Ha Long Bay

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

• Area: 330,991 square kilometers
• Population: 85 million

Geography

Vietnam is located on the eastern seaboard of the Indochina peninsula, sharing common borders with China in the north, and Laos and Cambodia in the west. To the east and south lies the East Sea. Mountains and hills cover four fifths of Vietnam’s territorry with the Truong Son range stretching over 1,400km. Mount Fansipan (3,142m) is the highest peak on mainland Southeast Asia.

The most populated areas in Vietnam are the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta, which form around Vietnam’s two largest rivers. Vietnam’s 3,444 km coastline features beautiful beaches like Tra Co, Lang Co, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Ha Tien. National parks include Ba Vi, Cat Ba, and Cuc Phuong in the north, Ke Bang, Bach Ma in the center, and Cat Tien in the south.

Resources

Minerals: coal, iron aluminum, tin, and oil. Agricultural and forestry products: rice, maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, rubber, lacquer, coffee, tea, tobacco, cotton, coconut, sugar cane, jute, and tropical fruit.

Climate

Vietnam’s climate varies a great deal from north to south. Northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. In the north, summers are hot, while winters are cool and misty. Southern Vietnam is hot year-round, with temperatures typically varying by just three degrees Celcius. Tropical monsoons occur from May to October in the north and south, and from September to January in the center.

Administrative Divisions

Vietnam has 64 provinces, including five municipalities; Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Can Tho, and Danang.

History

Vietnam’s history can roughly be divided into the following periods:

- Pre-history: From circa 400,000 years (Palaeolithic) to 4,000 years (Neolithic) ago, cultures in the area included Son Vi, Hoa Binh, Bac Son, Ha Long, and Hoa Loc.

- Proto-history: According to legends, Vietnam originated in the seventh century BC when the Hung Kings founded Van Lang. In the third century BC, King An Duong Vuong named founded Au Lac and ruled until 179 B.C.

- Chinese Occupation: Vietnam was occupied by China from the first to the tenth century A.D.

- Monarchy: Kings ruled the area from 968 to 1945.

- Independence: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was founded after the 1945 revolution, when President Ho Chi Minh declared independence.

- French War: Vietnam battled French colonialism from 1858 to the August Revolution in 1945, and from 1946 to the victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

- American War: Vietnam fought America from 1954 to Ho Chi Minh victory on April 30, 1975.

- From 1975 until now; Vietnam has been working towards development and success.

Ethnic Groups

There are 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. The Viet (of Kinh) people account for 88% of Vietnam’s population and are mostly concentrated in the lowlands. Most of the country’s 5.5 million ethnic minority peoples live in mountainous areas. Major groups include the Tay (960,000 people); the Nung (152,000 people); the Thai (770,000 people); the Muong (700,000 people); the H’mong (441,000 people); the Dao (340,000 people); the Hoa (930,000 people); the Khmer (720,000 people); the Bana (100,000 people); the Giarai (184,000 people); and the Ede (140,000 people).

Religions

Major spiritual influences in Vietnam include Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and native religions (Ancestor, Mother Goddess Worship), Christianity arrived in the late 18th century and now has the second largest religious following, after Buddhism. Other religions practiced include Islam and Cao Dai, with higher concentrations in the South.

Vietnamese Languages and Scripts

More than 80% of the population speak Vietnamese (or Kinh), the national language. Ethnic minorities have native languages. Three scripts have influenced Vietnam’s history:

- Han (Chinese) ideograms were used until the beginning of the 20th century.

- The Nom script, created between the 11th and 14th centuries, is based on the Han script.

- European missionaries in the 17th century used Roman alphabet to record the Vietnamese language and created Quoc Ngu script. After independence in 1945, Quoc Ngu was developed and used as the official national language.

Business Hours

Government offices and museums open early, around 8am, and close between 4pm and 5pm. Avoid doing business from 11:30am to 2pm, when many people are either at lunch or napping.

Currency

The currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND), which currently trades at about VND 19,000 to the US dollar. US dollars remain widely accepted at hotels, but you should have local currency for us in taxis and shops. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants, and shops in big cities. For cash advances, usually at a rate of three percent commission. Some travel cafes provide cash advances at higher rates, their advantage being that they stay open late and on weekends. ANZ and Vietcombank have ATM machines that dispense only dong. Do not accept torn or soiled bills as you may have trouble spending them.

Electricity

Vietnam uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are often US-style flat pins. In the North, many outlets fit round pins. As the electrical current varies, use a surge protector when running sensitive electronic equipment like laptops.

Hotels & Registration

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Vietnam’s major cities, Hanoi and HCM City feature a choice of five-star hotels, while guesthouses and mini-hotels offer no-frills rooms for around US $30. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police, you’ll be expected to hand over your passport.

Safety

While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents, and credit cards in your hotel’s safe. Beware of pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and mobile phone thieves, especially in HCM City. If you choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, by law you must wear a helmet.

Telecommunications

Many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees. Check the rates before dialing. One long-distance service offers a flat fee of around US $0.75 per minute to 50 countries. Public phones require phone cards, which are available at post offices. Faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers or post offices. Hanoi and HCMC also offer dozens of internet cafes.

Visas

Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days. Should you wish to extend your visa, go to the immigration office at 40A Hang Bai St. in Hanoi. Many tour operators can also extend your visa for a fee.

Price Guide

In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to start, we suggest the following prices:

Transporation:

• Xe om (motorbike taxi): 10,000 VND/km
• Public bus cost 3,000 VND/ride

Grooming:

• Shoeshine: 5,000 VND/pair
• Hairwash: 15,000 VND
• Street haircut: 6,000-10,000 VND
• Street-side laundry: 3,000 VND/item

Food:

• Pho (beef noodle soup): 20,000 VND/bowl
• Plain baguette: 2,000 VND/loaf
• Bananas: 1,000 VND/each

Rain Gear

• Plastic rain poncho: 3,000 VND for thin one
• Plastic rain poncho: 30,000 VND for thick one

Key Contacts (Phone Numbers)

• Exit code: 84
• Operator: 110
• Police: 113
• Fire: 114
• Enquiries: 116
• Information: 1080
• Info center: 1081
• Medical aid: 115

Source: Heritage, February 2010

Inside Phong Nha cave entrance

Overlooking Quan Ba, Ha Giang

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) night lights

Ben Thanh Market at night with neon lights

This is a 7-days photography adventure designed to cover a variety of photography subjects. We will be shooting at fishing village, traditional culture village, old temples, sand dunes, lakes, street-life, daily-life, portraits and even models. This is an adventure and workshop in photography conducted to ensure participants come away with great photography skills and knowledge as well as having a fun and exciting time learning new culture and interacting with ordinary people here in Vietnam. There will be two local professional photographers accommodating the group and will share tips, photography skills and experiences throughout the whole trip. Come and join us for a fun and exciting photography experiences in Vietnam.

At a Glance:

Dates: Jan 4-10, 2010

Durations: 7 days

Cost: $450 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Markets, Rural villages, Fishing village, Old temples, Sand dunes, Landscape, Night scenes and Models in traditional Ao Dai dress.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

Itinerary:

Day 3: Long Hai Fishing Village & Long Son Commune
- Photography at a busy fishing market right on the beach
- Long Son commune is an ancient village and temple

Day 4 & 5: Mui Ne & Phan Thiet (4 hours transportation from HCMC)
- White sand dunes and lotus ponds
- Sunrise & sunset landscapes including dunes and beach
- Daily-life and Hoa Thanh fishing village
- Overnight in Phan Thiet

Long Hai busy fishing village and market

Ox carts at work transporting fish to market

An elderly man at Long Son commune

]]> http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/hcmc-longhai-longson-muine-phanthiet/feed/ 0 http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/mekong-delta-my-tho-ben-tre-can-tho/ http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/mekong-delta-my-tho-ben-tre-can-tho/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:12:25 +0000 Peter http://vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/?p=74

Fruit vendors on boats at floating market

This is a 7-days photography adventure designed to cover a variety of photography subjects. We will be shooting mostly in the Mekong Delta region covering; My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho. We will be shooting floating markets, traditional villages, street-life, daily-life on the riverside, ethnic minorities and portraits. This is an adventure and workshop in photography conducted to ensure participants come away with great photography skills and knowledge as well as having a fun and exciting time learning new culture and interacting with ordinary people here in Vietnam. There will be two local professional photographers accommodating the group and will share tips, photography skills and experiences throughout the whole trip. Come and join us for a fun and exciting photography experiences in Vietnam.

At a Glance:

Dates: March 8-14, 2010

Durations: 7 days

Cost: $450 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Floating market, Rural villages, Fishing village, Daily-life on riverside, Ethnic minority and Street life portraits.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

Itinerary:

A young ethnic minority girl in Ha Giang

This is a 7-days photography adventure designed to cover Ha Giang Province and the Northeast regions. We will be shooting at traditional culture village, ethnic minority villages, mountains landscapes, rice paddies, ethnic minority markets, daily-life and portraits. This is an adventure and workshop in photography conducted to ensure participants come away with great photography skills and knowledge as well as having a fun and exciting time learning new culture and interacting with ordinary people here in Vietnam. There will be two local professional photographers accommodating the group and will share tips, photography skills and experiences throughout the whole trip. Come and join us for a fun and exciting photography experiences in Vietnam.

At a Glance:

Dates: Oct 14-20, 2010

Durations: 7 days

Cost: $600 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Ethnic minority markets, Rural villages, Landscape, Rice paddies and Terrace, Daily life and Ethnic minority portraits.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

Itinerary:

A gorgeous view of Quan Ba, Ha Giang

An ethnic minority woman at market

An ethnic minority girl at water well in Ha Giang

Champa ethnic minority Kate festival

This is a 2-days photography adventure designed to cover a variety of photography subjects. We will be shooting at fishing village, traditional culture village, old temples, sand dunes, lakes, street-life, daily-life, portraits and even models. This is an adventure and workshop in photography conducted to ensure participants come away with great photography skills and knowledge as well as having a fun and exciting time learning new culture and interacting with ordinary people here in Vietnam. There will be two local professional photographers accommodating the group and will share tips, photography skills and experiences throughout the whole trip. Come and join us for a fun and exciting photography experiences in Vietnam.

At a Glance:

Durations: 3 days

Cost: $250 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Markets, Rural villages, Fishing village, Old temples, Sand dunes, Landscape, Night scenes and Models in traditional Ao Dai dress.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

An ethnic minority woman with black teeth

]]> http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/champa-ethnic-minority-kate-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/ho-chi-minh-city-dalat-province-dai-ninh-lake-phuoc-hai-fishing-village-long-son-commune/ http://www.vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/2010/02/ho-chi-minh-city-dalat-province-dai-ninh-lake-phuoc-hai-fishing-village-long-son-commune/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:20:32 +0000 Peter http://vietnamphotoadventures.com/blog/?p=750

Fishemen untangle fish net, Phuoc Hai

This is a 7-days photography adventure designed to cover a variety of photography subjects. We will be shooting at fishing village, traditional culture village, old temples, lakes, street-life, daily-life, portraits and even models. This is an adventure and workshop in photography conducted to ensure participants come away with great photography skills and knowledge as well as having a fun and exciting time learning new culture and interacting with ordinary people here in Vietnam. There will be two local professional photographers accommodating the group and will share tips, photography skills and experiences throughout the whole trip. Come and join us for a fun and exciting photography experiences in Vietnam.

At a Glance:

Dates: June 12-18, 2010

Durations: 7 days

Cost: $450 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Markets, Rural villages, Fishing village, Old temples, Sand dunes, Landscape, Night scenes and Models in traditional Ao Dai dress.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

Itinerary:

Day 3: Phuoc Hai Fishing Village & Long Son Commune
- Photography at a busy fishing market right on the beach
- Long Son commune is an ancient village and temple

Day 4 & 5: Dalat Province and Dai Ninh Lakes (6 hours transportation from HCMC)
- Ethnic minority villages
- Landscape of highland city, hills and vegetable terrace
- Lake with the dried dead trees submerse in water, fishing boat and fishermen casting nets
- Traditional Ethnic Gong performance, music and dancing with flames on top of Lang Biang mount overlooking Dalat
- La Nga floating village scenery

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
- Architecture photos of ancient church and museums
- Ben Thanh market
- Shopping and free time

Ethinic minority dancers performing Gong dance

A serene view of Dai Ninh lake in early morning mist

Sunrise on rice field with coconuts trees in Chau Doc

This is a 7-days photography adventure designed and concentrating on the southern region of Vietnam. We will start from Ho Chi Minh City and travel to Chau Doc Province where opportunities for gorgeous landscapes, rice paddies, ethnic minorities and traditional villages. Making our ways toward exotic Ha Tien and its landscapes, going further to southern-most tip of Vietnam to the city of Ca Mau and take a quick flight to fabulous Phu Quoc Island for clean pristine beach and coast line with gorgeous landscapes and wonderful seafoods.

At a Glance:

Dates: May 10-16, 2010

Durations: 7 days

Cost: $600 USD / per person

Participants: Limited to 15-16 persons per trip

Highlights: Markets, Rural villages, Fishing village, Old temples, Sand dunes, Landscape, Night scenes and Models in traditional Ao Dai dress.

We arrange all needed models, fishermen, locals to ensure great photographs and interactions.

Free T-shirt, hat and souvenirs for all participants.

* Cost includes: All in-country travels, twin-sharing rooms, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and entry fees. Single rooms are available with an additional single supplement fee.

* Cost does not includes: International flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, laundry fees, etc…

Tour Leaders:

Peter Pham and Hai Nguyen (Haipiano) will be available throughout the trip to share photography experiences as well as making sure everything goes smoothly. In other remote locations, we also invite local professional photographers to join the group and share their experiences and be our special guide in their area.

Accommodation & Transportation:

Hotel (3 stars), twin sharing, free internet at hotel. We provide comfortable air-conditioned bus and an English speaking guide. Free pickup at the airport and free transportation to airport for departure. Enjoy local specialty food such as rice, noodles and seafood. Upon request, we can accommodate special needs (ex: vegetarians, religious needs).

Itinerary:

Farmer and child with cows on golden rice field, Chau Doc

A young monk walking with alm, Chau Doc

Golden rice field in Chau Doc

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