Focus Vietnam
By Nick Pulley

This is mostly down to a relaxation in Vietnams economic policies allowing the country to finally start realising its true potential. This combined with the popularity of Indochina amongst travellers in recent years means that Vietnam is a very exciting place to be right now. You so rarely get to enjoy a country at its peak - either you are one of the early pioneers when facilities are poor and the locals are generally a little unsure about your presence; or you have missed the peak and the tourist trail is already well and truly trodden. Obviously both of these stages also have their advantages; however there is something very special about travelling in a country when it’s riding high. Take a tour to Vietnam and you’ll know exactly what we mean!

Many visitors are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting; the stunning hills, mountains and valleys to be explored in the north; the Mekong Delta in the south and the many hundreds of miles of deserted beaches that lie in-between. The majority of our itineraries allow you to travel the length of the country ensuring you get to enjoy all the amazing beaches, the patchwork of rice paddies to be seen mile after mile in all directions, and to enjoy the abundance of fresh seafood that plays such an important part in the popularity of Vietnamese cuisine – you think it tastes good back home, just wait until you taste the real thing!

Vietnam also has a lot to offer anyone who is looking to push themselves a little; with some great adventure tour itineraries....some of the finest in Asia. The north is any keen trekkers dream, The roads and trails that follow the original route of the infamous Ho Chi Minh trail and continue into the delta offer superb riding and the central highlands provides the perfect setting for kayaking and rock-climbing tour itineraries. You’ll also get to meet and learn about the minority hill tribes that live in the areas you are exploring, through the use of our home stays (spending a night or two in a village home.)

Holiday and Adventure Tour Highlights

Hanoi's Old Quarter

Vietnam's capital city still retains its ancient legacies, no more so than in the congested Old Quarter. You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets of the old merchant traders.

Sa Pa

A former hill station set amongst the northwest's breathtaking mountain scenery, is the perfect base for trekking to the numerous minority villages of the Dao and Hmong peoples.

Ha Long Bay

Take a boat around spectacular Ha Long Bay - a World Heritage Site - and sail amongst countless grottoes, islands and jagged limestone rock formations, which jut out of the emerald South China Sea.

Hué

Take a trip back in time on a slow boat along the Perfume River through aristocratic Hué, stopping off to visit ancient pagodas and the majestic mausoleums of former emperors.

Hoi An

Spend a few relaxing days in this riverside port town, with charming, centuries-old wooden merchant houses and Chinese Assembly Halls interspersed amongst its quiet streets.

Ho Chi Minh City

Soak up the colonial ambience of its tree-lined boulevards and grandiose French-style villas, many of which now house excellent museums.

Mekong Delta

At the heart of the meandering Mekong Delta, My Tho is an ideal base to explore the myriad of slender canals that unravel picturesque floating markets, fruit orchards, paddy fields and coconut plantations.

Pho

Sampling the Pho (the local noodle soup, pronounced ‘fur’) from the variety of street stalls throughout Vietnam. Heaven in a bowl. When to visit

The weather, the festivals and the tourist season - they all make a difference - more

Nick Pulley founded Selective Asia after many woking in the long haul travel industry and travelling within Asia. The company offers a varity of trips throughout Laos, Vietnam, cambodia and Thailand.
Visit http://www.selectiveasia.com/ for further information

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Peace Brings Treasured Travel To Vietnam

by Frank Johnson

Vietnam is a paradise for both the outdoor adventurer and city explorer alike. Winding down 3,444 kilometers of coastline from the northern Red River Delta near the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta at the southernmost tip of the Southeast Asian peninsula, Vietnam is a splendid blend of picturesque coastline and lush inland terrain. The region’s history of conquests and wars makes travel to Vietnam today a rich and rewarding experience during this time of precious peace.

During the 20th century, Vietnam was at war for nearly 45 consecutive years with different countries. After French and Spanish forces ravaged the area, most of the south became a French colony by 1867. Finally in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence, sparking a French rebuttal and attracting international interest of U.S., Russian and Cambodian forces. Minh’s dream of an independent (communist) nation was not realized until 1989 when the U.N. subdued the conflict with Khmer Rouge and pulled Vietnamese troops out of Cambodia.

Urban and Pristine Wonders of Vietnamese Travel

National identity has become an integral part of life for this war trodden state and today the proud Vietnamese are more willing to embrace foreign travelers and share their magnificent cultural history as their economy begins to mature.

Visit the economic capital of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south to witness the vibrant and progressive culture that has taken root in Vietnam. While there, explore the extensive botanical gardens, Buddhist monasteries, and stop by the Binh Soup Shop, which was the secret Viet Cong headquarters in Saigon during the Vietnam War.

In the far north, the capital city of Hanoi is a bit more relaxed, speaking to ancient Vietnamese culture and 1000 years of history along the streets of the Old Quarter. Visit the intriguing One Pillar Pagoda build by Emperor Tong in the 11th century and replenish your spirits in the Bach Ma Temple, the city’s oldest and most revered.

Retreat to the captivating beauty of Vietnam’s wilderness for a more tranquil portion of your journey. Tropical rainforests abound in the protected area of Ba Be National Park, located close to the Chinese border in the north. The local Tay people live in stilt houses and contribute cultural significance to the area. Take an elephant ride through the expansive Yok Don National Park for a chance to see monkeys, birds and even leopards. If confined spaces don’t trigger nightmares, the Phong Nha Cave is a must see. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was created 250 million years ago and boasts a cavernous entanglement stretching thousands of meters below ground. Portions of this natural wonder are open to the public daily. For the claustrophobic, travel to Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, another World Heritage Site, which is dotted with more than 3,000 tiny islands with cliffs and white sand beaches that cascade into the surrounding sparkling waters.

Due to the country’s broad north-south range, Vietnam is a wonderful country to explore any time of year. The sheltered forests and increased speed of the coastal cities offer an invaluable variety for a perfectly balanced journey. Travel to Vietnam to discover this underestimated Southeast Asian gem.

For more information on international travel and discount airfare to Vietnam, visit http://www.cfares.com/.

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