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Most tourists will cover Mekong Delta when they are visiting HCMC, but Da Lat is also a great getaway especially after some burning hot sun at HCMC.
Da Lat is my 2nd stop after Saigon. This is a highland town and slowly becoming a popular holiday destination for local, especially those from Saigon. The vegetations will be slightly different here as compare to Mekong Delta & HCMC, where casuarina trees are found abundantly. The sound of wind passing through those casuarina needles is something really welcoming & you can easily feel the zephyrs kissing on your cheeks. Leave a Comment
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You can easily get a rider service and go around Da Lat area to explore some country side and tribal villages.
Chicken Village which is about 20KM away from Da Lat town is one of those great spot to meet locals, taking picture of tribal kids and shop for some local crafts. Remember to get your rider to tell you one of those very touching love stories that had been passed down for generations by villagers of the Chicken Village.
Click Da Lat for detailed tour around the area. Leave a Comment
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Located in the district of Cu Chi, about 1.30 from Ho Chi Min, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a network of tunnels stretching as far as the Cambodian border and used by NLF guerrillas to hide from the French Army first and then from the American Army.
There was everything in the tunnels: homes with kitchen, hospitals, weapons, food... and each tunnel entrance was well concieved and protected by a rudimental deadly trap, thanks to its poisonous spikes. Tunnels were built on three levels, with direct underground access to a river, and two generations of Vietnamese people have lived in these tunnels.
The tunnels were longer than 200 kilometres and air vents were needed... as you walk around, look for the termite mounds: they used to disguise the air vents. Of course the American Army did know of the tunnels, and a clear sign is the bombs dropped on the site (you can see them) and the presence of destroyed US Army tanks... still, the tunnel system could not be won. Only small upper parts were destroyed, but people moved down the lower levels and tunnels still continued to exist.
Some short stretches of tunnels are possible to visit, although they have been restored and made somewhat larger to accomodate foreign tourists... and yet, they are still hot, in pitch darkness annd extremely narrow and claustrophobic.
As there is no public transportation to the tunnels, the cheapest way is to visit them on an organized day trip, or else you can rent a taxi for half a day. Entrance (2007) was 55000 dongs. Leave a Comment
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I wanted to get a nice oil painting and the ones at Dong Khoi Street was a tad bit expensive. Then I discovered the Nam Ky Khoi Ngia Street which "housed" a lot of painters and their paintings. The one I got (as per the photo) was from this shop along the road (photo - card). His place is near the pagoda in the map attached.
This guy COULD NOT speak english AT ALL! .... But the power of the calculator "speaks" a purchase for me. I won't say how much i got this oil painting but it was a bargain as compared to the paintings on Dong Khoi Street. His paintings are fantastic and the finishing is incredible.
You could get pictures with colored stones/seashells at Andong Market too. Leave a Comment Phone: 06 114668Website: -website does not work- Other Contact: Appreciate your rating below
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Different garments and headwear represent different ranks in the religion. Its truly an amazing sight, viewed from a balcony above the proceedings. Tourist and Caodaists alike usually crowd the ceremonies.
Location: Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh Leave a Comment
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The Cu Chi Tunnels - shows the 3 layers of tunnels. This display as well as a video recording of the tunnels was in the building before you tour through the grounds. Very interesting. Leave a Comment
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While Ben Thanh market is the standard tourist stop for shopping, not far away is a mecca of local vendors at Cho Binh Tay.
It has a wide array of products just like Ben Thanh (kitchenware, baskets, barrettes, magnets, toys, shopping bags, wigs, hats, shoes, food, etc.) but if you go here, you'll be one of the few tourists cruising up and down the isles and therefore able to strike some much better deals.
I also find this market interesting because it is much more geared toward locals, not visitors. You will attract some attention (because not many visitors come here) but it's well worth it to go as long as that doesn't bother you. Leave a Comment Other Contact: Hau Giang Blvd.
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The Cu Chi tunnels are a far-reaching network of Viet Cong tunnels which run for nearly 200 miles used in the American and French Indochina war. The tunnels are designed to have complete facilities which range from kitchens to printing presses and even street signs, all of which were used to assist the National Liberation Front (NLF) military.
Location: About 75 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Leave a Comment
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This island was well known for fried Elephant Ear Fish - Delicious! This is very much a local delicacy although it originated from Indonesia. Fish farms in the area breed the fish.
Location : Thoi Son (Phung Islands) Mekong Delta Leave a Comment
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In the Thu Duc District, about 10 kilometers from downtown HCM, the Saigon Waterpark is a refreshing getaway from the heat, dust and traffic that comes with Asian tropical destinations. The park offers 6 slides from a height of 15m and a wave pool that produces waves a meter high. Entrance fee requires 70,000vnd or 4.50usd. Leave a Comment
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