Thursday, March 27, 2008

Cities and Provinces in Vietnam

Cities and Provinces

Vietnam is composed of 64 provinces and centrally-administered cities grouped into regions as follows:

The image “http://www.vietnamattraction.com/images/stories/Vietnam/vietnammap.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Northeast Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai (Sapa), Bac Can, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh (Ha Long).


Northwest Vietnam: Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Hoa Binh (Mai Chau).


Red River Delta: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Ninh Binh.


North Central Coast: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An (Vinh), Ha Tinh, Quang Binh (Phong Nha), Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.


South Central Coast: Quang Nam (Hoi An), Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh (Quy Nhon), Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa (Nha Trang).


Central Highlands: Tay Nguyen Highlands, Kon Tum, Gia Lai (Pleiku), Lam Dong (Da Lat), Dac Lac (Buon Ma Thuot) and Dac Nong.


Southeast Vietnam: Ninh Thuan (Phan Rang), Binh Thuan (Phan Thiet), Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.


Mekong River Delta: Long An, Dong Thap (Cao Lanh), An Giang (Long Xuyen, Chau Doc), Tien Giang (My Tho), Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Kien Giang (Phu Quoc, Ha Tien, Rach Gia), Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.


Sunday, January 20, 2008

Vietnam Travel - Useful Tips (Part 5)


Things to remember
• It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding!
• Avoid cyclo ride after dark.
• Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc.
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
• When crossing the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh city, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly!
• Do not offer money directly to minority people - instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens.
• Try at least once the delicious, local street food.
• Always ask permission first before taking photographs, especially in minority areas.

* * * * * Things do not to miss

• Sleeping out on deck on a boat in Halong Bay
• Ordering custom-made clothes from the local tailor shop
• Taking a slow cyclo ride through the French Quarter of old Saigon
• Eating pho ga (chicken noodle soup) at a street side noodle stalls.
• Watching the traditional water - puppet performance in Hanoi.
• Experience the full moon festivities in the ancient town of Hoi An.
• Drinking rice-wine in the minority villages of the north
• Taking a boat along Hue's Huong (Perfume) River, visiting the Royal Mausoleums.
• Overnight in a homestay in the Mekong Delta's riverside orchards.
• Bartering for a bargain at Saigon's largest market, Ben Thanh Market
• Taking a stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarters.
* * * * *
Read on...