in the country. This, naturally, leaves the country in a severely bleak state, which is worsening because of illegal logging operations, and poachers who capitalize off the downfalls of the region.

The culture of Cambodia is lesser known than many of it's neighboring countries in Asia, but is very rich, and interesting to say the least. The traditional cuisine of the inhabitants is decadent with inspiration from traditional French tastes, a popular example being a favorite appetizer of Cambodians consisting of toasted Baguettes and red curry sauce. Curry is a staple spice and vital ingredient in many Cambodian and South Asian dishes. Other popular tastes in Cambodia are coconut, tamarind, lime, fish sauce, and of course rice.

One of Cambodia's favorite past time is football, which was introduced to the South Asian country by the French during explorations. However, due to economical issues, competitive sporting events are scarce in this region.

For more information on Cambodia, visit http://cambodiamicroblog.com and http://asiamicroblog.com

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3 Days in Cambodia - Things to Do and See

© Photographer: Duckingforks | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Orson Johnson

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country that has been through a lot in the last hundred years. Its people have shown fortitude and strength and the country has gone through a remarkable transformation. Now one of the notable tourist destinations in South East Asia, Cambodia offers its visitors a glimpse of the wonders and horrors from its 2,000-year old history.

Day 1 - Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital city and is home to one of the country's two international airports. New arrivals are greeted with a bustling and lively city nestled in the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh is a melting pot of activity and there are many sights and activities for tourists to enjoy.

Tourists can spend the day roaming around the city while taking in its rich history and moving sights. Historical places like The Royal Palace, the National Museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum will give visitors a taste of Cambodia's past. A visit to the nearby Killing Fields can also prove to be a moving experience. On a lighter note, tourists can also visit Sisowath Quay, a beautiful riverside boulevard on the banks of the Mekong. They can also experience the city's bustling nightlife and sample the local delicacies.

Day 2 - From Phnom Penh, tourists can travel to the town of Siem Reap. From there, they can travel to the nearby Angkor Wat ruins. Angkor Wat is an immense temple complex that is said to be the remains of the ancient Khmer Empire's capital city. A tour of the complex is highly recommended and there are many establishments that offer guided tour packages. Visitors can spend the day viewing the Angkor Thom, the Little Circuit and the Rolous group, which are the most well known temples in the area. Before departing Angkor Wat, tourists should pass by the modern Angkor Café for great food and some souvenirs.


Day 3 - From Angkor Wat, tourists can go back to Siem Reap for a day of exploring the historic town. The best way to go around Siem Reap is by tuk-tuk. This offers visitors with a windowless view of the town as they travel. Notable tourist destinations like the Angkor National Museum, the Landmine Museum and nearby silkworm farms are located in this town as well. There is also an international airport nearby and tourists can exit the country from there.

Visitors leave Cambodia with a sense of awe and an acquired admiration of the strength and resilience of the Cambodian people.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Holidays rentals in Asia and Barcelona breaks.



© Photographer: Duckingforks | Agency: Dreamstime.com

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Vietnam Facts - People, Places and Politics

© Photographer: Oxygen64 | Agency: Dreamstime.com


By Cary Bergeron

Wrapping its way along the eastern edge of the Indochina Peninsula is the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam. Vietnam is home to over 85 million people and is the 13th most populous country on the planet. It is bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia. The country covers over 330,000 square kilometers of land.

Vietnam is a beautiful country, known for its mountains and tropical forests. The climate of Vietnam varies depending on the elevation. In the plains and forest areas, a tropical climate is normal. However, in the mountains the temperatures can drop quite a bit in the winter months. Monsoons are common along the northeastern coasts of Vietnam.

Vietnam is officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The country has a Communist government. Only political organizations that the Communist Party endorses can participate in elections, but elections are held from time to time, giving the people some say in the government. The President of Vietnam controls the military. The Prime Minister is the main government leader, controlling most of the actions of the Executive Branch.

The legislative body of Vietnam is the National Assembly of Vietnam. The Assembly appoints all of the members of the executive and judicial branches. The members of the National Assembly are elected, but they are all Communist Party members. The Assembly meets two times a year.

Just after the Vietnam War, the Communist government collectivized agriculture and industry. This action combined with the effects of the war caused the economy to suffer tremendously. When trade partners started disappearing, the government of Vietnam began to encourage more private ownership of industries and farms.
This began a period of economic growth within the country.

Today, the country itself is growing economically. However, the people are still quite poor in general. While fewer people are living significantly below the poverty line in the country, few of the general population of Vietnam has much expendable income.

Today, tourism in Vietnam is a growing industry. Because of the unmarred beauty of many of the tropical forests in Vietnam, people enjoy visiting and seeing this natural beauty for themselves. The coastal regions are gaining polarity, and the government is focusing money on developing these areas to make them even more appealing to guests. The government is embracing these guests and enjoying the economic boost that their travels bring. As such, people along the coastal regions tend to speak a good deal of English to help them as they interact with international tourists.

Would you like more Vietnam Travel information? Are you traveling to Hanoi Vietnam or want more history on the Vietnam War?

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