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From: "http://www.pmgeiser.ch, Peter M. Geiser" Newsgroups: rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.vietnamese,rec.answers,soc.answers,news.answers Followup-To: rec.travel.asia Subject: Vietnam - The Internet Travel Guide (FAQ) (part 2/5) Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Summary: Travel guide to Vietnam. Expires: 31 Dec 2004 23:59:59 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 212.254.90.222 Message-ID: <3fed4d9e_2@news.tiscalinet.ch> Date: 27 Dec 2003 10:15:10 +0100 X-Trace: news.tiscalinet.ch 1072516510 212.254.90.222 (27 Dec 2003 10:15:10 +0100) Organization: Customers of Tiscali DataComm AG - http://www.tiscali.ch/ Lines: 821 Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!npeer.de.kpn-eurorings.net!newsfeed.tiscali.ch!news.tiscalinet.ch!not-for-mail Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.travel.asia:187776 soc.culture.vietnamese:692916 rec.answers:84417 soc.answers:18671 news.answers:263638 Archive-name: travel/vietnam-guide/part2 Url: http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam Posting-Frequency: quarterly VIETNAM - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide Located in South East Asia, Vietnam starts to emerge as a major tourist attraction. Vietnam has two main cities, the political capital Hanoi and the economic capital Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). Apart from these cities, Vietnam's countryside also offers many beautiful attractions. Places An Khe Buon Ma Thuot Cantho Cat Ba Island Central Highland Chau Doc Cholon Chua Huong Con Dao Cu Chi Cuc Phuong National Parc Dakto / Tanh Canh Dalat Danang Do Son Dong Ha Haiphong Halong Bay Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hoa Lu Hoi An Hue Kontum Lao Bao Long Xuyen Mekong Delta Myson Mytho Nha Trang Ninh Binh Phan Rang Phan Thiet Phong Nha Caves Phu Quoc Pleiku Quang Ngai Rach Gia Saigon Sapa Tay Ninh Vat Sat Tourist Parc Vinh Long Vinh Moc Vung Tau General Information Geography Map of Vietnam Climate People Events Visa Embassies Border Crossing Money Mail Telephone Internet Access Hotels Food Diving Health Transportation Flying Train Roads Bus Minibus Car Motorcycle Bicycles Cyclos Tours Travel Guides Boats ************************************************************************** VIETNAM - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide Copyright (c) 1995 - 2004, Peter M. Geiser http://www.pmgeiser.ch http://www.pmgeiser.com http://www.mineralwaters.org http://www.dussy.ch ************************************************************************** BOOKS For books, please have a look at the online version at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam ************************************************************************** HANOI http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hanoi.htm Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, buit in 1010. Aproximately one million people live there. It is (in my opinion) Vietnam's most beautiful city. With many French colonial building the old part of the city retains a special charm, with many shops virtually spilling their goods into the streets. If you want to buy something you have to know in what street it is sold, i.e. there is a shoe street, a noodle shop street, a clothes street, a funeral articles street, etc. Its streets are lined with trees, giving the city a wonderful green colour and providing shade. People in Hanoi are perhaps not as easy going as people in Saigon, but they are more hospitable and much friendlier. A good place to meet people is in the parks at 6 am doing various sports, such as Tai-Chi. Many new houses are being built, but they are mostly typical Vietnamese, some 2.5 to 6 m wide and more than 40 m deep. They have 4 to 6 stories, on each story a beautiful balcony facing the street. Old and new buildings integrate easily, never destroying the picture of the 'old' town. Sights Attractions include the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu, open between 8:30 and 16:30, entrance fee VND 12'000), the beautiful Hoan Kiem lake, the Hoan Keim district (the old center, with many beautiful, small shops), St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (no entrance fee), the Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda just next to it and the Historical Museum (VND 4000). The Air Force museum is worth a visit for planes of the American war. One of the most exceptional evenings I spent in Hanoi was the visit to the Water Puppet Theater, Kim Dong Theatre at 57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street. After an introduction of Vietnamese music, the show started. It is actually a series of scenes from Vietnamese everyday life, depicted by beautifully carved and painted puppets. They are held on long sticks by people standing in the water behind a bamboo screen. Admission was USD 2 or USD 4 with cassette, and they charge USD 1 for photographing. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a worth a visit for patient people. The admission fee is VND 5'000. It is closed on Fridays. The Hoa Lu Prison (aka Hanoi Hilton) was a drab triangle. It is possible to visit, entrance fee is VND 10'000. For those interested in steam trains, there are some old locomotives in the rail yard. The best bet is the Giap Bat station at 14:00, when there should be one. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High C 20 20 23 27 32 33 32 32 31 29 26 22 F 69 69 74 81 89 91 90 90 88 84 78 72 Low C 14 14 17 21 24 26 26 26 24 22 18 15 F 57 58 63 69 75 78 78 78 76 71 65 59 Water C 23 22 23 24 26 28 29 29 29 28 26 24 F 73 72 73 76 78 82 84 84 84 82 78 76 Rain mm 18 25 46 84 193 239 295 310 257 127 46 20 inches 0.7 1.0 1.8 3.3 7.6 9.4 11.6 12.2 10.1 5.0 1.8 0.8 h sun/day 2 2 1 3 4 5 5 4 5 5 3 3 days rain 8 13 15 14 14 14 15 16 14 9 7 7 Transportation When arriving at the airport, beware of the cheap, inofficial taxis. Although cheaper, they certainly will get stopped by the police. Not only do you have to wait for quite some time, but you will also have to pay a penalty that is much higher than what you would have paid for an official taxi. (see also section on flying) Hotels There is no shortage of hotels in Hanoi, although it could well be possible that the one you wanted to go to is full at the time. Mini-Hotels cost usually between USD 15 to 25. There are two main areas for budget accommodation. One is the Hoan Kiem district (also known as the old town), just north of the Hoan Kiem lake. It is very pretty, with lots of charm. The other is just south of the lake. Hotels seem to be a bit cheaper than in the old part, but this also depends on your bargaining success. Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hanoi.htm. Shopping There are many tailor-shops in Hanoi. One of the better, with good prices is the Nice at 110 Tran Phu. The tailor anything overnight. The BookWorm bookstore in Hanoi has more than 1600 English books. It opened in April 2001 and is located not far from the Hoan Kiem lake on 15A Ngo Van So Street. Opening hours are 10am - 7pm Tuesdays - Sunday. ************************************************************************** HO CHI MINH CITY http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hochiminhcity.htm Ho Chi Minh City is one of the new Asian boomtowns and with 3.5 million inhabitants Vietnams largest city. There is still a lot of the old Asia, but it is changing rapidly, becoming modern quite quickly. Ho Chi Minh City is often referred to as Saigon. However, this is only part of the truth, as Ho Chi Minh City also includes other parts, like Cholon. The saddest part of the modernisation are the many beggars, some of them dressing up their wounds, some pretending that they are one legged (binding one leg up behind their bodies), while others were really disabled. Since I have seen beggars only at tourist spots and many beggars were strong and healthy young men I never gave them money. Another point is that I never encountered beggars in other cities (except the tourist spots in NhaTrang). Sights The sights of the two main parts of the city, Saigon and Cholon are described in the respective section. Here I list sights that are more towards the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Phuoc Hai Tu Pagoda Built by local Cantonese in 1909, this is one of the most colorful pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City. Dedicated to the Emperor of Jade, the supreme Taoist god, this temple also contains a wide range of other deities including the Buddhist archangel Michael, a Sakyamuni Buddha, statues of two generals who tamed the Green and the White Dragon, and Quan Am. There is also a Hall of Ten Hells with reliefs depicting the one thousand tortures of hell. Women sell birds at the pagoda that are set free to gain merit and there is a pond containing large turtles. Tran Hung Dao Pagoda This temple was built in 1932 for the worship of the victorious 13th century general Hung Dao. It contains a series of bas-reliefs depicting the general's successes, carved dragons, and weapons. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda A Japanese-style pagoda completed in 1967, it is one of the largest in Vietnam. The structure is a classical seven-story pagoda with a spacious sanctuary.(only open on holidays). Inside is a large Japanese-style Buddha in an attitude of meditation, flanked by two goddesses. Le Van Duyet Temple Le Van Duyet is the South Vietnamese hero who put down the Tay Son Rebellion and reunited Vietnam. The main sanctuary displays a strange collection of the Marshal's personal possessions: a stuffed tiger, a miniature mountain, whale baleen, carved elephants, crystal goblets, spears, and other weapons of war. The Marshal is buried here with his wife. Giac Vien Tu Pagoda The Pagoda of Buddha's Complete Enlightenment was built in 1771 and dedicated to the worship of the Emperor Gia Long. Although restored, Giac Vien Tu remains one of the best preserved temples in Vietnam. It is lavishly decorated, with over 100 carvings of various divinities and spirits, dominated by a large gilded image of Sakyamuni. Giac Lam Pagoda Built in 1744, the Forest of Enlightenment Pagoda is the oldest in Ho Chi Minh City. It has a sacred Bodhi tree in the courtyard, the gift of a monk from Sri Lanka, and curious for the blue and white porcelain plates used to decorate the roof and some of the small towers in the garden facing the pagoda. Inside there are rows of funerary tablets with pictures of the dead and a main altar with layers of Buddhas dominated by the Buddha of the Past. Particularly interesting is a 49-Buddha oil lamp. The monks are very friendly and are a good source for the history of the pagoda. Some speak good English and French. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High C 32 33 34 33 33 32 32 32 31 31 31 31 F 89 91 93 92 92 90 89 89 88 88 88 87 Low C 21 22 23 25 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 22 F 70 71 74 77 76 75 75 75 75 74 73 71 Water C 27 27 27 28 29 30 30 29 29 29 29 28 F 81 81 81 82 84 86 86 84 84 84 84 82 Rain mm 10 5 10 21 218 297 279 272 310 267 112 36 inches 0.4 0.2 0.4 2.0 8.6 11.7 11.0 10.7 12.2 10.5 4.4 1.4 h sun/day 6 8 7 7 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 6 days rain 1 1 1 4 14 23 20 18 20 17 12 4 9 5 3 3 5 5 6 5 15 18 13 16 9 6 3 4 5 5 6 5 14 18 14 15 Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hochiminhcity.htm. In the region of Pham Ngu Lao and Le Lai street (around Kim Cafe and Vinh Cafe) are many small hotels with cheap rooms. Also a place to look for cheap accommodation is nearby Bui Vien Street. Restuarants Kim Cafe and Sinh Cafe (6 Pham Ngu Lao St) are known all over Saigon. The area around those two travelling cafes that also offer tours (see tours section) is full of cheap places to eat. I prefered Kim Cafe over Sinh Cafe, because the service was much better (in fact, excellent), and the beggars and post card selling kids were not allowed to come into Kim Cafe. The Buddha Tree, located in the first street behind Kim and Sinh Cafes, is a good vegetarian restaurant. The Zen Vegetarian retaurant, down an alley opposite Kim Cafe offers vegetarian food. There is an excellent pizza restaurant at Pham Ngu Lao St, towards Cholon from Kim Cafe. Goodmorning Vietnam, at De Tham, has original Italian owners and good Italian food. Another good place for Italien food is the Trattoria Santa Lucia at Dai Lo Nguyen Hue Street. A meeting place for Italian people is the meeting point at Cafe Latin close to Dong Khoi Street. Que Huong/Vietnam Motherland on the same street has very good food and big portions. There is a nice (and cheap) cafe at 123 Nguyen Hue Boulevard called Lan Phuong. The owner is very nice and didn't try to overchage me (something special in this 'region of the rich tourists' in Saigon.) An excellent and lovely restaurant on Dong Khoi is Tan Nam. It's beautifully decorated and the food and its presentation were superb. The Cafe Saigon is a popular hangout for expats. Good service and good food for a good price. Located on the corner of De Tham opposite of Allez Boo. The small pho restaurant just opposite the War Crimes Museum is a good choice as well. Make sure you go there before going to the museum. One of the most famous, and most expensive, retaurants is Maxim's. It's full of Japanese and certainly overrated. A special treat is the Indochine Restaurant (Dong Duong) at 144 Tran Hung Dao Street (Tel 8395476). It's not exactly cheap, but has very good food. They have the strangest of dishes, such as goat penis, pig brain, snake head and uterus. Another special treat is an evening at the rooftop bar or on the terasse of the Rex hotel. The main attraction is the superb view over one of the busiest intersections of Saigon. In the evening, especially before holidays, Saigon's youth gather there to 'see and been seen'. Although prices were about three times of Kim Cafe, the service was lousy. But of course location and view cost as well... Another idea to spend a quiet day is to use the swimming pool in the Rex. The famous Apocalypse Now has reopened in December 1996 at 2C Thi Sach Street. This bar is very popular with Western travellers. Although open earlier, it doesn't start to get crowded until 10pm. A bar that has often live music it the Buffalo Blues at 72A Nguyen Du, District 1, Tel 822 2874. There is a new cafe called Condom. Financed by the Medecins du Monde, it hands out condoms. It also answers questions to AIDS. Of course, new American cuisine is moving in as well. There is a Baskin and Robins ice-cream parlour on Tran Hung Dao Boulevard. Note: Beware of the aggressive street vendors on Dong Khoi St. between the Continental and the Majestic Hotels. They are gangs of professional pickpockets (meaning they get your money before you notice it!) Crime is in the rise in the streets of Saigon. There are not only the usual stories of stolen cameras, shoes, walkmen, bags, and what else, but I also got word of a group of twenty elderly French tourists being robbed by a gang of about 25 boys just after they left the hotel for a daytrip. The police is obviously used to these kind of things. They are very helpful, if not friendly, and know the procedures of filing a report (e.g. for the insurance.) If you look around in some markets you will most likely be able to buy back your stolen goods. ************************************************************************** HOA LU http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hoalu.htm (Lars) Among the more scenic areas I would recommend is the vicinity of the old capitol of Hoa Lu (I think the first emperors lived there), just outside Ninh Binh. The landscape shows the same type of sharp-rising cliffs/mountains as in Ha Long, although here you'll find small rice-fields in between. Take a boat ride along the small rivers (they actually pass under the mountain in a few places); go exploring caves (I didn't have time); or just stroll down the dirt road between the cliffs. It's beautiful! Close by are other places well worth a visit: Bich Dong pagoda and Tam Cuc. ************************************************************************** HUE http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hue.htm Hue was the national capital from 1802 to 1945. 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty lived in the forbidden city. Today, its monuments are a Unesco World Heritage Site. Sights The main attraction, the Imperial City is mostly bombed flat (one of the haviest battles of the American War took place in Hue during the Tet Offensive in 1968). The few remaining buildings (five if I remember correctly) all have been converted to souvenir shops. The most impressive sight is the royal citadel. Constructed in 1805, it is 20 meter across, has 6 meter high walls and is surrounded by a moat. The citadel has 10 gates: An Hoa, Chanh Tay, Dong Ba, Hau, Huu, Ke Trai, Nha Do, Sap, Sgan, and Thuong Tu. A little outside of the city are several old tombs from former emperors. The admission costs USD 5 each! As an alternative try to walk around the tomb to find any open gates where nobody charges admission, but this will not always work. Since all of them look similar, it is not worth to visit all of them, one or two will suffice. The nicer tombs are the Tomb of Minh Mang and Tu Duc Tomb. The Thieu Tri tomb has no walls around it, so it can be visited for free. Most hotels offer beautiful boat trips to the tombs for USD 5. This boat trip is often combined with the Thien Mu Pagoda (also known as Linh Mu Pagoda). Some cafes offer boat tours that take you to Thien Mu Pagoda, one temple and three tombs, and even provide lunch for USD 3. Try to be at the pagoda at sunset. (Michael) The Minh Mang tomb is poorly preserved, but the setting is beautiful. Tu Duc is in better shape, but the layout is not as nice. It is a long, long walk from the river to Tu Duc. Thien Mu is worth it if just to see the famous car (see LP). (John) Hue has brought in the new year (1995) with raising their prices on all their attractions from an expensive $3.50 to an outrageous $5.00 per foreigner. The local prices are $0.50. The tombs are really not that great, A fair price is $1-2 to see them. I would visit one tomb only since many of them are very similar. At the Imperial City I joined two other people to hire a guide for $3. His English was excellent and the guide was well worth it. (John) The tombs are on the outskirts of town and are reachable by boat for $4/person if organized through the Morin. A boat can be hired privately for $12. The tombs can also be reached by bicycle. Upon visiting one of the tombs I was charged 0.50 each way to cross a river by boat with my bicycle. (Michael) To get across the river to the Dong Ba market, check for private boats at the Huong Giang end of the Dap Da bridge and river taxis at the other end. Be sure to negotiate the price before getting on the boat. Tourist price seems to be about a dollar to get across the river. (Michael) Cruises both directions on the Perfume River are well worth it. We engaged a 'dragon boat' for $12 a day. One day we went out to Thuan An beach for the day. Another day we went the other way to visit a few tombs. Both trips were very nice and much enjoyed by my daughter. Negotate directly with the boat owner for the best price. Again, try getting a boat near the Dap Da bridge, or just down the river from the floating restaurant. The Hon Chen temple costs VND 20000. Transportation Hue's airport has been reopened. The airport bus into the city costs USD 1. Tell the driver where you would like to go and chances are he will take you directly there. He will also know good guest houses. There are bicycles for rent at VND 6000 - 7000. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/hue.htm. Historical comment The Saigon Morin Hotel has a lot of history but something that most travellers don't know is that the Morin and the streets and buildings around it, were the setting for some dramatic events during the battle for Hue city in the communist Tet Offensive in February 1968. At the time, the Morin housed Hue University. Just down and across the street (away from the river) is a walled complex that is currently a police or military site. In 1968 this complex was the MACV (Military Assisstance Command Vietnam) compound, a US military command center. That building was the only significant US position in Hue that was not captured by the communists in the Tet Offensive. Actually there were not many US troops inside Hue at all prior to 68. The MACV compound was mostly an adminstrative site. But, with reinforcements from Phu Bai just down the highway, it did become the command centre for the recapture of Hue. One of the first buildings recaptured from the communists was Hue University (the Morin Hotel). US troops fought a running battle for the Morin, clearing the building room by room, mostly by tossing hand grenades. Once the Morin was in US hands, motars were set up in the courtyard, and it became a command post supporting attacks against other buildings to the west, such as the heavily fortified Treasury building (now a VietCom Bank). The book "Fire in the Streets" by Eric Hammel, details the battle for Hue, and includes enough detail, maps and photos to allow you to track the progress of the conflict, street by street and building by building. It's not for everyone but reading it can add a new dimension to your visit to the city (cheaper than a visit to the tombs), and may add a poignant edge to your stay at the Morin. The Huong Giang Hotel was the MACV BOQ in 1968. Bullet holes can still be seen in the glass in the stairway on the Western side of the old building. (Michael) So, we moved out and into the Huan Giang Hotel on the river. This cost USD 80 for a huge room with satellite TV, a good buffet breakfast and a two bed room. The river front restaurant at the Huang Giang is (confirming LP) excellent and a very good value. The sunset view is great. The hotel itself fills up every night with groups of French tourists doing Vietnam in a week or some such thing. Shopping There are silk paintings for less than USD 1. ************************************************************************** KONTUM http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/kontum.htm Kontum is a small city north of Pleiku. There are many montagnards, mainly Banhar, but also Rengao, Jarrai, Xedang, Jolung, Rade, Ede and Jet. Sights There is a nice French cathedral. On Nguyen Hue Street is a large church that is more than 120 years. About 1 km past the French Church is the famous Montagnard Church. Originally built in 1913, it was restored in 1995. There are several unique montagnard sculptures made from tree roots and a replica of a communal house, which has an extremely steep thatched roof. The central stained glass window was constructed by Mark in 1995 while he was working as a voluntary teacher there. There is a rong just next to the cathedral. It is set about 1 m above ground. Behind the cathedral is a montagnard orphanage, run by wonderful and kind nuns. Here you will always receive a warm welcome and learn something of the culture. With some luck, you may even witness a concert of traditional music and dancing. This is also a place to inquire about any festivals in the surrounding villages. At Christmas and Easter, there are at least 30,000 montagnards that journey to this provincal capital to participate in the festivities. To get some entertainment, you could visit the cinema, but I doubt that the movies will be in another language than Vietnamese or perhaps Chinese. Another form of entertainment and certainly an excellent experience is a visit to the Foreign Language Centre. The students love to talk to foreigners. Most banks cannot change travellers cheques, but only 50 or 100 USD bills. Travellers cheques will be changed at Quy Nhon Viet Com Bank. However, the jewellery shop at the corner near the market will change dollars and give a better rate than the banks. Montagnard Villages The region around Kontum is very beautiful and rather free from restricted areas. The best thing is not to ask, but just to go. The local tourist agency does not always deliver and is not recommended. There are many villages very close to the town, yet maintaining their identity. One hundred years ago, there were no Vietnamese in the area. Plei Ton Nghia is located near the hospital. Kon Hra Chot is located about 300 metres down a track opposite the French church. Kontum Knomh is located 200 m past the Montagnard Cathedral. Plei Groi / Plei Rohai still has a communal house. Go south over the bridge on the QL 19 for about 1 km turn left at the small petrol/gas station and continue on this track. Kon Kotu makes a very interesting destination. Go two or three km east from Cafe Eva, cross the suspension bridge and take the track left. Continue until after a few more km you arrive at a small village called Kon Dra Ji. At the bottom of the slope leading to this village take the track to the left. Consider employing a friendly local as a guide. Kon Hra Ban has a communal house but it has a tin roof. Go north on the QL 14, turn left past the hospital and keep on this road for a few km. The communal house is by the roadside. If you continue, you will come to Sathay, which has an enormous Vietnamese mock of a communal house. It is 'adorned' with a few sorry looking stuffed animals. South of Kontum there is Yaly waterfall which is quite powerful. The large construction site and the masses of coke cans and wrappers make the experience less desirable. Transportation The bus station is located in the south of Kontum. Hotels There are many hotels and guest houses for reasonable prices. Note: Malaria is a big problem in the area. Make sure you use the mosquito nets in the hotels. The Hotel Dakbla, named after the river, was completed in 1996. Rooms with hot water and attached bathroom start at USD 9. Hotel 42 is a USD 5, but the rooms are dirty. Directly opposite is an even cheaper pit for USD 3. There are two bank guest houses and the guest house of the electric company. Rooms are USD 5. The government guesthouse has lower quality, but higher prices than the Dakbla. Restaurants Kontum's local speciality is Ban Xiao, and there are many places that offer it. Beware that the hygiene is not always of a high standard. The best place for food is the restaurant Dakbla at 168 Nguyen-Hue Street, about 50 metres from the hotel with the same name. The place is run by Mr. Van who is very convivial and a good drinking partner, if his wife allows it. You will get all sorts of information at this restaurant. The help is given out of genuine friendlyness, so please don't abuse these peoples good will. There are many simple, but pleasant garden cafes in the town's side street. About 2 kilometres east of the town centre on Phan Chu Trinh Street is the Cafe Eva. Its owner, Mr. An is an artist with good taste and consequently, the cafe is attractive and has an interesting interior. ************************************************************************** LAO BAO http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/laobao.htm Lao Bao is the main overland entrance point to and from Laos. While it has been neglected for a long time, it now starts to become a regular, often used border crossing with with appropriate facilities. While the town itself is nothing special, the landscape is beautiful. From the border, there are many busses to several destinations in Vietnam. Note: Beware of the money changers at the border. Their rates are ridicilously low (starting at about half the regular rate!!!). ************************************************************************** LONG XUYEN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/longxuyen.htm Sights Catholic Cathedral This is one of the largest Catholic churches in the Delta with a seating capacity of 1,000. It was constructed between 1966 and 1973 with a 164 foot (50-meter) high bell tower in the form of clasped-hands that is visible from outside town. Quan Thanh Pagoda This small pagoda was built by Cantonese residents about 70 years ago. With lively murals on the entrance wall the altar displays figures of General Quan Cong and his two cohorts General Chau Xuong and the mandarin Quan Binh. To the left is Ong Bon, Guardian Spirit of Happiness and Virtue, and on the right is Thien Hau, Goddess of the Sea. Dinh Than My Phuoc Pagoda Interesting for its roof and the murals on the wooden walls near the altar. Cao Dai Church On the outskirts of town traveling towards Chau Doc is a Cao Dai church worth visiting if you can't see the Cao Dai cathedral at Tay Ninh. Cho Moi District Cross the river from Long Xuyen to see rich groves of banana, durian, guava, jackfruit, longan, mango, mangosteen, and plum. The women here are said to be the most beautiful in the Mekong Delta. ************************************************************************** MEKONG DELTA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/mekong.htm (John) The two-day Mekong Delta tour offered by the Sinh Cafe was about $20 and was particularly good. The guide spoke very good English and was quite knowledgeable about the region. Also, the hotel they were using in early January was the best I stayed in throughout Vietnam. It was so new I could smell the paint. Eating In the Mekong Delta one specialty easily obtainable is snake. Some restaurants offer them life, so you can choose and they are certainly fresh. One kilogram should cost around VND 25000 to 35000, cooking between 15000 to 35000. One kg serves four to five persons. ************************************************************************** MYSON http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam/places/myson.htm The runis of My Son Sanctuary are a Unesco World Heritage Site. Sights These Cham ruins are a very beautiful spot to visit. Of course there are some people trying to make money out of you. A taxi or a motorcylce can only go to a small river a bit away from the ruins. There is a ferry and motorcycle transportation service, but it is easy to cross the river a little bit upstream and the walk to the entrance takes only about 20 min. At the ferry station is a tent from the red cross. They show some ugly photographs from people with wounds inflicted either by mines or the war. The main goal is to extract money out of the tourist's pockets. Typical for Vietnam, I was not sure if it was real or a scam. (John) The Cham ruins are nice, but I experienced many hassles upon visiting. I rented a motorcycle for $5 in Hoi An and drove myself to MySon. I bargained the ferry operator from an outrageous $10 to $3 for three people and two motorcycles to cross the pond both ways. Upon parking the motorcycles just before the entrance, we had problems with a guide who did not speak English that insisted we must use a guide to see the ruins. He finally left and stole our gas. We were overcharged by 1000% at the entrance gate, and a begger wanted a toll for crossing a bridge. ************************************************************************** VIETNAM - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide Copyright (c) 1995 - 2004, Peter M. Geiser http://www.pmgeiser.ch http://www.pmgeiser.com http://www.mineralwaters.org http://www.dussy.ch **************************************************************************