Vietnam Holidays
Attractive, spiritual and mainly rural, Vietnam has a taste of the European to it.
Looking around the major city of Hanoi, we see a relaxed, charming environment where French style buildings are surrounded by glistening lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. Landmarks to look out for around this cultured city include the One Pillar Pagoda, built by the 11th century and designed to resemble a lotus blossom, the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and dedicated to Confucius, the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent 900-seat Opera House.
Not far from Hanoi, the town of Chua Thay presents yet more exceptional religious architecture, with the Chua Tay Phuong Pagoda being a particularly stunning marvel. On the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake we encounter the Municipal Water Puppet Show Theatre, where you can bare witness to an exceptional puppetry performance across three parallel single-level structures built on a hillock, said to resemble a buffalo. The intricacy of the puppets is extraordinary; each of the seventy-six figures, many of which date back to the 18 th century, are intricately hand carved.
View all our holidays to Vietnam
Vietnam Holidays
Should you wish to adventure out to sea, then travel off the shore of Halong Bay on an enthralling boat trip which will take you past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi, which translates to ‘Heaven Gates’. After your aquatic excursion, there is the chance to dwell through Cong Troi’s fascinating complex of caves.
Journey north on to the city of Danang and we reach the limits of Vietnams tropical zone, blissful for sun seekers who fully appreciate the areas pleasant year-round climate. In the centre of this cosmopolitan city you will encounter many sights to marvel at, including Cham Museum, China Beach and the Marble Mountains – five former islands, each said to represent one of the five elements of the universe.
Vietnam Holidays
Shopaholics will be pleased to know that the bustling city of Saigon, with its many markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars, makes for an exquisite centre in which to shop – til – you – drop! Fantastically balanced between ancient and modern culture, Saigon offers a swathe of shopping malls selling the very latest in western and eastern fashions as well as a whole host of intricate Asian and Vietnamese crafts, ideal souvenir material. Despite this move to modernity, Saigon still remains humbly loyal to its traditions; the likes of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, City Hall, the Opera House and the Jade Emperor Pagoda, are all situated here and make for a good days sightseeing, before perhaps reverting to a spot of shopping in Cholon market situated in the Chinese neighbourhood of District 5, where you can buy almost anything your heart contents to.
Vietnam Holidays
Reminders of Saigon’s warring past are visible in Cu Chi, where you can see the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, a 200 kilometre long network that kept soldiers in health and food supplies as well as shelter whilst defending their territory during their war with America in the 1970’s. Just seeing the scale of this operation makes you realise why the Vietnamese resisted the forces of America for so long. In complete contrast to this signifier of conflict is The Great Temple, spiritual centre of one of Vietnam’s principal religions, peaceful Caodism. Set to a backdrop of the towering Nui Ba Den (‘Black Lady Mountain’), this panorama really is a peacefull and rewarding one to witness.
Staying with all things beautiful, travel to the pulsating region of Phnom Penh and explore a wonderfully picturesque, lively and informative city. Take special care to view the 15th-century Wat Ounalom, one of the city’s most important and impressive temples, the Museum of Genocide and the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre, before heading on to the Russian Market, an ideal place for bargain hunting!
Vietnam Holidays
As you may well be gathering by now, structures of a religious order are held in great esteem by the Vietnamese, many more of which can bee viewed in the fabulous city of Hoi An. A picturesque riverside town, there are many important symbolic buildings to see, including the 17th century Quan Cong Temple and Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Tran Family Chapel, the Sa Huynh Museum, the Phung Hung House, and the Quang Dong Pagoda.
If it is wonders of the natural kind that take your fancy, then why not make your way to Hoi An – Hue, passing Lang Co, a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand on the way. Then, its down through the spectacular Hai Van Pass to the historic walled city of Hue, situated in the foothills of the Annamese Cordillera mountain range, and, if you still have the energy, you may want to visit the Imperial City. Modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, this impressive enclosure is home to many eye-catching monuments, including the Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the Forbidden Purple City. Staying with the natural theme, take a boat trip from the shores of Hue and embark on a voyage down the dazzling Huong Giang (‘Perfume’) River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, famed for it’s anti - government protests in the early 1960s.
Vietnam Holidays
If all this is not enough for you, then take on the city Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital. Here you’ll find the ancient Angkor Wat, now listed as a World Heritage Site such is it’s acclaim and famous for its beauty and splendour. Further remarkable sights are on view at Angkor Thom, the former fortified Royal City built by King Jayavarman VII, where you can find the Bayon and Baphuon temples, the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas or ‘Celestial Palace’ amongst a maze of flamboyant structures. Look out to for the exquisite 10th century Banteay Srei Temple and Ta Keo, the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone, with an amazing 50 metre high central tower.
Visit Vietnam and be dazzled by a world of intricate structures, religious icons, vivacious markets and dramatic views!
Vietnam Holidays Vietnam Coach Holidays Vietnam Escorted Holiday Tours Vietnam Touring Travel
