World travel has become common place. At one time, the only way to see some of the Earth’s most exotic places was to see them in film and magazine. With commercial airlines now flying across all continents, that has changed. One of the countries that has definitely benefitted from that is Vietnam. Tourist figures to the Country now exceed 10 million annually and if you want to see this lovely part of the world, you will be able to find cheap flights to Vietnam all year round.
The main international airports in Vietnam are in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital in the North of the Country, and Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, in the South. There are other options as well including Da Nang in Central Vietnam and Phu Quoc, the island in the South China Sea off the Cambodian Coast but very much Vietnam. When you look for cheap fares to Vietnam, you may find good prices to all three. The ticket you select will finally depend upon where you begin your holiday. Vietnam travel packages regularly start in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Cheap flight tickets to Vietnam will be available right around the year. Confident of that, you can talk to an experienced Vietnam travel agent to discuss a suitable itinerary even before you bother to get your tickets. If you need advice on how to get a cheap Vietnam visa, an agent will help there as well. Visas to Vietnam are available on arrival at the main two airports; the Vietnamese Government became increasingly open to tourism over recent years and its policy is to facilitate entry to the Country to those who want to enjoy a Vietnam holiday.
Vietnam has something for everyonewhatever their interests.
Those whose interests revolve around history and culture will find something is every part of the country. Religion has played an important role in the Region over many centuries. The Country is firmly Buddhist yet at one time, Hinduism existed in many parts of the Region. Confucius was important and ancestor worship remains important in daily life, especially in rural areas at special times in the year.
If you are lucky enough to be in Vietnam during Tet (New Year), you will definitely see how the Vietnamese can enjoy themselves. There are several traditions, song and dance included, at different festivals several times in the year and if you have not intentionally asked for a holiday when one is taking place but find that something is imminent, hang around and enjoy the fun if you can.
The natural environment especially in the Highland regions north of Hanoi towards the Chinese border and the Central Highlands close to the Laos border welcomes anyone who enjoys hiking, trekking and climbing. These are regions still populated by hill tribes for whom life has changed little over generations. Highlights include the SaPa Terraces where the locals grow their rice. The colours change as the rice grows and just before harvest they are truly golden.
Vietnam’s extensive coastline includes lovely beaches and offshore islands. Halong Bay up in the North East is a UNESCO World Heritage site, many hundreds of limestone islands, almost all uninhabited. However, further south, several resorts have developed to cater both for overseas tourists as well as the local middle class. There are wonderful diving and snorkelling opportunities, water sports with the seafood as fresh as it comes.
There are a number of sites where those interested in conflict can see evidence of Vietnam’s previous struggles. The struggle for independence was won in the middle of the last century with the Vietnam War now also consigned to history. There are a number of places that military historians should look to have included on their Vietnam tour itinerary; Hanoi has several interesting museums and exhibits for example. Much of the action took place in the central regions of Vietnam, around Da Nang while the Viet Cong’s Chi Chu Tunnels north of Ho Chi Minh City are certainly worth a visit.
The Mekong Delta is a ‘’must’’ in any Vietnam holiday. It offers visitors the chance to visit the most fertile region in Vietnam. You can travel down the quiet channels through fields and orchards. Alternatively, hire a bike and cycle around, travelling through the local villages where farmers and fishermen live. There are plenty of people living in towns and cities within the Delta as well. They are just some of the people who benefit from the food grown in the Delta and sold each day in the floating markets.
Vietnamese cuisine has gradually increased in popularity worldwide and its fish sauce, which may not smell too nice on its own, is an essential ingredient in much of the national cuisine. There is ample opportunity for those interested in learning more about Vietnamese cooking to take a lesson or two. The day often begins by visiting local markets to buy the fresh ingredients and finishes by eating the dishes that you make.
Vietnam has a number of advantages when it comes to providing interesting holidays, and they go beyond the items mentioned above. There is a well-developed tourist infrastructure in general but specifically, there are few transport issues other than in the most remote of places, and even then, largely only in the monsoon season. There are domestic air flights for those who need perhaps to get from north to south quickly. Good roads and rail lines run parallel to the coast, running north-south as well.
The result is that a Vietnam travel package can be devised to include any client’s main interests without the constraint of accessibility. The constraints on such a package will only be the time available, and budget of course. Vietnam does offer genuine value for money, and that includes cheap flights to Vietnam as a prelude to a great experience. There’s lots to see and do but there is no reason why you cannot return time and again.
