First Vietnam Visit: Making the Most Out of It

Playing your favorite online casino gambling can be fun, but nothing beats traveling to a beautiful country like Vietnam for certain. With over 3 million visitors a year, Vietnam is becoming a top holiday destination in Asia. With jungles, tropical beaches and spectacular mountains to explore, the country has a lot to offer first-time visitors.

There are some basic things to consider when visiting Vietnam. Visitors from the UK need to obtain a visa before entering the country. The climate varies, with contrasts in humidity, temperature and sunshine throughout the year. One thing to consider is the monsoon season. In the north, this is between October and April, while it is April to September in the southern region.

Vietnam is as safe as many other countries in this area of Asia. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism suggests overseas visitors use approved buses and taxis to travel. These may cost more but are safer. They also say that although the only obligatory vaccination is for yellow fever vaccine, travelers can opt to get other types of vaccines.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and has many sites for visitors to see, including pagodas, temples and museums. In the central district, tourists can see a replica of Notre Dame Cathedral. A good introduction to Vietnamese culture is to see a water puppet show at Thao Dien Village.

Hoi An is located in central Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea. A bustling trading port dating back to the second century BCE, much of the traditional 18th and 19th century architecture has been preserved. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting many visitors from around the world. Some 140 kilometres north is Hue, location of the spectacular Imperial City. This was once the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled Vietnam for 143 years.

For something a little different, there are a number of casinos across Vietnam for visitors to try, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. Casino hotels have become a growing business in recent years in the country. Travelers can also try playing at sites such as bodog88.com. Bodog Vietnam offers a range of games, including poker, blackjack and roulette. There are also online gambling news and Bodog sports.

Cruise trips around Halong Bay have become very popular. Situated in the north of the country, this area is a World Heritage Site. The bay is renowned for its natural beauty, with a myriad of islands and caverns to see from a cruise boat. There are many sandy beaches along the coast and islands as well.

In the Red River Delta lies Hanoi, the capital city. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism notes that, with a number of rivers flowing through it, Hanoi is home to some 18 lakes. Around these are many beautiful gardens and parks. The buildings are just as breathtaking. The One Pillar Pagoda is a Buddhist temple dating from the eleventh century, its design replicating a lotus flower. Also of interest are the remains of the Hanoi Citadel. Various surviving structures can be found around Hanoi, including the giant stone dragons on the steps of Kinh Thien Palace. Other tourist attractions include the Hanoi Opera House.

North of Hanoi is Sapa, a town steeped in Vietnamese culture. Not only can visitors experience local cuisine, they can also see traditional art and handicrafts being made. Sapa is on the side of a mountain, providing stunning views of the surrounding countryside. This part of Vietnam has become very popular for trekking, although the terrain is very difficult in places.

There are new attractions being announced all the time. Due to open in 2014 is Happyland, a theme park located in Long An province, near Ho Chi Minh City. It will feature a five-star hotel and an array of attractions including a water park and a Vietnamese cultural centre.

Vietnam is becoming a popular holiday spot for many travellers from around the world. There is much to see, especially when going to Vietnam for the first time. This country has plenty to offer; be it scenic views, great hotels or friendly locals. And should you have spare time in your hotel and feel like playing free online gambling at websites such as Bodog, you can be sure that there are plenty of surprises that await you in this beautiful Asian destination.

Credits: Text by Alan Hanson, images by Hanoi photographer