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Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts

Vietnam Tour: The Hidden Charms

One of the most captivating countries in the region of Southeast Asia, Vietnam has gradually placed itself up on the world's tourism map as a fascinating place to visit, with a unique wealth of its own to offer visitors from other countries in the form of colorful cuisine, friendly people, picturesque landscape, and rich culture. Visitors from around the world, on the other hand, have now took notice of the breathtaking beauty that only Vietnam's natural landscapes can offer. In fact, the first five months of 2014 alone has seen an arrival of almost 11 million tourists bound for the Mekong Delta alone, with nearly 1 million accounting for international visitors. Indeed, Vietnam tour has caught up and is gradually showing the world what this country's hidden charms are.
As a backgrounder for future visitors, and to have a general idea about what to expect once inside the country, the following information about Vietnam will be useful:
Climate
Vietnam lies entirely within the tropics, but the fascinating fact is that the country is characterized by a climate that varies from area to area, with a general annual average temperature ranging from 22 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius. Cold, humid winters and warm, wet summers generally define the climatic condition of the north while the south is characterized by a monsoon season within the months of May to November, and is warm throughout the year.
Language and Ethnic Groups
Vietnamese is of course the country's official language, but each of the country's ethnic minority group boasts of its own dialect used in daily life. The country's rather small area of 330,000 square kilometers is home to 54 different ethnic groups. The Kinh people, at 86% accounts for the majority of the country's population. The remaining 14% accounts for all the other ethnic groups. The Kinh people are mostly based on the plains, particularly in the Red river Delta and the Mekong Delta, while the other ethnic groups are based on the mountainous regions. While each group has its own cultural traditions that differ from each other, they are all united by a common goal and desire for peace, and generally speaking, these ethnic groups that comprise the vietnamese people as a whole are warm, gentle, and visitor friendly.
Religions and Festivals
The land of Vietnam plays host to a myriad of spirituality and religious beliefs that range from Confucianism to Buddhism, as much as Taoism and Animism. Christianity also co-exist with this different religions, also playing an important role in the spiritual life of many Vietnamese.
Vietnam's most important festival is the Tet Nguyen Dan, or the "Feast of the First Morning". Often celebrated either in late January or early February and lasting two weeks long, the festivities welcome the coming of the Lunar New Year, and is also associated with ancestor worship. It is also a much awaited time for children, as they receive gifts from parents, grandparents, and relatives. Adults, on the other hand, gather together and wish each other prosperity and good luck. It is also during the Tet holiday when families go for reunions, and visits to temples and pagodas are also done during this festival. Other festivals are also celebrated, particularly during spring and autumn.
Food
Vietnamese cuisine is an array of colorful food that is really worth a visitor's time and effort. The local fare include beef pho, chicken pho, cold shellfish noodle, shrimp cakes, and spring rolls. The local beer, also known as draught beer, is also worth trying.
Hot Spots
Vietnam is naturally wealthy in terms of destinations that would truly amaze the senses with natural beauty. The Mekong Delta, for instance, draws hordes of visitors from around the world. Other places of interest include Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba Island, Ho Chi Minh, and Hanoi. Beach resorts along the coastlines, as well as traditional eco-tours in areas such as mountainous areas are also available. Other points of interests are historical cities, towns, and communities.
With these and many other things to discover, a Vietnam tour package is sure to reward you with a breathtaking travel experience that only Vietnam can ever offer.
Joe Cruze III works for Lokopoko Travel, a provider of top notch Vietnam tour package and other exciting tour packages around Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Article Source: Joe_Cruze_III

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Top 5 International Destinations Americans Are Now Calling Home



With the trouble facing the US economy combined with the many social issues in the country, more and more Americans are now fleeing the States to live abroad. This is a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Americans moving abroad enjoy better weather in many cases, more value for their money and a less stressful existence. Here is a look at five of the most desirable destinations that Americans are moving to avoid the troubling issues facing the US.

1. Peru

There are many reasons that Americans are moving in droves to Peru. One of the primary reasons is the stunning natural beauty of the country. It has thousands of miles of Pacific coastline, the stunningly gorgeous Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu and much more. An American's buying power stretches many times further in Peru than it does in the United States. Stunning beach side mansions can be had for a couple hundred thousand dollars. Also, Peru has some of the best cuisine in the world.

2. Belize

Central and South American countries are very popular with American expats looking for a low cost of living, a beautiful setting and warm weather. Belize has all of that in spades, but it also has a major advantage over almost all the other countries in Latin America. English is the official language of Belize. The ability to take care of everyday things in their native language is a very strong reason to entice Americans to move to this beautiful country. It also features some of the most fabulous natural beauty on the planet.

3. Vietnam

Americans are ditching the States for Vietnam for a number of reasons. One of the primary reasons is that this country is so gorgeous. It has beautiful weather, mountains, jungles and thousands of miles of beautiful coastline. Vietnam also boasts a very low cost of living. Folks who move here from the US will find that the buying power of their US dollars stretches a lot further here than it does back home. Vietnam also has an advantage over most other Asian countries. Because of the legacy of the Vietnam War, it is easy to survive just speaking English. The majority of business people in Vietnam speak at least enough English to conduct business with their American guests.


4. Ecuador

There are many reasons for Americans to move to Ecuador, but one of the best is that the currency is the US dollar. Because Ecuador uses the dollar, expats from the States never have to worry about currency fluctuations that will reduce the buying power of their money. This is a concern in nearly every other destination that Americans consider moving to. Ecuador also features some of the most stunning mountains in the world, friendly people, a beautiful coastline on the Pacific Ocean and fantastic weather year-round.

5. Thailand

The weather in Thailand is a tropical dream. Visitors have been known to come for a visit and find it impossible to leave. The friendly people, gorgeous coast, beautiful jungles and loads of fun activities make Thailand a very popular destination for expats looking to flee the US. It also features a very low cost of living. Visitors can live like a king in Thailand for a couple of grand a month, including a secure building, maid service and eating out for all their meals.


Peter Wendt is a blogger and researcher from Austin, Texas. With a love for travel, he began researching different destinations Americans were moving to across the globe. He recommends using this international moving company when moving your large valuables abroad.

Article Source: Peter_David_Wendt







Some Great Dishes to Try During Your Vietnam Tour


When it comes to Asian cuisine, Americans are most familiar with Chinese cuisine. After all, the Chinese have been in America, in large numbers, since the 1800s. Many immigrants and native-born Americans alike developed an appreciation for Chinese cuisine during the heyday of railroad construction in Western states in the 1800s. As a result, Chinese cuisine has remained a fairly constant popular alternative to the standard burger or fried chicken American mealtime options. Starting with the influx of Vietnamese 'boat people' in the late 70s and early 80s, Vietnamese cuisine has slowly entered the American culinary imagination. What's not to love? For health-conscious Americans, there are scrumptious and delectable imperial rolls made of rice paper, rice vermicelli, carrot slices, tofu, basil leaves, and dollop of hoisin sauce. For meat lovers, the classic ban mi sandwich offers some gastronomic delights. Obviously inspired by the long French colonial experience in Indochina, the ban mi sandwich incorporate french elements like liverwurst and marries it to Vietnamese tastes in the form of roasted pork and 'special sauce.'
When you go out on your vietnam tour, definitely check out the local versions of the two classic Vietnamese dishes above. Make sure to check out the local variations and improvisations of these classic dishes. Be on the look out for different ingredients and different sauces added to the mix. You are in for quite a culinary treat and adventure. However, there is one dish that you definitely have to try. Your vietnam tour just won't be a vietnam tour without it. We are, of course, talking about pho. This dish is the quintessential Vietnamese dish. In fact, regardless of which Vietnamese enclave you visit in the US or in France, you will be sure to find a place that serves up this delectable soup. The classic pho soup is made of beef stock and rice noodles. These are the classic ingredients of pho. Everything else is delicious improvisation. Most pho restaurants serve thai basil, mung bean sprouts, a lemon wedge and some other garnishes with your pho. The fun thing about pho is that there are so many local variations of it. As you wind your way through Vietnam, sample as many local versions of this iconic Vietnamese dish. Doing this is a vietnam tour in of itself. Make sure not to put too much garnish though. Don't disguise the flavor by putting too much garnish Instead, pay close attention to the base ingredients in the stock.
As for other Vietnamese dishes, you can explore the many rice and noodle dishes that fluctuate Vietnamese cuisine. You will clearly see the many strands of Chinese influences in Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy local variations and enjoy comparing the Vietnamese version to similar Chinese dishes. Keep in mind, however, just because a Vietnamese dish seems similar to a Chinese dish, it can't be dismissed as a purely knockoff of Chinese recipes. Pay careful attention to the difference ingredient variations play in the overall taste, texture, and impact of a Vietnamese dish.
Kaden found the amazing Indochina on his travel map and really love his Vietnam tour experience. His trip on one of Vietnam tour packages was a blast. You can be the next to feel the same. I invite you to hottest tourists' spots in Vietnam.
Article Source: Kaden_Wilson

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Travelling From Vietnam To Cambodia Through the Mekong Delta

The vast and captivating Mekong Delta lies in the south-east of Vietnam, and is filled with picturesque waterways and exotic scenery as the Mekong River makes its way to the sea through a winding and complex network of distributaries. The delta is the "rice-bowl" of the country, producing enough rice in the watery region to feed the entire country with plenty left over. It is also a major draw card for visitors to Vietnam, as travellers journey through the region to catch a glimpse of the "real" Vietnam; everywhere you look you'll see locals living their everyday lives, perhaps fishing for their dinner, keeping chickens, doing laundry or working on the land. People in this area are very friendly, and they wave at the travellers as they make their way through the area.
A journey through the Mekong Delta is a popular way to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia, sailing through canals and past villages, islands and floating markets. Travellers can spend the night in small towns near the border to break the journey. This is a day-by-day description of what to expect for overland (or sometimes "over-water") travel from Vietnam to Cambodia through the Mekong Delta.
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be
Today marks the beginning of your journey from Vietnam to Cambodia. Travel by air-conditioned bus from Ho Chi Minh City to the town of Cai Bai, where you can board a boat and set sail on along the Mekong Delta. Although still very rural, the delta region is one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Farming is intensive; in addition to rice the region also commonly produces sugarcane, shrimp, coconut and a vast variety of fruits. With many tours which pass through the area, it is possible to visit a rice factory to learn more about the production, as well as a rice-husking mill and a rice noodle factory. One popular treat produced in the area is coconut candy, and there are places you can visit to see it being made, and there are usually plenty of opportunities to taste test these traditional treats.
Continuing your travels through the Mekong Delta in the afternoon, you will probably reach the small town of Can Tho just as the sun is beginning to set. You can spend the night in one of the comfortable hotels in the centre of town, perhaps visiting a local restaurant to enjoy some Vietnamese specialities made from delicious local produce.
Day 2: Can Tho - Chau Doc
On the morning of day two you can head off from Can Tho the visit the popular floating market in Cai Rang. In order to get close to the action, it's a good idea to travel on a small boat so you can sail between the floating stalls. The market is full of small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares.
After exploring the markets you can travel overland to the border town of Chau Doc. Many people make a living from fishing here, and there are often fish farms directly beneath the floating homes. You need to board a small boat to reach these farms, and the locals might even give you a chance to feed the fish. You can spend the afternoon exploring the small town of Chau Doc, and spend the night in a local hotel.
Day 3: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
Departing from Chau Doc in the morning, it's time to complete the last leg of your journey from Vietnam to Cambodia. It's common for travellers to board a speedboat heading to the border. Once you reach the Cambodian border, the boat will stop and travellers will disembark to organise visas and complete immigration requirements. At time of writing, it was possible for many travellers to obtain their Cambodia tourist visas at the border, for a fee of USD25 per passport. It's a good idea to carry a couple of passport-sized photos with you for the application, and to check with the embassy beforehand to be sure visas can still be obtained at the border when you are travelling.
Once formalities are completed at the border, it's time to board your speedboat again and head into Cambodia. Travellers will normally reach Phnom Penh harbour in the early afternoon, allowing plenty of time to arrange a transfer to a local hotel with one of the many tuk-tuks waiting at the harbour. This completes your travel from Vietnam to Cambodia through the lush Mekong Delta.
If you are travelling during dry season, it is possible that some travel options may not be possible due to low water levels. Likewise in rainy season the water levels might make river travel a bit hazardous. In these circumstances it's beneficial if you have booked your tour with a reputable company, and they will make alternative arrangements (usually by mini-bus) but still get you out on the waterways wherever possible.
Sail past the limestone islands of Halong Bay, trek the highlands of Sapa and explore narrow alleyways alive with rickshaws in Hanoi. At Vietnam Online our travel specialists can help you create your own independent Vietnam travel adventure.
Article Source: Nadia_Flint


 
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