Tips for Getting Tailored Clothes in Hoi An

By words of mouth going around here and there, Hoi An is home to the cheapest tailored clothes in the world. However, after spending a good amount of money on flight tickets to Vietnam, you do not want to damage your budget staying here. So, hopefully, travelers will avoid first-time tailoring mistakes, learn how to find the best shops for clothing, and leave with their wallets intact with the tips as follows:

Decide on a budget before booking flight tickets to Vietnam

It’s easy to get caught up in the purchasing madness of custom tailoring in Hoi An. For this reason, it’s best to set limits. Know exactly how much cash can be parted with before heading out to the shops. It makes avoiding the impulse purchases, and the inevitable buyer’s remorse a whole lot easier.

Shop around

Most tailors in Hoi An are good. Some are truly great. With so much talent in such a small place, it’s tough to go really wrong. Still, diversifying purchases is a good idea. It distributes business, and it increases access to textiles, fabrics and leathers, too, since each storefront has its own supply to work with. Diversifying also helps to avoid disasters. Only a couple of items are being produced at each shop, so should a tailor turn out to be a major miss, all is not actually lost.

Consider using more upscale tailors with fancier show rooms and a wide selection of wool and silk materials for suits and career clothes. Opt for more standard-issue tailors that offer interesting fabric selections for less expensive items.

Know what you want

Rather than window-shopping, know what you want and need before arrival; otherwise you’ll quickly find yourself drowning in a sea of silk. It’s very important to have the right knowledge and strategy before even walking into a tailor shop. If you go the tailor unsure of what you want, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. The first step is to research what clothes you want. Then, it would have been really helpful to have done a little research on things like fabric types, hemlines, double-stitching etc. so that you didn’t have to rely so heavily on the tailors opinions and expertise. Finally, don’t forget to print out pictures before visiting Hoi An with flight tickets to Vietnam.

Splurge on at least one item

Stay cheap on standard items like dress shirts, skirts and pants, but go for broke on at least one big-ticket item and it’s unlikely you’ll be sorry.

Be prepared to bargain

Prices are rarely marked in the shops of Hoi An, so it’s all about the barter when it comes to getting a decent price. Some tailors offer bigger discounts the more you buy, but most are eager to drop the price at a mention of a better deal down the street. With so many options, shops are in constant competition, which is a serious advantage for consumers.

Also, be sure the tailor is using the best exchange rate. The cost of items is in USD and, depending on where you go, they may pad the price a bit by using a less favorable exchange rate. Everyone has a calculator and will type in the numbers, but just show you the end amount. It’s okay to refigure it using the exchange rate that’s posted at banks and go from there.

Allow enough time

The most important thing is to leave yourself some time. Although there are a bucket load of tailors who will turn around items in 1 or 2 days, it is much more risky and the craftsmanship may not be as good.

Even they measure you properly; there are always the possibilities to fix it here and there. So, it can be disappointing when you try your items for the first time and they are not right, but that is quite common and the purpose of the fitting process. To get the most out of the tailoring process you need enough time for multiple fittings by letting the tailors know when you have to leave the town and checking with them at least few hours before you have to go.

After your flight tickets to Vietnam, getting custom made clothes in Hoi An is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Basically what it comes down to is the more prepared and assertive you are, the better your end product will be. Have fun shopping!

Sources:

http://nomadcapitalist.com/2013/07/25/the-cheapest-place-in-the-world-for-custom-suits/

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/10-08/custom-clothes-in-hoi-ann.html

http://runawayjuno.com/runaway-tales/how-to-successfully-getting-tailor-made-clothes-in-hoi-an-vietnam/

http://xotours.vn/blog/2013/08/18/custom-made-yes-please-a-guide-to-custom-tailoring-in-vietnam/

http://gogirlguides.com/shopping-2/how-to-get-custom-made-clothes-in-hoi-an-vietnam/

http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2011/02/wardrobe-lose-mind-hoi/

http://indianajo.com/2013/07/tailors-in-hoi-an.html

Tipping in Vietnam

As the phrase goes “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, you should be prepared with the updated information when booking travel to vietnam flights, including the tipping etiquette there.
Tipping etiquette in Vietnam
Previously, Vietnamese people did not have the habit of tipping; however, a boom in tourism allows this western life style to be adapted by the local, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and other cities frequented by tourists. Many upscale restaurants and hotels add a service charge to their bills, ranging from 5-10%.
For tourists booking travel to vietnam flights, the most common situations to give tips are eating at restaurants, taking a taxi or hiring a tour guide. It all depends on the quality of services they provide you as well as yours’ satisfaction.

Why should you tip?

Vietnamese workers are generally on much lower wages and therefore will rely upon the generosity of tourists. For a person who earns US$100 per month, a US$1 tip is significant.

How much do you tip?

If you want a general guideline, start with 5% of the bill. Reward 10% or more for those extra efforts that you really appreciate. To be more specific, you should tip:

When staying at a hotel

Tipping at hotels in Vietnam will all depend on the quality of service. If you receive good service, you should leave the housekeepers around 1-2 dollars per day. If a bellman carries your bag, tip him 1 dollar per bag. Before you leave, if you wanted, you could also leave a few dollars to the individual at the desk. However, if you did not receive good service, don’t feel as though you need to tip at all.

When eating at a restaurant

In most restaurants in Vietnam, a 5-10% service charge is added to the bill. Unfortunately, this money does not always end up in the restaurant staff’s hands. You could tip around 5-10% of the bill if the service charge is not added. If the service charge is added, you could always leave some change for your waiter or waitress.

When booking a tour

Tour guides do not get paid a lot and rely on tips to supplement their income. If you are going on a private tour, tip your tour guide around 3-5 dollars per day per traveller. Also, be sure to tip your driver as well. One to two dollars should be sufficient.

When taking a taxi

After booking travel to vietnam flights, departing to this beautiful country and taking a taxi back to your hotel, you should reward your taxi driver with a tip, especially if he or she is very well-mannered. You could let him keep the change or give him a few dollars extra.

Tipping can offend

The Vietnamese are a very proud people and a tip can easily offend the recipient. At small hotels, the staff frequently goes out of their way to answer questions, reconfirm plane reservations, look up addresses and the like. You may even be invited to join the staff for a meal! This is a great honor and their way of saying they consider you a friend. Remember, friends don't tip friends! A tip, no matter how well-intentioned, will invariably be taken as an insult, or worse a proposition!
Your best bet in this situation is to buy small gifts for the staff, such as pens, writing paper or hair clips for women and cigarettes for men. If you must give money, give it to every member of the staff and only when you depart. Better yet, buy food during your stay and share with the staff.

Confusion about tipping etiquette can take you outside of your comfort zone. Therefore, before booking travel to vietnam flights, you should do your homework regarding the tipping etiquette in Vietnam.

Sources:
http://www.vietnam720.info/blogs/2012/11/22/tip-in-vietnam.html
http://www.vietnamadventures.com/language_culture/tipping.html
http://www.vietnamonline.com/faqs/tipping-in-vietnam.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/practical-information/money-costs
http://www.whototip.net/tipping-in-vietnam

Pho – The National Dish of Vietnam

Among all the Vietnamese dishes that came to the attention of the people in the western hemisphere, nothing else has received such tremendous acceptance as pho. Pho is considered as the national dish of Vietnam, and it has captured the fascination of so many people in the west because of its deceptive simplicity and its complex flavors. Although pho restaurants scattered in every Chinatown across the globe, it is still better to find cheap Vietnam fares and have a taste of the authentic Pho right in its hometown.

What is Pho?

Pho is famous for its delicately spiced broth, complex flavors, and fresh ingredients delight the palate and satisfy the appetite. 

Generally, chopped scallion and cilantro are sprinkled on immediately before service. The remaining vegetables and herbs are brought to the table for individualized garnishing. Standard garnishes supplied with every bowl include bean sprouts, wedges of lime or lemon, Thai basil, scallion, cilantro, and, more rarely, saw leaf herb. 

From the garnish tray, add a squeeze of lime juice. Add beansprouts to the soup, and a dash of chili sauce and fish sauce. Lastly, sprinkle it with coriander leaves, or mint leaves, or basil. 

With your chopsticks, thrust deeply to the bottom of the bowl, lift the noodles above the surface and let the dressings you've added subsume into the body of the work.

A mixture of both chili sauce and fishing sauce should remain in a small dipping bowl on the side to enhance slices of meat and other trimmings as you eat. After booking cheap Vietnam fares and visiting this country, try this way of eating just as the local people!

How to Cook Pho

Vietnam's signature dish appears simple: rice noodles swimming in broth, topped by a bit of meat and accompanied by a plate of garnishes like greens, sprouts, lime wedges and hot pepper slices. However, Pho becomes famous because of the complex layers of flavor created by the herbs and spices as well as the many textures created by the chewy rice noodles, the tender beef slices and the crunchy bean sprouts in the soup.

The deep and complex flavor mentioning above is the result of an elaborate preparation process. The secret of pho is in its long cooking time of 3-4 hours, extracting all the meaty, marrowy goodness from the beef bones. Huge pots are left to boil away all day, making the end-of-the-day bowls particularly gritty and delicious.

Origin of Pho

Pho was born in northern Vietnam during the mid-1880s, heavily influenced by the Chinese, who imported rice noodles and spices, and the French, who popularized the eating of red meat. Before the French colonized Vietnam, people didn’t eat much beef. More valuable for the fields than the dining table, water buffalo was strictly off the menu.

About the name of this dish, some say that the name comes from the Cantonese “phan,” also pointing to a broad rice noodle sold on the streets of Hanoi by Chinese immigrants. Others claim that the Vietnamese lover of a French officer attempted to make “pot-au-feu,” the classic, rustic French beef stew. She couldn’t quite get the flavors right, so she started adding local spices and voila, Vietnamese “feu” was born. “Pot au feu” literally means “pot on the fire,” signifying the long hours required to create the soup. Just another similarity that pot au feu shares with pho is the fact that ginger and onions are also roasted in an open flame before they are added to flavor the broth. Vegetables like carrots and turnips are used to top pot au feu. In pho, these vegetables are replaced by bean sprouts and herbs, with a little lime juice added in for taste.

Although no one can define which is the exact source for Pho’s name, what historians do agree on; however, is that pho got its start in and around Hanoi at the turn of the century. 

Pho in Varieties

Pho Bac: Pho of the North

In northern Vietnam, Hanoi's pho is as austere as a classic Burgundy. Pho Bac has an intense and delicate flavor that is entirely different from pho Nam, which is pho of the south. The focus of pho Bac is on the taste of its clear and simple broth. The star anise and other spices commonly used in pho serve as subtle undertones of flavor rather than complex layers. The main ingredients in pho Bac are the rice noodles and the thinly sliced rare beef cooked quickly in the hot broth. You would not find a bowl of pho Bac topped with the popular herbs and garnishing found in pho Nam or in pho outside of Vietnam.

Pho Nam: Pho of the South

Unlike in North Vietnam, food is rich and abundant in South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City's pho is the garage wine of Vietnam's scene, forgoing refinement for big flavors. This rich, cloudy soup is accompanied by a thicket of herbs and other ingredients. The Vietnamese of the south put their taste for the lavish on the frugal pho Bac to create the classic pho Nam. They put more spices in their pho than their northern counterparts. They experimented with other beef parts, and even used other ingredients such as chicken and tripe. They added bean sprouts and herb garnishing as topping on the soup. They were also very liberal about the use of chili sauce and fish sauce to flavor their pho.

The top restaurants for eating Pho in Vietnam

In Hanoi:

If you already found a cheap Vietnam fares, be ready for surprised when eating Pho in Hanoi. Ironically, Hanoi's best pho shops are concentrated in the narrow, shop-crammed streets of the Old Quarter. What seems like the entire population buzzes by on scooters as customers slurp away at their soup. A visitor might shy away from the curbside restaurants, but they are open-air marvels of efficiency, ingenuity and mise en place: a line cook's dream, where everything is set up in bowls, ready to put together in an instant.

Pho Thin

This eatery, located alongside peaceful Lake Hoan Kiem, where innumerable Hanoians do their morning calisthenics, defines "hole in the wall" with its dark dining room, stainless-steel tabletops and wooden benches. But the broth is redolent of smoky ginger and the noodles absorb its flavor without becoming mushy. Opened in 1949, the shop is now run by the founder's eldest son, who closely guards the family recipe. 61 Dinh Tien Hoang

Pho Gia Truyen

The big draw at this multi-generational establishment is the deep-colored broth, cooked in a fire pit in the alley adjacent to the kitchen. If the meter maids come by, half the restaurant clears out to move their illegally parked scooters. Inside, a cook with a cleaver makes quick work of the brisket and the pho is very northern-style—no plate of sprouts and leaves, just a tiny bucket of hot sauce and another of garlic-laced vinegar to emphasize the soup's clean flavors. Come early—they usually sell out by 10 a.m. 49 Bat Dan, 84-9-2429-2236

Pho Vui

If it weren't for the tables full of people and the kitchen that starts inside and spills out onto the sidewalk, this Old Quarter spot, with white walls, stainless-steel surfaces and excellent beef, could be confused with a butcher shop. The broth is simple, elegant and clear, and the marbled brisket has a near-sweet flavor. 25 Hang Giay, 84-9-8401-7741

In Ho Chi Minh City:

Pho Lê

An oldie and a goodie in a formerly Chinese section of District 5. The street and sidewalk here are flooded with pedestrians, merchants and scooters long into the night. The hand-molded beef balls are a highlight in what is one of Ho Chi Minh City's best bowls of pho. 413-415 Nguyen Trai, 84-8-3923-4008

Pho Hoa Pasteur

Here, at the granddaddy of baroque goodness, a warren of rooms is opened up consecutively as the place fills up. Try the special—an extravaganza of tripe, beef balls, brisket, tendon and raw loin, to which you can add banana-leaf-wrapped pork sausages. The broth is rich, with a buttery texture from beef marrow. This is a feast in a bowl. 260C Pasteur, 84-8-3829-7943

Pho 2000

"Pho for the President," is the motto of the spot where Bill Clinton stopped for a bowl in 2000. While seafood pho may be a heresy, it's also a mean dish, here served up in a McDonald's-esque indoor dining room. Mr. Clinton managed to indulge in some serious soup while promoting reconciliation between the U.S. and Vietnam. 1-3 Phan Chu Trinh, 84-8-3822-4294

Pho Tau Bay

This truckers' favorite in District 10 specializes in a version of beef pho with rare tenderloin and braised rib meat. When it's busy—which is most of the time—clients eat at tables in the adjoining alley. Word is, the restaurant goes through some 200 pounds of beef a day. 433-435 Ly Thai To, 84-8-3834-5128

Book Vietnam fares and sample a steaming bowl of pho, one will understand why it remains a cherished tradition in its native homeland of Vietnam and why it rapidly is becoming a culinary phenomenon.

Sources:

http://www.lovingpho.com/pho-opinion-editorial/history-and-evolution-of-vietnamese-pho/

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/12-06/pho-guide-to-vietnams-most-famous-dish.html

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/ultimate-food-guide-to-vietnam

http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/features/105/pho-2.phtml

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304066404579128030382596254

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/searching-for-hanois-ultimate-pho-7419146/?no-ist=&page=1

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia/travel-tips-and-articles/43223

How to bargain in Vietnam?

Shopping is a gateway into Vietnam’s cultural, social and culinary heart. In addition to offering affordable textiles, handicrafts and tailored attire, shopping is an easy way to meet local people, boost language skills and give back to the community. However, the bargaining process can be difficult and overwhelming to shoppers, especially who fly to Vietnam from Europe or North America.

Where to bargain?

Not every price is negotiable. A good rule of thumb is that if something has a price tag on it, the cost is non-negotiable. This includes restaurants, where prices are usually listed on menus or signs.
After you fly to Vietnam, there are some great markets where you can bargain in Ho Chi Minh City including:
Binh Tay Market (Thap Moi Street) is the wholesale destination for everything from dried shrimp to toothpaste to soccer jerseys.
Ben Thanh (Le Loi Street) is located smack in the middle of downtown and caters to the tourists that wander through.
Saigon Square (near the intersection of Hai Ba Trung Street and Le Duan Street) has all the brand names you remember from home, with none of the quality. Still, if you want a Chanel handbag, this is your best bet.

Why bargain?

Save money
Although not much, bargaining gets the best value for your money.
Develop social relationships and have fun
Bargaining is part of Vietnamese culture as through bargaining you can communicate, create and build up your relationship with locals. Also, some tourists just like to bargain all the time because they are fond of price negotiating.
Language practice
I promise you that there is no better way to learn to count in another language than through bargaining with vendors. It also inspires you to memorize useful new phrases such as “too expensive” or “no, this is not real Gucci.”

How you bargain?

After you fly to Vietnam, you are supposed to take into consideration some bargaining tips to get a better deal:
Smile
Bargaining is a game, not a fight to the death. It is vital to keep in mind that you will only be able to win the deal when you do it with grace and humor. So, just consider bargaining as a game or an entertaining activity and enjoy it.
You always need to smile when negotiating the price because most of the locals do not speak English well. The nicer you are, the more discount you can get. If you look grumpy they will not want to speak to you.
Compare prices
A research excursion to a fixed price store provides the greatest indication of an item’s value range - giving an amateur bargainer the confidence needed to later set a price and stick to it.
In addition, you should not bargain with the first person who approaches you because the first salesman often quotes the highest price. So, walking around to compare prices will enable you searching for a better deal later.
Walk away
Walking away is one of the most powerful tools a shopper has when bargaining, and the market trader's reaction speaks volumes. If you have offered a fair price and been rejected the seller will most likely chase you down to lower the price or agree with your price. If they couldn't care less then it is probably you that is being unreasonable. If you realize you were pushing too hard, don't feel too proud to come back either, there is no shame in paying the correct price!
Ask locals
If you are looking for something specific, ask a local what the going rate is before you head to the market. It helps to go into the negotiations with an idea of what you’re supposed to pay. Vietnam must have some of the most incredibly good and inexpensive personal guides anywhere.
The pricing knowledge you can get from a local is usually invaluable in terms of both time and money. You will usually be given the price a local Vietnamese citizen would expect to pay and bargain on your own.
Learn from others
One of the best methods for learning anything is to copy the actions of others. If you’re not ready to engage in your own negotiation, watch someone who appears to be good at bargaining - someone who enjoys the process, is confident and pays a fair price. Pay special attention to body language and prices. You will notice that better bargainers approach shopping like a social game and struggling shoppers appear defensive and uncomfortable. The next step is to try bargaining on your own.
Just back off and observe locals. You can see how much money they pay and then you know how much money you should pay. In this case, most of sellers feel awkward and embarrassed so they might either give you the same or even lower price.
Always carry small bills. 
Give sellers the exact amount of money. They are likely to give you the wrong change. It is very easy to confuse Vietnamese notes so make sure you know how much money you give them and how much they need to give you back. Check the notes twice!
Always bargain in native currency.
Stall vendors can quote the price of an item in either US dollars or Vietnam Dong, so it’s important to get to know exchange rates before shopping. You are supposed to bargain in Vietnamese currency (VND) rather than in USD or your currency as in Vietnam, conventional wisdom says anyone who has dollars can afford to spend them.
Local language
The first trick to bargaining in Vietnam is to do it in Vietnamese. Communicating in Vietnamese with a shop vendor at the beginning of a conversation sets a positive tone for the negotiation process. In addition, you might just be good enough to fool people into thinking you’re an expat accustomed to local prices and avoid inflated tourist quotes.
Start low, but not too low
Ask the shop owner to set a price and then make your offer in response. Start bargaining by quoting a price that is about 10-20% lower than what you think you should be paying. Work your way up from there. The final price is often 10-50% less than the starting value.

To sum up, bargaining is a ritual for Vietnamese. So, before you fly to Vietnam, you should master the art of bargaining. If not, you will end up paying more than you should. Thankfully things are changing for the better. Many places are moving towards the concept of set pricing. This includes some of the local produce markets where Vietnamese housewives do their shopping every day.

Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/hitchhikingvietnam/travel/bargain.html
http://www.vietnamonline.com/shopping/bargaining-tips.html
http://www.vietnamonline.com/planning/haggling.html
http://www.theexpeditioner.com/2012/04/16/3-tips-to-haggling-prices-in-vietnam/
http://etramping.com/fighting-for-each-dong-how-to-bargain-in-vietnam-for-dummies/
http://www.vietnamtravel.org/how-haggle-bargaining-vietnam
http://travelhappy.info/vietnam/how-to-bargain-in-vietnam/
http://journals.worldnomads.com/travel-tips/story/82580/Vietnam/Insiders-Vietnam-A-shoppers-guide-to-bargaining#axzz353HyEz7O
http://voices.yahoo.com/vietnam-negotiate-bargains-4789046.html

Quy Nhon - Vietnam Travel Guide

In Vietnam, there is one place that deserves to be visited by more people: Quy Nhon, the little visited provincial capital of Binh Dinh province. Even though it is not considered as a tourist destination, this medium-sized town is bordered by stunning beaches and the countryside that surrounds it is also breathtaking. So, when you have flight tickets to Vietnam, if you’ve got the free time, spend a day or two at this city as a stopover between Da Nang and Nha Trang.

WHEN TO GO

About climate, weather in Quy Nhon is divided into two specific seasons: dry season (from March to September) and rainy season (the rest time in year). It is recommended to book flight tickets to Vietnam during the dry season. You don’t want to take your umbrella along with you all day long.

HOW TO GO

Easily reached by plane, train and bus, it's surprising that more people don't choose to spend a day or two here. To be more specific, after your flights London to Vietnam, follow by flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, train or bus access through Highway 1.

WHAT TO EAT

Naturally, fishing is the main industry in Quy Nhon, making it a great source of exceptional seafood. This destination is highly recommended for all seafood lovers. There is something you can’t miss when visiting this place: Fish noodles. This traditional dish is not only famous in Binh Dinh but also well-known in Vietnam due to its flavors and cooking ways.

WHERE TO STAY

At this time there are only two resorts worth considering: the Bai Tram Hideaway, is arguably one of Vietnam's best kept secrets and the Avani Resort & Spa, 40-minute drive south of Quy Nhon.

WHAT TO SEE

Quy Nhon has a lot of different areas. Its geography landscape is very diversified such as mountains and forests, hills, fields, saltmarsh, plains, lagoons, lakes, rivers, coasts, peninsulas, and islands. Quy Nhon's coast-line is 42 km with a big lagoon area, brackish water lake and abundant sea creature resource and many of valuable specialties with high economic worth.

1. Cham Towers

If you choose to make a stop here, there are some Cham Towers within easy reach:

The Thap Doi Cham Towers is unique because of the number of towers as well as its location. Most Cham towers are in odd-numbered groups and usually found on the hilltops, while this one consists of only two towers and is located in town. Anyone would be impressed with the relief on the sculptures, since they are still in good shape after all these years.

Twin Brick Tower (Hung Thanh Towers is an architectural structure with two similar towers while one is 18m high and the other is 20m.

Banh It Towers is 25 km away from Quy Nhon, include total four towers, also called Thap Bac (Silver Towers). Standing by Banh It Towers, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of this very fertile countryside.

Duong Long Towers is also called Thap Nga (Ivory Towers), located 50 km from Quy Nhon, 8 km from Cha Ban. It is a group of three towers. The central one is 24 m high. The two others are 22m high. The largest one is embellished with granite ornamentation representing Naga and Elephants. This tower complex is one of the most beautiful in Central Viet Nam.

Thap Doi Cham Towers is right in town. The sight is actually less spectacular than the walk through this quiet little neighborhood to a sea inlet where you'll find a few local seafood places. The relief work on the tower sculptures is in good shape, particularly the floral lintels, and the little park area around the towers is a place to rest.

Thap Doi tower is a pair of towers situated right in the city and located in a small park, both in very good condition.

2. Unspoiled beaches

For the beach lovers, Quy Nhon north beach boasts some of the most beautiful fishing boats. You will find many fishing junks out in the sea that provide wonderful photo opportunities. The town counts fishing as its mainstay and not surprisingly, the seafood here is excellent. Also you can take a break on the boardwalk along the beach sitting on a bench feeling the cool breeze and watching the fishermen leave shore in these round basket tubs. Meanwhile, the south beach is quieter and nicer for swimming, and watching the local kids playing there is certain to give a lively feel.

3. Museums

Quy Nhon has few museums to boast about:

Quang Trung Museum is dedicated Nguyen Hue, a national hero of the 18th century. It was built in his native land of Kien My village in Tay Son district, 45 km from Quy Nhon, and 5 km off the highway. On visiting Quang Trung Museum, one will enjoy music and Vo Tay Son demonstrations, a traditional martial art of Binh Dinh.

Binh Dinh Museum is a small museum with a few good examples of Cham sculpture and pre-Cham Bronze Age pieces. More for school trips than international tourists, but you can expect signs in Vietnamese and English.

4. Other attractions

Some other attractions worth the visit:

Long Khanh, Quy Nhon's main pagoda, is also worth the trip. Built in the 18th century, this attraction is notable because of its 17-metre high Buddha.

Thi Nai Bridge is the longest sea overpass in Vietnam (2477.3m)

Genh Rang Hill is located to the South East of Quy Nhon city; it is the national tourist spot and a natural piece of work with groups of mountainous stones alongside the sea. Here, stones and soil created blocks of hills, caves, sea gates with fresh air and beautiful scenery

Quy Hoa Leper Colony consists of a hospital surrounded by gardens and homes of former patients.

If you want an undisturbed, luxurious and healthy break from the busy life and travel in Vietnam then Quy Nhon may be just the solution. Easily reached by train, plane and bus, if you’ve got the time and a disposition for seafood, book flight tickets to Vietnam and then you could do a lot worse than spending a day or two here.

Sources:

http://www.travelfish.org/location/vietnam/south_central_vietnam/binh_dinh/qui_nhon

http://www.toursinvietnam.com/Quy-Nhon/

http://www.visit-mekong.com/vietnam/quy-nhon.htm

http://www.indochinatravelservice.com/Travel/Vietnam/Quy_Nhon/

http://www.selectiveasia.com/vietnam-holidays/travel-guides/quy-nhon

Phu Yen - Vietnam Travel Guide

Setting foot in Vietnam’s territory after direct flights to Vietnam, tourists can visit Phu Yen to walk among its breathtaking natural scenery, with many beaches set against the backdrop of mountains and surrounded by coconut palms and sea pines. With close to 200km of unspoiled coastline, the natural beauty of Phu Yen is not only popular with nature lovers, but also with people looking for a relaxing break where they can escape their worries, the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

WHEN TO GO

Usually, there are 2 seasons in Phu Yen: the dry season from January to July and the rainy season from August to December. However, there is no hard and fast rule about best time to visit Phu Yen. The best time for booking direct flights to Vietnam is normally April through the end of September, give or take a month on either end. It all depends on the weather patterns.

HOW TO GO

Located about half way between Nha Trang and Qui Nhon, it takes about a two and a half hour trip by bus from either city. Both north and southbound trains have Phu Yen as a stop about 6 times a day.
If you want to travel by air, you can book direct flights to Vietnam and then fly to Phu Yen with a small plane going north or south once a day. The airport is a short taxi ride from town.

WHAT TO EAT

Since Phu YEn is primarily about farming and fishing, with a lot of fish and shrimp farms in the area, you’re in luck for good fresh seafood. The riverfront is lined with cafes and small restaurants serving all the fresh seafood you could want plus the areas chicken and pork dishes. The prices in most of these places are very reasonable to downright cheap.
In town, there are several small restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese food. On the other hand, western food isn’t that good, so you don’t need to bother.

WHERE TO STAY

On the upper scale of places to stay there is the CenDelux Five Star Hotel and the VietStar Resort and Spa. These two places are out of town and quite expensive for their providing services and facilities. So, for most travelers, the places to stay are in town. On the bottom of the price list would be Bobs Cafe American for dorm at 6$ per night. Everything else is your standard guest house or small hotel with the standard prices; mostly very reasonable and clean.

WHAT TO SEE

Da Dia Cliffs
The winding road up to these cliffs is charming, passing paddy fields, a breathtaking mountain and a traditional village. However, the real draw is the cliffs themselves and you can’t fail to be amazed by your first view of them. The strange rocks here include large upright stones in a symmetrical pattern that looks like a baffling riddle of nature set in stone for all time. It’s like a giant jigsaw, irritatingly made of the same shaped pieces, and forming a solidified structure that has proved more than just a curiosity for thousands. Looking down on it, visitors often liken it to a gigantic beehive, others as a pile of stone plates. Da Dia Cliffs is certainly dramatic and can be considered to be a masterpiece designed by nature.
Mai Nha Island
Mai Nha Island, a quiet speck of land belonging to Phu Yen province and endowed with unspoiled beaches and bizarre rock formations, looks like the roof of an ancient red-tiled house when viewed from afar. Only a few families live on the island by farming and breeding cattle, so you can be sure to find the peace and quiet you are looking for.
After a short sea crossing, you can enjoy this hidden gem’s beaches covered with white sand, where you can choose to simply soak up the sun while you relax with a book or to enjoy the surrounding waters. Swimming is safe from the island, as the sea around the island is calm and the water is clean. From the boat crossing you will notice the beautiful underwater scenery brought by the corals and diving is possible from the island to take a closer look at the corals and the colorful fish that inhabit the reef. You may also be interested to take in the impressive coastal rocks; in a variety of colors, these rocks have been carved by nature into a variety of shapes and as well as offering intrigue, they provide a source of inspiration for many visitors.
O Loan Lagoon
O Loan Lagoon is located at the end of Quan Cau pass, near National Highway 1A. Set against the backdrop of gentle hills, O Loan Lagoon is another expanse of water set in peaceful surroundings that you can enjoy. It is possible to hire a boat so that you can explore the lagoon at your own pace, taking your time to appreciate all that it has to offer, which acts as the perfect distraction from anything that may be on your mind. After rowing around the immense lagoon, tourists will want to head straight for a restaurant to enjoy indigenous specialties: local cockles, crab and oysters. Especially, oysters are most delicious in a mix with peanuts, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables.
Dien Cape
Dien Cape, also called Dai Lanh cape, is an attractive tourist destination. This spot contains a great value of natural landscape, history and culture. Here, you can be one of the first people in Vietnam to watch an inspiring sunrise owing to its easterly position.
Da Trang Pagoda
Da Trang pagoda, also called Tu Quang pagoda was recognized as historical relic at the national level in 1997 by the Ministry of Culture and Information. It is one of the most famous pagodas in Phu Yen province, which attracts many tours and lots of tourists in Vietnam travel to visit. This pagoda is located 20 km north of the town, perched on a mountain slope. The pagoda offers a clear view of the landscape below.
Nhan Tower
Close to the Da Rang River Bridge is Nhan Tower. Built on a hilltop nearby, the tower is 15 meters high. Nhan Tower is a unique symbol for the architectural art of Cham people in Phu Yen province. It has quadrilateral shape with four stories; the fourth story is smaller than the first one. In the period of the late 11th century to the early 12th one, the tower was worshiping place of ancient Cham people.
Long Thuy Beach
Phu Yen has many mountains and sugarly white sand beaches. The white sand beaches run almost the full length of the province are ideal for the beach travellers. However, Long Thuy Beach secures the top spot for its harmonious beauty of natural landscape and the green coconut trees stretching along the sandy beautiful beach.

So, if relaxed tourism is what you really want with deserted beaches while not fighting your way through street vendors; you may want to get off the standard tourist path after your direct flights to Vietnam and give Phu yen a try. The fresh air sunshine and gentle breezes are waiting for you.

Sources:
http://www.citypassguide.com/vietnam-travel-blog/what-do-phu-yen-tuy-hoa
http://www.citypassguide.com/vietnam-travel-blog/stay-and-eat-phu-yen-tuy-hoa
http://www.phuyentours.com/travel-guide/
http://www.phuyentours.com/phu-yen-offers-natural-opportunities-for-relaxation-and-recovery
http://www.halongclassicsail.com/travel/phu+yen+travel.htm
http://vietnam.sawadee.com/phuyen/
http://en.skydoor.net/place/Phu_Yen
http://www.paradissa.com/vietnam/vietnam-travel-guides/phu-yen_en.html
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/the-pristine-beauty-of-mui-dien-dien-cape.html
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/da-trang-pagoda-in-phu-yen-a-historical-relic-of-the-nation.html
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/nhan-tower-a-unique-symbol-of-cham%E2%80%99s-architectural-art-in-phu-yen.html
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/long-thuy-beach-with-harmonious-beauty.html
http://www.vietnamtourism.org.vn/travel-guide/destination-in-vietnam/phu-yen/long-thuy-beach-with-harmonious-beauty.html

Ly Son Island - Quang Ngai - Travel Guide

Ly Son Island, well known by the name “the kingdom of garlic”, locates in Quang Ngai province. With many historical, cultural relics and fascinating tourist areas, Ly Son is considered as an amazing and noticeable tourist destination in Quang Ngai. After stepping out of your cheap flights to Vietnam, you will have an unforgettable trip when visiting Ly Son Island.

WHEN TO GO

Ly Son is a gorgeous island that can be visited anytime throughout the year. However, to get the most out of your trip to Ly Son, it is recommended to book cheap flights to Vietnam during:
• Summer: From June to September, sunny weather is excellent for going to the beach. Summer is also the season of water melon, a specialty of Ly Son.
• Garlic season: Garlic is grown in September and harvested in early December. Going to Ly Son during this time, you will have an opportunity to enjoy many yummy and special garlic dishes.

HOW TO GO

Tourists can take cheap flights to Vietnam and book domestic flights in Vietnam to reach Chu lai Airport. After that, catch a taxi or a bus to Quang Ngai city. Also, you can reach Quang Ngai city by sleeping bus or by train from either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
In the early morning tomorrow, go to Sa Ky Port to buy tickets. At 8 AM every day, there is a high-speed boat from Sa Ky Port to Ly Son Island, which takes about 1 hour. If you miss that boat, you can travel by a local boat carrying goods, which departs at 9h AM but takes almost two hours.

WHAT TO EAT

There are two famous restaurants on the island including Vien Dong and Thuy Son (near Hang Temple). You can book beforehand to enjoy the famous specialties of Ly Son, notably seafood and salad garlic. Usually, seafood dishes are cooked after they have just been caught from the sea. Therefore, they are fresh and very delicious although they are only steamed with ginger or citronella. Also, salad garlic is simple but truly exotic dish that you cannot miss when visiting Ly Son.

WHERE TO STAY

Personal documents should be carried, which will make getting accommodation on island more convenient. Here are some hotels on Ly Son island including Ly Son hotel, Vien Dong hotel, Hoa Bien hotel and Dai Duong hotel.
Also, some guest houses near the quay are priced at VND80, 000 per room per night.  In case they are full, local people can offer their houses for rent.

WHAT TO SEE

As the only and the most unique volcanic island of Viet Nam, the main attraction of this island is its tranquility as well as its untouched and pristine nature with clean, unspoiled powder-sand white beaches and memorial historical places.
Beaches
The clear turquoise water of the sea and colorful coral reefs make a perfect picture of paradise. Going to Ly Son, you can relax on the sunny, secluded beaches, listen to the harmony of the waves crashing against the shore and enjoy delicious local specialties. You can play with the waves and feel the tingling of the small pebbles under your feet.
Watching twilight on the beach is also a should-not-be-missed experience. The sun sets at horizon with little light shining down weakly on the surface of the water create such a romantic and splendid landscape of Ly Son.
Rocks and mountains
The wild and gigantic beauty of rock mountains on Ly Son, such as Thoi Loi, Gieng Tien, Hon Vung, Hon Soi and Hoi Tai, is the island’s pride. Particularly, Thoi Loi is the highest mountain top in five craters in Ly Son. Once on top, visitors will be amazed by the magnificent view of the surrounding landscape with immense fields of green grass in the pan-shaped valley and a whole world of colors from the blue ocean, white sand, and red basalt soil to the green garlic fields.
Historical places
There are more than 50 ancient pagodas, temples and relics in Ly Son such as:
Hang Pagoda was built in the 16th century using a natural cave. This pagoda is hidden by an ancient giant tree and is endowed with many beautiful stalactites.
Duc Pagoda was built on a cave in a mountain and is striking due to a 27-meter-high Bodhisattva statue facing the sea.
An Hai communal house was built during the reign of King Minh Mang in 1820. It’s the oldest building still preserved on the island, with engraved timber girders and beams.
An Vinh Temple was built for worshipping ancestors who explored and reclaimed the land four centuries ago. Also, there is an offering ceremony to the souls of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa soldiers in the third lunar month every year.
Am Linh Pagoda was built to worship the soul of sailors who died during long voyages to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands.
Little Island
If you have more time, you should catch the boat to Little Island at 8 AM. Despite the small area, Little Island has a very beautiful beach with smooth white sand. The beach is surrounded by high cliffs and the white foam rushing all day.

Like a beautiful magical oasis hidden among the immense earth, Ly Son Island, a treasure of Quang Ngai province, is named paradise on the East Sea. For life-long memory of Ly Son, booking cheap flights to Vietnam and enjoy the natural beauty and grandeur of this island!

Sources: 
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