Phu Quoc – an ideal tourist destination
Phu Quoc National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang has become an ideal eco-tourist destination. It has special and unique biodiversity values compared to other national parks across the country.
This biggest National Park covers an area of nearly 30,000ha, including more than 27,000ha of forest. It also has 6,000ha of buffer land and 20,000ha of surrounding ocean area, which help mitigate external impacts on the park’s fauna and flora.
According to director Pham Quang Binh, Phu Quoc National Park is located on an island that has a mixture of continental and coastal climate, creating a rich ecosystem of primeval, secondary and indigo forests. Its indigo forests are distributed in the wetlands, the lowlands that are flooded in the rainy season, and sloping hills.
The co-existence of the Malaysian, Burmese and Himalayan ecologies in Phu Quoc has created a rich ecosystem. There are more than 470 species of plants, 140 species of wild animals, and several types of coral reefs offshore. Phu Quoc is also one of the two places in Vietnam where the Dugong, a marine species on the brink of extinction can be found.
In 2001, the government decided to upgrade the park to preserve its ecology and recognise it as a National Park. The Park Management Board has coordinated with local residents and military units to implement forest protection measures, particularly fire prevention.
“The rainy season in Phu Quoc is short but the dry season is longer there. So we have established a forest fire prevention steering board and firefighter units which are on standby,” said Mr Binh. “Every commune and local military unit has worked out detailed fire prevention plans. We also have regular communications with local residents to raise their awareness of forest protection.”
Phu Quoc National Park is a good destination for tourists as it offers a wide range of activities such as camping and trekking. It’s also ideal for those who want to study the tropical forest. As Phu Quoc develops into Vietnam’s ecotourism capital, the jewel in its crown, the park will become ever more attractive to visitors from around the world.
Kien Giang – a mini Vietnam
Kien Giang was once regarded as a miniature Vietnam with the sea, forests, islands, mountains, and caves.
Maybe one will find the most beautiful scenic places in Ha Tien. Ha Tien is a place that makes many visitors feel as if they were in Ha Long Bay. Here the weather is wonderful all year round and the different places are so magical that they inspired the old Vietnamese poets. There are the Mac Cuu Tomb, Mui Nai Beach, Mo So Mountain and Phu Tu Islet. Look just a little bit further and there are the archipelagos of Hai Tac (11km off Mui Nai Beach), Binh Tri, Ba Lua, and Ba Hon Dam (14km from the Hon Chong Islet and the Hang Pagoda), to name just a few. Sleepy fishing villages dot the shorelines on many islands. It's not hard to find someone with a boat that'll take visitors out to the island of their choice. Relax and make themselves at home. Taste some local specialties cooked-up by an islander at their home.
Vietnam's largest island is Phu Quoc Island, one of 13 most beautiful islands in the world. Phu Quoc Island ripples with 99 hill and mountain ranges emerging from what's left of vast primitive forests. The island has attracted many people's attention and construction on more than a few resorts is now underway.
The U Minh Forest is known as a base for revolutionaries during wartime, shielding many Vietnamese liberation soldiers. Today the war is long past and what's left of the forest is seen as a resource for the local people. When visiting, tourists can stop at the restaurants that border the forest and sample the local wildlife.
Besides the beautiful scenery, the province also attracts a lot of people who come to take part in the feast that takes place in the eighth lunar month. This is a feast to honor the Vietnamese national hero, Nguyen Trung Truc.
Hon Thom - a getaway close to nature
Hon Thom (Pineapple Islet) is one of the many harbours of Phu Quoc Island, which lies in the Gulf of Thailand, 45km from Ha Tien and 15km south of the coast of Cambodia.
However, compared to other harbours where international and domestic ships anchor, the small port city is arguably the most lively and crowded with some unique characters.
With an area of 400ha, Hon Thom has sloping seashore, white sand, coral reefs and about 110 fishermen. The primitive view of huge rocks, hills could easily worry tourists on their way to the islet.
However, as the boat draws nearer, the view takes a completely different turn. There is a crowded fishing village with different kinds of fishing boats. The area is said to be a good fishing place with a large number of shrimps and fishes. One can also see how a good fisherman dive and catch small groupers with bare hands. Next to the fishing boats are small rafts supplying marine products ranging from crabs to cuttlefishes to visitors.
Upon entering the shore, visitors can enjoy a small but crowded market which sells ready-made clothes, canned food and footwear. There are tens of food stalls too. The two round-trip boat routes to the islet ensure the market always has fresh food. The eateries serve mainly to fishermen from neighbouring areas such as Ca Mau, Phu Quoc Island and Rach Gia who have anchored for trading and rest.
Visitors can go along a 1km sand road where coconut trees link the two poles of the islet that looks like it has cut the islet in two equal parts. The road is the islet’s equivalent of downtown - there are motorbike taxi services, karaoke section, ice-making factory, post office and drinking stalls. Most of the islet’s residents live along the road.
Ships cannot land at Hon Thom, so motored boats transport tourists to the islet. It costs VND 10,000 for four people.
Visiting Mac Cuu's mausoleum, founder of Ha Tien
Ha Tien's picturesque landscapes and numerous sites have enticed more and more local and foreign tourists to visit this small town in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.
More than 300km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Tien is opposite the To Chau Mountain with its green pepper gardens and famous pagodas of Phu Dung and Tam Bao.
The history of how this town began, and its founder, is of special interest. ln the late 17th century, a Chinese man by the name of Mac Cuu, was dissatisfied with the Qing Dynasty and traveled to Vietnam, where he started a community and established the town of Ha Tien.
Mac Thien Tich, the eldest son of Mac Cuu, composed "Thach Dong Thon Van" (the stone grotto that swallows clouds) as part of a series of poems about Ha Tien. Eight hundred kilometers from Ha Tien Town, is Ao Sen (Lotus Lake) and Binh San (also called Lang) Mountain, home to Mac Cuu's mausoleum built 300 years ago.
Tombs of the Mac Cuu family are next to the mausoleum, including Nguyen Thi Hieu Tuc, Tich's wife, Mac Thien Tich, and Mac Tu Hoang, Cuu's son. Carved figures of dragons, phoenixes, lions and guardians decorate all of the tombs. Residents there say that Tich requested that the lake be dug in a semicircular shape for planting lotus flowers.
On the mountain, is a worship temple to Mac Cuu. His tomb is seen as the main part of the area, which was built in a semicircular shape with blue stones brought from Guangxi in China.
lt is said that Tich had set up "Xa Tac foundation" on the mountain to worship martyrs and "Xuyen Son foundation" to worship heaven and earth every 9th of the first lunar month. Phu Dung Pagoda was the religious place for Phu Cu, Tich's concubine.
Saigon Phu Quoc Resort
Saigon Phu Quoc resort is the first Vietnam's three-star island resort with 90 well-equipped bungalows and apartments of international standard. The Phu Quoc Island and resort offers pristine beaches and forests to all nature lovers and travellers, making the your stay there a memorable time.
The 12 exquisite colonial-style bungalows and villas including 38 guestrooms with bathroom and private terrace make up the first well-equipped resort in the island. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioned, minibar, shower and bathtub with hot water, satellite TV and IDD telephone.
The Resort provides a perfect balance between relaxation and excitement : private beach, swimming pool, pool bar, sauna, steam bath, massage and karaoke club. Paradise restaurant with 150-seat and private dining room serving international and local dishes, a wonderful pool bar and a meeting room.
Address: 1 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong Town, Kien Giang, Phu Quoc Island
Number of Rooms: 90
Credit Cards: Amex, Visa, Master, Diners
Cancellation: 3 days before date of arrival
Check In: 10.00 hours
Check Out: 09.00 hours
Ratings: 3 star
Mo So cave
Mo So means limestone mountain in the Khmer language. This is the name of a mountain in the Chung Son mountain system in Ba Nui village, Binh An commune, Kien Luong district, Ha Tien province. Located about 30 kilometres southwest of Ha Tien town, and eight kilometres far from Hon Chong port, Mo So cave is a wonderful landscape in southern Vietnam.
Although the cave is located five kilometres far from the main road, it takes visitors two hours to reach the cave after going past lakes for shrimp rearing, paddy fields and canals.
Visitors will admire the magnificent beauty of stalactites hanging over their heads or be anxious about their finding of their way among many paths through dark caves. However, all the ways will lead them to a valley in the centre of Mo Son mountain.
Going along a path in the west of the valley, visitors will reach a wet cave, which is considered the most wonderful and the biggest cave in the local cave system. The cave is 20 metres high and has an underground stream flowing inside. Its stalactites have created many magnificent shapes, dimly visible through the haze.
Mo So cave used to be a revolutionary base during the anti-American resistance war. At that time, US troops bombed to destroy cajeput forests where the headquarters of the Kien Luong district Party Committee was located in order to suppress the local revolutionary movement. The committee’s headquarters was moved to Mo So cave continuing to lead the local people to struggle against the US imperialists and provide supports for the battlefields.
The cave was recognised a historic relic in April 1995 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Ha Tien's Beauty
People visit Ha Tien hoping to capture the magic of the land in South Vietnam, where many heroic historical places such as imperial tombs and ancient pagodas can be visited. Ha Tien is such a delightful location that a French film company chose it to produce the movie "L'amant" (The Lover) in 1995. It is an ideal location to spend holidays.
There are several attractions in the area: Thach Dong stone grotto, a piece of green stone emerging from the ground; Chong stone; Hon Phu Tu, Father and Son rocks which lie approximately 100 m offshore; and Hang Pagoda. By boat, one can reach Hai Tac islets, 16 islets around which the water is 4 m deep. On the coast of Hon Doc, the largest islet, is a magnificent white sand beach running towards the sea.
Near Hon Chong Beach is Tien Cave that has 2 openings; the east door on the sea and the west door, opening on Duoc Beach. In the cave are many oddly shaped stone drops, some suggesting Nguyen King’s gold throne. Hon Trem Beach, 1000 m from Hon Chong Beach offers the nicest white sand in Ha Tien. Hang Pagoda is also very interesting. This pagoda, 40 m underground, somber and foggy, echoes the sounds of the pagoda’s bell on the stone drops.
The anniversary of Nguyen Trung Truc
Date: 27th to 29th of the 8th lunar month
This festival is held annually at the communal house, at 14 Nguyen Cong Tru Road, Vinh Thanh Quarter, Rach Gia Town.
It is dedicated to the memory of Nguyen Trung Truc, a hero celebrated for his services in fighting against aggressors to protect the country. Before losing his life, he made a very famous statement, "Only when all the grass in Vietnam is pulled up will there be no more Vietnamese people to fight against the French aggressors."
Every year, on the anniversary of his death, thousands of visitors attend the festival and pray to Nguyen Trung Truc. The Co Hoa Festival (the ceremony of staging a procession for a throne) is held on the 28th of the 8th lunar month. The communal house also provides accommodations for the groups of visitors who attend the festival.
Duong Dong
Duong Dong is the chief town of Phu Quoc and a big fishing port located on the central west coast of the island. The Phu Quoc airport and most of the hotels on the island are located here.
The main tourist attraction in Duong Dong is Cau Castle (Dinh Cau). This temple was built in 1937 and was dedicated to Cau, the God of the Sea who protects fishermen and sailors from storms and other sea dangers. The castle has maintained its ancient architectural style, and there is a great view from here.
Phu Quoc island
Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, lies in the Gulf of Thailand, 45 km from Ha Tien and 15 km south of Cambodia. Phu Quoc, in Kien giang Province, covers an area of 585 sq. km and is 50 km long. Phu Quoc has many harbours such as An Thoi and Hon Thom where international and domestic ships can anchor.
Also, there are several historical sites on the island: national hero Nguyen Trung Truc's military base, Emperor Gia Long relics from the time he spent on the island and Phu Quoc Prison.
Off the coast there emerges a group of 105 islands of varying sizes. Some of them are densely inhabited such as Hon Tre and Kien Hai, 25 km from Rach Gia.
The population has undergone a dramatic increase over the last 20 years; there are 55,000 people living here now, while there were no more than 5,000 people in 1975.
Phu Quoc has also been called the Emerald Island (not to be confused with the Emerald Isle) because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential.
The area is well known for its high quality fish sauce; apparently it smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, ca com, with a high level of protein.
The island produces 6 million litres of fish sauce every year. The number of litres purchased by tourists is probably not too high.
Ha Tien town
People visiting Ha Tien hope to capture the magic of the land in South Vietnam, where many heroic historical places such as imperial tombs and ancient pagodas can be visited. Ha Tien is such a delightful location that a French film company chose it to produce the movie "L'amant" (The Lover) in 1995. It is an ideal location to spend holidays.
There are several attractions in the area: Thach Dong stone grotto, a piece of green stone emerging from the ground; Chong stone; Hon Phu Tu, Father and Son rocks which lie approximately 100 m offshore; and Hang Pagoda. By boat, one can reach Hai Tac islets, 16 islets around which the water is 4 m deep. On the coast of Hon Doc, the largest islet, is a magnificent white sand beach running towards the sea.
Near Hon Chong Beach is Tien Cave that has 2 openings; the east door on the sea and the west door, opening on Duoc Beach. In the cave are many oddly shaped stone drops, some suggesting Nguyen King’s gold throne.
Hon Trem Beach, 1000 m from Hon Chong Beach offers the nicest white sand in Ha Tien. Hang Pagoda is also very interesting. This pagoda, 40 m underground, somber and foggy, echoes the sounds of the pagoda’s bell on the stone drops.
Primitive Cajuput Jungles - A Valuable Natural Heritage
The natural cajuput jungles in South Vietnam prior to 1930 covered an area of 175,000 ha, of which those in Ca Mau Province are called Lower U Minh and the others in Kien Giang Province are called Upper U Minh. As a flooded ecosystem, they are rated second only to the Amazon of South America in terms of area and bio-diversity.
The peat layers and the amber streams
The wooden cajuput jungles represent a secondary forest in the immense submerged ecosystem of alluvial soils of the Cuu Long Delta - a marshland covered with disintegrated vegetation under flooding and often harsh conditions. Their geomorphologic structure is 0.5 - 1.5 m below sea level, flooded in the rainy season but depleted of water in the dry season.
The soil and water characterize the cajuput jungles of U Minh. The reddish brown stream generates from the age-old layers of peat formed by accumulated humus about 1m thick, soft and brown, water-absorbent but free from salt and alum. It stores water in the rainy season and generates humidity and evaporates in the dry season, thus breeding a rich, diversified and rare population of fauna and flora. The heterogeneous vegetation crisscrossing and interconnecting in numerous layers and strata, sections and canopies over the flooded ground is the habitat of many species, water-birds in particular. In the Upper U Minh jungles you may still find the hair-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) and the water-cat (Prionailurus viverinus) exceptionally rare among a total of 24 species, including seven already listed in the World Red Book of Endangered Species. There are 12 marshland bird varieties, and particular attention should be given to the protection of the flock of herons and the large populations of amphibians and aquatic creatures such as pythons and snakes, turtles and fish, prawns and shrimps. The most famous product of the U Minh jungles is its cajuput-honey, a tonic that helps increase resistance to disease. The water from its amber stream is quite fresh, alum-free and wholesome, used as drinking water by the local inhabitants. During the resistance war, I spent a long time there using the water from the U Minh streams to do the cooking, prepare tea and wash white clothing without worries about their discoloration.
A 3,000-year-old cajuput discovered in the national preservation park of the Upper U Minh (the oldest ever recorded for the cajuputs so far, according to sources from the British Royal Institute for Environmental Studies) shows the cajuput jungles here are pristine, representative of the submerged, luminous forest ecosystem on peat plates. Since 1998, a project for the development of the community and preservation of the Upper U Minh jungles, sponsored by CARE of Denmark (which is still going on), has a total budget of VND 100 billion and USD 3.2 million. The project has recorded fine achievements, providing favourable conditions for the environment preservation and scientific studies.
In 2002, Kien Giang Provincial People’s Committee made a decision to set up a national park to protect the Upper U Minh jungles, with an area of 8, 053 ha including more than 4,000 ha of primordial forest, a peat deposit of 40 million tons, the only location with the reddish brown water, surrounded by the cajuput jungles as buffer zone. This is the 12th national park in Vietnam. And as the only pristine forests left, the Upper U Minh national park is all the more important to scientific study and preservation of natural heritage in Vietnam.
The black fumes and the fate of the cajuput jungles
In the 1977 and 1984 dry seasons, clouds of dense, black smoke soared up high, prevailing over the peninsula of Ca Mau for months, not allowing even a beam of sunshine. The flames razed to the ground 50,000 ha of forests along with the pristine peat layers of the Lower U Minh jungles. They were two typical catastrophes, wiping off the immense primordial cajuput jungles of the Lower U Minh during the hard times of the national economy. Similarly, in the Upper U Minh, according to 1976 statistics, after 17 years of logging and foraging, as well as clearing land for cultivation and aqua-culture, coupled with local fires, the total area of devastation stood at 50,000 ha. The determination of the Government, the provincial authorities and the scientists working in the Upper U Minh national park project failed to avert and quench the flames of the March-April 2002 dry season. More than 3,000 ha out of 4,000 ha of primitive forest covered by the project, the last ones of the natural legacy, went up in flames and smoke. It is hoped that the timely rescue could retain the peat layers, the source of reproduction of the Upper U Minh national park. However, the foundations of the project are likely to be reconsidered and revised when only about 1,000 ha of cajuput jungles are left amid the ashes.
Worse still more losses, 5,000 ha of 15-year-old cajuputs in the Lower U Minh, grown on the burnt-out ground of the previous fires also went up in flames in the recent April dry-season fires, thus bringing the losses in the past two months to 8,000 ha. The vitality of the cajuput jungles is quite dim as their peat layers have been destroyed and they are depleted of the reddish brown water. Formerly, when the forests were in their full cycle of existence, with vigor and vitality, the natural cajuputs still soared up high, despite the devastation caused by the flames and the shelling, to protect and nurture the revolutionary movement of the two sacred resistance wars with their large canopies, contributing to the historic background of the nation.
Another devastation, no less catastrophic than the fires, is the ruthless logging and poaching of forest products. The economic plans of the localities with forests do not take account of eco-balances, or fail to check the reclamation of land by slash-and-burn practices, for terrace fields, rice cultivation or shrimp rearing. The over-exploitation of the cajuput forests has made them unable to play their role in regulating the climatic and hydrographical conditions, and perhaps denuded them for good of their ecological landscapes as well as the original environment they used to have. The memories of the pristine cajuput forests can only be found in the Upper U Minh preservation area that is under construction with focused energy and concentrated budgets so that this last natural heritage may be preserved.
Efforts of salvage
The calls for help from the cajuput jungles burned off by the disastrous fires this year have really woken up the administrators from the centre to the localities. Quenching the fires is an imperative task, and it should go hand in hand with actions to wipe out their consequences and work out approaches to prevention and salvage. A comprehensive master plan should be drawn up scientifically, with sufficient inputs in the re-location of the inhabitants, reforestation, efficient protection and exploitation of the cajuput eco-systems.
Deforestation is currently a State policy. The government’s grand plan for five million ha deforestation in the whole country shows its determination to apply re-forestation to the lost areas. In the U Minh jungles alone, growing anew the cajuputs is not so difficult, as they do well in the aluminous soils, they are tolerant to brackish water and drought, and they provide higher economic value than food crops. Quite a few jungles of cajuputs of dozens of hectares owned by private households or contracted to the forestry workers for cultivation or tending are under efficient exploitation.
The State plays its role in mobilizing capital for the digging of canals, construction of roads and bridges, banks and dykes and erection of power networks to the locations. This sound guideline is actively helping to alleviate hunger and reduce poverty, as well as create fresh ecological landscapes in the areas under the cajuputs. And the farmers are making profits from their cajuput forests in the traditional co-existence and development with nature.
The forest owners, who came from different parts of the country to settle in this area, like the two sisters, Hong Y and Hong Thu, I’ve talked with, will link their lives to the existence of the jungles. This will be the most compatible socio-economic objective that helps the U Minh cajuput forests survive as alluring tourist spots, with long-term historic and scientific values.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Introduce to nha trang
Nha Trang With a population of 300,000, Nha Trang is the closest thing to a European resort centre in Vietnam, but still retains its Vietnamese culture and its small town atmosphere. The city is flanked by nearly ten kilometres of prime beach and benefits from an all-year-round warm climate and an attractive archipelago of offshore islands. Further out in the South China Sea are the Spratly islands, mostly occupied by Vietnam but claimed by several south-east Asian countries including China. The city is well-served by transport links. Both the railway and Highway 1 runs past, and a new international airport has just opened on the site of a wartime US airstrip at nearby Cam Ranh. The beach is mostly backed by palms and firs, and a row of restaurants and cafes fronting on to a seafront road that runs the length of the city. Most of Nha Trang's hotels are on the landward side of the road and further back in the city. Notable exceptions are two up-market resort hotels, one a small establishment located on the seaward side of the beach road at its southern extremity, and the other much larger, hidden from view in a secluded bay on the far side of Hon Tre Island. The sea is Nha Trang's main attraction. Warm and clear for most of the year, with sandy beaches and rocky islands with coral reefs, it has become the most popular destination in Vietnam for scuba diving, snorkelling, water sports and sunbathing. Boat trips around the bay and up the Cai River are also popular. There's plenty of choice for places to eat – Vietnamese, Asian and international, and prices are good. The Louisiana Café does excellent pastries and has a good swimming pool free for customers. The Italian and Indian restaurants next to the Nha Trang Sailing Club are worth a visit. The Long Son Pagoda Impressive inside and out. Above the pagoda on the top of a hill is. a giant seated Buddha that dominates the city. The 152 steps are worth the effort because the views are brilliant. Bao Dai’s Villa Sounds an interesting place to stay, but the reality is a disappointment. The state rooms would have has a tremendous view in the Emperor’s day, but now they look out at an ugly aluminium and glass restaurant. Po Nagar Cham Towers Located on a small hill at the mouth of the Cai River at Nha Trang, the Po Nagar temple is named after a local goddess of local origin who was believed to have created the earth, rice and eaglewood, a much prized. The temple was built during the Hindu period of the Kingdom of Champa. The image of the goddess takes the form of Uma, wife of Shiva, the third deity of the Hindu triad of great gods. Shiva is called the Destroyer, but is also the path to regeneration. Po Nagar is now used as a Vietnamese place of worship, and the effigy of the Goddess has been decked in Buddhist robes. Its central position on a hill close to the mouth of the Cai River makes it also popular with tourists, both Vietnamese and foreigners. The complex probably consisted of six towers in two parallel rows of three, but the south-west and centre-west towers have vanished. Thap Ba Spa Natural hot mineral water and mud is pumped up to feed a series of open-air mud baths and mineral showers on terraces on the mountainside. The baths and showers are a treat – unless you have a thing about privacy, the communal baths are the best deal by far. You don't need equipment: a towel and a baggy swimming costume comes as part of the package.
Introduce to soc trang
Soc Trang
 Soc Trang Is located in the Mekong River Delta region near the mouth of the Bassac River (Song Hau Giang). It is the centre of an intensive rice-growing area and a crossroad for road and canal traffic. The ‘Bat’ Pagoda The original pagoda was built during the 16th century, but has been renovated several times since. It’s notable for its architecture, an ancient Buddha statue and a number of Buddhist books written on sugar palm leaves, but its main claim to fame is the presence of large numbers of fruit bats. A Hidden Gem Precious Mountain Temple was founded more than 200 years ago, but is now known as the Clay Pagoda. At the age of twenty, a devout Buddhist monk called Ngo Kim Tong devoted the rest of his life and considerable talent to decorating the temple with clay effigies and objects ranging from the exquisite to the bizarre. The fruits of his labour over 42 years are a delight. He is commemorated by a pair of massive candles lit upon his death in 1970. They will finally burn down during 2005, to be replaced by another pair. As there are another four pairs in stock, his memorial will last beyond 2,100! | ||||||||||
Introduction to Danang
Danang, the fourth-largest city in Vietnam, is one of the most important seaports in the central region, and the current booming Vietnamese economy has seen an economic growth (GDP) rate in busy Danang as high as 14%. As the most convenient deep-water port in the region, Danang is now greeting more and more international cruise ships along with the glut of trade vessels.
The city played a prominent historical role in the Vietnam War. It was the landing site for the first U.S. troops officially sent to Vietnam on March 8, 1965. On that day, 3,500 soldiers in beach assault vehicles joined more than 23,000 U.S. advisors who were already in the country.
Danang has nothing in the way of charm and there aren't any major attractions except for the Cham Museum, which has become just a quick stop on the tourist-cafe buses between Hoi An and Hue. But Furama Resort, a short ride from the city center, is one of the finest high-end resorts in Indochina, and there are some excellent-value hotels in town (some use this as a budget base to explore nearby Hoi An).
China Beach, and also nearby My Khe Beach, are worth a stop. This former U.S. recreation base has a light-sand coast with excellent views of the nearby Marble Mountains, and it's beginning to draw more and more international tourists, as well as weekend visits by Danang's growing expat community
Where to Stay
Furama Resort Danang
Address 68 Ho Xuan Huong St, Danang Location Ocean-side 11km/7 miles south and west of Danang Phone 0511/847-333
Frommer's Review
The Furama is one of the finest destination resorts in the region. Just a short ride southwest of Danang and elegantly situated near a beautiful sand beach, this popular upscale gem greets you in style with a grand lobby that is more or less the gilded frame to beautiful scenery: sand, sun, and sky. Whether you're a sailor, a beach bum, or a comfort junky, you'll find what you want here. There are two gorgeous swimming pools: one a multitiered minimalist still life overlooking the open beach, and the other a faux lagoon, complete with small waterfall and bridge, a romantic hideaway. It's a good place to just relax, but there's also always something to do: The hotel offers local tours, yoga, tai chi, a spa, and a full aesthetic salon. Rooms are large and comfortable with wood floors, Vietnamese-style furniture, and sliding doors to balconies that overlook the ocean or pool. Large marble bathrooms have all the amenities. Prices are determined by view, and oceanfront units are only steps from the beach and well worth it. Small suites are a great option, with large double beds on raised areas and a sunken sitting area with large, cushy white couch overlooking balconies and the sea beyond. Competitive rates are available if you contact the hotel directly. They have a good business center and wireless Internet access in the bar area. Dining choices are great and their restaurants flank a large, central area with a small reflecting pool in the center -- quite peaceful. Note that watersports are only available from February through September because the surf is too rough the rest of the year. Resort amenities are extensive, but they have to be because the site is quite isolated. There are shuttles to the city.
Facilities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; 2 outdoor pools (1 in courtyard, 1 multilevel w/ocean view); 4 lighted tennis courts; luxe health club; spa; sauna; diving; sailboat (Laser) and kayak rental; concierge; tour desk; business center w/Internet; lobby shopping (gallery); salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry; conference and banquet rooms.
Bamboo Green Hotel
Address 158 Phan Chau Trinh St, Danang Phone 0511/822-996; 0511/822-997
Frommer's Review
The best choice in Danang proper, Bamboo Green is operated by Vietnamtourism -- this one's the best of its three properties in town (Bamboo Green II and III are comparable but less luxurious). Rooms are large with clean beige carpets and are well furnished (except for the hideous polyester bedspreads). The good-size marble bathrooms with hair dryers look brand-new, and rooms are as cozy as at any midrange U.S. chain. Ask for a room on the top floor for a good city view. There's a big restaurant with decent Asian/Vietnamese fare and good tour services. The staff is friendly.
Saigon Tourane Hotel
Address 5 Dong Da St, Danang Phone 0511/821-021
Frommer's Review
Popular with European tour groups, you can expect comfort at a low cost in this nondescript, friendly hotel on the north end of town. Carpeted rooms are clean, with tidy, good-size bathrooms; some have good city views from upper floors. But it's certainly not luxurious: The general atmosphere is marked by failing neon signs and worn carpets that speak of the volumes that pass through. Saigontourist owns this hotel and can make any necessary arrangements with little hassle. The staff couldn't be any kinder. Be sure to ask for a room away from the karaoke -- far away from the karaoke. Right next door is the Danang Hotel (01-03 Dong Da St.; tel. 0511/834-662), with budget rooms from $16 if you're in a pinch.
Bach Dang Riverside Hotel
Address 50 Bach Dang St, Danang Phone 0511/823-649
Frommer's Review
This big riverside hotel that's long been a popular expat address has already fought its battles and is pretty beat up. But rooms are tidy and there are lots of amenities that are well maintained. Staff is quite helpful and you'll find lots of shops and local dining options in the esplanade out front. Nothing to write home about, though.
My Khe Hotel
Address 241 Nguyen Van Thoai St, Danang City Location Son Tra District Phone 0511/836-125
Frommer's Review
A very basic big block of a hotel at seaside, the My Khe Hotel is a budget alternative -- and you get what you pay for: just the basics. Expect little more than a clean tile room with basic tub/shower bathroom. The staff doesn't speak English.
The city played a prominent historical role in the Vietnam War. It was the landing site for the first U.S. troops officially sent to Vietnam on March 8, 1965. On that day, 3,500 soldiers in beach assault vehicles joined more than 23,000 U.S. advisors who were already in the country.
Danang has nothing in the way of charm and there aren't any major attractions except for the Cham Museum, which has become just a quick stop on the tourist-cafe buses between Hoi An and Hue. But Furama Resort, a short ride from the city center, is one of the finest high-end resorts in Indochina, and there are some excellent-value hotels in town (some use this as a budget base to explore nearby Hoi An).
China Beach, and also nearby My Khe Beach, are worth a stop. This former U.S. recreation base has a light-sand coast with excellent views of the nearby Marble Mountains, and it's beginning to draw more and more international tourists, as well as weekend visits by Danang's growing expat community
Where to Stay
Furama Resort Danang
Address 68 Ho Xuan Huong St, Danang Location Ocean-side 11km/7 miles south and west of Danang Phone 0511/847-333
Frommer's Review
The Furama is one of the finest destination resorts in the region. Just a short ride southwest of Danang and elegantly situated near a beautiful sand beach, this popular upscale gem greets you in style with a grand lobby that is more or less the gilded frame to beautiful scenery: sand, sun, and sky. Whether you're a sailor, a beach bum, or a comfort junky, you'll find what you want here. There are two gorgeous swimming pools: one a multitiered minimalist still life overlooking the open beach, and the other a faux lagoon, complete with small waterfall and bridge, a romantic hideaway. It's a good place to just relax, but there's also always something to do: The hotel offers local tours, yoga, tai chi, a spa, and a full aesthetic salon. Rooms are large and comfortable with wood floors, Vietnamese-style furniture, and sliding doors to balconies that overlook the ocean or pool. Large marble bathrooms have all the amenities. Prices are determined by view, and oceanfront units are only steps from the beach and well worth it. Small suites are a great option, with large double beds on raised areas and a sunken sitting area with large, cushy white couch overlooking balconies and the sea beyond. Competitive rates are available if you contact the hotel directly. They have a good business center and wireless Internet access in the bar area. Dining choices are great and their restaurants flank a large, central area with a small reflecting pool in the center -- quite peaceful. Note that watersports are only available from February through September because the surf is too rough the rest of the year. Resort amenities are extensive, but they have to be because the site is quite isolated. There are shuttles to the city.
Facilities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; 2 outdoor pools (1 in courtyard, 1 multilevel w/ocean view); 4 lighted tennis courts; luxe health club; spa; sauna; diving; sailboat (Laser) and kayak rental; concierge; tour desk; business center w/Internet; lobby shopping (gallery); salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry; conference and banquet rooms.
Bamboo Green Hotel
Address 158 Phan Chau Trinh St, Danang Phone 0511/822-996; 0511/822-997
Frommer's Review
The best choice in Danang proper, Bamboo Green is operated by Vietnamtourism -- this one's the best of its three properties in town (Bamboo Green II and III are comparable but less luxurious). Rooms are large with clean beige carpets and are well furnished (except for the hideous polyester bedspreads). The good-size marble bathrooms with hair dryers look brand-new, and rooms are as cozy as at any midrange U.S. chain. Ask for a room on the top floor for a good city view. There's a big restaurant with decent Asian/Vietnamese fare and good tour services. The staff is friendly.
Saigon Tourane Hotel
Address 5 Dong Da St, Danang Phone 0511/821-021
Frommer's Review
Popular with European tour groups, you can expect comfort at a low cost in this nondescript, friendly hotel on the north end of town. Carpeted rooms are clean, with tidy, good-size bathrooms; some have good city views from upper floors. But it's certainly not luxurious: The general atmosphere is marked by failing neon signs and worn carpets that speak of the volumes that pass through. Saigontourist owns this hotel and can make any necessary arrangements with little hassle. The staff couldn't be any kinder. Be sure to ask for a room away from the karaoke -- far away from the karaoke. Right next door is the Danang Hotel (01-03 Dong Da St.; tel. 0511/834-662), with budget rooms from $16 if you're in a pinch.
Bach Dang Riverside Hotel
Address 50 Bach Dang St, Danang Phone 0511/823-649
Frommer's Review
This big riverside hotel that's long been a popular expat address has already fought its battles and is pretty beat up. But rooms are tidy and there are lots of amenities that are well maintained. Staff is quite helpful and you'll find lots of shops and local dining options in the esplanade out front. Nothing to write home about, though.
My Khe Hotel
Address 241 Nguyen Van Thoai St, Danang City Location Son Tra District Phone 0511/836-125
Frommer's Review
A very basic big block of a hotel at seaside, the My Khe Hotel is a budget alternative -- and you get what you pay for: just the basics. Expect little more than a clean tile room with basic tub/shower bathroom. The staff doesn't speak English.
Introduction to Phu Quoc Island
The same size as Singapore, the island of Phu Quoc lies off the west coast of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. At times claimed by Cambodia and Thailand, the island is now like an armed fortress of the Vietnamese navy, and 80% of the island is protected as the Phu Quoc National Forest. Exploring the dirt track byways of the forested isle, among picturesque pepper plantations and long stretches of deserted beach, is a hoot. A visit to Phu Quoc is a good, affordable opportunity to relax, spend time on the beach, and snorkel or scuba-dive. Get there soon and someday you'll be able to say, "I went there before it was touristy."
The pepper industry on Phu Quoc has just gotten back up to speed after a long gap since the days when every French table had a shaker of Phu Quoc's finest. Phu Quoc is most famous for production of nuoc mam, the noxious fish sauce that is part of any meal in Vietnam. U.S. pilots flying over the island during the Vietnam War joked that the fumes from nuoc mam factories of Phu Quoc were enough to blow out the torch on a jet engine. Find a guide on the island and you'll be able to get up close and personal with the aromatic production of Vietnam's most versatile condiment.
Phu Quoc was for many years an off-the-map tourist destination, but the developers, led by Saigontourist's large Saigon Phu Quoc Resort, are coming in droves. Still, services remain limited, and dining is more or less only available at small seaside resorts on Long Beach. The quiet, undeveloped quality of this beach escape -- just a short, easy hop from Saigon -- is the real attraction.
At press time there was a freeze on new construction within 600m (1,969 ft.) from the beach, but wide road cuts, particularly near Ong Lang Beach, tell of the large projects to come. Victoria Hotels plans on having a large resort here in the near future, and developers are lined up, wringing their hands and ready to build. Thanks to red tape, this quiet island is still a dirt-track backwater, with bungalows and little in the way of infrastructure. But plans are underway for expanding the airport and including international flights.
Weather on the island, thanks to cool ocean breezes, is always temperate and thus a great escape from sultry Saigon. The coolest time to go to Phu Quoc is from December to February. Note: The island is quite rainy, and exposed to monsoon storms, from May to November.
Where To Stay
Tropicana Resort Phu Quoc :
Location In the center of Long Beach City Phu Quoc Phone 077/847-127
Frommer's Review
One of the earliest resorts on Phu Quoc (even before Saigon Phu Quoc), the Tropicana is still the best. The formula is simple: A beachside location with simple, tidy bungalows set near the beach, around a pool, or in a shaded, grassy courtyard away from the water. The restaurant is worth a visit -- no matter where you stay -- and the hotel service is friendly and efficient. The rooms are small but cozy, with clean white tile and small, simple tile bathrooms. Best are the thatch-shaded terra-cotta tile balconies with cane chairs. The $38 standard rooms are the most economical and the most compact, comfortable, and romantic. Budget rooms in older room blocks are not worth the savings (kind of gritty). I like the rooms that are farther from the beach, which are shaded and very quiet. There's a good "can-do" attitude among staff, and they can arrange any eventuality on the island.
Beach Club
Location On the south end of Long Beach Phone 077/980-998
Frommer's Review
So far the farthest south of the many budget resorts along Long Beach, budget Beach Club is a great choice for a few days of quiet and fun in the sun. British owner Mike and his Vietnamese wife, Thien, are the most gracious and helpful hosts. Accommodations are basic -- large, tidy, fan rooms with mosquito nets in a small block set back from the beach, and a similar standard in free-standing bungalows at beach-side -- but the friendly staff and laid-back feel of this hideaway draws you in. There are hammocks in every spot of shade, and the hotel's dogs, fine specimens of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback are friendly and playful (quite unique in a land where dogs are normally abused or neglected if they aren't eaten). The food here is tops, and this is a good place to meet other travelers. Mike is a wealth of information on the area; he can happily provide maps and arrange any rentals or tours.
Mango Bay Resort :
Frommer's Review
Billed as a "low-density resort" with an eye to the environment and in harmony with the surroundings, Mango Bay is a cool off-the-track collection of cozy bungalows along a picturesque, rocky bay. Sandy paths connect simple, spacious, free-standing units, each separated from the next by a good distance, which affords you privacy. It's boutique rustic, with finely molded colored concrete in pale yellow set against dark wood and high ceilings of thatch. Bathrooms are enormous outdoor areas with floors done in aggregate, just simple fixtures in a partly covered outdoor space with a low bamboo fence for privacy. Room details are stylish, with funky designer lamps, and in wood with tile and concrete inlay on floors in some units. Older rustic wooden units are more atmospheric. All rooms have fans. There are also budget hotel-block rooms. All have big balcony areas.
Saigon Phu Quoc Resort
Address 1 Tran Hung Dao, Long Beach Location Phu Quoc (just a few clicks south of Duong Dong Town) Phone 077/846-999
Frommer's Review
Large and with all the fixin's of a big self-contained beach resort, the tatty edges and indifferent "big government hotel" service of the Saigon Phu Quoc is a real turnoff. That said, this hotel keeps the highest standard on the island (for now). About 7 years old, some units are getting musty and need to be renovated; newer rooms, though in larger multistory blocks, are the better choice. Saigon Phu Quoc is a sprawling campus on a hillside overlooking the sea. Lounging in the hotel's large central pool and bar area or lying under one of their large, beachside thatched awnings are great ways to spend the day. They have extensive services including a spa area, small gym, tennis courts, and a golf driving net and putting green -- though everything is well used and a little rough around the edges. They have a good tour desk, from which you can plan your entire trip as an affordable package through Saigontourist . Rooms aren't anything special -- just large, bland, clean spaces, some with "standing Jacuzzi" power showers in tidy bathrooms, others with small tubs. Freestanding "Star Cruise" bungalows at seaside are worth the upgrade (a negotiable $117), but for my money, nearby budget stops (the others listed here) are comfortable options and you can use Saigon Phu Quoc's services as an outside guest for a small negotiable fee. Note: The rack rates listed here are just guidelines; the hotel offers real discounts, particularly in low season from April to November, and it's not a bad idea to visit the front desk in the afternoon, when they have lots of empty beds, and see what you can finagle.
Facilities: 2 restaurants; 3 bars; large outdoor pool; golf pitching net and putting green; tennis court; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna and steam; watersports rentals (kayaks); bike rentals; children's center and small playground; small game room with slot machines; extensive Saigontourist tour desk services; car-rental desk; business center w/Internet; shopping; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry.
Sao Bien -- Sea Star Resort
Address Ba Keo -- Khu Pho 1 -- Duong Dong Location Phu Quoc (on the southern end of the dusty Long Beach access road) Phone 077/982-161
Frommer's Review
New to the beach, Sea Star is one of those little workhorse resorts that has found its own by not trying to be too much. It's just rooms -- basic, two-unit, freestanding concrete bungalows with tile floors, hard but cozy beds, air-conditioning, TV, and plain bathrooms, all clean, square, and without much style. Who needs style when your room opens right onto the sandy beach? (All of the rooms do.) Large rattan rockers are great for putting your feet up and diving into that novel you've been carrying around.
The pepper industry on Phu Quoc has just gotten back up to speed after a long gap since the days when every French table had a shaker of Phu Quoc's finest. Phu Quoc is most famous for production of nuoc mam, the noxious fish sauce that is part of any meal in Vietnam. U.S. pilots flying over the island during the Vietnam War joked that the fumes from nuoc mam factories of Phu Quoc were enough to blow out the torch on a jet engine. Find a guide on the island and you'll be able to get up close and personal with the aromatic production of Vietnam's most versatile condiment.
Phu Quoc was for many years an off-the-map tourist destination, but the developers, led by Saigontourist's large Saigon Phu Quoc Resort, are coming in droves. Still, services remain limited, and dining is more or less only available at small seaside resorts on Long Beach. The quiet, undeveloped quality of this beach escape -- just a short, easy hop from Saigon -- is the real attraction.
At press time there was a freeze on new construction within 600m (1,969 ft.) from the beach, but wide road cuts, particularly near Ong Lang Beach, tell of the large projects to come. Victoria Hotels plans on having a large resort here in the near future, and developers are lined up, wringing their hands and ready to build. Thanks to red tape, this quiet island is still a dirt-track backwater, with bungalows and little in the way of infrastructure. But plans are underway for expanding the airport and including international flights.
Weather on the island, thanks to cool ocean breezes, is always temperate and thus a great escape from sultry Saigon. The coolest time to go to Phu Quoc is from December to February. Note: The island is quite rainy, and exposed to monsoon storms, from May to November.
Where To Stay
Tropicana Resort Phu Quoc :
Location In the center of Long Beach City Phu Quoc Phone 077/847-127
Frommer's Review
One of the earliest resorts on Phu Quoc (even before Saigon Phu Quoc), the Tropicana is still the best. The formula is simple: A beachside location with simple, tidy bungalows set near the beach, around a pool, or in a shaded, grassy courtyard away from the water. The restaurant is worth a visit -- no matter where you stay -- and the hotel service is friendly and efficient. The rooms are small but cozy, with clean white tile and small, simple tile bathrooms. Best are the thatch-shaded terra-cotta tile balconies with cane chairs. The $38 standard rooms are the most economical and the most compact, comfortable, and romantic. Budget rooms in older room blocks are not worth the savings (kind of gritty). I like the rooms that are farther from the beach, which are shaded and very quiet. There's a good "can-do" attitude among staff, and they can arrange any eventuality on the island.
Beach Club
Location On the south end of Long Beach Phone 077/980-998
Frommer's Review
So far the farthest south of the many budget resorts along Long Beach, budget Beach Club is a great choice for a few days of quiet and fun in the sun. British owner Mike and his Vietnamese wife, Thien, are the most gracious and helpful hosts. Accommodations are basic -- large, tidy, fan rooms with mosquito nets in a small block set back from the beach, and a similar standard in free-standing bungalows at beach-side -- but the friendly staff and laid-back feel of this hideaway draws you in. There are hammocks in every spot of shade, and the hotel's dogs, fine specimens of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback are friendly and playful (quite unique in a land where dogs are normally abused or neglected if they aren't eaten). The food here is tops, and this is a good place to meet other travelers. Mike is a wealth of information on the area; he can happily provide maps and arrange any rentals or tours.
Mango Bay Resort :
Frommer's Review
Billed as a "low-density resort" with an eye to the environment and in harmony with the surroundings, Mango Bay is a cool off-the-track collection of cozy bungalows along a picturesque, rocky bay. Sandy paths connect simple, spacious, free-standing units, each separated from the next by a good distance, which affords you privacy. It's boutique rustic, with finely molded colored concrete in pale yellow set against dark wood and high ceilings of thatch. Bathrooms are enormous outdoor areas with floors done in aggregate, just simple fixtures in a partly covered outdoor space with a low bamboo fence for privacy. Room details are stylish, with funky designer lamps, and in wood with tile and concrete inlay on floors in some units. Older rustic wooden units are more atmospheric. All rooms have fans. There are also budget hotel-block rooms. All have big balcony areas.
Saigon Phu Quoc Resort
Address 1 Tran Hung Dao, Long Beach Location Phu Quoc (just a few clicks south of Duong Dong Town) Phone 077/846-999
Frommer's Review
Large and with all the fixin's of a big self-contained beach resort, the tatty edges and indifferent "big government hotel" service of the Saigon Phu Quoc is a real turnoff. That said, this hotel keeps the highest standard on the island (for now). About 7 years old, some units are getting musty and need to be renovated; newer rooms, though in larger multistory blocks, are the better choice. Saigon Phu Quoc is a sprawling campus on a hillside overlooking the sea. Lounging in the hotel's large central pool and bar area or lying under one of their large, beachside thatched awnings are great ways to spend the day. They have extensive services including a spa area, small gym, tennis courts, and a golf driving net and putting green -- though everything is well used and a little rough around the edges. They have a good tour desk, from which you can plan your entire trip as an affordable package through Saigontourist . Rooms aren't anything special -- just large, bland, clean spaces, some with "standing Jacuzzi" power showers in tidy bathrooms, others with small tubs. Freestanding "Star Cruise" bungalows at seaside are worth the upgrade (a negotiable $117), but for my money, nearby budget stops (the others listed here) are comfortable options and you can use Saigon Phu Quoc's services as an outside guest for a small negotiable fee. Note: The rack rates listed here are just guidelines; the hotel offers real discounts, particularly in low season from April to November, and it's not a bad idea to visit the front desk in the afternoon, when they have lots of empty beds, and see what you can finagle.
Facilities: 2 restaurants; 3 bars; large outdoor pool; golf pitching net and putting green; tennis court; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna and steam; watersports rentals (kayaks); bike rentals; children's center and small playground; small game room with slot machines; extensive Saigontourist tour desk services; car-rental desk; business center w/Internet; shopping; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry.
Sao Bien -- Sea Star Resort
Address Ba Keo -- Khu Pho 1 -- Duong Dong Location Phu Quoc (on the southern end of the dusty Long Beach access road) Phone 077/982-161
Frommer's Review
New to the beach, Sea Star is one of those little workhorse resorts that has found its own by not trying to be too much. It's just rooms -- basic, two-unit, freestanding concrete bungalows with tile floors, hard but cozy beds, air-conditioning, TV, and plain bathrooms, all clean, square, and without much style. Who needs style when your room opens right onto the sandy beach? (All of the rooms do.) Large rattan rockers are great for putting your feet up and diving into that novel you've been carrying around.
Introduction to Hoi An
Hoi An was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and a visit to this old-world gem is a sure cultural highlight of any tour in Vietnam. From the 16th to the 18th century, the city was Vietnam's most important port and trading post, particularly of ceramics with nearby China. Today it is a quaint old town of some 844 structures protected as historical landmarks, and the unique influence of Chinese and Japanese traders who passed through (or settled) can still be felt. It's a picturesque town, small enough to cover easily on foot, with lots of good nooks and crannies, shops, and gastronomic delights to discover.
Wander among historic homes and temples, perhaps stop to lounge in an open-air cafe, gaze at the oddities and exotic foods in the market, or take a sampan ride down the lazy river. In the afternoons when school is out, the streets are thronged with skipping children in spotless white shirts and girls in their ao dai uniforms, and you can still see local craftsmen at work in some parts of the city.
During the full moon of every month, local shop owners turn off the electricity and hang lanterns bearing their shops' names, and a candlelight lantern procession, complete with a few small floats, makes its way through the Old Town and along the riverfront. It's well worth timing a visit to enjoy the spectacle and the post-processional festivities.
Hoi An Riverside Resort
Location Cua Dai Rd. 3km (1 3/4 miles) from Hoi An Phone 0510/864-800
Frommer's Review
For upscale, tranquil, and intimate surroundings, you'll find no better than this lush little resort between road and river outside of Hoi An (just 3km/1 3/4 miles). The place has a cozy feel, as if guest rooms kind of grew around the winding path of the garden and tranquil courtyard pool. Rooms are neat and clean and not especially big, but with nice views of the meandering bend in the river here or the quiet garden. Vietnamese- or Japanese-theme rooms offer a similar standard of amenities and comfort, with smallish but immaculate bathrooms and nice wood appointments throughout. The staff is invisible, meaning that this place carries on like an immaculately trimmed golf course that gets a once-over each night. The Song Do restaurant serves fine Vietnamese and Continental fare, and a visit to their Faifo bar harkens back to another era. The central pool is a relaxing spot -- great after wandering the town labyrinths. The staff is very professional and informative. They offer Vietnamese cooking lessons or lazy canoe trips on the picturesque river.
Life Resort Hoi An
Address 1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An Town Phone 510/914-555
Frommer's Review
New in 2004, the Life Resort is the only resort within walking distance of Hoi An -- a good start. Chic, minimalist rooms are quite comfortable, with a two-tier open set-up facing the central courtyard and small pool. Each room has good indirect lighting, with wall sconces and free-standing cloth-wrapped tubes that provide a warm glow. For contrast, each room has a stalwart black desk, which pops out from the white tile floors and plaster wall. The raised sleeping areas are done in black tile and give way to wide doors and the bathrooms that are slick still-lifes of modernity, with large sink stands and large central shower (no tub). Rooms are compact and very comfortable, with sitting areas out front and two couches. Come with friends and you can party on your own porch or wake up and sit outside for quiet meditation in the morning, the sound of riverboats chugging by on the river in the distance. The central pool is square and not very large, but it's great for kids because it's shallow at one end; it's also a great backdrop for moonlight strolling. The best rooms face the river or spill out to the central pool area. Managed by a friendly Australian, this city resort is really the best in-town address and my top choice for a stay in Hoi An. The resort's dining outlets, housed in a large faux-colonial block at riverside, are atmospheric. I like the quiet air-conditioned cafe, which offers good coffee and desserts.
Victoria Hoi An Resort
Location Cua Dai Beach, 5km (3 miles) from Hoi An Phone 0510/927-041
Frommer's Review
Come here for peace and palm trees, just a short ride (4.8km/3 miles) from ancient Hoi An. The comfortable Victoria has all the amenities, lots of activities, and begs for at least a few days' stay. Guest rooms have it right in every detail, from fine rustic decor to in-room sandals and beach robes. Rooms are either the bungalow variety in low-slung buildings at beachside or set in parallel two-story rows to mimic Hoi An's ancient streets -- not displeasing, but a bit like a theme park. Prices reflect beachside proximity, but even the least expensive rooms are laid-back and classy. Some bungalows are decorated in French country style, with canopy beds and wicker furniture; others are unique Japanese rooms, with open-timber construction, bamboo floors, and large bathtubs. All rooms are finished in dark wood, many with high, exposed tile ceilings and colorful, nonslip tile leading into large bathrooms. There's a certain flow to this property -- from beach to garden and from rooms to common spaces (including a small billiards room with gaming tables and reading nooks) -- that invites guests to wander; it's all connected by catwalk. Amenities like the large ocean-side pool, indoor gym, Jacuzzi, aesthetic salon, and massage are top-notch. The hotel's resident elephant, Darling, offers rides to kids and adults of all ages (priced per hour) and gives demonstrations on elephant hygiene early each morning (he takes his bath). Darling can usually carry three adults plus the mahout, or driver. Convenient shuttles, one an old Renault bus, connect to town frequently; or you can rent a motorcycle with sidecar. They have a private boat for transfers to town, and you can rent kayaks and kite-surfing equipment. Plus, the resort offers cooking courses and is the only hotel in the area with full body massage.
Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; outdoor pool (beachside); 2 tennis courts; nice health club; spa; Jacuzzi; kayak/windsurfer/Hobie Cat rental; children's play area; snooker/billiards room; tour desk; car rental; shopping; extensive salon; 24-hr. room service; foot massage; babysitting; laundry; dry cleaning; elephant rides; Internet; small library.
Wander among historic homes and temples, perhaps stop to lounge in an open-air cafe, gaze at the oddities and exotic foods in the market, or take a sampan ride down the lazy river. In the afternoons when school is out, the streets are thronged with skipping children in spotless white shirts and girls in their ao dai uniforms, and you can still see local craftsmen at work in some parts of the city.
During the full moon of every month, local shop owners turn off the electricity and hang lanterns bearing their shops' names, and a candlelight lantern procession, complete with a few small floats, makes its way through the Old Town and along the riverfront. It's well worth timing a visit to enjoy the spectacle and the post-processional festivities.
Hoi An Riverside Resort
Location Cua Dai Rd. 3km (1 3/4 miles) from Hoi An Phone 0510/864-800
Frommer's Review
For upscale, tranquil, and intimate surroundings, you'll find no better than this lush little resort between road and river outside of Hoi An (just 3km/1 3/4 miles). The place has a cozy feel, as if guest rooms kind of grew around the winding path of the garden and tranquil courtyard pool. Rooms are neat and clean and not especially big, but with nice views of the meandering bend in the river here or the quiet garden. Vietnamese- or Japanese-theme rooms offer a similar standard of amenities and comfort, with smallish but immaculate bathrooms and nice wood appointments throughout. The staff is invisible, meaning that this place carries on like an immaculately trimmed golf course that gets a once-over each night. The Song Do restaurant serves fine Vietnamese and Continental fare, and a visit to their Faifo bar harkens back to another era. The central pool is a relaxing spot -- great after wandering the town labyrinths. The staff is very professional and informative. They offer Vietnamese cooking lessons or lazy canoe trips on the picturesque river.
Life Resort Hoi An
Address 1 Pham Hong Thai St, Hoi An Town Phone 510/914-555
Frommer's Review
New in 2004, the Life Resort is the only resort within walking distance of Hoi An -- a good start. Chic, minimalist rooms are quite comfortable, with a two-tier open set-up facing the central courtyard and small pool. Each room has good indirect lighting, with wall sconces and free-standing cloth-wrapped tubes that provide a warm glow. For contrast, each room has a stalwart black desk, which pops out from the white tile floors and plaster wall. The raised sleeping areas are done in black tile and give way to wide doors and the bathrooms that are slick still-lifes of modernity, with large sink stands and large central shower (no tub). Rooms are compact and very comfortable, with sitting areas out front and two couches. Come with friends and you can party on your own porch or wake up and sit outside for quiet meditation in the morning, the sound of riverboats chugging by on the river in the distance. The central pool is square and not very large, but it's great for kids because it's shallow at one end; it's also a great backdrop for moonlight strolling. The best rooms face the river or spill out to the central pool area. Managed by a friendly Australian, this city resort is really the best in-town address and my top choice for a stay in Hoi An. The resort's dining outlets, housed in a large faux-colonial block at riverside, are atmospheric. I like the quiet air-conditioned cafe, which offers good coffee and desserts.
Victoria Hoi An Resort
Location Cua Dai Beach, 5km (3 miles) from Hoi An Phone 0510/927-041
Frommer's Review
Come here for peace and palm trees, just a short ride (4.8km/3 miles) from ancient Hoi An. The comfortable Victoria has all the amenities, lots of activities, and begs for at least a few days' stay. Guest rooms have it right in every detail, from fine rustic decor to in-room sandals and beach robes. Rooms are either the bungalow variety in low-slung buildings at beachside or set in parallel two-story rows to mimic Hoi An's ancient streets -- not displeasing, but a bit like a theme park. Prices reflect beachside proximity, but even the least expensive rooms are laid-back and classy. Some bungalows are decorated in French country style, with canopy beds and wicker furniture; others are unique Japanese rooms, with open-timber construction, bamboo floors, and large bathtubs. All rooms are finished in dark wood, many with high, exposed tile ceilings and colorful, nonslip tile leading into large bathrooms. There's a certain flow to this property -- from beach to garden and from rooms to common spaces (including a small billiards room with gaming tables and reading nooks) -- that invites guests to wander; it's all connected by catwalk. Amenities like the large ocean-side pool, indoor gym, Jacuzzi, aesthetic salon, and massage are top-notch. The hotel's resident elephant, Darling, offers rides to kids and adults of all ages (priced per hour) and gives demonstrations on elephant hygiene early each morning (he takes his bath). Darling can usually carry three adults plus the mahout, or driver. Convenient shuttles, one an old Renault bus, connect to town frequently; or you can rent a motorcycle with sidecar. They have a private boat for transfers to town, and you can rent kayaks and kite-surfing equipment. Plus, the resort offers cooking courses and is the only hotel in the area with full body massage.
Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; outdoor pool (beachside); 2 tennis courts; nice health club; spa; Jacuzzi; kayak/windsurfer/Hobie Cat rental; children's play area; snooker/billiards room; tour desk; car rental; shopping; extensive salon; 24-hr. room service; foot massage; babysitting; laundry; dry cleaning; elephant rides; Internet; small library.
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