Vacation in Vietnam’s top beach resort

Vietnam resort ranks 1st on top ten hideaways

Water Villa Deck, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.
Photo: http://www.sixsenses.com

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort in Vietnam’s central Nha Trang city has topped a list of ten romantic beach retreats released by boutique hotel collection Mr & Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com).

The other nine include Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, Côte d'Azur (France), Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef (Australia), The Datai, Langkawi (Malaysia), Masseria Torre Coccaro, Puglia (Italy), Zeavola, Ko Phi Phi, (Thailand), Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Sagres, (Portugal), Cocoa Island (Maldives, Indian Ocean), Shore Club Miami, Miami (United States), and Alila Villas Soori, Bali (Indonesia).

Details about the ten are as follows (from Reuters):

1. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam 
Set on a private peninsula that's just a sexy speedboat ride from coastal town Nha Trang in south-central Vietnam, romantic boutique hotel Six Senses Ninh Van Bay offers luxury for lovers. Its 58 dreamy villas all feature seductive beds and bath tubs open to the outdoors, with private pools for cooling dips (choose between beach, spa or waterside settings). You can also dine alfresco by the bay, the pool or up on the rocks for serene sea views - or book a table for two in the atmospherically lit Wine Cave, perfect for popping the question. After quality pampering at the Six Senses Spa, make a date with a sunlounger on the secluded beach.

2. Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, Côte d'Azur, France 
With design as glittering as the surrounding sea, chic Côte d'Azur retreat Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel in the south of France is all about Gallic glamour. Once a beachside club for the jet-set, including film stars Sofia Loren and Cary Grant, this heavenly hotel has its own beach for sandy sojourns. With just 27 rooms, it's intimate, too; Deluxe Room 208 has dazzling views, but Room 201 has a fabulous fish mural. Even the restaurant is named Les Pecheurs (The Fishermen) after the maritime setting. Dine here for gastronomic gravitas, or casual beachside Le Cap serves up pasta, fish and local dishes by the waves. Bring this season's swimwear for poolside posing.

3. Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia 
For a romantic hotel on the Great Barrier Reef, look no further than Australian boutique retreat Lizard Island, a short flight from Cairns off the Far North Queensland coast. With just 40 secluded rooms and 24 ivory-white beaches to choose from, you're likely to have a seductive cove of sand all to yourself for that picnic by the waves. Swim off the beach, take a kayak or boat out, or go snorkelling or diving at famous Cod Hole on the outer reef with turtles and rays for company. Back at base camp, enjoy a hot-stone massage at Azure Spa, then dine on fresh fish and seafood at airy Osprey's restaurant. This idyllic island has honeymoon written all over it.

4. The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia 
Set on beach-blessed Langkawi Island, a back-to-nature getaway off Malaysia's northwest coast, the Datai occupies a dramatic perch between pure white-sand beaches and verdant rainforest. Famed for its opulence, this beachfront luxury hotel attracts the great and the glam, with 112 wood-crafted rooms, including standalone villas in jungle pockets. The striking main pool boasts beach views, and is for adults only, so you can relax in peace. Alternatively, take a couple's cooking class, enjoy a spa or yoga session, or go on a guided nature walk (look out for monkeys and eagles). With delicious Malaysian and Thai dishes up for grabs, as well as a beach club restaurant, dining is an affair in itself.

5. Masseria Torre Coccaro, Puglia, Italy 
A fortified farmhouse set amid sea-scented olive groves, Masseria Torre Coccaro boutique hotel in Puglia offers refined romance on Italy's Adriatic shores. Located between Brindisi and Bari on the country's south-east coast, its 37 stone-walled rooms are exquisitely decorated with linen bedding, silky sofas, baroque mirrors and antique furniture. Chill out in a poolside hammock, warm up in the Turkish baths or treat yourself in the Aveda spa. For nautical romance, commandeer Masseria's private 14-metre yacht, then relax at the beach club restaurant. The hotel also runs a horse riding centre, if you fancy a trot along the sand.

6. Zeavola, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand 
One of the only boutique hotels on the intimate twin islands of Koh Phi Phi, Zeavola resort is a sandy seaside hamlet of traditional Thai huts blending relaxed rusticity with mod-con indulgence. An affordable spot to savour beautiful shores, it offers 52 freestanding villas (beachfront ones are the most romantic - plump for number 51, nearest the sea). Inside, net-draped beds, teak surfaces and Thai furniture keep things simple. When you've overdosed on swimming and sunbathing, learn to dive at the PADI centre or take a speedboat trip around the islands, then settle in at Tecada beach bar and restaurant for some serious sunset-scoping.

7. Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Sagres, Portugal
Set at Sagres on the wild south-west coast of Portugal's Algarve, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is beloved by beachcombers, with an inviting stretch of sand and a national park for neighbours. Natural materials rule in the 38 rooms, from cork to timber, wicker and stone, ensuring ocean views remain the star of the show. The Beach Rooms are the most private, with sea vistas from airy balconies. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors in at O Terraço restaurant, too, where sea urchin roe with scrambled egg is a must. Distractions include tennis courts, a sports club, pools, watersports, a spa, sauna and steam rooms, but strolling along the seductive beaches at Sagres' fishing port takes some beating.

8. Cocoa Island, Maldives, Indian Ocean
To rev up the romance, escape to serene sanctuary Cocoa Island, a cluster of 33 suites and villas set over the Indian Ocean in the Maldives. A hit with honeymooning couples and lovers of pristine diving, it's the stuff of faraway island fantasies. All rooms are individual at-sea dwellings sited off a snaking wooden pier, with private sun-decks, walk-in showers, roll-top baths and vintage-style ceiling fans. Resembling Keralan boathouses, they promise over-water views, soothing white interiors and teak flooring for laid-back romance. Scuba diving and snorkelling on the reef are mind-blowing, or just explore the holistic Como Shambhala Spa. Cocktails at poolside bar Faru beckon for re-intoxicating after.

9. Shore Club Miami, Miami, United States 
Miami meets Marrakech at Shore Club Miami, a stylish 309-room retreat in the heart of South Beach. This art deco hotel is a hedonistic playground for grown-ups by day or night, with a sexy retro lobby, sprawling lawns, the slinky Skybar and a branch of acclaimed Japanese restaurant Nobu. The party people may flock here, but it's a romantic spot, too. Bag a sleek white room with a balcony sea view, loaded with hi-tech treats, then head down to the steamy hot tub and two elevated infinity-edge pools, fringed by decadent cushion-strewn day-beds. Luxurious, tropical and right by the beach. You've so arrived...

10. Alila Villas Soori, Bali, Indonesia 
Strung along Bali's south-west coast between black-sand beaches and jade-green rice paddies, just-remote-enough Indonesian retreat Alila Villas Soori is seriously seductive. All 48 of its pool villas are sublime, minimal havens with ocean views, but book a second-storey Ocean Pool Villa for a blue bonus: a sea-view bath tub. After lazing by the beach or 25-metre infinity pool, enjoy a slumber-inducing Balinese massage at Spa Alila. Surfing, horse-riding and cycling are all on offer, or ask the Leisure Concierge to hook you up with bespoke visits to local food markets, artisans or romantic temples. Just steps off Kelating Beach, the resort's casual restaurant Coast grills fresh seafood over charcoal or clink glasses at more formal restaurant Cotta.
(News: Tuoitrenews.vn)

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Vietnam Adventure: Soak up U Minh Thuong National Park- the emerging site of nature-lovers

Vietnam Travel Depot and its member vietnamjeeptours.com have launched an impressive tour program of exploring the vast freshwater wetland, U Minh Thuong National Park in the Mekong Delta.

U Minh Thuong belongs to Kien Giang province, about 300km in the southwest of Ho Chi Minh City metropolis, which is recognized as one of three highest priority sites for wetland conservation by its outstanding values of biodiversity.

The park is an ideal destination for visitors who have passion of the nature and love ecosystem. The tour is actually a deep view of Mekong Delta, a chance to immerse yourself by an on-water visit into one of the few primary forests where you can discover as much as it was. It is home to a 44-hectare bird sanctuary with more than 70,000 birds and the presence of 185 bird species where you can get close to see their bird-life such as nest setting, breeding and feeding…Beside is a diversity of flora with 252 species, especially is the a dense cajuput forest. Of these are endangered and have global conservation concerns.

Nature lovers can pick out this discovery tour as an extension part after their Mekong Delta visit and even keep traveling to Cambodia with a stopover in Chau Doc. Or else choose a beach relaxation in Phu Quoc Island after stopping at the neighbour town Rach Gia.

How to get there: 

- Around 300km from Saigon, travel by car down to the Mekong Delta area. The trip takes you around seven to eight hours drive crossing most of the delta provinces such as Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Dong Thap. Take two river ferries on the way

- By airplane from Saigon at 6.45 AM to Rach Gia (50 minutes flight) then by car from the airport to the forest (60 km) with around 2 hour drive.


Further details of the tour, please have a look here http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-tours/Adventure-Tours/Discovery-the-Wet-land-of-U-Minh-Thuong-National-Park.html

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Trekking in Ba Be National Park – Homestay at stilt-house between the secluded village

First read the latest news about Ba Be:

Ba Be Park recognised as Wetland of International Importance

The Ba Be National Park in the northern mountainous province of Bac Can has been named on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands List as a Wetland of International Importance.

The biodiverse 10,048-ha park is home to 1,268 species of flora and fauna. The site earlier was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2004.

As summarised by Marian Gwilliam, Regional Assistant Advisor for Asia-Oceania, Ba Be National Park supports the only significant natural mountain lake in Viet Nam and is the most important wetland in the country's protected area system because it is the only site that has a natural lake surrounded by a mountainous karst ecosystem.

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is the third Wetland of International Importance in Viet Nam, joining the Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province and Bau Sau in the Nam Cat Tien National Park across the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc.

According to director of the Ba Be National Park, Nong The Dien, the decision will mean that the site will join an international network of wetlands that are important for the conservation of global diversity.

The Convention on Wetlands - known as the Ramsar Convention - is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories. Viet Nam first participated in the Ramsar Convention in 1989.

Source: Ditnews.vn

Ba Be is home to the Tay people where the tour will bring a truly nature dip with the stunning views nearby the secluded villages in the edge of limestone mountains.  Beside the time you will have to interact with natives here, you definitely will be keen on to explore its highlights including  jungle trek and taste the local food by a mighty waterfall, boat trip on lake to adventure into karts’ caves. Dinner prepared by the local host with a unique home-made music performance. The tour completely can be connected with other areas in the North East Vietnam.

Further details of this destination, please get consulted from our friendly staff at adventure@vietnamjeeptours.com    or call direct to (+84) 917 28 44 55

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Holy Land

The bell tower, the only construction in the La Vang Holy Land left after the Vietnam War

The year was 1798.

Emperor Canh Thinh of the Tay Son Dynasty had issued an anti-Catholic edict and ordered all Catholic churches and seminaries destroyed. Many Catholics fled to the jungle in the province of Quang Tri, where they had to contend with wild beasts and sickness. During one of their prayer sessions, Virgin Mary appeared in person, dressed in an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), and advised them to boil the leaves of surrounding trees to heal themselves.

These are the bare facts of the legend that has brought Catholics and visitors to the La Vang sacred area for centuries now

There are different explanations given for the name "La Vang". One is that when the Catholics took refuge in the forest, they had to shout (la) to call someone, and the forest echoed (yang) their voices. Part of the forest then became the La Vang Holy Land. Then there is the version that says "La Vang" comes from the Vietnamese meaning of the word "Crying out" and "Echoing" to denote the cries for help of people who had to face a tough life in the jungle. Yet another explanation is that the name La Vang refers to the leaf that the Virgin Mary recommended her devotees use as medicine.

According to documents at the Hue Archbishop Office, when Emperor Canh Thinh, who ruled from 1792 to 1802, embarked on the persecution of Catholics, many followers living near the Dinh Cat Hill rushed to the forest, about 60 kilometers from their homes. They had to suffer sickness and starvation, not to mention face wild beasts.

It is not clear when the La Vang Holy Land was established. In 1885, the church in La Vang was burnt in a fire. One year later, a priest, Caspar Loc, had it rebuilt. The church was then expanded several times before being destroyed by bombs in 1972 in the Vietnam War. But its bell tower still remains until today, showing some of the damage caused by the bombs.

Between 1995 and 2004, many other constructions such as the Virgin Mary bell tower, the Thanh The Chapel, the Man Coi Square, and a guest house for pilgrims have been built in the area.

Under a large banyan tree is a statue of the Virgin Mary wearing an ao dai.

La Vang became the National Marian Center of Vietnam on April 13, 1961. Four months later, Pope John XXIII elevated the site to the rank of a Minor Basilica.

The La Vang Catholic festival, known as kieu in Vietnamese, is held every year on August 15, attracting thousands of visitors.

HOW TO GO THERE

* Around 40 kilometers from Hue, the La Vang Holy Land is located in Hai Lang District, the north-central province of Quang Tri.

* From Dong Ha Town, the center of Quang Tri, travel along National Highway 1A for 20 kilometers before turning right and going further for another kilometer or so to reach La Vang.

Source: thanhniennews.com

Vietnam Jeep Tours has been organizing many kinds of different Vietnam tour packages including the tours called Veteran tours. For those would love this site can have a look at http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-tours/Veteran-Tours/Veteran-Tours.html including the tours cover Demilitarized Zone and La Vang Holy Land.

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Vietnam arrivals surge 32% in February

International arrivals to Vietnam jumped 32.4% year-on-year in February 2011, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has said. According to offi  cial data, more than 590,000 visitors arrived in the country last month, bringing the total for the first two months of the year to 1.06 million, a year-on-year rise of 19.5%. Ho Chi Minh City attracted around 310,000 international visitors last month, up 8% year-on-year. The VNAT expects the country to attract around 5.5 million visitors this year.

(Source: Traveldailyasia.com)