Vietnam Tourist Guides — Attractions

Hanoi:
The Capital City of Vietnam is beautifully laid out with lakes, boulevards and parks and has a peaceful ambience. There is a mix of the old world French charm with the colonial houses, mingled with modern high-rise buildings. The city has much to offer being a fusion of traditional and modern culture. History is reflected in its temples and architecture and the center of the city has some historic monuments. The Hoam Kien Lake is also feast to the eye.

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon:
It is the economic capital of Vietnam, with the distinction of being the center of industry as well as setting the tones for culture. Some of the tourist attractions the city has to offer:
-Giac Lam Pagoda, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral with its neo-Roman architecture and for those interested in War History, the Museum.
-For the young at heart - the Centre of the city is the place to be on holidays and especially weekends. It is alive with hip music, discos and not to miss the famous Hard Rock Caf !

Dalat:
Pleasant climate all the year round and lush greenery makes Dalat one of the favorite places for tourists. It also serves as a base camp for those who want to explore the nearby mountains. The influence of French rule is still evident in the Old French quarter, and makes for a pleasant stroll. One can go hiking or for rides in the countryside and visit villages inhabited by hill tribes. However remember to stay away from areas, which have signs with C on them, as they are not accessible to foreigners. For those who love their golf, the Dalat Palace Golf Club offers them an unforgettable experience. Dalat offers a range of attractions like:
-The Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, dubbed by locals as The Crazy House, is a must see. It was designed by Mrs. Dang Viet Nga, and defies popular cultural concepts. The main building resembles Dungeons & Dragons. The rooms are all oddly shaped and the stairways twist and turn. The ceilings are low and the beds oddly shaped and interestingly each room has an animal theme.
-Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace is filled with interesting artifacts and works of art, which makes it worth a visit.
-The Valley of Love a short distance away from the city (about 3 miles), always has a festive air about it. Horses can be rented from the Dalat Cowboys who surprisingly enough, are dressed to fit the role! Paddleboats are also available on hire for a trip around the lake.

Nha Trang:
Situated on the coast, it is the ideal place to visit to just relax on the beaches. The clean blue waters lure many into trying water activities, like snorkeling and diving. Fishing is always an option to while away the time. The best time to visit is during the dry season, which is between June and September. For those interested in exploring, there is the Long Son Pagoda. A little further north (1.2 miles) are the Cham Towers of Po Nagar. They were built between the 7th and 12th centuries on ground that was used by Hindu worshippers in the 2nd century.

Hue:
Hue has long been the focal point of the country's cultural, religious and educational activities. It's relaxed pace of life with its seaside-resort sort of air, makes for a pleasant stay. The city is big enough to be interesting, yet small enough to bicycle around. The city has much to offer - historical sights, rides on the unique dragon boats and sampans up the Perfume or Huong River for example or you could head out for a swim to the nearby beaches and lagoons. The Citadel (Kinh Thanh) is the ruin of a huge moated Castle constructed in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long.

The main attractions of this citadel are:
-The Ngo Mon Gate - it has five gates each of which was marked for various levels of the royal entourage. The central gate was exclusively for kings, the two gates on either side of it were for court officials while the two outer gates were for the servants and other members of the court. The gate is arched and on the top is the Five Phoenix Tower from where the king used to hold court and also make announcements. During the Nguyen rein the gates were opened only when kings were passing by or receiving foreign ambassadors.
-Thai Hoa - Palace of Supreme Harmony was built in 1805 and covers 1300 sq meters. The architectural style can be seen in the shrines and mausoleums built later in the 19th century. There are two halls - the ante-chamber and the main hall. The main hall is the most outstanding feature of the Palace - it is 43.3 meters long and 30.3 meters wide and has the king's throne. All official functions were held here.
-Nine Dynastic Urns - They were cast between 1835-1837 and their weight ranged from 1600 to 2600 Kilograms with the heaviest being 2755 Kilograms. It stands at a height of more than two meters. Each Urn has a different name and was cast in bronze copper. -The Royal tombs - The Eight royal tombs where the Nguyen kings were buried, were built while they were still alive and supervised by them. Each of them reflects their distinctive personality and taste. They are landscaped to blend in with the surroundings and are walled in. The tombs have two areas - one for funeral services and the other where the king was buried.
-Hoang Thanh - Within it there are five temples dedicated to various kings, mostly of the Nguyen dynasty. Of these, The Mieu, was built to initially worship King Gia Long but later included nine other kings. It is said to be one of the biggest shrines in Vietnam and has ornate decoration - golden glaze and red lacquer, an altar and even rare weapons used in worship.
-Hien Lam Cac - a memorial to the Nguyen Dynasty built within the The Mieu site, is made of wood and is also the tallest structure within the complex.
-Cung That - The private domain of the Royal family it was an area that included several royal residences - including the King's, the Queen's, the King's mother's and even the King's paternal grand father! Sadly much of the site is in ruins.
-Thien Mu Pagoda - A splendid work of architecture built for religious worship, it is situated on the left bank of the Perfume River. Built in the 14th century, it gets its name Thien Miu or Fairy Lady from Heaven, from the legend of the fairy lady in red. The most striking feature is the octagonal Phuoc Duyen Tower and it is the unofficial symbol of Hue. It is 21 meters high and has seven stories each of which is dedicated to a Buddha who appeared in human form. A statue of Buddha is placed in small arches on each story.
-On either side of the Tower there are two pavilions, one of which houses an enormous bell.
-Hue has accommodation that suits most budgets and excellent dining options. Vegetarian food is easily available making the city a god-send for those who do not eat non-vegetarian food.

Halong Bay:
The name Halong means, 'where the dragon descended into the sea'. It is one of Nature's marvels with 3000 islands dotting the Gulf of Tonkin. The islands are unique because of the many beaches and grottos created by the forces of Nature. The Hang Dau Go grotto is worth a visit - it is a massive cave with three chambers. The main activity is taking a tour of the bay either by fast boat or the more romantic old fashion junk boats. Halong City is split in two by the bay - Bai Chay (West) is more scenic and offers more hotels, Hon Gai lies to the East.

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