6 reasons to visit Ho Chi Minh City

Food, fashion and French mansions - find them all in Vietnam's historic city - Ho Chi Minh City.

Villa Song Saigon

A beautifully restored 23-room French colonial mansion, now a luxury boutique hotel, in expat enclave Thao Dien on the Saigon River. If you can’t stay, come for an alfresco brunch.

District 2

With a metro line under construction, a boom in luxury flats and yachts bobbing by Thu Thiem Bridge, Ho Chi Minh City is Asia’s most ambitious city. See it in evolving District 2, home to box-fresh residential complexes, restaurants and hipster bars.

Nguyen Hue Street

This pedestrianised street is the core of the city, running past the banana-yellow colonial City Hall and the glossy Bitexco Tower. Look down on it from the rooftops of The Rex and The Caravelle hotels, which housed foreign embassies and journalists during the Vietnam War.

Ao Dai

During the holidays, women take to the streets in their finest ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional dresses. Select silk from the fabric market and have one custom made at Nha May Chi, a specialist tailor in District 3.

Pho cocktails

Vietnam’s favourite noodle soup is being reinvented in cocktail bars across Ho Chi Minh City. Try the spicy, savoury shots of beef pho at District 2’s Fat Shaggys.

L’Usine

The city has been crazy about coffee since the French introduced it in the late 19th century. Drink it at warehouse-style L’Usine – part café, part gallery, part boutique selling fashionable local brands – on District 1’s Dong Khoi Street.

See more: Famous pagodas in Saigon to visit during Tet

Source: Internet

The most romantic destinations in Vietnam for Valentine’s Day

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on weekend – perfect for a romantic weekend getaway! Why don't you explore Vietnam’s romantic destinations?

Da Lat – The City of Love

Da Lat is one of the most romantic destinations in Vietnam for visiting with your partner. Located in the Central Highlands, this city is the capital of Lam Dong Province. The valley is built around a lake and is surrounded by mountains that are carpeted with pine forests. Thanks to its gorgeous temperate climate, Da Lat is also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring. Explore the beautiful cascades in or take a swan-shaped boat ride in the enchanting Xuan Huong Lake or simply walk through the flower garden with your companion.

Phu Quoc - The Island of Beauty

Interested in untouched beaches, sand, and nice resorts? Phu Quoc has a wide choice of things for you and your partner to enjoy. Named as one of the most wanted honeymoon destinations in Vietnam, the vibes of the island, the beauty of its crystal clear blue water and the smoothness of golden sand beach of Phu Quoc will take your breath away as they did to mine.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is one of the most peaceful places in Vietnam tours that any couple should visit. It has a lot of old houses and quiet streets, which can help you completely relax without thinking of any anxious thing. As for the cuisine, it serves a plenty of delicious specialties characterizing for the taste of Quang’s land.

In addition, you can also immerse yourself in the blue waters of Cua Dai or An Bang Beach. If traveling to Hoi An with the couple on the full moon day, you will be able to light the lanterns and watch the whole scenery shimmering at night.

Ha Long Bay - The Vulnerable Sunset

Ha Long Bay is one of the most incredibly romantic places in Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone islands dotting the azure water. The islands are densely covered with rainforest. Ha Long Bay is one among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites too. Cruise around the limestone islands for a romantic experience on your holiday and catch a closer view of these towering rock formations. You can also fly over them on a seaplane or through parasailing. Visiting this offbeat honeymoon destination in Vietnam will gift you memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Sapa - Way to Heaven Gate

The majestic Sapa is, undoubtedly, among the best romantic places in Vietnam. There are many things for you to explore and enjoy, from the amazing views of the special culture of ethnic groups. In Sapa, you will feel the time is broken and there are only you and your lover.

Mui Ne - Desert by the Sea

Mui Ne which is a large and beautiful beach seems far 22km north-east from the central Phan Thiet. This place has become an attractive tourist destination with vast white sand hills and coconut trees soaring around the coast. Moreover, Mui Ne possesses one of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia with blue waters and wide sand dunes. That is the reason why it is called top best places in Vietnam for couples.

See more: The most famous caves you should visit in Ha Long Bay

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3 unforgettable days in Jeju, Korea

The picturesque island of Jeju is not surprisingly rife with attractions, although what perhaps surprises most visitors is the uniqueness and diversity of these things to see. Abundantly a trophy of nature, not-too-secretly a hub of off-beat museums, and a showcase of talented performers from the stage to the sea, Jeju Island delivers a full experien  ce to every weekend stay. Here’s an itinerary of how to achieve just that.

Day 1: A Taste of Culture, Nature & Authentic Cuisine

Begin the day with a stroll along Jungmun Beach. Go swimming if you want, but remember to conserve energy for the day ahead.

Tip: To get around the island with ease, we highly recommend renting a car for the day. The island’s pretty small so it should not take too long to get around, but you’ll definitely be glad for the convenience.

Jeju, apart from its natural sights and scenery, is also known for its quirky museums. Make a stop at the Teddy Bear Museum near Jungmun Beach, then to Loveland up north, closer to Jeju City.

Enjoy a dinner of local fare and receive a crash course on Korean dining etiquette. Try on a hanbok, a type of traditional clothing, then enjoy a round or two of a Korean board game. Indeed, few other experiences take you close to the heart of Jeju Island.

Day 2: Head East

Start your day at another one of Korea’s favorite museums, the Trick Art Museum. Ready your camera batteries for all the shots you’ll be taking at mind-boggling, life-size optical illusions.

Drop by the Seongeop Folk Village at the foot of Mt. Hallasan for an interesting glimpse of Jeju’s culture and heritage.

After a delicious Korean lunch buffet, enjoy a show featuring the legendary haenyeo, women the average age of 65 who free dive up to 20 meters into the ocean for a catch.

Next, make the climb up to Seongsan Sunrise Peak, where you’ll be blessed at the top with breathtaking views. Then head back down to the Manjang Cave to see the spectacular Lava Tubes, which are quite the sight. Finally, wrap up the day with the NANTA Show, the award-winning musical kitchen extravaganza you don’t want to miss while in Korea.

Day 3: See the West

See more of Jeju’s natural feats. Begin at the beautiful Hallim Park, and roam its numerous, lovely gardens. Then go for a trek at Suweolbong, a UNESCO-designated Geopark. Keep your eyes peeled for the awesome volcanic rock formations.

Take a break with a Korean-style lunch buffet, then head off to the otherworldly Spirited Garden, considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

Head up to Mt. Sanbang, via a trek up a mountain of volcanic lava. Apart from a cave perched 150 meters above sea level, you’ll also come to a peak of magnificent views, proving every bit worth the climb.

Head out for a taste of Jeju’s nightlife. Drop by Tap-dong-lo in Jeju city, the more populated evening hub and grab dinner at one of its many restaurants, open late into the night.

See more: All you need to know about Dol Hareubang in Jeju Island

Source: Internet