Vietnam travel news on 15 Mar 2017

Vietnam beauty
After the Hollywood's skull island movie filmed in Vietnam and is now on show. The world knows more about Vietnam's beauty and both domestic and international travel agents are taking advantages of this unique chance to promote Vietnam tourism as the must-see destination to visit this summer.

Places filmed in movie
Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park in Quang Binh is the natural world heritage in Vietnam which has long been famous within the country, but little know to the world. In Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park, tourists can see a system of the most spectacular caves such as Phong Nha cave, En cave, Paradise cave, Son Doong cave and unexplored nature.

How to get there?
From Hanoi, tourists can take a short flight to Quang Binh, stay at one of the beach resorts or beach hotels in Dong Hoi and use it as the base to explore the area. Tourists can also catch the night train from Hanoi and arrive in Dong Hoi in early morning. There are no good Vietnam travel agent, arranging tours for international tourists there so if you want to book a tour, it is best to book in advance with someone in Hanoi or at a hotel in Dong Hoi.

From Hue, it is easy to catch the local bus or book a private day tour or group tour to see Phong Nha caves and Paradise cave, but 2 day tour should be better as it can combine with some war sites like Quang Tri citadel, Vinh Moc tunnels, Hien Luong bridge, Khe Sanh battle field.

Van Long natural reserve and Trang An complex
These two places located in Ninh Binh province, 100km south of Hanoi. The places considered as "Halong bay on land", very beautiful. Van Long natural reserve with wild beauty is less visited. The best way to see Van Long is with a sampan boat trip. Trang An complex includes a system of caves, lagoons, pagodas, temples. A recently recognised world heritage site of Vietnam.

How to get there?
Tourists can easily get to Ninh Binh within 2 hours by local bus, train. However, we advise tourists to book a private tour with a Vietnam travel agent in Hanoi. Ninh Binh has some other beautiful places to visit like Tam Coc, Bai Dinh pagoda, Hoa Lu ancient capital, Kenh Ga, Cuc Phuong national park and can be combined with Mai Chau valley or Halong bay in 3-4 day tour.

Halong bay
The natural wonder of Vietnam and the world, Halong bay is stunning with nearly 2000 islets rising from the emerald sea in all shapes. The beauty of Halong bay is spectacular, mysterious and breathtaking. An overnight cruise in 2-3 days will be the best way to see Halong.

Ban flower festival in Dien Bien
Ban flower festival opened in Dien Bien, the northwestern province of Vietnam aims to introduce the local culture, history and beauty to tourists. Dien Bien Phu was the battle field during the French war and the vestiges are now potential for tourism. 

The northwest loop tour has long been known among adventure travellers with the below itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La
Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien
Day 4: Dien Bien - Sapa
Day 5: Sapa
Day 6: Sapa - Hanoi

Getting there and around
There are daily sleeping buses from Hanoi to Dien Bien, but not recommended for tourists. To see Dien Bien alone, the flight from Hanoi to Dien Bien will take around an hour.

From Dien Bien, it is possible to travel to Laos via Tay Trang border which is around 30km away from Dien Bien city. There is local bus to Laos and it is advised to ask your hotel in Dien Bien to help with the schedule and ticket.