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Destination Guide: Vietnam |
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Welcome to Vietnam!
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Welcome to Vietnam, South East Asia’s recently discovered jewel in the crown. With
2000km of emerald sea coastline, picture-perfect rural life, endless rice fields
amid stunning mountain ranges, it’s not hard to see why Vietnam was voted one of
the top ten countries for tourism and travel development between now and 2016.*
Vietnam is all that and more, and goQTT will open the door for you to meet some
of the friendliest people on the planet, visit exciting modern cites and ancient
cultural sites, and travel in a safe and comfortable manner. Come join us to unravel
the mysteries and hidden natural beauties of this vibrant country.
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* Research from the World Tourism and Travel Council in cooperation with the Oxford
Economic Forecasting predicts Vietnam will be one of the top ten countries for tourism
and travel development from 2007 to 2016.
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Central Highlands
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The Central Highlands or Tay Nguyen as they are known to the Vietnamese, located in the Southern part of the country, have been more protected from the onslaught of Western tourists due to their inaccessibility in the past. Apart from Lam Dong province (where Dalat is), the highlands were closed off to foreigners until 1992. Today, with modern roads and airports in Dalat and Buon Ma Thuot, a trip to the Central highlands offers some of the most beautiful sweeping mountain and valley vistas, cooler climates, natural waterfalls, huge forest reserves and many ethnic minority groups.
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Dalat
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Nestled high in the cool alpine mountains is Dalat; full of meandering cobblestone streets and alleyways, cool cafes, flower gardens and markets overflowing with the country’s freshest farmed produce, especially strawberries. Local wine is also available. Dalat and its evergreen environs, at around 1500 m altitude, have many cultural and architectural attractions from its glory days as a cool retreat for elite French (established in 1897). It was even dubbed “Le Petit Paris” in its heyday and a replica of the Eiffel Tower still stands behind the main post office. Old villas inhabit the town’s outskirts and you can choose to stay at the grand old Hotel Sofitel Dalat Palace, sitting above the town’s poetic Xuan Huong Lake where lovers congregate at dusk. |
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Other sites worth visiting are the Cremaillere, an old railway station with steam trains on display, former Emperor Bao Dai’s summer palace, and Dalat University, South-east Asia’s biggest campus overflowing with pine trees and beautiful flower gardens. If you’re an art admirer, stop by the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda, where you’ll meet Mr Vien Thuc, an artist-poet and monk who’s churned out a huge collection of art. Dalat, unlike other parts of the Central Highlands, is heavily visited by both domestic and foreign tourists and for the Vietnamese, it’s the country’s romantic and kitsch capital, as you’ll see if you visit the Valley of Love! The city is also the gateway to a number of beautiful waterfalls. |
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Buon Ma Thuot - Pleiku
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Buon Ma Thuot is not really a tourist hotspot but the region offers many attractions. Buon Ma Thuot is the capital of Dak Lak province, famous for its coffee plantations. The government even has plans to promote Buon Ma Thuot as the country’s coffee Mecca, attracting more domestic tourism to the region. The major appeal of this region are the ethnic minority groups, mainly M’nong and Ede who live around Lak Lake. Although very touristy, you’ll have the chance to stay in a longhouse, go elephant trekking, or watch traditional music performances. A number of waterfalls are located close to Buon Ma Thuot including Dray Sap Falls, which make a nice morning or afternoon trip. |
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Further out is Yok Don National Park, which was once inhabited by wild tigers and elephants. The park is great for forest trekking and the local M’nong people provide organized elephant rides but don’t expect to see any wild animals! If you want to travel even further into the highlands, head north towards the towns of Pleiku and Kontum. The surrounding areas offer more opportunities for wild nature and trekking, and are inhabited by many ethnic minority villages, mainly the Bahnar, J’rai and Sedang groups. |
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When to Go
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The cooler climate of the Central Highlands offers a breather to those overwhelmed by the heat of Ho Chi Minh City. The fresh weather is great for trekking, playing golf or snuggling up in a romantic café. Generally the climate is temperate and days are warm, but some areas can be cold in winter (Dec - Feb), especially at night. Temperatures range from 15 - 18°C in the Central Highlands, colder still in the northern parts, and intermittent rain falls between May and November.
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goQTT Tips
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- Enjoy a game of golf at Vietnam’s oldest and grandest golf course, then have lunch or dinner at the colonial clubhouse
- Visit one of the man-made elaborate gardens on the outskirts of Dalat, such as the Valley of Love or the Golden Valley
- Go trekking in some of the wild forests of the Central highlands or take a peaceful bicycle ride around the alpine hills of Dalat
- Stay overnight in a traditional long house in Lak Lake, an area inhabited by M’nong and Ede minority villages
- Enjoy cool café culture at one of Buon Ma Thuot or Dalat’s exquisite coffee shops - coffee drinking is nothing short of art form in Vietnam
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