/countries/show/vietnam/1.rss en-us The Da Lat Crazy House is unlike any “house” you’ve ever visited. A mix of Alice in Wonderland and Gaudi, the eccentric Da Lat Crazy House (officially named Hang Nga Guesthouse) is part hotel, part playground, and all imagination. It’s easy to get lost in Da Lat Crazy House’s labyrinth of winding staircases, twisted turrets, and artificial trees—not to mention how you forget entirely that you’re actually in Vietnam. A tribute to nature, Da Lat Crazy House blurs the line between natural and man-made, making up a maze of giant concrete trees with footbridges curling through sculpted branches. Add to this: oversized concrete toadstools, rope spider webs, and giant stone giraffes—along with real blooming flowers, leafy vines, and fishponds—and suddenly you’ve been transported to a fantasy land. Vietnamese architect Hang Nga first began building her Crazy House as a personal art project, but its unique design has made it a tourist attraction since it opened in 1990. Those with a love of the unusual can explore Da Lat Crazy House for a fee, or stay overnight in one of the individually designed guesthouse rooms—which are, unsurprisingly, unlike anything you’d find at the Holiday Inn. Each unevenly-shaped room is carefully decorated and named for its theme. In the Kangaroo Room, you’ll find yourself sleeping next to an oversized kangaroo statue with glowing red lights for eyes and a fireplace under its pouch. In the two-storey Pheasant Room, a colourful pheasant sculpture adorns the twisted staircase to the upper level, while natural light shines in through a large spiderweb-shaped skylight in the ceiling. Along with oddly-shaped beds that are built unique to each room, and lamps made from hollow gourds, guests can truly feel as though they’re sleeping inside a fairytale treehouse. In Vietnam, a country not necessarily known for its avant-garde architecture, Madame Hang Nga’s architectural designs have been met with criticism, at times even being called “anti-socialist” by Vietnamese critics. But Hang Nga is no stranger to politics. The daughter of Vietnam’s second president, Truong Chinh, she earned her PhD in architecture in Russia; and after designing projects for the state for years, decided to follow through with her dream of creating a villa inspired by nature. And within the walls of her concrete menagerie, there’s a good chance that you may come across the Da Lat Crazy House’s mastermind as she greets visitors at the reception desk. But the Da Lat Crazy House is not entirely out of place in its setting. The mountain town of Da Lat already boasts a healthy dose of kitsch. A longtime popular holiday destination for Vietnamese honeymooners and holidaymakers, Da Lat is a town where hotel facades are adorned with fake icicles to look like cartoon Swiss ski chalets. It’s a town where the “Valley of Love”—a theme park dedicated to romantic clichés like swan paddleboats and horse-and-buggy rides—is a main attraction. For centuries, Da Lat has been a popular getaway from the tropical heat of Ho Chi Minh City thanks to its temperate alpine climate and scenic mountain views. Also a haven for artists, the “City of Flowers” is so full of dimly-lit French restaurants that at times it can feel more like a village in the Alps than a town in the highlands of Vietnam. Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:18:24 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/da-lat-crazy-house http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/da-lat-crazy-house A trip to Vietnam is always a thought-provoking experience, and the country has a friendly relationship with most Western nations, but certainly a complex past history. An often surreal experience to be had in Vietnam is visiting the embalmed corpse of Ho Chi Minh, founding president of the People's Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was once an enemy of much of the developed world and a hero to the Communists as he led the Viet Cong to victory in the “Vietnam War” (called the “American War” within Vietnam). Despite the bloodshed associated with his name, Ho Chi Minh is nothing short of a national hero in Vietnam today. The city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon) bears his name, and he is affectionately known as “Uncle Ho” to many Vietnamese. Ho Chi Minh's embalmed corpse lies in state in a gray granite mausoleum in central Hanoi. In an ironic twist of fate, Ho Chi Minh had requested that his body be cremated after his death. He believed that cremation was more hygienic, and he wanted to preserve land for agricultural development rather than as an elaborate burial site. His request, obviously, was not followed, and the desire of the people to have their hero immortalized was stronger than Ho Chi Minh's wish for a simple burial. Tourists are permitted to view his corpse, which lies in a darkened room under a glass case in the center of the stone building. Entering the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a solemn event. Guards patrol the grounds, and tourists are strictly supervised as they walk slowly in silence through the building. Entering the dimly-lit room where Ho Chi Minh’s body lies is something of a rushed event, with guides pressuring tourists to walk through quickly. In the gloom of his tomb, walking past the striations in the glass case almost made the body seem to move, to turn his head slightly as the crowd of strangers filed past. Cool, piped-in air made the room feel like an underground cave. After the brief interlude of darkness, visitors plunge swiftly back into the light and air of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh first read the Declaration of Independence. The Hanoi today, which Uncle Ho could never have foreseen, is a whirlwind of activity, commercialization and rapid modernization. Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:56:24 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum Hue is one of the cultural centres of Vietnam, and at the core of its allure is the Bach Ma National Park. Located about 40 km south of the city, it was set up in the early nineties to protect wildlife and to regenerate some of the tropical rainforest that was lost during colonial times. The Bach Ma National Park is one of the most critical biospheres in Indochina, sheltering some 2,150 floral species and approximately 1,500 fauna species. In a quest to explore a more temperate and tranquil side of the Vietnamese countryside, I prepared to hike into Bach Ma National Park and search out the beautiful Rhododendron Falls. Setting out by motorbike, we were lead along our ride to Bach Ma by enormous mountains and tranquil ocean waters. The journey down was very enjoyable as the sun remained low in the sky and the seascape radiated with sensations of a remote and secluded retreat. The smell of saltwater and the sticky humidity slowly became more prevalent as the sun crawled its way higher into the sky. The road to Bach Ma National Park snakes its way up a mountain, bending with each switchback and giving clearer and clearer glimpses of the valley below. Near the base, where my driver and I parted ways, the humidity is thick and heavy as you begin your journey. At this point of the expedition, the top-passing waterfalls appear miniature. Around the 10 km mark, all of the moisture in the air seems to disappear and you have a revelation that out of nowhere you have just risen to a great height. The cool cleanliness of the air is a welcome contrast to the stuffiness so close behind, and the views over the valleys below are nothing short of amazing. The incline was manageable, not exactly something you could ride your bike up, but walking it slowly allowed you to hold a decent pace. Silence disappears as you approach the heart of Bach Ma National Park, and it is replaced with the buzzing of a lively rainforest. Swarms of wild animals and insects seemingly scream for your attention. In pursuit of spectacular views, I set out for the voluminous waterfall named Thac Do Quyen or Rhododendron Falls. Not easily visible from many locations, the only real way to get the unsurpassed view of Rhododendron Falls I desired was by descending to its base. Following well-marked paths that fluttered with purple winged butterflies, I embarked down a set of 689 slippery steps bound by rusted handrails. In the face of this awesome life force of nature, I edged out onto the lookout point (which I should clarify, could be more commonly associated with a protruding rock). The 300-metre descent produced a humbling sense of accomplishment and spectacular views of such an exquisite natural wonder. The water, glistening on the rocks and reflecting the bright sunlight, makes a beautiful scene to stop and admire as you rest on the warm stones beneath. It is possible to swim in some of the many pools of Rhododendron Falls, but as I found out from the rangers, it is best to be careful when doing this due to all the leeches. The crystal clear water is rather chilly but is refreshing, and a brisk dip is much deserved after the trek up the mountain. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:08:29 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/bach-ma-national-park http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/bach-ma-national-park Have you ever fallen in love? Not with a person, but a place for the feeling that you when you walk around it, agog in its unique beauty and fascinating people. How many times have you sat down to drink tea with a guy you met minutes earlier motorbiking down the street, who simply stopped to ask you where you were from? This is part of the fun and adventure of traveling in Hoi An, Vietnam. Once the bustling center for the silk and spice trade between the 15th and 19th century, the streets in the Old Town have remained preserved despite the wars that have forged on around them. Hoi An is a captivating place that transports you back in history, as you roam through it's charming architecture in Old Town. Shops are tightly aligned one after the other, creating a never-ending labyrinth of tailors and silk shops, enough to drive even the modest shopper to splurge into a spending spree! At night the roads in Old Town are closed off to motor traffic, providing a chance to stroll this maze of rural charm and wares worry free. You can spend countless hours wandering from store to store in search of the perfect place to get your quintessential souvenir, a traditional piece of clothing made of the finest silk by time honoured tailors. The canal that cuts through Hoi An is characteristic of an ancient oriental waterway spiced with some modern flairs, pleasing even the most particular of people with its wares. Balconies adorned with bright red, white, and yellow Chinese Lanterns will set your shopping path aglow both from above and from their watery reflection below, offering the perfect mood lighting for a night of exploration. It's hard to deny your appetite Hoi An. The food here is so simply delectable, that practically everywhere you look people are constantly snacking on something whether it be a bowl of Pho or a little baguette on the corner. Take a break from shopping and rest your feet as you enjoy a local Hoi An specialty dish called Lao Cau, a noodle dish mixed with pork, chicken, or beef, some fresh basil, oleander, raw onion, and an absolutely delicious sauce. Hoi An is a timeless town that you can spend weeks in and feel like you just arrived yesterday. It’s not hard to understand why Old Town Hoi An achieved the status of UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The town oozes culture and it is the perfect place to find your personally tailored piece of the Vietnamese culture to bring home with you. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:46:41 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hoi-an http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hoi-an Sa Pa is known as the place of four seasons; with spring in the morning, summer at midday, autumn at dusk, and winter at night, creating a wonderful climate that you'll undoubtedly love. Located in Lao Cai Province, northwest Vietnam, this small mountain town is home to many ethnic minorities such as the H'mong, Dao and Tay people. Along the rolling slopes of the paddy fields, the true beauty of this small town can be seen in the careful balance between land and life. As you wake in the morning and amble down to your breakfast, you can watch the sun rising over the eastern mountains, slowly burning off what is left of the clouds from the night before. In the distance you can begin to see the jagged mountaintops playing hide and seek through the clouds as they drift past, taunting you with what the day has to hold. As the allure becomes too much to bare, breakfast becomes a burden. Hurriedly swallowing what's left of your steaming green tea and Pho, you will become carried away in this playground for aspiring photographers. There is much charm to Sa Pa, most of which are simple pleasures. Numerous trails and paths guide you through pastoral villages and an abundance of natural marvels. As you trek down to the base of the Sa Pa valley, you literally become engulfed in beauty, as the slopes of the terraces soar above you on either side, webbed with small waterfalls carved into the mountains. The atmosphere is so calm and relaxed, that the terraces look as though they are mirrored steps to heaven waiting for you to climb. It is astounding to think of all the time and tradition that has been put into the creation of these exquisite terraces, you can’t help but admire the ingenuity that has gone into them. Another enchanting sight just outside of Sa Pa is the Thac Bac Waterfall, or the Silver Waterfall. Renting a motorcycle on a clear blue day and making your way along the small road that leads here, is as picturesque a drive as the waterfall itself. Repeated stops are required to capture the unhindered vistas of these vast surroundings. Rolling down intense grades makes you aware of how high up you are, and appreciate Sa Pa for what it is, a mountain town. About 12 km outside of Sa Pa and up a few mountains, you will find the beautiful Thac Bac Waterfall. Entrance fee is 5,000 Dong, the equivalent of ¢. 30 US. After scaling the concrete steps you will come upon three pristine waterfalls, cascading down from one to the other, creating a silky white mist that hangs over the entire rock face. Sitting under one of the newly constructed pavilions scattered along the waters edge of Thac Bac, you can take in the view in silent awe. Listening to the calming roar of the water as it washes over the rocks makes this an ideal spot for a small picnic to get away from civilization for a while. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:35:53 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/thac-bac http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/thac-bac A trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a strange, and in some ways, deeply emotional experience. Here the curious may crawl down the tiny tunnels that comb the jungle floor, watch animated mannequins reenact daily life during the Vietnam War, and examine some pretty brutal booby traps, oddly enough, all presented by cheerful and enthusiastic guides. Now a war memorial park, the 120 km long Cu Chi Tunnel network was once used by Vietcong fighters during the Vietnam War and functioned as the base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. Today, the museum recreates the living quarters, battle techniques, and hiding places that enabled the Vietcong forces to withstand years of battle with a technologically superior enemy. For Westerners, seeing the war experience from the other perspective throws a very thought-provoking light on the war and the mindset of the modern day Vietnamese. Upon our arrival at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a guide brought us to a dugout room where an introductory film was playing. Although I am not American, my husband is, and so we sat there squirming uncomfortably in our chairs while the black and white propaganda film showed scene after scene of young Vietcong fighters, some scarcely more than children, shooting at American soldiers. That was only the beginning. The rest of the tour took us through the jungle, where parts of the Cu Chi Tunnels had been staged to look as they had when they were being used during the war. Some parts of the Cu Chi tour were quite fun and interesting – as one of the smaller-boned tourists, I was allowed to slip into one of the trapdoors leading into the tunnel network. I squatted in the cramped, dark tunnel, up to my knees in dry leaves. As the guide fitted the trapdoor back into place above me, I was enveloped by pitch-black darkness; briefly glimpsing into the conditions and claustrophobia the fighters must have experienced living in the tunnels. Over 6,000 Vietnamese lived, fought and worked in the Cu Chi Tunnels during the 1960's - 1975, and due to these strained living conditions sickness was rampant. Sometimes forced underground for days at a time due to bombings, the Vietnamese would face poisonous insects, scarce air and food supplies, and wearying battles against Malaria. The reality of wartime conditions continued to sink in as we were instructed to walk, backs bent, down a section of the 3-foot tall tunnel. One can only imagine the endurance it must have taken to live, day in and day out, in these tiny passageways. Several of the booby traps used to injure or kill enemy soldiers were also on display at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Our guide proudly demonstrated how trapdoors were built in the jungle floor, ready to swing open and impale unsuspecting soldiers on sharp stakes, the iron used to make them scavenged from unexploded ordinances dropped by the Americans. Not all of the tour was so grisly, however. We were treated to a snack of boiled cassava dipped in peanuts and sugar as we explored a dugout kitchen, and took a few minutes to pose for a photo in front of an American army tank. At the end of the tour, those who wanted to could purchase a few rounds and fire an assault rifle at the firing range. Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels turned out to be one of our most memorable adventures in Vietnam. Although it was at times, a disquieting experience, it was also interesting, fun, and one of the best ways to start exploring Vietnam’s War history and culture. The tunnels remain today as a symbol of the perseverance and determination that the Vietnamese people employed against a technologically superior enemy on one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:06:32 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/cu-chi-tunnels http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/cu-chi-tunnels The diverse beauty of Ha Long Bay can be characterized by many of its unique features such as its countless beaches and curious caves, but is best known for the enormous limestone islets that jut out to the sky from some the richest cobalt blue waters in all the world. Due to their incredibly steep nature most of the islands are uninhabitable and preserve much of the undisturbed natural beauty. Hop on a traditional junk boat and carve through some of the most incredible waters in the world in Ha Long Bay! Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:58:27 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/halong-bay http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/halong-bay Drive into the infamous impenetrable forests along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, once a supply chain during the Vietnam War. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:13:51 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/motorbike-vietnam http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/motorbike-vietnam