Vietnam Activities and Sports

Art Galleries can be found in all the main centres in the country and there are some very worthwhile pieces being produced as well as some pieces from old Vietnamese masters on display in many of the bigger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.Entertainment Vietnam is not the place to go for the latest in nightspots, but a number of large hotels have nightclubs and dance halls. Bars are fairly easy to find, even in smaller hotels. Try asking the locals for the current popular spots.Beach Volleyball is rapidly increasing in popularity and Ho Chi Minh City is the place where the National tournament is held. If you want to join in, most beaches in and around the cities will have games going on, especially in the late afternoons...and many teams are only too happy to let visitors join in for a game or two.Bowling (Ho Chi Minh City) Saigon Superbowl located at 43A Truong Son, Tan Binh District is the place to go for this excellent family entertainment Give them a call on: 84+8+885 0188 ext 20 or go there or visit the Bowling Centre located at 285B Cach Mang Thang Tam, District 10. Their telephone number is: Tel : 84+8+864 3784Boat Trips These are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers. River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Saigon) or the Perfume River (near Hue).Billiards -"Bi Da"-is popular throughout the country and most hotels have at least one table but if not you'll discover venues scattered throughout every city and a few of the outlying villages. It's a pleasant way to get to meet the locals and they are always ready to take on newcomers for a challenging game.Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Pong Nha river caves, northwest of Dong Hoi or other mountainous areas around the country. It is advised that one doesn't venture into a cave without a guide as many are not properly monitored and it's not unknown for intrepid explorers to get lost and never return. Ask at a local tour centre for more information on this activity.Cinemas Unless you speak the local language there are few films shown in English, but occasionally there are and these will have sub-titles in the local lingo. If you want to see a film, it's best to ask at the ticket counter, if the movie is in your preferred language.Cycling Vietnam is ideal for long-distance cycling as much of the country is flat and the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads, as traffic can be very undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely available.Diving Vietnam is becoming an increasingly well-known diver's paradise. The number of resorts is increasing at a fast pace. By far the most popular at this point in time though are Danang and Nha Trang. Unfortunately though, due to the over-fishing of Vietnam’s waters you won’t see vast schools of fish but rather individuals or smaller numbers. The fish are there though. Wreck diving isn’t really available due to the value of metal in the country anything that sinks is soon salvaged and put to other uses on land. On the other hand the corals flourish and the colours and varieties of both soft and hard corals is spectacular.Elephant Riding can be done in Dalat at Tuyen Lake and is a wonderful way to view the surrounding scenery. Hash House Harriers If you like running (and drinking beer...though not at the same time) then join in one of the HHH fun runs. It's a great way to get to meet the locals and a good way to discover parts of Ho Chi Minh City that you didn't know existed. Contact John Bennet on 842 0594 or 845 7594 for more information on this social activity or go and meet them at the Caravelle Hotel every Sunday at 2:30 p.m.Golf is as popular in Vietnam as it is in many other countries around the world and there are a number located around the country. Dalat and Phan Thiet have some of the better-known courses. Many are designed by world internationally recognised golfers such as the Ocean Dunes Golf Club located in Phan Thiet which was designed by Nick Faldo.Hiking There is good hiking in the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. generally, the northwest is the best region for hiking. Other good destinations include Cuc Phuong National Park (near Hanoi); Bach Ma National Park; and Lang Bian Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory. In the north, Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island and Ba Be Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) also offer beautiful scenery.Horse Riding is a popular sport in Vietnam and in fact the country has its own special breed called the Vietnamese Hmong Horse. There are many places that rent out animals either to go on short out-rides along a beach or through the local countryside or on long treks through rugged mountain ranges.Kayaking can be done in many spots throughout the country. Some of the better known sareas are to be found in the picturesque Halong Bay area though some other coatal and riverine areas also offer this gentle waterborne activity. It's a great way to see coastal fauna and flora and all but the smallest family members will enjoy a day out on the water in a canoe.Martial Arts is one sport that every second person in Vietnam seems to enjoy, either being involved in the sport itself or watching. There are numerous varieties practiced here from Laido, Kendo, Karate, Judo, Tae Kwando, Jui Jitsu amongst many others. To either view these sports or partake in the activities, your best bet is to go to open parkland areas in either the early morning or evening when many folk practice in the open air or contact a local sports club or martial arts centre within the area you plan on visiting.Museums abound in Vietnam and there is hardly a city or village that doesn't boast at least one such venue.Opera and Theatre A visit to Vietnam is hardly a visit if one doesn't go to at least one stage production while here. All the cities have a theatre and it's best to ask the local tour information at your hotel for information on what productions are currently showing and the prices etc.Parachuting is a great way to view the surrounding scenery where no one and nothing can interupt your view. There are a number of centres offering this activity such as Dalat, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Ask at your hotel or the local tourist information centre for more details.Sailing is one way to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy the wind in your hair while relaxing on deck with the family. The Nha Trang Sailing Club offers boat trips and can be found at 72 Tran Phu St. Nha Trang. Give them a call on 84.058 826528 for more information. (Most sailing is done on motorised vessles not yachts as the latter are few and far between in Vietnam.) Sepak Takraw is a relatively new sport in Vietnam though popular in countries such as Thailand. It involves kicking a ball, made of woven bamboo shoots (or more recently plastic), over a net. It is growing in popularity and is now part of the South East Asian (SEA) Games.Swimming If you aren't near a beach there are a number of public swimming pools located in most of the bigger towns or at the hotels and resorts. If your hotel doesn't have one, ask at a hotel nearby as some let the general public in for a nominal fee or ask the concierge at your hotel where a public pool is.Surfing is on the rise here and there are a number of places that rent out boards (though it's always better to bring your own). Nha Trang is a popular spot and boards can be rented in Tran Phu. Telephone 829100 (Hon Tam) for more information or call the Khanh Hoa Tourist Board besides the Vien Dong Hotel on 822753.Ten Pin Bowling can be done at many establishments in Vietnam. Saigon has a huge one with 32 lanes called the Saigon Superbowl, but there are many others scattered around the country such as in Hanoi. Ask at your hotel or the local information centre for more details.Trails and Trekking Visitors interested in the Vietnam War can walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war. It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son Mountains and into western Laos. The claustrophobic network of tunnels used by villagers and guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi (35km/22 miles from Saigon) and Vinh Moc can also be visited. There are numerous other trekking trails throughout Vietnam and your local tour office or hotel will be able to fill you in on this enjoyable pastime.Watersports In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good snorkelling and scuba diving. Snorkelling and diving equipment can be hired at most beach resorts. Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet (south-central coast); Mui Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and grottos, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Acces to the islands is by boats, which can be hired in Ha Long City.Windsurfing is a great way to spend a day out on the ocean waves or on one of the larger lakes in the country. Phan Thiet is one of the more popular venues as is Nha Trang. Boards can be rented in a number of places and the Full Moon Beach Resort in Phan Thiet has a few for hire or can steer you in the right direction to a place closer to your location. Give them a call on (84) 62 847 008 for more information. Another reasonable spot is Vungtau but it's only real plus as a windsurfing spot is its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City.

Letter from Phu Quoc

I am writing from the Thien Hai Son resort in Duong Dong town on Phu Quoc. The resort sits on Long Beach on the western side of the island. Our host is Mr. Thi, a vice-director with the Ministry of Fisheries in Hanoi whom we met when we first arrived. He is here in Phu Quoc because creating an MPA here in the archipelago of small islands at the southern tip of Phu Quoc is a priority for his agency. Other members of the team here, besides Ed and me are Mr. Linh who works for Mr. Thi and Mr. Huong who is our interpreter and socioeconomic specialist. Mr. Thi has graciously taken us all around the island, brought us out to the proposed MPA site by boat, and provided for meals along the way.I had assumed this island, because it was remote and in the far south near Cambodia, would be less heavily utilized than the rest of the coast of Vietnam and that it would be a lush tropical setting. I was wrong on both accounts. The island is quite arid most of the year and has very poor soil for growing crops. About 80% of the island is a national park for forest protection and represents the largest forested area remaining in Vietnam. There are many large hardwood trees in the forest and a fairly dense canopy but I’d call it semi-tropical arid hardwood forest- not a rainforest at all. Apparently there are monkeys, wild boar and deer in the forest. I’ve also seen two sea eagles along the coast- a majestic eagle similar in size to our bald eagle that feeds on fish.Despite the fact that it is an offshore island, Phu Quoc is heavily fished by local boats and by boats from many other Vietnamese provinces. It’s quite astounding how many boats there are, how often they are fishing, and the fishing power that each one represents. They use fine mesh nets to catch whatever they can usually at night with the aid of 10 or more high intensity lights. Supposedly the intensity of the lights is regulated but it’s not enforced. The main fisheries are anchovy, used to make famous Phu Quoc fish sauce, squid, and bottom fish. Trawlers are prevalent and are wreaking havoc on the bottom habitat according to local fishermen. The anchovy resource is extremely important and is apparently sustained by upwelling events in the southern island archipelago. Nuoc mam or fish sauce is Phu Quoc’s claim to fame. This fish sauce is revered throughout Vietnam and beyond for its purity and flavor- it’s unlike any other in the world. It’s made by dumping some anchovies in a huge vat, mixing them with salt and letting them rot and ferment for several months to years and then pouring off the refined fish oil product from the bottom of the vat. It’s served as a dipping sauce in a small side dish with many entrees in Vietnam.Today we met with the vice chairman of the Provincial People’s Party as well as several vice directors of the Department of Fisheries (DOFI). We learned that the plan is to make an MPA in the southern archipelago and to relocate hundreds of fishing families and boats to ports on the east and north coast of the island. The southern archipelago would then be available for development as an ecotourism area. It appears to be an incredibly ambitious plan but there does seem to be a plan in the works to carry it out. Time will tell.

Miss Saigon?

Just arrived in Saigon today. Spent ages at the vietnam border for some reason...they love a bit of red tape...like the french.Phnom Penh was good. I really liked it there. Went on the piss by the river with an English Guy and a German girl. Started at the Foreign Correspndants Club and then movd on to several lower class places.Have a magic 50 dollar note that ended up back in my wallet after i spent it which is fantastic. TYhat means i only spent 2 dollars in 4 doays.....im well up for that magic happening over and over again.anyway, we made our way out of Cambodia today. Met a Northern Irish couple and are now drinking in the backpacker district in Saigon. HAvent tried the local brew yet but the tiger is going down nicely.Hope to spend a month here in Vietnam and really looking forward to it.Cookie monster and sneerky are now officiallyt he dirtiest teddies in asia and are due a big wash.Tried to upload pics yesterday but puters too slow. We'll get it done tomorrow. the giant rat stopped to pose in front of me yesterday but i couldnt get the camera out of my bag fast enough. I think i was starting to consider him my pet so it's as well we've moved on.Anyway, we'll be in touch tomorrow.Til then.bye ybe

Vietnam Travel Information

Vietnam Information Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.href=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/vietnam/
Vietnam Travel Vietnam ToursAs a local tour operator, Footprint can take you on a custom-made tour to destinations throughout Vietnam. From small group tours of historical Vietnam; to eco-adventures in Halong Bay; to cultural community-based tourism products in Ha Giang.We have been a Vietnam ambassador to thousands of travelers Worldwide, we pride ourselves as being your guide to experiencing the real Vietnam at your own pace and stylehttp://www.footprintsvietnam.com
Tong cuc Du lich Viet Nam - Vietnam National Administration of TourismOfficial Website of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, includes information about Vietnam people and country and tourism.www.vietnamtourism.com
Wikipedia VietnamVietnam was under Chinese control for a thousand years before becoming a nation-state in the 10th century. Successive dynasties flourished along with.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam

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ENCHANTING VIETNAM TOURS

HaNoi - HaLong - NinhBinh - MaiChau - Hue - DaNang - HoiAn - MySon - SaiGon - CuChi - TayNinh - MeKong Delta - SaiGonDay 1. Arrival in HanoiGreetting at Noi Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Overview of the Old Quarters by ricckshaw. Water puppetry show.Day 2. Hanoi – HalongHanoi city tour : Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature. After lunch, proceed to Halong via Red River Delta . Overnight in Halong.Day 3. Halong – Ninh Binh6-hour cruise in Halong Bay with lunch onboard. Transfer to Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh.Day 4. Ninh Binh – Mai Chau3-hour sampan ballade to visit “Inland Halong Bay”, then Hoa Lu.. Drive to Mai Chau . Overnight in a house on stilts of Thai minority.Day 5. Mai Chau – Hanoi – HueA short trek around Thai minority villages before driving back Hanoi. Leisure time before taking night train to Hue.Day 6. HueOn arrival at 07.50, visit to Hue , last imperial capital of Vietnam : the Imperial Palace, Royal Tombs. Enjor costume royal dinner.Day 7. Hue – Da Nang – Hoi AnBoat cruise on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Heading south, visit Cham Art Museum, then visit Hoi An Ancient Town.Day 8. Hoi An – My Son – Hoi AnTransfer to visit My Son – former sanctuary of Indianized Champa Kingdom in the First Millenium. Back to Hoi An for overnight.Day 9. Hoi An – Da Nang – SaigonTransfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Saigon. Saigon city tour : visit former French Quarter and former Chinatown.Day 10. Saigon – My Tho – SaigonDrive to My Tho to visit Cai Be floating market on the Upper Mekong Branch. Back to Saigon for overnight.Day 11. Saigon - Cu Chi - Tay Ninh – SaigonTransfer to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, proceed on to visit Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See. Back to Saigon..Day 12. Saigon – DepartureFree time for shopping before transfer to airport for departure flight

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Bia Hoi (Beer)

That Bia Hoi is great stuff. Spent about 1.50 each lastngiht and had a skin ful. It's only 10c a pint. Just bumped into Sean McMahon from college so going for more shortly.We spent the afternoon yesterday getting fitted for suits. Kieran got a suit and 2 shirts for 50us dollars and i got a jacket, skirt, trousers, shirt and casual trousers for 70.Usual problem with me and pants though. Big at the waist, too tight everywhere else. So they are making them bigger for me again and have to go back tomorrow. Had no intention of shopping but there ya go. Saw andother lovely huge rat in the tailors but still not as big as the giant fat yoke in the guesthouse in Cambodia. We are now friends with the rats.Got a really nice guesthouse here for 6 dollars as usual. pissed everyone off cos we always haggle (kieran!) and get the rooms for less than the others. started a bit of a riot in the place this time cos everyone wanted the 6dollar rate. It's got a little pool and all inside right by our room. great stuff.right, thats it for now. Hoi An is a gorgeous little place...so many old old buildings and just cafes and restaurants and tailors everywhere. really like it here.will write again soon. promise the pics are on the way. havent lost these ones yet!!byebyeybe

Beautiful Hanoi

I think this one takes the cake. Not only is the city beautiful, and bustling, but manageable too. Everyone is nice and curious about us also. But beyond that the city just gives off a vibe that is welcoming and encourages my sense of curiousity to see what is around every corner.We got in at about 5:30am after a gruelling 30 hour train ride and were taken to the Green City Hotel (a guy was there promoting it). But for $25US we got a couple hundred square feet and a balcony that looked over the wedding street (invitations, photos, dresses, etc.). Nice place and a price that's hard to beat. We then walked down to one of the many Sinh Cafes (I think there is no ® on the name because it seems that EVERY cafe is a sinh cafe) and made arrangements for our trip to Beautiful Ha Long bay the following day. For about $140US we got a private bus, boat tour guide and boat crew for a few hours, all in all not a bad deal considering it is supporting about 12 people, plus expenses. After that we went down to the sneaker streets, the markets (which sell food and flowers), the flag and tin makers, the cabinet and furniture makers, the painters, etc. etc. each corner revealing a different craftsmen (many times using age old techniques to make beautiful items) Picked up a few souvenirs before heading back to the hotel for a nap before heading out to a little bar/pub owned by the brit named Matt. Said he decided hisw first 24 hours in Hanoi (two years ago) he was there to stay. So he opened this place called "Le Pub" which serves everything from western food to asian cuisine to my new favorite drink (Viet coffee with a healthy serving of sweetened condensed milk mmmm frickin mmmmm). Anyway, I ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and gravy (you never realize how much that stuff means to you untill you've been eating noodle soup on corners for about a week and a half) which was DELICIOUS. It sooo hit the spot. Then back to the hotel as we were leaving for Ha Long the next day at 7:30.The next day the bus was late and it was raining and clowdy (there was a large monsoon blowing through to the south) so I wasn't in the best mood, not to mention the waking up early thing. Once our tour guide got there, however, my mood brightened because he seemed to be a good guy (it seems we have had EXTRAORDINARY luck with our guides and drivers), anyway, gave us the scoop and we were off on our 2 and 1/2 hour journey to Ha Long Bay. Even through the rain the magnificent lime stone rocks sticking out of the bay are amazing looking. We cruised around the bay for about 45 mins before arriving to a fishermans house. We got an insight into how they lived (actually in the bay) and also got to pick out our lunch (HECK YEA) So we picked some crab and prawns and conch had the guys cook it up for us and good god was it delicious. I think because they aren't used to cooking for only two people they really overdid it on the food, which was fine because I skipped breakfast. Anyway, gorged myself; rice, crab, vegetables, squid, conch, prawns, shrimp, etc etc. there was more I am just forgetting now what it was. After lunch it was off to do some cave exploration. Not stunningly beautiful, but fascinating historically. The bigger of the two caves we visited was just discover about ten years ago by a fisherman trying to get out of a storm. And the second was used in battles dating way back to when there was conflict with the Mongolians and as recently as the French and American wars (they used it to stockpile weapons) fascinating really. After the cave exploration it was back to the dock and back to the hotel. Honestly I was ready because it seemed like a lot had happened in the short time we were there. Later on (yesterday) that night as I was cheking email the two kids that run the late night desk were BLASTING american country music. It was hilarious, absolutely ridiculous, but they LOVE IT!!! Anyway. (I also found out when they close up things for the night [around 1ish] they sleep on the floor of the lobby in case anyone is locked out etc. But I can't imagine. Kids younger than me who have to sleep on the floor of a hotel lobby every night just to keep their families fed. Really sad. I guess it never really struck me how lucky I was to be a white kid born on the right side of the earth to a good situation until then.Today we woke up and headed out to the Sofitel Metropole to learn how to cook Viet style. As it ended up dad and I were the only people to take the course that day so we got the individual attention of a pretty amazing cook. We went to the market and learned about the ingredients and she was even kind enough to warn us of the section where they had dog so we could avout it. Then back to the hotel for lecture and instruction on how to cook. They even hooked us up with recipe sheets, bar b q devices rice paper for making the tastiest confection known to man (deep fried spring rolls) mushrooms, viet vermacelli. Wonderful. After they had filled us up it was back to Matt's ( Le Pub) to get a cup of joe, do some last minute souvenir stuff and get ready for the airport. Well we are about to hop the flight for Bangkok where we start our EARLY morning trip back to the states and no one has ever been more ready for it! I can't wait to see all you lovely people again. Hear your voices, throw some hugs around. And them maybe make with the trinkets. Good stuff. Love to all!!!!SARA MOM BOB GRAMMY HANK AND WHOEVER ESLE IS READING!!!!!!!! PEACE OUT SCOUTS!!!!!!~ N to the.....

Hot, Happy, Hungover, Halong Bay

Well now. Just back from a 3 day trip to Halong Bay and it was fantastic. The sun even decided to come out and we got a roasting today on the boat back.Day one (wednesday) we got a boat at Halong Harbour. OUr group was a ixed bunch of old people and young people. We had an israeli couple iin their 40s and a retired spanish couple who were really nice (and mad to go to Karaoke).Had lunch on the boat and it was a bit cloudy but the 3000 islands in the bay look impressive in any weather. We visited some big cave and then later got into the water for kayaking and swimming which was great crack. Then we all piled back onto the boat for a nice feast and a few drinks.Day 2 we were woken at 7 for breakfast and then brought to Cat Ba island and checked into a hotel there. We were brought to HOspital Cave which was hidden in a mountain to treat vietnamese soldiers during the war. Our guide in there was some mad former army general and he kept lining us up and singing to us. It was all pretty weird but cool.Then we had a trek up a mountain which was nice (sweaty). the Spaniards werent impressed at this but there ya go...tyhey made it safely. Thankfully didnt get attacked by any eveil monkeys on the way as i was a bit worried aobut that.after lunch we went off in a boat again for a brilliant afternoon of kayaking anywhere. just paddled for ages around all the islands and under sea arches and into lagoons. Its soooooooo beautiful and peaceful there.Then today we got the boat back to the mainland and it was roasting so all just lay up on deck for the morning. Kieran had a bit of a fright cos he jumped off the boat for a swim but got caught in a current and was being dragged quite quickly away. took us a while to cop that he was actually not enjoying this and we eventually got down to find him holding onto the ledge of the boat by his fingernails. Dont know how it happenbed cos noone really wanted to get in after that but it was grand...only a slight pull after that. Although the driver started the boat before everyone was back on and then kids started crying and mothers were shouting and it was all very dramatic altogether.back in Hanoi now. Wandering around the cafes and markets. The locals were going nuts for an u23s football match between Vietnam and Thailand (2-1)Dont know what we are doing next. Maybe Sapa, maybe not.til then,byebyeybye