Top Vietnamese adventure travel destinations

Many Vietnamese travellers choose to venture off the beaten path as they make adventurous trips to conquer Mount Pha Luong, Datanla Waterfall, or trek through Mui Doi (the East Pole of Vietnam) to enjoy spectacular the sunsets. Following are some of the most popular places for adventure tourists:

Pha Luong Mount in Tan Xuan commune, Chieng Xuan district is about 40km away from Moc Chau, Son La province. At an altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level, only brave people can conquer the challenging journey with many steep climbs and gloomy forests. 

Tay Con Linh Mountain in Ha Giang province is the highest peak in the north-eastern region and is one of the most intrepid destinations for backpackers due to its dangerous terrain of rocky climbs and thick forests. 

Da Lat’s Datanla Waterfall in the central highlands province of Lam Dong attracts tourists with its many exciting sport games such as rope swings and slides.

The Franciscaines monastery in Hung Vuong Street, Da Lat city is an attractive destination for curious tourists thanks to its fascinating architecture, moss covered walls, and old ghost stories. 

Mui Doi (the East Pole of Vietnam) is located on Hon Gom Island in Van Phong bay of Van Thanh commune, Van Ninh district in Khanh Hoa province. Visitors must overcome an arduous 4km journey across scorching sand dunes and through dense forests to reach their destination.

Dan Tri/VOV

Readmore:
- VietNam boosts tourism ties with Italy

- An Giang Tourism Month kicks off
- Ho Chi Minh City wants to wow tourists with light festival

VietNam boosts tourism ties with Italy

HCM CITY – With Viet Nam working towards making tourism a key sector by 2020, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien has sought to strengthen co-operation with Italy to expand promotion programmes and attract more Italian visitors to the country and vice versa.

Hạ Long Bay is one of the most popular destinations in Việt Nam for Italian tourists.—VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

Speaking at a conference on Viet Nam – Italy tourism cooperation on the sidelines of the 13th International Travel Expo in HCM City on Thursday, he said "Italy is one of the most important markets for many countries including Viet Nam since every year 28 million of Italians, or nearly 50 percent of the country’s population, travel abroad".

Since the two countries signed agreements in 2009, and with Viet Nam waiving visas for Italians, the number of tourists from Italy has been on the rise.

However, the steady 13-18 per cent growth in this number notwithstanding, Viet Nam has not fully exploited the potential of the Italian market.

Thien blamed this on the lack of information about tourism products and tour packages, Italian-speaking tour guides and direct flights from Italy to Viet Nam.

Therefore, "the conference is an important platform for tourism officials and tour operators from the two countries to learn about trends and tourists’ behaviour from each other," he added.

Italian Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Dorina Bianchi said though the number of Italian tourists visiting Viet Nam might not be high her compatriots were very interested in trying out new destinations, especially in Asia, including Viet Nam.

Viet Nam has the advantages of beautiful landscapes and delicious food and drinks that can be very attractive to Italian travelers, according to the deputy minister.

If Viet Nam can soon start a direct air service to Italy and increase the number of days Italians can stay in Viet Nam without a visa, the two countries can see tourism growth.

Nguyen Van Tuan, director general of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, promised to lobby the Government to continue the visa waiver for another five years and to increase the visa-free stay to 30 days from the current 15.

Carlotta Colli, the Italian consul general in HCM City, said that last December Italy became the first Schengen country to set up a visa application centre in Da Nang to make things easier for Vietnamese.

Referring to the shortage of Italian-speaking tour guides, she said the Italian embassy and consulate were making efforts to offer more Italian courses in Ha Noi and HCM City.

Many people graduating from those courses had become tour guides, she added.

Tourist behaviour

At the conference, tour operators from the two countries spoke about how to attract more visitors, saying one of the key factors is understanding tourist behaviour.

According to Tran Manh Duc, head of Vietravel’s European market department, Italian tourists tend to take long vacations in Viet Nam to explore many places.

They are keen on luxurious services, especially accommodation, Vietnamese cuisine and local specialties, something that Viet Nam should take note if it wants to attract them.

According to Giampietro Trovò, product manager of Italian tour operator Boscolo, Italian tourists like to travel in small groups to experience Vietnamese lifestyles.

Since not many Italians can speak English well, Vietnamese tour operators who have Italian-speaking tour guides have a competitive edge.

Italians love to spend the end of their trip on the beach and tan, and tour operators should keep this in mind when designing tour packages. VNS

Readmore:
- An Giang Tourism Month kicks off

- Ho Chi Minh City wants to wow tourists with light festival
- Dong Thap Tourism Festival 2017 to be held in Sa Dec City

An Giang Tourism Month kicks off

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet chef Martin Yan, enjoy an ox racing festival and join the solemn Ba Chua Xu honouring festival in Chau Doc city this May.

The Bay Nui ox racing festival will be part of the An Giang Tourism Month slated for May 16-25 (Photo: VNA)

They are among a series of events of the An Giang Food and Tourism Culture Week, part of the An Giang Tourism Month, being held in Chau Doc city from May 16 to 25.

“With a range of interesting cultural, sports and tourism events, we would like to convey the message that An Giang’s aim is a green, clean and friendly tourism development,” director of An Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Len said.

This cultural and tourism event of An Giang is also aimed at introducing and promoting the local natural landscape, historical and cultural relics, craft villages and local signature food.

The An Giang Tourism Month, organised by the An Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, features a range of events, which include the Bay Nui ox racing festival, a traditional festival of the Khmer in the Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) region; boat racing; lantern releasing event; and a music gala featuring Mekong River’s music bands.

The An Giang Food and Tourism Culture Week will feature 200 booths, an exhibition showcasing An Giang’s tourism destinations, a space introducing the tourism and culture of the Khmer and Cham ethnic minority groups and a don ca tai tu (southern folk music) performance. 

Also on this occasion, visitors can participate in the Ba Chua Xu festival, an event that honours the sacred Ba Chua Xu (local tutelary goddess). The festival, held between 23rd and 27th of the fourth lunar month of the year at Ba Chua Xu temple, has five solemn rituals, including washing the statue of Ba Chua Xu, as well as dragon dances and art performances. Traditional rituals to open the festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, officially took place on May 17 evening.

Vietnamplus

Readmore:

- Ho Chi Minh City wants to wow tourists with light festival
- Dong Thap Tourism Festival 2017 to be held in Sa Dec City
- The experience of traveling to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City wants to wow tourists with light festival

Colorful light shows would cast a new look over iconic buildings and streets.

Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City this year will have a chance to see the city glowing in the night during a light festival.

The city government at a meeting Monday approved the culture department’s plan for the festival, during which famous buildings and streets will be lit up with colorful installations and light shows.

A specific timeframe has not been announced. Icons such as Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House and the city’s town hall are expected to make the final list of venues.

The upcoming festival is expected to become another reason to visit Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam with 5.2 million foreign arrivals in 2016, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.

The city puts on colorful street lights every New Year and it has decided to keep the lights on every weekend.

It hopes to receive six million visitors this year.

Among various plans to bring in more tourists, the city has announced its intention to create a floating market, similar to the famous markets of the Mekong Delta, and launch weekend fireworks shows.

Light festivals have been a staple of many tourist cities across the world like Lyon and Sydney.

Hoi An in central Vietnam also lit up its ancient houses during its first-ever light festival, Shades of Hoi An, early this year. Watch the official video from Quang Nam Province.

Dong Thap Tourism Festival 2017 to be held in Sa Dec City

VietNamNet Bridge – Dong Thap Tourism Festival 2017 will be held in Sa Dec city on January 7-14, said the provincial People’s Committee.

Gáo Giồng ecological tourist area in Đồng Tháp Province (Photo: KK/SGGP)

The festival is expected to attract visitors with a 700-hectare flower field featuring more than 2,000 various plant species, Sa Nhien-Ca Dao Flower Street, an ornamental plant and pet festival, photo exhibition, the giant 12m-high fall of fresh flowers and a beauty contest.

Tourists will have a chance to visit province’s traditional flour making villages and enjoy variety of traditional cakes of southern Vietnam.

The festival will include a promoting trade and investment fair, seminars on Dong Thap tourism and potentials.

The event is an opportunity to promote investment and images of the land and people of Dong Thap to visitors at home and abroad, as well as enhancing the development of the provincial tourism industry.

Provincial expanded and upgraded destinations have recently attracted many travelers, such as the revered Nguyen Sinh Sac grave site, Xeo Quyt relic, Gao Giong ecological tourist area, Tram Chim National Park, Go Thap Archaeological Area, Sa Dec flower village, Huynh Thuy Le's ancient house.

An eco-friendly tour has been launched at Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong District. Visitors will enjoy a 12km-long route on electric car and a solar-powered boat in 35 minutes.

Tram Chim National Park was recognized as World Ramsar Site in 2012. It is spread over an area of 7,313 hectares and has abundant flora and fauna species with over 130 species of vascular plants.

Tram Chim is home to over 100 species of vertebrate animals, 40 species of fish, and nearly 200 types of water-birds, of which 15 are on the endangered list.Many bird species in the park have been listed as endangered and rare like the Big Cormorants, Painted Storks, Lesser Adjutants and the Sarus Cranes.

Meanwhile Huynh Thuy Le's ancient house which was built in 1895 is home of the main character in French writer Marguerite Duras’s novel “The Lover” in Sa Dec town. It has been listed as one of Vietnam’s most impressive destinations by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations.

The experience of traveling to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Viet Nam

One of the most interesting in Viet Nam is Mui Ne, Phan Thiet. This place has not only the white sand, fresh water and the tall coconut trees but also the delicious cuisines of this area.

The experience of traveling to Mui Ne

The experience of traveling to Mui Ne

The suitable time of visiting Mui Ne 

Mui Ne has hot weather around the year, so that tourists can come here anytime. However, tourists shouldn’t come in the July and August because the water is quite muddy in the coral season, they should come to Mui Ne from the August to December. 

The way to travel to Mui Ne 

+ From Ha Noi, there aren’t any beeline to Mui Ne, so that tourists can fly to Saigon then catch the car to travel to Mui Ne. Or tourists can fly to Cam Ranh airport (Nha Trang) then come to Phan Thiet by the Open Tour coach from Nha Trang to Mui Ne. 

+ From Saigon, there are many Open Bus coach to Mui Ne or tourists can travel by train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, then catch the bus or motorcycle taxi, taxi to reach Mui Ne 

Tourists can choose the motorcycles in resorts or travel by taxi with their group. 

The hotels, Motels in Mui Ne

According to the experience, tourists usually choose the tent sleeping service or hiring hotels, motels. Nowaday, online booking has many promotion, especially Agoda, which is the reputable web and has 30% discount, even 52% discount

+ The tent sleeping service is suitable for the one who loves risky, discovering and saving money. Before hiring they should ask about the security. Tourists had better hire tent at the Hon Rom 1 Area and KE Ga Area, here are some addresses for you: 

- Thuy Trang Resort: 0623.849.196

- Hon Rom 2 Resort: 0623.848.828

- Hon Rom 1 Resort: 0623.848.539 or 0918.186.047

Hiring hotels: The senior hotels in Mui Ne have outdoor swimming pool, water sport, sunbathing chair, restaurants, bar with the price from 600,000 VND. Here are some hotels that tourists should choose: 

1. Sunrise Village Mui Ne Hotel: 316 – 318/12 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien. With the cheap price about $12 - $15/night. The hotel is fully basic furnished with TV, fridge, especially it also serves outdoor swimming pool. 

2. Sunshine Beach Resort: 82 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien Ward. The price is about $30 - $35 with some services: gym, spa, massage, swimming pool, garden and private beach.

3. Muong Thanh Mui Ne Hotel: 54 Huynh Thuc Khang, this hotel is very beautiful, convenient, which serves: large swimming pool, coffee, bar, massage, water sport, garden, karaoke with the discount of $50. 

4. Sea Links Beach Resort & Golf: Km9, Nguyen Thong Street, Phu Hai Ward. This great hotel serves: Billard, Swimming pool, private beach, golf course on site, massage. Gym, boat, garden, water sport with the reasonable price of $75 

5.Anantara Mui Ne Resort: 12A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, the hotel have fully services and comforts with delicious food, large private beach. The lowest price is about $120

Some destinations in Mui Ne 

Mui Ne Area

Swimming: Mui Ne is famous for the clean and beautiful beaches such as

Hon Rom Beach: This beach attracts many tourists with its landscape, stones with many shape. Especial, in the rainy season, all the mountain is covered by the green color of natural and the yellow grass in the dry season. From faraway, The Hon Rom looks like the huge mounds of straw. 

Stream of Angels: 

Stream of Angels in Mui Ne, VietNam

This area is a beautiful place with the small ravine next to the Hon Rom and the beautiful sand valley. Especially,there are the natural red and white stalactite hill with many interesting shape. 

Yellow sanddune: 

Tourists can admire the Great iron mine with the yellow color of the sanddune. The color of the sand always change because of the erosion of the wind. This is the special symbol of Mui Ne 

Mui Ne Rock: There are many rocky headlands stretching to the beach, which creates the beautiful landscape with the long sanddune. On the top of the dune there are the Ba Vquang Temple and Thach Long Temple.

The areas around Mui Ne 

Away from the Hon Rom Beach about 18km is the Bau Trang and Bau Sen natural fresh lake. Bau Trang is famous for the lotus lake in the center of Sanddune while Bau Sen is the lake that is surrounded by the beautiful sand caves. 

The Thap Cham is located on the Ba Nai Hill, which is away from the Phan Thiet City about 7km, it’s one of the relics of Cham Pa Kingdom, coming to this place, tourists can admire the maestro and mystery of this tower. 

The Phan Thiet City Area 

The Ho Chi Minh Museum is also an attractive places in Mui Ne, where Uncle Ho used to live and teach before he come to Sai Gon to find the way to save the country. 

Van Thuy Tu Dinh is the place that stores many ordained of the Nguyen Kings, especially, there are bronze bell in the Dinh. This place worships the Ong Voi fish of the local people in Phan Thiet, which helps the villagers avoid the danger. This Dinh also store many large and small whale skeletons. 

Ong Hoang Flat is the place that attachs to the Han Mac Tu Poet, where his great poems comes from.

Eating when traveling to Mui Ne

Mui Ne is famous for the cheap and delicious seafood. The Phuong Vy Restaurant is a great place, tourists can enjoy the squid teeth on the Vo Thi Sau Street. Mui Ne has some specialities such as: once dried squid under the sun, dragon fruit, fish sauce, milk crumb cake, …

Roll cake is made of the shrimp sauce, greaves, quail eggs. Tourists can enjoy it at the Tran Hung Dao Crossroad or Thu Khoa Huan Street. 

Roll cake at Mui Ne, Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet Bread Soup: tourists can come to the Xiu Bread soup shop at the address: 1 HA Kim Dong Street – in the middle of the Tran Quoc Toan bookstore and BiTi Store about 30m. The Ba Ly Cha Ca Bread Soup shop at the address: 566 Tran Hung Dao Street, Phan Thiet or the Bread Soup shop on the Hai Thuong Lan Ong street. 

Fish Salad is the great dish in Phan Thiet, tourists can enjoy this cuisine at the Ca Ty riverside area or the Viet Nam Home Shop (Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street – Mui Ne)

Fish Salad at Mui Ne

Besides, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet is also famous for the other cuisines such as: Quang Noodle Phan Thiet, Can Cake Phan Thiet, pancake, convex fish poured with grease, Quai Vac Cake, Giac Snail Salad, Ricepaper with grilled shrimp paste, grilled squid teeth, fish hot pot, Beo Cake, Com Tam, Sticky rice, Sandwich with Vietnamese meatball and fried egg. 

Another experience of traveling to Mui Ne 

- Tourists should bring the sunglasses, sunscreen and the fresh drinking water when coming to this place 

- Beside some famous places, tourists can visit some fishing villages and the fish sauce factory. 

- To enjoy the cheap and delicious junkfoods, tourists should come to the streets that have markets in Mui Ne