Visit Vietnam, Land of the Ascending Dragon and find out how to get your online Vietnam visa
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If you are looking for an exotic destination, far away from
the familiarity of Europe, where the local culture is fascinating and so very
different, and the natural features are breath-taking, why not consider
Vietnam? Once you have acquired your online
Vietnam visa, it’s a great choice to visit between December and April, when
the climate is relatively dry and not too humid. Evenings in the north, staying
in Hanoi for example, can be quite cool, although the south has a tropical
feel, building to the monsoons from late April. From 31 December you can join
the Tet celebrations, the Lunar New Year festival where traditional music,
dancing and entertainment takes place. These showcase the best in Vietnamese
culture, have a great atmosphere and are wonderful fun.
Travelling from the UK to Vietnam is long journey, however the delights that await you cannot be under-estimated and it will be a trip from which memories are created. Begin your exploration of this awesome country stress-free with a Vietnam e-visa.
With a coastline of over 3,000 kilometres, small islands
aplenty such as Phu Quoc or Con Dao (perfect for romantic getaways), extensive
northern and southern deltas, riddled with waterways, and the highest mountain,
Fansipan, in Indochina, Vietnam has a lush countryside and exceptional beaches,
try glorious Nha Tang, certain to tempt
any nature lover. You can take a leisurely cycle ride around the flat paddy
fields of the Mekong
Delta, Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’; join in a cookery class in a rural village to
make the national dish, ‘pho’, a broth to which noodles, vegetables and meat or
fish are added or take a sampan tour along one of the many Mekong tributaries,
visiting the floating markets, such as Cái Răng, packed full of exotic fruit
and stunning flowers, including the Lotus, which symbolises this country. Or
maybe take one of the trails through Cuc Phuong National Park, a massive
natural museum, and proud example of eco-tourism, where the trees are reputedly
1,000 years old. It is particularly spectacular in April/May, when thousands of
butterflies fill the forest in a magical sight.
Perhaps the most extraordinary natural phenomena of Vietnam
are to be found at Halong Bay – the 1,600 limestone karsts, which jut like
towers out of the water, are covered in vegetation, home to a range of
wildlife, although uninhabited by humans and are over 300 million years old. Known
as a garden of islands, this seascape, with its natural coves, caves and
tunnels is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
The thronging cities are a real contrast and complement to
these natural beauties. Landing at Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with your Vietnam e-visa already to hand ensures
a straightforward airport exit experience, taking you to straight to cities
teeming with life and vitality. The French quarter of Hanoi is replete with
architecture reminding the visitor of former colonial times, whilst the Old
Quarter is filled with streams of people, market stalls selling everything from
’designer’ sunglasses to medicinal herbs and busy bars to suit all tastes. HCMC
is the home
of street food: try the Ben Thanh Market for local delicacies such as the
fabulously named ‘bun mam’ fermented fish soup or ‘banh trang nuong’ which is
pizza, Vietnamese style. Su Van Hanh Street has a well-deserved excellent
reputation of delicious street food, although wherever you are across the city,
there will something to taste and try. It’s rather like being in a giant open -
air restaurant that’s open all hours! Try coconut juice, sugar cane juice or
artichoke tea as an accompaniment, or go for the hard stuff with a glass of sticky
rice wine.
The imperial city of Hue, in the country’s centre, on the
banks of the Perfume River, was the capital until 1945, and retains all the magnificent buildings
associated with the Emperor’s Forbidden Purple City, pagodas and royal tombs.
Unsurprisingly, it is a stronghold of Buddhism and the monastic Zen tradition
continues here today.
Whatever your personal holiday favourite, country, coast or
city, or a combination of the three, Vietnam offers its visitors many unique
opportunities. Preparing for your trip by arranging a visa for Vietnam before
you leave home, will make the start of your trip very easy and smooth.
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