Vietnam Activities
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Hanoi Area
Halong
Bay: Halong Bay is a protected site by the
World Heritage Foundation. It is located at the North-East corner of Vietnam and
is famous for its amazing collection of thousands of limestone mountains rising
up from the sea.
Ho
Chi Minh Mausoleum: Uncle Ho's final resting place is a short
cab ride from the Old Quarter. Check opening times as it is normally
closed on Mondays and Fridays. Uncle Ho is quite often removed for
embalming so he may not be available for viewing.
Ninh
Binh:
Tam Coc is located near the village of Van Lam,
7km southwest of Ninh Binh and is often referred to as "Halong Bay on
Land". An absolute stunning area where you would need at least 2-3 days to
fully explore.
Hue
Citadel:
The massive citadel contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City.
This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive,
however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins.
Thien
Mu Pagoda: Situated on the banks
of the Perfume River was built for Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844.
The monk Thich Quang Duc resided here and
drove his car from the temple to Saigon in 1963 to commit self-immolation in
protest of the government.
Hoi An
Cua
Dai Beach: Cua Dai Beach is just
4klms East of Hoi An. There are several resorts on the beach or if you
turn left there are open air seafood restaurants right on the beach. A
great way to spend the afternoon, relaxing in a deck chair while sipping a
cocktail or two. It is a charming beach with plenty of relaxing
My
Son: My Son is Vietnam’s most elaborate archaeological site,
and is 50klms Southwest of Hoi An. You can do a day tour or if your
short on time consider a sunrise tour. This gets you to the site early
before the crowds and your back in Hoi An for a late breakfast around 9am.
Tour costs average the US$4 - US$5 mark.
Shopping: No
trip to Hoi An would be complete without clothes shopping. Hoi An has literally
hundreds of high quality tailors and shoe manufactures that can produce a dress,
suit or pair of shoes within 24hrs. If you have dress or suit in mind,
bring with youan example, photos or sample fabric. Quality does vary so
shop around and check their workmanship.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Cu
Chi Tunnels:
No trip to Saigon would be complete without a half or full day trip to see
the famous Cu Chi Viet Cong tunnels 90 minutes North West of Saigon. Tours
can be booked from just about anywhere in Saigon and prices do vary. Cheap
tours, and they are cheap, can be brought in the Pham Ngu Lao area from about
$5, not including the $4 tunnel admission. If you also want to shoot
an AK-47 or M-16 at the shooting range it’s $1.50 per bullet.
War
Remnants Museum: The War Remnants Museum tells a
compelling case against the Vietnam war. The new complex was built in 2000
and houses eight themed rooms. In the yard outside there are military
aircraft, tanks and artillery. Not for the faint hearted is a movie
on the effects of agent-orange - shown at 9am, 10am, 11am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm
daily. Admission to the museum is only 15000vnd and open 7:30am til midday
and again from 1:30pm until 5pm.
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