| Are you considering a Vietnam land tour for your | | | | was Vietnam's "Window on the World" before the |
| next holiday? Vietnam is home to 4 UNESCO | | | | arrival of the French. Ships from all over the world |
| World Heritage Sites. Starting in northern Vietnam | | | | called on this port city to trade with each other |
| is HaLong Bay. The city of Hue, The Ruins of My | | | | and the inhabitants of HoiAn. The Chinese, |
| Son and the Ancient Town of HoiAn are located | | | | Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and French |
| in the central area of Vietnam | | | | traders all influenced life in HoiAn. Some more than |
| Take a few moments to explore these 4 | | | | others - the Chinese and Japanese merchants |
| attractions and why you should include them in | | | | contributions can still be seen in the well preserved |
| your Vietnam travel itinerary. | | | | architecture of the ancient village. The most |
| HaLong Bay is best accessed via Hanoi and | | | | famous landmark in HoiAn is the "Japanese Bridge" |
| traveling east for about 4 hours by tour van or | | | | with its unique Buddhist Pagoda on one side. |
| private car/taxi to HaiPhong Harbor. Here you will | | | | Take a walk along the riverfront, shop in the local |
| be escorted aboard your boat. Most Vietnam | | | | market or have a silk dress or suit custom |
| travelers arrange for a 1 or 2 night cruise on a | | | | tailored, and explore the many restaurants, old |
| modern Chinese style junk boat, there are some | | | | houses, craft shops and art galleries, where local |
| colonial-style cruisers also. These boats can | | | | artisans sell their works. Relax on Cua Dai Beach |
| accommodate 8 - 20 or more guests. These | | | | for a few hours - your can get there by taxi or |
| cruises are known for the excellent cuisine that is | | | | rent a bicycle from your hotel. |
| prepared on board - usually fresh sea food and | | | | The fourth of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
| vegetable from nearby farms. | | | | can be experienced on a day trip from Hoi An - |
| The main attraction of HaLong Bay is the | | | | visit the Cham ruins at My Son. Your My Son visit |
| hundreds of sandstone islets that are found | | | | might be best arranged by an private tour |
| throughout the bay. Be prepared to take a lot of | | | | arranged through your hotel or one of the many |
| photographs as you cruise across the still waters | | | | travel agencies in HoiAn. An early start is |
| of HaLong Bay. | | | | recommended because of the popularity of the |
| In addition to "Island Watching", you can go | | | | Ruins and it is about a 2 hour journey west of |
| kayaking, swimming or take a trek on one of the | | | | HoiAn. |
| larger islands, such as Cat Ba Island. You will see | | | | My Son was built by the Cham Empire between |
| "Floating Villages", where local families live and | | | | the 4th and 14th Centuries. It is Vietnam's most |
| make their living from the sea. Be sure to plan | | | | important Cham Ruins. The Ruins are fairly well |
| you day to appreciate both the sunsets and | | | | documented so as to provide visitors with an |
| sunrises over HaLong Bay. | | | | interesting history of the area. Some of the |
| You can then travel to Hue by air, railway, tour | | | | organized tours also arrange a return to HoiAn by |
| bus or even rent a car. Hue is the former imperial | | | | river boat, visiting various craft villages on the |
| capital. Here ou can visit the tombs of the former | | | | way. |
| emperors, such as the Thien Mu Pagoda, dating | | | | DaNang is the major city in the area and it is |
| back to 1602 and walk through its graceful | | | | served by an international airport. It is also home |
| gardens. | | | | to one of the most complete Cham Museums in |
| On north bank of the Perfume River, is the | | | | the world. If you have the time, you should visit |
| famed Citadel, built by Emperor Gia Long in 1804. | | | | the Cham Museum before you head for the My |
| Surrounded by a moat and walls 20 meters thick | | | | Son Ruins located about 70 kilometers southwest |
| the Citadel contains the Forbidden Purple City, | | | | of DaNang. |
| home to the Emperor and his court. | | | | When making your Vietnam travel plans be sure |
| Be sure to sample Hue's world famous cuisine. | | | | to include at least a couple of these sites. If you |
| You might even consider taking a short cooking | | | | had to pick 4 scenic and/or cultural places to visit |
| class to learn more about Hue cuisine and prepare | | | | outside of Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) |
| your own culinary masterpiece. | | | | these would be the most highly recommended by |
| After spending a bit of time in Hue you can travel | | | | other Vietnam travelers. Find a good Vietnam |
| a few hours south to HoiAn by tour bus or | | | | Travel Book and explore Vietnam's UNESCO |
| private car/taxi. | | | | Cultural Heritage sites. |
| The third of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites | | | | |