Vietnamese tourist hotspots that glowed on the global map

The newspaper releases an annual list of 52 best travel destinations every year. However, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, it termed this year’s version “52 places to love in 2021” and instead of using recommendations from travel writers, asked readers to write about a place of special significance. The paper then chose 52 destinations to highlight from a list of more than 2,000.

Con Dao, notorious once as “hell on earth” by virtue of inhuman treatment of prisoners in a prison built by the French colonialists, continued its notoriety under the American-backed regime during the Vietnam War.

The archipelago has become an increasingly popular tourist in recent years, prompting authorities to expand the local airport to cater to growing travel demand. Photo by VnExpress/Tam Linh

In February, Phong Nha-Ke Bang, a UNESCO heritage site, was chosen among the world’s 25 best national parks by TripAdvisor readers.

“The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic some 400 million years ago and so is the oldest major karst area in Asia,” the world’s most popular travel guide and review website said.

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park was recognized as a global heritage site by the UNESCO in 2003. With over 3,000 caves and grottoes, it is often called the “Kingdom of Caves.”

However, only 30 caves, including Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, are now open to visitors. The province is limiting tourism activities in the area to avoid commercial overexploitation. Photo courtesy of Ryan Deboodt

In March, Hanoi and Da Lat were included in a list of 14 best Asian spots to watch spring flowers by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

“The Nhat Tan Village in the northwest of Hanoi has a unique dark pink shade of cherry blossom trees curated by local gardeners,” the SCMP noted, introducing the once famous flower village that enters its busiest season early January.

Located in Tay Ho District’s Nhat Tan Ward, the village, Hanoi’s peach tree hub, has become a cultural and tourism hotspot of Tet, the Lunar New Year festival. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

SCMP also mentioned the Central Highlands town of Da Lat as “being exceptionally beautiful in spring.”

Da Lat has long been known as ‘a city of flowers’ for its horticultural industry. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Quang Anh

In April, Dam Trau on Con Dao Island was named among 25 best beaches in the world by U.S. travel site Travel+Leisure.

The American site said that due to its proximity to the airport, commercial flights fly thrillingly close, giving swimmers a chance to watch planes take off and land at close quarters.

Dam Trau Beach is situated at the edge of the Con Dao National Park and near the Co Ong Airport, four kilometers from Con Dao’s downtown area in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Photo by Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran

Also in April, Phu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang was named among the world’s 15 best islands to retire this year by Irish publication International Living, which based its choice on beautiful beaches, low cost of living and rich culture.

Phu Quoc, dubbed the ‘Pearl Island’, became the country’s first island city early this year. The once sleepy island shot to global fame after building an international airport in 2012 and rolling out a 30-day visa-free policy for foreigners in 2014. Photo by VnExpress/Khanh Tran

In May, Hai Van mountain pass between Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang City in central Vietnam was listed as the world’s fourth most beautiful drive by American site Travel+Leisure.

With over 55,000 pictures tagged #HaiVanPass on Instagram, the world’s largest photo sharing network, the pass ranked behind the Great Ocean Road (Australia), Big Sur (California) and Jebel Hafeet (United Arab Emirates).

Crossing over a spur in the Truong Son mountain range, it lies 500 m above sea level. Its name, which literally means “cloud sea”, refers to the mist that frequently rises from the ocean, reducing visibility. Photo by Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran

In June, the old Hoi An Town was ranked eighth in the annual list of 10 cheapest tourist destinations in the world drawn up by the Post Office, the U.K.’s leading currency exchange agency.

The ranking was based on the minimum required budget for eight staple items that holidaymakers are likely to purchase – a cup of coffee, a pint of beer, a can/bottle of Coca-Cola, a bottle of water, sun cream, insect repellent, and a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of wine at 46 tourist destinations worldwide.

The average cost in Hoi An for these items was s £58.39 ($80.51) per day, the agency said. Photo by VnExpress/Do Anh Vu

In July, HCMC was named among the world’s 100 greatest places by the Time magazine. The list also featured Hanoi and Phu Quoc.

The magazine said its third annual World’s Greatest Places list was “curated from editor and expert nominations from around the world” and that “the list recognizes 100 unique destinations that are offering visitors an extraordinary experience that’s unlike any other.” Photo by VnExpress/Tran Ngoc Dung

In August, British travel publication Rough Guides listed the Cai Rang floating market in Mekong Delta’s Can Tho City among the world’s 19 must-visit food hubs.

Cai Rang is about five kilometers from downtown Can Tho and 30 minutes by boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf. From very early in the morning, traders gather to buy fresh vegetables and fruit to resell elsewhere. The most crowded time is from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. when many boats clog the waterway. Photo by VnExpress/Le Dang

In September, American new site BuzzFeed included the UNESCO-recognized Cat Ba biosphere reserve in the northern port city of Hai Phong on its list of 11 must-visit national parks.

Located 45 kilometers to the east of Hai Phong and just 25 kilometers from world-famous Ha Long Bay, the Cat Ba National Park, established in 1986, is home to a diverse flora and fauna that has won it increasing tourism popularity in recent years.

In 2003, the Cat Ba National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve in order to protect the multiple terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well the diverse plant and animal life found on the island. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen The Hung

In October, Cuc Phuong, a popular trekking destination near Hanoi, was named Asia’s leading national park at the 2021 World Travel Awards.

It beat competitors like the Chitwan National Park in Nepal, Kinabalu and Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka to claim the honors.

Cuc Phuong, Vietnam’s first national park, is located in the Tam Diep mountain range that runs across the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa.

The park stretches 22,408 hectares and is mainly covered by tropical rainforests. Photo by VnExpress/Kieu Duong

In November, Travel+Leisure mentioned Ban Gioc in Cao Bang Province in its list of 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

“In a stunning show of power and grandeur, water flows endlessly through pools, down tiers, and over cliffs in a unique horseshoe shape,” it said.

Ban Gioc encompasses a series of waterfalls on the Quay Son River in Trung Khanh District and is part of the UNESCO-recognized Non Nuoc Cao Bang geopark whose fossils, sediments, volcanic rocks, and karst landscapes are believed to be 500 million years old. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Bao Hoa

In December, Mui Ne, a popular resort town in the south central province of Binh Thuan, ranked ninth on the list of the world’s 100 best beach destinations, thanks to cheap hotel rates and sunny weather.

The list was compiled by London-based luggage storage company Bounce, which analyzed the world’s 250 most popular beach destinations from a variety of travel sources.

Each spot was evaluated based on a number of factors including water temperature, weather, average hotel price, number of restaurants and bars, and number of Instagram hashtags. Photo by Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran[……]

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6 Tops Tips for Travelling the Philippines

Travelling to the Philippines is something that everybody should put on their bucket list. I have written down my 6 top tips for travelling the Philippines that I personally believe will help improve your experience.

My best tips include ways to avoid spending unnecessary money, how to plan for Philippine transport, and other helpful things I picked up along the way.

So here it is, my 6 top tips for travelling the Philippines.

Number 1: Leave Yourself an Entire Day to Travel to Each Destination.

We used all types of public transport in the Philippines and a number of factors can affect their punctuality. The main reason for delays is down to the typhoons. We boarded 2 ferries throughout our trip, both of which were cancelled for up to 24 hours, and our flight to Boracay was delayed by 6 hours. Buses that are supposed to take 3 hours actually take 6… the list goes on.

Just bare in mind that things go wrong!

If they don’t, then hey! you’ve gained yourself a couple of hours – Bonus.

Number 2: Don’t Book Your Accommodation More Than a Day in Advance!

Okay, so if you are looking into a place and everything is booking up, you might make an exception. Booking accommodation in Boracay beforehand is recommended as it is usually really busy with tourists, but hear me out. In general, I would advise that you don’t book anything in advance.

The main reason for this is based on Number 1, things go wrong. If your transport is delayed, you will need to make new arrangements and find a new place to stay on the spot. This also means that the accommodation you have already booked is going to go to waste.

The amount of money that we would have lost if we would have booked our accommodation beforehand is insane! Our plan changed a total of 3 times throughout our trip due to delays and cancellations. We actually re-routed the whole thing at one stage.

The delays didn’t just affect the one day, but they pushed back the whole trip. Don’t book too far in advance!

Number 3: Note That Domestic Flights Aren’t as Cheap as You Would Think

When we planned our trip, we estimated a total cost and tried our hardest to stick to it. The domestic flight prices changed and we paid more than what we had hoped. Booking the flights in advance does save you money, however, the issue is of course that things change!

It is a tricky one to get around because if you book your flight in advance, other plans may fall through and you could end up missing out on an amazing place. If you wait, you could end up paying double.

My honest advice would be to wait and go with the flow. Overall, we did save money by travelling the way we did.

Another issue for anyone travelling with luggage… Philippine Airlines will only accept 10kg checked luggage and there is no option to pay for an upgrade. This means that you have to fly with more expensive airlines.

Cebu Pacific and Air Asia are your two main contenders – although be warned, Air Asia get delayed, A LOT!

If you can travel with a limited amount of luggage, I would highly recommend that you do, you will save even more money and hassle!

Number 4: Choose Your Tours and Make a Deal

The recommended amount of tours to do in both Coron and El Nido is 2 in each. Buy the tours at the same time, with the same company and save yourself some pennies! It’s like anywhere you go, the more you buy, the cheaper they are.

You can also try make a deal such as getting a snorkel and mask thrown in for free. In Coron, you have to pay 100php extra for the snorkels (unless you get a discount) but in El Nido they are already included in the tour.

Make sure you don’t negotiate a deal that is already included (like we managed to do haha!). Once we were on the boat, we realised that EVERYBODY was being handed a mask and snorkel and that we had been mugged off.

Number 5: Tricycles Are Your Main Form of Transport Within the Small Towns and Prices Vary Depending on Where You Are

The cheapest places were in both Puerto Princesa and Coron at only 10 php a head (0.25AUD/0.14p). The locals will try and charge you up to 150 php in some places, especially when arriving in to a port or an airport.

Let them know that you are aware it should only be 10 php and keep walking. They’ll either run after you and take you for the correct price, or you’ll make your way to the main roads and find a tricycle there.

In El Nido they were a little bit more expensive and charged 50 php from the ferry port to our hotel. Just be smart and settle for a fair price – the locals are just there to make a living.

TIP! Be aware that tricycles to attractions (such as the hot springs in Coron, or Nacpan beach in el Nido) are a lot more expensive and cost around 150 php. You’ll understand why once you get on the dirt roads in one of them things!

Number 6: Buy Aqua Shoes for El Nido and Coron Tours

It may seem a bit strange to you that I have included this in my 6 top tips for the Philippines. However, I wish I had bought aqua shoes for the tours and I advise you to do it!

In Coron, it was OK without them. I would have been much more comfortable if I would have bought a pair and it would have been way safer with them on. In El Nido however, we did actually need them.

Of course, nobody on our tour bought aqua shoes as you get the impression that you’re just been ambushed by locals to buy loads of rubbish. We were all very stubborn and ended up having to wear our flipflops in the water. I don’t know if you have ever tried to swim in flipflops but it isn’t very easy.

Luckily flipflops float so you don’t lose them.

At some points in the tour, it was actually quite dangerous to get to the attractions – such as entering the caves. The waves were really rough and people were being knocked into the rocks. We struggled to get into the cave, and getting back to the boat was even worse. There are lots of sharp rocks and the water is shallow enough for you to hit them. With the aqua shoes you could walk over them with much more ease.

There are also millions of sea urchins, lurking about in the rocks and it is difficult to avoid them when the waves are pushing you all over the place.

One of our tour guides also spotted a stone fish, which for those of you who don’t know, can be fatal to humans.

I am not trying to scare you. Coron and El Nido are the 2 most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines and you HAVE to go on these tours. The beaches, lagoons and caves are among the most stunning things I have ever seen. Just be careful and if you can pre-prepare with a simple action of buying aqua shoes, it will make your experience much more enjoyable![……]

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Thailand Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit

Located at the centre of Mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand is one of the world’s most unique places to spend your vacation because of the beauty of its beaches and islands. Thailand offers travellers a wide variety of experiences, things to do and places to see. You can have a memorable holiday enjoying Thailand’s culture, religion, food and nature, and filled with water, sports, adventure or relaxing activities. With a huge number of healing and detox centres, Thailand is also known as a health and wellness destination. There is something for everyone to do in Thailand!

Getting to Thailand.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is Thailand’s main air gateway into the country. Serving more than 50 international airlines, it is Thailand’s busiest international airport. Apart from this, there are many other international, regional and privately owned airports as well as heliports.

Travel requirements for Thailand.

Visitors to Thailand are required to obtain a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country. One can also check for eligibility to enter Thailand under Elite Visa on arrival and the Visa Exemption rule. The tourist visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival at the airport in Thailand. Certain tourist visas can also be extended if necessary. Always ensure you have the right information on the validity of the Tourist Visa and the Permit to Stay, which are two different things.

Thailand entry requirements.

From 1 July, 2022, revised entry measures for foreign nationals into Thailand have been in place. Thailand has removed the requirement for Thailand Pass registration for all travellers. Travellers are only required to show print or digital format proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a negative RT-PCR or professional ATK COIVD-19 test result within 72 hours of travel. Random checks will be made on arrivals at Thailand’s international airports or land border checkpoints.

As in most countries now open to tourism, both vaccinated and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow health and safety standards.

Best places to visit and things to do in Thailand.

Bangkok, Central Thailand

Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. Bangkok is easily one of the world’s top tourist destinations due to its historical and cultural tourist attractions. A shopper’s delight, one can never get enough of Bangkok with its shopping centres and department stores. Bangkok city is also famous for its dining experiences and dynamic nightlife. Besides the museums and cultural centres in Bangkok, there are numerous venues that regularly feature a variety of performances throughout the city. Tourists also enjoy rides in the motorized rickshaws called ‘tuk-tuk’.

Best places to visit in Bangkok, Central Thailand.

Grand Palace, a complex of palace buildings.

Wat Arun, one of Thailand’s best known Buddhist temple with its distinctive prang (spire).

Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple housing the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 metres long reclining Buddha.

Best activities in Bangkok, Central Thailand.

Experience the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong.

Float a ritual vessel or lamp during the Thai festival Loy Krathong.

Venture into Bangkok’s Chinatown, a bustling shopping district and a popular street food destination.

Pai, Northern Thailand.

The small town of Pai, once a quiet market village inhabited by Shan people, now thrives on tourism. Pai is almost a hippie destination, well known among backpackers and alternative travellers for its relaxed atmosphere. The town is full of cheap guesthouses, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Some tourists use the town of Pai as a base for trekking and visiting hill tribes as it lies at the foot of the mountains.

Best places to visit in Pai, Northern Thailand.

Take a meditative 353 stairs walk up the mountainside leading to the majestic White Buddha.

Enjoy brilliant views and fun hikes at Pai Canyon.

Cool off in the shade of the cliffs and the refreshing water at the Pam Bok Waterfall.

Best activities in Pai, Northern Thailand.

Go motorbike riding along the Mae Hong Son Loop, one of the best circuits in Southeast Asia.

Soak in the Tha Pai Hot Springs, a cold-water stream flowing over boiling-hot rocks, creating a soothing, heated pool surrounded by lush scenery.

Wander through Pai’s Walking Street Night Market with street food vendors and market stalls.

Pattaya, Eastern Thailand

After Bangkok, Pattaya is the second most visited city in Thailand. The Pattaya Bay area is one of Asia’s largest beach resorts. Tourists can enjoy beach sunbathing and spectacular views. Water sports activities are in plenty at Pattaya and one can choose between sailing, yacht racing, water skiing, windsurfing and many more. Several world-class golf courses are located in Pattaya. And it is also home to one of Thailand’s biggest Muay Thai training centre.

Best places to visit in Pattaya, Eastern Thailand.

Visit the Wat Phra Yai or Big Buddha Temple, which is home to a giant 12 metres tall gold-painted Buddha statue.

Go to the Walking Street with its night life, seafood restaurants, live music venues and much more.

Have fun at Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark, the world’s first cartoon network-themed waterpark.

Best activities in Pattaya, Eastern Thailand.

At Pratumnak Hill, try your hand at the fitness and beach leisure activities. Visit the flamboyant kathoey cabaret shows where transsexual and transgender entertainers perform to packed houses.

Experience Thai culture on a riverside ride at the Pattaya Floating Market, showcasing the beautiful ancient Thai riverside village lifestyle.

Sangkhlaburi, Western Thailand

The secluded town of Sangkhlaburi tucked away in between the forests and mountains of Tenasserim Hills, is stunning and culturally diverse. Sangkhlaburi is perfect for tourists who just want to hang out, kick back, and relax for a couple of days. One of the best known tourist spots is the Mon Bridge, the longest handmade bridge of its kind in Thailand. It is quite a photogenic wooden bridge that stretches over the area’s enormous man-made lake.

Best places to visit in Sangkhlaburi, Western Thailand.

When the water level of the lake is low, hire a boat to see the three Sunken Temples.

Visit the Buddhist temple Wat Wang Wiwekaram featuring a multi-tiered roof of the main temple.

Camp at the stunning Pom Pee Viewpoint in Khao Laem National Park and get an unobstructed view of the Vajiralongkorn Dam.

Best activities in Sangkhlaburi, Western Thailand.

Participate or observe the early morning alms giving ceremony, from the main temple through the village, where people line up as the monks walk by accepting the alms.

Walk over the Mon bridge to explore Mon Village, where you can even spend a night or two on the raft houses.

Within Khao Laem National Park, relax at the Kering Kawia Waterfall a beautiful collection of small waterfalls.

Phuket, Southern Thailand

Phuket is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, as well as the country’s largest island. Known as the pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket has many beautiful beaches, off the coast attractions and in land attractions. Visitors to Phuket can discover the island’s getaways, admire unforgettable views from its stunning bays, or explore its beautiful national parks. Phuket offers a broad array of cultural and entertainment attractions such as serene temples and engaging museums. There’s no shortage of adventure activities at Phuket, and one can choose from hikes into the island’s mountainous interior, and water-based activities such as snorkelling and deep-sea diving.

Best places to visit in Phuket, Southern Thailand.

Wat Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkhon, ‘The Phuket Big Buddha’ or ‘The Great Buddha of Phuket’, is a 45m tall statue made of concrete and covered with Burmese white marble and offers the best 360° views of the island.

Old Phuket Town showcasing many fine mansions and shops of the 19th century with Sino-Portuguese and Mediterranean character that are still well preserved.

Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most visited temple, which shelters a splinter of bone from Buddha.

Best activities in Phuket, Southern Thailand.

The Upside Down House located on Bypass Road is a pink house that presents a fun attraction for families and kids as it actually stands upside down!

Dino Park Mini Golf, located on an 18-hole mini-golf course, featuring dinosaurs and an erupting volcano, and uses light and sound techniques to provide great fun for families.

Book a tour at any of the zipline adventure parks where one can climb or walk through rainforest and adventure lovers can swing, fly or soar.

Nakhon Ratchasima / Khorat , North Eastern Thailand

Some of the most beautiful highlands and gorgeous plateaus can be found in Nakhon Ratchasima province of North Eastern Thailand. It has splendid natural scenery and awesome historical sites. Thailand’s oldest and most visited nature reserve is Khao Yai National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima city is the largest city and is also more popularly known as Khorat which is its older name. Nakhon Ratchasima is known for its local ceramic handicrafts and silk weaving industry. Khorat is also rich in culture and proudly boasts its own folk song called ‘Pleng Korat.’ Khorat is Northeastern Thailand’s main transportation hub and economic center.

Best places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima , North Eastern Thailand.

The town square, where a statue of national heroine Thao Suranari stands in its centre.

Prasat Hin Phanomwan monastery is filled with many Buddha images, most of which are covered with patches of gold leaf.

Korat Zoo Lagoon and Water Park, a unique and the biggest park of its kind in the area.

Best activities in Nakhon Ratchasima , North Eastern Thailand.

Enjoy jungle trekking at Khao Yai National Park, featuring the 20m high Haew Suwat waterfall and 150m Haew Narok falls.

Dino Park Mini Golf, located on an 18-hole mini-golf course, featuring dinosaurs and an erupting volcano, and uses light and sound techniques to provide great fun for families.

The Lam Takhong River, a soothing river where novice rafters as well as families can try simple rafting adventure.

Ban Koh night market, the best spot to enjoy the city’s nightlife while relishing a host of culinary delights.[……]

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