helloworld TRAVEL THE TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS VIETNAM Vietnam is nation of captivating diversity. From north to south you will find "authentic" Asia-the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, long deserted stretches of spectacular coastline, majestic mountains in the north, bustling cities and street markets, and faded elegance from the French colonial era. You will also encounter a nation of people rich to culture, tradition and history with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequalled in South East Asia; people who have put the war-torn past behind them and care clearly focused on a brighter future. Caraline recently experienced this fascinating country with "Insider Joumeys". Staying at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel we discovered the Old Quarter of Hanoi on foot. There are thirty six ancient streets where we observed the daily bustle of life around markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries, selling anything and everything from frogs to raw meat, live birds, kittens, fabrics, clothing and much more. The tour visited Ho Chi Minh Quarter, the Temple of Literature and "Hanoi Hilton"- the nickname given to the place where US pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace were imprisoned during the Vietnam War -now converted into a museum which displayed photos and cells with shackles intact depicting the atrocities that took place. We then made our own way to Train Street where bars are built less than a metre from the train tracks and tourists flock to see the train rattle past Then it was onto Halong Bay for the Junk boat overnight cruise. This is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder, with over 3,000 islands that rise out of the sea to provide a spectacular landscape. We explored the amazing Sung Sot Cave, kayaked the Tung Sau Pearl Farm Bay, watched a spring roll making demonstration and practised Tai Chi early in the moning on the top deck as the sun was rising. There is so much more to Vietnam, with the great beach resorts and riverside toowns of Hoi An and Hue to the busy, bright light city of Ho Chi Minh to the lush Mekong Delta. If you are thinking of visiting there are two seasons- "dry" and "green". From November to April temperatures in the north can drop below zero which the south is warm and sunny. Between May and October days are warm and humid with aftemoon showers creating lush landscapes with fewer travellers. Eating the delicious Vietnamese cuisine fresh spring rolls, Pho noodle soup, fresh seafood, and drinking their sweet thick coffee is one the best way to experience this country. If you want to know more or would like us to tailor make an itinerary for you give us a call or call into the store. CARALINE SAYS: If you are going through Singapore Changi Airport and have at least 5 hours to spare, check out the "Jewel" Singapore's newest shopping mall located just outside the Terminal with the world's tallest indoor waterfall. f Cnr Victoria & Duke Streets t07) 827 5100 CONNECT WITH US helloworld Cambridge Fly Buys caraline.hawken@helloworld.co.nz helloworld.co.nz helloworld TRAVEL THE TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS VIETNAM Vietnam is nation of captivating diversity. From north to south you will find "authentic" Asia-the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, long deserted stretches of spectacular coastline, majestic mountains in the north, bustling cities and street markets, and faded elegance from the French colonial era. You will also encounter a nation of people rich to culture, tradition and history with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequalled in South East Asia; people who have put the war-torn past behind them and care clearly focused on a brighter future. Caraline recently experienced this fascinating country with "Insider Joumeys". Staying at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel we discovered the Old Quarter of Hanoi on foot. There are thirty six ancient streets where we observed the daily bustle of life around markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries, selling anything and everything from frogs to raw meat, live birds, kittens, fabrics, clothing and much more. The tour visited Ho Chi Minh Quarter, the Temple of Literature and "Hanoi Hilton"- the nickname given to the place where US pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace were imprisoned during the Vietnam War -now converted into a museum which displayed photos and cells with shackles intact depicting the atrocities that took place. We then made our own way to Train Street where bars are built less than a metre from the train tracks and tourists flock to see the train rattle past Then it was onto Halong Bay for the Junk boat overnight cruise. This is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder, with over 3,000 islands that rise out of the sea to provide a spectacular landscape. We explored the amazing Sung Sot Cave, kayaked the Tung Sau Pearl Farm Bay, watched a spring roll making demonstration and practised Tai Chi early in the moning on the top deck as the sun was rising. There is so much more to Vietnam, with the great beach resorts and riverside toowns of Hoi An and Hue to the busy, bright light city of Ho Chi Minh to the lush Mekong Delta. If you are thinking of visiting there are two seasons- "dry" and "green". From November to April temperatures in the north can drop below zero which the south is warm and sunny. Between May and October days are warm and humid with aftemoon showers creating lush landscapes with fewer travellers. Eating the delicious Vietnamese cuisine fresh spring rolls, Pho noodle soup, fresh seafood, and drinking their sweet thick coffee is one the best way to experience this country. If you want to know more or would like us to tailor make an itinerary for you give us a call or call into the store. CARALINE SAYS: If you are going through Singapore Changi Airport and have at least 5 hours to spare, check out the "Jewel" Singapore's newest shopping mall located just outside the Terminal with the world's tallest indoor waterfall. f Cnr Victoria & Duke Streets t07) 827 5100 CONNECT WITH US helloworld Cambridge Fly Buys caraline.hawken@helloworld.co.nz helloworld.co.nz