Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon)

Ho Chi Minh city is the most populated and the economic, educational center of Vietnam. It developed to become the most important economic area of Vietnam as well as is the leading city in other industries, such as tourism, agriculture, etc.

In 1968, Nguyen Huu Canh built Gia Dinh Palace as a remark the foundation of this city. When the French came to Indochina, they established Sai Gon city to serve their political objectives. It grew quickly in economics and became one of two most vital cities of Vietnam, also considered as the pearl of Indochina. It was the capital of Indochina Federation in the period of 1887-1901. After reunification in 1975, Sai Gon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City after the greatest president of the country.

Regarding tourism, Ho Chi Minh is well-known for historic sites, the most famous building is Reunification or Independence Palace. It was built in 1868 after the French army conquered 6 provinces in the South. The construction was laid on the area of 12 ha, including a big palace with front face of 80 m, the living room can hold up to 800 people and a garden in front. Most of the materials were shipped from France.

Ho Chi Minh City

After its completion in 1873, it was named Norodom Palace after the contemporary Cambodian King Norodom. It was used for Cochinchine Governors, later it was employed for Governors of Indochina-France. In 1945, it was used by Japanese Governors for 6 months until the French returned to conquer. On April 30, 1975, the tank of Vietnamese Communist crashed through the gate of the palace, which remarked the end of the war and the unification of the North and the South.

The replica of the tank still remain on the lawn outside. The palace today is used as a Museum to exhibit all the remained original equipment, facilities and furniture of the Indochina-French Governors. There is also a photo gallery and a propaganda film showing how the South Vietnamese supporters and American imperialists surrendered to Ho Chi Minh’s indomitable revolutionary forces and they were forgiven to live a peaceful life.

War Remnants Museum was open in less than 5 months after the fall of the South Vietnamese regime. The museum displays the US military hardware in the war, such as tanks, jets, helicopters, howitzers outside of the building. In the interior, it displays American cruelty to Vietnamese people in the past, including the gallery of gruesome photos, the “tiger cage” prison and jars of deformed foetuses attributed to contamination by Agent Orange. On the third floor, there is an exhibition of the stories of the journalists from all over the world who documented and died during the Vietnam War.

Ho Chi Minh City

Another important buildings attributing to history of Sai Gon are the City Hall or People’s Committee Hall on Nguyen Hue Street, Museum of Vietnamese History in the intersection of Le Duan and Nguyen Binh Khiem street and Ho Chi Minh Museum on Nguyen Tat Thanh street (the name after his birth name).
In addition, when visiting Ho Chi Minh city, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica or Notre-Dame Cathedral is a place that tourists should not miss. It was designed and finished in 1880 by French; and all of the materials made of the cathedral were shipped from France. The bricks used on the outer surface of the cathedral were made in Marseille, France and still remains the bright red color.

The architecture of the building followed Roman style with some Gothic features. The statue of Maria was located in front of the cathedral many years later in 1959 after the priest ordered it from Italy and shipped it to Vietnam. The statue is considered the spirit of the whole complex because of the its original objective to be put there. The priest made a ceremony of prayers for peace that he supposed Maria would bring. The cathedral has become the cultural and social center of the citizens thanks to its unique and outstanding architecture and the commodious space in front of the buiding.

Another typical religious buildings of Sai Gon is Central Mosque, where was initially constructed for worshipers from southern India, but now Muslims from as far as Pakistan and Indonesia come to pray. The symbol of Buddhism in Sai Gon is Thien Hau pagoda, which dedicated to the sea goddess. She left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence. On 23rd March in Lunar Year, there is an annual festival in honor of her contribution and protection of people. The pagoda remains the fascinating sculptures and engravings from its birth. In addition, Quan Am and Phung Son Tu pagoda are also popular buildings of Buddhism within the city.

Beside the historic and religious old buildings, Sai Gon has many modern buildings that reach the world standard. The landmark of the city is Bitexco Financial Tower, the most exciting commercial property development undertaken in Vietnam to date. The world renowned American architect Carlos Zapata, the creative mastermind of Bitexco Financial Tower, was inspired by the National flora of Vietnam: the lotus.

The lotus, to Vietnamese and many Asia countries, is a symbol of purity, commitment and optimism. The image of the building conveys the message of the ascending development of the city yet preservation and respect to tradition. The Observation Deck (Saigon Skydeck) on level 49 of the tower offers sweeping fantastic view of the whole city and Saigon River; especially at night the whole city seems sparkling in the darkness.

Sapa And Its Allurement

Sapa is a small town in the Northwest of Vietnam and about 38 km from Lao Cai city and 376 km from Hanoi Old Quarter. It takes about 8 hours by train from Hanoi to Lao Cai station and 1 more hour by car to Sapa.

Sapa has temperate and subtropical climate which make it comfortable weather all year round. It can be seen four seasons within a day here: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter in the evening. Average temperature is 15 °C. In the summer, the town is less hot than other areas in the North at temperature from 20 °C – 25 °C for day time and about 13 °C – 15 °C for night time. The winter here, on the other hand, is colder than other areas, the temperature even goes down to 0°C; there’s snow and freezed rain drops sometimes. This type of weather makes Sapa become a winter highlight for domestic tourists.

Sapa was discovered by French in 1903 and established as a “summer leisure paradise” from 1920 when the railway from Hanoi to Lao Cai was set. About 300 summer villas were built at that time, but after wars, the majority of buildings were ruined. In 1990s, Sapa was reinforced to serve as a tourist destination and many types of accommodation and tourism services were … Sapa nowadays attracts hundred thousands of domestic and international tourists.

Because of increasing tourism development in Sapa, it is easy for tourists to take tours to visit its popular tourist attractions from travel agents or themselves by hiring motorbike and local guide. Tourism services are quite adequate and easy to reach.

Sapa is comprised of many natural attractions and landscape magnificent. Among of those is Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall), which is about 200 m high and the headwater of Muong Hoa River. Above this river is Cau May (Cloudy Bridge), which can be reached from a small path about 3km from main road. Standing on the bridge, tourists can feel like floating on the cloud because of water evaporating from the Muong Hoa river. Also in Muong Hoa Valley, there’s an ancient Stone Garden where contains hundreds of engraved stones with many different patterns of human activities, roads, staircase, handwriting, etc.

These patterns are still mysterious about their meaning, yet prove the existence of ancient people and rich culture of this place. Heading towards more 2 km, tourists can reach the Heaven Gate - the only spot can be reached by a built road to open a view to Fansipan Mount and to the rice field valley. Ham Rong is a historic site and emplaced with many plants and flowers, especially many endemic orchids.

Sapa Tours with Vietwind Travel

Fansipan Mountain has 3,143m in height and belongs to Hoang Lien Son Range. Hiking on the peak of the mountain has become an adventure tour that attracts many young people. It’s not only about sightseeing the beauty of the landscape but also about experience to conquer the roof top of the Indochina.

Hoang Lien Son itself is also a natural treasure of Sapa as it is the habitat for many endemic species of fauna and flora, 37 species of fauna among them were recorded in Vietnam Red Book for strict preservation.
Ancient Cathedral of Sapa is another popular tourist spot within the town. The cathedral was built at the beginning of 20th century and built entirely from stones. The architecture was inspired by Gothic style and completed with sophisticated construction techniques. It has become the religion center and a symbol of the town.

Last but not least, the distinctive trait of Sapa perhaps goes to the minority ethnic groups with their unique costumes and distinguished traditions. The local festivals and market best describe these characteristics. Mong people have “Sai San” (Opening Season) Festival, held in the beginning of the year, on January of Lunar Year; this festival is celebrated with many Mong’s folk games and folk music performance.

Giay people’s “Roong Poc” is celebrated to aspire for fruitful harvest and harmonious weather for cultivation. “Tet nhay” (Dancing Festival) of Dzao people is also a special treatment to those who are interested in discovering ethnic culture. Sapa is also well-known for Cho Tinh (Love Market), a place for ethnic people to socialize and seek for their perfect match. It is organized only on Saturday night and has become a typical trait of this small town. Trekking tours are usually organized to some ethnic communities to visit these people including trekking through Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dzao, Cat Cat, Sin Chai village of Mong, Ta Van village of Giay people.

Furthermore, because of its comfortable climate, Sapa is a paradise of subtropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and other agricultural products. Especially, peach, plum, roses, salmon, sturgeon are the specialties of this productive land. In spring time, the blossom of wild cherry, plum-trees and flowers which become a picturesque scene will definitely fascinates anyone coming here.

Best tour destinations for family holiday in Vietnam

Vietnam no longer is the land of curiosity, stepping out from the pain of wars, Vietnam is now a country of peace and safe destination for all nationalities to Vietnam. If you have a plan for family holiday, just go, Vietnam as everything to satisfy your family. Vietwind Travel is pleased to send you the best tour destinations for family holiday in Vietnam as bellows:

1. Hanoi- the capital of Vietnam, a 1000 year old city is where you can get the overview of Vietnam’s culture and understand about Vietnam.

Hanoi City Tours

Activities in Hanoi are many such us walking around the old quarter, trying streets foods. Enjoying water puppet show and visit many historical and cultural sites

2. Sapa, the most beautiful mountain town where you will have opportunities to meet some ethnic groups who still wear their traditional dresses and keep traditional life. In Sapa, you can also trek down the villages in the bottom of Muong Hoa valley to enjoy wolrd’s most amazing rice terrances and see daily life of the local. In summer, Sapa is considered as an air conditioner. Great break for during your Vietnam holiday

Sapa Tours

3. Halong Bay, simple the best Vietnam tour destination, the beauty and values of this Unesco heritage make your Vietnam tour unforgettable. In Halong, your family can walk to visit: Sung Sot cave”, fishing villages, swim or explore hidden places with kayak.

Halong Bay

4. Hoi An, highlight of any holiday in Vietnam, loved by ever tourist for the charming beauty. Hoi An is perfect stop during your Vietnam travel where you can enjoy walking around the ancient streets and shopping, drinking, having delicious meals or bilking to experience countryside, swimming at Cua Dai beach…a lot of things to do for your family vacation in Hoi An

5. Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon) , to be the most exiting city to visit in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the first or last stop of your Vietnam tour, and a base to launch wonderful trips to Cu Chi tunnel, Mekong Delta Da Lat, Mui Ne beach, Nha Trang beach, Phu Quoc beach...

6. MeKong Delta, the rice producing region and also the spotlight of many Vietnam tour packages. Mekong Delta offers exiting life on water with floating villages, market, massive rice fields, fruit gardens...

7. Nha Trang Beach, the heavyweight champion of Vietnam. Nha trang has been knocking out visitors for years. True, the town is brazen and brash, but the beach is bold and beautiful and a gateway to a cluster of quitter islands. Nha Trang is really a nice break during your holiday with family

8. Mui Ne. It’s a perfect place to end you Vietnam family holiday. Mui Ne sets on a seductive swathe of sand. It is a absolute charmer with swaying palms and towering dunes. Get pummeled on the beach by a masseurs or pummeled by the waves with water sport- this place blends action and inertia to perfection

9. Phu Quoc, simply the most beautiful island in Vietnam. It is great to relax at the and of your family holiday tours. Phu Quoc is liberally sprinkled with picture- perfect white- sand beaches and cloaked in dense impenetrable jungle. Long beach is sophisticated, Ong Lan beach romantic and Bai Sao simply irresistible

THE NORTH of Vietnam

Our journey through North Vietnam begins in Hanoi, the ancient capital of Thang Long, today’s political capital. Visitors to Hanoi will encounter the cultures of both east and west.

In this bustling city, the changing fortunes of history are reflected in the architecture of its many traditional temples and pagodas, and the lingering presence of the French remnants of its colonial past.

Leaving Hanoi and its populous suburbs we enter the picturesque provincial regions with their

Chequer-board patterned paddy fields. Green belts of trees and bamboo enclose villages where traditional communal houses, pagodas and temples remain hidden from view beyond the roadside fields.

Hanoi Old Town

Little mechanization is evident. Men, women, children and buffalo toil together in the fields seven days a week in all weathers. The scene is one of tranquil beauty, but the hardship of this life is obvious.

The eastern tour explores the rural landscapes, ancient temples and pagodas of Hai Hung and Thai Binh provinces, the busy port of Haiphong and the stunning scenery of Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province.

The tour west of Hanoi begins in Ha Son Binh Province with its many beautiful old pagodas, sanctuaries and grottoes, and encompasses the plateaus and mountains of Son La and Lai Chau provinces.

The northern tour from Ha Bac, a province full of historical sites, temples and pagodas, continues into Vinh Phu Province, the cradle of the ancient Hung Lac civilization and Kingdom of Van Lang.

Further north lie Bac Thai Province and the provinces of Hoang Lien Song, Ha Tuyen, Cao Bang and Lang Son bordering China in the north. This mountainous region is home to many minorities, yet remains largely inaccessible to foreign visitors due to border disputes between China and Vietnam.