Backpackers hoping to enjoy the real Asia without the frills should definitely consider a trip to Vietnam.
The country’s tourism industry is relatively new, so it offers visitors a more authentic experience than many Asian nations.
Tag: Vietnam travel
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Backpacker’s Guide to Vietnam – Budget Traveling Around Asia
These are also not publicized as well as they might be in other countries, so a Vietnam guidebook is a good investment for making the most of your stay. Vietnam is a very affordable destination, with one American dollar equaling approximately 18, 475 Vietnamese Dong (VND). It's easy to find meals for around 15, 000 VND, so travelers can easily eat on in Vietnam for a week for less than $20 US. The biggest temptation for travelers is shopping. While there are bargains to be had, it's easy for them add up once you get started! Vietnam has accommodation to suit all budgets, from luxury resorts to hostels. These hostels offer the best value for backpackers who don't mind forgoing some creature comforts. Hostel Vietnam is a useful website for backpackers researching hostels near their chosen destinations. Another affordable alternative is Hill Tribe living. This authentic Vietnamese experience takes travelers to remote communities to live with the locals. The basic accommodation makes the hostels look luxurious, but tours with companies like Handspan Adventure Travel offer backpackers an unparalleled cultural experience. Vietnamese people are very friendly to tourists and happy to speak English if they can.However, it's worth learning a few basic phrases, especially if you're planning to visit the villages. In these rural communities many people do not speak English, so some simple sentences are helpful for communicating. This website has an excellent and comprehensive guide detailing basic phrases and more specific words for food and drink, getting around, and other relevant areas. The cities should not be avoided though as they do offer plenty for tourists looking to meet other travelers. Nightclubs and cafes are ideal for meeting other people, as are internet cafes. To learn more about the best places to go, consult the staff in your hotel or hostel. -
Tropical Tourist Heaven at Vinpearl Land, Vietnam
Vietnam attracts visitors drawn to its rich history and magnificent natural vistas. But there’s a different side to the Asian nation, a tropical paradise just off Vietnam’s south-east coastline.
Vinpearl Land on Hon Tre Island is thought to be one of Asia's best keep secrets, a coastal tourism complex which makes the most of stunning Nha Trang Bay. This is not a holiday destination for budget travelers, with few high end resorts. It was designed for guests who want to have all their needs met on site. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, a sprawling pool and spa for relaxing, and a gymnasium for working up a sweat. Later this year a six-star hotel is scheduled to open, giving luxury lovers even more choice. It will have 125 six-star suites, which pale in comparison to the two presidential villas. The opulent hotel's facilities will include two tennis courts and massive 3500 meter squared swimming pool. While lazing by the pool and snorkeling in the bay are attractive, families will love Vinpearl Land's amusement park. It has a variety of indoor and outdoor rides, including a swinging carousel, jet elephant, and merry-go-round. The 500-seat amphitheater hosts concerts and stage shows, while the musical fountain entertains visitors each night with its laser spectacular. The region's weather conditions are perfect for soaking up all that Vinpearl Land has to offer. It enjoys around 300 days of sunshine each year, with comfortable average temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The most popular way to reach Vinpearl Land is by cable car, which leaves from the mainland hourly between 9 am to 10 pm each day. At 3320 meters, it is the longest cable car in Vietnam. Between 1000 and 1500 can enjoy the views of Nha Trang Bay as they take the 12-minute journey. High-speed boats, taxi canoes, and ferries also travel from Phu Quy to Vinpearl Land each day. While luxury hire cars are available, most travelers choose to explore the island spot by tuktuk car. These vehicles transport visitors from the boat pier to their hotel or the amusement park. -
How to Stay Safe in Vietnam | A Guide For Female Travelers
Women in the West enjoy many freedoms not experienced by girls in many global destinations.
While this shouldn’t deter female travelers from exploring exotic locales such as Vietnam, girls should follow a few simple rules to ensure they stay safe and have fun on their Asian vacation.
Vietnamese women dress modestly, and tourists should try to do the same. Wearing tight or skimpy clothes may be seen as provocative, and a sign that you do not respect local culture. Instead, choose conservative clothes that are relatively loose fitting and comfortable to wear. When visiting holy places and national monuments, female tourists should dress even more sedately. When stopping by these significant cultural spots, it’s customary to cover both arms and legs, even in warm weather.
Vietnamese men are not accustomed to women enjoying the independence of female travelers from Western countries. When dealing with them, it’s important to be inconspicuous, yet assertive. Do not be confrontational, but do be firm and confident. As most Vietnamese women do not travel alone, you are likely to be a source of interest and curiosity to the country’s men. They are likely to ask questions about your home, your family, and even your marital status. If the attention of these men is unwarranted, you may consider telling a small lie about an imaginary husband. It’s also important to consider that some Vietnamese men may interpret eye contact as a sexual invitation. Wearing sunglasses to disguise your eyes helps to prevent this confusion.
As with traveling to any unfamiliar countries, you should also undertake basic precautions. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a trusted friend or relative, and contact them at regular intervals. Be aware of your luggage and other bags at all times, and never leave them unattended. Most vacation spots in Vietnam are considered safe for travelers, although pick-pocketing is rife in tourist centers and Ho Chi Minh City has a problem with bag snatching. As a precaution, consider staying at up market hotels and always lock valuables in their safes.
Be alert and aware and sensitive of your surroundings, and you will enjoy your vacation in Vietnam.
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Go Green with a Cycling Vacation Through Vietnam
If you want to see the real Vietnam, forget the tour buses and get on your bike! While the motorized excursions zoom through the countryside on the way to major tourist centers, an eco-friendly cycling journey allows you to stop and smell the paddy fields.As cycling is the locals main form of transportation, it’s a great way to interact with the natives. While their grasp of English may be limited, particularly in the country areas, locals are friendly and always willing to chat with tourists. Trips through rural communities allow you to meet the rice farmers and their buffalo at work in the fields, while rides through the cities let you experience Vietnamese life at a faster pace.
Traffic in Vietnam can be daunting, so it’s important to keep your wits about you. Remember that the Vietnamese always drive on the right side of the road, so if you stay there you won’t get into trouble.
As cycling vacations require you to carry your luggage with you, it’s clear that you’ll need to travel light. Thankfully clothing and other basics are inexpensive in Vietnam, so you can easily buy what you need along the way. In many cases, it’s actually cheaper to buy new than have your clothes laundered.
You should make room in your travel bag for basic bicycle tools. While local repairmen will happily fix your bike, the repairs will often be below Western standards. If you’ve got the means, it’s often easier to do the job yourself.
You can happily explore Vietnam on your own, but guided tours are also available. These expeditions generally provide bikes which are of a higher standard than many available locally. They also provide a support vehicle, which can be a welcome relief when your legs get tired. Meals and an English-speaking guide are just a couple more perks. World Expeditions runs 15-day cycling tours, which travel from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh in the south, while Grasshopper Adventures takes a slightly different route. Its 13-day adventure starts at Hanoi and weaves down to Saigon.