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 Boat
Trips These are particularly popular
in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's
southernmost region, which consists of
an intricate network of rice paddies,
swamps and forests interlaced with
 canals
and rivers. River cruises also operate
on the Saigon River (a good way to see
Saigon) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
Children love being out on the water and
this is one activity the whole family
can partake in.
Cycling
is ideal for sightseeing in much
of the country as it is flat in most
areas and the shortage of vehicles makes
for light traffic in most outlying areas
and some of the smaller villages.
Caution is needed, however, especially
on busier roads, as traffic can be very
undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely
available and you'll find they come in
all shapes and sizes so you are sure to
find one even
for the youngest bike rider in the
family. Trainer wheels are not supplied
so if you plan on partaking in this
activity with the smaller family members
it's advisable that you bring some with
you.
Elephant Riding
can be done in Dalat at Tuyen Lake and
is a wonderful way to view the
surrounding scenery. This is definitely
an activity that the whole family can
enjoy and if the real littlies are a
little wary of these grey
 giants,
buying a few bananas before you visit
will always be welcomed by the elephants
and feeding them by hand is usually one
activity ALL kids enjoy.
Go Karting
can be done in most of the larger cities
and one of the better ones is located in
Hanoi at Super Karting located in Thanh
Nhan Youth Park. Give them a call on
9712873 for more information.
 Horse
Riding is a perfect activity
for the entire family and even the
youngest will enjoy being led around
while sitting astride one of these
animals. In fact the country has its own
special breed called the Vietnamese
Hmong Horse which is interesting enough
even if you don't fancy getting onto one
of them and going for a leisurely stroll
(or a rapid gallop). There are many
places that rent out animals either to
go on short out-rides along a beach or
through the local countryside or on long
treks through rugged mountain ranges.
Kayaking
can be done in many spots throughout the
country. Some of the better-known areas
are to be found in the picturesque
Halong Bay area though some other
coastal and riverine areas also offer
this gentle waterborne activity. It's a
great way to see coastal fauna and flora
and all but the smallest family members
will enjoy a day out on the water in a
canoe.
Roller Skating
can be done in a number of the larger
cities where this sport is increasing in
popularity. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and
Dalat have skating venues as does Nam
Ninh. Ask your hotel's concierge for
more information on arrival.
 Swimming
If you aren't near a beach there
are a number of public swimming pools
located in most of the bigger towns or
at the hotels and resorts. If your hotel
doesn't have one, ask at a hotel nearby
as some let the general public in for a
nominal fee or ask the concierge at your
hotel where a public pool is.
Ten Pin Bowling
can be done at many
establishments in Vietnam. Saigon has a
huge one with 32 lanes called the Saigon
Superbowl, but there are many others
scattered around the country such as in
Hanoi. Ask at your hotel or the local
information centre for more details.
 Water
Puppets are not only
entertaining for children but those that
are young at heart will also enjoy
watching the performances put on by
skilled puppeteers. Most cities and even
some of the smaller villages have
water-puppet shows that the whole family
can enjoy.
Water Slide
Parks are generally found in the bigger
cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and
Dalat. The one in Ho Chi Minh City is
called Saigon Water Park and it can be
found on Kha Van Can, Thu Duc District.
For more information give them a call on
8970456.
 Zoos
can be found in many towns and even some
of the smaller villages in Vietnam. Not
all are of a high standard but if you
are prepared to turn a blind eye in some
instances and are aware that
improvements are being made (as hard as
it may be to believe) you can still have
a reasonably enjoyable outing. It will
also be a good 'learning adventure' for
your children as you can teach them a
little bit about animal care while you
are about it. Do be aware that some
cages in the smaller less well run
establishments leave much to be desired
and it's advised that one doesn't get
too close. Hanoi Zoo is probably one of
the better zoos in the country though
and it is
 here
that some of the best improvements are
already underway. The Hanoi zoo is
trying its best to breed animals such as
the rare Owston's Palm Civet and so far
has been successful.
Beach
Volleyball is rapidly
increasing in popularity and Ho Chi Minh
City is the place where the National
tournament is held. If you want to join
in, most beaches in and around the
cities will have games going on,
especially in the late afternoons...and
many teams are only too happy to let
visitors join in for a game or two.
 Caving
enthusiasts may head for the spectacular
Pong Nha river caves, northwest of Dong
Hoi or other mountainous areas around
the country. It is advised that one
doesn't venture into a cave without a
guide as many are not properly monitored
and it's not unknown for intrepid
explorers to get lost and never return.
Ask at a local tour centre for more
information on this activity.
Cinemas
Unless you speak the local language
there are few films shown in English,
but occasionally there are and these
will have sub-titles in the local lingo.
If you want to see a film, it's best to
ask at the ticket counter, if the movie
is in your preferred language.
Golf
is as popular in Vietnam as it is in
many other countries around the world
and there are a number located around
the country. Dalat and Phan Thiet have
some of the better-known courses. Many
are designed by world internationally
recognised golfers such as the Ocean
Dunes Golf Club located in Phan Thiet
which was designed by Nick Faldo.
Hiking
There is good hiking in the
beautiful countryside around Da Lat.
Guides are recommended and can be hired
locally. Generally, the northwest is the
best region for hiking. Other good
destinations include Cuc Phuong National
Park (near Hanoi); Bach Ma National
Park; and Lang Bian Mountain (in Da
Lat), where guides are compulsory. In
the north, Cat Ba National Park on Cat
Ba
 Island
and Ba Be Lake National Park (which
contains several lakes, waterfalls and
caves) also offer beautiful scenery.
Watersports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km
(2021 miles) of coastline. The most
popular beaches are Vung Tau, just north
of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near
Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise
waters offer good snorkelling and scuba
diving. Snorkelling and diving equipment
can be hired at most beach resorts.
Other good beaches can be found at Phan
Thiet (south-central coast); Mui Ne
(noted for its large sand dunes); and
the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some
3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation
and dotted with beaches and grottos,
rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Acces to
the islands is by boats, which can be
hired in Ha Long City |
