Vietnam is the Place to be for any Holiday Vietnam is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the world thanks to the country's rich history and intriguing culture, which attracts thousands of people every year. Taking Vietnam holidays can be a rewarding affair as the country boasts a wide variety of manufactured and natural attractions that offer a fascinating insight into the nation.
The 13th most populous country in the world with a population of over 86 million, Vietnam stands out as a popular holiday destination because of a number of things, not least its culture, which combines tradition and modernism. The nation is not only influenced by its blend of indigenous cultures but by Chinese, Polynesian and western imports, something people holidaying in Vietnam will be sure to pick up.
Indeed, these different influences have created an environment and a people who love their nation and are content with their culture and environment, which make them stand out. The BVA polling organisation recently conducted a study in more than 50 countries, which revealed that the Vietnamese are the most optimistic people in the world.
This should be reason enough to consider Vietnam honeymoons for, after all, what better place to start matrimonial life than a destination filled with beauty and optimism? Nature has blessed Vietnam with enviable natural wonders including soaring mountains, a dramatic coastline and secluded islands, which all make the country one of the most beautiful places to visit.
Although Vietnam's coastal beaches are renowned the world over and attract a vast number of people including those keen on kiting, holidaymakers who venture deep into the country can discover even better sceneries. Hidden miles away from populated areas are breathtaking shores at inland lakes, which are covered with beautiful plants that make for arresting views. As well as offering visitors awe-inspiring views, these beaches are serene due to the fact that they are deserted and include the likes of Bai Sao and Mui Ne.
Ideal for swimming and kayaking, Bai Sao boasts a beautiful white sandy beach complete with beachfront restaurants that are particularly worth experiencing while in Vietnam. If staying far away from the beach it could be wise making use of the country's car hire services if for nothing else but just to see the place. Bai Sao's protected and fairly calm waters make it particularly suitable for kayaking and visitors will not be short of places to rent kayaks as several locals along the beach offer the boats.
On the other hand, Mui Ne features upmarket restaurants and shops selling mementos and is particularly suitable for kiteboarding thanks to its favourable windy conditions. Tourists have already discovered this gem of a destination, which, apart from featuring an isolated stretch of sandy beach, has many resorts. Despite the presence of world-class resorts in the area, Mui Ne has hung on to some of its traditional charm and visitors can still see a fishing village in the area.
People planning Vietnam honeymoons may also want to experience the country's untouched natural wonders and the best way to do so is to explore its islands. Providing a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of modernity, Vietnam's islands feature ancient forests and other natural features that make them well worth visiting. Notable islands include Cat Ba, Phu Quoc and Con Son, which provide a snapshot of nature at work.
A visit to the beautiful country should not end without sampling its culinary delights, which are also one of the factors that draw visitors to Vietnam every year. Although Vietnamese cuisine features largely rice, fish sauce and soy sauce, the skill that goes into the preparation, the final result and variety make the food stand out. Naturally, being a coastal country, Vietnam boasts a wide variety of fresh seafood, although chicken and beef are also eaten often. A visit to local restaurants and eateries will open a whole new world of tasty treats, with the food also including a range of mouth-watering fruits.
While many of those taking holidays in Vietnam are attracted to the nation's resorts and places usually associated with tourists, the destination's cities also offer a memorable experience. Here, visitors can find an intriguing environment informed by buzzing motorbikes, crowds of people going about their daily routines, animals and screaming car horns that compete with the voices of street hawkers.
Hanoi, which is the capital and second-largest city, is the cultural hub of Vietnam and here visitors can see a mixture of old and new, with the National Museum of Vietnamese History particularly worth seeing. |
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Top London Attractions London is one of the foremost capital cities in the world; it has always been a historic centre at the heart of British and world history. Having enjoyed such a rich and varied existence, London boasts a host of different attractions that will entertain visitors to the city that are staying at any one of the high quality London hotels available.
If investigating the rich heritage of the city is your aim then there are plenty of fantastic sights to see. From your base, at one of the top hotels or even budget hotels in London, you can easily travel either on foot or via regular tube and bus services to any one of the major sights and places of interest in the city. These include the Mall, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, the West End and Regent's Park.
On your trip you would certainly come across a number of attractions that are worthy of devoting a little extra time to. One of the most popular landmarks for visitors is the official home of the Queen, Buckingham Palace. Situated at one end of the Mall, the palace is a popular place for photographs; during August and November, the palace opens its doors to visitors who wish to view the opulent state rooms, the Royal Mews and Queens Gallery.
For any lover of pageantry, the arts, architecture or even those who are just keen to see how royalty live, this is not an attraction to leave off your itinerary.
London is blessed with many famous museums; dotted around the city are some of the most educational, informative and outstanding collections in the world.
The British Museum contains around seven million artefacts that span an era of two million years. If those figures are not enough to boggle the mind, then the fact that the museum is London's most popular tourist attraction, admitting five million people through its doors last year alone, will underline what an amazing attraction and resource it is. Featuring many iconic artefacts from human history, including the Sutton Hoo and Mildenhall treasures, sculptures taken from the Parthenon and the Rosetta Stone, the British Museum is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the capital.
London is also the location of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the Science Museum and the National History museum, so as long as you have a natural curiosity about the world you will have plenty to discover. Best of all, these museums are sited within walking distance of a range of accommodation, from rooms of the highest quality to the best budget hotels; and many are free to enter.
Lovers of fine art are also particularly well served in the city. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square hosts works of art from some of the biggest names, including Van Gogh, Titian, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir and Da Vinci. The Tate Modern, as its name suggests, has a more contemporary feel to its collection, which features pieces from a range of artists, from Cezanne and Picasso through to Warhol and Hirst.
One of the biggest modern attractions in the city is the London Eye. Originally conceived as a celebration for the millennium, the Eye proved so popular with London citizens as well as tourists that it has remained open ever since. Each of its 32 capsules affords a stunning view of the capital on its 30-minute rotation and bookings can be made online to secure your ticket in advance.
Perhaps no building more typifies London's rich history than the Tower of London. In the 900-year history of the tower, it has served as a royal palace, an arsenal, a jewel house, a zoo and perhaps most famously as a prison and a place of execution. No trip to London would be completed without a visit to this most iconic of landmarks.
Fans of the grisly side of London history may enjoy a trip into the London Dungeons, which investigates, by its own admission 'the murkiest dregs of British History' and takes a gruesome look at London life through the ages. The famous Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussaud's is another favourite with visitors, although the extensive exhibition also contains plenty of more family friendly waxworks, including wax replicas of the Queen, Wayne Rooney and Kylie Minogue, to name just a few.
Despite the wealth of attractions listed above, we have barely scratched the surface of what this mesmerising city has to offer visitors. Book a room at one of the city's many excellent budget hotels and discover London for yourself.
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