GROUP NAME: VIETNAMGROUP MEMBERS: SASHA KARABO LAWRENCE MASANAMain religionChristianityCatholicism is by far the most widespread Christian church in Vietnam, was introduced to the country by Portuguese Catholic missionaries in the 16th century. This influence was bolstered during French colonial rule and by later Jesuit missionaries in the following centuries. The Catholic church gained a further foothold in the 18th century when the missionary Pigneay de Behaine become a close friend and advisor to Emperor Gia Long, garnering favour for the church and ensuring that its activities were allowed to continue unimpeded.CAO DAIThe Cao Dai religion was established in southern Vietnam in 1926, and is a monotheistic religion that credits God – rather than any prophet or Buddha – as its founder.
There are a significant number of Cao Dai adherents in Vietnam, and their typical practices include prayer, veneration of ancestors, nonviolence and vegetarianism. Practitioners of Cao Dai believe that we have now entered an era in which God and mankind will be united in ways not yet imagined, and that all religions will one day be united for the salvation of all living things.BUDDHISMToday, Buddhism remains the most popular religion in Vietnam, and is generally practised in syncretic fashion – incorporating elements from various traditions within Buddhism as well as philosophy from other faiths such as Confucianism and Taoism. Mahayana Buddhism remains the dominant sect, followed by Theravada Buddhism, then Hoa Hao.
Hoa Hao is a religious tradition based on Buddhism that was founded in 1939 by a man named Huynh Phu So from the Mekong Delta region of southernENTRY REQUIREMENTS: TRAVEL DOCUMENTSValid passport and entry visa/ visa approval letter to Vietnam are generally required for all visitors. You may obtain visa at Embassies & general consulates of Vietnam, on arrival or from the travel agencies. If you get visa on arrival it means that you obtain visa approval by Vietnam immigration office in advance to get visa stamped on your arrival MANDATORY REQUIREMNTS: applying online Passport valid at least 1 month from the date of exitTwo passport photos size 4 x 6 cmProof of return HEALTH REQUIREMENTSHepatitis A & B Japanese encephalitis Rabies TyphoidTetanus Polio Compulsory: Yellow Fever UNIQUE FORMS OF TRANSPORT1 motorbikes /Scooters /Vespas There are about 45 millions of motorbikes that serve as necessary means of transport in Vietnam and they are an essential part of the local lives Hiring a scooter or Vespas and getting around Vietnam on local transport by yourself would be an exhilarating experience 2 CARS Not many people in Vietnam own a car because of high import tax and that it is considered as a luxury good.
There are pros and cons of driving a car because it is difficult to find parking, there is a lot of traffic jams in Vietnam 3 TAXISTaxis have become the top choice as it can take many people at one time to an intended destination while ensuring better safety compared to other transportation in Vietnam.4 BUSES The experience of using a bus will vary for different people and types of buses they get on. There are three types of buses in Saigon: airport bus, bus that departs/arrive at the airport, shuttle bus and common bus which is used more by locals 5 PLANES Travelling by plane is always among the fastest choice of transportation in Vietnam besides transports like motorbikes, car, bus, train. The number of national airports in Vietnam has been up to 15 airports to support frequent flights for both domestic and international trips 6 TRAINS Trains are also a good choice for travellers, while on train; the ranges of mountain appear above the paddy fields in an amazing sight.
They are a lot of experiences waiting for tourist to discover so that you should consider what means of transportation to make your Vietnam trips more enjoyable 7 BOATS: SAMPAN Sampan is helpful and convenient means of transportation for locals in the Southwest areas of Vietnam to travel on the river. Tourist can also get a countryside experience riding the sampan with paddles 8 FERRIES It is a useful mean of transportation in Mekong Delta to cross large streams 9 CYCLE/RICKSHAWRickshaw is another unique means of transportation in Vietnam, getting around with a rickshaw has also been praised by many as one of the unique transportation in the world that is worth the experience10 HIGH SPEED BOATS This kind of vehicle travels along the coast between places that have short distance, it takes about an hour to travel from place to place. There are two major routes for the high-speed boat: from Saigon to Vung Tau/Saigon to Can Gio ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRACTIONSHalong BayThe karst seascape of Halong Bay is one of the world’s most spellbinding sea views and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thousands of limestone islands sit within this bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, eroded into jagged pinnacles by wind and water action over millennia. With the bay’s scenery best seen by boat, this is prime cruising territory. Opt for at least an overnight tour to see Halong Bay’s iconic views as a day trip doesn’t do it justice. There are plenty of caves in the bay that can be entered including the Hang Sung Sot, with three mammoth caverns, and the Hang Dao Go, with superbly weird stalagmites and stalactites. For most people though, the highlight is simply cruising amid the karsts and soaking up the changing scenery of pinnacles as you pass byThe karst seascape of Halong Bay is one of the world’s most spellbinding sea views and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thousands of limestone islands sit within this bay in the Gulf of Tonkin eroded into jagged pinnacles by wind and water action over millennia. The way to explore this place is by a boat, a long day cruise. There are loads of caves in the bay that can be entered including the Hang Sung Sot, with three mammoth caverns, and the Hang Dao Go, with weird stalagmites and stalactites. For most people though, the highlight is simply cruising amid the karsts and soaking up the changing scenery of pinnacles as you pass by 2. Cat Tien national park If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, you might consider spending two days at Cat Tien Park. About 150km to the North of this largest city in Vietnam, Cat Tien is one of the best preserved parks in Vietnam, being a symbol of bio-diversity. Cat Tien is home to 40 species listed in World Red list of threatened species.
There are plenty to do, from paddling along the river, hiking, cycling to camping. Ask for a map when you buy the entrance ticket3. My SonSurrounded by lush jungle-covered mountains, My Son is a ruined Cham era temple city that dates from the 4th century. This old Hindu religious center was still very much in use during the 7th to 10th centuries and only fell into complete decline and abandonment during the 13th century.
Note that the temples of Group B are the oldest, while Group A once contained the site’s most important monument but was destroyed deliberately by US forces during the Vietnam War. A good museum on-site houses plenty of information on the Cham. Access to My Son is from Hoi An4. Cat Ba National parkAn island-based park easily makes an impressive add-on to your Halong Bay Cruises. The park is a tropical primary rainforest with a large collection of animals, birds and reptiles. Many of the plants are unique to Vietnam and very well protected.
There are a number of trails, such as those that lead to Ngu Lam Mount, to Trung Trung Cave, and Frod Lake, each offering a distinctive experience. There are also swimming opportunity though check the weather in advance. The Park is good for a day-trip but you can sure bring your camping equipment if you have more time to spare.5.
Sapa CountrysideThe verdant rice field countryside surrounding Sapa, bordered by the jagged peaks of the Hoang Lien Mountains are home to Vietnam’s most beautiful rural vistas. This is the top trekking destination in Vietnam, with oodles of options to trek or day hike between tiny villages and experiences the staggering mountain views. Sapa itself is the main base here – an old French hill station and now a bustling and forever growing tourist center that is a stark contrast to the sumptuous tranquil countryside right on its doorstep.
6. Nha TrangFor sandy fun in Vietnam, Nha Trang is king. The well-maintained beach trundles for six kilometers along the shoreline of central Nha Trang city and during summer is jam-packed with local families on vacation as well as foreign visitors. There is excellent swimming here with designated swimming areas and manicured lounging areas that make this a great option for relaxing days soaking up the sun and sand. There is also an excellent museum dedicated to the work of Alexandra Yersin who discovered the cause of the bubonic plague and founded Nha Trang’s Pasteur Institute (which still carries out vaccination programs in Vietnam today).7.
Cham Island An hour by boat away from Hoi An, Cham Island is recognized by UNESCO as World biosphere reserve. It is the greenest place in Vietnam, where the use of plastic bags is completely abolished. People who live on the island are extremely friendly and you will sure enjoy yourself heartily with the sun, sand and sea8.
Ba Be National ParkTranquil Ba Be National Park is absolutely stunning with the three interlinked Ba Be Lakes at its heart, rimmed by jagged karst peaks and thickly forested slopes. Most visitors come here to take peaceful boat trips or kayak on the lake and explore the caves full of stalactites and stalagmites in the vicinity, but for the more active, there’s also excellent hiking and trekking in the hills here between ethnic minority villages. This is one of the most peaceful spots in Vietnam, and travelers who spend the night here sleep in traditional stilt-house home feel accommodation along the lakeshore, allowing an experience of simple rural life.9. Mekong DeltaThe far south of Vietnam is where the mighty Mekong River finally finds its way to the sea in a maze of waterways that crisscross the floodplain. Incredibly lush, with paddy field vistas and mangroves, and full of local life, with chaotic floating markets to explore by boat, the delta is one of the most interesting regions for travelers to discover. Can Tho is the most popular town to use as a base as it’s close to the floating markets of Phong Dien and Cai Rang, while boat trips from Ca Mau allow you to explore the U Minh Mangrove Forest and Cau Mau Nature Reserve.10.
Ninh Binh ProvinceBlessed with natural beauty, central Vietnam based Ninh Binh province offers sights of cultural splendor and wildlife in the national park and reserve. Located south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is one of the famed spots often visited by domestic travelers and also international ones. The highlights of this place include the landscape of Tam Coc that can be seen by taking a traditional boat ride and also visiting a UNESCO Site of Trang An Grottoes.
SHOPPING ATTRACTIONSReaching out arts and crafts Reaching Out is a social enterprise, training and employing persons with disabilities. The artisans create beautiful gifts of high quality from tea ware patterned after that used by the Imperial family in Hue to elegant table ware and bedspreads of colourful silks. Their silver jewellery is designed in-house by their staff and made right on the premises. Customers are invited to visit the workshop which is right behind the retail store to watch how their purchases have been made the staff are willing to answer your questions and of course can tell you the details of the processes by which your gifts are crafted.
They will also proudly show you to our Tea House, where you can experience a cup of coffee or tea, served in the traditional Vietnamese manner by our speech and hearing impaired staff.Drink VietnamYou will discover the traditional herbal medicine from Vietnam trough delicious herbal tea and infused spirit.Here you can find over infused spirit and herbal tea with many kind of herbs, roots, flowers, fruits or bark. All of them can be taken alone or with a endless combination to drink for during illness or as a preventive tonic to keep you healthy.
When you enter the little museum of herbal spirit and tea you are surrounding by wall entirely cover with all the different spirit and tea that Vietnamese people use to drink to keep a good health. Each product has their own description and explains the infused plant is good for which part of your body or to treat which illness. Coming to our little museum is a good way to learn more about Vietnamese culture with our knowledgeable guides that will introduce you to the traditional medicinal herbs that are used daily by many people all around the country. Than you can try to mix as many different herbal spirit & tea as you want to know which one is the best combinationSaigon Outcast Although Saigon Outcast is bit of a trek away in District 2, this bar is nonetheless worth the 20 minute cab ride. Imagine a tropical beach bar located within suburbia, complete with graphitised walls, cheap beer, decent cocktails, and shipping containers. So many shipping containers. Life drawing on Tuesday, Jameson Jam open mic on Wednesday film night on Thursday, live music Friday and Saturday, and flea market/farmer’s market on Sunday.
Outcast has recently installed a climbing wall constructed from shipping containers. Ha Ha – art in everything Shop for different pieces of home or office decor at Ha Ha – Art In Everything, which offers a huge collection of all kinds of items, for all styles and preferences. From paintings and prints, to figures, lamps and chandeliers, chairs, purses, and numerous other products, everyone will find what they are looking for. The best thing is that each piece can be customized according to what you want and need, and you can give them your ideas, as well, which they will surely carry out in the best possible way. A visit to Ha Ha – Art In Everything represents just the start the adventure when visit Vietnam Couleurs d’Asie Gallery The gallery is divided into two rooms, showing two different sides to Rehahn’s work. The first will showcase his photography from Vietnam that has delighted worldwide audiences since he moved to the country in 2011. The second room presents his work from other countries as well as his limited edition fine art photography.
This is a gallery that has been listed the top 10 best travel photographers. Saigon Square shopping mall Should head to Saigon square on the corner of nam k? kh?i and le loi in district 1. This shopping arcade is packed with stalls on two levels selling fashion, accessories and jewellery. Even though it’s always bustling with shoppers, Saigon Square is air conditioned and under cover so it is far more pleasant than shopping in the nearby Ben Thanh Market and it’s generally accepted that prices are far better here. Shops and stalls in Saigon Square are seemingly placed haphazardly around the mall so the best thing to do is just stroll along the aisles looking for something that takes your fancyTired city This is a company that deals with distributing local original and exclusive artworks from Vietnam’s most prominent young artist in forms of apparels, art prints, it is the first store of Tired City Friendly leather bags Friendly bags are the only one bags shop in Hoi An.
They are able to make travel bags, handbags, bags for laptop or iPad and wallets to measure, in less than a day, you can receive your bags after had chosen your design and the fabric. Behind the shop, you can visit the small factory and discover how they make your bag. Friendly bags has the largest choice of leather in Hoi An Hoi an night market There is no shortage of shopping opportunities in the city, but one of the most interesting is found at the Hoi An Night Market.
The market is located on Nguyen Hoang Street, just opposite the Japanese covered bridge. The most spotted item for sale is the paper lantern, which glows beautifully after nightfall. You can buy a colourful lantern to cast a glow as you shop ,or you can take it home as a way to remember the colours, vibrancy and excitement of the Hoi An Night Market Can Cau Market The smallest market, 20km north of Bac Ha, it attracts a growing number of visitors. Tourist from Sapa now visits Can Cau on Saturday before moving on to Bac Ha for the Sunday market.
The market spills down a hillside, with basic food stalls on one level and livestock at the bottom of the valley, including plenty of dogs. The local will implore you to drink the local roué with.ADVENTURE ATTRACTIONSZooLocated inside the National UNIVERSITY OF Hanoi, the Hanoi zoological museum Visitors can be guided through the exhibits by the museum’s director himself, MR. Vu Ngoc Thanh. One of the most popular exhibits there is a large skeleton of an elephant. The rooms are filled with various other, stuffed birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals. To explore the collection, visitors have to call in advance and set up an appointment Jet boats ; boat trips The far south of Vietnam is where the mighty Mekong River finally finds its way to the sea in a maze of waterways that crisscross the floodplain. Incredibly lush, with paddy field vistas and mangroves.
While boat trips from ca mau allow you to explore the U Minh Mangrove forest and Cau nature reserve Marble mountain rappelling our with Temple and cave ExplorationCALLED NGU Hanh Son in Vietnamese. This is a cluster of five limestone and marble hills. The mountain range has many tunnels and caves that can be explored; there are also several Buddhist sanctuaries that have made the mountains their home This tour offers the most adventurous way to experience the magnificent mountains, as you rappel down cliff sides of Hoi An Kayaking ; canoeing Natives of southern Vietnam consider themselves to be a little but different from the northern cousins reflecting the year-round tropical temperatures enjoued in the south they see themselves as the warm and welcoming, laid back part of Vietnamese family. Contrast this with gentle world of palm groves, rice paddles, beyond the bountiful Delta beautiful beaches and idyllic island await , perfect for the well-earned relaxation kayaking are more your cup of tea Cliff jumping For sandy fun in Vietnam, Nha Trang is king. Ba G Falls, Nha Trang, Vietnam. These isolated falls are about an hour long, hikes are dangerous and slippery, but the water is crystal turquoise, warm and begging to be jumped into 6.
Caving Mountains, caves and rivers combine to make the Phong Nha-ke bang national park one of the most scenic spots in all of Vietnam, with rice paddles stretching out to the horizon, limestone cliffs stretching up to the sky. The cave systems in the park are truly enormous and you can explore many of them on a large boat. The most popular destination within the park is the Paradise cave7.
Scuba diving Just off the Mekong delta in South Vietnam, you can find Con Dao Island. This group is made up of 16 different islands, these island are known for their scenic beauty. You can enjoy scuba diving at any number of the local beaches Kitesurfing Kitesurfing in Vietnam is widely considered to be the world’s very best. Reliable winds, warm weather, idyllic beaches and cheap beer make it, for many people who’ve been, the ultimate destination for kite surfing adventure Take on mount Fansipan Fansipan is a mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m it is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula, it is located in the Lao Cai province of the northwest region of Vietnam. Fansipan is one of the most beautiful attractions in Sapa. Fansipan can be climbed in a steep and fairly strenuous hike.
Also known as the roof of indochinaSand boarding The white sands dunes of Vietnam found in Mui Ne, a completely unusual atmosphere compared to the wet, tropical environment Vietnam is known for. The lagoon that sits right in the middle of it completely covered in lotus flowers makes the desert even more special. Visitors will be able to see a small, cool pine forest as well as Mui Ne’s coastal area approximately an hour away they can also take some beautiful photographs of the surrounding area ENTERTAINMENT ATTRACTIONSSaigon Motorcycle Tour Activities in Ho Chi Minh CityIf you’re looking to travel like a local during your holiday, joining a motorcycle tour is an exhilarating (and safe) way to visit popular landmarks and districts within Ho Chi Minh City. Priced at VND 1,000,000 onwards, the package is usually inclusive of hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, helmet, insurance, and an English-speaking tour guide.
While prices and locations vary from one tour operator to another, a motorcycle tour usually stops at iconic sites such as Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, where the tour guide will provide a brief history and interesting facts on each locale.Saigon Saigon rooftop bar at Caravelle HotelThis living history is palpable at Saigon Saigon and its famous past is reinforced with wooden fixtures, sepia photographs and a chequered black and white marble floor. Although the bar is only on the ninth floor, the view is majestic with many of Ho Chi Minh City’s most famous sites laid out beneath the right hand side of the bar. Directly below the hotel is Lam Son Square with the ornate Saigon Opera House and equally famous Rex Hotel facing each other, and stretching into the distance, the People’s Committee Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral. This is without doubt the best view of historical Saigon and a must for anyone interested in the tumultuous history of the cityWater Puppet Theatre The ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association with Hanoi and there are several theatres where guests can enjoy this uniquely Vietnamese take on Asia’s puppet tradition. The original – and widely regarded as the best – theatre in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Puppets dance and slide elegantly over the liquid stage, controlled by a whole troupe of puppet masters hiding behind a screen.
Most shows also feature the famous Legend of the Restored Sword of King Le which tells the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant tortoiseHanoi Opera HouseHanoi Opera House, set in the heart of the French Quarter, is arguably one of the most elegant buildings in all of Hanoi. Built in 1911 and modeled after the Paris Opera House, this historical landmark exudes Parisian charm from its ivory-toned columns, ornate balustrades and Gothic domes. Priced at VND 100,000 upwards, visitors can enjoy classical performances ranging from Vietnamese opera and dance performances to sketches and music concerts by world-renowned artists5.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) is a central feature of Hanoi and is a popular hangout spot throughout the day with locals and tourists. Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island in the centre of the lake and linked by a bridge, makes a beautiful background for a few photos. Around sunrise and sunset, this area becomes especially busy with joggers, couples enjoying the relaxing views across the lake, and the elderly practicing Tai Chi and line dancing. Hoan Kiem Lake is free of charge, but there’s a fee of VND 20,000 to visit Ngoc Son Temple, which sits on a small island in the centre of the lakeHo Chi Minh MausoleumHo Chi Minh has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese history and he is revered in Hanoi as the country’s greatest leader. Nicknamed ‘Uncle Ho’ by locals, his preserved body is now laid to rest in a glass case in the Ba Dinh area of Hanoi. This is more than a tourist attraction, it is a part of living history and a visit here stays long in the memory. The sombre building was modeled after Lenin’s mausoleum in MoscowSuoi Tien Cultural Theme ParkSuoi Tien Cultural Theme Park is a Vietnamese water-filled fantasy land, nicknamed “the fairy stream”, is the world’s first water park devoted to Buddhism, specifically the Southeast Asian animistic form of Buddhism.
The animism works well for the theme park; instead of Mickey and Daffy, Suoi Tien has chosen the Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix as its sacred animals, used thematically throughout the massive water park. Workers put on golden monkey outfits and roam around the park taking pictures with visitors and causing mischief.VinpearlVinpearl is a group of five-star resorts and leisure hotels at UNESCO heritage sites along the coast of Vietnam on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Throughout Vietnam, our hotels have become a symbol of fine taste and prosperity. Vinpearl is perfect for both business meetings and resort life where innovation and inspiration fly.
Each of Vinpearl’s condominiums has its own creative and unique features for the global traveller’s inspiration and contentmentDam Sen Water Park SaigonDam Sen Water Park Saigon features a variety of water slides, a wave pool, and several other thrilling rides for visitors of all ages. Located in District 11, this amusement park is less than 30 minutes away from the city centre by car, making it a popular retreat amongst locals and expats with children, especially during the often scorching summer months and school holidaysBao Son ParadiseThe traditional craft village section features replicas of the 15 most well-known craft villages of Viet Nam, including Phu Lang pottery village, Van Phuc silk village and villages specializing in making craft products such as gemstone-inlaid pictures, bamboo and rattan-made handicrafts and embroidery. It reflects not only their craft methods but also their local setting and background.
