More about hotels in Vietnam
Located in the eastern part of the Indochina peninsula, Vietnam is known as one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia with its natural features such as mountains, cities and golden sand beaches. These features are a major attraction for tourists.
Although some of Vietnam’s cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have undergone modernization, historical traditions remain in the local community. Many ancient landmarks and conventional structures are found in Vietnam. One of the places visited by many domestic and foreign tourists is the Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground tunnel, built with the purpose of defending the city against the French colonialists and the American imperialism from 1800 to 1945.
Fast Facts
Languages: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese dong
Visa
Vietnam is visa-free for citizens of ASEAN countries and can stay in the country for up to 30 days. Other nationalities from Japan, South Korea, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland and Russia do not need a visa to enter Vietnam and can stay for up to 15 days.
How to Get There
There are five different airports in Vietnam: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Noi Bai International Airport, Da Nang International Airport, Phu Quoc International Airport, and Cam Ranh International Airport. The first two are the main airports in Vietnam, the most popular being Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Noi Bai International Airport, also known as Hanoi Airport, is located 45 kilometres from downtown Hanoi.
Getting Around
Vietnam has various modes of transportation that will get you around. Within the major cities, you can go by bus or taxi. There are many bus routes that will take you around the city centre and nearby areas. Taxis are easy and fast transportation in big cities in Vietnam. The reputable taxi companies are Vinasun and Mai Linh. Or you can ride a motorbike taxi. You can easily find them on the street. Prices depend on your itinerary.
In some cities in Vietnam, you can find cyclo drivers around markets and tourist attractions. This is an interesting means to visit the streets. Note, when traveling by cyclo, you should bring a map and a dictionary because some cyclo drivers do not speak English.
If you’re more into comfort and don’t mind meandering through the busy streets, you can rent a car or a motorcycle, if you’re travelling alone or a friend. For groups of friends or family, you can choose to drive yourself or hire a car rental with a drive. To rent a car in Vietnam, you need a driver's license, ID card or passport depending on the requirements of different places.
If you’re travelling between cities in Vietnam, you can choose a train. Trip times and fares depend on the route. For more information, you can refer to: www.vietnam-railway.com
Things to Do in Vietnam
Whether you’re in Vietnam for the weekend or planning to stay for more than five days, you’ll have a great time exploring the old and new sites in the country. If you want to learn about Vietnam’s rich history, one of the top landmarks to visit is the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. This used to be the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam Ngo Dinh Nhiem.
Designed in French architecture, Independence Palace has reception rooms, banquet rooms used to welcome heads of state and important guests. In addition, the Independence Palace also has a helicopter pad, an outdoor bar and a cinema.
Meanwhile, Cu Chi Tunnels is a national historical monument and a place for tourists to better understand Vietnam during the war. The tunnels were built by locals during the war to avoid invading bombs. It has a total length of 250 kilometres and is small and narrow to make it hard for the enemy to penetrate. After the war, this place became a tourist attraction.
Upon entering Cu Chi Tunnels, you will see a small health station, kitchen and weapons storage during the war. An interesting thing you will witness in the tunnel is a model of Vietnamese soldiers with a gun position hiding in the road.
If you go to Hoi An, don’t miss the Japanese Covered Bridge. Also known as Japanese Temple, it is one of the famous sightseeing places in the ancient town. Not just a simple bridge, if you go across the Japanese bridge, you will see the carvings, elaborate and exquisite drawings. In particular, one side of the bridge has a dog statue and the other side has a monkey image. Cau Pagoda worships the statue of Bac De Tran Vo, a guardian deity, believed to protect this land from natural disasters and floods.
Located in the heart of Hanoi's capital, anyone who has ever been to the capital wants to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum. This is where President Ho Chi Minh's remains are kept. There are a few notes when visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Once inside, speak quietly and don’t wear hats or put your hands in pants pockets.
If you want to learn about Vietnamese culture and religion, check out Hue Citadel, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, the capital of the ancient Nguyen kings preserved to this day. This is a massive project, consisting of three city walls, Citadel, Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Visiting Hue citadel, you will have the opportunity to explore ancient palace architecture and learn about Vietnamese culture through the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts.
Where to Stay in Vietnam
Looking for an accommodation in Vietnam? Do you like to stay near historical sites, tourist spots, or restaurants? Or would you rather book a room somewhere peaceful and away from the crowd? From high-rise hotels to no-frills hostels to exclusive resorts and villas, you can pick whatever suits your fancy and your budget. Make sure to book your hotel in Vietnam in advance to ensure you’ll have a place to stay, especially during peak season.
Nightlife in Vietnam
Vietnam has many young and dynamic cities so the nightlife here is extremely bustling. Dubbed the sleepless neighbourhood in Saigon, Bui Vien Street is crowded with hotels and bars and tourists, which is why it is called "West Street". If you want to enjoy the nightlife in Saigon to the fullest, the Western Quarter is the place you should go because the bars here start bustling from 10 PM to morning.
Coming to Tay Bui Vien Street, you will feel the vibrant and busy atmosphere. The street at night is always crowded, you can easily catch foreign tourists and young Vietnamese sitting drinking a few bottles of beer and chatting on both sides of the road.
Like West Bui Vien street in Ho Chi Minh City, Ta Hien Street is considered the West Street in the heart of Hanoi's old town. Coming here at night, many people are surprised and excited when there is such a bustling gathering place in the heart of the old town, which is an intersection of Eastern and Western culture.
Around 8 PM, the Ta Hien neighborhood starts to come alive to welcome guests, foreign visitors and young people come here to meet friends with beer or "lemon tea slashing wind". Ta Hien Street is also a dining paradise with snacks such as fried spring rolls, grilled quail, cheese sticks and roasted peanuts.
