Lang Son

Area: 8,331.2 sq. km
Population: 746.4 thousand habitants (2006)
Capital: Lang Son City.
Districts: Trang Dinh, Van Lang, Van Quan, Binh Gia, Bac Son, Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Cao Loc, Loc Binh, Dinh Lap.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Tay, Nung, Dao...

Lang Son is a frontier mountainous province in the North-East of Vietnam. It shares border with Cao Bang Province on the south, Bac Giang Province on the north, Guangxi (China) on the east, Quang Ninh Province on the north-east and Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen provinces on the west.

Mountains and hills cover over 80% of the province’s total area. The complex network of rivers makes a good condition for agriculture. Main rivers that run through the province are: Ky Cung, Ba Thin, Bac Giang, Bac Khe, Thuong, Hoa, and Trung rivers.

Lang Son has two international border gates including Dong Dang railway border gate and Huu Nghi road border gate, two national border gates such as Chi Ma (in Loc Binh District) and Binh Nghi (in Trang Dinh District). So Lang Son has an important strategic position in the North-East of Vietnam.

The climate is cool and temperate. Annual average temperature is 21.5oC. Annual average rainfall is from 1,200mm to 1,600mm.

Tourism and Economy: Lang Son has potentiality of mineral, forestry, tourism and trading. Star aniseed (hoa hoi) is a specialty. The province is proud of many cultural and historical vestiges. They are Rampart of Mac Dynasty, Doan Citadel Vestige, Chi Lang Defile, Ky Cung and Bac Le temples. Apart from these, Ky Lua Market, To Thi and Mau Son mountains, Tam Thanh, and Nhi Thanh grottoes also attract many visitors every year. Especially, lots of people come to Ky Lua and Tam Thanh markets for shopping because the goods are abundant and cheap.

Coming there, tourists are interested in Ky Lua or Long Tong traditional festivals. They would like to taste special dishes: roasted duck, roasted pig, Mau Son wine and lam rice.

Transportation: Lang Son is 154km from Hanoi, 60km from Thai Nguyen, 48km from Quang Ninh, 55km from Cao Bang, 73km from Bac Kan.

Road: National highway routes on the territory of Lang Son province:
- No.1A: It departs from Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship Gate) and runs through Lang Son Province
to Hanoi.
- No.1B: between Lang Son and Thai Nguyen.
- No.4A: between Lang
Son and Cao Bang.
- No.4B: from Lang Son to Tien Yen Townlet of Quang Ninh
Province.
- No.31: between Dinh Lap and Bac Giang
- No.279: Binh Gia of
Lang Son Province to Bac Kan.

Train: Hanoi-China international railway line with over 100km runs through Lang Son.

Source: ODC Travel

Ha Tien Beach

Squeezed onto the Cambodian border in a distant corner of Vietnam, Ha Tien is decidedly remote. The approach to town certainly helps to amplify its exotic atmosphere - the agricultural bustle of the Mekong Delta seems to melt away to a lush landscape of rice paddies and buffalo wallows, the flatness punctuated by sudden limestone karsts. The Khmer-style wat located just out of town only helps to emphasise the feeling that you’re not really in Vietnam anymore - a feeling that carries through to Ha Tien’s dusty streets and languid riverfront. In some ways, it feels like other cities located further up the Mekong like Savannakhet in Laos, or Kratie in Cambodia.

Ha Tien was in fact part of Cambodia until 1708. It was founded with the permission of the Khmers by a Chinese immigrant named Mac Cuu in 1674, only to be absorbed into Vietnam 30 years later. As of 2008, the border with Cambodia is open, offering visas for US, and from the moment your bus pulls in to town it will be stormed by motodops wanting to take you across. Most will find it completely incomprehensible if you don’t want to go to Cambodia, bartering with you as you try to explain to them you’re staying in town. Even if you insist repeatedly, you might still find one or two drivers waiting outside of your hotel, ready to take you at a moments notice should you change your mind. If you do want to go to Cambodia, the border provides convenient access to the beach towns of Kep and Sihaounkville.

Perhaps it is in response to the open border, and the tourist traffic that they’re expecting, but the town seems to be experiencing a subtle shift. A few hotels have been closed for major refurbishments, and several new hotels have sprung up. Though it doesn’t have a lot in the way of sights, and it currently lacks much tourist infrastructure, Ha Tien could definitely be an attractive stop for travellers on their way between Cambodia and Vietnam -- in the meantime, the motodops will keep waiting.

Ha Tien sits on a corner of land, bordered on two sides by water. To the south is the To Chau River, to the east is the expansive Dong Ho (East Lake), which is actually an inlet of the sea. Approaching from Rach Gia, you’ll cross the To Chau Bridge, and arrive on Vo Van Road, which serves as the town’s western border. Most of the town’s life occurs between Vo Van and Dong Ho, much of it along the riverfront.

Life in Ha Tien was formerly centred on a picturesque pontoon bridge that draped across the entrance to Dong Ho. The market sat on one bank, the bus terminal on the other. In 2008, the bridge was dismantled, the pontoons set afloat, and plans were put in place for a concrete bridge -- though that has yet to materialise. For the time being, the bus station has been inconveniently moved almost a kilometre north-west of town, while the market has migrated west, near the To Chau Bridge. Ha Tien lacks most major services, though there is one bank and several ATMs. The Vietcom Bank is situated at #4 Phuong Thanh, and offers exchange services and an ATM. Another ATM is located nearby, on the corner with Chi Lang. Internet is scarce, though it is available at the post office on To Chau, and in the lobby of the Dong Tam Hotel. Should you have a minor ailment, there is a pharmacy at 48 Tran Hau -- for anything more serious, head to Rach Gia.

Source:vietnam travel

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc-Bich Dong is also called “Ha Long Bay on land”, or the “Vietnam’s second nicest grotto” (to Huong Tich) for its poetic and inspirational natural scenery. Located in the Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, it is a grandiose complex of Bich Dong pagoda and Tam Coc grotto which is one among the 21 crucial tourism destinations of Vietnam.

The zone is featured with a tropical climate, with 2 seasons. The cold and rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry and hot season from November to April. Its annual average temperature is 23.5⁰C. As it is situated at the base side of the Red River Delta Triangle, it is a half-mountain half-plain area, with a coastline of 18 kilometers

Historical name -vietnam travel

Bich Dong is a beautiful pagoda on the nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain dated to 1428 under the Le Dynasty, comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in ascending order. In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer Nguyen Du) visited this cave. He was much impressed by the whole magnificent scenery of mountains, waterways, fields, and sky covered in green mist. Thus he gave it a very beautiful and romantic name, Bich Dong, which literally means “Green Pearl Grotto”. This picturesque landscape is added by Tam Coc portion. It derives its name from the fact that it consists of 3 caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba); “Tam” means 3, “Coc” means cave. Tam Coc or “Three Caves” portion is of great enchanting charm and mystery, inviting tourists to come and explore!
Tam Coc Wharf

To begin the journey, tourists have to queue at Tam Coc Wharf to take a boat to travel along rivers. The pier is crowded with tourists from morning till afternoon. People coming here share the same pleasant feeling about such a nice picture with the classical communal house, ancient banyan tree, mossgrown well, marble rock, and friendly locals.

Tam Coc Grotto

Visiting Tam Coc Grotto, tourists may feel like they had just disappeared from the real world to get lost in such a hidden fairy site, which is located approximately 2km from the pagoda. Tam Coc is 3 kilometers from Van Lam Wharf. Now just take a boat from Van Lam Wharf to reach the Tam Coc Grotto, which consists of the Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba caves. This might take you three hours on your small boat along the Ngo Dong river, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers. The largest of the grotto is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. This grotto is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors that sparkle like gemstones. Now when drifting along the gentle Ngo Dong River under the Grotto, you can feel the deeply pure atmosphere with special smell of fresh rivers water and cool air from karst mountains when reaching each of the 3 caves in turns. Among the three caves, Hang Ca is considered the most picturesque one since it is the longest and contains most fascinating natural arts deep inside. It is around 127m long, with a cave mouth of 20m wide. When leaving Hang Ca, just turn back to see it once again, you will feel that it were like a very old white-haired man sitting down for fishing. A Vietnamese legendary has it that this was a Heaven Land where that fishing man – a considered fairy ne – lived, and flying above within the Heaven was a flock of fairies in graceful white dresses! You may be so much seduced by the beautiful fairy landscape that you do not even think of coming back at that time! Hang Hai is nearly 1 kilometer far from Hang Ca. This is the second stop-over on your waterway journey, where you can find a series of colorful sparkling stalactites falling from the cave ceiling. This cave is about 60m long. The last but not least cave is Hang Ba, just nearby, is about 50m long, with lower ceiling than the above two, looking like a plutonic cupola.
Now getting out the whole grotto, looking out the vast landscape, you can see that a mighty mountainous and waterways are covering the limitless land. If moving further 4 kilometers, there comes “Fairy Stream”, a pure mirror-like stream where you can even see through to the stream-bed to contemplate flocks of fish swimming and looming in the moss layers. It is said in a fairy tale that fairies used to land on here to swim, thus it was named “Fairy Stream”.

Bich Dong Grotto

Now turning in the opposite position, you will soon reach Bich Dong pagoda, which is situated at the grandiose Ngu Nhac Mountain. The Pagoda is ivided into three levels: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda). On the mountain peak stands the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at the horizon with the hope of viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu. Visiting Bich Dong grotto, tourists have a great chance to turn back to the Post Le Dynasty’s legends.

From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honor of the beautiful pagoda and landscape.

Bich Dong means “Green Grotto” or “Pearl Grotto”, which reveals its magnificent natural beauties. Colors, shapes, and sounds of the shining stalactites converges in such a captivating miracle that no one could refuse to touch, knock and contemplate them in deed. Honorably, amongst the most fascinating caves in Vietnam, “Fairy Grotto”, part of Bich Dong, is regarded as an “Elysium on Earth”. "Surrounding mountains full of water during 4 seasons, Rattan boat lightly drifting, Covered with mist and clouds, is Pagoda landscape” are beautiful lines of verse offered to Bich Dong pagoda grotto, a rare natural work of Art.

”Sun Valley” – attractive ecological tourism

Here comes the final destination in your meaningful waterway journey – “Sun Valley” (Thung Nang), an ideal ecological tourism spot for lovers of nature. Inside the valley, there is an ancient limestone temple with rock-style architecture shown in delicate carvings. Visiting this valley, you can relax in your small boat, with sun-bathing and sun playing in a quiet and pure atmosphere.

King Le Canh Hung ever said: “This is Vietnam’s second nicest grotto, after the Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay province”. Its pristine natural beauty together with a simple but nice countryside landscape, and a sacred spiritual life have converged into a fascinating and attractive Tam Coc - Bich Dong to numerous tourists. No one could deny that Tam Coc - Bich Dong has become a legend of rivers and mountains, a green, pure, and safe destination for every traveler.

The most beautiful swimming pools in the world

These luxury and expensive swimming pools are not only the places to swim but wonderful destinations for you to refesh your selves and enjoy world class facilities. They are located in worldwide famous hotels and resorts throughout the world.

The sophisticated pool of Playboy Hugh Hefner tycoon on 52nd floor of Sky Villas, Las Vegas.

---

A hot water swimming pool on the 4th storey of Hilton Hotel in Aukland, New Zealand has a glass-made side facing the city.



The longest swimming pool in the world belongs to Alfonso Del Hotel in Algarrobo, Chile (1km)



From high located pool of Banyan Tree Seychelles on Mahe Island, Seyshellee, you can have a wonderful view of the ocean far away.



The pool in Elan Hotel in Dallas makes a sense of adventure when a part over the building.



Rooftop swimming pool at Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong is always colorful at night and is the largest one in the city.



Burj Arab Hotel’ pool in UAE has a sophisticated architecture and impressing décor.



The La Casa Que Canta Resort in Mexico has sweet water and salt water pools facing the spacious sea.



Indoor pool in Crown Towers on Taipa Island, China offers an exotic view of the island.



The classic style rooftop pool of Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, London is a popolar spot in the town.



The pool in Gellert Bathhouses, Budapest, Hungary is decorated with waterfalls and stone pillars.



Hibiscus pool in Grand Waila Resort in Maui, Hawaii decorated with 2 millions Mexico marble briquettes



Neptune pool in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas is large, brilliant and splendid.



Palazzo Sasso Resort on the beach of Amalfi, Italy featured with a hot water pool fave to both sea and mountain.

Source: ODC Travel

Can Tho

Can Tho Province is located in the centre of the Mekong Delta, bordered by Dong Thap and Vinh Long on the northeast; by Soc Trang on the southeast; by Bac Lieu on the southwest; by Kien Giang and An Giang on the northwest. Can Tho city, for over 200 years the provincial main town, was once known as Tay Do, or Capital in the West.

Can Tho is 170 kilometres southwest of Ho Chi Minh City on the south bank of the Hau River, a river considered as the benefactor of the region as its yearly floods deposit large quantities of alluvia on the rice fields. The marshy Lung Ngoc Hoang mangrove forest, positioned by nature to escape the clutches of the occasionally threatening Hau River and the waters near Bac Lieu, also offers a shelter for wildlife. There fish, crabs, tortoises, and yellow boas and snakes, seek their seasonal shelter at a place where war-time troops often sought strategic refuge.

The miles of inter-connected canals and rivers are simply the green lungs of the Mekong. International experts are determining whether the area, and especially its river water ecosystem, could sustain another National Nature Reserve. Can Tho University has some 2,000 students in the fields of agriculture, medicine, and education.

The city population of 150,000 is the hub of the main Con Son and Con Au waterways which nurture the local rice and fruit trade. Those who have never visited the area, it’s likely they will have experienced its flavour in its Cau Duc sweet pineapples, sweet potatoes, taro, and the coconuts from the U Minh Jungle, which have upheld its reputation as a fruit basket region far and wide.

Natural beauty sights:

Can Tho Tourist Gardens (3) a series of modern tourism gardens have appeared on every land and water route in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

The gardens of My Khanh, San Duong, Ba Lang and Tan Binh extend along the arched highway, as well as on the waterways of hong Dien and Phung Hiep rivers. Other gardens in Long My, Vi Thanh, O Mon and Thot Not are also developing. The My Khanh Gardens occupy 2.2 ha and feature more than 20 species of fruit trees and flowers, as well as diverse species of birds, fish, tortoises, snakes, crabs and shrimp. Under the shade of lush green trees, there are small rong houses to provide visitors with a place to rest for the night.

Ba Lang is located 9 km from Can Tho (on Highway No. 1 towards Soc Trang), and has an area of 4.2 ha. There is the animal sanctuary of Ao Sen Lake, two lakes for swimming, an outdoor stage and mini-hotels. Gardens here combine agricultural potential with tourism.

Tourist sights:

It is enjoyable to take a boat trip along the Hau River on fine days. On the east bank Travellers will see Ninh Kieu Wharf and nearby is a floating restaurant connected to the bank by a bridge. It features eel dishes, a specialty of the region. A trip down the watery network that surrounds the Cuu Long Delta’s Can Tho and you’ll see why locals have a special feeling for it. On land the fragrance of frangipani trees wafts around the city’s communal house and its 72 columns of black hardwood which commemorate the making – or the saving – of the area.

Museums:

Can Tho Ho Chi Minh Museum; Army Museum of Ninth Military Section, Hoa Binh Avenue, Can Tho.

Markets:

Cai Rang Floating Market - 6 kilometres from Can Tho in Mekong river; Phong Dien Floating Market 20 kilometres southwest of Can Tho, the best floating market in the Mekong Delta; Phung Hiep Market close by Can Tho (Soc Trang direction). Bustling floating markets on the Hau River at Con Khuong, Con Son and further afield, Con Tan Loc in the more prosperous Thot Not District. Cai Rang is the largest floating market in the Mekong and the traders are more motorised, but the markets at Phung Hiep and Phong Dien are more relaxed and less crowded.

Source: Vietnam travel

Da Nang

Area: 1,257.3 sq. km
Population: 788.5 thousand habitants (2006)
Administrative divisions:
- Districs:Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son, Lien Chieu, Cam Le.
- Rural districts: Hoa Vang, Hoang Sa.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Co Tu, Tay...

Location:

Danang City is located in the middle of Central Vietnam, between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, separated from Laos by the western Truong Son Mountains. It is surrounded by Thua Thien-Hue along the northern border and Quang Nam on the southern border. It is embraced by the East Sea with 150km of seacoast.

Topography:

Topography is rather complex. The south is impressive Hai Van Pass with Mang Mountain 1,708m, Ba Na Mountain 1,487m. The east is Son Tra Peninsula, an ideal site of yellow sand beaches, historical remains, and rare bird and animal species. The south is Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains). The seashore is Hoang Sa archipelago with a large fishery.

Climate:

Danang is located in the zone of typical tropical monsoon, temperate and equable climate. The city’s weather bears the combination of the north and the south climate characters with the inclination to the former. There are two seasons: the wet from August to December and the dry season from January to July, cold waves are occasional but they are of average and short lasting. Average humidity is 83.4%.

Average temperature is about 26ºC, the highest is 28-30ºC in June, July, August, the lowest is 18-23ºC in December, January, February. In Ba Na Mountain, the temperature is 20ºC. Average rainfall is 2,505mm per year that concentrates during October and November.

Toursim:

Danang is an ancient land, closely related with the Sa Huynh cultural traditions. Many imposing, palaces, towers, temples, citadels and ramparts, the vestiges from 1st to 13th century are still to be seen in Cham Museum. Danang has other various interesting attractions as Ba Na Tourist Resort, Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) as well as the Linh Ung Pagoda, Han River, and My An, Non Nuoc beaches, stretching on dozens of kilometers, etc.

Transportation:

Road: Danang is 108km from Hue, 130km from Quang Ngai, 763km from Hanoi, and 947km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight: The Danang International Airport is 2.5km south-west of the city center. There are domestic flights to some cities. There are direct flights from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Siem Riep, Taipei and Singapore to Danang City by Vietnam Airlines, PB Air, Siem Riep Air way, Far Transportasion and Sil Airway.

Train: Thong Nhat Express train, which connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, stop in Danang.

Waterway: There are marine routes to international and domestic ports. Tien Sa and Han River ports are located in a very wonderful position.

Source: vietnam travel