Vietnam Travel
My wife and I travelled to Vietnam in June 2011; it was our first time to this part of the world.
Our impression of what to expect, was based on a number of travel programs shown on TV several months before our departure together with some background reading about the country.
One of the main reasons for choosing Vietnam as a destination was because we thought it may offer a location not yet too influenced by the effects of mass tourism, plus it would also give us an introduction to South East Asia, which was totally new for us.
The two week trip was based on a desire to experience an overview of Vietnam and include the recognized destinations of the country, therefore the journey started in the north at Hanoi and we made our way south to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi: We spent the day sightseeing in Hanoi.
The city centre is pleasant, and consists of lots of well-preserved colonial buildings and communist architecture.
It is small enough to be explored on foot, although after a few hours of walking we got tired and take a taxi.
We enjoyed a short rickshaw excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places.
In the evening, we attended to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art.
Hoalu: Hoa Lu has some pagodas and a rudimentary archeological exhibit which is an ongoing project, as it was the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century.
We visited the Bich Dong pagoda, a very beautiful cave discovered in the 16th century by a couple of monks which now has three carved Buddhas sitting most reverently in their lair.
Danang: On the way to Hoi An, we stopped near Danang (Non Nuoc, I think).
The place was filled with huge marble sculptures, shop after shop of them.
There were also small ones which might make nice souvenirs, but there were so many that we didn't see how one could ever make a choice.
Saigon: First impression: Saigon looks like a pretty developed town, with lots of elegant and modern shops and cool restaurants.
The centre of the city is nice and has most attractions and modern buildings.
The tour took us to the Reunification Palace, where the presidents of South Vietnam lived.
We visited the state rooms, command headquarters and bunkers.
After the tour we looked at some of the old buildings in central Saigon, including the Notre Dame cathedral and the post office.
Our impression of what to expect, was based on a number of travel programs shown on TV several months before our departure together with some background reading about the country.
One of the main reasons for choosing Vietnam as a destination was because we thought it may offer a location not yet too influenced by the effects of mass tourism, plus it would also give us an introduction to South East Asia, which was totally new for us.
The two week trip was based on a desire to experience an overview of Vietnam and include the recognized destinations of the country, therefore the journey started in the north at Hanoi and we made our way south to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi: We spent the day sightseeing in Hanoi.
The city centre is pleasant, and consists of lots of well-preserved colonial buildings and communist architecture.
It is small enough to be explored on foot, although after a few hours of walking we got tired and take a taxi.
We enjoyed a short rickshaw excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places.
In the evening, we attended to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art.
Hoalu: Hoa Lu has some pagodas and a rudimentary archeological exhibit which is an ongoing project, as it was the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century.
We visited the Bich Dong pagoda, a very beautiful cave discovered in the 16th century by a couple of monks which now has three carved Buddhas sitting most reverently in their lair.
Danang: On the way to Hoi An, we stopped near Danang (Non Nuoc, I think).
The place was filled with huge marble sculptures, shop after shop of them.
There were also small ones which might make nice souvenirs, but there were so many that we didn't see how one could ever make a choice.
Saigon: First impression: Saigon looks like a pretty developed town, with lots of elegant and modern shops and cool restaurants.
The centre of the city is nice and has most attractions and modern buildings.
The tour took us to the Reunification Palace, where the presidents of South Vietnam lived.
We visited the state rooms, command headquarters and bunkers.
After the tour we looked at some of the old buildings in central Saigon, including the Notre Dame cathedral and the post office.
