Showing posts with label interesting facts on vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interesting facts on vietnam. Show all posts

Great Vacation Spots in Asia

Great Vacation Spots in Asia
best beaches in SE Asia
Planning a trip to Asia?

Before giving you a brief overview on Asia as well as the best time to travel and weather, let me quickly share with you seven places that are ideal for first time travelers looking to vacation in Asia. They are as follows:

1. Taipei Taiwan

Taipei Taiwan is one of the most expensive vacation spots in Asia, but it is also one of the most modern countries in Asia, offering a reliable and varied transportation system.


Taipei Taiwan is home to many memorials and cultural attractions, but it is also a city that offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as climbing and hiking at the nearby Yangmingshan Park.

2. Hanoi Vietnam

One of the most popular and affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, Hanoi Vietnam is a popular destination amongst outdoor and shopping enthusiasts. The old Quarter of Hanoi boasts a variety of street markets where you can get cheap foods, souvenirs, etc.

Top 10 Places To Go In Southeast Asia
3. Seoul Korea

Seoul Korea is another destination in Asia renowned for its tax free shopping opportunities, and electronic goods.
Seoul Top Tourist Sites and Attractions
Apart from shopping, the city of Seoul is home to half a dozen palaces and other interesting sites such as the War Memorial of Korea and Gyeongbokgung Palace which features regular changing of the guard.

4. Surabaya Indonesia

If you are planning a holiday vacation in Bali, Surabaya Indonesia is normally considered a transit city between Jakarta and Bali.

Having said this, Surabaya Indonesia is a great vacation spot on its own right, and one of the best destinations in Asia for families. The city is home to the Surabaya KBS Zoo and the Ciputra Zoo.

5. Manila Philippines

The capital city of Manila Philippines is another popular family destination with many festivals such as the Filipino Heritage Festival geared towards families.
beautiful places in Philippines
The shopping scene, nightlife scene and the many Tourist Spots in the Philippines are the reason that brings many travelers to the capital of Philippines.


6. Okinawa Japan

If you’re looking for an affordable family vacation in the Asia Pacific region, Okinawa Japan is one of the most popular places to go in Japan.

With so many beach resorts and beaches offering camping by the beach opportunities you can have an affordable vacation. There are also many things to do and see such as visiting the renowned Okinawa Aquarium.

7. Goa India

Being a former colony of Portugal, Goa India has distinctive feel to the rest of the Indian subcontinent. The state of Goa India is one of the trendiest places in the region and a popular beach vacation.


Apart from beaches and festivals, Goa India offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as hiking at one of the nearby national parks. If you are planning a first time vacation to Asia but not sure where to go, read on to get an overview of the different regions in Asia and best time to travel.

Overview

Asia is, indeed, a vast continent and it is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth both geographically and ethnically. One of the most interesting facts about Asia, it’s that more than half of the world’s population lives in the continent with Japan and China being two of the most powerful economies in the region.

Planning where to go in Asia (or anywhere in the world, for that matter) doesn’t have to be daunting task at all, and choosing the right vacation spot comes down to three things:

- Type of vacation (family travel, romantic travel, cheap beach vacations, etc.)
- Budget (shoestring or luxurious vacation)
- When you’re traveling (off-season, peak-season, monsoon season, etc.)

Regions in Asia

The continent of Asia is traditionally divided into three regions:

- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Burma, Laos, Brunei, East Timor, Papa New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand

- Asia Pacific: China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

- Indian Subcontinent: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Tibet

Where to go

There many great vacation spots in Asia but the regions of Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are popular destinations amongst budget travelers and travelers backpacking around the world. The Southeast is home to many great vacation spots in Asia, and it’s a magnet to all kind of travelers (couples, families, backpackers, etc.). Anywhere you travel in this region, you can expect cheap shopping opportunities and good accommodation at affordable prices.

There are truly so many great vacation spots in Asia to suit anyone’s interests and budget that you won’t find any shortages of destinations. For instance, if you are tying the knot soon, Asia is home to some of the most exciting places to live (i.e. Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc) with popular honeymoon destinations such as a honeymoon in Malaysia.

Weather in Asia

Each of the regions in Asia share similar weather although each country has slightly different climate so, bear this in mind. Asian monsoons are another factor to take into consideration when traveling into the continent, as the region can also experience cyclones.

For instance, in the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas and even parts of southern China experience the monsoon season between June and September. In the southeast region, the area experiences the monsoon season between December and early March, while Asia Pacific experiences a summer monsoon between early May and late August.

Best time to visit Asia

Weather truly plays a major role when deciding when to go to Asia and most travelers avoid traveling to Asia during the monsoon season, although some travelers take advantage of it to find better hotel deals and cheap airfare. If you are planning a getaway in Southeast Asia, the best time to visit this region it’s in the winter months (November and February), apart from Malaysia which is usually best enjoyed between late spring and late autumn.

In the Indian subcontinent, summer is very hot and humid, especially the further inland you travel, and if you’re not planning a beach vacation, you’ll find the hot weather very unpleasant and uncomfortable.For a trip to the Indian subcontinent, I would suggest traveling between March to mid-April when weather is much cooler and dryer.

See. Top Sights to See in Laos
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Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam

Bordered by China in the north and Laos in the southwest, the capital city of Hanoi is the cultural and historical heart of Vietnam.
Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam

In fact, one of the popular things to do in Hanoi Vietnam is to take a walk along the Old Quarter to experience pre-colonial Hanoi. Also, visitors can experience French architectural influences such as Phan Dinh Phung Street and the Hanoi Opera House.

Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam: Outdoor Activities

Wildlife Spotting

If you are a nature lover, North West of Hanoi Vietnam, you will find the Tam Dao National Park where you can enjoy wildlife spotting. The Park is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora as well as rare types of endangered wildlife.

Red River Tour

Taking a cruise along the Red River is one of the most popular fun things to do in Hanoi Vietnam.

Once you arrive in the capital, you will find plenty of tour companies offering Red River tours. A typical Red River tour takes you along the beautiful Red River where you can explore old landmarks and temples such as Chu Dong Tu Temple.

Hanoi Old Town Tour

The Old Town in Hanoi is one of the biggest tourist draw in the capital and taking a stroll along the Old Quarter narrow streets is a popular thing to do in Hanoi Vietnam.

The Old Town (Old Quarter) is the life and soul of Hanoi and it is where you can experience the real Hanoi by mixing with the locals.

Hoan Kiem Lake Exercise

If you are an early person, one popular thing to do in Hanoi is to join hundreds of locals who get up early to practice Tai Chi and martial arts.

Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam: Places of Interest

Indira Gandhi Park

Indira Gandhi Park, located on the east side of Hoan Kiem Lake, is a beautiful park where you can take a peaceful stroll and marvel at the famed King Ly Thai To statue.

Ngoc Son temple

Ngoc Son temple (Jade Mountain), located along Hoan Kiem Lake, is another point of interest in the city, and it is where you’ll find the remains of a giant tortoise found in the lake in the 1970's.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum

Those interested in history will enjoy a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The mausoleum, located in the center of Ba Dình Square, is where Ho Chi Minh read Vietnam's Declaration of Independence.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum, located nearby the mausoleum, is another excellent place where you can learn more about the man himself, and also find his statue.

Hanoi’s Pagodas

Admiring the city’s landmarks and architecture is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular things to do in Hanoi Vietnam, and just like China, Japan, Korea and other parts of Southeast Asia, the Pagodas in Vietnam are a must-see attraction to add to the itinerary.

One of the most popular Vietnam Pagodas include: Tran Quoc Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda and Hoe Nhai Pagoda.

Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam: Shopping

Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy a vacation in Hanoi as the capital is renowned for being a shopper’s paradise.

The Old Quarter is, perhaps one of the best places for shopping, as the area is home to many street vendors selling all sorts of hand-made goods and electrical goods.

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is also a great shopping spot, especially for souvenir-gift shopping and art and antique shopping.

Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam: Nightlife & Entertainment

Nightlife in Hanoi Vietnam is mostly geared towards tourists and it is centered in the Old Town of Hanoi.

It consists mainly of international pubs, as well as laid back bars where you can enjoy live music. For instance, Minh's Jazz Club is a popular and mellow venue where you can enjoy a nice drink while enjoying some fine jazz.

Entertainment-wise, Hanoi also features cinemas and theaters where you can enjoy an evening out.
For instance, the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, located along Hoan Kiem Lake, offers a fun and entertainment puppet show that also features traditional Vietnamese music.

Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam: Festivals & Events

Le Mat Hamlet Snake Festival

Le Mat Hamlet Snake Festival, held in March, is a traditional festival held in the village of Viet Hung where visitors can see rituals and performances in honor of the village Saint.

Whale Festival

The Whale Festival, held in Quam Nam village in April time, is another religious event where the villagers make peace offerings at the Whale Temple to keep the prosperity and safety of the village.

Giong Festival

The Giong Festival, held in in Phu Dong Village in May, is a ten-day event and one of the most important events in Hanoi. The aim of the event is to promote old traditions and Vietnamese cultural heritage.

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Tourist attractions in the Philippines

Tourist Spots in the Philippines
Wondering about tourist attractions in the Philippines?

The Philippines is perhaps most famously known for the rice terraces in Banaue and the historic city of Manila.

Below, I've compiled a list of some of the best tourist attractions in the Philippines and beautiful places in Philippines that you wouldn't want to miss during your vacation. They are as follows:

- Mount Apo National Park, located west of Davao city, is a great place where you can explore many nature trails and enjoy spotting over two hundred different species of birds.

- Fortress Santiago, located at the mouth of the Pasig River, is twenty meter wall made out of hard stone which offers amazing views.

- Cubao District is one of the top places to visit in Quezon City, and one of the best shopping and entertainment districts in the Philippines.

- Taal Volcano, located in Lake Taal, is an active volcano which you can climb and enjoy panoramic views of the valley and the lake itself.


- San Pedro Cathedral, located at the corner of San Pedro Street in Davao City, is another historical landmark constructed during the Spanish colonial period, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Philippines.

- Bat Caves, located in Boracay Island east of Yapak, is another interesting place to visit and catch a glimpse of the renowned giant fruit bats.

- The Banaue Rice Terraces (pictured), located in the mountains of Ifugao, are undoubtedly one of the major tourist attractions in the Philippines. These terraces are over 2000-year old and were carved into the mountains by the Batad people.

- Eden Nature Park, also located in Mindanao Davao city, is a popular stop among backpackers backpacking around the world, as the city offers many possibilities for outdoor activities that include hiking, fishing, camping and horse riding.

- Punta Cruz Watch Tower, located in Tagbilaran City, offers spectacular views of Cebu and Bohol Island.

- The Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Bohol, is another major tourist attraction in the Philippines where you can explore endangered wildlife. The sanctuary was built by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation to protect the Philippine Tarsier specie.

- Visiting the 16th century Intramuros District, In fact, visiting a 16th century Intramuros district is one of the most popular

In fact, the Philippines are one of the most exciting places to live and a popular honeymoon destination in southeast Asia.

Apart from the Philippines, if you are looking for cheap beach vacations in southeast Asia, Thailand holidays and Vietnam travel are two other affordable destinations.

Tourist attractions in the Philippines: When to go

The high season (December to August) includes Christmas time, New Years time, Chinese New Year time, Philippines summer holidays and Easter time.

June through August is the rainy months and traveling during this time is particularly hot. Also, if you are traveling in May, Filipinos take their summer vacation during this time.

If you are looking to benefit from lower rates, September to October are usually good times to find cheap hotel rates and cheap airfare as fuel prices are normally lower during this time of the year.

Tourist attractions in the Philippines: Airports

If you are traveling to the Philippines for the first time, visitors are requested to pay airport tax at Philippines airports. Airport tax is as follows:

* Manila Philippines Ninoy Aquino International Airport tax is around $10.
* Cebu City airport tax is around $8
* Davao Philippines airport is around $4.

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