48. A highlight of any trip to Vietnam, the enchanting archipelago of Halong Bay lies off the north east coast of Vietnam and comprises around 3000 limestone islands. Cruising around this magical bay on board a traditional junk boat is a magical experience that no trip to Vietnam should be without.
56. Sapa is located at Lao Cai Province, northern part of Vietnam. Sapa is endowed with favorable natural conditions and is very attractive to travelers. Vietnam’s highest peak, the 3, 143 metre Mount Fansipan, looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields cut by fast-flowing streams.
59. Sapa is 380km from Hanoi and various options exist to get there. The most popular is to sign up for one of the overnight trips which includes a train journey to Lao Cai followed by minibus transfer up to Sapa.
65. By Train: It will take 3 days to get to Hanoi. Air-conditioned trains have sleepers and on-board catering link Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
73. Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong Delta region encompasses a large portion of southeastern Vietnam of 38,000 square kilometers. This vast delta is formed by the deposition of the multiple tentacles and tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which has its origin in the Tibetan highland plateau 2,800 miles away.
78. The first person to explore this region was Mr. Nguyen Thong. Approximately 25 years later, in 1893, Dr. Yersin, a French immunologist discovered Dankia high lands while on an expedition to the Langbian high lands. Dankia is 10 km from the city of Da Lat. This region reminded Dr. Yersin of his homeland, and particularly the similarities between Da Lat's evergreen forests and those in the Swiss Alps. He made the recommendation to the government to form a resort town with health spas for government officials and foreign dignitaries in Dankia.
79. Da Lat city is probably one of Vietnam's most well known vacation destination. Da Lat has a number of beautiful French colonial buildings - the most famous of them seems to be the Sofitel Dalat Palace a big fine hotel overlooking the artificial lake.
81. By Air: Flight time from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh is about 45 minutes
82. By Bus: Public buses are slightly cheaper than minivan though not as comfortable. From Ho Chi Minh, one can book one’s bus ticket to Dalat from most travel agent or bus company office.