Asia to Asia: Countries You Must Experience
Friday, 28 January 2011
Taking a holiday in Vietnam will give you an exciting and memorable experience in one of Asia's most interesting and beautiful countries.
Asia is host to many vastly different countries with an eclectic mix of cultures, exotic varieties of wildlife, an enchanting collection of beaches and a fascinating architectural legacy.
Vietnam covers a 2,000 km narrow strip along the South China Sea and includes cool upland mountains, untouched coastal stretches, thriving cities and the relaxed capital, Hanoi.
With over 78.7 million people there is a great cultural diversity within the country.
The nation's capital, Hanoi, is a favourite with tourists and features preserved French-style architecture, recreational lakes, stately monuments, galleries and busy street life.
Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site, to the north is a perfect holiday destination with inspirational limestone crags and islands.
There are many ethnic groups living a traditional way of life around Sa Pa to the north-west of Hanoi.
Further south, the ancient imperial city of Hue, on the Perfume River, was once home to the Emperors. Here, you can also find good beaches at Nha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau and Bai Sau.
The archaeological remains of the Cham people are best seen in Da Nang and Nha Trang.
Nearby, Hoi An is a preserved fusion of architectural styles dating from the 16th century.
Vietnam's best known hill station and cool mountain retreat is Da Lat, a quaint holiday hideaway as well as home to various interesting ethnic groups.
Ho Chi Minh City is the most obvious sign of Vietnam's social and educational advancement. The city once known as Saigon is vibrant, lively and progressive.
The markets are good places for shopping and there is a lively entertainment and dining scene in the city.
Cholon, known as Saigon's Chinatown, is nearby and has interesting pagodas, shops and streets.
In and near the Mekong Delta there are several tourist attractions including the Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Cathedral and untouched farming villages like Long Xuyen.
The food is unique and combines subtle spices with fresh ingredients. Street stalls are common and pho or soup is popular, as are coffee and baguettes.
Having your own set of wheels gives you maximum flexibility to visit remote regions of the country and stop when and where you please.
The ability to to drive yourself is almost non-existent as international driving licences are not accepted in Vietnam, so when Vietnamese speak about car hire they always mean hiring a car with a driver included in the price.
Choosing from a selection of Borneo holidays is another way to experience one of the best countries Asia has to offer.
Borneo's principal attractions are its stunning landscape, culture, diving and mountain climbing. Some also rent a car and explore the country's stunning natural sites that way.
Borneo has a rich repository of rainforests, mighty rivers and beautiful seas.
This makes the island the perfect eco destination for nature-lovers and thrill seekers, especially those travelling to Sarawak.
On top of that, the islands off Sabah are perfect for underwater exploration activities, such as scuba-diving and snorkelling.
Borneo has the whole range of eco adventures and daredevil thrills to enjoy.
You can choose from caving in the deep reaches of the Mulu Caves or biking across dirt tracks in the Danum Valley.
There is the option to climb the highest peak in South East Asia, the Kinabalu Mountain, or even take a cruise along Sarawak's longest river, the Rajang.
Those who love trekking, bird watching and spotting wildlife will adore the many national parks found in Borneo such as Bako and Niah, which are areas rich in flora and fauna.
For example, the Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary is a place where you can see these gentle primates feed and play during a lazy afternoon.
The islands around Sabah are home to several world-class diving sites. The rich coral beds and marvellous aquatic life in Borneo areas provide some great adventures underwater.
Whether you're diving or snorkelling, you will be fascinated by the variety of corals on the seabed and the numerous fish that come to feed from your hand.
Beaches such as Damai in Sarawak and Tanjung Aru in Sabah are the perfect places to have fun-filled relaxation time.
Resorts and operators in these places offer the whole range of sporting activities such as sailing, jet skiing and surfing.
You can also relax and unwind on the sandy beaches while taking in the cooling breeze from the sea.
There are so many countries in Asia that are worth visiting and Vietnam and Borneo are definitely near the top of the list.
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