10 Things To Do In Thailand

There is so much to see and do in Thailand. Here is our round-up of the best things to do in this amazing country.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The beautiful city of Chiang Mai in the north of the country should be on every visitor’s itinerary. This is a laid-back destination in direct contrast to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and offers a wealth of options to explore. However long you choose to stay here the night market should definitely be on your to do list.

Visit the Islands

Each Thai island has its own vibe and if you have time you should try and spend time at more than one. Arriving by boat through turquoise water and stepping on to golden sand is true taste of paradise!

Touring the Temples

There are so many temples in Thailand it’s hard to know where to start, but visiting Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace in Bangkok is a must. The Emerald Buddha is the star of the show here, but the whole experience is like stepping in to a fairy tale.

Ayutthaya

This UNESCO world heritage site was the capital of Siam between 1350 and 1767 and its ruins give a glimpse in to the history of what was once a wealthy trading port and home to over a million people.

Learn to Dive

With over 5000 miles of coastline and beautiful blue sea you’d be hard pressed not to want to explore under the surface. From simply snorkelling to fully immersing yourself in an underwater world and becoming a divemaster there are a number of PADI courses Thailand has to offer and some great opportunities to see the magic beneath the tropical waves.

Elephant Sanctuary

Get to meet the country’s loveable Asian elephants at one of a number of conservation centres such as the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai. Here the focus is on the welfare of these wonderful creatures, many of whom have been rescued from working for the tourist industry.

Street Food and Floating Markets

Thailand is rightly famous for its food and what better way to enjoy it than in the bustling streets of Bangkok, cooked in front of your eyes. Whether Pad Thai or Green curry is your thing there’s plenty to choose from at prices that won’t break the bank. Going direct to the source of the fresh produce should be on your list too and what better place than one of the floating markets.

Trekking Among The Hill Tribes

In the north of the country live the different hill tribes whose way of life, customs and dress has hardly changed for centuries. The decorative clothes and jewellery adorning these peaceful and friendly tribeswomen is a real sight to behold and it is well worth staying with a family on a trekking excursion if you get the chance.

Kanchanaburi & the Bridge on the River Kwai

Immortalised in the classic film, The Bridge on the River Kwai the Kanchanburi province was where allied prisoners of war were forced to work on the building of the notorious Burma-Siam Railway. The war museum and war cemetery offer a reminder of this chilling chapter from the occupation of Thailand during WWII.

The Golden Triangle

The point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet is known as the Golden Triangle.
In the 19th century the area was the centre of the opium trade and a visit to the Opium Museum is well worth the time to learn more about the history of the area.
Thailand has so much to offer tourists, so start planning your next trip now so you can enjoy everything from the beautiful deep blue sea to the tops of ancient mountains.

About Author

Jeff Glenn is the Founder of Go Pro Asia, one of Thailand’s most popular professional dive training resorts. Jeff is a PADI course director and technical diving instructor trainer and has over 20 years’ experience in the dive industry.

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Monday, February 22, 2016  No comment

Top secluded beaches in Asia

Asia, with its vast coastline, is home to some spectacular beaches. And there are beaches to suit tourists with every inclination. Some beaches are known for their glamorous appeal, some for adventure options, and some for calm waters and still some for secluded spaces romantic souls and family vacationers might be looking for. Here we introduce you to some secluded beaches in Asia.

Yunokawa, Hakodate, Japan

Yunokawa also referred as an onsen (hot spring) is a great destination with lovely beaches all around town. The city comes alive during the winter months when it is frequented by large number travellers. The area is covered with countless onsens bathing in which could be one of the best experiences of your life as beaches covered with snow can be easily be seen from here. The beach is largely overlooked by locals as well as foreign vacationers but exploring it could be certainly a great idea.

Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is considered one of the fastest emerging destinations for the beach lovers in Vietnam; thanks to government and operator efforts. Apart from the beachside allures, the government is making herculean efforts to built infrastructure so that the travellers can have great time visiting the place. With white sands and expansive vistas, the beach is going to be next Phuket in Asia.

Patnem Beach, Goa, India

Goa as a destination hardly needs an introduction and most of the travellers know Goa for its Anjuna beach, which was a great hippie destination during the 1960s and still holds the charm. But if you are looking for secluded spaces, Anjuna is definitely not for you. Those loving isolation should head to Patnem which is situated at a walking distance from Palolem beach, which remains crowded for most parts of the day. There are several beach hut accommodations in the vicinity where you can kick back and enjoy the spectacular sunset.

Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia

The archipelago called Langkawi is fast emerging as one of the top resort destination in Southeast Asia, and there is a vast array of beaches to keep you hooked for some days. Pantai Cenang beach is a fine example of this kind. But those looking for isolations should visit Tanjung Rhu which is known for secluded spaces and the mangrove plantations.

Havelock Island, Andaman Islands, India

Andaman which was once a prison destination during India’s war for independence has now become a destination of repute with countless beaches. The tranquil Havelock Island on the Andaman Islands circuit has everything for a perfect vacation and it is least crowded. The people are friendly and one can find several no frills accommodations around the island.

Ta Pho Beach, Koh Kood, Thailand

Finding secluded beaches in Thailand could be difficult but don’t lose hope as you have options to go to Koh Kood which is high on beauty and low on crowd. The beach emerges as a great destination with rainforest, quaint fishing villages, coconut plantations and snorkelling spots.

These famous seaside beauties from Asia can be best explored with multi-city flights allowing travellers to see multiple locations at economical prices.

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Saturday, January 16, 2016  No comment

Best Diving Sites in Thailand

Across the globe there are a wealth of sites for diving that are bursting at the seams with everything from colourful corals, to ship wrecks and a vast variety of marine life. Voted among some of the best diving sites in various magazines and polls, Thailand’s dive sites offer plenty to suit all kinds of diver. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

Top Rated Dive Sites In The World

Established divers among you may already have a favourite if you are frequent visitors to Thailand, but if you’ve never dived there before, or you’re new to diving and would love to visit a dive site there, then you’ll be interested in this.  Several sites in Thailand have made it into the CNN world’s best poll. They are Elephant Head Rock, Similans, Thailand, and Japanese Gardens in Koh Tao.

Elephant Head Rock has a stunning cave backdrop, arches, and swim-throughs, with a depth of 35-40 metres, and visibility of 20-40 metres. The area is 10 minutes from the Southwest point of Koh Similan and offers the chance to see yellow goat fish, blue ringed angel fish, and 3 species of shark.

By contrast, the Japanese Gardens in Koh Tao offer shallow and easily accessible diving that’s great whatever your ability. Giant pufferfish and turtles favour this spot, and you’ll spot a real mix of other marine life from colourful Christmas tree worms and yellow butterfly fish, to red breasted wrasses. There’s also a mini wreck of a former dive boat, a recent addition to a stunning dive site.

Want to find out more about any of these dive sites mentioned, or specifically diving in Thailand? Then your first port of call should be The Professional Association Of Diving Instructors (PADI), a world leader in diving instructor training. There are plenty great PADI courses in Thailand and you can check the details of courses, dive vacations, and different dive locations across the world online before you book.

Resort Overview

Thailand is well-known not just for the opportunities it offers, but also its distinct dive seasons. If you travel between November to April you’ll find calm seas around the Similan Islands, with great conditions there and in the Andaman Sea. If you’re looking for a resort with good access to this dive area then head to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, or Khao Lak. Expect vibrant reefs, whale sharks, cuttlefish, and soft corals, and you can even head to a special place and dive with the elephants that swim from island to island.

Another option is to head to the Gulf and dive off the islands of Ko Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. The best time to travel to this area is February to May, where you’ll have the chance to see lots of colourful marine life. Black tip reef sharks are common, and if you head to Sail Rock or Shark Island look out for fusiliers, leopard sharks, and blue spotted lagoon rays. You’ll find several areas with caverns and dramatic swim-throughs to add to the unforgettable experience.

All in all, you could book manta dives, shark dives, drift dives, reef or wall dives, night dives and more! There’s even the opportunity to choose a live-aboard vacation, where you’ll stay on ship out at sea to truly make the most of every dive opportunity that comes up during your stay.

General or dive specific travel sites are also well worth checking out for overviews of the different dive locations, and further information about resorts and accommodation. There’s plenty to see and do under the water in Thailand, so we hope this has given you a good snapshot of what’s on offer in this Asian diving mecca.

Jeffrey Glenn (@goproasia) is the founder Go Pro Asia, of one of Thailand’s most sort after professional dive training resorts. Jeffrey is a PADI Course Director and Technical Diving Instructor Trainer with over 20 years’ experience in the dive industry.

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Tuesday, October 20, 2015  No comment

Indonesia- A Travel Destination for Vacation Fanatics

If you love to explore the ethnic culture, nature, islands, parks and possibly active volcanoes, then Indonesia should be the right place to vacation this year. You must have heard of Bali, yes it is situated in Indonesia and one of the top tourist attractions. Being a large nation of diverse population, the region is marked with 18,110 islands. People speak different language dialects. Here is a list of places you should visit while in the Indonesian land.

Temple Borobudur

If you are religious or like to know about Buddhism and relevant temples, then Borobudur temple should definitely interest you. It is located 25 miles northwest to Yogyakarta, Java and was built somewhere in 8th or 9th century, taking 75 years for completion. That is a massive time taken to construct a structure, who even lives that long these days? However, the majestic temple is layered with volcanic ash, but still retains picturesque look. It is a mystery to why the temple was abandoned in 14th century, but one can guess that a catastrophe might have struck the region. The tourists’ influx to the temple however is never struck down.

Mount Gunung Bromo

Nestled in East Java, Gunung Bromo is a mountain that is an active volcano and a prided section of the Tengger massif. It is 7,651 feet tall. The top of this mountain was blown off due to bubbling lava, forming a crater that emits white smoke frequently. If you are lucky, you can have a barbeque camp here. Just kidding! However, Mount Gunung Bromo is a hot pick for travel and tourism in Indonesia to 2018, as the volcano is ever sizzling and bright for the visitors.

Lake Toba

How about visiting an island, which is comprised within another island? Sounds interesting? Then, how about going to a lake that is surrounded by other lake? Yes, are you awed? So am I. The Lake Toba is settled in Sumatra island, the latter being a part of Pulau Samosir containing two individual lakes. Thus, you can imagine that the pleasure of sun, green and fresh water lies in one or rather two! Lake Toba is volcanic, which is 30 Kilometers wide and 100 Kilometers long. Care for a warm swim? Get a dip in Lake Toba.

National Park- Tanjung Puting

The Central Kalimantan Province of Borneo Island is blessed with a very adventurous national park. It is one of the must places for travel in Indonesia. Though the region is exploited for illegal agricultural practices and log chopping, it is still among the hub that pulls tourist in plenty to its mystical locales. The Tajung Puting is rich in wildlife and is home to clouded leopards, gibbons, pythons, macaques, crocodiles, sun bears and orangutans. So, if you find these beings sniggering at you, do not get offended, they are happy that you visited them.

City Ubud

Here comes Bali with its cultural dances and festivals that tug at everyone’s heart. The Ubud city is splashed with terraced rice fields. No, that does not permit you to scurry the rice away in your bagpack! But, you can certainly tap your toes to musical performances, dances and rituals. The city has a lot to tell about Balinese culture. It is lined with craft shops and art galleries, which provides a look into how the people residing in the region love their culture.

After combing through these regions, I am sure you can now retell Indonesia travel tips to a friend, and pack your luggage for a lovely vacation here. There are few places you should not miss when in Indonesia: Torajaland, Baliem valley, Bunaken snorkeling area (perfect for underwater selfie!), Komodo national park and Gili islands.

About Author

I am Amiya Foster. Though I do not possess extraordinary knowledge in market research, I am capable in proving marketing tips to people. I can guide businesses and people on SWOT analysis, industry research reports, business research and a lot more. Follow me on @aarkstore

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Monday, September 07, 2015  No comment

Korean Cuisine You Have To Try

The food scene throughout America has incorporated international dishes and foreign culinary passions for decades. From New York City, the Mecca of culinary diversity, to the streets of Austin where all things Southern are accepted as equal, as a foodie you’ll always find what you’re looking for.

More recently, food-lovers have been expressing interest in the variety of exotic Korean dishes making their way into our cultural palates, bringing both culture and flavor to the plates of restaurants in almost every major U.S. city.

If you love food and have a taste for adventure, below is a list of the top Korean dishes you must try on your next night out.

Top Korean Cuisine Choices

Chicken Porridge – In Korea they call it Dakjuk, but in the U.S. we call it amazing. It’s a simple dish with chicken, onions, and lots of garlic. As most food lovers know, garlic is the cure for all bad foods. If you put garlic on a stale piece of bread it would taste good – any dish that compliments the flavor so well as Dakjuk is an automatic winner. Essentially, boiling a pot of water, seasoning it with garlic, and then adding onions and sushi rice will serve as the base of the dish, torn or shredded chicken complete it.

Japchae – This is one of the most popular Korean dishes on the planet. Whether you're in the country or visiting the local Korean market, Japchae is what many people refer to as the signature Korean dish. Simply put, Japchae is a dish made up of stir-fried noodles and usually adds some heat to the flavor profile. Unlike Chinese stir fry that many people order on the go or cook at home, this alternative is never bland and is bursting with sweet and spicy flavors.

Kimchi – One can’t discuss Korean cuisine without mentioning the country’s national dish. Kimchi is fermented cabbage with some serious heat to it. The word “fermented” frightens some folks but remember: we eat a ton of fermented foods in the U.S. every single day – cheese, yogurt, and bread are the best examples. Kimchi is coated meticulously with a spicy mixture of hot pepper flakes, garlic, onion, pear juice, and more secret (or at least varied) ingredients. Most Koreans allow the cabbage to sit for two to three days prior to consumption, but after the spice mixture as been applied, the product can be consumed immediately.

Mixed Riced – In Korea, this dish is known as Bibimbap and consists of rice topped with a sunny side up egg. The dish is usually served with a spicy sauce made from gochujang, a hot pepper paste. If you thought habanero was spicy, this stuff will knock your socks off. In Korean, “bibim” means mixed, and “bap” means rice, which is fitting for the ingredients and preparation of the dish. All of the ingredients are served at room temperature over the hot steamed rice with an egg prepared on top for good measure.

Bulgogi – Also known as beef BBQ, this Korean dish is one that you have to try -- and, in fact, many of us already have. In fact, Bulgogi is probably one the most sampled Korean dishes in American-based Korean restaurants today due to its versatility. It can be made into a stew or served off the grill or hot plates. Most of our restaurants will make Bulgogi part of a western style sandwich, similar to a pulled pork, but with marinated beef in place of the pork. However you slice it, it's a must-try.

Whether it's an exotic twist on the kind of meal you know and love or something entirely new and different, these dishes will give you a place to start next time you see an enticing restaurant on an empty belly. Or go to http://www.bentocafesushi.com and plan a little food travel excursion for your next outing.

Matthew Hall is a freelance writer and professional student who offers articles and insights into the foods and cultures he's come across, at home and abroad.

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Sunday, May 10, 2015  No comment

Singapore Changi Airport is the Best in the World

Changi Airport

The Changi Airport in Singapore gets "Best Airport in the World" title again - three times in-a-row.

Changi Airport has earned the World's Best Airport title at the annual SkyTrax World Airport Awards, which were announced Wednesday in Paris.

"It is a great honor to be named World's Best Airport by SkyTrax for the third year running," airport CEO Lee Seow Hiang told SkyTrax. "This recognition is particularly pleasing for us as it comes at a time of transformation at Changi Airport."

According to Wikipedia:

The airport, operated by the Changi Airport Group, is the home base of Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, SilkAir, Scoot, Tigerair and Jetstar Asia Airways. As of December 2014, Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines operating 6,500 weekly flights connecting Singapore to 300 cities in about 80 countries and territories worldwide.[4] An important contributor to the economy of Singapore, more than 40,000 people are employed at the airport, which accounts for about 6% of the country's GDP.

Additionally, Changi also won the award for best airport for leisure activities.  You definitely want to plan for an extra long connect time when you fly through Singapore.  An airport such as Changi can be a tourist destination by itself, seriously.

Just name a few of attractions you will see at this marvelous airport, make you wish your local airport learn a thing or two.  There is a butterfly garden with 1,000 free roaming butterflies which is also great opportunity to snap photos.  You will also find a movie theater that operates 24 hours a day.  For the young ones, there is the tallest indoor slide inside the airport.  Best of all, all these attractions are free for all.

If you decided to stay around the airport for a night, don't forget to check out Crowne Plaza Changi which just won the best airport hotel in the world title.

Incheon Airport

Incheon International Airport near Seoul has secured the 2nd spot for the beset airport in the world list, also for the third year running.

Here are the top 10 airports in the world.  It's very sad to see that not a single airport from the U.S. made to the top 10 list.  In fact, 6 of the top 10 are from Asian countries, and the other 4 are from western Europe:

1. Singapore Changi Airport

2. Incheon International Airport

3. Munich Airport

4. Hong Kong International Airport

5. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)

6. Zurich Airport

7. Central Japan International Airport

8. London Heathrow Airport

9. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

10. Beijing Capital International Airport

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Friday, March 13, 2015  No comment

Macau(Macao) is the Biggest Casino City in the World

Not many people know that Las Vesgas has lost "the World's Biggest Casino City" title a while back.  Now the capital of the casino world is in the Far East.  Macau or Macao as pronounced sometimes is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Hong Kong.

It's hard to imagine that the total gambling revenues in Macau are expected to topped $40 billion in 2013, more than six times that of the Las Vegas Strip.  That revenue came primarily from 35 casinos operating in Macau, featuring a total of 5,746 gaming tables and 15,310 slot machines.

Not only that; Macau is still growing at a fast pace compared to Las Vegas which is suffering from declining visitors and revenues.

The city has long been a top destination in Asia for the folks who love to take chances with their money and enjoys fantastic shows and night life.  But now it is attracting all sorts of travelers from all over the world, and the city has been going through unbelievable mega construction boom.

A great number of Chinese people do love gambling but it is actually illegal in China. So Macau attracts a huge number of Chinese tourists as well to enjoy legal gambling in the city.

Most of big american corporations with casino business in Las Vegas have now settled in Macau seeing the profit potential of the city.

In 2006, Steve Wynn, who led a revival of Las Vegas in the nineteen-nineties, opened a casino in Macau; he makes more than two-thirds of his global profits there. He is learning to speak Chinese, and he talks about moving his corporate headquarters to Macau. “We’re really a Chinese company now, not an American company,” he has said.

Another great thing about the city is that it is pretty safe; safer than China in general.  Most frequent type of crime is petty theft and pick pocketing so you should still apply standard common sense when roaming the streets of the city.

In recent years, many of the casinos in Macau has shifted their prime target audience from high rollers to more balanced mix of customers including middle-class families.  Which translated to more high-end shopping malls, elaborate stage shows and great restaurants for a cheap eats.

Photo by Mimihitam (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Top 5 Casinos in Macau

• The Asian experience: Galaxy
• The original: Grand Lisboa
• The connoisseur: City Of Dreams
• The big one: Venetian Macao Resort Hotel
• The boutique: Wynn Macau

Top Rated Hotel Deals in Macau - See it Now

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Saturday, March 22, 2014  No comment

Adventure into the Ancient World - Zhangjiajie National Park

There is old saying in China, "How could a man be considered old even at 100 if he has not been to Zhangjiajie".  Also, known to be the inspiration of the mega-blockbuster 3D movie, Avatar, the region truly seem to belong to another world or planet.

Zhangjiajie is one-of-a-kind national forest park located in northern Hunan Province of China.  It is one of several national parks within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which is one of the largest park system in the world at 153.3 square miles.  You should plan to stay 4-5 days if you want to explore the parks in its full glory.

The pillar-like geographic formation throughout the park that is so unique and provides surreal view for the visitors.  In 2004, Zhangjiajie Geopark was was registered as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Back in 2011, China has construct the world's scariest and probably the highest walkway off of the cliff at 4,000ft above the ground (4,700ft above sea level).  It's definitely not for faint-hearted tourists as the path is made out of glass for both the bottom and side.  You will feel like you are really walking in the sky.

Unlike some of the largest national parks in the U.S., Chinese government has really taken many extra steps to allow the tourists to get closer into the center of this magnificent mountains.  Various parts of the mountains are accessible via cable cars, vehicles, stairs, hiking trails, elevators and bridges.

Beside the mountains, there are plenty of other attractions in the area such as Phoenix Ancient City, Huangshi Village, Charming Xiangxi Teatre and Zhangjiajie Zixia Temple (pictured below)

Traveling to the mountains is surprisingly not as difficult as you might think. Transportation in and around Zhangjiajie is very convenient. with highways and smaller roads extending in all directions. Newly built roads connect the city center to a number of scenic areas, making travel by car very convenient.

Furthermore, train routes connect all the way to Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhanjiang, Changsha and Wuxi. The newly expanded Zhangjiajie Lotus Airport has seen about 20 different airlines with routes to Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, Changsha, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, and Thailand.

Check out more photos at this travel blog site

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014  No comment

Street Food 101 in Seoul Korea

Korean cuisine and street food, especially, are some of the best in the world.  Some are spicy but the vast majority of the food are not that spicy surprisingly, but they sure are quite addictive once you try them.

If you have been to Seoul already, you probably have noticed that foods are practically everywhere.  You really don't have to worry about going hungry unless you are afraid of trying something new.

Here are the most popular street food in Korea that you will surely encounter during your visit to Korea.

Ddukbboki pictured above is by far the most street food in Korea.  It's basically soft and chewy ricecake, fish cake with vareity of other vegetables and noodles (it varies place to place) cooked in traditional Korean hot pepper and paste.

It is almost always quite spicy, but there are less spicy versions often found nowadays, usually cooked in fusion style with seafood, cheese and so on.

Boong-uh-bbang or fish shaped bread is another all time favorite by the young and old alike.  It is traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste, but then again, you will find many new fusion style filled with totally different filling such as hams or Korean style salad.

It's definitely more popular during colder season since they are served hot right off of the specially made metal plate.  It does a double duty as a hand warmer while you are eating it.

Odeng Ggochi (fish cake on a stick).  There is nothing better than a couple odeng sticks with a cup of hot soup on a cold day on the streets of Seoul.  If you haven't tried this yet, you are missing out.

Most of street food (I would say more than 90% with confidence) in Seoul is made with common ingredients so they should not be offensive to people from outside of Korea.   So venture out and try them especially if you see a lot of locals eating them.

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Monday, February 10, 2014  No comment

Experience the Magic of Nature at Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan

Yeliu is a cape of about 1,700 meters long formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea. When overlooked from above, the place is like a giant turtle submerging into the sea. Thus, it is also called "Yeliu Turtle".

"The Queen's Head" pictured above is one of the representative piece of art carved by the nature, it resembles a queen of ancient civilization.

There are many other amazing figures at the park such as Bean Curd, Dragon Head, Elephant Rocks, Beehive and Fairy Shoe along with many other artistically carved potholes.

Some of the rocks look similar to the ones at Arches National Park in Utah, but the process behind creating such a display was quiet different.  These rocks at Yehliu were formed as geological forces pushed Datun Mountain out of the ocean.

The place is also suitable for geological study and field research.  You can also visit a marine world in Yeliu. It is the first marine center in the country for exhibition of ocean evolution. It has the best sightseeing tunnel under sea, showing about 200 rare fish species and marine lives.

There are excellent shows of whales, dolphins and seals, such as diving, ballet on water and other talent shows. There is a stadium with 3,500 seats. On holidays, the place attracts many visitors for the show. When you visit Yeliu, don't forget to visit sea world and feel the marine wanders.

Yehliu Geopark is easily accessible from Taipei; it takes about one hour of ride on a bus from Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A.

If  you want to learn more about Yeh Liu Geopark, check out the official website.

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Wednesday, February 05, 2014  No comment

Nha Trang, Vietnam - The Naples of the East

Nha Trang in Vietnam is a coastal city and capital of  Khánh Hòa Province located in the southern part of Vietnam.  It's has also earned a nickname, "The Naples of the East"

Nha Trang is well known for its beautiful emerald colored beaches and scuba diving.  It has been getting much more attention in recent years as the top destination for international tourists, attracting large numbers of backpackers, as well as more affluent travelers.

The clear water and fine sands are favoured by most beach goers as well as the welcoming mild temperature that stays year around.  Tran Phu Street along the seaside is also know as "the Pacific Coast Highway".  It is definitely the most beautiful street in the region.

The nightlife in Nha Trang is somewhat limited, which could be a good thing for families traveling with kids or or travelers who want to enjoy the natural setting at its finest.  You won't be seeing clubs and party-goers that tends to bring in more crimes.

Festivals

As the popularity of the city grows, the festivals are getting more crowds.  There are fantastic festivals hosted at the city through out the year, starting with "Tet Festival" in February.  It is to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and is one of the biggest event in town.

Po Nagar Festival is held in April when the locals pay tribute to the spirit of the Holy Mother of Nabar.  "Whale Festival" also occurs in April with variety of activities and ceremonies.

One of the most popular festival is Che Ngo Festival in November where you can enjoy the fireworks, boat races and street processions along with many other outdoor activities.

Lastly, Sea Festival in Nha Trang is probably the most anticipated events for the locals and travelers alike, but it is held biennially. It was a hugely successful event for 2013, and the next one is planned for 2015.  Ths city has also been approved to host the 2016 Asian Beach Games.  Comeback soon the read more about upcoming news and events in Vietnam!

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Tuesday, February 04, 2014  No comment