Tickets to vietnam: Vising Old-world charm

Take a flight into one of the most enticing cities in Asia that promises a beguiling blend of the exotic and chic. A city of historical importance, Hanoi retains much of its old-world charm despite the brisk tourist activities. Huge mansions line the grand boulevards and pretty parks surround the city – making it a romantic scene. Among Hanoi's sightseeing highlights are the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the National Art Museum and the Hoa Lo Prison (infamously known as the Hanoi Hilton). (Book tickets to Vietnam here)

In the centre lies Hoan Kiem Lake, where one can join the locals during their brisk morning walks or tai chi. The lake is a serene city landmark that symbolises the city's fairy-tale origins. Don't forget the Old Quarter, which narrow alleys are named after the individual trades practiced here since the 15th century. As Vietnam's cultural centre, Hanoi hosts plenty of galleries, puppetry, music and dance performances which are quintessential for the artistically inclined.

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Tickets to Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines' tips on selecting seats on plane

Vietnam airlines realizes that there are many customers who frequently travel on the same route so that they know the seat map will be 3-3, 2-3 or 2-4-2 depending on the aircraft, based on which they will require to book the ticket of seat 4A (windows) or 10C (aisle). However, you may request to be accommodated as follows: aisle, window, near an aisle, front or near a window.

Tickets to Vietnam: Choose appropriate seats of Vietnam Airlines

Join Vietnam’s Moon Festival with Vietnam Airlines

Flights from Singapore to Vietnam, Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with the cultivation of wet rice. On this occation, people buy two special cakes-“banh nuong” and “banh deo”. Circular in shape, these cakes are filled with salty eggs. They are placed on the altar along with tea and a glass of rice wine. The Moon festival is also known as “The Children’s Tet”, as it involves gifts, edible treats and games for children. Let’s find out exciting things about it with Vietnam airlines.

Flights from Singapore to Vietnam: Join Moon Festival with Vietnamairlines

For families of all means, a feast is essential and includes typical autumn fruit such as persimmons, pomellos, and sugar cane, together with moon cakes. Children are presented with papers written with slogans promoting good study habits, toys such as little drums or funny masks and charming lanterns. After dark there are public lion dances, and neighborhood kids holding lanterns form colorful processions. Apart from entertaining, the Moon Festival is the time to make traditional moon-based forecasts. A golden moon indicates an excellent foe cultivating silkworm eggs. A moon with a blue or green tinge is said to predict disasters, while a bright orange moon is associated with national prosperity.

"Nuong" cake in Moon festival

An old saying advises:

“Crops in May can be foretold through the Mid-Autumn moon. A bright moon on fourteen denotes good silk worm business, a dull moon in fifteen forecasts good rice cultivation…”

For foreign visitors and expats, Vietnam’s traditional festivals offer great opportunities to learn more about Vietnam’s rich culture. , in which Moon Festival is included. Hence, once setting foot on this land, never miss the chance to take part in this special event.

 Click the link below to more detail airfare to Vietnam:

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Source: VietnamAirlinesTickets.com

Traveling Dong Thap Muoi with Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam airlines is always proud to be a reliable carrier to bring travelers (flights from singapore to vietnam) to almost everywhere of Vietnam. On visiting to Southern Region and Dong Thap Muoi in particular, travelers are amazed by the region’s untamed nature and pleased by the sincerity, hospitality and honesty of the local farmers.

Dong Thap Muoi

Learn more about Vietnam with VNA

About Vietnam is designed to give you enough information about Vietnam to lure you to this Asia holiday hotspot by offering up a little of it’s history, both ancient and recent, it’s amazing topography, from towering mountain ranges to a coastline that can be both fierce as well as idyllic, a culture that is both as old as time, yet still evolving, and a people who are smiling and happy, friendly and unforgettable.

flights from singapore to vietnam with VNA

Vietnam, a land of mystery and majesty …… the emerging destination of discerning travelers.

Vietnam Airlines flight schedule: Lao cai – Bac Ha - Coc Ly Home Stay

Flights in Vietnam - Tour Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Coc Ly Home Stay

Night 1:

20:15: Pick up at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem District only, if you are out of this area, we will pick you up at 17 Hang Thung street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi). Transfer to the railway station for a night train to Sapa (scheduled 21:15 – 06:15).

Day 1: Sunday: Lao Cai – Bac Ha (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Bac Ha to a hill-tribe market and to discover about the daily life and culture of flower H’Mong; the Red dzao people. Following lunch there is a scenic 5km trek on mountain paths to Ban Pho Village – home of Flower H’Mong people. We’ll end the day with dinner in a local restaurant.

Night 2: In the evening you are free to relax during the overnight in a hotel Bac Ha Town.

Day 2: Monday: Bac Ha – Day’s trekking and the Home stay (B/L/D)

Following breakfast we will prepare for a 10km trek with scenery consisting of lots of terraced fields, waterfalls and have a chance to witness how the hill tribe people live and work. We’ll have a picnic lunch and continue walking towards the Nam Thang village, home of the Nung Hill Tribe. You’ll have a great opportunity to speak to a Nung, and find out about the traditional life style, habits and customs. (Luggage& food will be carried along by local porters and horses).

Night 3: Home stay in a Nung ethnic house.

Day 3: Tuesday: Bac Ha – Coc Ly – Lao Cai (B/L/D)

After breakfast, there’s a car journey to Coc Ly to explore the Coc Ly hill-tribe market. Take a boat trip on the Chay River to Bao Nhai – after that we will visit the hill-tribe villages of the Nung, H’Mong, and Zdao people.

Another great picnic then we’ll go by car to Lao Cai train station. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Night 4: Tuesday: Overnight on the train back to Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi (B)

Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Check-in at a hotel for breakfast and refreshing (check-out time at hotel is 1200/ noon) where the tour Flights in Vietnam ends.

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10 reasons to attend Coffee tour flights in Vietnam

Here are 10 reasons advised by Vietnam airlines to put a Coffee tour of Buon ma thuot on your must-visit list to discover this land of black gold when you flights in Vietnam.

Flights in Vietnam - Discover land of black gold with Vietnam Airlines

1. Historical artifacts of Emperor Bao Dai, who had a palace here.

2. A strategic trade hub in Indochina (Don Village)

3. Launch pad of the Southern Liberation War leading to national unification in 1975

4. Central Highlands bronzework culture registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

5. Culture identities, traditional customs and unique festivals of 44 coexisting ethnicities.

6. Naturally endowed red basalt soil for the world’s finest robusta coffee.

7. A world coffee museum was founded here

8. Expected to be the feature world coffee capital

9. The most magnificent waterfall compound in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

10. The only elephant taming center passed down through generations that offers the memorable experience of an elephant ride.

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Source: VietnamairlinesTickets.com

Vietnam Airlines tips for flight Vietnam's summer

Do you have any plans for the upcoming holiday yet? Which kinds of relaxing do you prefer: visiting the forest or diving into the sea to enjoy cool feelings? Anyway, you still have to experience a long journey under the heat of the season and you should follow some advices when you flight Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines tips on summer vacation

 In hot weather, the engine can overheat and may start a fire after a long road, so you need to make sure that there is enough water in the radiators. 4 inflated tires will reduce fuel consumption and make the engine run most productively. You should also check air-conditioner in cars to feel comfortable throughout the journey. The engines will work better in the early morning or dark night - when the weather is cool. So choose suitable time for departure of your families.

For a safety flight with Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam airlines is always proud to be a reliable carrier for domestic and international customers. However, beside our efforts, passengers should also pay attention to our regulations for a safe flight Vietnam.

Before take-off and landing, the cabin crew asks passengers to open their window shades, fasten their seat belt, fold up their tray tables, and put their seatbacks upright. The cabin lights are then dimmed.

Vietnam Airlines

All of these measures comply with the civil aviation safety regulations followed by all airlines. During take-off and landing, the plane is most vulnerable to accidents. Cabin lights are dimmed to allow passengers to see safety track exit lighting in case of an emergency evacuation. Dim lighting also makes it easier to spot fires. Window shades are opened to allow a view of possible threats, both inside and outside of the aircraft. Fastening seatbelt and putting seats and tray tables upright help to prevent passenger from being thrown from their seat or sustaining injuries in case of accidents.

You can visit Vietnam Airlines news to have more information about our services and flight Vietnam.

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Children travel to flight Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines

Traveling to flight Vietnam with their ??parents from early age will make children have memorable moments of childhood with their families. However, in order to have a safe trip, parents should make careful arrangement following Vietnam airlines’ advices.

Prepare for your kid with Vietnam Airlines

A journey with your children is not completely an exam testing your patience but you may spend a lot of time to watch kids and take care of them.

Your holiday will not be too stressful if you know how to deal with these risks which may occur. Surely you cannot plan for everything to be perfect (such as in the case of a child being injured), but at least you'll have to prepare to handle unexpected situations.

The most important rule is to plan as careful as possible the in the schedule (landscapes, reasonable hotel to stay, restaurant and even kinds of food) ... Furthermore, provide interesting information of the trip to their kids to trigger their excitement.

Nevertheless, not every trip is perfect as expected so that you had better know how to adapt to such cases. If your kids are not interested in some places, let’s consider other attractions before departure date to bring happiness to the whole family.

Remember to bring some essential stuff when you flight Vietnam. Firstly, favorite toys are indispensible things in yours baggage, thanks to which your kids will never feel bored all journey. Secondly, make sure to bring diapers, bottles, first aid supplies. To avoid unpredictable risks, parents should bring common medicine such as diarrhea pills, aspirins, car-sick pills or rhinitis medication.

Kids on Vietnam Airlines' flights

Vietnam Airlines hopes that these tips are helpful for you to enjoy a great trip. Do not forget to bring camera to take pictures and save special and lovely moments of your little angels.

 Click the link below to more detail airfare to Vietnam:

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Flights in Vietnam with VNA

Vietnam Airlines flies to 42 international destinations, which includes code-share services. Vietnam Airlines offer direct and code-share flights from Auckland to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Đà Nẵng.

Vietnam Airlines is not currently part of any major airline alliance.

Flights in Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines - Golden Lotus Plus

Golden Lotus Plus is Vietnam Airlines frequent flyer program. Subject to your GLP membership status, the program offers all Vietnam Airlines GLP passengers benefits including award tickets and privileged services. There are three membership levels of the Vietnam Airlines Golden Lotus Plus program: Silver, Titanium, and Gold.

Present your GLP membership when booking your Vietnam airlines flights in Vietnam and at the time of check-in to receive membership advantages.

Comfort in all Classes on Vietnam Airlines

Business Class

Vietnam Airlines Business Class delivers the space and comfort you would expect from any major international airline. During the meal service on board Vietnam airlines, Business Class passengers can experience flavours from Vietnamese and Western cuisine, while sampling fine wines and beers, from the carefully selected range of beverages.

Deluxe Economy Class and Economy

Complimentary meals are served in Deluxe Economy and Economy class on most Vietnam Airlines international flights. Snacks are served on other routes shorter than 75 minutes. An Asian or Western meal option is available with a selection of beer, wine, juice, coffee and tea.

Vietnam Airlines Deluxe Economy and Economy passengers can enjoy ample legroom and wide comfortable seats. Each seat in Economy class has its own personal entertainment system with LCD monitor. Passengers travelling in Deluxe Economy can relax with greater seat recline angles than regular economy.

Vietnam Airlines Check-In

For international flights in Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines check-in counters are open 2.5 hours before departure and close 40 minutes before departure.

Passengers of Vietnam Airlines flights are recommended to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure of international flights.

Vietnam Airlines In-flight Entertainment

Vietnam Airlines in-flight entertainment system provides access to a large collection of movies, TV programs, audio files, music and games.

The great selection of current new release movies is updated regularly.

Magazines and Newspapers

Depending on routes, Vietnam Airlines offer a selection of complimentary newspapers and magazines in Vietnamese, English, French and other major languages.

 Click the link below to more detail airfare to Vietnam:

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Vietnam Air tips on saving airline ticket cost

Flight ticket occupies a significant cost in your trip and hunting cheap Vietnam airfare is quite difficult, especially for passengers without much experience. The following suggestions of Air Vietnam may be helpful for you.

Early Bookings cheap Vietnam airfare

When procrastinating to book ticket, especially in the peak season, you might miss the opportunity to take favorite hotel or direct flights. Furthermore, booking early helps you have cheap Vietnam airfare promotions. Therefore, you must make sure the time and travel destination as soon as possible.

Choosing travel time and destination

Avoiding weekends, holidays or peak season, you can get extremely cheap roundtrip tickets. Normally, the price of airline tickets to not-so-famous destinations is cheaper than ones in major tourist center. In addition, night flights often costs less money than the day ones, however, you should also note the time and the time zone difference for international flights to make your rational choices.

Purchasing cheap tickets

As Vietnam Airways promotions, ticket deals often take place in a very short time, so you have to prepare thoroughly for the cheap airfare hunting. You need a computer with fast speed internet to avoid any disruption prepare to enter personal information into the boxes as required. The act of registering must be very quick and accurate because possibly when you are filling, someone get the tickets luckily.

Having online paying cards

You need to have credit cards for online payment when purchasing tickets, especially the cheap ones. However, you should not forget to check the remaining money in your cards for the initiative payment.

Packaging Airfare

When booking a plane ticket associating with accommodation, you will receive a greater discount than the odd looking to buy airline tickets and cheap hotels. In the case of a fixed date after a long trip, you should purchase a return ticket because it is often cheaper than one-way flight.

Itinerary splitting

You can choose to fly a certain stage and then use cheaper transportations such as cars or boats to minimize costs, if after calculation, this cost can help you save more.

 Click the link below to more detail airfare to Vietnam:

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Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Vietnam's long, narrow shape lends the country several seasons throughout the year. Deciding the best time to visit Vietnam greatly depends upon how far north or south that you begin, as well as other factors such as festivals and holidays.

When to Go to Vietnam

Vietnam can be enjoyed at anytime throughout the year, however, weather plays a big factor -- particularly if you plan to enjoy trekking or outdoor activities. You'll find far less travelers during the rainy season and negotiating better prices for accommodation becomes easier. Sometimes monsoon rains can become so heavy in urban areas that streets flood and transportation shuts down.

Read more about how monsoons affect Southeast Asia weather and tickets to Vietnam.

While showers can and often do pop up during the so-called 'dry' seasons, the driest months for visiting the south of Vietnam (Saigon) are typically between December and April. Temperatures in April can be scorching before monsoon rains begin to cool things off in the summer months. The best months to visit are during January and February when temperatures are milder.

The spring and autumn months are most pleasant for visiting the north of Vietnam (Hanoi). Winter nights can get relatively chilly, with temperatures dipping into the 50s Fahrenheit. You'll certainly need a jacket when visiting Halong Bay in the winter, particularly if you're already accustomed to warmer temperatures in the south or in other countries around Southeast Asia.

Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Regardless of the season, large weather events such as typhoons blowing in from the east and tropical depressions can create week-long downpours. While Mother Nature doesn't always play by the rules, typhoon season typically ends around December each year.
See more about the weather in Vietnam.

Festivals and Big Events

The largest national holiday in Vietnam is the New Year celebration known as Tết. During Tết, transportation and accommodation will be booked for days as people go to celebrate or visit family. While Tết is an extremely interesting and exciting time to be in Vietnam, your travel plans will certainly be affected -- book ahead and arrive early!

Tết follows a lunar calendar so dates vary from year to year. The celebration usually occurs between January and February. Learn more about Tet in Vietnam.

Other big national holidays include May 1 and National Day on September 2. Beach estinations such as Nha Trang tend to fill up with families on vacation. That good time buying tickets to Vietnam for travel.

Tips for a great holiday in Hanoi.

Its probable that the international visitor will visiting at least one other region or city of Vietnam but Hanoi is special. As well as being selected by the world renowned Frommer's travel guide as one of the world's "Top Destinations in 2010", Hanoi also has the distinction of being named in the top 10 cities for food in the world by Shermans Travel. Note it actually came second after Barcelona and ahead of New York, Roe and San Francisco. Don't let the name put you off and visit Le Mat - known to tourists as Snake Village - just outside the centre and venue for many unique gourmet restaurants. (click here to book airfare cheap flights Hanoi)

The climate of Hanoi is characterised by hot, humid summers and cool winters similar to Mediterranean Italy or parts of Florida in the U.S. Hanoi has a single rainy season which falls during the south monsoon between May and September. Rainfall is rare and always light during the October to April. Visitors should check what they need in terms of clothes depending upon the time of year. Leisure clothes are frequently highly coloured and business is dome in dark coloured tailored suits. Whatever the attire is always topped off by a polite and welcoming smile.

Flights to Hanoi with Vietnamairlines

Looking for cheap flights to Hanoi?

As the second city of Vietnam by size of population and the first by its designation as the nation's capital, Hanoi is one of the two major international gateways into Vietnam. Alongside Ho Chi Minh city, which was once called Saigon, Hanoi is the perfect entry point for intrepid travellers looking to visit this amazing country.

(click here to book airfare cheap flights Hanoi)

As soon as you descend the steps from your plane, please note that we thoroughly recommend Vietnam Airlines as the best way to fly to Vietnam as they have enjoyable regular flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find yourself in a land buzzing with energy. The feel in air in modern Hanoi combines an ancient culture and an ambitious modern nation with a young growing population whose values of hard work, fun, achievement and family values are obvious to all who come here.

So if Vietnam sounds like the sort of place you'd like to visit and a flight to Hanoi is on you itinerary, we, at Alternative Airlines, will find you the best way to fly.

As soon as you descend the steps from your plane, please note that we thoroughly recommend Vietnam Airlines as the best way to fly to Vietnam as they have enjoyable regular flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find yourself in a land buzzing with energy. The feel in air in modern Hanoi combines an ancient culture and an ambitious modern nation with a young growing population whose values of hard work, fun, achievement and family values are obvious to all who come here.

So if Vietnam sounds like the sort of place you'd like to visit and a flight to Hanoi is on you itinerary, we, at Alternative Airlines, will find you the best way to fly.

See the sights of Hanoi

Visiting Hanoi, with its warmth of climate and smiling people, is an experience you will remember for ever.. ask anyone who has been there and see their vibrant response, its amazing! Hanoi is a diverse mix of cultural influences which constantly jostle for your attention. Firstly it's ancient, with over 1000 years of history on this spot as it sits alongside the famous Red River flowing down from China to empty into the South China Sea. Then its ultra modern and booming high tech industrial estates where much of the world's software is crafted by gifted technicians. Between these two extremes is one the world's great cities which is experiencing one of this century great economic booms fuelled by 89 million Vietnamese people and its proximity to the vast markets of modern China.

(click here to book airfare cheap flights Hanoi)

The Vietnamese are great planners, unfortunately the growth of Hanoi has out-stripped their ability to plan and implement hence to the first time visitor it appears chaotic.

Flights to Hanoi arrive at the Noi Bai International Airport which is about 25 miles north of Hanoi city centre and is the only international airport serving the city and the northern part of Vietnam. However soon Hanoi will be served by a totally new major international airport, Hanoi International Airport, costing over $8 billion which will start construction in 2011.This is a massive infrastructure project involving seven years of building work over three phases and including a hospital, two heli-ports, schools, apartments and hotels as well as building the largest and the most modern airport anywhere in Asia. The Vietnamese certainly don't lack ambition ! Phase one alone is planned to accommodate 480 flights a day and 35 million passengers a year with growth aimed at achieving 850 flights daily and 62 million passengers annually by 2025 and then to 1,096 flights daily and 80 million passengers annually by 2035.

From the current Hanoi Noi Bai airport to the city centre is along two highways, both of which deliver the arriving passenger in the centre city in around 45 minutes, depending upon traffic conditions. The journey itself is a rewarding experience with your bus or taxi sharing the main highways with cars of all shapes, motor scooters by the hundred and a separate - but frequently shared lane for often multi-peopled bicycles.

Travel the world with Vietnam Airlines

In addition to its useful domestic network of flights, Vietnam Airlines offers convenient stop over flights from Europe down to the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Passengers travelling on direct flights to Vietnam can use Vietnam Airlines from many of the world's great cities including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Prague, Moscow, Rome and Paris in Europe. Arriving in Vietnam on the national carrier is always the best way to arrive having started your Vietnamese experience the moment you boarded the aircraft. 

tickets to vietnam

As suggested above, Vietnam Airlines planning to operate from London soon and whether they choose the popular Heathrow Airport or the currently being upgraded Gatwick it will be an exciting moment when the first Lotus blossom logo'd aircraft touches down here in the UK. Alternative Airlines are closely involved with this new development and we hope to make a special announcement soon.

Book a flight on Vietnam Airlines - with Alternative Airlines With more than 25 years of experience, Alternative Airlines has developed into a specialist in arranging flights to the more unusual destinations around the world, plus we have a special relationship with Vietnam Airlines being one of their top performing agents in the UK - particularly in arranging domestic flights within Vietnam for independent travellers.

To book a flight on Vietnam Airlines (tickets to vietnam), simply use our search tool to provide the details of your journey. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch - we can also help you keep up to date with the latest travel news.

10 reasons flighting in Vietnam (cont.)

WHY VIETNAM #6. Exquisite cuisines 

Have you always been a fan of Vietnamese food? Pho Hung on Spadina- Toronto, Nam Son near Bowery- New York, Le Lotus Blanc on Bourgogne of Paris- They can never be as authentic as the food served in Vietnam (though they all do an awesome job). Vietnamese food goes beyond pho and spring rolls and varies by regions: fresh vegetables continue to dominate the tables, while meat and poultry are rising in popularity. Near the beach such as Nha Trang and Da Nang, you can find plenty of fresh seafood caught in the morning and served in your dinner at very affordable price. A big size king crab costs about $8 and can be shared between 2 people. (click here to book airfare for fights in Vietnam)

WHY VIETNAM # 7. Fast and easy immigration process 

Applying for a visa to Vietnam seems stressful at first- why would you need a visa to Vietnam while you are granted free 30 day entry to Thailand and Ecuador? Vietnam requires you anyway, and to alleviate the pain, the process has been made quite easy. Besides visa at the embassy, Vietnam visas can also be granted upon arrival. All you need to do is to apply online for your approval letter via a number of online travel companies, which are plentiful on the net. The visa letter will be emailed to you after 2 days. If you leave close to the embassy, it will take only about a week.

WHY VIETNAM #8. It’s a natural thing 

Think Vietnam and many still think about a war-torn country- not necessarily but that is usually the case. Vietnam is more than just its war memory: its natural resources are something worth talking about. National parks abound, and you can enjoy a variety of activities you could never enjoyed back in your country: camping and bird-watching in the tropical forest of Cuc Phuong or Cat Ba; renting a jeep and touring Cat Tien national park; wind-surfing crash course in Nha Trang. The bad news is that tourism has brought a lot of commercial activities into the nature. The good news is that there are still a lot more to see, and enjoy.

WHY VIETNAM #9. Traditional festivals

Thanks to its long history, rich tradition and Buddhist influence, Vietnam has festivals organized all year round- many of which are unheard of in the West and really fun to learn about. Tet holiday, for example, is an ideal time to see how families celebrate their love for their ancestors and for each other. Tet should not be mistaken or called Chinese New Year, which may even be an insult to some nationalists. It resembles the Lunar New Year in many ways, but modified with a Vietnamese feel in it. For example, in the countryside, people stay over night and make chung cake- over a bit of fire and some end-of-year gossips. In Hai Phong, the buffalo fighting festival is a well-known occasion: the winning buffalo will get killed and presented to the village god. Even public holidays in Vietnam are worth joining: come to Vietnam on the 2nd of September and you will see nation-wide parades. The whole streets will be lighted by the red flags- and fireworks take over the sky at night. Check our events page to see what events you can join in your next trip. (click here to book airfare for fights in Vietnam)

WHY VIETNAM #10. World famous beaches 

What is more relaxing than spending time in the blue water under the shining sun. Let the waves of Da Nang, Nha Trang or Mui Ne relieve all the stress of the busy day-to-day life. Vietnam has several of the world’s top beach listing. Most of them are safe to swim and there are opportunities for water-sport activities as well. In Nha Trang, for example, you can do kite-running and wind surfing. In Da Nang, enjoy one of the world-class beach resorts- a romantic get away for couples and families alike. In Mui Ne, enjoy the quite with some added wildness while planning for your seafood dinner venture. For beach fans, Vietnam should really be on your list.

Source: VNO

10 reasons flighting in Vietnam

Most travellers place Vietnam in a comparison chart as they decide where to go next: will Thailand, Laos, Hongkong or Vietnam be worth my precious vacation? Will my kids have fun in that place? Will I encounter any problems as a single woman traveler? VietnamOnline will tell you the top 10 reasons why you flight in Vietnam on the agenda for your upcoming trip.

WHY VIETNAM #1: Breathtaking landscape: 

There are no matches to Niagara Falls, Sydney Opera House or the Grand Canyons. However, Vietnam is a truly hidden gem that only those visiting the country themselves will be able to tell. To put it correctly, Vietnam is not short of World Heritage Site: Halong Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang caves, Hoi An Ancient Street and Cham Islands are all recognized for their intense beauty. However, it is the bits and bites of the non-heritage site that will surprise you further. Da Lat, for example, is too picturesque to miss. French style villas sitting next to a pine forest, bordered by strawberry garden- you feel like Europe but the market scenes speak otherwise. Keo pagoda in Thai Binh province also exemplifies well the no-name beauty of Vietnam: feel the serenity of a religious place, situated amidst greeneries of paddy farms. Whether a must-see site or an off-the-beaten-path attraction, you will not be disappointed.

WHY VIETNAM #2: Friendly and hospitable Vietnamese: 

Like many other neighbor countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a precious treasure: its people. Everywhere you go, you will be welcomed by smiles and kind helps from the locals- whether they know Vietnamese or not. People from Hue, for example, are famous all over the country for their royal-like attitude: elegant and sweet. Those from Hoi An, on the other hand, are known for being honest. If you have time to spend in the Mekong delta of Vietnam, you will even be more surprised and inspired by the way you are received by local farmers. Get impressed!

WHY VIETNAM #3: Affordability 

Vietnam is a well-known destination among budget travellers. Though the price is climbing monthly at a daunting rate, it is still much cheaper than travelling in other continents. There is almost every price for every wallet: a 5 star resort in Da Nang will cost you an equivalent amount to a 3 star hotel near JFK airport. For lower end market, there are a plenty of hostels and guest-houses in most cities. Food costs even lower and street foods are among the best in the world. That says, even in biggest metropolitan areas like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can get by a day with $15.

WHY VIETNAM #4: Coffee coffee coffee 

Who do not like coffee (excuse me, tea fans)? There is no Starbuck with the humongous frap and latte but there is the French drip coffee that can be found in EVERY single street of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Why rush in a country like Vietnam? Enjoy a cup of black coffee (ca phe den) or iced coffee with condensed milk (cap he sua da) and watch life goes by on a corner of the street- you will never forget Vietnam. For those who would like to take some coffee home, visit Café Mai (79 Le Van Huu, Hanoi) or Highland Coffee (26 Le Loi, Ho Chi Minh City).

WHY VIETNAM #5: A nowhere-to-be-found travel experience

Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experience that you are all looking for. From staying with an ethnic family in the Northern mountain area of Sa Pa to taking photos over the sunrise in Hoi An to sand-surfing with local kids in Mui Ne- you name them all. A unique travel experience is all about yourself- and the best part about Vietnam is that there are so much to discover after all. Read our “Best of Vietnam” page for more suggestions.

(You can book your airfare to flights in Vietnam here)

Source: VNO

Great Hanoi Trip with Halong Bay and Ninh Binh Day

We just returned from a 5D4N Hanoi Trip and we would like to share our experience. We travelled as a group of 10 family members spanning 3 generations, it was good family bonding time. (click here to book airfare flights from Singapore to Vietnam)

We found a local tour operator Vietnam Awesome Travel through good reviews on the Internet. Initially, we only wanted to book a Halong Bay day trip but the service, suggestions and price we received via email was so good that we ended up booking the hotel, the airport-hotel transfer and the Halong Bay day trip. We emailed different local tour operators for the Halong Bay day trip but none matched the good service and price of Vietnam Awesome Travel.

We were received at the airport by a very friendly Mr Anh who speaks good English. The mini bus for us was in very good condition. We were sent to our hotel in the old town of Hanoi on Ma May street. The office of Vietnam Awesome Travel is just across the road from the hotel which was very convenient.

Our Halong Bay day trip was a private trip. We had the mini bus and the boat to ourselves. The seafood lunch served on the boat was good and the cruise through the bay and the visit to Thien Cung Grotto ("heavenly palace" cave) were enjoyable. We took some amazing pictures.

We were so happy with the Halong Bay day trip we went on to book a Hanoi City tour and a Ninh Binh day trip with Vietnam Awesome Travel. Mr Anh not only offered us these two private trips at great prices again, he even customised them to our needs.

Our Hanoi City tour included the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Residence and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), a great lunch, Vietnam Enthnology Museum and Temple of Literature. We were back at the hotel around 4.15pm, rested for 2 hours, then Mr Anh picked us up again with the mini van. We went to Le Mat the "snake village" just outside the city for a snake dinner in a restaurant with elegant Chinese style dinning halls. It was a unique experience.

Our Ninh Binh day trip included the Bai Dinh Pagoda (the biggest in South East Asia, Hoa Lu the ancient capital and an almost two hours local small rowboats (sampan) cruise through Tam Coc the "Halong Bay on land". We passed through three low caves where we could reach up and touch the ceiling.

We did some sight-seeing on our own such as exploring the old town (using the walking tour from Frommers.com), the Hoan Kiem Lake and an evening show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. We also tried Hanoi's famous fried fish at Cha Ca La Vong at no. 14 Cha Ca steet in the old town. Beware of imitation restaurants on Cha Ca street, they even claimed that they are no. 14 when the real Cha Ca La Vong is just across the road! The price at Cha Ca La Vong is high but the authentic experience (you cook and mix the dish yourself at the table) and great taste is worth it. We ordered Cha Ca at another restaurant and the price is half but it is nothing near what we had at Cha Ca La Vong.

We really enjoyed this Hanoi trip and had some great new experiences. Our 5D4N private and customised trip was cheaper with a more interesting itinerary and more sights than 4D3N package trips offered by the tour agencies in our country. We highly recommend Vietnam Awesome Travel to anyone who wants great service and value for their Hanoi visit.

Jess Tan 

Top #5 Travel Tips for Vietnam

Vietnam had been on our travel wish-list for some time, not only because it was where Hai was born but because almost every traveler we met raved about it, and we can understand why. We spent three weeks traveling from the south to the north. It’s do-able but we’d recommend a month if you have it to cover the long distances and account for delays. Here are our top picks from our time in this wonderfully chaotic and colorful nation.

(click here to book airfare fights from Singapore to Vietnam)

1. Go South 

The Mekong Delta region is worth the trip south from Ho Chi Minh City. Not only is there a super-relaxed vibe, but you’ll eat some of the most delicious food Vietnam has to offer, the kind that makes you want to lick your plate clean or slurp every last mouthful of broth from your finished noodle soup. Don’t even get me started on the coffee: hands down the best we tasted in the country.

2. Get to know Vietnam’s war history from the Vietnamese perspective                     

Vietnam is much more than a war, but you can’t put what you experience in the country into context without knowing something about it. And there are many opportunities to get in touch with Vietnam’s war past.

While it is super touristy and you’ll be herded around like cattle, take a tour of the Củ Chi tunnels on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City to experience the underground guerrilla network for yourself. Crawling through the hot and narrow tunnels will give you a momentary sense of what conditions must have been like during conflict. Then learn more about the Vietnam War and the effects of Agent Orange at Ho Chi Minh’s War Remnants Museum. It’s not an easy visit, but you’ll come out humbled about the gravity of war and its ongoing legacy. Most Củ Chi tunnel tours swing by the War Remnants Museum on the way back for those who’d like to make it a full day outing.

Downed B52, Hanoi, Vietnam.

3. Get a bus from your bus                                                               

Most bus companies operate a free shuttle service from bus stations to your hotel in town. They are usually unmarked and unpublicized to foreigners so that the taxi services inevitably waiting for you as soon as you step out of the bus can make their dong out of you. Watch the locals and follow their lead. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for the buses/vans to come, so don’t be put off by the empty bus station and save yourself a most likely inflated trip into town.

4. Take a free walking tour in Hanoi                                              

Want to experience the capital from a local’s perspective without paying for and joining a tour group? Then check out Hanoi Free Walking Tours. They are a student-run organization who provide free English guiding services around the city. While they have some itineraries on their website, these are just as some inspiration. You can go wherever you like for a full or half day depending on your interests. You’ll just need to cover the costs of the student(s) – admission fees, lunch etc and any tips you may want to give. The tour is always private even if you are a solo traveler so you can be sure to have a very personalized experience and lots of interaction with your new friend(s).

5. Whatever you do, get to Sapa

Sapa is not only one of the most spectacular places you will ever see, but it is so different to other parts of Vietnam that you won’t have truly experienced all that the country has to offer without going here. Go straight to the locals for a true village homestay experience and we promise you won’t regret it.

Source: Notes of Nomads