Adventure Guide: Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia (Hunter Travel Guides)

344 Pages·2006·10.87 MB·English

by  Janet Arrowood

dventure
Guide
Elephant rides, exotic jungles, warm and friendly people, fab-
ulous food – experiences that will last a lifetime. The author knows
Southeast Asia intimately. She shows you the best ways to experience
every part of it.
Canoe on historic lakes, kayak the South China Sea, snorkel its pris-
tine waters, see some of the largest waterfalls in the world, visit un- ddvveennttuurreeGGuuiiddee
touched islands, trek to the hill-tribe areas, collect ethnic art, wander
through the food and craft markets, explore the ancient teak forests.
Visit the Chinese border of Vietnam to watch the trading hubbub, see
Hanoi and the remnants of its Colonial past, rent a bicycle to explore
the old city and the French Quarter. The author shows you how.
In Hué the imperial temples along the Perfume River will never
leave your memory.
Laos & Cambodia, almost undiscovered by Westerners, are lands of
stunning scenery, raging rivers, fantastic food. Phnom Penh, with
its Silver Pagoda, is here. Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, is among the
greatest ancient temple complexes in the world. The national parks
are home to tigers, leopards and other exotic wildlife. We provide de-
tailed information on what to see, where to stay, what to eat, and
where to find it.
The author shows you how to delve into this region more deeply than
most travelers know how to do – seeing the people and places close-up,
through walks, river trips and other adventures, both cultural and
physical.
Filled with practical advice on when to go, transportation, currency,
climate, history, business hours, medical care, banking, staying safe.
Life is an adventure – let Hunter be your guide!
Sightseeing Art & Architecture Detailed Maps
Food & Wine Walking & Biking Where to Stay
History & Culture Restaurants Shopping
Hunter Publishing, Inc. ISBN 1-5843-520-2 Vietnam, Laos
130 Campus Drive
Edison NJ 08818
&
Printed on recycled paper Cambodia
US $19.99 9 781588 435200 5 1 9 9 9
Janet Arrowood
www.hun te rpub l i s h i ng . com HUNTER
Vietnam, Laos
&
Cambodia
dventure Guide
Vietnam, Laos
&
Cambodia
Janet Arrowood
HUNTER
HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC,
130 Campus Drive, Edison, NJ 08818
% 732-225-1900; 800-255-0343; fax [phone]
www.hunterpublishing.com
Ulysses Travel Publications
4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec
Canada H2W 2M5
% 514-843-9882, ext. 2232; fax [phone]
Windsor Books
The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington
Oxford, OX44 9EJ England
% 01865-361122; fax [phone]
ISBN 1-58843-520-2
© 2006 Hunter Publishing, Inc.
Manufactured in the United States of America
This and other Hunter travel guides are also available as e-books
through Amazon.com, NetLibrary.com, EBSCO and other digital part-
ners. For more information, e-mail us at
v n Contents
Contents
Introduction 1
The Recent Past 2
The Land 3
Why Come Here? 4
Cautions & Advice 6
Customs, Immigration & Visas 12
Vietnamese Embassies in 12
Great Britain 12
Australia 12
Canada 12
United States 12
Foreign Embassies in Vietnam 13
Cambodian Embassies in 13
United States 13
France 14
Australia 14
Foreign Embassies in Cambodia 14
Laotian Embassies in 14
Australia 14
United States 15
Foreign Embassies in Laos 15
Visas 15
Immigration & Customs 16
Departure Taxes 17
Electrical Appliances 17
Opening Hours 18
Money Matters 18
Laundry 19
Booking Tours 19
Health Considerations 23
Getting There 30
Getting Around 30
The Weather 31
What to Pack 31
What to Wear/Take on the Flight 32
What to Pack 33
Selecting Your Accommodations 35
Dining Out 38
Overview – Vietnam 39
About the Country 39
Fast Facts 40
Touring 41
Suggested Itineraries 44
Contents n vi
Highlights 46
History 47
Customs & Culture 51
Geography & Land 51
Climate 52
Flora & Fauna 52
Government & Economy 52
Lifestyles 53
Food Basics 55
Clothing & Costumes 56
Visas Requirements 56
Getting There 56
Overview – Laos 57
Fast Facts 59
Touring 60
Suggested Itineraries 60
Highlights 61
Customs & Culture 63
Basic History 64
Visas Requirements 67
Getting There 68
Religion 71
Arts & Crafts 72
Museums 73
Lifestyles 73
Food 74
Clothing & Costumes 75
Overview – Cambodia 75
The Democratic Republic of Kampuchea 75
Fast Facts 77
Touring 78
Suggested Itineraries 78
Highlights 79
History 81
Food 84
People, Culture & Customs 85
Dance 86
The People 87
Religion 88
Language 89
The Sex Trade 89
The Adoption Racket 90
Visa Requirements 90
Getting There 90
Getting Around by Air 91
The Vietnam War 92
vii n Contents
Vietnam 97
Introduction 97
The Country at a Glance 97
Getting There & Around 100
Weather & When to Visit 103
The South 104
The Central Highlands 105
The Central Coast 105
Hanoi & The North 106
What to Take 107
Hotel Basics 108
Hanoi 108
History 108
Arrival 109
Where to Stay 111
Old Quarter 112
French Quarter 113
Where to Eat 114
Old Quarter 115
French Quarter 115
Markets & Supermarkets 116
Nightlife 117
Bars & Clubs 117
Shopping 117
Tours & Travels 119
Getting Around & Away 120
Short Haul 120
Long Haul 121
What to See & Do 121
Central Hanoi 121
Ho An Kiem Lake 122
The French Quarter 122
The Old Quarter 123
The West Side 124
Outside the Central Area 125
Useful Information 125
Airlines 125
Embassies & Consulates 126
Internet/Communications 126
Medical Facilities 126
Day-Trips from Hanoi 127
Halong Bay 127
Sapa & the Mountains (then off to China) 127
Where to Stay 128
Where to Eat 129
What to Do & See 129
Contents n viii
Lao Cai 130
The Red River Estuary & Delta 130
Leaving Hanoi 131
Hué 131
History 131
Getting There & Away 132
Getting Around 132
Where to Stay 133
Pre-Booked/Pre-Paid Hotel Options 133
General Hotel Options 133
Where to Eat 134
Nightlife 134
Shopping 135
Tours & Travels 135
What to See & Do 135
The Citadel 135
The Flag Tower 135
The Imperial City 135
Museums 137
Phu Cat 138
Nearby Sights 138
The Royal Tombs or Mausoleums 138
Useful Information 139
Airlines 139
Internet/Communications 139
Medical Facilities 139
Danang 139
History 139
Getting There & Away 140
Getting Around 140
Where to Stay 140
Pre-Booked/Pre-Pay Options 140
General Hotel Options 141
Where to Eat 142
Nightlife 142
Shopping 142
Tours & Travels 142
What to See & Do 142
The Cham Museum 143
The Coa Dai Temple 143
Day-Trips from Danang 143
The Beaches 143
Marble Mountains 143
Bach Ma National Park 143
Useful Information 144
Airlines 144
ix n Contents
Embassies & Consulates 144
Internet/Communications 144
Medical Facilities 144
Hoi An 145
History 145
Getting There & Away 145
Getting Around 145
Where to Stay 146
Pre-Book/Pre-Pay Options 146
General Hotel Options 146
Where to Eat 147
Nightlife 147
Shopping 147
Tours & Travels 148
What to See & Do 148
The Old City 148
Assembly Halls 149
Merchants’ Houses (Shophouses) 149
Museums 150
The Market 150
Day-Trips from Hoi An 150
My Son 150
Useful Information 151
Airlines 151
Embassies & Consulates 151
Internet/Communications 151
Nha Trang 152
History 152
Getting There & Away 152
Where to Stay 152
Pre-Book/Pre-Pay Options 152
General Options 154
Where to Eat 154
Nightlife 155
Shopping 155
Adventures on Water 155
Tours & Travels 155
Getting Around 156
What to See & Do 156
Islands 157
Useful Information 157
Airlines 157
Embassies & Consulates 157
Internet/Communications 157
Medical Facilities 157
Dalat & the Southern Highlands 158