Leisure Activities On The Beach

Going to the beach in the summer is a wonderful thing. You can soak on the smooth expanse of sand to enjoy the cool waves pushing each other. Nowaday, going to the beach is not only bathing but also taking part in many out-door activities.

The blue sea, the white sand and the sea-breeze, couples holding hands walk together. Their romantic moment is great gilf of the beach to increase the flavor of love.

Soaking under the cool brine is general interest of the travelers. Enjoying surf waves, dazzling white sponge or playing with the float are wonderful games.

You can dive into bottom of the sea to contemplate the discolor coral under the sunlight or colorful fishes in flock to wriggle violently which beautify for natural scenery be granted by the creator. The challenge of divers to ocean is to find out original colorful landscape.

Due to these factors as climate, weather, salinity,…The beach is also place to welcome travellers whom are fond of some kind of sports in the seaside such as swimming, water skiing… you can choose an aquaplane to ride waves and enjoy buoyant feeling.

A striking and dreamlike beach can’t lack flying kites on the blue sky. The blue of sky, brine and shapely colorful kites attact a lot of travellers. This sport is being loved largely. Moreover, footbal, volleyball sports are participated in enthusiastically and dynamically. With sound beach and shouting of encouragement for the player rouse quite seaside.

In the summer, the more going to the beach has pleasant discovery and attract many travelers. Let ‘s award yourself a interested beach trip with relative, friend,… to take part in attractive games and view the beautiful landscape of blue sea, yellow sand and white cloud.

A maze of caves and historic moments

It takes some getting to, but both the destination and the path offer unforgettable vistas and a unique opportunity to connect with various moments in the nation’s history.
First, we had to get to An Phu Mountain, 246 meters high, in the northern province of Hai Duong. From there, we climbed further to reach the Duong Nham mountain range and explore Kinh Chu, one of the nation’s most beautiful grottos.

From the peak of An Phu Mountain, the mountain range, Duong Nham, also known as Thach Mon, lies before you and resembles a giant dragon lying on an immense bed of paddy fields.

To the north of Duong Nham, the Kinh Thay River winds around the foot of the mountain range. And to the southwest is the peaceful, picturesque Kinh Chu Village.

The high terrain and thick greenery keep Duong Nham cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

HOW TO GET THERE

Kinh Chu Grotto is situated in Duong Nham Hamlet, Pham Menh Commune, Kinh Mon District, Hai Duong Province, 57 kilometers east of Hanoi.

From the capital city, tourists can take bus No. 202 along National Highway 5 to the Phia Tay Bus Station in Hai Duong Town, and another bus to Kinh Mon Town. From there, it is a xe om (motorbike taxi) ride or a bus or taxi drive of around five kilometers to reach the Kinh Chu Grotto.


The mouth of Kinh Chu Grotto. Each of caves inside the grotto has its own distinctive features.

We climbed stone steps along the mountainside to the Kinh Chu Grotto, accompanied by the songs of cicadas.

The mouth of the Kinh Chu is about three meters wide. We stepped into what seemed like a maze of many caves, each with its distinct personality and challenge

The Mau Cave is marked by giant moss-covered stones and a hole in its dome. Directly opposite is the Vang Cave with stalactites resembling an elephant, a turtle, a diamond and many other animals and objects. The Luon Cave has a stream with clear, cool water.

Kinh Chu also has 53 stone steles dating back to the Tran, Le, Mac, and Nguyen dynasties, each engraved with the sayings of kings and mandarins who visited the grotto.

The most famous stele is the one that is inscribed with a poem by King Tran Thanh Tong (1240-1290) - the second emperor of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), who reigned over Dai Viet from 1258 to 1278, in Han script.

Kinh Chu also has a pagoda with many stone sculptures of Bodhisattvas and Buddhist monks.

During the fight against Mongol invaders, King Tran Nhan Tong (1258–1308), the Tran Dynasty’s third emperor who reigned over Dai Viet from 1278 to 1293, and his troops were stationed at Kinh Chu Grotto.

At the top of the Duong Nham mountain range are two blockhouses built by French troops in 1950.

The magnificent landscape and fresh atmosphere of the place generate a feeling of peace deepened by the sounds of the Kinh Chu Pagoda’s bell.

In fact, even before discovering the Kinh Chu Grotto and the Duong Nham mountain range, the Cao Temple at the top of An Phu


A stalactite resembling an elephant in Kinh Chu Grotto’s Vang Cave

Mountain offers a valuable glimpse into the nation’s past. The temple is dedicated to An Sinh Vuong Tran Lieu (1211-1251), the elder brother of King Tran Thai Tong - the second emperor of the Tran Dynasty, and father of Tran Quoc Tuan or Tran Hung Dao - one of Vietnam’s greatest generals.

Down 50 meters from the Cao Temple stands the 12.7-meter high Tran Hung Dao statue made of green stones. Tran Hung Dao, was instrumental in defeating Mongol invasions and was posthumously bestowed Hung Dao Dai Vuong (Grand Lord Hung Dao) for his military contributions. In the yard where the statue is located is a long terracotta relief depicting the wars against the Mongol forces.

Halfway down the mountain are the Tuong Van Pagoda and the Thanh Mau Temple, further adding to the serenity of the place.

Swine by the sea

Ninh Hoa pork roll: Nha Trang’s beach front delicacy

Nha Trang boasts stunning beaches, soft white sands, and spectacular bays. While ambling along the town’s lively beach front promenades, tourists will no doubt revel in the abundance of local seafood specialties. You can’t go wrong with old standbys like bun sua (jellyfish noodle soup) or bun cha ca (rice vermicelli broth spiked with fried fish paste).

But if you find yourself tiring of fish flavors, give the town’s nem Ninh Hoa (Ninh Hoa pork rolls) a go.

The charcuterie-like dish originated in Ninh Hoa, a district of Khanh Hoa Province, not far from Nha Trang. They are traditionally served around Tet (Lunar New Year). But, in Nha Trang, they can be eaten and enjoyed all year round.

Champions of the rolls are split into two camps: those who go for the funky tang of nem chua (fermented pork roll) and those who favor the classic salty-sweet nem nuong (grilled pork roll).

The process of making the fermented roll is simple, but somewhat labor intensive.

First you have to get your hands on a choice piece or pork (thigh or cutlet).

Boil the meat, briefly, to separate the skin - if there is any. Set the skin aside to dry.

Then, remove the fat, and grind the meat.

If the meat is ground by machine, it tends to lack an essential springiness. A little extra work with a mortar and pestle goes a long way. Season with salt and sugar, to taste, as you grind. Apply constant even pressure to the meat as it turns into a smooth, springy paste. Once the desired texture is achieved, add a few whole peppercorns.

Shred the skin (once dry) into small threads and combine with the ground pork.

To prepare nem chua (fermented pork roll) take a small piece (two fingers’ length) and wrap it with chum ruot (otaheite gooseberry) leaves.

Wrap the mixture a second time in banana leaves. To make large rolls, you only need concern yourself with the banana leaves, rolling them into a cone and pinching down both ends. As an alternative, you can mold the meat mixture, sausage-style, in plastic wrap.

Leave out for three or four days for prime fermented funk. For a subtler flavor, ferment the wraps in the fridge. You’ll know they’re finished when the fermented pork is somewhat dry (e.g. not sticking to the leaves). The meat should retain a fresh, pink color. They should smell and taste sour and vaguely sweet.

Garnish with chopped onion, cucumber, and carrot. Discard leaves before eating.

To make nem nuong (grilled pork roll) separate the fat from the meat. Cut the meat into one-inch cubes. Skewer the pork between bits of fat and grill over hot coals. Roll the grilled pork roll with a mix of basil, ice berg lettuce, cucumber, green banana, sour star fruit, and julienned green mango. Wrap it all up burrito-style in a piece of banh trang (rice paper) then dip in the sauce of your choice.

Rediscovered a resort town

Ba Na Mountain in the central city of Da Nang offers more than an escape from the summer heat

Ba Na’s recent claim to fame is two entries in the Guinness Book of World Records, for the longest (5,042m - 16,545ft) and highest non-stop cable car system (1291.81m - 4,239ft above sea level), but what lingers in the mind is not the technological feat, but a sense of rediscovery.

Located in the Truong Son mountain range, Ba Na in Hoa Vang District was “discovered” in 1901 by the French colonialists with their predilection for building high quality resorts to pamper high ranking civil servants and military officials.

The temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views of the sea and mountains made it an irresistible location, and many French officers chose to build their own villas here. Historical documents show Ba Na, 46 kilometers southwest of Da Nang, soon became a French town with a main road to the mountain peak, private houses and villas. By the late 1940s there were several hotels, a stadium, a market, a medical station, an opera house, security and police stations, and not to mention more than 200 private villas.

After the 1945 August Revolution forced the French to withdraw from Vietnam, Ba Na was relegated to relative obscurity as Vietnam became embroiled in a long struggle for freedom against the French and the Americans.

Ba Na today

Considering that there is still just the single, long winding road that requires strong engines and brave minds, not to mention hours of patience, the cable car system seems a boon. It carries visitors from the foot to the top of the mountain in about 20 minutes, and as befits the world record holder, it offers breathtaking views of the lush jungle and waterfalls along the way.

Watching the Ba Na Mountains from high above is an experience in itself, but there is more to offer. Newly-built French-style hotels including Hoang Gia, Le Nim, or Morin offer super comfortable accommodation, and there are trekking tours to explore the mountain.

Specifically, five routes designed for tourists wind their way through thick forests, springs and waterfalls, and many vestiges of French colonial constructions.

After checking into the Morin Hotel that afternoon, we followed a short trail from the Ba Na By Night Resort to explore the forest, ancient mansions and listen to the laughing thrush. Sport shoes, some leech repellant and raincoats were strongly advised.

“In summer, Ba Na has four seasons in a single day,” Hue, a young guide, told us. “In the afternoon, the weather is like autumn and it may rain at any time.”

The sun was still bright, but the dense forest made the only narrow path dark very quickly, and our steps quickened without any further prompting. At some parts along the way, however, the sun suddenly appeared through the leafy canopy, as though the scenery was playing peek-a-boo.

The old fir trees and ferns that were several dozen meters tall evoked awe as only nature can.

Some mossy terraces led us to the vestiges of old French mansions, also covered with moss. We easily conquered the 800m trail in about 30 minutes and were rewarded by the beautiful sight of Ba Na By Night Resort with its Meditation Garden, the Lavande Hotel, and many small paths covered with colorful flowers.

Our guide told us that the graceful ball-like flower, hydrangea, or cam tu cau in Vietnamese, which was all over the place, was often referred to as a symbol of Ba Na.

Hue whetted our appetite for the place further. Tomorrow, she said, she would take us on the longer trail (3km) to the Thung lung Vang (Golden Valley).

“You will see vestiges of some old gold mines and learn about the lives of miners who worked there decades ago,” she said. “You will see beautiful natural scenery with waterfalls, flowers, and creeks. Let’s return and prepare for tomorrow.”

We couldn’t wait.

For more information on tours or accommodation on Ba Na, contact Ba Na Hills Resort, An Son Hamlet, Hoa Ninh Ward, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, tel: (0511) 379 1999 or 379 1791, email: rsvn@banahills.com.vn, website: www.banahills.com.vn

Tourist numbers up substantially in Vietnam

Vietnam’s tourism bucked the trend in June when it attracted 376,000 foreign visitors, up 34.6 percent from a year ago.

The period between April and August is the low season for tourism in Vietnam and thus it’s unusual for arrivals to surge sharply in June.
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, foreign arrivals to the country in June also rose 7 percent from May. Arrivals in the first six months reached 2.51 million, up 32.6 percent from the same period last year.

China was the top market with 437,000 million arrivals to Vietnam in January-June, a sharp increase of 92.5 percent.

Vo Anh Tai, director of Ho Chi Minh City-based leading tour operator Saigontourist, said the prospects for the second half are also positive but the tourism industry will not be able to recover to pre-crisis level yet.

Key markets including the US and Europe have not fully recovered from the financial crisis last year, he said.

Vietnam’s tourism industry expects to receive 4.5-4.6 million foreign visitors this year, compared to 3.8 million in 2009.

Hanoi unveils electric coach tours of old quarter

Hanoi tourism authorities have launched two new tours of the 1,000-year-old old quarter, home to 36 old streets named after guilds, by electric vehicles.

Coaches, begin rolling along Hanoi's old quarter Saturday, is a brainchild of the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee and Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company.

They will use 20 battery-powered coaches, each of which can carry 12 passengers, on two routes around the old quarter.

One will take people around Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Lake of the Returned Sword, and the other to some of the guild streets, food courts, and historical relics.

They will leave at 20-minute intervals from 8:30am to 11pm every day.

A ride costs from VND10,000 (53 US cents) to VND30,000.

The old quarter, situated near the equally historic Hoan Kiem Lake, was created in the 11th century, when the 100-hectare area was home to 36 guilds, each of which gave its name to a street. Thus, there is a Hang Bac Street which was once home to silversmiths and a Hang Mam Street named for fish sauce.

There are 4,000 houses here, a fourth of which are more than 100 years old.

Ancient Hanoi recipe wins worldwide fame

A simple fish recipe, created a century ago, is drawing people from all over the world to the Hanoi family home of the creator of the dish.

Now a restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish) is run by the descendants of the dish’s creator.

The fish dish and the restaurant are named for a statue that used to stand in front of the house. The statue was of a Chinese general known as La Vong, sitting with a fishing rod.

Inside the house 100 years ago, the great-grandfather of the current restaurant owners dreamed up a new way to serve fish, with turmeric, green onion and dill.

In 2003, the restaurant was included in “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” by American travel writer Patricia Schultz. The MSNBC website later narrowed the book’s list down to the world’s 10 “must see” places, putting Cha Ca La Vong at number five.

The history of the Doan family is as colorful as the dish it’s famous for.

In the mid-1800s, the family began allowing Vietnamese soldiers, who were trying to oust the ruling French, to hide in their house. They served their guests their special fish dish, cha ca La Vong.

To raise extra money to fund their rebel-hiding activities – and provide a cover for the house’s mysterious comings and goings - the family opened a restaurant serving only cha ca La Vong.

The original recipe remains a Doan family secret but Le Thi Bich Loc, one of the current Doan family restaurateurs, told Vietnam News Agency the secret to cha ca La Vong was making it with quality ingredients.

To make the dish, Loc said fillets of catfish or snakehead fish are filleted and marinated for at least two hours with galangal, pepper, fish sauce and turmeric. The fillets are then grilled on a coal stove, turned frequently until each piece is a deep golden color.

The next stage of the cooking is done at the table, on a small pottery burner. The grilled fish is fried with dill, green onions and peanuts, a step that is believed to bring out more flavor.

The sizzling hot fish fillet mixture is then placed into a bowl with Vietnamese vermicelli, pickled spring onion bulbs and aromatic herbs. The finishing touch is a few drops of fermented shrimp paste.

The restaurant only buys shrimp paste from northern Thanh Hoa Province. This regional specialty has a light flavor and turns white when mixed with lemon juice.

Vietnamese wine is said to further compliment the taste of cha ca La Vong.

The dish became so famous that Hanoi authorities renamed the entire street Cha Ca Street (Fried Minced Fish Street). The restaurant remains in its original location, at 14 Cha Ca Street in Hanoi, and Cha Ca La Vong was registered as a trademark in 1989.

Crystalline waters shine in Ha Long Bay

Last April, I finally had a chance to get a glimpse of the country where my maternal grandfather fought in the Vietnam War. Based on the stories my grandfather told me while I was growing up, I arrived in Vietnam expecting to see evidence of the war. Instead I was surprised to see how modern the country is.

But honestly, the thing that really impressed me was the food, and the bakeries in particular. Although we have bakeries in Korea, the coffee and bread in the bakeries of Vietnam overwhelmed me with their flavours, a mix of tastes and textures from France and Asia, surely a remnant of the country’s colonial past.

I was in Vietnam at the invitation the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and Asia Europe Foundation to report on an Asia-Europe Meeting workshop that took place from April 28 to 29 in Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province in the northeastern corner of Vietnam. At the workshop, ASEM workshop participants agreed to forge stronger ties through cultural diplomacy linking Asia and Europe.
On the last day of the workshop, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry took us on a cruise of Ha Long Bay, which covers 1,553 square kilometers (600 square miles) and has 1,969 islands. After the 10-minute ride from the Halong Plaza Hotel where we were staying we arrived at the pier and boarded a waiting cruise ship.

The other passengers and I sat down at tables set out on the deck and were treated to a feast that was a mixture of Western and Asian cuisine. Around us, thousands of limestone islets rose out of crystalline emerald waters that glistened in the sun.

Pham Sanh Chau, director general of the department for cultural relations and Unesco under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, said Ha Long Bay is the first World Heritage Site in Vietnam. Unesco recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and again in 2000 in recognition of its natural beauty and geological value.

“Ha Long Bay deserves to be named as one of the seven new wonders of nature because it’s like paradise. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world,” Chau said. “It’s not an area just for tourism. It also serves as buffer zone against climate change. It’s rich in marine biodiversity and many scientists say this should be a geological park.”
As we sat back with our plates full of food, fishing boats large and small passed us on their way to their next catch. People exclaimed in excitement when they saw a small tent set up on the waters of Ha Long Bay. The tent, we learned, had been built to accommodate fishermen in need of a break or a place to sleep.

Our trip around the bay was nothing if not idyllic, but our tour guide explained that tourists who visit the area usually take overnight cruises to Ha Long Bay. The cruise starts with lunch aboard the ship and continues with stops at various caves for kayaking and swimming. Guests then sleep on the boat that night.

Because of my tight schedule, I had to return to my hotel that night and wasn’t able to take advantage of what sounded like a lovely diversion, but before I did I took a tour of the boat’s lower deck, where the sleeping rooms are located. The rooms are cozy and designed to accommodate two people. Each one is fully furnished with a bed, sofa, shower booth and toilet, just like in a hotel.

Although my journey to Vietnam was short, I picked up a few tips for my next trip that I’d like to share. First, you don’t have to set an alarm because there is an endless stream of honking motorbikes whizzing by every morning in Hanoi and the noise is enough to force your eyes open. Most Vietnamese people start the day early and most offices open at 7:30 a.m.

Second, you need to be extremely brave when crossing the street. There are no street lights like the ones you find in other major cities. When you try to wade into the traffic that is rushing by, drivers of cars and motorcycles swerve around you without slowing down. On my first day in Hanoi, I stood on the street for 10 minutes waiting for the right time to cross when I finally found a group of Vietnamese women intent on jaywalking.

Third, although the traffic is insane, make sure you stroll around the city on foot. This is the best way to experience a typical day in the life of the Vietnamese people. Women balance poles laden with heavy baskets of vegetables and flowers on their shoulders, passing people who squat on the sidewalk or sit in plastic chairs, sipping tea and eating pho (beef noodle soup) at outdoor food stalls. This is where you can feel the energy of the people.

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, I recommend you go to Hanoi first, take a tour of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter and then take the overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay. There are travel agencies that arrange rides to the bay from Hanoi in the morning, which takes nearly four hours by car. The cruise starts at noon and the price of the overnight cruise starts at $120.

Roam freely around South-West Vietnam being self-fulfiling

Have you got any chance to be in South-West Vietnam, a vast of expanse of water with traditional tune, the Vong Co? Sometimes, it is just too hard to consider it all. The place where you get some fresh air within a limited amount of weekend. The best way to expand your adventure is through the built-in highways to the first Vinh Long province after taking 03-hour from HoChiMinh city (Saigon).

Over time and with enough at Bo Gon confluence located in Vinh Long, you could float on water down the Co Chien river a little bit 05 minutes at intervals, instantly a small island An Binh (A Peace in Mind island) appeared for what you see. By spending leisure time through this wild, untamed island, breathing air that was fresh and clean, you would have more mental energy to appreciate all things that Nature has arranged.

Walking into a well-timed area along with it, Vinh Sang made travellers from afar become addicted its specialties from ostrich meat such as ostrich steak, Vietnamese noodle “Pho” with ostrich, boiled ostrich eggs, braised crocodile legs with herb, Vietnamese crocodile salad, etc. So interesting it was to be the replete with varied meals, took places in the nature right in the floating stilt houses beneath the flow of water fresh, pure and the perfume of lotuses and nenuphars pervaded the air.

With a flock of lanky ostriches, you could firstly select to ride full speed on ostrich’s back to become a pioneer people instead of a cowboy, a cowgirl in the American wild West. Yet many travellers felt uncomfortable riding because the image of a bull-rider or horse-rider ws too familiar rather than faced it with courage. Like difficulty is the mother of success, I am sure you cannot go away empty-handed. Being a little scary at second to enjoy the fun of fishing “Crocodile”, a kind of reptile “Cold-blooded” without the need of a licence, a host of them looked vague and insensible staying out in the sun under the knee-deep water. Each one was twice as long as the small boat and just as wide, and kept silent all the time. Throwing food scraps or fish carcasses into the pool, that attracted crocs, that was like fast-food for them going to get a shock with a big mouth full of shiny teeth as sharp as a razor. The thrill of believing you won when the fatal crocodile attack made you paralyzed with fear. There was nothing that put a trembling on your face faster than catching a croc then.

The light breeze from the South blew through “Ao ba ba”, a kind of easy-to-use traditional suit, and caressed our skin and stayed with us in the small sampan. I liked to spend a couple of hours among the travellers who kept on going along a vista of untrammelled dikes at the end of a garden of trees, finding plentiful supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables full of sweet smelling was straggled some thatched houses offering a picturesque and lovely sight. It seemed you find heavenly blessing. If you were trying to bail out water to catch fishes and wanted reap the fruit of your labor … then this trip was for you. Bailers were tied to a piece of rope and lowered into the water. At least two persons were used for removing water which had still remained into the drainage brook. Meanwhile, others were ready to plunge in for joy with fishing-baskets. They snatched some struggling “Ca Loc” violently, a kind of ophiocephalous fish – Snakehead alive, lifted out the water throwing together to the ground. The moment we broke into a laugh, a damp with sweat, full of mud fining a perennial source of inspiration in rice field, a place on the bank under the shade of some green trees, and in the simple idyllic life of the childhood and the tillers of the soil.

Then we sat to prepare our meal. A few of young boys gathered dry sticks, and I made the fire, while others were unpacking the baskets. The impaled fish was then lifted up over the fire or covered up it with clay to be frilled. When all were ready, everyone sat round on the grass, and had the grand meal of roast fish and girdle cake, followed by chilli, ginger, carambola fruit with more varied vegetables nearby and fish sauce to finish up with a roll of mixture. In addition to how muddy taste it was, a cup of rice alcohol was designed to make tipsy. When wine is in, wit is out! A pickled boy glanced at a country girl who was peeping and turning pink with confusion. Let’s hear him in these two funny lines of verse: “One who bottom up! And all the fire is off. Who feel horny without you?” This was received with applause to cheer him to the echo. Always worth a try!

The Sun was going down and the sunset promised to be glorious. It was cool and quiet around us. The little waves splashing regularly blending the most wonderful piece of the Vong Co (literally, nostalgia for the past) through the sweet voices of the cast we had ever heard, much appreciated by the audience. To go from Saigon to remote countryside An Binh island, where our floating hotel was on the side of the Co Chien river, we seemed to forget all the worries of this fast-paced world, feeling a thorough appreciation of the beauties of nature.

Om beach - pride of nature

As modem development continues to devour the natural world, more and more people look for antiques or a pristine destination to experience life in a way more similar to the way our ancestors lived.

When mentioning famous beaches around the country, right away people think of Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Vung Tau. But these days, Phu Yen Province is more frequently mentioned by visitors and is listed in tours by local travel agents due to the province’s unspoiled destinations. In which, Om Beach is a stop that any tourist coming to Phu Yen Province should not miss in order to wallow in the temptation of nature.

Belonging to Xuan Dai Bay, Om Beach is rather an obscure name to tourists in Vietnam, which is why it has resisted industrial development, human settlement or any services. The beach feasts visitors a totally brand-new feeling different from other beaches with a natural world separated with outside world by peace, silence and primitiveness.

Om Beach is divided in two by an isthmus with the front beach boasts with an endless sandy beach under shade of coconut trees and the back beach hugged by two hills.

Just a meter or so under the salt water is sharp and jagged coral so swimmers must be careful to avoid injury. However, there is swimming and bathing in crystal-blue water and a chance to admire the colorful reef and schools of fish.

More importantly, there are many giant rocks in diverse shapes near the beach that are great background for girls in bikinis to pose for many photos.

Om Beach can be reached from the center of Tuy Hoa City by taking National Highway 1A to Song Cau Town. From here, ask a local the way to Vung La, a fishing village in Xuan Phuong Commune just 600 meters south of the beach. Boats can be hired from local fishermen at Song Cau Town or Nhat Tu Son Town about six kilometers south of the beach. The boat trip takes about 90 minutes.

Vietnam's Hoi An: Food and fashion by the sea

The former trading port of Hoi An is a great place to sample some of Vietnam's ulinary delights while updating your wardrobe too.

Hoi An offers a relaxed stay, in anything from dirt-cheap hostels to cash-devouring resorts. iTravel-Vietnam points out the highlights of this tourist haven on the eastern coast of Vietnam.

Getting there

Depending on time and monetary constraints, there are a variety of ways to reach Hoi An. Almost all modes of transport end in the city of Danang and from there it is a 45 minute journey (either taxi, motorbike or car) to Hoi An. Both Jetstar and Vietnam Airlines fly to Danang at least daily with prices starting at around US$50 per person each way.

For the slightly more adventurous (or slightly poorer), the overnight train departs Hanoi at 7pm and arrives in Danang at approximately 10.30am the next day. A tourist class soft sleeper costs US$52 or you can really rough it in a hard seat for US$36. Having an "Easy Rider" moment? Hoi An Motorbike Adventures offers a two day motorbike adventure from the nearby city of Hue to Hoi An. The journey follows the Ho Chi Minh Highway over mountain passes and through ethnic minority villages before arriving in Hoi An. Prices start at US$140 per person.

Where to sleep

Hoi An is full of hotels ranging in price from US$15 per room per night right through to US$2,000 villas. The frosted pink hues of the Cua Dai Hotel give it a slightly wedding cake-esque appearance which is oddly appealing. The hotel is light and airy and is a short walk to the center of town. All of the hotel’s 24 rooms are equipped with air conditioning, wireless Internet, satellite TV, and a refrigerator. Best of all, the hotel has a swimming pool. Rooms start from US$30 per night inclusive of government tax, service charge, and daily continental breakfast. Telephone +84 510 862 231.
The beautiful decorations of the Cua Dai Hotel.

For a more up-market sojourn, the Life Resort Hoi An is certainly dripping in understated colonial elegance. Situated on the Thu Bon River, the hotel is housed within lush, green gardens that provide a welcome relief to the hustle and bustle of the nearby market. All of the rooms come with a private porch and include all of the modern comforts in a charming French colonial exterior. Prices start from US$159 per person (not including taxes and surcharges). Telephone: +84 510 3914 555.

Imperial binge

The cuisine of Central Vietnam is strongly linked to the imperial emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and as such is often complex and luxurious in both taste and appearance. Once of the most famous dishes of Hoi An is ‘Banh Xeo’ (Country Pancake) -- and no trip to Hoi An is complete without it. This crispy fried pancake made from rice flour is stuffed with pork, prawns and bean shoots and served with fresh herbs and the ubiquitous nuoc mam (fish sauce). The Ancient Town is so bursting with delicious food that it would be sensible to anticipate at least a 3kg weight gain.

The Cargo Club offers French style cakes and ice cream as well as a huge array of savory delights (try the roasted fennel and goat cheese salad). The rooftop terrace offers enchanting views of the Thu Bon River, while the patisserie veranda is a lovely place to watch life drift by. Either way, you will feel like Catherine Deneuve in "Indochine". Alternatively, cross the street and enjoy a quiet beer in the courtyard of the Hai Scout Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc).

Suits you

Let’s be honest, one of the biggest draws of Hoi An is the abundance of tailors. Every street is lined with tailors waiting to kit you out with a new wardrobe. Most tailors can copy items from a picture, allowing you to indulge in all of your couture-related fantasies. For more intricate pieces, head to Yaly Couture who are able to do exquisite beading and embroidery. For simpler items any of the tailor shops will be able to make items within 24 hours at a very reasonable price. Don’t have shoes to match your frock? Never fear, you can also get custom bags and shoes made.
The Japanese bridge at night.

For culture vultures there are a variety of museums, temples and merchant houses that are open for tourists to explore. The most famous site in Hoi An is the Japanese Bridge whose beauty turns any hack photographer's efforts into a masterpiece with just one click. Tickets for these sites are available at the tourist offices dotted around the town.

For non-shoppers or those looking for a hands on experience, head to the Morning Glory Cooking School for Ms Vy’s famous cooking classes. A 1.5 hour class will set you back US$18 and best of all you get to eat a spectacular meal at the end -- think fresh spring rolls, green papaya salad and fish in banana leaf.

If you are neither a shopper nor a chef and if the weather is fine, the Cham Island Diving Center offers one day diving and snorkeling. For US$65 per person explore coral reefs with two certified divers and enjoy lunch on a paradise island.

GETTING DANANG-DALAT ROUTE OPENED

After putting off till 13 years, the route from Danang and Dalat city and vice versa has just been launched by a business commitment of local authorities, having 12 billion Vietnam Dong on deposit, 50:50 shot by year 2010-2011 to the Vietnam airlines. The best way to keep “the route in advance” for the sake of travellers who would like to make more choices from one place to another and meet the demand of golf experts and amateurs alike.

Vietnam Airline has taken the first departure among HoChiMinh, Dalat and Danang since June 30, 2010. Flying with ATR72, a seating capacity of 70 is used to pick up passengers on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday per week. Both Dalat and Danang are linked, via multiple daily flights, with Vietnam’s two international hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, too. According to the timetable, the plane takes off at 3:40pm from Tan Son Nhat airport to Dalat about 50 minutes period of time. It is similar to take approximately 80 minutes we have a flight from Danang airport to Dalat at 7:10pm. One-way airfare from Dalat-Danang is about 500,000 VND to 1,181,000 VND (62 USD) without VAT and surchages.

Antoine Drappier, The Operation Manager Chez Dalat Palace said: ““The time is right to restart it because Danang now has what only Dalat had before, and that’s truly great golf. From that standpoint, it’s only natural to link the destinations.”

Montgomerie Links, General Director Jon Tomlinson noted that Danang will become an attractive destination for many Open Golf Tournamant combined competition. The majority of Asian cities will be able to fly direct here within the magic 02 hours”.

Looking into the vista of the future, Duong Tri Thanh, Executive Vice-President, Vietnam Airlines Corporation told that “ With all this in place, a new-built route and world-class hotel and resort developments available in Danang, Buon Me Thuoc and Pleiku, etc. We see the Central Coast and The Highlands fully equipped to explode business growth.

By the seaside

Nha Trang is home to a number of fascinating cultural sites, proving that the city is more than a ‘beach destination’
Nha Trang is undoubtedly one of Vietnam’s best known ‘beach destinations’.
The vast majority of visitors come here to feel the warm sand in between their toes and the sea breeze blowing through their hair.

But as I tend to wilt in the sunshine, I always prefer to explore the local cultural sites during the day and hit the beach in the late afternoon.

And Nha Trang has plenty to offer by way of culture – this was once the centre of Champa civilization; in fact the name Nha Trang is thought to have been derived from the Cham word yakram, which means ‘bamboo river’.

The city is home to some of the best preserved Cham towers in Vietnam. Located on a granite knoll on the northern bank of the Cai river in Vinh Phuoc quarter, the Cham Towers of Po Nagar (The Lady of the City) were built between the 7th and 12th centuries.

Known as Thap Ba in Vietnamese, the site included eight towers, four of which remain, which were used for worship as early as the second century AD. Today, ethnic Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists come to Po Nagar to pray and make offerings here, according to their respective traditions.

The original wooden structure was razed to the ground by an invading troop of Javanese in 744 AD but was replaced by a stone and brick temple in 784.

The most sacred, and highest, tower is the 28-metre North Tower, with its terraced pyramid roof, vaulted interior masonry and vestibule. A superb example of Cham architecture, it was built in 817AD by Pangro, a minister of King Harivaman I, after the original temples here were sacked and burned by raiders, who made off with whatever precious metal they could find.

In 918 AD, King Harivaman III placed a gold mukha-linga in this tower, but it was also stolen, this time by Khmer soldiers. In 965 AD, King Jaya Indravarman I replaced the gold mukha-linga with the stone figure, Uma – a feminine manifestation of Shiva, which remains to this day. In the tower’s main chamber, there is a black stone statute of the goddess Uma with 10 arms, two of which are hidden under her vest.

Stony faces...

Situated near the tower complex, Hon Chong is a narrow granite headland that juts out towards the turquoise waters of Nha Trang bay. To the northwest is Nui Co Tien (Fairy Mountain) with three summits believed to resemble a reclining female fairy.

There is a gargantuan handprint-shaped indentation on one massive boulder balanced at the tip of the Hon Chong (Husband Rock). Legend has it that one day a giant was here spying on a female fairy bathing nude at Bai Tien (Fairy Beach) nearby.

The two began a life together, but the Gods soon intervened and punished the giant for his initial cheekiness, sending him off to a “re-education camp” for an indefinite sentence. The lovesick fairy patiently waited for her husband to return.

But after a very long time, despairing that he might never return, she lay down in sorrow and turned into Nui Co Tien. The peak on the right is supposed to be her face, gazing up towards the sky, the middle peak is her bosom and the apex on the left her crossed legs. When the giant returned and saw what had become of his wife, he collapsed in grief next to a boulder, leaving his handprint on it, before turning into stone.

Next to Hon Chong, there is another rock called Hon Vo (Wife Rock). Locals like to say that this was a female fairy who became ‘petrified’ while waiting for her husband.

Oceanographic Institute

The Nha Trang Oceanographic Institute, founded in 1923, is housed in a French colonial building and home to an aquarium, a library and an exhibition area. Incidentally, the world's most famous oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, started his successful career here in 1933 when it was known as ‘Institute d'Océanographique.’

It’s well worth checking out the institute to get an insight into the richness of southern Vietnam’s aquaculture. Vietnam is after all a maritime country with a coastline that stretches for more than 3,260km. The Bien Dong (East Sea) plays an important role in the development of the country.

The exploration for reasonable and sustainable exploitation of resources and protection of the environment in the Bien Dong is the main objective of the institute. The 23 aquarium tanks on the ground floors are home to a variety of live specimens – including some wonderful seahorses. Behind the main buildings, the exhibition area features nearly 70,000 dead specimens and a rather spectacular giant whale’s skeleton.

The good doctor

Alexandre Yersin had a deep and meaningful relationship with Vietnam and the French doctor was in fact buried in Nha Trang on his request. Born in Switzerland, he came to Vietnam in 1889 after working under Louis Pasteur in Paris. He spoke Vietnamese fluently, and spent years travelling throughout the central highlands and recording his observations.

During this period he discovered what is now Dalat and recommended to the colonical French government that a hill station be established there. Yersin also introduced rubber and quinine-producing trees to Vietnam. Today, the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang coordinates vaccination and hygiene programmes for the country’s southern coastal region.

The doctor’s library and office were transformed into the Alexandre Yersin Museum, another one of the town’s cultural attractions. Items on display include laboratory equipment (such as his astronomical instruments), books from his library, a fascinating 3-D photo viewer and some of the thousand or so letters written to his mother. A model boat on display was apparently given to him by local fishermen with whom he spent a great deal of his time.

No doubt Dr Yersin also liked the feel of the sand between his toes and the sea breeze blowing through his hair – and after a day of sight-seeing, the sun has gone down far enough for me to hit the beach, too.

Island hopping in Nha Trang

Hon Lao, Nha Phu Bay’s biggest island, is a good first stop, and it’s the most famous of the area’s islands.

It is also called "Monkey Island" because it is home to 1,000 tame monkeys that are wild but nice, unafraid of people.

They are very friendly with visitors, so you can play and take photos with them.
Tourists visiting the island can also go scuba diving, go-cart racing, bamboo raft racing and horseback riding.

For other entertainment on the island, the Hon Lao Tourism Park has an animal circus with goats, monkeys and dogs.

Then there’s Thi Island. Spanning 500 hectares, the island features a pristine beach and ostrich and deer farms.

The white-sand beach surrounded by rugged cliffs makes for terrific photo opportunities and is a great place to have picnic or a rest.

The seawater here is calm all year and perfect for swimming.

You can also feed deer with dry peanuts or corn, ride ostriches, or have photographs taken with the animals.

The island is also dotted with patches of wild flowers and fruit orchards where mangos, guavas, custard-apples, oranges, dragon fruit and coconut trees are abundant.

Hiking through the orchards and seaside rock formations is one of the island’s real treats, especially if you’re able to find the deep caves that are perfect for adventurous exploring.

A little farther from Thi Island is Hoa Lan (Orchid) Brook on Hon Heo Peninsula.

Formed by many small streams that flow down from the rocky slopes of Hon Heo Mountain, the brook snakes its way through the island for six kilometers. It gives its name to the Hoa Lan Brook Tourist Park, where a natural cave has been filled with orchid gardens.

The park also features a unique 6-km labyrinth built in a forest of 45,000 willow trees.

Camping, ostrich riding, and kayaking are also available.

Sam Island is also worth visiting.

The fresh air and shade of the natural and native longan and orange trees make this the perfect place to visit in the afternoon.

Sam Island is also covered by a lush forest that is home to many salamanders.

Before leaving Nha Phu Bay, it’s a good idea to have a meal and some beer or booze at Hoa Lan Brook Tourist Park’s Huong Viet Restaurant under the shade of bamboo trees.

Chasing waterfalls

Also near Nha Trang is Yang Bay Waterfall, about 45 kilometers west of the coastal resort town.

Its name means "heaven's waterfall" in the language of the local Raglay people, one of the 53 ethnic minority communities in Vietnam.

Situated in Khanh Vinh District's Khanh Phu Commune, Yang Bay Waterfall and the surrounding forest has been turned into Yang Bay Tourist Park, a 570-hectare tourist site.

Clear water from the 80-meter Yang Bay, which flows from a spring 2km long, plunges down several tiers of waterfalls into a one-meter deep pool where you can easily see the bottom through the crystal water.

Apart from swimming in the pond, tourists can soak themselves

in a hot spring that flows from Yang Bay and two nearby waterfalls: Yang Khang and Ho Cho.

A specialty of Yang Bay is the water “lithophone,” where iron wires have been fastened to the waterfall’s rocks to produce notes when hit by the falling stream.

Tourists can also enjoy songs played by Raglay artists at the park’s ethnic musical instrument house. They play on traditional instruments like the Chapi, T’rung, Tacung flute, and Taleploi clarinet.

Pig racing, a 4,500-square-meter bear farm, and a crocodile farm are all popular features of the park. Visitors are welcome to feed crocodiles after renting a fishing rod and attaching meat into it.

Visitors can then try crocodile and ostrich dishes at the park’s restaurant.
Reported by Phan Huy Tram.