Vietnam is known throughout the world for its luxurious tourism conditions. The excellent location made the country an ideal resort for summer holidays, almost every part except the central one has the sea. Besides, the weather is good all year round. And this is even if we do not even talk about a unique culture closely related to the East, but with a pronounced identity and unique features. Arriving in Vietnam, you can not only get the most out of the trip, but also enjoy a real trip by walking through the old temple or wonderful natural attractions. Any potential tourist should pay special attention to the hospitality with which Vietnam receives guests, citizens of the Russian Federation can even go on vacation without a visa for more than two weeks.
Vietnam largely lives on the incredible flow of tourists who come every year to the sea. Therefore, here you can find a lot of entertainment and recreation places, which are mainly aimed at visitors. For everyone, this is a mutual benefit, you only get hospitality from the local population and a bunch of interesting places for yourself, and the locals earn good money and have a decent income from vacationers. If you take a closer look at the advantages that you get in Vietnam, you can easily understand that this is a great option for a tour trip. But having already started choosing a certain point in such a large country, the choice will not be so easy. Most of Vietnam's territory is washed by the sea, and in fact every such city has a tourist focus. There are many nuances to consider before choosing a particular resort. Everything largely depends on the part of Vietnam you are going to.
The difference between the sites occurs according to the location of the territory, for example, the South and the North, but in fact, for the traveler, the difference will be important in the characteristics of the weather and local attractions that you can see there. These are the main points worth paying attention to, as they are the most important in Vietnam. For example, at the same time in the country, it will constantly rain in one city and the sky is more often covered with clouds, respectively, while in the other part of Vietnam it will rain half as often and will not interfere with the rest on the beach at all. Somewhere the sea will be warmer, somewhere calmer.
You need to pay attention to whether the climate you are going to suits you, whether you can relax there, whether the water is warm enough for you, or whether it is possible to do active water sports here. You can find out more about this here, below we will try to characterize the most popular resort cities in Vietnam, and explain to you why they are so famous among others and how they attract tourists.
TOP 6 best resorts in Vietnam
You will learn about this city first of all, since it is the capital of Vietnam. But if you want to enjoy the sea, but here you will not be able to do it, the main city is located where there are no seashores. But here the main life of the country is still concentrated. Hanoi will still be interesting for any tourist and you should definitely get to know him. It combines the old era and the modern world. On the streets of the city, you can easily notice the connection of old Asia with modern progress, which now screams from all walls.
Such an interesting mix is mesmerizing. Therefore, if you go through the capital to another part of Vietnam on vacation, then stay here for a while and spend time walking along the streets of this interesting city... The most tempting thing here will be visiting the sights that keep the ancient history. It is even worth visiting a few excursions and get to know the world of Vietnam better.
If you decide to go here on your journey, you will be able to thoroughly learn how the modern East lives, the city is quite large and progressive, but, like in other capitals, it has something to boast of before you. Any season is suitable for visiting, since the weather is average all year round, even February is quite warm, the rainy season takes place in summer.
This bay has already become famous all over the world, one of the contenders for not being included in the new list of world wonders. And she received this status for a reason, the place is really amazing. The natural conditions here are simply unique, such an impression can be obtained only here. For tourists, everything here is already well equipped for tourists, here you can rent a hotel room not only on one of the islands with a beautiful view, but also literally live on the water in one of the steamers. Here you will definitely find what to do, you can kayak, climb the islands, see caves and just admire the beauty around, this one will be just paradise for any person.
Another resort that is not so famous for its summer holidays as for its abundance interesting places... For Vietnam, this is an important cultural center of their entire history, it used to be the imperial capital, but today it is rather known on an educational scale. Now you can get to know its main places and see sights with a very interesting history live. Although if you want to get out to the sea, then it is quite simple to do this, since the nearest coast is located 12 km from the city.
You will be surprised, but in Vietnam there is also a vacation among the mountains, it is the section of the city of Sapa that is closest to them. In general, this city was founded as a French colony, later it was mainly engaged in agriculture, but now it is a developed place on a tourist scale. It has its own alluring flavor, which attracts tourists who do not like it so much. beach vacation... Therefore, if you are more interested in getting to know the culture and enjoying the beauty of nature, then Sapa will be the ideal destination for you.
This city is not only aimed at entertaining tourists, but is also involved in the country's large industrial economy. In Vietnam, it ranks third in size, and although it does not have such a large influx of visitors, the Vietnamese themselves often go on vacation to Da Nang. Among many professionals, it is here that beach holidays have been recognized as well-equipped and attractive in terms of the quality of the beaches. Therefore, a Russian tourist should not ignore this city if you want a relaxing holiday on the seashore.
This city is very famous among the kings of beach holidays. Everything here is filled with the atmosphere of an exotic vacation by the sea in Vietnam, which most tourists love so much. Here you will find not only a new culture of the East for yourself, but also a pleasant condition for a tropical holiday. It is such an incredible tandem that put Vietnam on a high level among the countries to visit. Hive will delight you with beaches, sun and heat, which you can get here in abundance.
Author of the publication
I am fond of hiking and travel, photography and video filming.
I have been hiking since childhood. The whole family went and went - now to the sea, now to the river, to the lake, to the forest. There was a time when we spent a whole month in the forest. We lived in tents, cooked at the stake. This is probably why even now I am drawn to the forest and, in general, to nature.
I travel regularly. About three trips per year, 10-15 days each, and many 2 and 3 day hikes.
The largest Vietnamese city is located in the south of the country, almost 2 thousand km from the capital Hanoi and occupies an area that could accommodate two Russian capitals - more than 2000 square meters. km. The central part of the metropolis Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is one of the most densely populated urban settlements in the world: almost 10 thousand people per 1 sq. km.
Two thirds of tourists visiting the country enter Vietnam through this city. An amazing panorama opens up to travelers in clear weather already from the plane.
A bit of geography and history. Administrative structure and demographic data
Saigon river Ho Chi Minh City is located about 20 meters above sea level and, apart from the Saigon River in the west, the coastline in the east is cut by the Nyabe River.
There is eternal summer, the temperature is 26-28⁰C, and there are only two seasons: from December to April it is dry in Ho Chi Minh City, and it rains from May to November. But they are mostly short-lived and interesting excursions around the city and the surrounding area is not a hindrance.
In addition, from May to September, airlines significantly reduce flight prices, and the prices of many tour operators for package tours to Ho Chi Minh City hotels are also very attractive. Discounts can be up to 50%.
Interesting Facts
Did you know that the largest Vietnamese city was once Cambodia's main sea gateway? In the 17th century, the Vietnamese conquered these places, and the port of Prei Nokor was renamed Ziadin, and then it became Saigon (like the river on the banks of which it stands).
At the end of the 19th century, Saigon was the capital of French Indochina, in the second half of the 20th, for exactly two decades - the main city of South Vietnam, and in 1976, after the reunification of the North and South, it was renamed in honor of the first president of the reunited country, Ho Chi Minh.
And although the last name of the city is almost half a century old, but in everyday life, in colloquial speech, the townspeople still often call themselves Saigon and feel like capital residents. And not only the older generation, but also the youth. There is a good reason for this: there are many important historical and cultural sights here. The city is not only the country's air gateway, but also the largest industrial and commercial center.
And although officially Ho Chi Minh City is not the capital of Vietnam, but in terms of its importance it occupies the same place as Hanoi.
Who lives in Ho Chi Minh City and what religion do the townspeople profess?
More than 90% is indigenous population- Vieta, about 6% are Chinese (hoa), the rest: Khmers, Tams and up to fifty different nationalities.
80% of the townspeople are Buddhists, about 10% are Catholics, there are Protestants, Hindus, followers of Islam and Bahaism. The rest of the inhabitants (about 7%) consider themselves atheists.
Areas of the city where it is better to stay
The main administrative units of Ho Chi Minh City are: quận - this is the Vietnamese name for an urban area and huyện - a rural county. In 19 urban areas there are 260 blocks, and 5 rural counties consist of 63 communes.
Ho Chi Minh City Borders
"Record" figure - 46 thousand people. per sq. km. So many people live in District 11. High-rise hotels, offices (Flemington Tower) and residential buildings that have grown here in recent years are adjacent to old houses and temples. The most famous amusement park Dam Sen is also in this densely populated area.
Dam Sen amusement park Most often, it is he who can be seen in the photos of travelers who visited the city of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
But the least inhabited area is urban district No. 9: only slightly more than two thousand people live here on each square kilometer. This is a completely new industrial and business district with high-rise residential complexes under construction.
The most famous and remarkable buildings and quarters of the French colonial development are located in area # 1.
This is the central Saigon administrative region, it is here that the City Hall and the City Hall, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House, Botanical Garden and a zoo, and the most famous architectural landmark of Ho Chi Minh City - Notre Dame Cathedral.
Cathedral of Notre Dame There are about 2000 hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Ho Chi Minh City. About half of them are at the level of one star. There are only a few dozen international class hotels with 5 *****. Prices for them in the high season start at $ 200, but from May to September, housing can be rented for half the price. There are large international-class hotels in different districts of the city, but most of them are in the categories No. 1-2, 3, 7 and Dong Khoi.
Where is the best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, which hotel to prefer? It depends on the length and purpose of your stay and financial possibilities. For tourists who have package tours to the resorts of the South Coast of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City can only be a point of arrival and departure, and the main goal is to relax at sea. But many of them in their schedule also plan a certain backlash in one or two days to get to know the city: either at the beginning of the trip, or before leaving home.
Most independent travelers, those who flew to Ho Chi Minh City specifically and in order to stay here longer, stay in a special area for foreigners - the Bekpekersky quarter (Pham Ngu Lao street), where they rent budget housing.
The entire infrastructure of the quarter is designed for their needs: souvenir shops, clothing and footwear, catering establishments - cafes and restaurants with local Vietnamese cuisine, manicure rooms and spas.
In the evening, the entire quarter turns into a noisy get-together. You can rent accommodation in this place in the range from $ 5-10 in a mini-hotel and up to $ 40-60 in 1 * - 3 *** hotels, depending on the season.
Thanh Guesthouse What is budget accommodation at Minihotel Alley? The guesthouse room is clean and quite comfortable. Obligatory kit: hot water, air conditioner or fan, TV and small refrigerator. But going up to the room, on the steep staircases, the guests sometimes cannot disperse even together, although the rooms themselves are not cramped.
Helpful advice: if you are looking for a mini-hotel in the Bekpekersky quarter, give preference to housing not on the main street, but in the side streets: there will be less incessant street noise bothering you.
You can compare the cost of housing in Ho Chi Minh City on the most popular travel portals and choose the most suitable hotel in terms of cost and location, where it is best to stay, here: Room Guru.
Find out the PRICES or book any accommodation using this form
Transport: how to get around the city and between cities
From the largest Vietnamese international airport Tan Son Nhat (Tan Son Nhat) to the center of Ho Chi Minh City (6 km) you can get from 6 am to 6 pm by bus No. 152 for less than $ 1, but you have to pay for luggage separately.
The bus will take you to the bus station near Ben Thanh Market. The taxi fare to Pham Ngu Lao Street or your hotel in the area is $ 7-10.
Auto, taxi in the city
Interesting Facts. Vietnam does not have its own production of passenger cars, and the tax on the import of cars is often much higher than their value. For this reason, the overwhelming majority of Vietnamese do not have such transport in their personal property; only very wealthy citizens own cars.
But the taxi service in Ho Chi Minh City is quite developed, it is used mainly by tourists, travelers and foreigners living in Vietnam for a long time.
Here are the coordinates of the main city services:
- 08-84 24 242 Saigon Taxi
- 08-82 26 666 taxi Mai Linh (Mai Linh Taxi Company)
- 08-81 11 111 taxi Vina Taxi
Helpful hints. A good benchmark of sanity and adequacy of the amount named by the taxi driver (in case you intend to use a taxi in your further movements around the city) will be the table on this website www.numbeo.com. Here, in Vietnamese currency, which can always be translated at the exchange rate, the cost of the trip is indicated depending on the mileage.
Ho Chi Minh City Bus Depot
Transportation is carried out by several local companies, the most famous of which is Sinn Cafe.
There are two types of bus stops in the city: “OpenBus” tourist sites and ordinary state bus stations.
Ben xe mien dong There are several intercity bus terminals in the city, two of them are in the Bintang area, the first serves the northern, the second - the southern direction:
- Ben Xe Mien Dong (Miedong) is the city's main bus station, and the main tourist routes around the city and its surroundings also start and end here.
- Ben Xe Mien Tay (Mentai)
Buses leave from Ben Xe An Suong Bus Station (Ansiong) in Hokmon Rural County on the route to Tainin
It is better to take tickets at the ticket office of the bus station, and not from the bus driver, there is no phone reservation service.
Tickets for OpenBus buses are sold at some local travel companies, at reception in hotels and at the ticket office of the main bus station. All night tourist buses (slipbuses) are double-decker and have three rows of seats. Each passenger is given a light blanket and a headrest pillow.
This is how one of them looks in the photo, leaving from Ho Chi Minh City on a night flight.
The scheme of city routes for the uninitiated is confusing, but getting around by bus in Ho Chi Minh City should not be neglected: it is quite cheap compared to some other method, and besides, it is safer. It is worth buying a diagram and using it to move around the main streets of urban areas.
Train Station The railway station in District 3 (Nguyen Ton Street, 1) still officially bears the old name (Ga Sai Gon) - Saigon City Railway Station.
From Ho Chi Minh City, except for Nha Trang, trains run to Da Nang, Hue, Hanoi. Basically, this is the same route that in different time There are four trains from south to north: evening SE2 at 19:00, night SE4 at 23:00, and two morning trains, SE8 and SE6 at 6:25 and 9:00.
Moto bike (motorcycles, scooters, mopeds)
By analogy with Amsterdam, which is called the cycling capital of the world, Ho Chi Minh City can rightfully be the world's scooter capital. On these roads, a man riding an "iron horse" is the main character.
The main part of the Vietnamese travels on two-wheeled motor vehicles of various capacities, 3-4 people together with the driver on one motorcycle is the norm.
If you trust your driving skills, feel a lack of adrenaline and don't like to ride the bus, you can rent a motorbike for $ 5-15. The rental price depends on the capacity of the iron "horse".
Such and similar shots are a favorite subject of street photos taken in Ho Chi Minh City on the streets of the city by a variety of photographers.
Join the daily multimillion-dollar flow of the same risky drivers, but be extremely careful - at first, even just contemplation of this chaos, referred to here as traffic, is terrifying for those who are not accustomed to the sight. And you will have to dive headlong into it and maneuver among thousands of the same motorbikers and pedestrians.
If you are not ready for this, but you want to ride a motorcycle, just hire a motorcycle taxi. They are everywhere, on the corner of any street, men on motorcycles, sometimes sleeping or lying, but more often sitting on their bikes and waiting for their passenger. The closest trip will cost $ 1-2 (about 20-40 thousand dongs), and then everything depends on the distance and the client's ability to bargain.
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"Mua" and "zam za" - these words, funny for our ear, must be known by every tourist who came to Vietnam. The first indicates a purchase, the second indicates a discount.
By the way, about discounts, or rather about economical shopping in Ho Chi Minh City. If you save all receipts or invoices in which the amount of your purchase is at least 2 million dongs, and present them at the airport, then within a month after its completion there is a chance to return VAT (minus 15% of its amount). Naturally, only if the goods you bought were "not guilty" and the customs officers will not find it in the lists that have been withdrawn from circulation or completely prohibited.
What tourists bring from Vietnam
Non - Coffee and green tea
- Bamboo and mahogany products
- Hats as a souvenir: a non - women's round conical hat and a men's "colonial" helmet
- Handmade embroidered silk paintings
- T-shirts with pagodas and dragons
- Ivory smoking pipes
- Products from river and sea pearls and silver
Thorakao In large shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City, it is easy and more profitable than at home or in other countries to purchase products from Adidas and Nike, Kipling bags and from Louis Vuitton, shoes from famous brands Ekko, Geox and Clarks.
Many are interested in where in Ho Chi Minh City to buy good Vietnamese cosmetics as a gift. There are few decorative cosmetics of their own brands; Vietnamese manufacturers produce only natural cosmetics using ingredients such as pearl powder, rice powder, kururma, coconut oil, ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms, and snail extract.
Leading brands:
- Thorakao
- Lana safra
- Lolane
- O'Nalyss
Real natural Vietnamese cosmetics are guaranteed to be bought in the stores of the manufacturer.
Snail masks, shampoos based on soap tree saponin, popular day face cream, white tiger ointments and much more can be purchased in boutiques in large shopping centers and specialty stores. One of them: "Cosmetics from Andriana" (st. Hai Ba Trung, 24).
Popular shopping spots in Ho Chi Minh City
About two hundred large and medium-sized markets, a myriad of outdoor and night markets, the most modern shopping centers, department store chains and supermarkets of foreign investors from Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and even Germany - this is the field of activity for avid shopaholics in Ho Chi Minh City.
Large and popular retail establishments are located in discriminations 1,5,7, but there are also a lot of them throughout the city.
Ben Thanh Market
The city has many architectural and iconic monuments of colonial times. But none of them became a symbol of the city. But the structure, relatively unassuming in its architectural meaning, but functional in its content, has been successfully playing this role for more than a hundred years.
His image can most often be found on various souvenir products: key chains, magnets and simply on various photos of the city of Ho Chi Minh City.
The building with a tower and a huge clock was built by the French for almost three years, from 1912 to 1914, although the market at this place in the very heart of Saigon has been noisy for a long time.
You can get to Ben Thanh from Tran Nguyen Hanh Square, the main entrance is located right under the clock, and there are 4 all entrances, according to the number of cardinal points, that is the name of the gate.
Whichever side you enter the market, you will immediately fall into the tenacious hands of sellers of all kinds of souvenirs. Further along the perimeter - shops with clothes and shops for shoes, dishes and all sorts of things.
And in the very center, under a huge 28-meter dome, there are fruits, vegetables, spices and dried fruits, and there is also a sea of Vietnamese catering establishments.
Our tourists have a variety of opinions and reviews about the main market in Ho Chi Minh City. For some, it amazes with its size and assortment, while for others it seems like an ordinary large Asian bazaar with a typical range of goods, a relatively poor assortment and infrastructure inconvenient for shopping.
Some consider the prices in this market to be prohibitively high and advise you to go there only on an excursion, while others, on the contrary, recommend Ben Thanh as a cheap market, where you can also bargain and buy gifts at a profit, buy souvenirs and taste Vietnamese cuisine.
But there are no indifferent thousands of reviews about the Ben Thanh market. This is the most visited place in the city by foreign tourists. And you can only form your opinion by visiting it. Even if you are afraid of crowds, you should set aside 1-2 hours to enter from the south through the main entrance, go through the market and then enter the city through the North Gate. And on the way to take interesting shots in the piggy bank of the photo archive of his trip to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.
The address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street
Binh Tay Market
One of the main markets, located in the famous Chinese district of Tolon. There are fewer tourists here, mainly the local population visits this market.
The large indoor market is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. there is a morning open market, where the freshest products: vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, everything is much cheaper than on the tourist Ben Thanh.
The covered market is square in plan, with a tiled roof, retail space on two floors, and an interesting old fountain in the center of the courtyard. The assortment is very similar to the first one, but all the goods here are from local producers.
Everything that is grown and produced in Vietnam can be found on Binh Tai: manufactured goods, clothing, footwear, food, mountains of spices and nuts. As elsewhere, in the local cafes you can try all the dishes of the Vietnamese national cuisine, and it is very tasty and recognized by gourmets all over the world.
The address: 57 Thap Muoi, | Ward 2, Ho Chi Minh City 7000
This market is located in District 6 and takes 15 minutes by taxi from Central District 1.
Donate a sweet morning sleep and try to get here as early as possible, preferably at dawn. Then you will find noisy open rows of morning trade in the freshest vegetables, fruits, food and plunge into the elements of a real Vietnamese market. You will not regret it, and you will save quite a lot.
Saigon Center
In Ho Chi Minh City there are shopping centers that are much larger in size, but this one is especially loved by both locals and tourists. It is located in district 1. Its squares are located on the first three floors of a large 25-storey skyscraper, once it was the tallest in the country.
On the ground floor there are cafes and restaurants. Well-known brands: clothing, footwear and accessories of various manufacturers that have located their facilities in Vietnam, found their place in the second place, and household goods and interior items - in the third.
The Catherine Denoual Maiso boutique is also popular. Always buy dishes here only real porcelain: for every day, and art products, and the masters' sets. Bed linen is made only from natural materials.
Catherine denoual maiso The atmosphere of this shopping center is distinguished by a pleasant and recognizable phyto-aroma throughout the territory, the aroma is unobtrusive, but palpable. This is probably one of the marketing strategies to increase sales. Nevertheless, it worked, and there are always a lot of visitors in the center.
The address: 65 Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, 7000.
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, and half an hour longer from Friday to Sunday.
Holidays in Ho Chi Minh City, the nearest beaches
Part of the outskirts of the city is located on the coast of the South China Sea. But a full-fledged beach holiday in Ho Chi Minh City itself will not work.
In the evening, watch the sunset on the waterfront and dine at one of the fish restaurants. Swimming in the city is not worth it: the multiple tributaries of rivers and streams, which, like the main big river Saigon, flow into the sea, carry tons of silt into it. And even the color of the sea water itself does not induce the desire to start water procedures.
The Vung Tau resort is closest to Ho Chi Minh City; the road to the beach by car takes about 2 hours. You can get there directly from Tan Son Nhat Airport by minivan ($ 6) or by small air-conditioned buses (departure from the Mien Dong bus station in the city) for $ 2-4.
The water is much cleaner here, but in the high season there are a lot of people, like in Soviet times on the Black Sea coast, including the local population who comes to swim in the sea on weekends.
But guests of Ho Chi Minh City have other resorts on the southern coast to choose from, although not quite nearby. If you are traveling with your family, you have a direct road to the beaches of Phan Thiet, adapted for young travelers, and for surfing fans - on Mui Ne.
The road (220 km) takes 4.5 hours. You can get there by night bus for $ 10-12, and a 7-seater transfer will cost about $ 100-125 for the company. Often tourists are looking for travel companions on Bla Bla or forums.
So our acquaintance with the city of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the place where 70% of tourists and travelers who annually visit the country of eternal summer fall. And what a coincidence: in recent years, foreign tourists in Vietnam have been receiving about 8 million a year, and this is comparable to the population of the largest Vietnamese metropolis. After all, statistics say that even a little more lives in the developing Ho Chi Minh City - about 8.2 million people.
Related entries:
Not all cities in Vietnam are interesting from a tourist point of view and visited. The resort cities of Phan Thiet and Nha Trang are primarily popular. They actively visit the capital of the country - Hanoi and the largest city - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Hoian and Hue, Dalat, Sapa, Danang are interesting.
Hue
The town is located on the coast of the South China Sea. It was the capital of the country for two centuries (from the 18th to the 20th). The presence of historical buildings and complexes was the reason for the inclusion of this city in the UNESCO list.
All four seasons are clearly traced in the city, winter, from the Vietnamese point of view, is quite cold. It is rainy here from September to February, dry weather is from March to August.
The city attracts tourists primarily with its historical sights. Interesting is the Citadel, a museum of antiques, in the collections of which are collected household items of emperors. Longan is considered the most beautiful palace. The outfits of the royal court can be seen in the procession during the annual festival. The village of Phyok Tich is interesting. It helps to get an idea of the architecture typical of the countryside.
It is worth taking a walk along the Fragrant River, which is so called because of the spicy herbs growing along its banks.
On the territory of the city there is nice beaches and hot mineral springs... Although, nevertheless, Hue is not considered a place for beach rest and relaxation.
The kitchen is worth mentioning separately. Its development was influenced by the fact that kings once lived here, so it is distinguished by its particular sophistication and is famous throughout the country.
There is something unusual here for shoppers too - the ancient Thantoan market.
Sapa
This city is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level on the border of Vietnam and China. The weather here is quite cool, there are fogs and such a rare phenomenon for the country as snow. It is recommended to visit this place between September and mid-December.
The city is interesting for its unique flavor, which cannot be seen anywhere else in Vietnam. Terraced fields covered with rice create this special atmosphere. The sight is impressive.
Thanks to the painstaking work of local residents, such a system of supplying water to the fields was created, which made it possible to conduct agriculture here, but at the same time preserve the mountains, not cause them destruction. An amazing example of human harmony with nature.
The next attraction is considered to be the representatives of national minorities who live in this area. They wear colorful national costumes, grow rice, create their own merchandise and bring it all to the local market for sale. Also, residents are happy to invite tourists to their homes to show the peculiarities of life.
Another amazing place is the highest point of Indochina, Mount Fansipan. You do not need to have special skills to climb to the top, but it is recommended to take a guide with you.
From a gastronomic point of view, local wines are interesting.
Dalat is another city located high in the mountains (1475 meters above sea level). This place is unique in terms of its special atmosphere. It is not typical for Vietnam as a whole, it has a number of similarities with the French Alps.
This place is adored by both locals and foreign tourists. Once upon a time, French colonialists escaped from the unbearable heat here and built their villas.
The streets here are much cleaner, there are no beaches, since the resort is mountainous, there are not so many attractions as in other places in Vietnam. What attracts tourists here?
First of all, the beauty of nature: forests, amazing waterfalls, natural parks, valleys full of lush greenery. Therefore, cycling is popular.
This city is home to one of the strangest architectural structures in the world - the Crazy House Hotel. This is a real work of art. The building is made in the form of a tree, its windows are round, there are tunnels and unusual staircases. The house is devoid of right angles, all its lines are soft and rounded.
The Lam Dong Museum is interesting. His collections include antiques: costumes, dishes, musical instruments... Tourists visit summer palace Bao Dai, Lin Shon Pagoda, flower gardens.
The best time to visit Dalat is from November to April.
Located in the central part of Vietnam. This is another city on its UNESCO list and is very popular with tourists. Those who have been here call Hoi An a huge open-air museum. It, like no other city in the country, has retained its ancient atmosphere. There are 844 historical buildings: Cham temples, ancient Chinese houses, shops and public buildings.
It is a special pleasure to just wander around the city and look at all these buildings, ancient quarters.
Shopping enthusiasts will love the local sewing and shoe workshops. They are famous for the fact that they can very quickly and inexpensively make clothes, hats and shoes from good materials to an individual order. Hoi An is considered a city of artisans, painters and craftsmen.
The advantage of Hoi An is that there is a beach holiday too. A few kilometers from the city center, there are beautiful sandy beaches, which are distinguished by their cleanliness and a small number of tourists.
On the island of Cham, located near the city, there is a diving school, which is famous for its low prices.
Local cuisine is highly praised. If you really like something, the chefs are even ready to arrange a master class and teach guests the intricacies of cooking a particular dish.
The best time to visit Hoi An is between May and August.
Da Nang
Located on the coast of the South China Sea. Tourists come here, but not as willingly as in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. However, there is something interesting here too.
In Da Nang there is the second largest temple dedicated to the young religion called "Caodaism", there is a museum of Cham sculpture with the largest collection in the world, an interesting "Dragon Bridge" across the Han River, there is a water park. A very spectacular fireworks festival is held here once a year.
If you drive 40 km west of the city, you can get to the nice mountain resort of Bana. It has one of the longest cable cars in the world, for which it was even included in the Guinness Book of Records. The cable car ride offers a magnificent view of the jungle.
The highest pass in the country - Khaivan is located 30 km from the city, the Marble Mountains with caves are 12 km from the city, Buddhist temples are located in the valley of the mountains. All this can be seen if you go on an excursion.
Khaivan pass
There are beaches in Da Nang, but they are not in the city itself, but in its vicinity. The most famous is the Chinese Beach in the seaside resort of Furama.
It is rainy in Da Nang from August to December, dry weather is from January to July. Typhoons occur in October and November. The recommended period for visiting is from May to August.
Vung Tau is a small Vietnamese town with a population of about 300,000, stretching along the coast of the South China Sea. The most convenient way to get here is from Ho Chi Minh City, which is 128 km from Vung Tau
Vung Tau is considered a year-round resort with a mild climate.
But still there is a dry season and a rainy season. So, the best time to visit the city is from November to April. During these months, clear and sunny weather reigns here, the sky is mostly clear, precipitation is extremely rare. The period from May to October will be more cloudy and rainy, although it will still be warm.
The hottest month in Vung Tau is April. The air temperature during the day can reach +35 degrees, at night it drops to + 25-26 degrees. But the South China Sea warms up best in May - up to about + 29-30 degrees.
The smallest amount of precipitation falls here in February, the largest - in September.
As for the beaches in Vung Tau, there are four of them.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam from a bird's eye view. Areas of old and new buildings are clearly visible. This picture is typical for several large cities in the country.
There are no big differences in architecture and city planning in different parts of the country. The overwhelming part of the development is represented by residential buildings of several floors with a very narrow facade. Four- and five-star hotels of several large international hotel chains such as Sheraton, Hyatt and others have been built in large cities and resorts. In some places there are buildings built under the French colonial administration: Catholic churches, old hotels, industrial and office buildings. After 2010, skyscrapers began to appear in major cities.
At the same time, two dozen of the largest cities have their own face. Rapidly changing relief, climatic conditions, different history, economy - all this leaves an imprint of uniqueness. But, there are noticeable differences in the planning of medium and small towns in the north, middle and south.
Largest cities
Vietnam has 3 cities with a population of more than one million people: Ho Chi Minh City (7 million), the capital Hanoi (about 4 million), Haiphong (1.6 million), Da Nang (over 1 million). Such cities as Hue, Nha Trang, Dalat each number several hundred thousand people.
Objects intended for recreation, entertainment and acquaintance with culture are presented in much the same way as in European cities. This is especially noticeable in Ho Chi Minh City, where several new amusement parks, water parks, and museums have appeared.
Tourist cities
The most visited Russian tourists are the resort cities of Nha Trang and Phan Thiet with the suburb of Mui Ne, the largest city is Ho Chi Minh City and the capital of the country, Hanoi. They are followed by Phu Quoc Island in the south, the cities of Hoi An and Hue in the middle of the country, and Halong Bay in northeastern Vietnam.
Two other large cities after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi - Haiphong and Da Nang, are not visited by tourists, probably because such large sights as Halong Bay and the ancient capital of Hue are located in neighboring cities, respectively.
In the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam, the city of Dalat is located, which differs from other cities in some "Europeanness" due to the cool, by Vietnamese standards, climate and a large number of buildings of European architecture. It is also famous for its large-scale floriculture.
Provincial cities
Many provincial cities, which are very rarely visited by foreigners, also contain interesting sights, both natural and historical. Here are some examples.
Thanh Hoa city, 170 km south of Hanoi, is very ancient. Not far from it, part of the citadel of the Ho dynasty, built in the 14th century, has been preserved. Next to Thanh Hoa is the seaside resort of Shamshon.
The city of Dien Bien Phu in the northwest of Vietnam is famous for the fact that in its vicinity in 1954, a battle took place between French colonial troops and Vietnamese liberation fighters. It has historical significance as one of the battles of the anti-colonial struggle.
The mountainous city of Buon Mathuot in the southern part of the country is known as the "coffee capital". The highest quality Vietnamese coffee is grown in its vicinity, and there is a coffee trading exchange in the city itself.
Can Tho is a city that is called the unofficial capital of the Mekong Delta area. It houses floating markets, a 16 km long bridge across one of the branches of the Mekong. But, the main attraction is the river itself, which carries its waters past the city into the ocean.
Transit cities
The border towns in the northeast of Lang Son and Mongkai are major transit points between Vietnam and China. They have large clothing markets with goods from China, where Vietnamese buy things wholesale and retail at low prices.
Despite its smallness, the border town of Hatien in the south on the border with Cambodia is quite famous among tourists. Through it they often move from one country to another, and sometimes vacationers on Phu Quoc Island travel through this city for a couple of hours to Cambodia to extend their visa-free stay in Vietnam.
Infrastructure
None of the cities in Vietnam have a metro. There are no trolleybuses there either. The lack of these modes of transport is compensated by a well-developed bus network.
Communication is well developed. Almost the entire territory of the country is covered by cellular communications. Free Wi-Fi is gradually being introduced in cities. While it can be used free of charge in the central parts of some resort towns.
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Distances between cities are shown in the distance table. To travel between cities over short distances, it is better to use vehicles, including buses, for medium distances - by rail, and for long distances - by air.
Vietnam is one of ancient countries Asia. The state is located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. Vietnam has a favorable geographical position: a narrow strip of the country's territory stretches from north to south along the coast of Bakbo Bay and the South China Sea. Vietnam's neighbors are Laos and Cambodia to the west, China to the north.
The first mentions of Vietnam date back to the second millennium BC. But the legends say that the Vietnamese are the descendants of the dragon emperor Lak Long and the fairy bird Au Ko, who fell in love with each other with unearthly love. To this day, Vietnam has preserved a distinctive culture with ancient temples and thousand-year-old traditions. In the same time Russian tourists many things in this country may seem painfully familiar - from red flags to pioneers in ties. True, socialism does not prevent Vietnam from being a very attractive tourist destination. Amazing nature, magnificent beaches, a rich excursion program, modern comfortable hotels and amazing friendliness towards travelers from Russia - not every country can boast of such a set of tourist benefits, but Vietnam has it all.
Capital |
Hanoi |
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Population |
90.5 million people |
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Population density |
273 people / km² |
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Vietnamese |
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Religion |
local animistic beliefs (80.8%), Buddhism (9.3%), Catholicism (6.7%) |
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Form of government |
one-party unitary socialist republic |
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vietnamese dong |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone |
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Electricity |
220V or 110V, 50 Hz |
Climate and weather
A pleasant feature of the climate of Vietnam is that at any time of the year in the country you can find a place where the weather will be truly resort.
The South of Vietnam is the best place to relax from December to April... At this time, the weather is mild and pleasant without the aggressive sun. The air temperature varies from +21 ° C in January to + 30 ° C in April. Rain season begins in May and lasts almost until October: sudden torrential rains occur almost every day, but they do not last more than 15-20 minutes.
It is optimal to travel to the central part of the country in March - June. The fact is that from July to November typhoons, rains and fogs are frequent here, and in the winter months there is a very restless sea. But in spring the weather is comfortable (+ 26 ° C on average) and a lot of sun.
In the north of Vietnam, humid hot summers and cool winters (+15 ° C). Frosts occur in winter only in the mountains. The rainy season is from May to October, so the ideal time to visit the northern regions of the country is considered April-May and October-November, when there is almost no rainfall and the sea water is warm.
Nature
Vietnam's landscape is very picturesque. This is a country of mountain ranges and hills, which give way to spacious plains with lush vegetation. The most high mountain in Vietnam - Fansipan(3145 meters). The delta of the rivers appears to be an amazingly beautiful place Mekong and Hongha... The Vietnamese believe that it is from here that all life on earth originated.
Vietnam is famous for its forests - fragrant evergreen jungle. Trees of valuable species grow here: sandalwood, brown lim tree, bamboo, iron and mahogany. Of the useful plants, cardamom, anise, cinnamon and, of course, ginseng occupy a special place.
One cannot help but admire the fauna of Vietnam. Here you can meet elephants and rhinos, wild cats and leopards, tigers, bears, antelopes, wild bulls and deer. The jungle is inhabited by numerous subspecies of monkeys, lemurs, panthers. The country is home to about 400 species of birds and many species of reptiles. Every year in Vietnam, scientists discover new subspecies of animals, fish and birds, and even, which is especially interesting, animals that were considered extinct for a long time.
sights
There is a lot to see in Vietnam. The temple complexes of the most ancient civilizations, and the most beautiful national parks, and even the architectural monuments of the socialist era are also worthy of admiration. It is interesting to visit not only the capital of Vietnam Hanoi but also in Ho Chi Minh City and in the city-museum Hoi An, in resorts Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet.
The ancient capitals of Vietnam deserve special attention. This is, first of all, a city Hue on the shore Fragrant River, where the imperial palaces and other architectural structures were restored. Travelers are also attracted by such former capitals as Koloa, Meling, Hoyle... In total, Vietnam has 12 ancient capitals, each of which has interesting story and many interesting sights.
The modern capital of the country Hanoi, or Thang long("The city of the flying dragon"), is famous not only for the historical vicissitudes of the struggle for independence. Such architectural masterpieces as Temple of the Turtle which is in the middle of the lake Hoan Kiem("Lake of the returned sword"), and the pagoda Chua mot cot("Pagoda on One Pillar"), the original of which was built in 1049. Tourists from all over the world are eager to see Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum- one of the four mausoleums in the world, where visitors are allowed access. The mausoleum is very similar to the Moscow one, but the Vietnamese structure is much grander.
There are many picturesque places in Vietnam, but the true delight of travelers is the pearl of Vietnamese nature - the bay Halong("The bay of the landing dragon") which many call the eighth wonder of the world. On the crystal clear sea surface there are about 1600 islands of the most incredible shapes: a stone frog, an old fisherman, a vase for incense sticks. On the rocky islands there are beautiful caves with stalactites and stalagmites.
Nutrition
In the post-Soviet space, Vietnamese cuisine has gained a dubious reputation thanks to the notorious "aroma" of fried herring, which reigns in hostels where students from Vietnam lived. Meanwhile, in reality, Vietnamese culinary traditions ensure the preparation of fresh and healthy food, although it may seem unusual for a European to taste. The most important gastronomic difference between Vietnam and other Asian countries is that the products here are not subjected to prolonged heat treatment, in addition, little fat is used in the cooking process.
The basis of Vietnamese cuisine is rice (" lump"), Noodles (" mi") And a variety of seafood. In general, in their culinary preferences, the Vietnamese are omnivores, so here you can try fried grasshoppers, monkey brains, and bird's nest soup. But still more familiar to the Russian traveler will be such national dishes as eel soup, rice noodle pancakes, green pho soup, boiled beef with bamboo shoots and cinnamon. bo ho ku».
There are many restaurants in Vietnam where you can enjoy Chinese, Indian, Thai and European cuisine. An important plus for tourists - in Vietnam you will have relatively low food costs. In large cities, for $ 8-10, you can have a hearty dinner in a restaurant (along with coffee and beer), and in the daytime it is not difficult to find an institution where a hearty lunch will cost you $ 4-5.
Residence
There is no official system for evaluating the level of service in hotels in Vietnam. But for convenience, the European five-star hotel classification system is still used, however, you need to understand that the declared category does not always objectively correspond to the real state of affairs. For example, not every 4-star hotel has a restaurant, and instead of an air conditioner, there is often only a fan in the room. However, do not worry, since the hotels of the world's hotel operators, of which there are many in Vietnam, meet generally accepted standards of service.
More and more comfortable hotels are being built in the country every year. Nevertheless, demand often exceeds supply, although there are more than 200 hotels of 3-5 * categories in Vietnam. By the way, breakfast is not always included in the cost of living.
In the south of Vietnam - in resorts Phan Thiet, Da Lat, Nha Trang- the most popular hotels and the highest cost of living. There are upscale tourist complexes, family half-board and guest houses with a basic set of services. You can save on accommodation by coming here in the off-season - in July and August.
There are not many 4-5 * hotels in the central part of Vietnam and in the north of the country. Exceptions are cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where the hotel base boasts luxury hotels.
If you are traveling on your own and the luxury of accommodation is not a priority, you can find a budget hotel, guest house or private apartment in any major city. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, we recommend that you take care of the advance booking.
Entertainment and recreation
Vietnam invariably delights its guests with diverse entertainment: from water sports to nightclubs and casinos. In this country, you can ride elephants, soak up the beautiful beaches, visit crocodile farms, go sea fishing and diving. The real highlight among the entertainment is going to the partisan Ku Chi tunnels.
If you are lucky enough to get to one of the colorful Vietnamese festivals and holidays, then the impressions will be enough for a long time. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit " Southern Fruit Festival", In Da Nang - on fireworks festival, in Nha Trang they arrange marine festival and there are bullfights in Doshona.
In Vietnam, diving is very affordable in terms of price, while the level of organization of dives is decent. There are many interesting diving sites in the country. The best dive sites are Hoi An, Nha Trang Phu Quoc and Condao... There you can see corals, cuttlefish, octopuses, barracudas, molluscs, moray eels, squid and even blowfish and manta rays. And diving off the archipelago Condao, you can see dugongs (sea cows) and large green turtles.
The beaches of Vietnam are white sand and clear water. No wonder the central and southern regions of the country are called " Vietnamese Hawaii". The best beaches in Southeast Asia are located here.
Purchases
Vietnam has an incredibly wide range of souvenirs and gifts. At the same time, the prices are the most democratic in the region. Trade flourishes in both small gift shops and modern shopping malls in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In the top list of shopping in Vietnam, it is worth adding products made from natural silk, crafts made from rare wood, gold and silver jewelry, products made of stone, metal and bone. We advise you to focus on specialized stores if you want to buy high-quality silk, silver, pearls. Pottery is best bought in the suburbs of Hanoi Bat Chang, where there are many workshops making porcelain tableware. And the best pearls are bought on the island Phu Quoc... Be sure to also pay attention to green tea and coffee.
Generally, shops are open daily from 07:30 to 17:30, but many are open until late at night.
In public stores, prices are fixed, but in private stores and markets, it is recommended to bargain, even if you see a price tag - be aware that this is only a starting point for bargaining.
Currency can be exchanged at a bank, hotel or exchange office. The first option is the most profitable, but banks are open for a limited time. Do not under any circumstances agree to offers on profitable currency exchange from passers-by - there is a risk of becoming a victim of scammers.
By plastic cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express and JCB you can pay in all cities and towns where there are tourists. But in places remote from tourist areas, it is better to take cash with you.
Transport
It is convenient to travel between the cities of Vietnam by buses. There are two types of them: Big bus(with air conditioning and seat according to the ticket) and Mini Bus(no air conditioner and fixed place).
Water transport is functioning well. Thousands of private cutters, coasters and boats cruise along the coast and lakes. The cost of the trip is in most cases negotiable and agreed with the captain of the vessel.
In cities, the most convenient way to get around is by taxi, motorcycle and cycle rickshaws. Although there is a bus transport, it does not work regularly; moreover, the intricate system of stops is not very attractive for travelers. But the fare is only about $ 0.1.
Traveling by taxi is, of course, more expensive, but they are always available and paid strictly according to the meter readings. Companies such as Vina(yellow cars) and Mai Linh(green cars): Taxis are always clean and air conditioned. Taxi fares are the same for the capital and the province, the price is about $ 0.6 per kilometer.
Remember that the payment for travel on bicycles and auto rickshaws must be negotiated in advance. Do not be afraid to bargain, otherwise the price will be significantly overpriced. In general, the reward for 15 minutes of travel should not exceed $ 1.
Connection
You can call anywhere in the world from a hotel, internet cafe, post office or mobile phone. Mobile communication, by the way, is absolutely accessible. You only need to purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators ( Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone). You can top up your account using prepaid cards (sold at any kiosk, store or post office). Keep in mind that calling from a hotel is several times more expensive than calling from a mobile phone.
Internet access services in the country are provided by the company " Internet Vietnam". Access to the network is available in large hotels, Internet cafes and post offices. Prices for services are quite affordable and, as a rule, do not exceed $ 0.5.
Safety
Vietnam is quite safe to travel, even if you move around the country on your own. There is no religious fanaticism or racial prejudice here, Vietnam is one of the ten safest places in Eurasia.
The main problem that lies in wait for a tourist here is petty theft. Therefore, you should carefully monitor personal belongings, especially in crowded places. Do not carry large sums of money with you. It is better to leave valuables in the hotel safe. Avoid rickshaw rides at night.
A separate "headache" is the importunity of local residents who are constantly trying to sell something, stopping tourists on the go. In no case do not succumb to persuasion - not only will you receive a low-quality product at an inflated price, but instead of one, a whole crowd of new "sellers" will immediately appear. In addition, you can run into the most real scammers.
From a health point of view, practice good personal hygiene and do not buy food from street stalls. We recommend drinking only bottled water.
Before traveling to Vietnam, vaccinations are not required - there are no raging infections in the country.
Business climate
A couple of decades ago, the prospect of starting a business in Vietnam would hardly have seemed reasonable to a Russian entrepreneur. But times are changing, and nowadays Vietnam is starting to attract foreign investors.
Although Vietnam is a country with a socialist market economy, the state practically does not interfere in the affairs of enterprises of various forms of ownership, if these are not strategic industries. Enterprises with 100% foreign capital are already allowed.
The positive factors for opening an enterprise in Vietnam include the stability of the political situation, cheap labor and a warm climate that does not require additional costs for heating the premises. On the other hand, transporting goods to, say, Russia is not very cheap.
Therefore, most often foreign investors invest not in production, but in the construction of tourist facilities, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
In general, it is not very easy to open a business in Vietnam. In terms of the complexity of obtaining licenses and the simplicity of the procedure for opening a company, Vietnam ranks 99th in the world. But for a foreigner, given the assistance of local authorities to foreign investments, the process may not be very painful. However, you shouldn't expect easy and quick profits. According to experienced investors, patience is the main thing to stock up on when opening a business in Vietnam.
The property
Vietnam, as a country with a dynamically developing economy and tourist attraction, is bringing its real estate market to the world arena. But for foreigners, the laws are such that they can only buy apartments here. In this case, the following conditions must be observed: marriage with a citizen of Vietnam, permanent residence in the country, investment in the Vietnamese economy. The purchased apartment can only be used for the owner's residence, that is, it cannot be rented out. We add that an apartment can be bought for a period of 50 years, after this time it will have to be sold or donated.
Therefore, investments are considered optimal not in private housing, but in the construction of commercial real estate in the tourism sector. The fact is that now the demand for comfortable hotel complexes in Vietnam exceeds the supply. Until the situation changes, such investments promise high returns in the not too distant future.
When planning a trip to Vietnam, keep customs regulations in mind. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currency, but the amount of more than $ 3,000 must be declared: it is allowed to export only what has been declared. It is prohibited to export the national currency.
You can import 400 cigarettes or 0.5 kg of tobacco, 3 kg of coffee, 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of low-alcohol drinks, as well as 5 kg of tea. All equipment must be declared, otherwise it will not be possible to export it without paying customs duties. Be sure to pay attention to the list of items prohibited for import into the country: firearms, explosives, pornography, as well as drugs and narcotic drugs without a doctor's prescription. The last point is very serious, since for violation of the prohibition, punishment up to the death penalty is provided! In addition, you cannot export antiques, jewelry and art objects without permits.
Before entering a Buddhist temple, do not forget to leave your shoes outside the threshold and do not turn your back on the temple when leaving it. Photographs of temples and local residents are only allowed after a permit, which usually requires payment.
