>> Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?

"I have only 5 days to spare for Vietnam. Now ... Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?"


This puzzle has hassled numerous visitors to Vietnam, many of whom write to us hoping to get some advice. If only Vietnam Online staff were not so diverse in perspective, style and places of origins. So the debates start spreading into our lunch times, phone conversations, emails and even into our heads while we prepare other parts of this website.

Enough rivalry and competition said - here we present to you the debates between Duong Nguyen - one of our Hanoi senior editors and Thu Ngo - our most recent addition to the Ho Chi Minh City team. Expect some heaps of aggression underlain by love and pride.

The motion is clear enough: Ho Chi Minh City deserves your precious holiday more than Hanoi.
Thu Ngo - the proposer of the motion - tells you why it is so.

1. Favourable Weather:


Ho Chi Minh City 

Adjacent to the Mekong Delta in the South, the Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has much more comfortable weather in comparison with Hanoi’s. Unlike Hanoi with the extreme four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), Ho Chi Minh City has only 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season. And on the side note, Hanoi summer is unbearable while its winter is, well, notorious even for those from Northern Europe or North America. In Ho Chi Minh City, dry season starts in December and lasts till April and rainy season is from May to November. The average temperature all year round is just 32 degree Celsius (90 degree Fahrenheit) much lower than Hanoi’s.

2. Convenient Transportation:

Ho Chi Minh City has better transportation system of which new roads are being built and put into operation, such as Vo Van Kiet Boulevard and Dong Tay Boulevard that shortens time and effort travelling among district 1, 5,8 and outer districts like Binh Chanh). This is not to mention the fact that Tan Son Nhat Airport welcomes a lot more international flights than Noi Bai. Traffic jam is not uncommon in Hanoi, neither is Ho Chi Minh City. However, due to the bigger roads, traffic jams in Ho Chi Minh City are somehow less severe than in Hanoi. Beside, public transportation, bus, is so convenient and affordable that you can reach almost anywhere you want. With only 20-25 cents, you can travel over 70 km (43.5 miles) from the city center to outer districts like Cu Chi.

3. Various kinds of entertainment:

Influenced by French culture during the French occupation and American culture from 1960s-1970s, Ho Chi Minh City has much to offer in terms of entertainment, from live concerts to latest movies. All of the entertainment facilities are modern and well-equipped with the advent of technology which surely brings visitors relaxing time at affordable price.
There are also a lot of amusement parks where family and friends can take a thrilling ride or have a picnic together. Three largest theme parks are Dam Sen Park (District 11), Suoi Tien ( Thu Duc District) and Dai Nam (Binh Duong Province), which do not have a single equivalence in Hanoi. From Ben Thanh Market, you can take bus no.11 to Dam Sen Park, no. 19 to Suoi Tien Park or no. 616 to Dai Nam Park. If you want something active and sporty, you can try ice-skating at the Youth Cultural House (04 Pham Ngoc Thach, District 1) or check out one of the major basket ball courts in the city stadiums.

4. International food and restaurants:


 Ha Noi City


Nowhere in Vietnam can you find such a diverse range of food from all over the world like Ho Chi Minh City. Italian, German, English, Hungarian, Indian, Chinese restaurants are omnipresent, serving authentic and quality meals that can meet the needs of any craving. Just stop by a restaurant without any booking in advance needed.
If you want a combination of food from many countries, you can visit food courts at some shopping malls such as: Diamond Plaza ( Le Duan, District 1), Vincom Center (Le Thanh Ton, District 1). You can have a pizza, sushi or Chinese dishes all at the same time.

5. Active and direct lifestyles:

One of the youngest cities (over 300 years ago) and affected by foreign culture from French and American troops, Ho Chi Minh City has more modern and active lifestyle than any other places in Vietnam, including Hanoi. People are so friendly and willing to help you. They are outgoing, frank and direct. Therefore, it will be easy for you to make friends and be close friends with them. This is extremely beneficial if you are doing business, or, well, dating, a Vietnamese partner. If they invite you out for dinner, they really mean so. Be ready to go if invited or else you make them upset of not coming.

>> "Cám ơn" Hue and goodbye Vietnam

Time to say goodbye. As so many times in the last years I will have to move on once more. This time my goodbye goes to Hue city, the former imperial capital of Vietnam where I have spent more than a year working for a local university.

Hue Citadel

When I first came here I did not know that my girlfriend (at the time working here) would have to leave soon for a PhD in Hong Kong and was quite suprised when she did, but now I will join her for the same reason in the Special Administrative Region. When she left another good friend of mine joined me here from India and, all in all I did not have difficulties with the place.




Of course the Vietnamese culture is almost impossible for a Westerner to comprehend. The total inexistence of privacy, very basic levels of politeness, obsession for football at 5am, karaoke in the evening, weddings all year long, over-the-top noise level of everything around you and ongoing struggle for a fair price can be exhausting and frustrating at times. A language which thanks to 7 different tones takes years to master does not help with adapting. Anyway, Vietnam has also given me lots and lots of great experiences.

Around Hué citadel

I know I will miss the amazing food, long coffee brakes, mayhem motorbike tours, endless green rice paddies and amazing coastline of this still relatively unknown country. Furthermore, THH has helped me a lot with getting used to the place. Our study friend from Brazil moved to Hue shortly after and so we temporarily reunited in our Master Study friends group from the times in the Netherlands. Even if I have not been the most social person during this year (I am quite tired of expat communities after years in these circles), I have met a few people which I will for sure keep in my life.




When you conclude an experience, I guess you should have learned something from it. It is not always easy to summarize what Vietnam has meant to me and what it has added to my life. Some of the things which I have learned I might discover only when I move to another context, but I am sure Hue has given me a lot.

The splendor of the ancient tombs and citadel of Hue, the insanity of the Big C Shopping Mall, smells, sounds, lights, colours of Vietnam, the madness of driving a scooter in knee-deep water during the rainy season, the feeling that time is standing still when you watch your coffee slowly dropping from the filter, the self-control required to handle classes of almost 100 students at the time, the amazing moments I have shared with my girlfriend, the endless nights playing pool with my friends and most of all… the feeling that in the hustle and bustle the whole country runs anyway in slow-motion.

Truong Tien bridge


 Truong Tien bridge

Whenever I leave a place it gives me a little feeling of sadness while also a new inspiration to move on and discover more. Vietnam for sure has left a deep impression in my mind and I have learned a lot during this year.

Now it is time to go back to my hometown for a month and then move on to Hong Kong for my PhD… where I will reunite with my girl and will start all over again… with a little bit of Vietnam in my heart.

>> Information on Vietnam visa service

One of the most important documents for visiting any foreign country is visa, which is a must to enter into the country. For newcomers, getting a Vietnam visa might seem to be a complicated process as they do not have the right knowledge to obtain one or are ignorant about the fact of getting one ...

However, in these days of technology, getting Vietnam visa information is not tough and with some research, the individual can understand the process of applying for Vietnam visa on arrival and obtaining it...

Vietnam Visa service for the tourists are generally valid for 30 days, however, getting an extension is quite easy in most of the major tourist destinations, with tour operators or tourist offices. Visitors from the following countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Laos, Korea, Norway, Finland, Indonesia, Sweden and Denmark are exempted from obtaining rush Vietnam visa when they stay, enter or exit from Vietnam for 15 days and lesser.





Irrespective of your visit, be it for business purpose or as a tourist planning to enjoy the beauty of the region, the process of visa is the same.

The common way for obtaining a normal visa or urgent Vietnam visa is to contact the Consulate office or Vietnamese Embassy in the individual’s place of residence or during the time of entering the country of Vietnam.

To obtain a tourist Vietnam visa, the following are required to be submitted like the Entry permit application, passport photo, original passport and visa fee. The application and fee could vary from one country to the other, therefore, individuals are recommended to check directly with the Vietnamese consulate or embassy to which they are applying.

Vietnam visa information is also easily available for individuals for business purpose and normally requires letter of support from the sponsoring agency or organization in Vietnam.

The process takes around two to three days in person, and by mail process, it takes two to three weeks. However, it could vary considerably depending on the consulate or embassy. In case the individual is mailing, then care needs to be taken to make complete arrangements for having their passports with the visa to be returned to them. The individual can also avail Vietnam visa on arrival if they get in touch with their tour company or travel agency.

An individual can also know more about the Vietnam visa service from the internet before applying for it. However, they have the option to approach experienced and reputed tour agents and operators for getting more knowledge and understand the process of Urgent Vietnam visa and Rush Vietnam visa. With all the things ready in hand, everyone is assured of a safe and entertaining travel in the country of Vietnam.

We will help you about Vietnam Visa requirements and get Vietnam visa on arrival in simple, fast and reliable but cheapest way !

Phone: (+84).4.7304.3999
Fax: (+84).4.7304.3999
Hotline:(+84).944.888.338
E-mail: contact@getvietnamvisa.org

>> Nhi Thanh Grotto

Visitors from far always regard Lang Son as home to some grotesque grottoes, of which Nhi Thanh is one of the most beautiful grottoes...


Nhi Thanh Grotto


Lang Son has for long had national repute as a year round entertainment centre. Attractions such as Dong Dang Town, Ky Lua Market, Vong Phu Mountain, Tam Thanh Grotto, Nhi Thanh Grotto are said to be very attractive to visitors who are seeking scenic beauty...

Situated in Nhi Thanh Street, approximately 1km from the Lang Son City, Nhi Thanh Grotto houses the Pagoda of Triple Regions (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism). The grotto was closely related to the celebrity Ngo Thi Si when he was the chief of province between 1777 and 1780. He gave, in a short span of time, a new look to Lang Son in term of politics, economy and national defense. Especially in the domain of culture, he had the merit to discover 8 beautiful landscapes of Lang country including Nhi Thanh Grotto. He hired workers to start the renovation of this grotto in 1779. The right side area, being on a relatively more elevated land and the configuration of terrain better, was chosen to be the place for the building of the Pagoda of Triple Regions (in honour of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism).

Being a natural cave, Nhi Thanh Grotto lies beneath the Pagoda of Triple Regions, with the depth of 600 meters. On the cliffs at the entrance are 20 inscriptions that are precious historical and literary documents, including autographs of famous scholars. The statue of scholar Ngo Thi Sy on the cliff engraved in 1779 is a precious work of art. The length of a corridor from front entrance to back entrance is over 500 metres with many beautiful and picturesque landscapes. Inscriptions can be seen today on grotto, which were engraved by famous personalities and poets over different epochs.

Moreover, the grotto has numerous stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes, making the grotto look more grotesque and mystical. The entrance to the grotto is almost obscured from sunlight, because it is covered with a dense foliage of trees. High on the wall to the right side of the entrance, there remains a poem carved deep into the stone. The poem was written by Ngo Thi Si (1726- 1780) when he was stationed in Lang Son as the commander of the Lang Son military post. Ngo Thi Si praised the beauty of the magnificent mountain and landscapes possessed by Lang Son.

Ngo Thi Si was the person who discovered Nhi Thanh Grotto. The name Nhi Thanh was chosen by Ngo Thi Si to commemorate his birth place in Ta Thanh Oai village in Thanh Oai district, Hanoi. To commemorate his great contributions to the grotto, Ngo Thi Si had his portrait carved on an interior wall.

"Flows of clean pure white stream water run over hundreds of pieces of marble as if it is talking. Turn one's back to the stream and look up to a high mountain peak in the from can see the Vong Phu peak". Ngo Thi Si’s verses make you feel like to visit Lang Son’s beauty spots, and Nhi Thanh Grotto is one of the eight sites that attract a large number of visitors to Lang Son...

>> Mỹ Sơn Holyland – a masterpiece of Cham Architecture

Mỹ Sơn Holy land - a unique beautiful sanctuary world of the ancient Chăm religion, is day by day attracting thousands of tourists elsewhere!









Chăm Pa culture had great influences on Vietnam’s cultural values of significance. The once capital of Chăm Pa Kingdom from 4th to 15th century was “Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn”, called “Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary" or "Valley of Kings" by French historians.

In those days, Mỹ Sơn became centre for spirituality and worship during the reign of the Chămpa Kingdom. Exemplifying the height of Chăm architectural achievement, The Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is a large complex of religious monuments originally consisting of more than 70 structures; the vestiges of 25 of which remain today. The builders of Mỹ Sơn were the nobility of the Chămpa Kingdom who derived their cultural and spiritual influences almost exclusively from India.

Location

Mỹ Sơn is located inside the valley complex of Quang Nam Province, southern Vietnam around 69 kilometers southwest of Da Nang city. From the 4th to 15th centuries, it was an imperial city during the Chăm dynasty. Besides Hoi An old town, an ancient destination of historical value in Da Nang, My Son in Quang Nam is also a place of historical and culture-oriented tourism.

History

If you are enjoying a tour to My Son Holy Land, what can not be missed is the historical story of the sanctuary to be told to you by guides. The Chăm people (người Chăm or người Chàm in Vietnamese) belong to an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. They formed the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Chăm is remnant of the Chăm Pa Kingdom (7th to 15th centuries), closely related to the Malay race.

From the 4th to 15th centuries, a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism of Cham developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site of My Son, which was the religious and political capital of the Chăm Pa Kingdom for most of its existence.

According to records on the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient Mỹ Sơn architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Siva Bhadresvera genie. In the late 16th century, a big fire destroyed the temple. Step by step, historical mysteries were unveiled by scientists. Through stone stele and royal dynasties, they proved Mỹ Sơn to be the most important Holy Land of the Chăm people during the mentioned centuries, reflecting the style and history of Chăm People.

Cultural values


Religion
It is the religious role of Mỹ Sơn Holy land that draws people’s curiosity. This archeological site represents the longest continuous occupation for religious purposes, not only of the Chăm Kingdom, but also within Southeast Asia as a whole.

Situated inside the 2-kilometer wide valley in Quang Nam province, the My Son Sanctuary temple complex was ever the central praying and worship ceremony place of Cham Pa reigns. My Son is also a tool to assist the reigns to contact with God and Saints. The land accordingly become the significant religious and cultural center of Cham Pa reigns.

The site was inhabited from the 4th to the 15th century AD, far longer than any of the other Indian-influenced sites in the region including the famous sites of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia, Pagan in Myanmar, or Ayutthaya in Thailand.

Chăm-style Architecture

The other foremost absorbing element of My Son, besides religious element, is its unique Cham-style Art of Architecture, which was comprehensively affected by Indian style. Each historical period has its own identity, so that each temple worshipping a genie or a king of a different dynasty has its own architectural style of different impression. All of the Chăm towers were built on a quadrate foundations and each comprises three parts: a solid tower base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and sacred tower body, representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the shape of a man offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing things that are close to the spirits and human beings.

According to many researchers of the ancient Chăm towers, the architectural art of the Chăm towers at Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is the convergence of different styles, including the continuity of the ancient style in the 7th-8th centuries, the Hoa Lai style of the 8th-9th centuries, the Dong Duong style from the mid-9th century, the Mỹ Sơn and Mỹ Sơn-Binh Dinh styles, etc. Among the remnants of many architectural sites excavated in 1898, a 24 metres high tower was found in the Thap Chua area and coded AI by archaeologists and researchers on Mỹ Sơn. This tower is a masterpiece of ancient Chăm architecture. It has two doors, one in the east and the other in the west. The tower body is high and delicate with a system of paved pillars; six sub-towers surrounding the tower. This two-storey tower looks like a lotus flower. The top of the upper layer is made of sandstone and carved with elephant and I ion designs. In the lower layer, the walls are carved with fairies, water evils and men riding elephants. Unfortunately, the tower was destroyed by US bombs in 1969.

The sanctuary comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Chăm architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. Bricks are main material for the construction of the Cham Towers. However, it has yet been unable to figure out the reasonable explanation for the linking material, brick baking method, and construction method of the Cham Pa. Even these days, this still remains as an attractive secret to contemporary people.

Although there are not many remnants left, those that remain display the typical sculptural works of cultural value of the Chăm nationality.They are also vivid proof, confirming the history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich cultural tradition.

Why is it worth a visit?




Honorably recognized as a World Heritage in 1999, My Son Holy Land is captivating in various cultural values. Therefore, it is extremely useful and meaningful for those interested in Southeast Ahsian culture, which owes its core to ancient Cham culture, to drop off the land. Although time and the wars have destroyed some towers, the remaining sculptural and architectural remnants still reflect the style and history of the art of the Chăco\m people. Their masterpieces mark a glorious time for the architecture and culture of the Chăm, as well as of Southeast Asia.

Are you a Cham culture reseacher? Are you an architect? Are you an archeologist? Or are you just a normal tourist? Well, whichever of those you are, you should soon pay a visit to this holy land to have understanding of a Vietnam’s ancient cultural element of unique sacred and mysterious beauty.

How to get there?

Every hotel and travel agency in Hoi An is selling excursions to Mỹ Sơn for unbelievably cheap prices. For a more rewarding experience it would be a good idea to get there before the tour buses arrive. You can hire a car and driver in Hoi An for around $20 and aim to be there at sunrise (truly atmospheric).

Close to Hoi An town, Cu Lao Cham really cherishes high potential for tourism development.

>> Son Tra Peninsula of Vietnam

Quite pretty and with a good bit of naturalness, Son Tra Peninsula is a good place for visitors to Da Nang and get away for the day.






Son Tra Peninsula is 10km from the center of Da Nang City to the North-east and is 693m high above sea level. Son Tra Mountain can be seen from every places of the city. Son Tra looks like a mushroom of which cap is Son Tra Mountain and stalk is a beautiful sandy beach that affords an ideal area for bathing, playing sports, fishing and swimming.

With its sea-oriented appearance, Son Tra acts as a giant screen protecting Da Nang from storms and cyclones coming from the sea. Son Tra is put under the national protected forest regulation since it is a natural preservation area. The Peninsula is famous for its plentiful plants and fauna as well as the attractive scenery. It is said that fairies used to come here for singing, dancing and playing chess so Son Tra is also called Tien Sa (Fairies’ landing place). On this mountain, there still remain more than 30km² of natural forests, nearly 300 types of plants and several hundred kinds of fauna, including rare animal. From the top of the mountain, you can see the overall view of Da Nang City, Marble Mountains, Ba Na – Mount Chua, so interesting!

Suoi Da (Stone Stream) lies by the side of the foot of the mountain, fine sandy surfaces run round the peninsula, several breaks of waves are running steadily up and down and washing up on the stones heaped up around the seaside. All are attractive spots for tourists. It is so majestic and it is so romantic, it is so wide and it is really beautiful. In one-day stay at Son Tra, visitors can enjoy living in the resplendent flow of dawn and the quietness of twilight on this fascinating landscape. And that is a time for them to realize the value of each and every moment and the true calling of the hearts.

You can also swim in the cool sea and enjoy the fine view of the sandy banks run round the peninsula. The quiet Bai But offers you relaxing times sitting in small nice houses to hear the sound of waves and look swallows fly to the mount cliffs. The colorful coral reefs at the foot of the mountain are an ideal condition for the development of diving tourism.

Son Tra is a special gift of the god to Danang. It can be seen from every places of the city. And from the top of the mountain, the vista is so enjoyable and peaceful...