Nha Trang's stunning coastal road

Situated between both the mountain and the sea, Nha Trang - Cam Ranh route is truly a sight all travellers should experience.

Stretching over a distance of 30 kilometres, the route from Nha Trang City to Cam Ranh is one of the most beautiful and scenic in central Vietnam. Visitors are often overwhelmed with the picturesque landscape they see. The water is blue and clear, while the mountains reach into the sky in for a stunning view.

Moving toward the Cam Ranh International Airport, white sand hills can be spotted on both sides of the road. The white sand here has been exported as the ideal raw material for the production of glass, crystal, camera lenses and camcorder industries. Amid the hills are many beautiful lotus lakes.

To the back of beyond

In Ha Giang province in the northeast of Vietnam you can find truly awe inspiring views in one of the most remote parts of the country, writes Nguyen Duc

Ha Giang is in the northeast of Vietnam. It shares a border with China and is home to the country’s northernmost point. It has previously enticed only the intrepid traveller though in recent years improved road access has made it easier than ever before to explore this extraordinary mountainous realm.

Roads may be smooth, but it is still a hard slog from Hanoi. Ha Giang town is located in a beautiful valley urrounded by thick forest and grey, rocky mountains – seven hours by car or bus from the capital city. As soon as I arrive the long day of travel catches up with me. I find a guest house for the night and get a good night’s rest after a simple but delicious meal of cabbage, chicken and rice.

For the love of durian

Prickly. Heavy. "Oh, please don't let it fall on my foot." This was the thought that entered my mind the first time I held a durian. Noble as it is ugly, this expensive fruit definitely stands alone. The Durian is seen as the king of all fruits and is highly sought after in Asia as I was informed by my good Vietnamese friend.

Durians on sale in France

Nathalie Girod holding her new favorite fruit

Praised for its exorbitant nutritional value, it is known to be eaten by pregnant Oriental women. High in iron, it is also rich in vitamin B-complex and vitamin C, minerals, potassium and essential amino acids. Amazingly your energy level stays at a nice constant rate with its great composition of fructose, sucrose and some cholesterol free fats. My friend swore by its nutritional benefits and ate it throughout her pregnancy.

So why is this incredible fruit banned in certain establishments in Asian countries? Apparently for its infectious smell which I did not understand until I had my first personal whiff. Amazingly, I found this aroma to be neither foul nor disgusting as most would expect. At first I thought I had left a great piece of cheese in the fridge, since I live in France, it happens often enough. For the next few days, this odor invaded my space, lingering long enough for me to judge for myself. The smell has an unusual mixture of fresh vomit mixed with a lush creaminess. A perfect melange of love or hate. For me, it was love at first smell. I just could not wait to taste it!

A local classic

Pho might be the darling of Vietnamese cuisine, and perhaps, bun cha is the people’s favourite ‘underdog’, but there’s another dish which is closer to the heart of less carnivorous Hanoians.

Bun dau mam tom is basically chunks of tofu served in a hot soup on a bed of rice noodles with a dollop of shrimp paste. It’s an extremely popular meal that’s often overlooked by guidebooks and seldom-tried by tourists or even long term residents of Hanoi.

Discovering the mysteries inside Tham Nam Caves

Tham Nam Caves have wowed visitors who make the journey with its magnificent features and stunning sights.

The caves are located inside Pha Chang Limestone Mountain by Nam Non River, Huu Khuong Commune, Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province.

Tham Nam’s caves cover thousands of square metres and are filled with unique stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes. How they look can vary depending on the imagination of visitors.

Discovering the mysteries of these caves followed by enjoying fish caught fresh from the river that runs through it, is a delightful experience for those who visit Tham Nam.

Central Vietnam drawing domestic travellers

Central Vietnam has seen a tourist boom this year, welcoming 30-40% more tourists than last year. According to tourism companies in Da Nang, most of these tourists are domestic, coming from cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

Da Nang Beach: an attractive destination for tourists.

Cao Tri Dung, Deputy General Director of Vitours Company said, “This summer, we’re seeing an extremely high number of tourists booking with us. From accommodation to plane trips, coaches to tour guides, the booking for these services is overwhelming, and we haven’t been able to meet the demand. It’s going to be this hectic at least until August 15.”

Viet Da Travel Company has experienced the same situation. Dinh Van Loc, Director of the company, said that their company has also been overbooked. The company has been unable to find any 30 - 45 seat coaches over the past week, and rooms at luxury hotels have all been fully booked, Loc said.

In response to why there is a sudden increase of tourists this summer, Cao Tri Dung said that there are probably many different explanations, but the main reason would lie in the very attraction of the destination. Da Nang is one of the few places that could offer such a diverse variety of activities for tourists, whether they want to go hiking up a mountain or go sunbathing at the beach, and there are many options for hotels as well as restaurants in the area.

Nha Trang's special cathedral

Located on the peak of a small mountain in Nha Trang City, Nui Church is an ideal attraction thanks to its intricate architecture and serene surroundings.

The church is adorned with an elegant French style of decoration and architecture.

Construction began in 1928 by a French Catholic priest named Louis Vallet (1846-1945). At that time, the priest used 500 bombs to level the mountain.

The church is a must-see destination in a city best known for its beaches.

Nui Church is one of the most stunning destinations for tourists to Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province

Rustic resort powerless to fully satisfy

A charming forest get-away in Hoa Binh strays a little too far away from comfort for the price.

A group of 50 some holiday-goers excitedly loaded onto a roomy tour bus to head for the promise of an overnight getaway in nearby Hoa Binh Province, eager to get away from the heat of summertime in Hanoi.

The destination: La Ferme du Colvert in Hoa Binh, described online as a “Vietnamese - French resort set in wild countryside” and as a place “ideal for those who need a break from the noisy busy cities.” I’ll happily attest to the natural appeal of the land and the peace and quiet. However, the establishment’s problems with supplying power and inability to respond adequately to the needs of guests indicate that it’s got a ways to go before becoming the truly spectacular oasis it has the potential to be.

Guests were given a range of choices in rooms; some went for the cheaper beds in rooms with only fans; others chose to pay a premium for the promise of a cool night’s sleep.

Our arrival and welcome from the staff was pleasant, if oddly complicated by a two-step queuing and check-in procedure. Everybody was shown to their rooms, oohing and aahing over the rustic charm of the grounds and the abundant vegetation (think jack-fruits the size of small poodles growing overhead).

The décor is a quirky blend of traditional Vietnamese textiles combined with carved wooden signs and nautical trinkets like wooden ducks and large-scale model ships. The rooms themselves range from basic (and a bit dingy) to grand, complete with old-fashioned carved wooden beds.

After check-in most guests reconvened around the pool, beneath overhanging branches of bamboo and palm. Beer was discovered, and serious relaxation began.

Vietnam's unique horse races

Following an annual tradition, a horse racing festival will take place this summer on June 19 in Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province. Perhaps, nowhere in the world such a unique, pristine and genuine event such as this is held.

An image of last year's horse race.

The jockeys are of Dao, Mong and Tay ethnic descents and race without any kind of protection. The only things they are equipped with are a plastic hat in replacement for a helmet and a pair of plastic slippers, not even a saddle is used. The man and his horse will use all their skills and determination to win the race and bring pride to their village.

Hoi An: An unforgettable experience

Tham Nam Caves have wowed visitors who make the journey with its magnificent features and stunning sights.

The caves are located inside Pha Chang Limestone Mountain by Nam Non River, Huu Khuong Commune, Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province.

Tham Nam’s caves cover thousands of square metres and are filled with unique stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes. How they look can vary depending on the imagination of visitors.