Destinations

Ha Noi

Hanoi hosts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including over 600 pagodas and temples. The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then had merchants and households specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewellery, etc. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. The area is famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops. Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food.

Some others prominent places are: The Temple of Literature, site of the oldest university in Vietnam 1070; One Pillar Pagoda; Flag Tower of Hanoi ). In 2004, a massive part of the 900 year old citadel was discovered in central Hanoi, near the site of Ba Dinh square.

A city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are are many temples in the area. There are small boats for hire and a floating restaurant.

Under French rule, as an administrative centre for the French colony of Indochina, the French colonial architecture style became dominant, many examples remain today: the tree-lined boulevards (e.g. Phan Dinh Phung street), The Grand Opera House, The State Bank of Vietnam (formerly The Bank of Indochina), The Presidential Palace (formerly Place of The Governor-General of French Indochina), the cathédrale St-Joseph, and historic hotel Sofitel Metropole.

More about Hanoi can be found on Wikipedia - Hanoi
 

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is the heart of a beautiful valley that is a world away from the hustle of Hanoi. Sprinkled with a number of villages, farms and huts Mai Chau offers a most splendid vista of the valley which is surrounded by lush rice paddies and stilt houses inhabited mainly by the White Thai ethnic group. You will be staying in these stilt houses in the hamlet Ban Lac. Ban Lac has become a centre for producing and selling handwoven textiles, so if you want to do any shopping now is the time. Endless trails through rice paddies connect Ban Lac with other villages, which make Mai Chau perfect hashing terrain. The Hanoi Hash House Harriers have organised many hash weekends here.

Ha Long Bay

One of the great natural wonders of Asia, Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its picturesque blend of land and sea, its warm emerald waters and limestone karsts searching for the sky. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. The islands feature endless numbers of beaches, grottoes, and caves. Besides enjoying the view you can go kayaking and swimming.

We will cruise Halong Bay in the best boats available. We are talking luxury steamers. Indulge in zipping a gin and tonic while enjoying the magnificent view while meandering among the islands, fjords and inlets. Food will be superb, with freshly caught local seafood and other specialties. A beach party will be part of our trip, before going to sleep, (or whatever you want to  do there) in deluxe huts. 

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this page was last modified on 5/31/2010 9:10:46 AM