Paradise found

Looking for somewhere new to discover or explore in Vietnam? Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel, selects five must-see destinations for 2011

The Mekong Delta

A new experience this year is taking a river barge cruise on Song Xanh and discovering floating market, enjoying exotic food and meeting friendly people. Tourists can travel upstream to Mekong River, cruise on a “rustic sampan” (a customised, luxury version) on the mighty Mekong River. It’s a great escape from Saigon.

You can choose from one, two or three night packages for $265 to $427 per person. Experience an exclusive trip on the Mekong Delta with an unforgettable candlelight dinner and overnight stay on boat. The tour departs Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be floating market, Vinh Long and Sa Dec, down beautiful canals through water jacinth plantations and past French style villas and Chinese temples.

During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, exotic seasonal fruits, hot green tea and two bottles of mineral water will be served daily free of charge. Tour prices include all private transportation and transfers, on-board English or French speaking guides, daily breakfast, full board meals as indicated in the itinerary, bicycle rental and rowing, admission fees and permits where applicable.

Sapa and Bac Ha Market.

Now tourists can book a helicopter tour from Hanoi to Bac Ha just to see the weekend market! If you have more time, you can take the overnight train to Lao Cai then travel onto Bac Ha and visit Can Cau market on Saturday then Bac Ha Market on Sunday.

Sapa is a must-see destination to bring home unique handicrafts, post card pictures and experiences and memories of a lifetime. It takes at least five days to make a perfect tour to the northern hill tribes and markets. In Vietnamese culture, the market place is an important meeting gathering point, not simply as a place for trading. This concept has always remained with Vietnamese culture. There is not one child who does not want his or her mother to take him or her to the market.

Why? Because many people live in remote areas and work hard in the fields or elsewhere to make a living. People have few opportunities to meet friends, relatives or neighbours. So a market is a great place to fulfil those needs. There is always a lot of excitement and joy associated with the market place environment. The trips will introduce the most colourful markets of hill tribes living in North Vietnam.

You will encounter many interesting people, and visit their villages that are located at the foot of Vietnam’s highest mountain, Mount Fansipan. Tour costs from $70 to $938 per person, including all transportation and transfers, English or French speaking guide, accommodation shared in twin/double room with daily breakfast, all entrance fees, meals as stated in the tour programme, taxes and service charges.

Con Dao Island

As a former prison island, Con Dao was hell in the past, but now it’s paradise for travellers.

The Six Senses Con Dao has just opened its doors for luxury travellers. Sun, sand, sea, sounds, seafood and sightseeing… all you need for a dream vacation you can find here.

Resting in the quiet waters of the Eastern Sea, the Con Dao archipelago remains a little-known gem, 180km off the coast of Southeast Vietnam.

Swathes of white sand form breeding grounds for turtles and visiting dugong herds, while the inland teems with bird life and the chatter of monkeys and squirrels.

Six Senses has chosen Con Son Island as the location of its next Hideaway resort for this unspoilt beauty and ecological opportunities. The island covers an area of 70sqkm with 5,000 inhabitants. The pristine Dat Doc beach lies 8km from Con Son Airport, in a national park encompassing both marine and terrestrial resources.

The caress of a warm sea breeze, an exotic fruit cocktail by your side and the lulling sound of waves on the shoreline: barefoot tourism has brought new demands for impeccable standards in exotic, far flung destinations, standards that Evason Hideaway resorts can deliver.

Con Dao will be the sixth Evason Hideaway resort, the boutique category of the luxury Evason brand. Each Hideaway combines the intrinsic values of the destination with the height of luxurious, contemporary lifestyle.

Con Dao will take the usual Evason eco-friendly philosophy a few footsteps further, and lead a new style of environmentally sustainable resort, from construction materials to energy-saving wizardry.

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

If you’d like to discover caves, a beautiful national park, and stay on the beach, you can take a tour to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and stay at the stunning Sun Spa Resort in Quang Binh province.

Vietnam Airlines offers flights from Hanoi and Saigon. This destination is easily accessed from Hue, Danang or even Hanoi by car. The best time to come is in the summer time but book in advance as that is also peak season for Vietnamese holiday makers.

Phu Yen

Vietnam Airlines offers daily flights from Saigon and Hanoi to Phu Yen, making this beach destination much more accessible. Hideaway Bai Tram is the perfect resort for relaxing and unwinding with seven unique private pool villas, nestled on a 90 hectare plot in an isolated and secluded bay with a 900m-long private white sand beach.

Located on the coast just south of Qui Nhon by a 45 minutes drive from Qui Nhon airport and is reached by a scenic drive from Nha Trang, Phu Yen is highlighted with almost-untouched natural beauties and attractions. Especially, Phu Yen is celebrating the National Tourism Year 2011 so there are many activities. Come and experience for yourself! – VIR

Tags: Vietnam destinations