Top 5 Things to do in Danang

Most travellers tend skip Danang on their way to Hoi An however the city is filled with great restaurants, bars and plenty of sights to see to warrant a few days stay. While the city has gone through a surge of tourism of sorts with 5 star resorts popping up along the coast, the city still remains a charming escape from the touristy Old Quarter of Hoi An. We’ve listed our top 5 list of things to do in Danang. Centre Vietnam travel

A windy road on the Hai Van Pass on the road from Danang to Hue.

HAI VAN PASS
This windy stretch of road was made famous by Top Gear UK’s Jeremy Clarkson in 2008 when he proclaimed it, “a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world.” While most traffic from Danang to Hue use the Hai Van Tunnel, intrepid motorbike riders willing to throw caution to the wind and head to the twisting switchback filled road will be rewarded with breathtaking views of turquoise waters and lush mountainsides. JAHAN CRUISE

Local insight: Make sure to stop at the top of the pass to see the brick gate built by Emperor Minh Mang in the 19th century.

Top 5 Things to do in Danang

A statue of a buddha sits in a lush garden at the Marble Mountains in Danang

MARBLE MOUNTAIN
A stairway of 156 steps takes you to the summit of Thuy Son mountain which is dotted with pagodas and caves filled with sculptures and engravings dating back to the Cham Empire. If you aren’t interested in taking the staircase, take the elevator for VND30,000. Jasmine Cruise

Local insight: Direct marble extraction is forbidden in the area and all of the marble is shipped in from neighbouring provinces.

A no swimming sign sits on the Danang coastline

DANANG COASTLINE
One can’t mention Danang without mentioning it’s vast and pristine coastline. My Khe beach is now dominated by a string of 5 star resorts but if you are looking to escape the crowds, head to Red Beach which is generally deserted throughout the day.

Local insight: Those looking to catch a wave should head to Danang during the months of December to February.

The Goddess of Mercy statue sits in the Linh Ung Pagoda in Danang

GODDESS OF MERCY
Standing at 69.7 meters in height, the stark white Goddess of Mercy statue can be seen for miles. Located on the side of Monkey Mountainin the Linh Ung Pagoda, this statue has 17 levels inside, each with 21 Buddha idols.

Local insight:  For stunning vistas of Danang bay, head to Vong Hai Dai street just to the right of the pagoda.

The temples at My Son

MY SON
Located 69km’s southwest of Danang, this cluster of abandoned Hindu temples are well worth the drive. While not as magnificent as the Angkor temple structures in Cambodia, these ancient ruins of the Champa Kingdom are not to be missed. Nestled in a lush valley, the area is divided into 10 main groups depending on the era or divinity honoured.

Local insight: It can get busy around 9am so try to leave early to miss the crowds.

I hope you enjoyed our top 5 things to do in Danang! Make sure to check back with us for more great travel tips.

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam

Vietnam Visa Requirements

For any traveler a trip planning should start not from booking a flight ticket or arranging a hotel, but from checking the visa policy of the country he would like to visit. Some nationalities can enter the territory of Vietnam without visa. But for majority of the countries it is required. The visitors can obtain a visa from one of the Vietnamese diplomatic missions or via agency on arrival. Also a passport valid for at least 6 months is necessary. Check the policy before you start travelling to avoid problems on the Vietnamese border. Southern Vietnam with extension to Cambodia 10 days

Visa Exemption
Currently 17 nationalities can visit Vietnam without visa for different time periods. In 2014 it was proposed to allow citizens of European Union, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan to enter the country without visa as well. But in September 2014 this proposal was rejected. Vietnamese government extended the list of the visa exemption countries only for Australia, France, Germany, India and the UK. SONG XANH CRUISE

List of the countries that do not require a visa to Vietnam (with a duration of staying): Image Cruise
Brunei (14 days)
Cambodia (30 days)
Denmark (15 days)
Finland (15 days)
Indonesia (30 days)
Japan (15 days)
Kyrgyzstan (30 days)
Laos (30 days)
Malaysia (30 days)
Myanmar (14 days)
Norway (15 days)
Philippines (21 days)
Russia (15 days)
Singapore (30 days)
South Korea (15 days)
Sweden (15 days)
Thailand (30 days)

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam

Visit to Phú Quốc Island
Phu Quoc is designated as a Special Economic Zone and the Vietnamese government are allowing tourists to stay on the island for up to 30 days without requiring a Vietnam Visa. To be able to enter Phu Quoc without visa you should arrive to the island from any other foreign country and land at Phu Quoc International Airport. If you are transiting from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, then you must board your flight to Phu Quoc from the international terminal in order to receive your exemption. Also it is possible to come to the island by a cruise ship sailing from the other international ports. However, if you are planning to continue your trip around the country, then visa obtaining is required.

Visa on-arrival
In order to get your visa on arrival, first of all, you should receive an approval letter. First of all, you  have to fill in the Online Application Form and pay the service fee. Normally, within 2-3 working days you will get your Visa approval letter issued and stamped by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. The same document will be sent to Vietnam Immigration checkpoints at the international airports, wo when you arrive, the documents will be prepared for you. With the approval letter you can obtain a visa at airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for a maximum stay up to 3 months.

Types and cost
The fee depends on a type of visa you would like to obtain and your duration of staying. There are two types of visas in Vietnam: single entry and multiple entry. The service fee for applying starts at USD 17. Stamping fee depends on your type of visa:
Single-entry visas – USD 45
Multiple-entry visas
Valid for less than 01 month – USD 65
Valid for less than 06 months – USD 95
Valid for 6 months or more – USD 135
Transfer of validity of visas or temporary residence from expired passports to new passports – USD 15
(PLEASE NOTE – THESE ARE THE PRICES AT TIME OF WRITING)


Visa extension
Due to recent changes in Visa laws starting 01/01/2015, Visa renewals have become difficult, expensive and sometimes impossible. The rules relating to Visa renewals seem to be unclear at time of writing, with some tourists paying up to $380US to extend their Visa an extra 3 Months. After making phone calls to Immigration, no one can give a clear answer on the renewal process and price.


IMPORTANT
Always ask for information at the Vietnamese diplomatic missions in your countries to check the current visa policy and other relevant and reliable updates.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc-Bich Dong or Tam Cốc-Bích Động is one of the famous destinations of Vietnam. Tam Coc means 'three caves' and it is literally a landscape of three natural caves while Bich Dong is a fifteenth century pagoda.
Boat ride across the golden paddy fields are something to cherish about
Understand the place

Surrounded by Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Tam Coc and Bich Dong welcome its tourists with serene landscape. Considered to be the "second nicest grotto" after Huong Tich, it's definitely worth a visit.

How to get there

To visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong, you have to reach Ninh Binh first

By air: Fly to Hanoi or Nol Bai airports. Take a taxi from the airports to reach Ninh Binh. Costs range from $68-$85.

By car: Hired cars available from Hanoi and also from Halong Bay tours. Costs range from $60-$7.

By bus: Regular buses from Gial Bat (Hanoi) are available for 70,000 Dong.

From Ninh Binh, you have to reach Van Lam Wharf. From there boats are available up to Tam coc and then to Bich Dong grotto. North Vietnam tours

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Cost
Organized tour: $18/head to Tam Coc from Ninh Binh.

What to see?
Hang Mua
Phat Diem cathedral

Activities
Hire a motorbike which is a common transport at Ninh Binh and take a ride across the nearby areas.
Boat ride on the river Tam Coc (60,000 VND/head) and Trang An or Van Long.
Visit the temple of Thai Bhi apart from the obvious Bich Dong Pagoda. Mekong delta tours

Danger

Just hang a sweet smile in your face with a polite but firm “No. Thanks” to every seller approaches you.

Off the beaten path tips

Miss the boat and take a bike. You will save yourself from the sellers and can experience a different trip altogether.

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre, the fertile land of Mekong Delta cruise is an exotic destination for those who would like to explore an abundant of tropical plants and busy villages on waters.

Vietnamese call Ben Tre is the land of coconut, a peaceful and poetic destination with shaded villages’ paths and immense orchards. We would like to share with you some important guide to travel to Ben Tre, Vietnam.

Ben Tre is the land of coconut

How to go?
There are 4 directions to get to Ben Tre, the first one is from Saigon, the second one is from other Southern provinces, the third is from Central provinces and the other is from the Northern provinces. However, the most convenient and popular way is from Saigon. Thus, wherever you are in Vietnam, the best way is traveling to Saigon and taking a drive to Ben Tre. Travel in Vietnam
By Public transfer
In Saigon, you can buy a bus ticket to Ben Tre at Western Bus Station. Price from $5.
However, few people choose this way, they tend to choose a 1 day Mekong Delta tour package to Ben Tre provided by a travel company including transfer, lunch and sightseeings.

Ben Tre doesn’t offer many places for sightseeing; you can explore the whole destination within only 1 day tour. Or if you want to spend more time exploring local life, you can book a homestay experience for 2 or 3 days. Jasmine Cruise

When to go?
You might ask yourself which season should we visit Ben Tre. Actually Ben Tre is beautiful all year around, but if you visit the province during summer time (from June to August) you will have a chance to enjoy colorful picture with delicious tropical fruits.

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre – Exploring local life

There are two big festivals in Ben Tre is Phu Le Temple Festival and Nghinh Ong Festival in the third and eleventh month in Lunar Calendar.

Where to stay
Not many people stay overnight in Ben Tre. So there are not many options for decent accommodations here. There is no luxury hotel but vast options for hostels and homestay.

What to eat?
Ben Tre is famous for its system of rivers and springs with various seafood species, some only live in coconut forests. Ben Tre people used them to cook many traditional dishes for a long time and create one of the most intricate cuisines in Mekong Delta.

In Ben Tre, travelers enjoy different dishes in different season of the year, which people call seasonal food, such as each month, Ben Tre residents have a special fish that taste the best.

Shopping
Taking about Ben Tre, tourist talk about famous coconut candy flavors and other products made from coconut such as coconut oils, coconut wine, coconut jelly, coconut soaps, and handicraft items. You can buy them at each workshop or handicraft farms during your visit (if you book a Ben Tre tour, visits to traditional villages, workshops are included in the itinerary). Another address is Ben Tre market.

If you domestic travelers or international visitors staying in Vietnam some days more, you can buy some favorite fruits: bananas, durians, oranges, mangos, grapes, etc.

Where to visit?
The highlight of Ben Tre is the rustic paths paved by abundant orchards. You can enter to visit the orchards and harvest fresh fruits from the trees. More funny activity is catching fish and cook your own “achievement” for lunch.

Don’t forget experience local cruise in Mekong Delta, enjoy the calm and charming water of various waterways within the province.

Visit Vam Ho bird garden is a nice activity for those who love to explore the nature. Located 52 kilometers from Ben Tre city, Vam Ho bird garden is home to various species of birds and other rare animals.

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam

Somewhat surprisingly Vietnam’s central cities aren’t on every traveller’s radar even though they are home to some of Vietnam’s most interesting architecture and history. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is home to a variety of war-torn temples, tombs and palaces, many of which were the homes and places of worship of Nguyen-era emperors. Many of the buildings and structures in Hue are still quite damaged, giving it the feel of a modern-day Pompeii, despite mass tourism. However, there have been some efforts to restore buildings in Hue since 1990 when the area was declared a World Heritage site. Mekong river cruise

Don’t miss out, make sure you include a trip to Hue in the North Central Coast district on your Vietnam travel itinerary. Hue sits in the Thua Thien Province and is about 700 km south of Hanoi and about 1,100 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. And Vietnam has just been named as the fastest growing tourist destination.

Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi)

Built in the early 19th century, circa 1804, by thousands of labourers at the request of Emperor Gia Long, the Imperial City and Citadel was a massive structure, large enough that a 10 kilometer moat was constructed to surround and protect it. Modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City and Citadel was designed to be the royal quarters of Emperor Long. When the last Emperor of Vietnam stepped down the structure had expanded to include hundreds of rooms. While quite grand in scale, many of the buildings were in a state of disrepair due to typhoon and termite damage. In 1968 the Imperial City and Citadel were bombed by American forces during the Vietnam War, demolishing most of the buildings. In 1993 the Imperial Citadel and the collective ‘Complex of Hué Monuments’ was declared a UNESCO site, and some of the buildings have been restored for historical preservation. Travel to Vietnam

Top 5 Things To Do In Hue in Vietnam

Tu Duc Tomb

Emperor Tu Duc, the longest reigning Emperor in Vietnamese history isn’t actually buried at the site of the Tu Duc Tomb, pictured above. Completed nearly 20 years before his death in 1883, the building of the Tu Duc tomb required so much funding and labor that there was actually a coup against Tu Duc in 1866. Near the site you’ll find his epitaph, inscribed on a piece of stone brought from a quarry over 500 miles away from the site. The journey took workers four years to complete. Tu Duc had to write his epitaph himself because he was unable to father a son before he became sterile because of smallpox, despite his many wives and concubines. While the Tu Duc tomb is recognized as the Emperor’s official resting place the actual burial site is still unknown. The 200 labourers who prepared the actual burial site were beheaded by the King after burying the body. Halong bay cruise

An Dinh Palace

The architecturally stunning An Dinh Palace was the residence of the Nguyen dynasty and was built in early 20th century and is one of Hue’s best known historic sites, although it isn’t often included on mainstream itineraries. The An Dinh Palace, built in the typical style, was restored several years ago and a new project to fully restore the surrounding three storey buildings will return the An Dinh palace to a primary tourist spot.

Situated on the bank of An Cuu River in Hue City’s Phu Nhuan ward, the An Dinh Palace was commissioned by King Dong Khanh and at the time called Phung Hoa, as a gift for the Crown Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao. When the Prince was made King in 1916 the palace took on the current name and passed through the family until the palace was presented to the Revolutionary government. Sadly the palace fell into severe disrepair until 2001 when the palace underwent extensive restoration in readiness for hosting the 2002 Hue Festival. An Dinh Palace also hosted the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Hue Festivals.

Following the next stage of restoration, ancient artefacts and works of art that portray the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal lifestyle will be displayed. This project is a part of the drive to preserve and restore the history, culture and architecture of Hue City. Earlier this year the center unveiled a 3D project which shows the heritage and architecture in its full glory.

Minh Mang Temple

Take a boat ride up the Perfume River to the Minh Mang Temple which is a fine example of an emperor’s tomb. The Minh Mang Temple is located about 12km outside of Hue City, on the West Bank so the Perfume River in Cam Ke Hill. Construction began in 1840 and during the build Minh Mang actually passed away. Hi son completed the works and his father was interred in the temple as requested. The temple is also part of the UNESCO-recognised Hue complex.

Perfume River Tour

Hire a boat for a day and take a trip along the Perfume River to explore the various Tombs of the Emperors. Dating from the 19th century, the best preserved examples are the Tomb of Tu Duc and The Tomb of Minh Mang already listed above. In addition there are wonderful examples of Vietnamese architecture including the Tomb of Khai Dinh, the remote ruins of the Tomb of Gia Long and the Tomb of Thieu Tri which was built in 1848. There is also the Tomb of Dong Khanh which was constructed in 1917 and the Tomb of Khai Dinh which is the best preserved tomb along the river.

When to visit to Hue

If you’ve never been to Vietnam or Southeast Asia before, visiting Hue during the Festival of Hue may be the best time to visit since there will be many international travelers there and you may feel more comfortable navigating the city. The Festival of Hue takes place between April 8th and April 15th in even numbered years. Hotel rooms and travel amenities come at a premium during the Festival of Hue, so book your stay early to avoid high costs. Even if you don’t plan on going to Vietnam when the Festival of Hue is taking place, many people still consider February to April the best months of the year for travel to Vietnam. However, you should remember that weather can change from region to region because of opposing monsoon seasons in the north and south.

Top 6 things to do in Halong bay

Halong Bay Visiting Floating Villages
Floating villages are unique feature about culture and seascape on Halong Bay that draw the attraction of visitors. Visiting floating villages, tourists will have time interacting with friendly fishermen and visiting floating pearl farms. The local villagers are the original inhabitants of Halong Bay who have lived on the sea for several generations. They were created a diverse culture of fishing and living. In the peaceful atmosphere of fishing village, tourists will be welcomed with fresh seafood and folksong performance (in Vietnamese: “hat gheo” or “hat cheo duong”). Halong bay cruise

Discover Halong Bay Caves
Halong was honored twice with the title “World Natural Heritage Site” by the UNESCO as its value of geology, geomorphology. Therefore, visitors once coming to Halong Bay shouldn’t miss the chance to explore grotto system there (including Sung Sot Cave - Surprise Cave, Dau Go Cave - Wooden Stakes Cave, Thien Cung Cave, etc.). Magnificent masterpieces of the Creator will definitely dazzle all visitors by the magical world of stalactites and stalagmites in various sizes and shapes. Tourists are also have chance to dine in a cave and experience an exotic feeling of dining in spacious and romantic ambiance inside.

Discover Halong Bay Cruise
Halong Bay was listed as one of Asia's top five tropical island paradises in an article published on CNN in April 2012. “Halong Bay in northwestern Vietnam is one of the most stunning boating destinations anywhere in the world”, wrote the author. By cruising, tourists can fully enjoy “the mysterious limestone caves on Halong Bay's bigger islands and the incredible sunsets”, which are two sights not to be missed according to the advice of Mr. Stuart McDonald. Moreover, there are several relaxing services provided on the cruises including restaurant & bar, massage, cooking class, tai chi class, etc. Best cruise Mekong

Cycling in Halong Bay
In order to deeply enjoy quiet atmosphere and scenic setting on the beach, cycling and trekking will be a good suggestion for the trip on Halong Bay. When trekking on the beach, tourists will be free to enjoy cozy white sandy ground and gaze stunning seascape of Halong. Cycling and trekking is also an ideal way to explore wild nature of the area around. These activities can be perfectly accommodated with a BBQ meal on the beach. North Vietnam tours

Halong Bay Kayak
Halong Bay is considered as one of the most ideal place for kayaking in the world. Kayaking service is available with many imported kayaks. Joining guided kayaking on Halong Bay; tourists will reach pristine islands and discover untouched lagoons when the tide rises in the late afternoon. Tourists will have a closer insight into the bay’s diverse nature with wild animals and mangroves.

Halong Bay Kayak

Halong Bay Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is most favored by tourists who like energetic activities. Seaside lime-stone mountains are interesting challenges for tourists to reach the top. All professional climbers coming to Halong agree that Halong Bay is the paradise of adventurous mountain climbing as it has thousands of islands with high lime-stone mountains. This activity is usually combined with kayaking to explore natural environment of Halong Bay.

Top 5 Things to Do in Saigon

Before you set off for what could be one of your most memorable travelling experience to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), do your homework reading City Pass’s Top 5 things to do in Saigon. Some further recommended readings for you are "Best time to visit Vietnam" and How to cross the street

1. PANORAMIC VIEW FROM SKYSCRAPERS

Panorama view from Chill Sky bar SaigonPanoramic view of the city? Look no further than Saigon Sky Deck on the 49th floor of the Iconic Bitexco Financial Tower and Chill Sky Bar on 27th floor Rooftop of AB Tower

At a fee of USD10 per person, you will get a pass to Saigon Sky Deck, located on the 49th floor and enjoy the superb view of Saigon below. There are telescopes for your pleasure. If a good cocktail is what you are after, go unwind with a drink in the skyscraper’s lounge on the 52nd floor. AMALOTUS CRUISE

Local Insight: The opening hour on weekday is different from weekend so make sure you check them before going there.

Chill Sky Bar is an enviable location for travellers looking to get above the street-level deluge of motorbikes and honking trucks. Spectacular views, sophisticated design, stellar service and excellent food are this rooftop bar’s cornerstones. Mekong & Phu Quoc island (5 days, 4 nights)

Local insight: Weekday’ happy hour lasts till 8:30pm, all drinks are half price.

Top 5 Things to Do in Saigon

2. CHILLING IN A COFFEE SHOP

Coffee is second only to rice in value of agricultural products exported from Vietnam. Coffee has became an important part of a Vietnamese everyday life. It is easy to catch a sight of people enjoying coffee at any time during the day. Saigon has different types of coffee shops to meet different demands: watching movies, listening to music, reading magazines, watching street-life, or, oddly enough, even coffee places for couples, cat lovers and Japanese maid theme. White Dolphin Cruise Halong bay

Local insight: Vietnamese coffee is almost exclusively Robusta. Robusta strains contain about 40–50% more caffeine than Arabica.

For local style, head to Trinh-Coffee where some of the most popular songs by Trinh Cong Son, a talented music composer, are performed.

Suggested coffee shops to experience


3. HEAVEN OF STREET-FOOD

Phở is a must-try whether you like it or not. If you don’t try phở, then you’ve never been to Vietnam. Don’t try street-stall food until your stomach has become acclimatized! Some of our recommendations: Phở Pasteur, Phở Hòa, Phở 24h, Phở 2000, Phở Hùng and Phở 5 sao. It’s best if you have local friends to take you to stalls that serve for the local, not the tourists for the genuine experience of Phở of Vietnam. Check out Top 5 must eat dishes in Saigon and Top 5 che to round off your Saigon’s street food tour.

Local insight: Take your time to try some other traditional foods, such as Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) and Cơm Tấm (broken rice) among others.

4. LIVE MUSIC EVERY SINGLE DAY

Acoutic barHCMC is home to hundreds of bands and DJs. You can enjoy live music from over 20 bars and cafés in the center of HCMC.

5. COOK IT YOURSELF

Making Vietnamese food is not a “Mission Impossible”. All you need is a passionate and ready-to-make-mistakes attitude. You can start first with your Vietnamese friends and make easy ready-to-eat pieces. So you will feel like a ‘master’ the next time you go eating out and do your own wrapping roll.

Local insight: Try the excellent cooking classes offered by Hoa Tuc Restaurant and Vietnam Cookery Center

Further activities you can join are listed in our HCMC activities articles. Our last tip is, you can get VAT refunds in Vietnam at some shops, so do not mind asking the cashiers or the owner about that.

Feel free to share your stories on our website and Facebook. Enjoy your trip with City Pass Guides and discover the city on your own.