Vietnam

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Hanoi

Da Nang

Vietnam is a country any serious traveler should visit at least once in his/her life. Its natural settings, its religious monuments, its local markets, its people, its cuisine, and its beaches are the main reasons for visiting, but there are many more.

If you look at the map on the right, you will see what the country looks like. There are two ways to visit Vietnam: starting in Hanoi, and going South; or starting in Saigon, and going north.

Vietnam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) is a country in Southeast Asia. Its neighboring countries are China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west.

*Places of interest : -

Hanoi :
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, is a fascinating blend of East and West, with Chinese and French influences enriching the vibrant Vietnamese culture.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) :
Hồ Chí Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's thriving commercial center, located near the Mekong River Delta.

Hue :
Huế is the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam and delights visitors with its monuments and architecture.

Hoi An :
With its charming, car-free Old Town, Hội An preserves what was once Vietnam's main trading center. Don't miss Hoi An's art shops and tailors, renowned throughout Vietnam.

Halong Bay :
Hạlong Bay is a UN World Heritage site featuring thousands of limestone karsts and isles rising spectacularly from the ocean.


By plane :
Vietnam has international airports at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Direct flights are available from Australia, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Macau, Qatar and the United States. However, non-stop long-distance flights are limited and most visitors transit via Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.

By train :
There are direct international train services from Nanning and Beijing in China to Hanoi. Most require a change of trains at the border at Pingxiang/Dong Dang, but the Chinese-operated daily Nanning express (T871/MR2) runs through, although it still spends about four hours at the border for immigration.

The Kunming-Hanoi line was shut down by landslides in 2002 and, as of 2009, remains closed. There are no train links to Cambodia.


By road :

*Cambodia ;

There are at least four border crossings between Cambodia and Vietnam that can be used by foreigners. These include:

* Bavet - Moc Bai
* Kaam Samnor - Vinh Xuong (in some guidebooks as Tonle Mekong. Near Chau Doc in Vietnam)
* Phnom Den - Tinh Bien
* Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing, Cambodian Visas not available)

The Vietnamese consulate in Sihanoukville issues 30 day tourist visas on a same-day basis.

*China ;

There are three border crossings between China and Vietnam that can be used by foreigners:

* Dongxing - Mong Cai (by road; onward travel Mong Cai to Ha Long by sea or by road)
* Hekou - Lao Cai (by road and/or rail, but no international passenger train services)
* Youyi Guan - Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship Pass - by road and/or rail)


* Laos ;

There are at least six border crossings between Laos and Vietnam that can be used by foreigners. These include:

* Donsavanh - Lao Bao
* Kaew Neua - Cau Treo (Keo Nua Pass)
* Nam Can
* Tay Trang .
http://www.virtourist.com/asia/vietnam/index.html




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