Dragon Indochine Travel

Vietnam's fascinating culture comes in a stunning package. Vietnam extends for 1,600 km along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula. Over 3,200 km of coastline features endless stretches of white sand beaches. Shaped like a prolonged "S", Vietnam is a country of striking contrasts which can be divided into three distinct regions: North, Central and South. Vietnamese people describe their country as a bamboo shoulder pole slung (the Central) with two baskets of rice - the fertile southern Mekong Delta and the northern Red River Delta. From these lowland paddy fields stretch vast rubber plantations, rolling hills covered with thick jungle, and jagged mountains standing more than 3,000 metres high. With an estimated 72 million people, Vietnam has the 12th largest population in the world. A lush country with diverse peoples, cultures and influences, Vietnam is now quickly become a progressive, modern success story. Vietnam formally reopened its doors to tourism in 1987. Since that time, there have been substantial improvements to the transportation and accommodation infrastructure that have made Vietnam a wonderful place to travel. Since 2001, Vietnam has been considered a most safe and friendly destination in Asia Pacific.
Vietnam's varied topography allows for an incredibly varied travel experience. The country offers everything from tropical coastal lowlands to temperate zones above 2,000 metres. In the south, the rainy season lasts from May to November, but the showers are usually limited to brief bursts in the late afternoons. Along the central coast, the driest season runs from June to October. Visitors to the north are often surprised by the region's distinct seasons; summers are hot and humid while winters are invigoratingly cool.
As well as fine weather, there is spectacular natural scenery and historic sites. Vietnam's greatest resource is its friendly, welcoming people. Long closed to the outside world, Vietnam retains a charming innocence that most tourist regions lack. Yet in the decade since the country opened its doors to visitors. the country has built world-class hotels and tourism facilities. with international standards and traditional Vietnamese hospitality. Vietnam is ready to take you on an unforgettable adventure.Vietnam has a population of more than 70 million people, comprised of 54 different ethnic groups that possess historically rich cultural backgrounds and interesting folk arts. The country has more than 1,000 historical, cultural, and architectural sites which have been officially classified as "Heritage Sites". Four of these sites have been recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO (United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization), including Halong Bay, the ancient capital of Hue, the ancient town Hoi An, and My Son Holy Land.

Hanoi

The Capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is one of the most fascinating cities in South East Asia. None other can compare in terms of the concentration of quality architecture, built during the Chinese and French colonial era. As a result of the country's isolation from western development after 1954, Hanoi has been preserved as a magnificent tribute to a great era of colonial architecture and city design. In addition to this architecture legacy the city is home to wonders such as the Old Quarter with its 36 narrow streets, each famous for crafts and goods, which have remained little changed for almost a thousand years. As a country's Capital, Hanoi has a timelessness captured by its French colonial architecture, lakes and tree lined boulevards, which the government is doing its best to preserve for future generations.

Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam was built in 1070 as a dedication to the founder of Confucianism. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam - the first university of Vietnam - was built in the premises of Van Mieu. Quoc Tu Giam was the first school for princes and children of royal family members. In 1482, King Le Thanh Ton ordered the erection of stelae with inscription of all the names, birth dates and birth places of doctors and other excellent graduates who took part in examinations since 1442. Each stela is placed on the back of a turtle representing the nation's longevity. During Nguyen Dynasty), Temple of Literature was moved to Phu Xuan (Hue Royal City).

This national park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of flora, many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres. Caves and grottoes, where various artifacts have been discovered, are located in the mountains within Ninh Binh Province. It is located approximately 62 miles (100 Km.) southwest of Hanoi.

One of Vietnam's most beautiful areas, the miraculous Halong Bay has fascinating limestone formations jut out of the sea over one thousand feet into the air, coves for nighttime excursions, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and scores of small islets. A four-hour boat trip will take you to beautiful hidden caves and lagoons among the massive limestone towers scattered throughout Ha Long Bay, but it may take you days to explore all the fascinating and striking sceneries of the bay recently recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Tourists now can spend the nights on Ha Long Bay in new large junks with convenient accommodations of international standards. The best beach in Ha Long Bay is Titop. Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,500 sq.km with thousands of islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Tonkin Gulf. The bottom of the bay is some 200m deep. The book "Les Merveilles du Monde" published by Hachette in 1950 classified Haï Long Bay as one of the wonders of the world. Ha Long means "Where the dragon descends into the sea". The legend has it that a great dragon plunged into the sea from his home in the mountains. Twisting and turning along towards the coast, his failing tail gouged out huge crevices and valleys, and when he reached the sea, the water he displaced rushed into the valleys, filling them up and leaving only the peaks which emerge from the surface and form some thousands of islands and islets. At present, about 1,000 islands are named, but many remain nameless or unidentified. The islands are infinitely various in shape, evoking all kinds of animals, hence their names : Dragon Island, Monkey Island, Toad Islet, Turtle Islet, Fighting Cock Islet... Hang Dau Go (Grotto of Wooden Stakes) is the most beautiful grotto and also a favourite of tourists in Ha Long Bay. Its name is related to a historical story : In preparation for an ambush on Mongol invaders in 1288, General Tran Hung Dao had hard wood stakes hidden in the grotto and planted in the bed of Baïch Ñaèng River to cut off the retreat of the enemy. Earlier in 1287, the grotto had been used as a shelter for General Tran Khanh Du's troops lying in ambush awaiting the food supply fleet of the Mongols. The mouth of the grotto is in the middle of the island. After climbing some 90 steps, you enter the first, large chamber which could accommodate one or two thousand people. Here, there are many stone stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colours. There is a stalagmite which looks like an Arhat standing on a lotus-flower stand with a stick in his hand. The walls of the second chamber sparkle beautifully. In the final chamber, there is a cool , fresh water all year round. In the 19th century, French tourists called Hang Dau Go "Grotte des merveilles" for the wide range of shapes and colours of its stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful sparkling light. Bo Nau Grotto: Bo Nau in Vietnamese means pigeon. In the old days, this place was the place for innumerable numbers of birds to have shelter and build their nests. Sitting on Bo Nau, you can have a large view of the sea and remote islands as far as your eyes can see. Another famous grotto is Trinh Nu (Virgin) which is also called "Surprising Grotto" for its amazing scenic entrance. Mount Bai Tho (Poem): Sailing in the bay one or two hundred metres from the mountain, you will see a poem carved on a flat stone cliff. In 1468, King Le Thanh Ton, who was also a poet, paid an inspection tour of the northeast region. He stopped over right at the foot of the mountain. Inspired by the magnificent beauty he found, he wrote a poem and had it engraved on the wall of the mountain. Since then, it was dubbed Nui Bai Tho (Poem Mount). It is very interesting to climb the mountain and enjoy a panoramic view of the bay.

This island is the largest in the Cat Ba archipelago. It is potentially one of the major beach destinations in Southeast Asia. This region has beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Within the mountains are caves and grottos. Located 36 miles (58km) east of Haiphong.

Situated on Cat Ba Island, this Park covers 15,200 ha, including 9,800 ha of forests and 4,200 ha of sea waters. Cat Ba Island is the biggest of Cat Ba group of 366 islands. They join Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay to form a spectacular array of sea and island scenery. Cat Ba National Park mostly includes limestone hills with an average height of 150m. There are also marvelous grottoes and white sand beaches. The largest area of tropical primeval forests in Vietnam remain in this Park. According to initial statistics, there are some 745 species in 149 families of plants, including various species of rare wood trees that need to be protected (Cho doi, Trai ly, Lat hoa, Kim giao for example). Cat Ba National Park is home to 20 types of mammals, 69 birds and more than 30 reptiles and amphibians. The rarest are the Voc (white-headed monkeys) which are seen on the high limestone mountain walls along the island's coast. Also seen are mountain goats, deer, wild boars and various kinds of beautiful birds such as kingfishers, hornbills and hawks. Some 20km to the northeast of Hai Phong is Bach Dang River which runs through a rugged terrain close to the sea. Also named Van Cu or Rung River, Bach Dang River entered Vietnamese history with the resounding military exploits of national heroes Ngo Quyen (938AD), Le Dai Hanh (981AD) and Tran Hung Dao (1288). Generally, their usual strategy was to plant secretly the pointed stakes in the bed of Bach Dang River. The Vietnamese troops lured the invaders into the ambush, and launched a counter-offensive at the ebb. Consequently, many enemy warships were sunk because they had been pierced by those dangerous stakes.

Sapa is the most attractive rendezvous in Lao Cai, a provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese borderline in the northwestern part of the country. Visitors to Sapa can attempt the walk across a suspended bamboo bridge over Muong Hoa River. Next to the bamboo bridge is a beautiful water fall known locally as Thac Bac (Silver Fall). Adventurers can't afford to miss an exciting excursion to the rooftop of of Vietnam: Fansipan mountain peak - 3,141m above sea level, where the winners can feel like losing their ways into a beautiful yet unreal Chinese landscape painting. Many ethnic groups choose Sapa for their homeland, among them are Tay, Thai, Muong, H'mong

An extensive network of nearly 200 miles (322km) of Viet Cong (Vietnam Communists) tunnels used in the war time located in Tay Ninh (suburb of Ho Chi Minh City), 70km northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels have complete facilities, from kitchens to "printing house" and even street signs, all of which were used to aid the NLF (National Liberation Front) armed force. The tour involves a description of the tunnels, after which the tourists can crawl about the maze to experience the life of many Vietnamese patriots during the two wars of resistance against French and American.

Tay Ninh

Tay Ninh Temple (Caodai Holy See)

CaoDaism seeks to create the ultimate religion by fusing Buddhist, Taoist, Confucianist and Catholic beliefs into a synthesis of its own. Witness the solemn ceremony of the unique religion - Caodaism - at the Caodai Holy See with thousands of followers dressed in red, blue, yellow and white robes is an unforgetable memory. The official symbol of Caodaism is the Divine Eye. The temple has nine levels which signify the nine steps to heaven, each level marked by a pair of multicoloured dragons.

Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain)

From afar, this 986-metre high mountain looks like a conical hat over the local plain. Centuries ago, Black Lady Mountain became the place of worship for the regional population. Perched on the mountain slope is Van Son Pagoda which faces a big lake nearby. The ascending and zigzag path to the mountain peak is crowned with many beautiful natural phenomena. Lying scattered in the mountain are some picturesque grottoes and caves. Black Lady Mountain is also the place that houses three different preserved parks which serve as natural museums. These museums display relics and photographs depicting the life and activities of the Vietnamese liberation armed forces during the Vietnam War.

Mekong Delta (My Tho, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Can Tho…)

One of the world's largest deltas, the Mekong Delta is formed by the various tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which begins its journey to the sea from Tibet and winds its way for 4500 km through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. Almost all tourists cannot afford to miss an interesting boat trip from My Tho, a province well-known for its tropical fruits such as durian, mango, rambutan and many others, that takes them through beautiful and peaceful narrow water path with many interesting stop-over to visits trade villages and lush orchrds.

Cai Be Floating Market

The boat trip may also take you to the Cai Be Floating Market where you can enjoy the folk cultural activities of the inhabitants in the western part of Nam Bo (South-Vietnam) and visit orchards on Tan Phong Island, which is best known for its vast rambutan gardens.

Vinh Trang Pagoda

Built in 1849, Vinh Trang Pagoda is famous for its 60 wooden statues, particularly a set of 18 Arhat statues, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Vietnamese plastic arts.

Dong Tam Snake Farm

Dong Tam Snake Farm is somewhat a medical research center where species of snakes are raised for research and many snake-based medicines are produced. It also serves as a first-aid hospital for victims of poisonous snakes that are abundant in Mekong Delta. Interesting snake shows are awating visitors while touring the farm.

Vung Tau (Cap Saint Jacques)

Only 128 kilometres from Hochiminh City, you can easily get to this beautiful coastal city by bus or by hydrofoil. With 15 kilometres of coastline, Vung Tau is endowed with many beautiful swimming and sunbathing beaches such as Bai Sau, Bai Dua and Bai Dau. The beach at Bai Truoc is an excellent spot for sightseeing. Gautama the Buddha is a large pagoda in Vung Tau town. Its beauty lies in the harmonious combination between the natural surroundings and the architectural structure which exists exclusively for religious worship. The particular trait here is the white cement octagonal stupa which towers to a height of 19 metres, and the giant statue of Gautama the Buddha seating on a large lotus blossom. The stupa and the statue were erected half way up the mountain slope which makes the whole project more formal and austere. Niet Ban Tinh Xa (Nirvana Monastery) is also a must-see. Giant Jesus is an enormous Rio de Janeiro-style figure of Jesus with arms outstretched gazing across the East Sea from the southern end of the Small Mountain. The figure is 28 metres high and based on a ten-metre high platform. The interior of the statue is hollow, making sufficient room for a spiral staircase ascending from the foot of the statue to the neck of the giant figure, through a flight of 129 steps. The two shoulders of the figure are balconies with each able to accommodate up to six people who are offered a splendid view of the landscape below. Bach Dinh ( White Palace) is a former royal residence on a lush forested hillside overlooking the sea. The mansion itself is emphatically French in its ornamentation, and includes a colourful mosaic and Roman style busts set into the exterior walls. Binh Chau Hot Spring is known locally as the field of thermal water and is located in a small valley. The spring consists of more than 100 small subterranean outlets with water temperature registered at 80 oC. It is said that you can boil a hen's egg in the spring. The hot water contains some medicinal properties which can treat rheumatism and hepatitis.

Buon Ma Thuot (Daklak)

Buon Ma Thuot province is located in the Daklak plateau, one of the three large plateaux in the Central Highlands. A trip to Buon Ma Thuot, the heart of Daklak will be an unforgetable experience to all adventure travellers. Trekking across streams, lakes, forests… on domesticated elephants and contacts with special cultural features of Ede ethnic group usually leave a memory in travellers' minds. The native land of the best elephant hunters and trainers throughout Southeast Asia is Ban Don (Don commune), located nearby the bank of Serepok river, about 50 kilometres from Buon Me Thuot. Another peculiar trait of the city is that there are many town houses made of wood in the inner city while many other houses in the suburbs are those on stilt. Others tourist attractions are D'raysap Water Fall, Lac Lake, Giu Yok National Park, Ban Jun (Jun Commune).

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is always a paradise for sea lovers and the city tourist infrastructure and attractions has been quickly invested over the past ten years. The picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang offers a number of historical sights of interest as well as some of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches. The Po Nagar Cham Towers are sun-baked monuments dedicated to Shiva by the Hindu-influenced Cham civilization. The central region near Nha Trang features some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The ocean waters are transparent, and the sands immaculate, attracting more and more visitors in recent times. Tours cover the Cham Ponagar complex, the north tower of which was built in 817 A.D. Ruins of the long-deceased Champa still stand as a testament to this once prominent kingdom. Other places for your excursions: Hon Tre (Bamboo island), Doc Let, Hon Tam. Scuba diving and snorkelling are available.

Dalat

Dalat is a cool mountain town that is a favorite spot for Vietnamese honeymooners. Located in the central highlands, Dalat's lovely climate and French influence combined with its many gardens, lakes and waterfalls make for the perfect romantic hideaway. The Ethnic Minority Museum is certainly worth visiting for those interested in the costumes, gongs, ornaments and other artifacts collected by locals from the Lam Dong province. As another point of interest, there is even an old abandoned nuclear power plant. Places to visits: Tuyen Lam Lake & Tuyen Lam Zen Temple, Xuan Huong Lake, Love Valley, Flower Gardens, Datanla Waterfall, Langbian Mount.

Danang (Tourane)

Known as Tourane under the French, Danang is a seaport of endless stretches of unspoiled sandy beach midway between Ha Noi to the north and Ho Chi Minh City to the South. The city was also the center of civilization of the Champa Kingdom, a kingdom which flourished In the area as early as the 2nd century A.D. Appealing stone sculptures (from the 4th-14th centuries) of Vishnu, Shiva and other Gods of this Kingdom can still be found in the Cham museum located in the center of the city Towards the coast south of Danang are five large hills known as the Marble Mountain. Mysterious caves within the mountains shelter altars delicated to Buddha, Bodhisattvas and The different genies arising from the popular beliefs of the area's inhabitants. With its own international and domestic airport, Danang provides an ideal stopover based for excursions to the ancient town of Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue and My Son Holy Land - three World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Holy Land (World Cultural Heritage Site)

Hai Van Pass

Named "The first-rank imposing landscape in the world", Hai Van Pass situates 496m above sea level with 20km of National Highway 1 and 7 railway tunnels. As a branch of Northern Truong Son mountain chain, it has many high peaks of which the highest is Hai Van with 1,172m in height. The mountain peak covered with clouds and the mountain foot plunged in sea, maybe the col was called Hai Van (Sea and Clouds) for this reason. Along the mountain side are five streams running down and offering an imposing view with thousands of granite rocks eroded for thousands of years. Considered the most imposing pass below the blue firmament, Hai Van lies unsteadily on the surface of the sea. Standing on the col, you can view Lang Co to north, the panorama of Non Nuoc to south, the rolling forests and mountains to west and boundless sea to east. At the foot of the col is the sandy expanse - both clean and beautiful - with the quiet framework intermingling sea, forests and mountains. In the old days, Son Tra Peninsula was a big island with three mountain peaks (Nghe, Mo Dieu, Co Ngua). Step by step, the streams of East Sea brought alluvium to form the mushroom-shaped Son Tra peninsula that together with Hai Van Pass bent sea into a bay called Non Nuoc. On Son Tra mountain with 693m in height, the forests are luxuriantly green with many monkeys, deer.... Son Tra peninsula is classified among the prohibited forests with paradisaical landscapes. Legend has it that the mountain was called Tien Sa because the fairies had often landed in this area. Son Tra mountain projects into the sea and overlooks a coastal stretch of the centre of Central Vietnam, so Non Nuoc plays an important role in military and economic fields. The crescent-shaped sandy expanse named Nam O spreads from the Son Tra mountain foot towards the south, with such even sections as My Khe and My An beach leading to Marble Mountain before projecting into the sea. Especially, either beach is beautiful with green casuarina-trees behind it and immense sea in front of it. In the dawn mist, the peninsula is not unlike a tortoise's shell in the middle of the high sea.

Hoi An & My Son Holy Land

Forty-five minutes by land south-east of Da Nang (30 km) Da Nang and known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres in Southeast Asia in the 15th-19th centuries. Hoi An was also an important port of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels in the Far East. Also served as the hub of East-West cultural exchange, Hoi An's ancient past is superbly preserved in its fascinating temples, pagoda, shop houses and home which make up the town's old quarter. Walking in the streets of this ancient town, one can observe the influence of the architecture, Sculpture and decorative styles of China and Japan and the skill of former Vietnamese architects who have absorbed their influences and created something similar yet somehow uniquely different. One of the most stunning site in Quang Nam is My Son Holy Land, the most important Cham relics with fifteen towers, and UNESCO has regconized as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Hue Royal City (World Cultural Heritage Site)

Being the provincial capital of Thua Thien - Hue, Hue City is one of the ancient imperial capitals in the country which have been kept almost intact until today. Divided by the majestic Perfume River, Hue is a small friendly city with a long history of cultural and educational advancement. At the center stands the former Royal Citadel consisting of three walled cities, surrounded by a moat, including the Forbidden Purple City. Once being in Hue, you can't afford to miss a short river excursion to the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors and see first hand the elaborate sculpture and architecture constructed in memorial to the benevolence of these rulers.
The royal architectural complex in dedication to 13 Nguyen kings includes royal palaces, citadels, temples, shrines, pagodas, mausoleums. If Ha Long Bay in Tonkin Gulf is the gift offered by nature, Hue City is the greatest man-made work of art ever existed in Vietnam. The whole royal complex of Hue has been officially recognized by UNESCO as an item listed in the World Cultural Heritage. In addition, Hue City has been one of the cradles of folk music in the country and regionally reputed for food specialties which were exclusively served at royal banquets.
Hue, the imperial city, the citadel-city of Phu Xuan was originally built up during the end of 17th Century and became a political capital as well as the Imperial City of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 2nd September 1945 when the Communist Party, leaded by President Ho Chi Minh had declared the Independent of the Nation and took over the power from the defeated Japanese Governor.
Nowadays, this small & poetical city of 280.000 habitants becomes one of the main tourism site of Vietnam destination by its splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas especially the Thien Mu Pagoda, the remains of Citadel as well as the romantic Perfume River where a cruise tour with Hue music performance in the moonlight was always provided since long time ago. Normally, visiting Hue within a day is a bit rush but still enough time to cover the main attractive sites such as The Citadel, The museum of antique, the tombs of Khai Dinh and Tu Duc emperors and a 02 hours cruise with stop over at Thien Mu pagoda.

Citadel & Forbidden City

This forbidden city of 10km. perimeter has 4 main entrance gates and well defended by kilometers of rampart was built in 1804 by the first emperor Nguyen Anh on a site chosen by geomancers and look likes a Chinese forbidden city in Beijin. Some parts of this forbidden city were totally destroyed during the war where now are under reconstruction providing UNESCO & Japanese non-government associations' fund. Lucky thing is most of the main area such as the citadel (the Imperial Enclosure), Flag Tower were remain intact where received hundred of visitors daily.

The Museum of Antique (Imperial museum)

This beautiful hall which house the Imperial Museum was built in 1845. The most precious artefacts were lost during the war (1954-1973) and the liberation day (1975) but ceramics, furniture and royal relics are remain until the present time.

Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb

This is the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase. Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town. It takes almost 10 years (1920-1931) to finish this grandiose concrete tomb which is completely unlike the others tombs where there was a mixture of typical Vietnamese & French colonial architecture. After climbing 36 steps passing by rows of elephants, horses, civil & military mandarin you will be reached the main building where a full original artefacts are displayed to the public.

Tu Duc Emperor's Tomb

The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues. This majestic and serene tomb with lake view, grove of pines, temples, living house area is the most expensive tomb which was completely terminated after 5 years by thousands of labor-worker (1863-1868) for this intellectual-poet emperor.

Minh Mang Emperor's Tomb

Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River Cruise

With 80km in length, the Perfume River is a beautiful site attracting many local and foreign tourists. It snakes along forests and mountains, bringing with it the flavours of Vietnamese tropical flora. By pleasurable excursions on the Perfume River, tourists can visit King Minh Mang's Tomb, Hon Chen Temple, Thien Mu Pagoda… Located on the hillock overlooking the Perfume River, the 21m-high octagonal tower with seven-storey of Thien Mu pagoda (1844) is one of the most famous structures in all over the country and become an unofficial symbol of Hue until now. A river cruise will give tourists a good chance to enjoy Hue culinary specialities while listening to the Hue music, breathing the romantic and poetic air on Perfume River.

Ngu Binh Mountain

Ngu Bình Mountain (also called Bang Son) is one of the best sights for scenic beauty in Hue. Ngu Bình is a mountain chain having a trapezium figure. From a distance, visitors can see the mountain range as a massive curtain protecting the imperial city of Hueá from storms and strong winds. Together with Song Huong (Perfume River), Ngu Bình Mountain is an indelible symbol of Hue.

Bach Ma National Park

Situated south of Thua Thien - Hue and 40km south of Hue City. Bach Ma - according to foreign experts - is one of the comfortable climatic zones (for mountainous resorts) in Indochina. Though similar to Da Lat, Sa Pa and Tam Dao, Bach Ma proves better than these resorts for it is not far from sea. The lowest temperature in winter is never below 4 degrees C, and the highest one in summer never exceeds 26 degrees Celcius.

Phan Thiet

Located in Binh Thuan province, Phan Thiet is 200 km from Saigon and lies south of Cam Ranh bay on the southernmost stretch of Central Vietnam. Binh Thuan was once a part of the Cham kingdom. In 1692, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu captured the area and named it Binh Thuan Dinh. Binh Thuan is quite important in Vietnam's history, as it was because of this area that in 1306 King Tran Nhan Tong agreed to the marriage of princess Huyen Tran to King Jaya Sinhavarman III of the Cham Kingdom. During the revolution against the French, it was in this area that the two patriots Phan Chu Trinh and Tran Quy Cap had their start. Furthermore, according to local lore, the area around Phan Thiet is where Han Mac Tu, the disfigured poet, spent his time forlornly as he waited for Mong Cam, the lady of his dreams. Phan Thiet is the largest town in Binh Thuan province with an estimated population of close to 100,000 people. The town sits on the borders of Ca Ty river, is 20 Km from the ocean and swells with boats during the fishing season in the summer months. Fishing is Phan Thiet's largest industry. According to local statistics, some 100 different varieties of fishes are caught here with an annual yield of over 70,000 tons. As a result, Phan Thiet is famous for its Nuoc Mam (fish sauce), a seasoning used in Vietnamese cuisine.

Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang)

Kien Giang is endowed with beautiful sites, cultural and historic relics that attract many visitors the year round. These include the vast submerged forests at U Minh Ha Tien town, and Phu Quoc island.
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the hear-shaped island lies just 62 nautical miles from Rach Gia, Kien Giang and nearly 290 nautical miles from Laem Chabang (Thailand). It covers an area of 567 sq. km (about 62 km long and 3-28 km wide).
The famous Phu Quoc dog, as explained by the French Larousse dictionary, is a well-tamed wild canine species which has become hunters' favorite companion. Trekking through the park should be done in the dry season only. Phu Quoc has a monsoon sub-equatorial climate. There are two seasons in the year: the rainy season (October only) and the dry season (November to September). The average annual rainfall is 2,879 m and the average temperature is 27oC. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue
In addition to such interesting activities for tourists as mobile fishing, squid-catching trips and excursions to other beautiful islands of Phu Quoc, the Scuba Diving and KUDA & CMAS were introduced to the Island at the early of 2002 by Hwang Dae Young, better known for his dive club in Korea. So whilst diving is relatively new here you have a rare opportunity to be amongst the first to dive this area and to discover new diversities.
Diving is similar to the rest of Vietnam whereby there are not the large pelages, Mantas or Sharks. However the corals here are pristine and the mass of small islands to the south of Phu Quoc are home to a huge variety of small colorful reef/coral fish, many of them endemic to the Vietnamese waters. All KUDA & CMAS diving and experience courses are offered here, as well as daily dive trips. KUDA & CMAS is the only official dive club on the island and is run by the highest qualified Instructor in Korea together with KUDA & CMAS.