Tourists see Mekong Delta in a day, by water and land (11-01-2008) by Hong Van Jungle safari: Visitors take boat ride along a coconut tree-lined canal. — VNS Photo Hong Van HCM CITY — Children swam in the river. People bathed in the river. Men sat drinking on the terrace of their stilt houses near the riverbank. Women washed clothes in the river. A big stuffed bear was hanging to dry with some clothes on a fence. When our boat passed by, children and teenagers on the riverbank jumped and waved their arms at us. As we travelled along the Mekong River in Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, the scenes of people’s lives at different spots were all quite similar. The sinuous 4,184km Mekong River runs from Tibet, China, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia before it merges with the East Sea on the southeastern shores of Viet Nam. The boat ride from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Viet Nam’s Vinh Xuyen border gate took around three hours. The wind blew … [Read more...] about Tourists see Mekong Delta in a day, by water and land
Best mekong delta cruise
Sheraton Ha Noi among Asia’s best
Travellers' Notes (25-09-2009) Sheraton Ha Noi among Asia’s best Sheraton Ha Noi Hotel has been named one of the Top 10 Best Conference Hotels for Asia in The Best in Travel Poll 2009, the fourth consecutive year the hotel has achieved this status. The Best in Travel Poll 2009 was voted on by international readers of SmartTravelAsia.com, a regional online travel magazine, from May through July of this year. Sheraton has also received the World Travel Award as Viet Nam’s Leading Business Hotel for two years running in 2007-08 and has been nominated for the honour in 2009. Hoi An to build terracotta park The city authority of Hoi An has appointed the HCM City-based Nha Viet Corp to develop a terracotta park in the centre of Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Covering 6,500sq.m, the park, which will preserve and develop cultural values and activities of the craft village, is expected to host traditional craft festivals and become a new attraction for tourists to the historic city. … [Read more...] about Sheraton Ha Noi among Asia’s best
Too many taxis cruise Hanoi
Too many taxis cruise Hanoi Many taxi firms have cheated to increase the number of cars operating in Ha Noi to get profits, according to the Municipal Transport Authority. A recent inspection by the city's Department of Transport found that many taxis had their number plates registered in Ha Noi, but have the taxi badge (registration) granted by transport authorities in other provinces. In 2010, the department blocked taxi firms from adding to their fleets because it said there were already too many taxis on the capital city's roads. It blamed the rise in taxis for increasing traffic problems throughout the city. For example, Ha Anh Taxi Company vehicles use a badge granted by the transport authority in northern Ninh Binh Province; Song Hong Transport Co-operative has badges granted by northern Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc provinces. However, both companies operate in Ha Noi and their number plates were issued by Ha Noi's authority. Bui Danh Lien, chairman of the city's Transport … [Read more...] about Too many taxis cruise Hanoi
Early birds get the best at floating market
Early birds get the best at floating market By Mong Binh in HCMC The sound of engine-powered boats running along the Hau River wakens travelers who are sleeping in the hotels on the banks of the main southern arm of Mekong Delta. It calls them for an early trip to Cai Rang Floating Market - the popular tourist site near Can Tho City. In the early hours, boats of all different sizes make their way to Cai Rang on the river to sell and buy farm produce and whatever products they have to offer. An earlier arrival at the thriving market ensures more space for tourist boats to maneuver in the crowded market and, of course, more things to look at. Arriving at Cai Rang before 7 a.m. or a little later is a good idea to explore the market, as after that tourist boats flock there in droves, making it noisier and narrower for boats to move forward. Photographers can hardly take a steady shot because of the wake from boats running up and down the river. Many big boats are also houses on which … [Read more...] about Early birds get the best at floating market
Vietnam among top 8 best Christmas trips for solo travelers
(VOVworld)- Vietnam has been named top 8 best Christmas trips for solo travelers by the UK's prestigious magazine Wanderlust. Accordingly, with just only GBP595 (around US$902.75) for 15-day trip, visitors will have chance to cruise the emerald waters of Halong Bay, snorkel off picture-perfect beaches, and immerse themselves in the history and culture of Hoi An with a bunch of other adventurous travelers. In addition, foreign visitors can float on the Mekong Delta on a private boat, then dock at a water-side village to meet a local family, feast on home-cooked Vietnamese food, bed down in their home, and ready to continue their adventure in Ho Chi Minh City the following day,Wanderlust suggested. Rounding on the list of top 8 are Mexico, China, South America, Myanmar, Morocco, Cuba, and East Africa. … [Read more...] about Vietnam among top 8 best Christmas trips for solo travelers