Vietnam

Vietnam Flag

Why visit Vietnam?

Ideal for the adventurous traveler seeking to enjoy ancient temples, beaches, bicycling, birdwatching, canals, casinos, golf, hiking, hill tribe cultures, historical sites, kayaking, kiteboarding, national parks, natural wonders, pagodas, picturesque coastline, rivers, sand dunes, scuba diving, shopping, snorkeling, swamps, theme parks, towns, villages, trekking, wildlife, and windsurfing.

Tú Lệ, Vietnam. Photo Credit: Dung Le Tien/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, ceramics, coffee beans, embroidery goods, lanterns, musical instruments, pearls, pottery, silk, traditional hat, weave goods, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Bánh Cuốn (rice noodle roll). Bánh khoái (rice pancake). Bún Mắm (soup). Bún Riêu (vermicelli soup). Cha Ca (grilled fish). Chả cá Lã Vọng (rice noodle). Gỏi Cuốn (salad roll). Phở Gà (chicken soup).
• Local Drink to Try: Bia Hoi (beer). Biere Larue (beer). Cafe Sua Da (coffee). Cà Phê đá (iced coffee). Cà Phê Trứng (egg coffee). Chanh Muối (pickled lime juice). Hanoi Beer. Huda Beer. Rượu Táo Mèo (liquor). Nước Mía (sugarcane juice). Trà Sen (tea).

Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo Credit: Olga Ozik/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Largest exporter of cashews in the world.
• Second largest exporter of coffee and rice.
  
• Home to the largest brewery, Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp (Ho Chi Minh).
• Dog meat is considered a Vietnamese delicacy.
• The 16th most populous country in the world.
• Fansipan (aka: Phan Xi Păng) is the (Lào Cai Province) tallest mountain (10,312 ft).
  
• Phú Quốc Island is the largest.
  
• Hang Sơn Đoòng Cave (Quang Binh Province) is considered the largest known cave passage in the world.
  
•  Ba Bể Lake (Bắc Kạn Province) is their largest natural lake.
• Mekong River is the third longest among Asian countries.
  
• Largest producer of black pepper.
  
• Considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.
• Hạ Long, Hạ Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City ranks amongst the Top 100 most visited cities in the world.
  
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is their largest airport.
  
• Has as 2,360 rivers.
• Tet is a Christmas and New Year's holiday rolled into one.
  

Phú Quốc, Vietnam. Photo Credit: Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Co Loa Citadel Festival, (February) Festival at the Perfume Pagoda, Fire Dancing Festival, Lantern Festival, Lim Festival, (March) Elephant Race Festivals, (March) Saint Patrick's Festival Hanoi, (April) Hmong Spring Festival, Hue Festival, Hùng Kings' Festival, International Choir Competition, Phu Giay Festival, (September) Mid-Autumn Festival, Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, and (December) Vietnam Sport Show.
  
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Lunar New Year, Tết, Vietnamese New Year's Eve, Hùng Kings' Festival, Labour Day, Reunification Day, and Independence Day of Vietnam.

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam. Photo Credit: Suyeon Kim/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Tourism infrastructure has been rapidly expanding.
  
• Crime is highly rated.
  
• Northwest region is mountainous and rugged.
  
• Buildings have limited or no emergency exits and/or fire safety equipment. 
• Northeast region is flat and low.
  
• Visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum it's illegal to have your hands in your pockets.
• Has a two tier price structure; citizens and tourists prices.
• Ground and water transportation are known to lack safety regulations. 
  
• Most breweries do not permit visitors on the premises.
  
• From July - August birdwatching is best.
• Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Bình Province) from May - June receives butterfly roosts.
  
• Avoid purchasing cigarettes or liquor from street vendors.
  
• From  January - March renders best for hiking.
• Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety inspections do not commonly occur. 
  
• Road conditions are poor.
  
• Air pollution is a significant problem.
  
• Near Ninh Bình there are boat and scenic cave tours.
  
• Hội An (central coast) is known for its well-preserved Ancient Town.
  
• Every guest in a hotel room or private residence must be registered with the  local police.
  
• Phu Tho Sports Club (Phu Tho Province) holds horse races on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30PM - 4PM.
  
• Van Phuc Silk Village (Hanoi) is known for high quality silk goods.
  
• Halong Bay is famous for oyster pearls.
• Dog meat is sold in markets and restaurants.
• Large cities have street crime activity such as camera snatching, pickpocketing, and purse snatching.
• Use a hat and wear sunscreen.
• Exporting of antiques is illegal.
  
• Washcloths are not widely provided or used.
• Tourist are primarily from Australia, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States.
• Travel + Leisure ranked Hội An as one of the world's Top 15 Best Destinations to visit.
  
• Bicycles, motorcycles, and motor scooters are the most popular forms of transportation.
  
• Hạ Long Bay (northeast ) is known for its emerald waters.
  
• Rail service connects Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Hanoi to Hạ Long Bay.
• Spiritualism and supernatural are believed.
  
• Considered one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide.
  
• Small and peaceful protests are known to occasionally occur.
  
• USA citizens have been detained while traveling close to the unmarked border areas near Cambodia, China, and Laos.
  
• Medical care and treatment does not meet our Western standards.
• Prevalent Diseases: Avian Influenza (H5N1), Dengue Fever, HIV, Tuberculosis, and Zika.
• International Driving Permits and USA Drivers’ Licenses are not valid.
  

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam. Photo Credit: Phat Nguyen/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport  with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $5,000USD.

Prone to earthquakes, monsoons, seasonal smog, tropical storms, and typhoons.

Sa Pa (Lào Cai Province), Vietnam. Photo Credit: Ngô Thanh Tùng/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: October - December
• Coldest Months: November - April
• Hottest Months: May - September
• Peak Season: July & August

Golden Bridge (Bà Nà Hills Resort), Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo Credit: shell300/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hạ Long Bay, Hội An, Huế, Mỹ Sơn, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Space of Gong Culture, and Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex.

Hội An, Vietnam. Photo Credit: Ngọc Minh Nguyễn/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

Venezuela

Venezuela Flag

Why visit Venezuela?

For the traveler seeking to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, castles, churches, colonial architecture, culture, desert, ecotourism, extreme sports, fishing, hiking, historical sites, horseback riding, mountain biking, national parks, nightlife, paragliding, ranch tourism, scenery, scuba diving, snorkeling, shopping, surfing, trekking, tropical jungles, valleys, waterfalls, and wildlife.

Anzoátegui, Venezuela. Photo Credit: Héctor Medina/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, ceramics, gold jewelry, masks, pearls, shoes, tapestries, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Alfajor (cookie). Arepa (stuffed wrap). Cachitos (sandwich). Casabe (flatbread). Chicharrón (fried pork). Chupe Andino (soup). Humitas (tamales). Mandoca (fried cornmeal). Mondongo (soup). Queso Blanco (white cheese). Tajadas (plaintain snack). Tequeños (fried cheese).
• Local Drink to Try: Cacique (rum). Chicha (fermented). Cocada (coconut milkshake). Frescolita (strawberry soda). Malta (carbonated malt). Ponche Crema (cream liquor).

Merida, Venezuela. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During World War I (1914 - 1918) oil deposits were found in Lake Maracaibo.
• Has the largest known oil reserve in the world. 
  
• Caracas (capital) fine dining used to compare to New York City or Paris.
• Margarita Island (northeastern coast) is the largest island.
  
• Angel Falls (3,212 ft) is the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall.
  
• Compared to other countries, the women have won the most pageants.
• Caracas has more restaurants than any other Latin America cities.
  
• Only Western Hemisphere with a preference of Pepsi vs Coke.
  
• Only South American country where baseball is more popular than soccer.
• Neither Australia or New Zealand have embassies there.
  
• Consist of 23 states.
  
• Roughly shaped like a triangle.
• Pico Bolívar is the highest mountain point (16,335 ft).
  
• Has 33 over crowded prisons.
• Los Roques Archipelago consists of approximately 350 islands, cays and inlets.
  
• Canaima National Park is considered the 6th largest national park in the world.
  

Cumaná, Venezuela. Photo Credit: Luis X/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) San Sebastian's Walk, (February) Fair of the Sun, San Pedro y San Pablo, (March) Carúpano Carnaval, (June) Diablos Danzantes Devil Dance Festival, Fiesta de San Juan, San Pedro & San Pablo, (September) Virgin of Coromoto Festival, (October) El Hatillo Music Festival, (November) La Chinita Fair, Venezuela International Book Fair, and (December) San Benito Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Declaration of Independence Day, Labor Day, Battle of Carabobo Anniversary, Independence Day, Simón Bolívar Birthday, Feast of Assumption,  Indigenous Resistance Day, Rafael Urdaneta Birthday, All Saint's Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

Caracas, Venezuela. Photo Credit: Greg Tovar/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Avoid evening travel.
• Avoid public transportation.
• Violent crimes are known to occur throughout the country.
  
• Avoid evening travel.
• Do not enter with controlled substances or narcotics.
• ATMs do not accept USA credit or debit cards.
  
• Do not consume tap water.
• Within a 50 mile radius avoid the Colombian border.
• Medical care and treatment is below our standards.
• Photographing airports, government buildings, military bases, and presidential palace is illegal.
• Drug trafficking is a serious problem.
  
• Emergency wire transfer of funds is unreliable.
• Prevalent Diseases: Chagas Disease (Trypanosomiasis), Chikungunya, COVID-19, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Measles (Rubeloa), Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), and Zika.
• Child car seats and seatbelts are not mandatory.
  

Mérida, Venezuela. Photo Credit: mureibis/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and two blank pages for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Juan Griego, Venezuela. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

• Best Time to Visit: December - May
• Coolest Month: November - February
• Hottest Months: June - September
• Peak Season: July - August & December

Monumento a la Virgen de la Paz, Trujillo, Venezuela. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Canaima National Park, Coro, and University City of Caracas.

Caracas, Venezuela. Photo Credit: Ander Unibaso Villaverde/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.    

Vanuatu

Vanuatu Flag

 

Why visit Vanuatu?

For the traveler seeking to enjoy active volcanoes, beaches, blue holes, boutique hotels, canoeing, deep sea fishing, hiking, history, islands, native culture, rainforests, romance, sailing, scenery, scuba diving, tribal villages, tropical forests, and water sports.

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Art, chocolate, coffee, fans, mats, oil, rum, shells, tea towels, wood carvings, woven handbags, and woven trays.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Laplap (breadfruit). Tuluk (traditional).
• Local Drink to Try: Kava (traditional). Tusker (beer).

Fun Facts

• Late Prince Philip (1921 - 2021), Duke of Edinburgh after visiting the Tanna Island with his new wife the late, Elizabeth II (1926 - 2022), Queen of the United Kingdom (1952 - 2022) was revered as a God amongst the Villagers of the Yaohnanen Tribe believing the ancient story that a pale skin son of a mountain spirit to venture across the seas to look for a powerful woman to marry. 
• Highest point is Mount Tabwemasana (6,165 ft) on the island of Espiritu Santo.
  
• Home to indigenous flying fox (Pteropus Anetianus). 
• Possibly four adult saltwater crocodiles reside in mangroves (Vanuatu).
  
• Economy relies on agriculture, offshore financial services, raising cattle, and tourism.
  
• Has one of the largest shipwrecks in the world from World War II (Espiritu Santo island).
  
• Where the 9th Season of Reality TV show, Survivor: Vanuatu - Islands of Fire was filmed.
• Bislama is creole spoken natively in urban areas.
  
• Most Presbyterian country in the world.
• Home to the only Flowerpot Snake (Efat).
  
• Culturally pigs with rounded tusks symbolize wealth.
  
• Meals are cooked using hot stones, boiling or steaming.
• Island of Pentecost tradition of land diving (bungee jumping) 98 feet from a wooden tower with their ankles tied to vines.
• Their 83 relatively small islands form the shape of a Y.
• Tusk pigs are considered a symbol of wealth.
  
• Villages female and only sections.

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (February) Ladies Classic Fishing Championship,
  Telecom Volcano Run, (April) Nagol Land Diving, Pentecost Land Dive, Vanuatu Pacific Swim, (May) Full Moon Sail, (June) Fête de la Musique, National Sand Drawing Festival, (July) Fanla North Ambrym Arts Festival, North Ambrym Magic Festival, Yam & Magic Festival, Vanuatu Round Island Relay, (August) Back to My Roots Festival, Lamap Art & Cultural Festival, (September) Toka Festival, and (November) Saint Andrew Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Father Walter Lini Day, Custom Chief's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Children's Day, Independence Day, Feast of Assumption, Constitution Day, National Unity Day, Christmas, and Family Day.

Good to Know

• Official languages are Bislama, English and French.
  
• Amongst the most natural disaster prone countries in the world.
  
• Scuba Diving offers caves, coral reefs, sunken sail ship, and sunken ocean liner.
• Port Vila has an open air market.
  
• Luganville and Port Vila offer adequate hospitals.
  
• Serious medical emergencies require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand.
  
• Rainy Season is between January - April.
• Largest towns are Luganville (Espiritu Santo) and Port Vila (Efate).
  
• Shorelines are mostly rocky.
• Dry Season is June - November.
  
• Cyclone Season is November - April.
  
• Avoid public displays of affection.
  
• Some islands has no police presence.
  
• Same sex relations are criminal.
  
• Has no capital gains tax, income tax, inheritance tax, or withholding tax. 
• Islands argest to smallest: Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erronmango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae (aka: Aoba, Gaua, Vanua Lava, Maewo, Malo and Aneityum (aka: Anatom).
• Animal species and plants are limited. 
• Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety inspections do not commonly occur. 
  
• Customs Authority is strict against importing and exporting certain prescription drugs, exotic animals, firearms, food items, sexually explicit material, and wooden artifacts.
  
• Roads are narrow and in poor conditions.
  
• Only Luganville and Port Vila have paved roads.
  

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 12 months.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Subject to cyclones, damaging winds, earthquakes, flash flooding, hurricanes, landslides, rough seas, tsunami, and volcanic eruptions.

• Best Time to Visit: May - October
• Coolest Months: April - September
• Hottest Months: December - April
• Peak Season: December - January & June - August

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain and Roi Mata.

Iririki Island Resort, Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo Credit: aaziz7/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Flag

Why visit Uzbekistan?

Ideal for travelers seeking to enjoy architecture, desert, gastronomy, lighthouses, mosques, mountain scenery, natural landscapes, palaces, ruins, vineyards, and wineries.

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Camel wool socks, carpets, ceramic pottery, evil eye charms, furs, gold embroidery pieces, metal sculpture, national costumes, silk goods, tiles, and wall plaques.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Chorpa (soup). Laghman (stew). Manti (dumplings). Obi Non (bread). Oshi Toki (stuffed grape leaves). Palov (rice dish). Shurpa (soup). Somsa (stuffed pastry).
• Local Drink to Try: Ayran (yogurt). Choy (tea).

Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo Credit: falco/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Khovrenko Winery (Samarkand) is their oldest winery (1927).
  
• Birthplace (Tashkent) of Djamolidine Mirgarifanovich Abdoujaparov "The Tashkent Terror", Professional Cyclist who won the Tour de France 3 times.
  
• During 2020 Summer Olympics (Japan), Ulugbek Rashitov, Taekwondo Competitor won a gold medal. 
• Hosted the 2022 World Judo Championships (Tashkent).
• Gold teeth are a status symbol.
  
• One of two doubly landlocked countries in the world.
• Khazret Sultan mountain is the highest point (15,233 ft).
  
• Government allegedly forces state employees to pick cotton in the autumn months.
• Ranks 7th in the world for gold mining.
• Has 2 international schools (Tashkent).

Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo Credit: LoggaWiggler/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (February) Chimgan Extreme, (April) Lazgi International Dance Festival, (May) Boysun Spring, Dance Music Fest, Gold Embroidery & Jewelry Festival, Silk & Spices Festival, (June) Beer Festival, Chimgan’s Echo Festival, International Ecological & Tourism Festival "Chimgan-ECHO", Tashkent Food Fest, (August) International Festival of National Dishes, Melon Festival, Music Festival, Namangan Flowers Festival, Sharq Tarolanari, (September) Craft Festival, International Ceramic Forum, International Music Festival Melodies of the East, (October) Eurasia International Theater Festival, and (December) Sogdian Wine Festival.
  
• Holidays: New Year's Day, International Women's Day, Nowruz, Day of Remembrance & Honor, Independence Day, Teacher's Day, and Constitution Day.

Tamanna Kala Fortress, Uzbekistan. Photo Credit: LoggaWiggler/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• A remote destination.
• Lacks deluxe accommodations.
• Medical care does not meet our western standards.
• Male homosexuality is illegal and punishable with a fine and up to 3 years in prison.
• Black or green tea accompanies meals.
• Americans are known to be targeted for crime.
• Tourism is unevenly regulated and inspections do not commonly occur.
  
• Healthcare is below western standards.
• Avoid tap water consumption.
• Air pollution is a significant issue.
  
• Avoid evening exploration.
• Avoid public transportation for safety reasons.

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.

Khiva, Uzbekistan. Photo Credit: LoggaWiggler/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: April - May & September - November
• Coldest Months: December - February 
• Hottest Months: July & August
• Peak Season: April - June 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Kalta Minor Minaret, and Samarkand - Crossroad of Cultures. 

Aral Sea, Uzbekistan. Photo Credit: WaSZI/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.