VIETNAM PORTS AND CITIES
VIETNAM PORTS AND CITIES
| Da Nang | Halong Bay | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Hue | Nha Trang | Saigon | Vung Tau |
Da Nang
Pass Through the Clouds When Cruising to Da Nang, Vietnam
Cruise to Da Nang, on the central coast of Vietnam, it was the centre of the ancient Central Champa Kingdom, a civilization that dates back to the first century AD. The belief system of the Chams incorporates both Hindu and Buddhist views. The people have a language of their own, and the society is matrilineal, meaning that it is the women who choose their husbands. Today the minority group of Chams who remain in Vietnam today carries out the traditions of this 2,000-year-old culture. Fortunately for the visitor, a Cham museum and many ancient Cham monuments in and around Da Nang can be seen, including the Cham Towers of the 12th century. In more recent history, the French occupied Da Nang during the 18th and 19th centuries, naming the city "Tourane", due to the shape of the bay. In 1965 when military forces arrived in Da Nang preparing for the Vietnam War, the U.S. established Air Force and Naval bases here. From here you can drive over the Pass of the Clouds, Vietnam's highest mountain passage, to the former imperial city of Hue (the ancient capital). Further afield visit Hoi An - a French colonial river town that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Rich in history, Hoi An boasts an impressive collection of nearly 850 antique structures, including merchants' homes, pagodas, and an entire city block of colonnaded French buildings. Or explore the Five Marble Mountains, each dedicated to a different natural element (such as earth, water, or metal) where you can climb the 157 stone steps of "Water" Mountain and pass temples, statues, caves and grottoes.
Halong Bay
Cruise to the Stunning World Heritage Site of Halong Bay in Vietnam, Watch Out for That Dragon's Tail!
Often referred to as the 'Bay of the Descending Dragons', Halong Bay is your cruise gateway to Hanoi. Local legend has it that the gods sent down a family of dragons to protect Hai Phong from invaders, especially the Chinese, and defend their land. While the dragons' watched over the land, their mighty tails carved the rocky seabed and Halong Bay was created. Magnificent Halong Bay is undoubtedly the natural wonder of Vietnam, with 3000 or more incredible islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. These tiny islands are dotted with beautiful beaches and dramatic grottoes, created by the natural forces of the wind and waves. In 1994 Halong Bay was designated a World Heritage site. Hanoi is a city that carefully combines Vietnam's rich history with today's rapid and changing cultures. Here you will find a lovely combination of lakes, temples, monuments, shaded boulevards and cosmopolitan cafés. Visit the Fine Arts Museum, take a tour to see Ho Chi Minhs embalmed body and stroll the Old Quarter, for anything from beautifully coloured silk to traditional medicines.
Hanoi
Cruise to Historic Hanoi in Vietnam, Attractive and Fascinating.
The capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Cruise to the beautiful city of Hanoi, located at the heart of a network of streams, in the delta of the Red River. With several lakes surrounding the city, Hanoi, Vietnam's second largest city, has always been the political, cultural, economic as well as the technological centre of the whole country. Dotted with lakes and lovely parks, Hanoi has a lot to offer its visitors. It is fast becoming one of the most attractive and fascinating cities in Asia, with its very interesting cultural life, flourishing tourism industry and an economy that is improving rapidly.
Ho Chi Minh City
Understand why Saigon is a Bygone on your Cruise to Exciting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Over a quarter of a century has passed since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon. Today, when you take your cruise to this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River, the name is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading centre since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The air is filled with the cries of street hawkers and honking horns. Swarms of motorbikes buzz down the crowded streets balancing every sort of cargo imaginable — from clinging families to coops of live chickens. And everywhere, friendly faces and warm greetings meet you. The port city of Vung Tau is a seaside beach resort located about two hours east of Ho Chi Minh City, with shopping, discos and a range of eateries. As the closest beach in the vicinity, Vung Tau is a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City offering a retreat from the city heat. Lang Ca Ong Temple is dedicated to a whale cult, this temple in Vung Tau features a collection of whale skeletons. The port of Phu My (pronounced Foo Me) is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau. Explore the National History Museum and Reunification Hall. Browse the shops on Dong Khoi Street and immerse yourself in myriad colours, aromas and sights that make up this energetic and enterprising city. The Sea Goddess Temple is colourful and unusual temple, adorned in incense coils, houses a treasure of wood carvings and ceramic figurines. The Cu Chi tunnels are a subterranean complex of 124 tunnels was built in the Cu Chi district for use during the Vietnam War.
Hue
The Only Forbidden Part of your Cruise to Hue in Vietnam
Cruise to the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue, situated in the foothills of the Annimite Mountains and lies on the Huong (Perfume) River in central Vietnam about 5 miles (8 km) from the South China Sea coast. Its three walled enclosures, built concentrically around one another, are collectively called the Dai Noi Citadel - an appropriate name, given that the emperor and his family lived within the Forbidden Purple City, located at the Citadel's centre. The term "Forbidden" is appropriate too, as the Royal Palace resembles Beijing's Forbidden City. Surrounded by a 7 mile wall on the left bank of the river, the citadel contained priceless artifacts of Vietnamese civilization. Sights nearby include the early 17th century Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, Vietnam's most famous Mahayana Buddhist temple. The seven-tiered pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and boasts a bonsai garden quietly tended by novice monks.
Nha Trang
Magnificent Beaches and Fascinating Buddhist Temples, all on your Cruise to Nha Trang, Vietnam
A cruise around the rugged South China Sea coast at the mouth of the Song Cai river will take you to the seaport and resort of Nha Trang. It boasts magnificent beaches and clear, turquoise waters. Just a few miles from Nha Trang's beachfront is a picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Nearby at Po Nagar are four Buddhist shrines (Cham Towers), built between the 7th and 12th centuries, each revealing details of the unique culture of the Chams.
Saigon
Find out Why Saigon is a Bygone on Your Cruise to Saigon, Vietnam
On the maps, it's Ho Chi Minh City, but everyone still calls it Saigon. Lying along the Saigon River to the north of the Mekong River delta, about 50 miles (80 km) from the South China Sea, cruise to Vietnam's largest and most famous city surrounded by rivers and canals. Its broad, colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River bear testimony to the French colonial influence. Cholon, the city's "Chinatown," reflects the Chinese influence in Vietnam. Reunification Hall (the former Presidential Palace) is one of the more fascinating sites in the city, both because of its striking architecture and the history it tells. The History Museum houses and excellent collection of artifacts from the Bronze Age Don Son civilization to the Chams, Khymers, and Vietnamese.
Vung Tau
Cruise to Vung Tau in Vietnam will give an Insight in to How the Other Half Live
In the 19th century, Vung Tau - a seaside town just 125 km from Saigon - was a holiday playground for Vietnam's wealthy French rulers. They left a rich legacy for today's cruise visitors to enjoy in the form of grand hotels and exquisite Belle Epoque mansions like the White Mansion (Bach Dinh). This was built in 1898 and has been a summer home to Vietnamese Heads of State ever since. Stroll along Vung Tau's broad beach, flanked by two mountains and now lined with stylish hotels, and you will soon see the appeal of this lovely place, famed throughout the Far East for its exquisite pagodas. The most famous of these is Niet Ban Tinh Xa, which lies on the side of Nui Nho mountain facing the ocean and is famed for its tranquil central garden, which is modelled on the garden in which Buddha entered Nirvana.
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