Latest news with #HaLongBay
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
I visited one of the world's cheapest countries that feels like going back hundreds of years – you can find beers for £1
THE sun warmed my face as we soared through the emerald waters on a traditional junk boat, its large sails steering the way. Drifting closer to Unesco World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, the landscape unfolded like something out of a dream. 6 6 6 In front of me, nearly 2,000 limestone karsts and islets soared from the jade-green waters, their rugged silhouettes softened by tropical vegetation. This was paradise. If Vietnam isn't already on your bucket list, it sure should be. Ha Long Bay was just the beginning for me. A kayaking excursion was also on the horizon and an evening of cold beers in a local bar — along with the promise of adventure, shared with 12 other keen explorers and crammed into a jam-packed ten-day itinerary. This is the unique and brilliant thing about a G Adventures holiday: after just a few days a set of total strangers, from all age ranges and with a love for travel, leave as pals. We were led by a local guide who went above and beyond in recommending the best sights and their expertise made navigating such a vibrant and complex country feel effortless. From the moment I touched down in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, I knew my trip would be unforgettable. The city doesn't just welcome you — it wraps you in its embrace with the hum of motorbikes, the aroma of street food, and a culture so vibrant you can't help but fall in love. One of the most powerful places to visit in this region is Hoa Lò Prison, also called the 'Hanoi Hilton.' Built by the French to hold Vietnamese revolutionaries, the building later became known for imprisoning American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Abandoned Ho Thuy Tien water park in Vietnam And don't miss the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum — a grand memorial and the resting place for Vietnam's beloved former leader, Ho Chi Minh, after whom the city is named, his body preserved inside a Soviet-style building. My favourite memories of Hanoi, however, were on Train Street. This narrow alley is famed for its railway, which runs straight through the centre, so close to the tiny cafés flanking the street that you can feel the rush of air when the carriages whoosh past. Arriving in Hue was nothing short of magical. Strolling through the Imperial Citadel felt like stepping back in time to the days of emperors and dynasties. I sat on a small stool with a Hanoi Beer, waiting for the magic moment. Then, as the train roared towards me, the whole street sprung into action — people moved aside, cameras clicked, and for a few thrilling seconds, it was pure excitement. The next stop on my epic adventure was the coastal city of Hue, a place where history comes alive. I'm not usually a fan of overnight trains and the idea of spending 13 hours onboard had me feeling a little anxious. Emperors and dynasties But, much to my surprise, the experience was a lot of fun. My cosy compartment, which I shared with tour group members, came with four flat beds and I slept like a baby after a few beers in the buffet car. Arriving in Hue was nothing short of magical. Strolling through the Imperial Citadel felt like stepping back in time to the days of emperors and dynasties. Exploring the Royal Tombs and the tranquil Thien Mu Pagoda gave me a sense of the city's rich history. For thrill-seekers like myself, an optional motorbike excursion is an absolute must. I zoomed through the lush countryside, taking in stunning views of the Perfume River. Along the way, I had the chance to try my hand at making incense sticks and learn first-hand how the locals sow their rice fields using traditional methods. The adventure ended on a high note with a refreshing Huda beer, crispy fried spring rolls, and a mouth-watering stir-fried rice noodle dish — all for less than £8. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a place that charges more than £1 for a beer. The same goes for the city of Hoi An — except it's the food that captivated me most here. After a scenic private coach ride through the breathtaking mountain pass of Hai Van, arriving in Hoi An felt like a love letter, thanks to its lantern-lit streets, ancient architecture and riverside charm. If you're craving a break from spring rolls, noodles, and rice, a visit to Madam Khanh's – The Bánh Mì Queen is a must. Bánh mì is a national sandwich, now known across the world, that blends French and Vietnamese flavours. The much-loved dish is made from a crispy baguette filled with savoury meats such as pork, chicken, or pâté, along with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, cucumber, and a tangy sauce — an irresistible fusion of textures and tastes. The stunning Saigon Central Post Office came after, with its intricate design making it a photographer's dream. Several hearty mouthfuls were enough to fuel us on a bike ride through lush rice paddies, relaxing on the golden sands of An Bang Beach, before witnessing the incredible skill of local tailors, who crafted two custom suits for me in just a few hours, all for only $250 USD. It was hard to tear ourselves away, but the electrifying energy of Ho Chi Minh City was calling — a sharp contrast to the peaceful calm of Hoi An. A tour in a Cyclo (a bit like a rickshaw, but with riders sitting at the front) is the perfect way to experience this vibrant city's pulse and rich history. We passed the Reunification Palace, where the Vietnam War came to a dramatic end in 1975. Next, we saw the Landing Zone, the apartment building where US government workers were evacuated by helicopter during the Fall of Saigon. 6 6 6 The stunning Saigon Central Post Office came after, with its intricate design making it a photographer's dream. Then came my highlight: House 287/70 on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, home to a secret bunker that once hid nearly two tonnes of Viet Cong weapons during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Of course, none of this quite compared to the harrowing Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network of supply routes once used by Viet Cong soldiers. The experience gave a sobering look at the resilience of the Vietnamese people during the war. If you're claustrophobic, though, you might want to skip crawling along the restored tunnels. It'll only cost you £1, after all.
Grazia USA
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
DRIFTING FROM THE PAST
DRIFTING FROM THE PAST CREATIVE DIRECTION: DANÉ STOJANOVIC PHOTOGRAPHY: AVANI RAI FASHION STYLIST: LAURA JANE BROWN HAIR: JEAN-LUC GRASSER MAKEUP: SAM SAM PRODUCER: QUANG NG RAY CASTING DIRECTOR: JEAN-MARC MONDELET MODEL: ILAYS RAGHE / PREMIUM MODELS Along the misty edges of Hanoi's Ha Long Bay, silhouettes mirror the splendour and strength of the natural surroundings – structured yet fluid, grounded in legacy and shaped by the ever-shifting present 'DRIFTING FROM THE PAST' IS PUBLISHED IN THE 22ND EDITION OF GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.
Bloomberg
01-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Vietnam Proposes $2b Northeastern Casino Resort: VnExpress
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance is proposing an investment policy for a 51.5 trillion dong ($1.98 billion) luxury casino complex in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, home to Unesco World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, VnExpress International news website reported. The proposal was submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, it said, citing information from the ministry.
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘We faked our honeymoon for a free hotel room upgrade'
Gemma Davies*, 33 and from Manchester, caught the honeymoon upgrade bug on a trip to Vietnam in 2024. Davies had been sent an advance questionnaire from a cruise she had booked with her girlfriend in Hạ Long Bay, a Unesco World Heritage Site famed for its limestone islands and emerald waters. Davies had noticed Tripadvisor reviewers who were on their honeymoon had been given generous upgrades on the two-night riverboat cruise. 'The questionnaire asked me if we were celebrating anything and I thought: why not say we're on honeymoon too? Although to be honest we have zero intention of getting married!' When the couple arrived, their cabin had been upgraded and their bed was adorned with towels folded into swan shapes and scattered rose petals. 'That was lovely,' Davies recalls. The trouble came when the pair arrived for their seating at dinner and found staff had flanked their table with a 'ginormous' illuminated heart and a banner reading 'happy honeymoon'. 'Everyone started cheering and clapping, which I found hilarious,' Davies recalls. 'My girlfriend, who is an introvert, said: 'Oh my God, what have you done?'' Despite the 'challenge' of spending two days posing as honeymooners, Davies reprised the freebie-hunting tactic at two further hotels in Vietnam, where the couple enjoyed room upgrades, free cakes and champagne and more towel swans and petals – and left glowing reviews after their stays. 'I don't see it as taking the p--- at all,' Davies argues. 'It's more a way of amplifying your experience as a hotel guest.' Advice pieces on how to blag perks such as hotel and flight upgrades have been a staple of travel magazines since the 1990s. What's new these days is a subculture of unabashed social media 'travel hacks'. When, on Apr 20, TikTokker @ wrote the post: 'Unethical travel hack: fake a honeymoon at check-in!', superimposed on a picture of the sea-view balcony of his upgraded suite in Greece, it received half a million views and tens of thousands of likes. @ Comment your unethical travel hacks #traveltok #travelhacks #greece ♬ Disappear - Maniak-B But not everyone celebrated Rod's 'win'. Italian hotel receptionist Leila Al Azawi responded: 'If you are on a REAL honeymoon and don't get special attention you can say thank you to all these liars who try every other day!', while Greek hotelier Panos weighed in: 'As a hotel worker, we know your tricks; don't be so sure!'. The trend comes alongside a sharp rise in 'friendly fraud', a tactic whereby a consumer makes an online shopping purchase with their own credit card, including for services such as hotels, and then requests a chargeback from the issuing bank after receiving the purchased goods or services. Twenty-something Londoners Ricky Liu and his partner Tom deployed the honeymoon upgrade hack in December, also on an Asian cruise. On the first night of their stay in an upgraded cabin, a waitress arrived at Ricky and Tom's dinner table with rainbow cocktails as other staff members waved their lit camera torches and Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You blasted out over the ship's speakers. Ricky – who admits he 'felt the full weight of guilt' for lying – says there was another couple at dinner who were genuinely on their honeymoon and were cheering them on. 'We were asked about our wedding rings and we said they had gone for a fitting,' Liu admits. A video of the couple's romantic moment has received 3.8 million likes. @ ♬ original sound - Ricky Liu Katrina Rohman is a marketing manager for hotel group Future Inns, which has properties in Bristol, Cardiff and Plymouth. She says the family-owned UK hotel group has 'definitely seen a rise' in guests mentioning birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons at the time of booking in the hope of receiving an upgrade or a complimentary treat. 'Most requests are fairly tactful and say something along the lines of: 'We are celebrating our anniversary during this stay and would love anything you might be able to offer to make it extra special',' she says. Some guests, however, have more cheek: 'They will outright ask for a suite upgrade, a bottle of champagne, or free dinners, even when they've booked a standard room.' Vicky Saynor, owner of Bethnal & Bec, says the improbable numbers of supposed event celebrants booking her luxury self-catering properties led the property owner to institute a formal policy of paid-for birthday/just married/ anniversary/babymoon upgrades in 2019. 'We simply couldn't afford to do something special for everybody who asked for it,' she said, adding: 'refusal often caused offence'. The property's £20 event add-on offering includes brownies, eco balloons and a banner, with organic prosecco or champagne available for an additional supplement. 'Though when we know guests personally or are aware they are celebrating and don't ask for something for free we pop a small welcome gift into the room for them,' Saynor adds. Restaurateurs too report a rise in the 'fake cake' brigade: customers pretending it is their birthday to blag free cakes and desserts. Emma Reid, 58, and based in Cardiff, is one such bold diner. 'I regularly cite a birthday or anniversary to get free drinks and dessert at restaurants,' she says. 'My best ever blag was a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for my '40th' when I was 42.' Reid says her husband 'dies of embarrassment' at her blagging tactics, which also extend to hotel stays. 'I once cried at a hotel reception about a room we were given and they gave us the honeymoon suite,' Reid says. 'I'm an expert at getting upgrades to rooms with balconies.' Some hoteliers are now asking for proof of birthday dates and wedding certificates before they wheel out the free fizz, with reports that reception staff at sunshine resorts in the States are performing 'ring checks' (checking wedding bands for signs of long wear and tan lines). Rohman thinks hoteliers 'develop a bit of a sixth sense' for spotting when guests are on the take. Dr Charlotte Russell, a clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist, understands why travel blagging tactics are on the rise. Russell says that the cost of living, soaring hotel rates and unrealistic expectations of the hotel-going experience that are broadcast via social media create a 'perfect storm' to encourage guests to go after freebies. As with any dishonest or morally questionable behaviour, she says, there are ways that guests justify this blagging to themselves: 'By reconstruing their conduct ('it's not that bad'); minimising the negative consequences ('it didn't hurt anyone'); or blaming the recipients ('they make the prices too high anyway').' Gemma Davies has no regrets and says that she will 'definitely' try the travel hack again, albeit judiciously: 'It would be tricky on a week-long all-inclusive where we would bump into people again and again and would maybe need to fake a proposal story,' she laughs. Expert upgrade blagger Reid is sometimes faced with a hotel staff member who's seen it all. 'I sometimes have to accept defeat after exhausting my repertoire!' she admits. 'Would I do this again? Absolutely, yes,' Liu concludes.
