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The name Nha Trang is a Vietnamese pronunciation of a Cham word Eatran or Yjatan. Ea or Yja means river, and tran means reed. According to the locals, there once were a lot of reeds along Ngoc Hoi river. The river winds its way through the town. Ngoc Hoi was later renamed Nha Trang river.

Another theory of the origin of Nha Trang's name has a more amusing twist. Long ago, in this part of the country, all the houses were made out of the reeds and mud gathered from Ngoc Hoi river. The only house that was made out of bricks were the house belonging to Dr. Yersin, a French immunologist who made his home here. The house itself was painted prominently white and could be seen by vessels coming from far away. Once there was a foreign vessel passing by. The captain asked his translator where he was. The translator not knowing where they were blurted out "Nha Trang" or white house in Vietnamese. The captain duly noted on his chart Nha Trang. Because most foreign languages do not make use of tones, the captain's name for this part of the country stuck.

The port city of Nha Trang is the biggest city in Khanh Hoa province, and lies at the mouth of the Cai River, 256 miles (412 km) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Khanh Hoa is studded with over 200 picturesque islands, and its 200 kilometre coastline abounds in beautiful white sandy beaches. The Khanh Hoa coast is the first place in Vietnam to welcome the morning sunshine, and it enjoys 300 days of sun a year, at a comfortable temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius.

Its history is known as far back as the 3rd century AD, when, as part of the independent land of Kauthara, a Champa kingdom, it acknowledged the suzerainty of Funan.

In 1653 it was incorporated into the territory of the Nguyen lords of southern Vietnam and after 1802 into the kingdom of Vietnam due to its strategic value in possessing two major rivers, and boasting a well-protected seaport.

After 1862 Nha Trang was acquired by the French, and in July 1891 Alexandre Yersin, a ship’s doctor in search of adventure, made his first landing in Nha Trang. Eight years later, he was back - and this time he founded the now famous Pasteur Institute for research in tropical diseases. and stayed on in the town until his death in 1943.

In 1912 the Saigon-Hanoi railway reached the town of Nha Trang, known then as a fishing port that had oil-storage facilities. It also has a fine, sandy beach, and under the French it became a seaside resort.

On the north bank of the Cai River, opposite Nha Trang, is the village of Thon Cu Lao, behind which, on a granite knoll, sits Po Nagar (“Lady of the City”), a well-preserved cluster of four Cham shrines dedicated to Shiva and erected or rebuilt between the 7th and 12th century. Nha Trang is the site of the University of Fishery and Marine Products.

Airport: Nha Trang Domistic Airport is located 21miles (35km) from the capital city. You can exchange currency for your taxi fare at the airport, however, some drivers accept U.S. currency. The exchange rate is 19.500 to $1 U.S..Hire a metered taxi inside the terminal. The journey should cost roughly $17U.S. including toll fee.

Clothing: Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advised for all year round. Rainwear is advisable in any season.

Electricity: Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz AC (some 110V, 50HZ AC). Two-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adapter socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

Health:A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.

Language: Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn. Based on tonal variations, it is difficult for a short term traveler to speak easily. It comes from the Chinese, although the two languages have diverged. Vietnamese has six tones, so a word can be said six ways, imparting six different meanings. There are also regional variations, so what is polite in Saigon may be just the opposite in Hanoi. In the 17th century, Alexander de Rhodes. Jesuit scholar and missionary, created the romanized script which was used only by the educated. In 1954, under Ho Chi Minh, the romanized script became the official written script for the Vietnamese language. Today, English and French arethe most common second languagesin Vietnam, so someone is sure to help you out. And, even though it is a difficult language, give it a try. your efforts will be appreciated!

Tipping: If you are happy with services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip, though not compulsory, is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across destinations. Here are our suggestions;

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Visa Requirements: Almost all visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country, although some qualified exemptions apply for citizens of those countries with bilateral reciprocal agreements with Vietnam. Depending upon the nationality and passport of the applicant, a tourist visa may be granted for either a fifteen (15) or thirty (30) day stay in Vietnam.Click here for more details…

Currency Exchange: US Dollar is widely accepted and ATM can be found in all tourist attactions. Vietcombank can be found at Quang Trung St.

Places to see

Pasteur Institute and Yersin Museum located at 10 Tran Phu.   Open: 08.00am-11.00am & 2- 4.30pm. Closed Sat. & Sun.   The museum is on the second floor of the adjacent building. Guided tours are available in English and there is also a short film shown on Yersin's life.

The Khanh Hoa Museum is also worth a visit featuring Cham statues and costumes. There is also the Uncle Ho room featuring some of Uncle Ho's personal effects.

The Po Nagar Cham Towers complex was built between the 7th and 12th century. The most beautiful towers were built in the year 813 and 817. Most were destroyed and only four towers are still standing. Each tower is a shrine to a different deity   The Po Nagar towers once stood at the entrance of Cai River, where the river meets the ocean. The towers stood in isolation on a rock foundation, but over many years the towers and the land it stands on became part of the land mass as the river changed its flows Today, the tower is north of the river and the rock formation it stood on became known as nui Cu Lao or Mount Cu Lao. The town of Vinh Phuoc at the base of the mountain was once a fishing village, known as Xom Chai and Xom Bong. Great views/photos from the hill.   Closes at 5 pm. The Long Son Pagoda is about 500m west of the train station on 23 Thang 10 St. It has resident monks and was founded in the late 19th century. At the top of the hill, behind the pagoda is a Big White Buddha seated on a lotus blossom which is visible from all around. It was built in 1963, is 14m high and to reach it, you must climb the 152 stone steps beginning from the right of the structure to the top of the hill. You will be rewarded with great views!

If you head north along Quang Trung St. at the 2nd bridge are 100’s of fishing boats moored among huge boulders.   Also, visit the fishing village! The Hon Chon Promontory is a narrow granite promontory providing stunning views of the mountainous coastline north of Nha Trang and great "Kodak Moments".

The Oceanographic Institute (Vien Nghiem Cuu Bien) is open 7.30am-noon and 1pm-4.30pm daily . It was founded in 1923 and is housed in a grand French-Colonial building 6km south of Nha Trang's main post office in the port district of Cau Da.

Nha Trang is the most famous destination in Vietnam for Scuba Diving. Visit The Rainbow Divers located at Nguyen Thien Thuat - Nha Trang for more details.

Accommodation

3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
Green Hotel	Nha Trang Lodge	Sunrise Beach Resort
Asia Paradise	Novotel Nha Trang	Ana Mandara Resort
Hoang Dang Hotel	Saigon Yasaka Hotel	Six Sense Hideway
The Light Resort	Dimond Bay Resort	Sheraton Nha Trang

HANOI

Hanoi is relatively small and runs at quite an unhurried pace for a capital city. Resting in the Red River delta region, the centre is a mixed of tree-lined avenues, maze like back streets with lively merchants stores, temples and lakes and has many fine colonial buildings.

Brief history:

A village existed here at least as early as the 3rdth century. century AD, and a defensive citadel was established in the 8. The official origins of this great capital city go back to the year 1010. According to legend, while the new king, Ly Thai To, was in his royal barge on the river, he saw a golden dragon fly up towards the heavens. This was a good omen, so he moved his court from Hoa Lu to here, renaming his new capital city, Thang Long, “City of the Rising Dragon”. The heart of Thanh Long Citadel was the king’s sanctuary in the ‘Forbidden City’, but a growing collection of villages of commoners grew up around the walls.

More name changes over the centuries, and in 1802, the Nguyen dynasty moved their capital from here to the central city of Hue. In 1831, Emperor Tu Duc changed the name of the former royal capital to ‘Ha Noi’ - “City in a bend of the River”. While Ha Noi was no longer home to royalty, it was destined to soon become an important political centre again. The French colonialists occupied Hanoi in 1883, and it became their main administrative centre for all of French Indo-china (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos). Hanoi became the capital of their new colony of Tonkin (northern Viet Nam). Cochin-china (the southern 1/3rd of Viet Nam) had become a French colony in 1862. The Nguyen dynasty continued to rule from Hue, nominally at least, until 1945, but the French ‘pulled the strings’, dethroning any patriotic kings who opposed them.

On September 2, 1945, the free and independent nation of Viet Nam was proclaimed in Hanoi by Ho Chi Minh, before a huge crowd gathered in Ba Dinh Square, near Ho’s mausoleum today. The August Revolution had seized power throughout the country. The last king, Bao Dai, abdicated power to the new revolutionary republican government, led by Ho, thus ending the feudal monarchy. This independence was short-lived. The French eventually fought their way back to reclaim their colonial power, with increasing support from the U.S. The Viet Minh had to fight a bloody 9-year war against the French, finally culminating in the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, which ended French colonialism in Indo-china. In 1954, after the Dien Bien Phu victory, Ho’s government returned to Hanoi, greeted by excited crowds. But yet again, foreign interference conspired to deny them the victory they had won on the battlefield, and in Geneva. So began the 21-year American War. In 1965, US aircraft began to attack Ha Noi, culminating in the infamous B52 bombing campaign of 12 days and nights of Christmas, 1972. Even this could not defeat Ha Noi’s fighting spirit, any more than the many earlier invasions by feudal Chinese, Mongols, Japanese, Nationalist Chinese or the French.Finally, on April 30, 1975, Viet Nam won its independence and reunification, as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign liberated the south.

In July 1976, Hanoi was officially declared the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ha Noi – the heart and soul of Viet Nam - was named City of Peace by UNESCO in the year 2000. Now, Ha Noi is preparing to celebrate its 1000th Birthday, in 2010 – the oldest continuing capital city in S.E. Asia.

Airport: The international airport is Noi BaiInternational Airport and is located 16miles (25km) from the capital city. You can exchange currency for your taxi fare at the airport, however, some drivers accept U.S. currency. The exchange rate is 19.500 to $1 U.S..Hire a metered taxi outside the terminal. The journey should cost roughly $15U.S. including toll fee. NoiBai InternationalAirportis about 35km north of the city center.

Clothing: Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advised for much of year, although warmer clothing is needed during the chilly winter between Octover to March. Rainwear is advisable in any season.

Electricity: Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz AC (some 110V, 50HZ AC). Two-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adapter socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

Health:A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.

Language: Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn. Based on tonal variations, it is difficult for a short term traveler to speak easily. It comes from the Chinese, although the two languages have diverged. Vietnamese has six tones, so a word can be said six ways, imparting six different meanings. There are also regional variations, so what is polite in Saigon may be just the opposite in Hanoi. In the 17th century, Alexander de Rhodes. Jesuit scholar and missionary, created the romanized script which was used only by the educated. In 1954, under Ho Chi Minh, the romanized script became the official written script for the Vietnamese language. Today, English and French arethe most common second languagesin Vietnam, so someone is sure to help you out. And, even though it is a difficult language, give it a try. your efforts will be appreciated!

Tipping: If you are happy with services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip, though not compulsory, is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across destinations. Here are our suggestions;

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Best Buys: The list of bargains is endless, but to whet your appetite, here are a few examples: Silk painting, silk sheets, silk shirts, t- shirts, coffee filters, ground coffee, tea, ceramics, embroidered pictures, and table cloths, marble carvings, lacquer-ware, rattan furniture, beaded bags and shoes, a new season wardrobe tailored in Hoi An and so much more…….!

Currency Exchange: US Dollar is widely accepted and ATM can be found in all tourist attactions. ANZ ATM and Bank, Le Thai To St (near Hoan Kiem Lake); Vietcombank: Tran Quang Khai St or HSBC ATM: on Le Thai To St ( Hoan Kiem Lake)

Communication: Tin Tin’s Café (Hang Hanh), Queen’s Café (Hang Be) in the old quarter. Emotion Cybernet Café (52 Ly Thuong Kiet) near Hanoi Towers.

Places to see

Hoan Kiem Lake “Lake of the Restored Sword”
The name refers to a famous legend of the great Vietnamese hero, king Le Loi, who led a successful uprising against the Chinese in the 15th century. The Lake is still famous for its rare species of very large turtles , that occasionaly appear!

Ngoc Son Temple, “Temple of jade Mound”
Founded in the 14th century, and dedicated to Van Xuong, the God of Literature. Also worshipped here are the national hero General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in 1288; the physician La To; and a martial arts practitioner, Quan Vu. The red bridge was constructed in 1875

The Old Quarter“36 Streets”
Known as “Venice of the Far East” by early explorers and traders, due to the constant flooding. From the 13th century, 36 distinct guild areas set up. Streets are named after the original merchandise - ‘Hang’ means selling. While the various streets started out as villages, usually specializing in one particular craft or product, today the Old Quarter, with some 100,000 people in only 100 h ectares, has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Under feudal law, houses were limited to 2 storeys and could not be taller than the Royal Palace. Note the typical tube houses, which can be as little as a couple of metres wide, but extend back as far as 150 metres! Hang Bac (“Silver Street”) is perhaps Vietnam’s oldest urban thoroughfare. Hang Ma Selling paper products for at least 500 years burnt offerings to the ancestors. Hang Quat - Bright red prayer flags for funerals and festivals.

Night Market
The outdoor Night Market is very different from workaday Dong Xuan, mostly because it's more of a social event. Locals stroll the streets shoulder to shoulder, perusing inexpensive goods sold at the lighted stalls. It's fun and colourful, and definitely not about the shopping.

Temple of Literature
Ha Noi’s most revered temple complex and Viet Nam’s principal Confucian sanctuary, dedicated in 1070. Viet Nam’s first university was founded here, in 1076, but most of the buildings were destroyed by French bombs in 1947, leaving few traces among the weeds. One of the few remnants of the Ly king’s original city, despite past reconstructions. Many reconstructed buildings rose from the rubble as part of Ha Noi’s 990th birthday celebrations in 2000.

Museum of Ethnology
Located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, about 20 minutes by taxi, this museum features about 15,000 artefacts made and used by the 54 ethnic minorities of Vietnam, and is highly recommended.

Museum of Independence
(48 Hang Ngang) Uncle Ho’s first house in Hanoi, where he lived for a short time after the success of the August Revolution, and where he wrote Viet Nam’s Declaration of Independence in 1945. Significantly, Ho Chi Minh used the opening words from the American Declaration of Independence, and referred to the French Revolution principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Communication: Tin Tin’s Café (Hang Hanh), Queen’s Café (Hang Be) in the old quarter. Emotion Cybernet Café (52 Ly Thuong Kiet) near Hanoi Towers.

Places to see

Hoi An - the Old Merchant Town

The ancient town of Hoi An is located 30 km south of Da Nang on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Occupied by early western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distint Chinese atmosphere with low tile-roofed houses and narrow streets; the origional structure of some of these streets still remains the most intact. All the houses are made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese charactures. Pillars were also carved with omamantal desings. Nowadays, Hoi An is also wel-known for its tailoring shops and exotic cusines.

Brief history

Archaeologists discovered ceramics dating back 2,200 years ago in and around Hoi An (historically known as Fayfo, Kaifo, Faifoo, Faixfo, Hoai Pho), indicating fishermen and farmers originally dwelt here.

From about the year 200 to the mid-900s, Hoi An was part of the mighty Champa Kingdom located on the central coast of the Indochinese peninsula. The Cham people, an Indianised seafaring people skilled at coastal and river transport, had an "outlook on the sea" that engaged them in international coastal trade.

The estuary of Hoi An has an ancient name, Cua Dai Chiem, which means the "Great Cham Estuary". It is believed that Hoi An was a seaport for the upstream sacred Cham cities of My Son and Tra Kieu. The estuary once consisted of many lakes, rivers, and sandy islands. Hoi An was founded on the largest and driest of these islands.

Ancient Persian and Arab texts praised Hoi An as an excellent place for ships to secure fresh provisions. After Vietnamese military offensives ousted the Champas, Hoi An continued as an important river port.

Hoi An first came to prominence as an international port in the late sixteenth century and reached its apex in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. At that time Hoi An had trade links with China, Japan, Siam, the Malay Peninsula, Luzon, and even European countries such as England, France, Holland, and Portugal.

The town was a crossroad of economic-cultural flows in Vietnam and Southeast Asia from the end of the 16 th century to the early 19th century. It was also the gate through which Buddhism and Christianity were introduced into Vietnam in the 17th century. In the process, Hoi An acquired unique cultural characteristics which are manifested in its customs until today.

In 1560-1638, Japanese traders establish a presence in the town. In 1593, Japanese merchants build a covered bridge to link their settlement with that of the Chinese community. The bridge, rebuilt in 1719, still stands today. The town grew prosperous exporting silk, sugar, gold, cinnamon, sandalwood, pepper, areca nut, ceramics, timber, tortoise shell, rhino horn, and, of all things, sea swallows’ nests. As Hoi An's reputation grew, it became an opulent town.

In 1615, Portuguese Jesuits built the first Christian mission in Vietnam at Hoi An, along with a mission in Danang and Hanoi. One of the most famous visitors to Hoi An during the 17th century was French missionary Alexandre de Rhodes, who created the relatively easy-to-read, Latin-style script which Vietnamese language still uses.

The town’s importance declined in the nineteenth century. Hoi An was soon forgotten by the outside world. Though the town was still charming, it was left to fend for itself as a sleepy backwater. In 1916, when the Danang-Hoi An railway line was wiped out by a storm, it wasn't considered worth the money to reconstruct. Fortunately, the town escaped serious damage during the US-Vietnam War.

When foreign scholars discovered its gorgeous architecture during the 1980s, they convinced UNESCO and the then-communist Polish government to restore Hoi An's ancient sites and monuments. When Vietnam began allowing large scale tourism in the early 1990s, Hoi An emerged as one of the nation's best kept secrets. Many of the town's 60,000 population were delighted by the new attention.

In April 2000, the 18th and 19th merchant quarters of the city were declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, and is the only place in Vietnam to have many of its original streets and building preserved intact, which are typical of an old seaport town in South East Asia. Besides, the river town of Hoi An as well as the nearby Cham Towers of My Son has recently been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Hoi An boasts 87 pagodas, temples and communal houses, 82 ancient tube-shaped houses, 24 ancient wells and an ancient tile-roofed bridge.

Massage & beauty therapy: Minh Hoang (manicure, pedicure, facial, etc). Tran Quy Cap, an alley running through the markets. You also can find some on Cua dai street.

Banks: Hoang Dieu St. Open Mon-Sat 7.30am-7.00pm. (No commission for cash and AMEX TC’s). Check before and count your money! Vietcombank-opposite the Hoi An Hotel. An Phu Tourist Company-141 Tran Phu St. (exchanges cash & TC’s. Commission 1.5%). Open until 8 pm.

Post Office: Tran Hung Dao St. Open daily from approx. 8am-10pm. Internet/Email: Le Loi & Tran Hung Dao Streets. There is also a location 2 doors down Nguyen Duy Hieu Street.

Airport: There is no international airport in Hoi An. The Domestic Da Nang Terminal center is located 18,5 miles (30km) from the capital city. You can be connected either at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Taxi is available outsitde the airport. The journey to Hoi An Old Town should cost roughly $15U.S. including toll fee.

Clothing: Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advised for much of year, although warmer clothing is sometimes needed during the winter between Octobers to Febuary. Rainwear is advisable in any season.

Electricity: Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz AC (some 110V, 50HZ AC). Two-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adapter socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

Health: A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.

Language: Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn. Based on tonal variations, it is difficult for a short term traveler to speak easily. It comes from the Chinese, although the two languages have diverged. Vietnamese has six tones, so a word can be said six ways, imparting six different meanings. There are also regional variations, so what is polite in Saigon may be just the opposite in Hanoi. In the 17th century, Alexander de Rhodes. Jesuit scholar and missionary, created the romanized script which was used only by the educated. In 1954, under Ho Chi Minh, the romanized script became the official written script for the Vietnamese language. Today, English and French arethe most common second languagesin Vietnam, so someone is sure to help you out. And, even though it is a difficult language, give it a try. your efforts will be appreciated!

Tipping: If you are happy with services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip, though not compulsory, is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across destinations. Here are our suggestions;

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Visa Requirements: Almost all visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country, although some qualified exemptions apply for citizens of those countries with bilateral reciprocal agreements with Vietnam. Depending upon the nationality and passport of the applicant, a tourist visa may be granted for either a fifteen (15) or thirty (30) day stay in Vietnam.Click here for more details…

Best Buys: The list of bargains is endless, but to whet your appetite, here are a few examples: Painting, silk sheets, silver jewelery. Hoi An is most famous for tailor-made silk/cotton clothes. There are hundreds of tailor shops, plus the tailor market . Just get a whole new wadrobe for yourself…….!

Hanoi - The capital of Vietnam

Hanoi is relatively small and runs at quite an unhurried pace for a capital city. Resting in the Red River delta region, the centre is a mixed of tree-lined avenues, maze like back streets with lively merchants stores, temples and lakes and has many fine colonial buildings.

Brief history:

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Communication: Tin Tin’s Café (Hang Hanh), Queen’s Café (Hang Be) in the old quarter. Emotion Cybernet Café (52 Ly Thuong Kiet) near Hanoi Towers.

Places to see

Accommadation

3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
Ancient House Resort	Vinh Hung Resort	Palm Garden Resort
Thuy Duong 3 Hotel	Victoria Resort	The Life Resort
Vinh Hung 1 Hotel	Hoi An Reverside Resort	The Nam Hai Resort

Shop ya to drop!!!

Jean Lou Coiffure De Paris, a French hairstylist and designer, has a little storefront at 13 Biet Thu and not only does hair and nails but also serves drinks and does laundry, too. It's open daily from 8am to midnight.

Groove Shack, at 89a Nguyen Thien Thuat has lots of copycats, but owner Zac has this business down. The business provides good pirated CDs and media loaded onto your Ipod or personal computer. Ethical? Not really. Convenient? Yes. And you can fill up on good new tunes (or DVDs) for kicking back at the beach. Zac also sells T-shirts and beach clothes. Open daily from 8am to 10pm.

Bambou (15 Biet Thu; daily 8am-9:30pm) is a popular T-shirt shop in the heart of the backpacker area of Biet Thu. These shirts are becoming like the "Black Dog" shirts of Martha's Vineyard for Vietnam.

At 17A Biet Thu, the heart of the busy traveler street in Nha Trang, you can't miss bright Tashunco (17A Biet Thu; daily 7am-10pm), a little grocer that carries familiar Western goods, ranging from Diet Coke to good cheese.