IMAGES: GETTY


Vietnam


smocks of the Hmong or the red headdresses or the Dao — are commonplace.


Adventure & experience “Experiential travel has become a trend all over the


world, and Vietnam is the same,” says Haivenu Tours’ Vo Ti Bich Ha. “Tere are more and more travelers looking for local interactions and unique experiences, instead of just the standard big-name highlights.” In Vietnam, the possibilities for adventure are


numerous, from biking trails to overnight caving expeditions. Where caves are concerned, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the main focus, and in particular Son Doong, the largest cave in the world. More than five miles long, 650ft high and 490ft wide, it’s said to be big enough for a Boeing 747 to land in. Be aware, however, that only a limited number of visitor tickets are released each year — and they sell quickly. Te park — which is located in north-central Vietnam


and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — has other highlights, including the remarkable Tien Duong (Paradise) Cave, where a long staircase takes you to the cavern floor, and Phong Nha Cave, visited by dragon boat. Other notable adventure activities in the country


include paddleboarding, scuba-diving, kayaking and hiking. For clients serious about the latter, attention often falls on Mount Fansipan, the tallest peak in Indochina at 10,310ft. It’s located in Lao Cai Province, close to the Chinese border, and the summit is reachable after a tough two-day trek — or a 20-minute cable-car ride.


Culture & cuisine Te emergence of the Red River (or Song Hong) as an


alternative cruising destination to the often-overcrowded Mekong is more than just a means of avoiding the tourist throng. Te river is also a vibrant cultural destination in its own right, being rich in ancient legends and rural traditions. Its green expanse of paddy fields and conical- hatted workers is an archetypal vision of Vietnam. Visitors with a specific interest in the country’s long


history, meanwhile, will find plenty to enjoy. Hue is the most obvious option with regards to pre-20th century Vietnam — it was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty for almost 150 years — but a fine alternative is the red-brick Cham architecture around Phan Rang in the south. Elsewhere in the country, the legacy of the Vietnam


War is also much in evidence. Te Cu Chi Tunnel complex, close to Ho Chi Minh City, is the most visited site from the period, but many others exist. Tey include Khe Sanh, which saw a fierce battle in 1968 and now has a dedicated museum, and China Beach, a long stretch of sand near Danang that was regularly used by U.S. servicemen during the war. On a much lighter note, meanwhile, Vietnamese food


now enjoys an excellent global reputation. Street food tours and cookery courses are offered in an increasing number of places across the country; the experiences tend to be both informative and delicious. And, no visit to Vietnam is complete without at least one breakfast of a steaming bowl of pho (noodle soup) in a roadside cafe.


102 | asta.org


From top: Po Klong Garai temple, Cham towers; Phong Nha Cave; Downtown, Ho Chi Minh City


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140