vietnam and laos="vietnam and laos" best places to visit and things to do in thailand, cambodia, laos, vietnam?
goin 2 thai in late jan for 1 month. besides full moon party in thai is there any other places that r must c? are any surroundin countries worth c'ing if only there for 1 month?
go to chatuchak in bangkok. admire the bangkok skyline. eat durian there. visit the grand palace as well! visit khone falls in laos. visit the patuxai in vientiane, laos. try beer lao. visit angkor wat in siem reap, cambodia. if you have time, go to sihanoukville in cambodia as well. ha long bay in vietnam is also a must-visit. walk around saigon (ho chi minh city) and you will understand why backpacking is so nice!
It is easy to assume that all Vietnamese people belong to the same large family, but it isn't so. Vietnam has 54 officially recognised ethnic groups. The largest, the Kinh or Viet make up 86% but that leaves 14% among the other 53 ethnicities.
Most of these ethnic minorities live in the mountain areas in the north-west and in the Central Highlands, although there some in the south, too. The Tay, the Thai, the Muong, the Khmer, the H'mong , the Dao etc. all live in the northern hills and were considered by the lowland Vietnamese to be mysterious, possibly mythical peoples. It was not until the French colonialists attempted to use the Red River as a way into China, that the area was opened up and light shed upon these minority peoples.
But who are they and what are the differences and similarities between the different ethnic groups? Well, one way to find out is to ask them yourself! Many of the ethnic groups are happy to share a meal with you and introduce you to their background, history and tribal customs. Most importantly, they it is even possible to stay with them in their homes. Home stay visiting is well established in various areas of Vietnam.
The most ethnically diverse area of Vietnam is Lao Cai Province in the north-west. The area is home to 27 different ethnic groups, sharing a lifestyle growing rice in the paddy fields, but their dress, customs and language differ. In the Sapa area of Lao Cai, you can walk through the paddy fields to reach a remote village where you will eat, sleep and learn about living activities at the local H'mong residents' own homes.
You can also visit Mai Chau, in Hoa Binh province. The valley here is home to many ethnic minorities, including the white Thai. Here you can stay in a typical Thai house with palm leaf roof and bamboo floor. In the centre of the house is the kitchen, used not only for cooking but also to prepare the colourful material used to make their distinctive clothing.
If you are lucky you will visit on a Sunday, when the local minorities hold their weekly market. This is not just an opportunity to buy and sell, but becomes a mini-festival with traditional Thai dishes and traditional dancing.
Hoi An in Central Vietnam is a fascinating, well preserved middle ages port town, and World Heritage site. It was home to the Champa people, whose kingdom flourished until the 19th century when it was invaded by the Viet people from the north and became part of Vietnam. Home stay is also possible here and in surrounding villages.
The Mekong Delta, known as Cuu Long, or "Nine Dragons", in reference to the nine tributaries of the Mekong River which flood across the area. Of particular interest here are the floating markets, especially that at Can Tho. Again, home stay with local families is available here.
A typical day would be to visit a floating market in the morning, then take a boat trip to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) for a typical Vietnamese lunch with a local family. After lunch visit the local orchards, or a bee farm where you can taste natural honey and honey wine, then back to Can Tho for dinner and bed in a local family home. A unique chance to discover the daily life of Vietnamese people in the Mekong Delta.
You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.
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Pick up to hotel from Tan Son Nhat Airport. Check-in hotel. Take city tour in Saigon including the Reunification Conference Hall, Former US Embassy, War Remnants Museum, Chinatown. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: Sai Gon – Thu Duc ( B,L,D )
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Thu Duc, Bien Hoa and Long Binh before departing for the Cu Chi Tunnels,Lunch on the way. Drive back to Saigon. Have a special dinner cruise on the Saigon River. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 3: Sai Gon – Hue ( B,L )
Transfer to the air port for flight to Hue. Arrive Phu Bai Airport in Hue. Pick up and drive to Hue city. Check in Hotel then visit the Forbidden City for exploration of the remnants at the Citadel and its open air war museum, Thien Mu Pagoda, King Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Mausoleums. Overnight in Hue.
Day 4: Hue – A Luoi ( B,L,D )
Breakfast at hotel. Drive into Ashau Valley via Highway No.14, stop over at Camp Eagles, Fire-bases Birmingham and A Luoi. A view of Hamburger Hill and unofficial meeting with local veterans. Check in hotel. Overnight in A Luoi.
Day 5: A Luoi – Dong Ha ( B,L,D )
Drive on Highway No.9 towards Lao border, stop over in Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, Khe Sanh Base, Da Krong Bridge, Cam Lo, Rockpile and Camp Carrol to visit. Arrive hotel. Overnight in Dong Ha.
Day 6: Quang Tri – Hue ( B,L )
Morning drive to visit DMZ (Demilitarize Zone), 17th parallel, Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Quang Tri Citadel. Return to Hue via Highway No.1, overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – Da Nang - Hoian ( B,L )
Drive from Hue to Hoian. Stop over in Hai Van Pass,Lang Co beach, city tour Danang including the grounds of former US Consulate, Cham Museum, Marble Mountain, China beach. Check in hotel. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 8: Hoi An – Danang - Sai Gon ( B )
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Hoi An ancient town. The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market.. Afternoon arrive Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon. Free evening. Overnight Saigon.
Day 9: Saigon Departure ( B )
Transfer to the airport for departure or begin the next module.
- Full transportation by private car or bus as tour program indicated. - Meals as indicated in the itinerary. - 2 domestic flights : Saigon - Hue, Danang - Saigon. - English or French - speaking guide - Full Entrance fees. - Twin-share accommodation with daily breakfast; ( AC room)
Tour Cost excludes:
International airport tax in Saigon
International airfare to/from Vietnam
Personal insurance
Expenditure of a personal nature, tips, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, emergency transfers & etc.
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