Page 171 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Vietnam —

Getting around Shopping
There is a major airport serving each of the three major Vietnam is known for its handicrafts, including lacquerware,
tourism zones: Ho Chi Minh City serves the Mekong River; mother-of-pearl inlay, ceramics, bamboo products, jewellery,
Da Nang serves Hué, Hoi An and My Son; and Hanoi silk goods, intricately carved statues and paintings. In Hanoi,
provides access to Halong Bay and the mountains. Travel two popular areas are Hang Gai Street and Hang Bong Street
between the three gateway cities is available by air, train which stock embroidered tablecloths, greeting cards with
and bus. Overnight travel by train or bus is a popular choice traditional hand-painted silk covers, water puppets, clothing
for visitors and is inexpensive and relatively comfortable. and antiques. In Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is a
Chartering a minibus or hiring a car and driver are other good place for shopping. (Vendors will willingly bargain but as a
viable alternatives. Cabs (some metered, some not) operate in courtesy, do not ask the price of something unless you want to
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and most of the major cities. As a buy it.) Dong Khoi Street is an arts and crafts tourist bazaar.
rule, it’s best to avoid travelling by car in major cities during Currency
peak hour unless you are not in a hurry. Visitors can hire The currency is the Vietnamese dong. The US dollar is widely
cyclos (pedicabs) to get around, or there is the option to travel accepted and several big cities accept Euro. Traveller’s cheques
the way the locals do and hire a motor scooter.
are easily exchangeable in banks and credit cards.
With a population of about 95 million, it is easy to think that Climate
all Vietnamese people own a scooter. The roads are full of them. Vietnam has three climatic zones with temperatures ranging
Traffic in the major cities is something that needs to be seen to from 22 C to 27 C. In the north, the best time to visit is
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be believed. Despite the vast numbers though, scooter traffic between October and March. Central Vietnam is protected by
moves like water. It is constantly flowing, sometimes fast, the Hai Van Pass Mountains and travelling is recommended
usually slow and occasionally it will pool due to an obstacle, but year-round. In the south, there are two seasons—dry and rainy.
then find a way to break through and move on.
March, April and May are the hottest months. Lightweight
Walking can prove to be a bit of a challenge, as most footpaths clothing is sufficient for the south all year round but warmer
are lined with parked scooters, left there by the locals while they clothing is needed during winter (November through April) in
shop or eat. the north and in the highlands.

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