Danang City - Vietnam

For most travelers, Danang (Hotels In Danang)is were you get of the train or plane, before taking the 30 minute drive to Hoi An. What many don’t realize is Danang City itself is actually quite a nice place to hang out and wonder the streets.

During the French days, Danang was a major port city in Vietnam after the Thu Bon River in Hoi An silted up and no longer became usable. During the 60/70’s the city was home to many of the US Forces based in Vietnam during the war. Today, the city is expanding quickly and becoming an economic hub of the country.

While Danang doesn’t offer anywhere near the same as Hoi An, it is definitely worth the journey for at least a day trip to wonder the streets, markets, river and beach. Many will stop at the Charm Museum (corner of Trung Nu Vuong and Bach Dang Streets) as they make the journey to either Hue or Hoi An. The museum is well worth the visit and has a huge collection of old Charm carvings dating to the 7th – 15th century. You can either wonder through yourself or use one of the guides who will greet you at the entrance!

Also worth seeing is the Cao Dai Temple (63 Hai Phuong Street) and the Phap Lam Pagoda (574 Ong Ich Khiem Street). A walk along the river is also a pleasant experience with much of it set in really nice gardens and often you will see art exhibitions all the banks of the river. You can also visit the Han Market as you wonder along. The martket is quite large and full of everyday items the locals will need, however the isn’t much for the traveler, except some great “Kodak moment” opportunities.

Heading east of the city and across the river, you will hit Danang Beach. While it’s not the most beautiful place in Vietnam, it will offer photographer a great chance to take amazing images of the local fishing boats at sunset. The beach is generally packed during summer in the early morning and late afternoon with locals. There are also tons of restaurants lining the beach, ask the cost of things before ordering, many menu’s won’t have the price shown!

If you have a motor bike, you can drive along the coast road from Hoi An to Danang City. If you continue north, following the coast, you travel through a small mountain range which offers some fantastic views and smaller beaches with fewer people!

All in all Danang is a nice change if you have had enough of the crowds and tailor shops in Hoi An. To get there, you can hire a car from any travel agent, hire a taxi or motor bike taxi or if you ride a motor bike hire one for the day and then get lost! Danang is approx. 30km from Hoi An, the new coast road is flat and in good condition. So if you’re fit, try it on bicycle!



Find And Book Danang Hotels Online!

Lang Co Beach Resort - Review

Name:

• Lang Co Beach Resort

Where / Contact:

• Highway 1, Lang Co beach
• Phone: (054) 873555

What’s On Offer:

• Located on Lang Co Beach.
• Large number of rooms, various standards and prices.
• Travel desk, Bar, pool, massage, restaurant.
• Offer airport/train pick ups from Danang or Hue (with pre-booked rooms)
• Accepts Visa and MasterCard
• Large buffet breakfast.

The Good Oil:

What a find!

Lang Co Beach Resort is a fantastic place to chill out, relax and escape the noise and madness of Vietnam!

During our stay there were only 2 other couples in the entire resort, so we basically had the pool, bar, beach and restaurant to ourselves!

Set on the beach, the resort offers large, modern bungalow style rooms with all the trimmings. The spacious rooms all have air-con, fridges, hot water and cable TV. Some are beach front, some face the pool, while others offer garden views. The garden layout also ensures plenty of privacy regardless of where you are.

The large pool is a great place to relax, before heading to the restaurant for dinner. The food was great, reasonably priced and the service was also good.

Lang Co Beach is quite nice, but from previous visits I know it can get quite dirty depending on tides and winds. But with great rooms, gardens and a massive pool, it wouldn’t really matter!

Overall I thought Lang Co Beach Resort was fantastic, a great location for travelers looking for something less crowded or somewhere to chill out for a few days. The only real downside I can think of is that beside the resort, Lang Co has very little to offer. It’s just a place to relax and chill out!

The Resort does offer local tours, but I thought they were a little pricy for what they offered. Rent a motor bike or motor bike taxi and see it for yourself!

Walk in Rates start from around $40-60USD.

Out of 10:

Rooms – 9/10

Service – 9/10

Food – 8/10

Overall Experience – 9/10

Check out Hotelscombined.com for online bookings

Cafe 22 - Hoi An - Vietnam

Where is it:
Cafe 22 @ 22 Nguyen Hue Street, Hoi An

What you can eat:
Western / Vietnamese Foods. Also Veggie dishes. Large selection of wines, local beers and great shakes!

Dollars and Dong:
Cheap! From$1USD up.

Adam’s Rating Out of 10 (10’s high):
10/10

Fav Food:
Spaghetti Bol and Ly’s Special Grilled Meat. The seafood noodles, steak and Hoi An Specialties also rate a big mention!

The Good Oil:
Cafe Ly is a fantastic place to eat brekkie, lunch or dinner.

Very relaxed atmosphere, casual and friendly staff and a great menu. The prices are dirt cheap and the food is always great. I’ve been here many times and have always walked away a happy lad with a full tummy.

Cafe Ly can get busy during the evening, so get in early and don’t miss out!

Read More Reviews Written By Adam

Quang Ngai - Vietnam

Located 412km north of Nha Trang and 100km south of Hoi An, Quang Ngai is situated on the southern bank of the Tra Khuc River and is the major town of Quang Ngai Province . One of the poorer regions with in Vietnam, Quang Ngai is not really somewhere that travelers head to. However surrounding the town is amazing, untouched and rarely explored country side that travelers love.

Some make the stop 12km west of the town to visit the site of the infamous My Lai Massacre, where several hundred unarmed civilians where killed. Today a large memorial has been placed at the site along with a newly build museum with images and artifacts from the massacre. It’s an emotional experience, but one everyone should make. Entrance is 30,000VND per person.

About 3km further west there are amazing fishing villages and beaches that will simply take your breath away. Palm trees, empty white sandy beaches, local seafood restaurants’ all surrounded by the magical greens and yellows of the rice paddies. Getting around this area is easily done on bicycle or motor bike. The area is flat and the roads are in good condition.

Whilst the town of Quang Ngai has little to offer the traveler, other than a true Vietnamese experience, the surrounding area is quite simply magical.

Image: My Lai Massacre Memorial.

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Mediterraneo Restaurant - Review

Where:

Mediterraneo Restaurant
23 Nha Tho Street

Food:

Mediterraneo is as Italian as you can get! Owned and managed by an Italian, the food is authentic, freshly cooked and hits the spot every time. There is a full range pasta, meats, cheese/breads and of course pizza! Desserts are well worth writing home about to! Try the apple crumble with ice cream!

If you’re up for a nice bottle of wine or an ice cold beer to wash it down with, the selection is wide and varied.

Cost:

While it not the cheapest place to eat, it is actually quite reasonably priced. Most starters go around $4 – $8USD while mains will set you back a little more. The wines prices vary greatly depending on your choose and beers, fruit shakes and soft drinks are just a few dollars each.

Fav Food:

With freshly made pasta and authentic cooking you will hard pressed to find a bad option here. The seafood pasta, fungi pizza and apple crumble took my fancy during our visit, all of which was washed down with few icy cold tiger beers!

Out of 10:

10/10

The Good Oil:

Mediterraneo is one of those places’ that’s worth its weight in gold after spending a few weeks on the road traveling. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.

The two story restaurant has indoor seating while if you're quick you can grab one of the 3 tables set up on the 2nd floor balcony overlooking Nha Tho Street and St. Joseph Cathedral. All in all this is a great place!

Read more cool Reviews from around Vietnam and Cambodia

Cross - Vung Tau Church - Vietnam

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Ngoc Huong Hotel - Hue, Vietnam

Where / Contact:

• Ngoc Huong Hotel – 08 / 10 Chu Van An Street (Small Lane), Hue.
• Phone: (054) 830112

What’s On Offer:

• Located near city center near river, bars and restaurants’.
• 50 Rooms
• Travel desk
• Offer free airport/train pick ups (with pre-booked rooms)
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard and Travelers Checks
• Great Breakfast Room overlooking Perfume River and Hue City (7^th Floor)

The Good Oil:

As I wondered down the small lane way to the reception, my first impressions where of a typical Soviet style hotel; however I was quite surprised when I saw the rooms.

Large, open and tasteful would be three words I would use! Each room has plenty of room to empty to suit case, en-suite, hot water, TV, air-con, mini bar, 2 free bottles of water daily and a small balcony. The hotel staff, were all extremely friendly and helpful.

As far as location goes, this is a great spot. 50m to the Perfume River, 20m to the DMZ Bar, many restaurants’ around, internet cafe next door, ATM’s across the road, the location is hard to beat. The only real issue was noise, but this is Vietnam!

Breakfast is included with the room rate and is served on the 7^th floor with great views over the river and city.

Over all a pleasant hotel, little noisy but somewhere I would stay again!

Out of 10:

8/10

Rates

From $30USD

For more details and online bookings, check out Hotelscombined.com

Asia Hotel - Hue

Hotel Name:

• Asia Hotel

Where / Contact:

• 17 Pham Ngo Lao Street, Hue.

What’s On Offer:

• Located near city centre near river, bars and restaurants’.
• 60 rooms, various standards and prices
• Travel desk
• Offer airport/train pick ups
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard and Travelers Checks
• Large buffet breakfast on offer on 8^th floor with city views. Bar also located here.

The Good Oil:

The Asia Hotel is a big place and has been voted as one of the best in Vietnam (2007). With a 3 star rating, the Asia offers comfortable rooms, with all the mod-cons. Staff are friendly, well trained and speak great English.

Rooms are spacious, bathrooms large and come with a small balcony. Each morning the buffet breakfast on the top floor with great city views, a nice way to start the day.

Location is great with many cafes, restaurants’, bars and shops next to or near the hotel. The perfume river is only a few minutes walk away, while the Citadel and local attractions can be easily reached by cyclo or motorbike taxi.

Rack rates where around the $60USD mark, but you can book for much cheaper online.

Out of 10:

Rooms – 8/10

Service – 9/10

Food – 8/10 (only ate breakfast)

Overall Experience – 8/10

For online bookings, visit www.hotelscombined.com

Vietnam - 10 Must Do's

Vietnam is remembered by many, even today, as a war zone, yet this stunning country is growing at an extraordinary rate. With more and more people traveling to the shores of Vietnam, it welcomes all visitors with open arms and warm smiles.

With a rich history, unbelievable culture and delightful people, Vietnam will continue to grow well into the future. But even as it grows, the local people continue to enjoy the simple things in life, just as they have for so many years before. And the best thing is, you can join them!

Check out my “10 Things to do in Vietnam”.

1. Travel by motorbike taxi. If you do your research and look at the statistics, you won’t get on! But that said, cruising on the back of a 110cc Honda Dream, weaving and dodging cars, trucks, people, vendors, dogs and cats is something any traveler should experience. A great, easy and cheap means of negotiating the streets!

2. Bia Hoi (Local Draught Beer). Pull up a plastic stool, next to the gutter. Yell out “mot bia hoi” (1 beer) and sit back and enjoy this local specialty. Each shop will vary in quality and taste but at approx. 15 cents US per glass, one cannot complain!

3. Karaoke. The WORST recreational past time know to mankind. Imagine, you and 5 friends sitting in a windowless, stuffy room on an old vinyl lounge, madly pressing the TV remote to bring your favorite song.

Turning up the volume, ABBA’s “Happy New Year” screams out of the dusty speakers with no words, just you to sing along. Out of tune, distorted, crackling your way through, constantly being laughed at by friends and owners, and then you have to pay? I just don’t understand what it is about karaoke, but then maybe I never will

4. Pho Ga / Bo. Noodle soup with chicken or beef, now this is must for all. Get out of bed early, walk away from the touristy areas and look for the sign – “PHO BO / GA”. You won't miss it; a good Pho soup will be packed with locals, slurping and sucking their noodles! Don’t forget to add the green stuff they place on the table and touch of lemon please!

5. Hoi An Tailors. There aren’t to many travelers hitting the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town with out a visit to at least 1 tailor! With suits starting at around $25USD, it a fabulous experience having your new clothes “made to fit” at an affordable price, even for us males!

6. Rice Wine. Now this is not every ones idea of a good time, but Rice Wine, a special mix of various spices and animals with plenty of medical properties and kick any donkey would die for, is a real winner with the Vietnamese males. Let’s just say, “Things are looking UP” if a male has a few of these! Wines can be made using a mix of herbs, snakes, goat, birds, parts of cows/pigs and other exotic creatures. There are even a few I don’t wish to write! But it’s a fabulous way to meet the locals and to sort out that bad back, among other things!

7. Halong Bay. Although most “backpackers” prefer to get away from their fellow travelers, Halong Bay is the exception. Covering some 1,500 sq/km and comprising of more than 3,000 lime stone karsts, Halong is simply one of those places you MUST see. Overnight tours, sleeping on the boat, are the best option. Giving you opportunity to cruise the bay, see the sights and take in the magical sunset, while enjoying a few cold refreshments on the top deck. It doesn’t get any better!

8. Cyclo Ride. Slower than the motorbike, cyclo’s are a great relaxing way of taking in the sights, streets and smells of any Vietnamese city. That’s until you hit the main road, then it’s anything but relaxing! Big and slow, cyclo drivers expertly negotiate their way through the madness, taking you on to your destination. Cheap and great for the action photographer, cyclos remain the favorite means of transport for me!

9. Vietnam Bongs. On any street corner in Hanoi, you will see local men, squatting near the road side, lighter pulled, ready to suck in deep and inhaling the rough, yet natural tobacco packed tightly into their water filled “Bong”! The tobacco is strong, rough and awful tasting, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

10. Nha Hang Cho. Not for the faint hearted, but an experience I will long remember. Sitting with several local friends, waiting for dinner to arrive at the table, they explained I was sipping a variety of “Chinese Herbal Medicine Rice Wine”. Tradition has it, that you should drink this whilst munching on “Thit Cho” in later part of the Lunar Month for good luck. “Thit Cho” as I quickly found out, can be cooked 7 different ways and I have to say, has a very strong and unique flavor. Ok  it's dog, I ate it and for the record, I didn’t like it, it was, well ummm, well I’m not going back! But a truly Vietnamese experience was had!

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Highway 4 - Great Food!

Highway 4 
4 Hang Tre Street, Hanoi

Food:

Vietnamese dishes, including many traditional dishes from Ethnic Minority Groups. Highway 4 also specializes in Fruit Wines and Rice Wines.

Cost:

Great prices, with most dishes go for around 40 – 80,000VND (2.50 – 5USD). Some less, some more! Plenty of choice for the Veggo’s!

Fav Food:

All of it!

The Highway 4 Fish Spring Rolls are well worth writing home about! As to the hot pot's and the be sure to try some of the Ethnic Minority foods! As for the wine, well let’s just say, “I’ll have another…….”

Out of 10:

10/10

The Good Oil:

As I use to live in Hanoi, I have been to Highway 4 many times. It’s just a great place to go eat, drink, chat and laugh. Downstairs you can dine with table and chairs or head upstairs where you can sit on the floor. There is also an outdoor area for those who like the fresh air.

Always busy with locals, expats and travelers, Highway 4 is a must for anyone visiting Hanoi. There really isn’t anything else to say!

Go there………….!

Read More Of Adam's Reviews From Around Vietnam and Cambodia!

Whip It Good In Saigon

Images from the Saigon Horse Races - Read More - Saigon horse Races

 

Have you been to the races? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought!

A Three Day Itinerary in Hanoi – Northern Vietnam

By Gail Gillespie

Hanoi is a lovely city divided into two main areas. The Old Quarter which is based around Lake Hoan Kiem, and the French Quarter where government departments, embassies, and those that work in them tend to live. The lively, bustling tourist area in the Old Quarter has plenty of hotels at very reasonable prices, tucked in between shops, restaurants, markets and motorcycles, which tend to line the tree lined footpaths, making walking something of a mission. It is a good base for a stay in Hanoi, as much of the city will be within walking distance.

Three days in this vibrant city is not enough to see everything there is to do. You could easily fill a week. I have outlined an itinerary that gives you a good cross section of sights around Hanoi that you could achieve in three days. Take into consideration the heat, which will slow you down if you are not used to it. The best way to really absorb the vibes of this fascinating city is to walk.

Day 1 – The streets of the Old Quarter are truly a fascinating experience. You need to allow a day for wandering, map in hand. You will get a close up view of the life of working Vietnamese today. The streets all specialise in one type of commodity. So you have shoe street, towel street, tin-maker street, toy street, paper, rope – the list goes on………and on, it certainly makes for easy shopping! If you want to ensure you don’t miss some of the best streets, follow the map from a Lonely Planet, or the local tourist information maps from your hotel.

Hanoi Walking Tour Outline – I will start from the ice cream shop by Lake Hoan Kiem opposite the Highland Building. Wander round the lake edge and cross the bright red Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple. A little further on, you’ll come to the Martyr’s Monument near the Water Puppet Theatre. Cross the road here and you can start to follow around the street system. Be sure to go via Memorial House – an old restored Chinese merchant’s house that is very interesting. Then walk on via Bach Ma Temple. We found this shut.

Most museums in Hanoi are closed between 12.00pm – 2.00pm, and on Mondays. Something you need to keep in mind when planning your days. If you are following the guide books, you will go past the East Gate to the Dong Xuan Market – a three storied market with hundreds of stalls. We preferred the open air market where flowers, local produce, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish were being processed and sold. It was interesting to see there were no flies, despite the meat and fish being out in the open uncovered. At the end of Herb Street there is Baguette et Chocolat – a good stop for some delicious cakes and pastries, and all for about a dollar! Finishing back at the Highland building, take the lift up to the rooftop restaurant for a wonderful view over Lake Hoan Kiem, and a cooling drink. Or give your weary feet a treat and indulge in a foot massage next door, with stunning views to soak up, while you are being treated to a relaxing massage for less then $10.

Day Two -Use this day to visit some of the many wonderful museums in Hanoi that are of interest to you. Taxis, cyclos, or motorcycle taxis are a cheap means of getting around. Choosing from the many museums will be your challenge.

- Museum of Vietnamese Revolution

- Fine Arts Museum

- Women’s Museum

- Army Museum

- Hoa Lo Prison Museum

- History Museum

- Museum of Ethnology is one we missed, but I have it on good advise, it is well worth visiting.

- Temple of Literature is one you must go to. This is a wonderful mix of gardens, architecture, bonsai and history.

A taxi ride out to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex will take up the afternoon. Be sure to dress appropriately, and show respect. This is a place of great reverence for Vietnamese people. Finishing off the day at the Water Puppet theater – will round off the day nicely. It is worth paying to have a front seat.

Day Three – This is a good day to take a one day tour out of Hanoi. I highly recommend the day tour to Perfume Pagoda which is not actually one pagoda, but an area with 38 pagodas, Buddhist shrines and temples. It is very important for the Vietnamese people, and Buddhist pilgrims come to stay, at a special festival around March-April. Expect it to be very busy at that time.

You will be picked up from your hotel and travel through some very scenic rural countryside to the boats at My Duc. From here you take a relaxing 60 to 90 minute boat ride down the Yen Vi River. While you are rowed by one of the boat women, you can enjoy stunning views of the karst cliffs of the Huong Tich Mountains, swathes of shocking pink waterlilies, and spot small pagodas tucked into the river banks, as you drift along. You arrive at the wharf, and walk up wide steps to the base of the mountain. Lined with stalls and restaurants, you will have a meal here after you have seen the pagodas. Thein Chu is at the base of the mountain. At the moment they are building new sleeping areas, and it is intriguing to watch the craftsmen at work. While you can walk up the mountain to Huong Tich Chu – the pagoda in the cave, there is a gondola I suggest you take at least one way, for the wonderful views. The path can be slippery, and narrow, but it may be a challenge you want to take up. But do save some energy for the steps into the fascinating pagoda in a cave. Most tours include a full meal, before the return boat and bus trip.

We did this trip to Perfume Pagoda with Ganoa Tours, which we organised at the front desk of our hotel, Golden Sun. There are several tour companies you could go with.

I travelled to Vietnam in October 2008 and just loved this beautiful country, the friendly people, and the variety in the scenery, culture and experiences. With family living there, we were fortunate to have some insider’s tips on things to see and do, restaurants, transport etc which I share along with further information on the northern and central areas of Vietnam at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/travel-to-vietnam.html

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For More Great Info on Vietnam and Hanoi visit www.vietnamandcambodia.com

How Vietnamese Cultivate Wet Rice?

By Ha Pham

Some 70 per cent of Vietnam's population is engaged in agriculture, which uses over 20 per cent of the country's area and produces 15 per cent of its GDP. Vietnam has two huge deltas: the Mekong in the south and the Red River in the north.

From time immemorial the Vietnamese have known how to build dykes and avoid flooding, creating more land for wet -rice cultivation. Thousands of kilometres of dykes have been built along the Red River to protect this vast fertile delta and its population. Recently my friend Huong Do and I visited her uncle, who is a farmer in Hai Duong province in the very heart of the Red River delta. The host, Mr. Hien, was very enthusiastic about showing us rural life.

Generally they cultivate two types, sticky rice and ordinary rice. The first is used for special events and ceremonies such as Tet ( lunar New Year) and weddings. Talking about wet-rice-cultivation, Mr. Hien recites a Vietnamese proverb:'Nhat nuoc, nhi phan, tam can, tu giong'. This translates as 'First one needs water,then manure,then diligence, and finally high quality seed'. 'In the north we have two rice crops and one subsidiary one, according to the weather', he said. The winter -spring crop begins in the 12th lunar month and finishes in the fourth. The summer -autumn one lasts from the sixth to the 10th lunar month. After these crops there is time for the land to heal and we plant maize,taro, potato and sweet potato'.

To Start a crop we have to prepare the land. We empty the water from each field. Then we plough deep and rake it carefully with the help of the buffalo. The buffalo is well cared for and respected in the same way that many foreigners care about dogs'. There are three things that are critical to every Vietnamese farmer's life: purchasing a buffalo, getting married and building a house. 'In order to prepare the land we put down fertiliser, either natural or chemical.water is constantly needed too'.'Different varieties of rice are very important.

Normally we select the best species from previous crops, using techniques passed down through generations.

"In order to germinate it we put the paddy in a jute sack and soack it in water for 24 hours. We then take it out of the water and arrange it in a dark, damp place to facilitate germination. After 12 hours we repeat the process. In cool winter weather straw ash is mixed with the paddy in order to keep it warm.when the roots reach two to three centimetres you can sow rice in a small prepared area. During this period the young rice plants need water, but not too much. After one month you pick the young shoots and transplant the rice seedling to another field.

'Working the fields requires diligence, During the three- and-a- half months of rice development you have to constandy watch your field! You need to pull out any weeds growing with the rice. This work is normally reserved for women. There has to be water in time for each period of development of the rice'. The ethnic minorities in mountainous areas practice wte- rice-cultivation on terraces.

It is not until you actually take off your shoes, roll up your trousers and muck in that you really appreciate the skill and energy required to harvest rice. As Mr Hien says,'when the rice is mature the whole family has to work. We cut the rice with sickles and bring it home by ox cart. Fortunately, machines are now used for separating the paddy and straw. Last year we had a big harvest. This year we have had to work very hard due to floods'.

With a trace of sadness Hien adds that the farmer's life is till difficult. 'We depend on rice but if the price is too low there is no profit. The government should pay more attention to our life, to build processing zones for agricultural products and find markets for us'.

Famers in the south harvest three crops a year and the wet-rice-cultivation technique is also different.

Pham Ha is the founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Co., Ltd (http://luxurytravelvietnam.com)
26 Dong Khoi Street, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
5 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi, Vientam.
Website: http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Delightful Shopping in Phnom Penh

By Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's largest city and capital is the nation's industrial, economic, commercial and cultural center. Formerly known as the 'Pearl of Asia' Phnom Penh has experienced a tumultuous history but is now making great strides towards development. The city is now a major tourist destination, with many foreign visitors arriving every year.

Phnom Penh contains attractive wide boulevards with imposing colonial architecture that are a pleasure to explore. Although modern high rise buildings are being constructed, the city retains its traditional warmth and scenic beauty. A major attraction is the riverfront which is a delightful place to relax and unwind with its many restaurants and cafes.

The shopping opportunities in Phnom Penh are well known, with a great variety of merchandise to entice the traveler. The main shopping attractions are the traditional arts and crafts of Cambodia, but there are more modern items available as well.

Cambodian silk is highly esteemed throughout the world. Cambodian silk is mainly hand-loomed in the customary fashion, and both fine silks and raw silk are available. Silk clothing, sarongs and handicrafts are the highlights, available at silk boutiques and the Russian Market.

Silver work is another Cambodian specialty, mainly in the form of betel containers which are ideal souvenirs for the traveler. Fashioned in the shape of animals, vegetables and fruits, these creations are still hand crafted in the traditional manner. These are available at souvenir shops, jewelry stores and traditional markets.

Carvings and statues on time-honored themes are another aspect of Cambodian artistry. Subjects include Buddha figures, Hindu gods and copies of Angkor period artifacts, produced in wood, stone and brass.
The art scene in Cambodia has flourished in recent years, with a new generation of artists coming to the forefront, especially in the area of contemporary art. Several notable galleries are found in Phnom Penh, displaying the creations of leading Cambodian artists.

Gems are another Cambodian specialty, with quality rubies and sapphires among many colored stones on the market. An abundance of gem dealers are to be found in Phnom Penh, with reputed jewelers as well as dealers at the Russian Market and Central Market.

If you desire a hotel in Phnom Penh, there is no better choice than the Raffles Hotel Le Royal. One of the finest five star hotel Cambodia has to offer, the Raffles Hotel Le Royal provides sumptuous accommodation with all amenities and an exceptional level of service.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Phnom Penh's Scenic Riverfront Park

By Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Cambodia's capital and largest city Phnom Penh has experienced an eventful history but in recent years has been making successful efforts towards development. The political, commercial and cultural focus of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is without doubt the nation's most prominent city. Tourism has flourished in modern Cambodia with the nation taking its place among the leading tourist destinations in the world.

Formerly known as the 'Pearl of Asia' Phnom Penh inherits a rich cultural legacy which can be clearly seen in the different architectural styles of the city's buildings, with discernible traditional Khmer, Angkorian style and French influences in its architecture.

Phnom Penh was made the capital of Cambodia by the Khmer king Ponhea Yat. The city retained this status for a span of 73 years from 1432 to 1505. However it was only in 1866 that it was made the seat of government, by Norodom I, and the Royal Palace was constructed. The French colonial era was a significant period for Phnom Penh with schools, hotels, banks and public offices being established. The Vietnam War era and the regime of the Khmer Rouge were dark days for the city, but recent times have seen major reconstruction efforts, foreign investment and profitable tourism.

Riverfront Park is an important tourism site in Phnom Penh, easily accessible from different sectors of the city. Situated at the convergence of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, the park offers a breathtaking view of the waters. Perfect for a leisurely stroll, Riverfront Park also provides a dazzling view of the sunrise at dawn. Designated walking trails and convenient seating arrangements add to the pleasure of visiting the park.
Special facilities for the entertainment of children can also be found at the park. A multitude of restaurants offering international delicacies and shops offering a great variety of local products can be found on the borders of the park.

When searching for a hotel in Cambodia, there is no finer choice than the Raffles Hotel Le Royal. This magnificent Phnom Penh hotel provides all modern amenities and comforts in a grand, striking setting.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Bengal Tigers in Ho Chi Minh City!

Celebrations for the Year Of The Tiger got a wee little kick start, as two white Bengal tigers arrived at the Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Gardens recently.

The two tigers have been brought over to Vietnam from the Elmvale Zoo which is located in Canada. The rare tigers are white Bengals and today I headed down to check out the 100kg animals. Unfortunately there was only the one tiger on display, but you can check out the images below!

It is said that only around 2,300 Bengal Tigers remain worldwide, with most of these kept in zoo's.To find out more about these amazing creatures head over to Wikipedia for all the facts and figures!

To see more images from The HCMC Zoo, go to Flick.com

Siem Reap's Pulsating Nightlife

By Pushpitha Wijesinghe 

Siem Reap a thriving city in Cambodia inherits a rich cultural legacy while at the same time being very much a modern tourist destination. The city possesses a variety of Chinese and colonial style buildings in its Old Market and Old French Quarter areas. In the vicinity visitors will see silk farms, craft shops, rice paddies, a bird sanctuary and traditional fishing villages. Siem Reap is the gateway to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex.

Siem Reap has a heritage stretching back many centuries, but it had been a neglected area in recent decades until the historic Angkor site was rediscovered by French explorers in the 19th century. Since then tourism has made the city thrive, albeit experiencing a lull during the Khmer Rouge period. Siem Reap today is Cambodia's fastest developing city due to its location, with contemporary buildings and hotels emphasizing the area's status as a major tourist attraction.

The city has a vibrant nightlife with many lively pubs and clubs enlivening the night hours. The well named Pub Street in the Old Market area contains most of the pubs, and two of the liveliest on the street are The Angkor What?, one of the earliest clubs in the area and The Temple Club, a hotspot for dancing.

The Buddha Lounge in the same neighbourhood features a free of charge pool table and stays open till late. Many expatriates, including correspondents and travel writers frequent the Ivy Bar, with the creations of local photographers lining the walls. The Sok San is a pulsating disco which draws both Asians and westerners.
Molly Malone's entertains guests with cover versions of popular acts such as the Beatles, locally based expats handling the live music. The bar has a wide range of beers and the mandatory Irish whisky. Alternative entertainment is provided by the Laundry where many unusual special events take place. The X Bar and K11 provide late night entertainment.

Siem Reap also boasts many other pubs and clubs, discos, karaoke bars and massage parlours. The nightlife of Siem Reap is a major draw for both locals and foreign visitors, and the variety of establishments ensures that there is something for every taste and inclination.

For a traveller who desires a luxury hotel Siem Reap there is no better choice than the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. One of the finest five star hotel Cambodia has to offer, the Raffles will assure a delightful and satisfying stay.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Dong Hoi - Cave of Teeth

By Thanh Bui

Discovered in 1935, but only opened to tourists in 1999, Phong Nha Cave was made a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2003. Compared with its fellow Central Vietnam Sites - The citadel of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary - Phong Nha has remained largely off the beaten track at least for international tourists.

In part this has been due to its comparative inaccessiblity/ however, the opening of a regular air service from Hanoi to the city of Dong Hoi, some 40km from the caves in September 2008 has changed all that. Now the caves are a 45-minute flight away from the Vietnamese capital.

Like Ha Long Bay's rocks, the caves date back to the Palaeozoic period, some 400 million years ago. indeed the limestone karst formations will be familiar to most visitors to Vietnam's most northerly Heritage Site. The main difference lies in the vast scale of the cave. The whole complex is some 65kmlong stretching towards the Lao border.

In the past, Phong Nha has received a bad press for being messy and full of "noisy" Vietnamese tourists. Now the local authorities seem to have pulled their act together. A daily clean-up of the site has left the caves free of rubbish. Additionally, if you time your trip for the afternoon, the cave is largely empty. An added bonus for latecommers is that the sky at sunset as you motor back along the river to the small village of Son Trach can be quite spectacular

What is unchallenged is Phong Nha's beuty. The large chambers posses the solemnity of a cathedral, but on insprired by Dali in his darkest modments. As your boat paddles along the slow waters the scale and subtle colours of the massive statlacitites and acoustic rock formations are overwhelming.

Boats stop at the large chamber at the end of the cave that was used by the North Vietnamese in the American War as a hospital and munitions store. It also has engravings from the Champa people who occupied the cave in the 9th and 10th centuries.

The cave's status as Quang Binh Province's major tourist attraction is now under threat. In April 2009, a team of British cavers discovered Son Dong Cave. Some 200m high, 140m wide and over 5km long, Son Doong is reputed to be the largest cave not just in Vietnam, but in the world. A six-hour walk from the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the cave is currently inaccessible to tourists.

The village of Dong Hoi itself is a pleasant fishing village. The Nhat Le River snakes through the town to the sea. It is not theonly serpent in town. At sunset locals sit by either the river or the sea and enjoy a glass of snake wine - a combination of snake blood and vodka - which locals claim is good for your health. They drink it with banh loc a local cake made with glutinous rice paper and filled with cassave. Looking very much like a translucent revioli, it makes a great accompaniment to the wine.

Stretching for miles into the horizon, the town's Bao Ninh beach is largely deserted. A few fishing boats bod up and down on the horizon, and locals flock to the beach around sunset. It works equally well for a late evening swim or for watching the sunrise.

Dong Hoi is also a good base for visiting the DMZ. It is closer to many of the sites than Hue, for instance the underground tunnels at Vinh Moc are only some 70 km away

Threeland Travel is Vietnam Travel Agency which is offering professional and careful handling of all kinds of Vietnam Tours and Vietnam hotel service to you at competitive prices.

Tourism in Cambodia - A Brief History About Cambodia

By Gilly Robert

There are so many countries are having so many natural beauties around the world. Cambodia is one of the greatest countries in that list. So many people in the world are calling this place as pearl of Asia or God created heaven. This is situated in In do Chinese peninsula and Vietnam and Lao are the boarder countries in the east. In earlier days, the Cambodia is well known as Kampuchea, having more than fourteen million people. The capital of this country is the biggest city and having more beautiful tourist places around this city.

The Cambodia was ruled by the powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire in between the eleventh and fourteenth century. The people of the Cambodia country are identified as Cambodians or Khmer people.

However, the citizen of this Cambodian country would like to identify them as Khmer people refer to ethnic Khmer s. And coming to religion of the country, most of the people are Buddhists and remaining people are Muslims, Chinese and Hindus and many more.

In earlier centuries, the Cambodia country has faced so many testing times, fortunately it has so many tourist attractions. Most of the wonders in this place has survived and treated as rich in history, culture and architectures and arts are reporting the uniqueness in Khmer culture. And beautiful tourist spots are always somewhere and something to cater to your fancy.

From the past decade, it is observed that the tourism rate in this place has been growing rapidly, and it has become more popular, and it has created numerous opportunities to the local people. Most of the country income is depending upon the Eco-tourism. The tourism in this country has started in pr history days. So many countries are willing to trade with this country. The Angkor watt temple in this country has one of the biggest temples in the world, architecture by the people of Khmer culture. The country has not only temple and ruins and also the beautiful echo parks. This amazing country is always welcoming environment lovers with its graces and natural beauty. There are so many most exciting and original adventures in the Asia continent are yet to be explored. In the north east region of the country has a wealth of jungles, lakes, rivers and awesome waterfalls.

These places are occupied by some of the interesting minority groups. The national elephant park is one of the biggest geological parks around the world. This country has worlds finest beaches are boasting the coastline of the country. And the boat shire in Mekong and Sap Lake will add more grace to your wonderful moments in this country. These Lakes are the important source of fish to the people in this country.

To more details and information about the culture and prehistory of the Cambodian country, you need to do a small search in internet to get more details. There are so many web sites are offering more details and information to their clients.

Gilly Robert is famous Archaeologist. To know more information about Khmer empire, Khmer culture, Khmer history, Khmer tradition, Cambodia Eco-tourism, historic period, historic period, Tangible Culture, Discovery in the Prehistoric Period. Please visit our website.

Vietnam's Top Destinations

ByJames T Pritchard
Vietnam is a country brimming with breathtaking natural beauty and traditional civilizations that have been preserved for centuries. Vietnam offers a wide variety of sights, sounds, cuisines, and adventures for any who journey to it's brilliant cities and villages.

Halong Bay, a World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty is an essential experience for the Vietnam traveler. It features nearly 2000 islands and islets nesting in the calm emerald green waters of the Tonkin Gulf in the South China Seas. All of the islands are of limestone and dolomite and they cover and area of 1500 square km. Tours are available to embark on a traditional style wooden junk. A fresh sea food lunch is served on the boat during your cruise. As the tour continues you will then visit the Thien Cung and Dau Go caves. These boast some of the most spectacular tales and characters fossilized into the grotto.

Hanoi, which means "the hinterland between the rivers", is a sacred land of Vietnam. Hanoi preserved many ancient architectural sites and over 600 pagodas and temples, including the famous One Pillar Pagoda. While in Hanoi explore the cultural history of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, and President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Hanoi also contains eighteen pristine lakes with their borders of trees and gardens. Many traditional hand crafts are still practiced in Hanoi including silver carving, bronze molding, lacquer, and silk embroidery.

For history buffs take and excursion to the Cu Chi region and Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). This is the vast underground network of tunnels built as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American/Vietnam war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese carried on their guerrilla warfare with hidden trapdoors and a vast expanse of concealed living areas. The opportunity is available for those daring to delve in to the second and third level tunnels. Be sure to bring good walking shoes for this tour.

Hue, the former Imperial Capital hosted thirteen Nguyen Dynasty Emperors. One of the most famous sights in Hue is the Thien Mu Pagoda, an octagonal tower consisting of seven tiers situated happily over the Perfume River. It is the unofficial symbol of this former capitol. Continue down the river by boat to visit the tomb of Minh Mang, famous for it's combination of natural beauty and architecture. Vietnam's top tourist destinations offer enthralling memories for everyone.

Not far from Hue lies Hoi An, an ancient trading town whose architecture has been lovingly preserved. Situated on the banks on a river not far from a spectacular beach, it is a great place to mix a cultural experience with a good beach holiday.

James is a writer for Vietnam Travel.org. To learn more about Vietnam or amazing destinations such as Hoi An's ancient town please visit our site.

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World Nomads Travel Insurance - Travel Safe

For The Gay Traveler - Men's Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Opened recently in December, Men's Resort in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap brings something new for the gay traveler. Below is a short write up about the resort.

Have you been there? Leave a comment and let others know what you think!

From the Management of Men's Resort - Siem Reap.

For a number of years now, Cambodia's tourism market has been relatively open and free for the gay traveler. Each year more and more hotels and guesthouses promote themselves as "gay friendly" to charm the rainbow community. So much so that it is now common to read that hotel's are either ideal for retirees, families, businessmen... or the gay traveler.

Seeing this, two guys, a Cambodian and French, have decided to create a place truly dedicated to the gay community/traveler.

Located in the heart of Siem Reap, the city of Angkor Wat, MEN's Resort and Spa opened last December and has already proven to be a huge success, demonstrating the need not only for something different but for something to meet the needs of the gay traveler. MEN's is a complex fully dedicated to men. A stylish 10 room boutique hotel, that includes a large pool, a fitness center, massage service, bar and restaurant and Sauna/Spa.

Construction is contemporary and the large, well designed resort offers a haven of peace in a quiet neighborhood, in easy reach of downtown Siem Reap and the spectacular Angkor Wat Temples.

Gay travelers from around the world passing through Angkor now meet at MEN's. There they can also meet local Khmer's, fellow travelers and like minded people who arrive day and night to make use of the sauna, pool, gym or to enjoy drinks at the resorts bar. Men's also runs a membership scheme - ask the resort staff for more information.

Room rate: US$55 to US$90  

website: www.mens-resort.com

Freestyle Soccer in HCMC

Recently I was checking out the Vietnam Swans (AFL) Blog and saw this video.

Swans player David Hadley appeared on HTV7's Smiling Vietnam and got to play a little freestyle soccer with one of Vietnam's best - Dao Nguyen Duc.

The video goes for six and a bit minutes and is good a laugh! (It's in Vietnamese)



To learn more about AFL in Vietnam and how to get involved visit www.vietnamswans.com

Coco Beach Resort - Mui Ne - Vietnam

Coco Beach Resort 

58 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street

Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne)

P: +84 62 3847 111

E: paradise@cocobeach.net
W: www.cocobeach.net

What’s On Offer?

At Coco Beach you will find 34 wooden bungalows set in beautifully landscaped gardens right on Mui Ne Beach.

Each bungalow has a good sized veranda with comfy lounge and each has views (less for the back ones) of the beach. Rooms are simple but very comfortable. Each comprises of a bed, mozzie net, table, fridge (mini-bar) cupboard and en-suite. There is no TV, just the quite crashing of waves on the sand!

The is plenty of hot water and the large shower head is perfect after a swim in the sea. Each bungalow also comes with air-con and a big hearty buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.

Within the grounds, their are two beach front restaurant/bars dishing up great Vietnamese/Thai/Western food at great prices. There is also a British style bar at the back showing soccer for the die hard's.

Spread around the resort are large grass areas full of hammocks, a swimming pool and a kid's play ground. There are palm trees everywhere, providing plenty of shade! If you want just a little more activity there's a table tennis table out back!

Coco Beach Resort faces onto the beach and provide waiter service at the many lounge chairs set up on the sand. On the beach is also a massage service.

The Good Oil:

We spent just 2 nights at the Coco and we love it, every second. The bungalows are spread out enough to provide plenty of privacy, while still keeping a casual and friendly atmosphere. We had a beach front room and loved getting up to the view of sand and sea!

Resort staff were professional, helpful and very friendly. 

Food served in the resort was 5 star, while the prices where almost the same as places outside along the street, plus you get beach views!

The beach in front of Coco is very clean and the water was magical. Either side of the resort there are Kite Surfing companies or you can ask Coco's friendly staff to help sort you out.Packages started from around 50USD.

Across the road are several small shops selling drinks, fresh fruits and other basic goodies, a good place to stock the mini bar!

Out of 10: 10/10 - Brilliant place, the only thing that can be guaranteed is - we'll be back!

Rates for Coco range from 110USD (low) to 135USD (high) according their website. Family Bungalows are also available. Alternatively check out HotelsCombined.com and search 30+ search engines with a single click! 

More images from Coco Beach Resort can found at Flickr.com

Con Son - One of the Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Vietnam

By Thanh Bui

Close to Hanoi, Con Son is both beautiful and historic, yet left off the majority of tourist itineraries. Pine forests, hundreds of years old, sweep down the mountain ranges to ancient pagodas and the views from the mountain top are spectacular.

The main draw of Con Son is Con Son mountain and the 13th century pagoda that sits as its base. One of the three centres of the Buddhist Truc Lam Trinity during the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda underwent restorations during the 17th and 18th centuries.

On the flat top of the mountain is the "White Cloud Temple", farther up sits the legendary "Fairy Chessboard"

The story goes that visitors arrived at the pagoda one clear day in autumn. They stayed the night then trekked to the mountain the following morning. Hearing laughter as they ascended they expected to see others atop the mountain. Upon arrival the scene was empty save for a chessboard left amid a game. The visitors concluded that some heavenly deities must have descended from the clouds to play, but flew back when they heard others approach.

The climb up Con Son Mountain isn't exactly arduous, but you'd be lucky not to break a sweat on a hot day. The 600 step, 200 metre incline, littered with sweet papers and empty bins disguised as tree trunks, is popular with Vietnamese and the odd foreigner and small confectionery stands selling water and soft drinks in old glass bottles dot the path

The view is worth the trek. Serene rather than spectacular, it looks down the mountain and over peaceful countryside and rice fields.

The Kiep Bac festival, held during the eighth lunar month, is of especial interest. It celebrates the victories of one of history's greatest generals, General Tran Hung Dao.

Con Son is an easy day trip from the capital. Those unafraid of adventurous driving can catch a bus from Gia Lam bus station to Hai Duong City and take taxis or motorbike taxis from there.

Threeland Travel is Vietnam Travel Agency which is offering professional and careful handling of all kinds of Vietnam Tours and Vietnam hotel service to you at competitive prices.