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BA DEN MOUNTAIN VIETNAM FESTIVAL
One cannot visit Vietnams Tay Ninh without going to Nui Ba, a beautiful high mountain located in the middle of the MeKong Delta, 11km from Tay Ninh. Nui Ba Mountain is often called Lady Den Mountain after the devoted daughter of a Vietnamese guard officer. She left her father's house and went to the mountain to become a monk after she was forced to marry a guard officer's son. She later died in Nui Ba. The Nguyen dynasty had a bronze statue made in her honor and gave her the title Linh Son Thanh Mau, or Saint Linh Son.
DO SON BUFFALO FIGHTING VIETNAM FESTIVAL
Although the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is officially held on the 9th of the 8th lunar month in Hai Phong,Vietnam, preparations start several months before. Fighting buffaloes must be carefully selected, well fed, and trained. The selection of the official fighting buffaloes starts in May when qualification matches take place in small villages. Only 6 buffaloes will participate in the final fight
QUAN THE AM VIETNAM CULTURAL FESTIVAL
The Quan The Am Cultural Festival is organized on the 19th day of the second month (lunar calendar) every year with cultural activities which help restore and promote the traditional culture of Viet Nam. |
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Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. It is one of the two entry points to the country. The first impression you will have, is that this is a chaotic city. But the longer you stay, the more you will appreciate Hanoi. To visit Hanoi, you will need around seven days. Most tourists do not stay for so long here. They stay a couple of days, visit the Old District, and go to Ha Long Bay or Sapa. If you can, stay longer and explore the city and its lakes.
Ha long Bay
It is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Probably you have seen pictures of this unique bay with its thousands of islands. A two or three day tour should be enough to visit Ha long Bay. In Summer its air will be clearer and its water bluer, but it can be visited any season. You get there by bus from Hanoi.
Sapa
Sapa is the name of a town in the Northwest of Vietnam, from where you go on many trekkings and excursions, and visit the traditional ethnic peoples who inhabit this mountainous region. How long you stay in Sapa's region depends on the excursions you want to do. Most trekkings last from two to five days. Go on a weekend and you will enjoy its markets. You get to Sapa by an overnight train from Hanoi. Winters can be quite cold.
Northeast Vietnam
If you want to get off the beaten path, this is where you have to go. Babe lake is authentic, but if you go to Ha Giang and Cao Bang, you will see landscapes 99.99% of the tourists do not see. Most tours take five days. Add two or three more days, and you will get to the unspoiled areas. You travel around the region on a four wheeled vehicle.
Ninh Binh
It is a town south of Hanoi. Many agencies offer a one day excursion to Ninh Binh. Locals call it the Ha long Bay on land, because of it similarities with the world famous bay. If you want to visit its national park, add a couple more days. You get here from Hanoi on a minibus. From here you can also go to Hue.
Perfume pagoda
It is the most famous pagoda in the area of Hanoi. It is a one day excursion. Two other nice pagodas in the outskirts of Hanoi are the Thay Pagoda and the Tay Phuong pagoda.
Da Nang
"It is the third biggest city in Vietnam, but has not much interest for tourists. If you are traveling around Vietnam, you go here only to get the train south after visiting Hoi An. You can stay in Da Nang one or two days to visit a couple of interesting sites, though."
Hoi An
"It is another must see. Dedicate a couple of days to visit its picturesque streets. This is also the place to buy taylor clothes. There is also a nice beach, in case you want to stay longer. If you are traveling North, your next stop is Hue. If you are traveling South, your next stop can be Nha Trang, Muine or Saigon. To get to any of these destinations you should take the train (in Da Nang) or the plane. "
Nha Trang
It is a big town with nice beaches. A great place to relax -- although I prefer Muine. If you are into scuba diving, stay here five or more days. If not, a couple of days should be enough. If traveling North your next stop should be Hoi An. If traveling South, you can go straight to Saigon, or stop in Muine. You can get there on a bus.
Phu Quoc Island
"This island south of Cambodia is like paradise on earth. Although tourism is developing fast, it is still unspoiled. Crystal clear waters, long beaches, hassle free, ... a great place to chill out. Stay here around four days (longer if you can). If you come here at the end of your travel you will appreciate it more. My favorite destination in Vietnam (and in the world probably)." |
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Time Zone
GMT +7 Hours
Language Spoken
"Vietnamese, Vietnam's official language, is a tonal language that can be compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer.
There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions."
Passport/ VISA
passport holders must have a valid passport and a visa is required.
Climate
Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Tropical monsoons occur from May to October in the north and south and from September to January in the centre. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year. |
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