 HO CHI MINH CITY
Locals almost always refer to Ho Chi Minh City by it’s pre-war name, Saigon. Central Ho Chi Minh City, which encompasses the tourist precinct of District 1, is the bustling heart of this dynamic, industrious city, the largest city and economic capital of Vietnam. On weekends, Central Saigon teems with young locals out to shop, eat, drink and have a good time. Within the city centre you can visit beautiful Colonial monuments such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, People’s Committee Building and Reunification Hall.
Ben Thanh Market
For a taste of modern Vietnamese city life, head to Ben Thanh, an enormous covered market in the city centre. Almost anything that can be sold is sold, from a dazzling array of fruits and vegetables, meat, local coffee, clothes, cosmetics, electronics, art, souvenirs and toys. Don’t be afraid to haggle but stay good humoured and only bargain if you really intend to buy.
Vinh Ngiem Pagoda
This modern, Japanese-inspired Buddhist temple in central Ho Chi Minh City is one of the largest and most impressive temples anywhere in Vietnam. Left of the pagoda is Kwan-Yin Tower, a seven storey structure built to house Buddhist artefacts.
Giac Vien Pagoda
Probably the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, this very traditional pagoda contains ornate tombs, a white statue of the Goddess of Mercy and an impressive sanctuary filled with gilded Buddhist figures.
Museums
Ho Chi Minh City is home to several fascinating museums. Tourists can visit the Museum of History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Southern Women, the Museum of Southeastern's Armed Forces, the Museum of Fine Art and the Gallery for War Remnants.
Dam Sen Park
Kids will love the enormous Dam Sen complex, a cultural park, water theme park and shopping complex all in one. The tropical parklands are home to 25 water rides including exciting high speed waterslides, Tarzan-style rope jump and gentler rides and swimming pools, making it a very refreshing break from the heat of the city! The cultural park consists of extensive Asian and European gardens and examples of architecture from both continents. There’s plenty of entertainment for kids including theme park rides, dinosaur park, mini zoo, monorail and performances of very impressive live shows including a state of the art laser show. Be sure to visit the unique ice lantern exhibition, a walk in showroom cooled to a chilly minus 10 degrees!
Chu Chi Tunnels
These tunnels are located in Chu Chi district, about 30km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong dug out this elaborate underground labyrinth, hiding out within the 200km long maze of tunnels for 20 years. A tour of the tunnels is not for the claustrophobic – although some of the tunnels have been modified to accommodate visitors. Kids will enjoy crawling through the tunnels and seeing the soldier’s living quarters, dining in the underground kitchens and scrambling out of emergency exits. For adults and older kids, a visit to Chu Chi is also a sobering lesson on the hardships of war.
HANOI
Hanoi should not be missed on a visit to Vietnam. Friendlier and more relaxed than bigger, busier Ho Chi Minh City, it is blessed with impressive colonial administrative buildings, hotels, churches and museums and lovely parks and gardens, making it one of the greenest and most beautiful cities in Asia.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
This huge, impressive mausoleum is the final resting place of the great revoluntionary and former president of North Vietnam. It’s also one of Hanoi’s top tourist attractions. Close by is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and “Uncle Ho’s” house on stilts, perched across from a small pond in a pretty, mango-tree filled garden.
Hoan Kiem Lake
The pleasant surrounds of this lake in the centre of Hanoi make a welcome break from the heat of the city. It’s perfect for strolling, cycling and picnicking. Kids will be fascinated to hear how the lake was named. According to legend, Emperorer Le Loi, worried about the advancing Chinese, was boating on the lake when a giant tortoise rose from the depths and presented him with a magical sword. The tortoise made him promise he would take the sword back once he had defeated the Chinese. The emperor was true to his word and returned the sword to the lake. Since then it has been known as Hoan Kiem, the “Lake of the Restored Sword.” A shrine has been built in honour of the tortoise on an islet on the western side of the lake. On a northern islet, across a red wooden bridge, is the beautiful Ngoc Son Pagoda.
Water Puppet Show
Several waterside theatres offer performances of the traditional water puppets, including the municipal theatre across from Hoan Kiem Lake. Both children and adults will delight in the beautiful wooden puppets, including dragons, warriors, fairies and fishermen that seem to float on the water as they act out magical folktales.
Halong Bay Cruise
This is a popular day trip from Hanoi, but longer cruises are also available. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders, with literally thousands of uninhabited limestone islands rising from the peaceful, emerald-coloured waters of the bay. Some of the islands have secluded beaches and grottos to explore. Bring your swimmers for a dip in the clear waters of the bay. Most tour operators will include a delicious seafood lunch on board.
NHA TRANG
The popular beach resort of Nha Trang on the south coast is Vietnam’s top destination for watersports. The town itself holds little appeal for families but there’s an excellent choice of accommodation within a stone’s throw of the 7km white sand beach. More secluded beaches can be accessed by road or boat, and the premier attraction of Nha Trang is, naturally, rest, relaxation and glorious sunset seafood dinners!
Diving and Snorkelling
The abundant tropical fish and coral around Nha Trang’s reefs make it a good spot for diving and snorkelling. Most of the reefs are relatively shallow, making it ideal for snorklers and novice divers. The dive boats often make trips to the pristine islands off Nha Trang’s coast – most dive sites are within an hours journey from pier.
Whitewater Rafting
Sailing Club WhiteWater Rafting is Vietnam's first and only whitewater rafting outfit. The rapids around Nha Trang are graded between class 1 and 3, making them suitable for beginners and younger adventurers. You’ll be treated to the spectacular scenery of the Cai River Valley as you negotiate the whitewater rapids in rugged inflatable kayaks.
Nha Trang Amusement Park
Kids will definitely want to visit Nha Trang’s Amusement and Water Park complex, which also houses a night market complete with food stalls and an alfresco eating area. The Amusement Park feature typical carnival rides and games, while the Water Park has several slides and a wave pool.
Cham Towers
The Cham Towers to the north of the city are the remnants of brick temples built by the Cham people between the 7th and 12th centuries, in honour of the goddess Po Nagar. Only four crumbling towers remain, and these are still used as places of worship. A small group of nuns will happily, if silently, guide you around, and there is a small and interesting museum displaying photographs and ancient statues. The hillock upon which the Cham Towers sit offers a great panorama of the surrounds with views of the Cai River and the city of Nha Trang.
EVENTS
Lunar New Year (Tet)
The most important festival on the Vietnamese calender is Tet, the Chinese New Year. The sacred festival falls between late January and early February and although it is officially a three day affair, festivities may continue for a week or more. Businesses hang red banners which read "Chuc Mung Nam Moi" (Happy New Year) and city streets are fes¬tooned with lanterns and coloured lights. All over town stalls set up to sell tradition Tet cakes, sweets, fruit and flowers. On the evening of New Year, fireworks, drums and gongs are sounded in the streets to scare away the devil Na A and his wife.
Wandering Souls Day (Trung Nguyen)
Held on the fiftteeth day of the seventh moon (August). On this day food is laid out in the temples to feed the hungry souls of the dead, and votive paper money is burnt in their honour.
Mid Autumn Festival
Held on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, this family holiday is especially dedicated to children. For parents the festival is a special opportunity to show their love and appreciation for their children. Children sing, dance and parade with lanterns shaped as stars, moons and animals. These special lanterns can be bought at market stalls around the country in preparation for the parades.
National Day of Vietnam
On September 2, Vietnam’s cities celebrate their culture and heritage with parades, dances, fireworks and music.
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