Dong Hoi City
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It was the second day of the lunar New Year (Tết) and still early, so we saw only two people on the street in Lao Bảo town. I was the first person in the mini bus, but the driver picked up more people on the way. We passed by Khe Sanh which is a small town, about 20km away from Lao Bảo border gate. This used to be the bloodiest battle field in early 1968 during the American war. At a crossing in the town, there is a memorial statue of the Vietnamese soldiers and the driver said Khe Sanh museum was on that direction. I visited Khe Sanh museum and Tà Kơn airport on DMZ tour in September2000 and it was still one of the most interesting places in Vietnam that I've been to.
Despite going along the pass on National Highway No. 9, our 12 seater mini bus still ran very fast, same as the mini bus I took a few days before. It was a relief for me when I got out of it at Đông Hà town. Honestly, on this trip, I prefer the slow bus ride in southern Laos even though the buses are old. Then I changed into another bus to Đồng Hới city and we went up north along National Highway No. 1. There were 45 people inside a 30 seater bus. The bus was packed with people and I couldn't move my legs for an hour, while sitting at the rear of the bus and holding my own backpack. When the bus came close to Đồng Hới city, I had to stand by the door of the bus. It was a tiring trip as the bus stopped numerous times to pick up more people on the way, but it was fun to chat with the locals who speak Vietnamese with their heavy central accent. Sometimes it's difficult for me to understand them, although we are Vietnamese.
Finally the bus stopped in Đồng Hới city right on National Highway No. 1 and I had to find a hotel. There were no taxis, no motorbike drivers (xe ôm), only closed shops and offices during the lunar New Year holiday. I decided to go straight down the street and saw "Quảng Bình Quan", which is the gate into the citadel in the old days, so I climbed up the building to take photos of the city view. It's located at a crossing and I chose one of the directions, just went straight and I found Đồng Hới hotel, US$10/night, so I decided to stay there. Near the place, there were two restaurants that served noodle soup and rice, so I would be ok until my flight next day.
In the afternoon, I walked around the area and found some interesting sites. During the American war, this city suffered from extensive damage from US bombing as it's located north of the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Along National Highway No. 1 that goes through the city, I saw the ruins of the old citadel, government offices, a site under construction with the US fighter (this place will soon be open as a museum), then I turned right and walked toward Nhật Lệ river.
This is my 2nd visit to Đồng Hới city in Quảng Bình province. On my last trip, I spent time traveling to Phong Nha caves, 45km away from the city, so I didn't know much about the city. Phong Nha caves and Kẻ Bàng national park are a UNESCO world heritage site. Phong Nha caves (over 30 caves and total discovered length of 100km) have the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways and the most astonishing rock formations in the world.
Đồng Hới airport was newly open a few months ago and now it's easy to fly between Hanoi and Đồng Hới (3 times per week on ATR72). There will soon be flights between Đồng Hới and Sài Gòn on Vietnam Airlines.
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Reviews from Customers
Please take a look at the following reviews from our customers
James Madison
08/31/2018
Excellent experience
It was an experience, that you will never forget, how it would have been during the war, with no light, food and much air and space. If you are able it is definitely worth going in the tunnel. It is not very long and a little bit of light and air. We will come back Cu Chi Tunnels again
James Madison
08/31/2018
Excellent experience
It was an experience, that you will never forget, how it would have been during the war, with no light, food and much air and space. If you are able it is definitely worth going in the tunnel. It is not very long and a little bit of light and air
Sow Fung
07/15/2015
Great time with the Halong bay & Bai Tu Long bay
Hello Hung ! A big hello from the us. We are checked into Queen hotel and also have been given free access to the internet for 1 night! Thank you for getting a wonderful trip - we had a lot of fun with the Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay cruise, as well since the memorable "picnic" on the actual private beach with white We will have some more days to explore this particular exotic city you known as home, and will be bringing back around many fond of reminiscences Take care Sow Fung & Laurence.
Lucie & Ruud
07/15/2015
Memorial trip Vietnam
Hi Nam, As promised some pictures from the great trip to Vietnam. We'd a marvelous time and also have good memories to your countrie and also the people there. We enjoyed the trip greatly, you did a great job. Say hello towards the driver. Greatings from Lucie as well as Ruud.
Martin - Denmark
07/15/2015
Thank you
Hello Giang What a nice surprise to know from you. Here in little Denmark we're approching the authum and also the weather is not such as in Vietnam: -( the sun i shinning however the tempeture is only 5 C so it's the beginning to obtain colder.As you know the two of us started on our brand new jobs on September 17 and sofar it's been a very good but additionally very busy period for that both of us. We really enjoyed our vacation in Vietnam and much because of your effort in telling all of us about Vietnam and bringing us nearer to the local Vietnam lifestyle. I promised you an image of our house as well as I enclosed one within this mail. Next week we are experiencing some very good buddies visiting us and by then I must finalize the "video" of all of the about 1100 pictues that people took during our journey. But right now it's a video lasting over two hours so I will need to shorten it for almost 1 hour. But we have some excellent memories connected to nearly every picture - so that isn't a very easy job. I took the freedom to send two of those to you here additionally. We are "in our minds" ready planing the next day at Vietnam but we don't know when it will end up being yet - but if it rises north don´t worry we will demand you. I hope this particular mail goes well. We both whish you best wishes for the future and we don't doubt that you together with your skills will acchive your own goal. Yours sincerly Helle as well as Martin.
Mr. James Duffy - Program Manager - Indian
07/15/2015
Thank you for your sense of responsibility, courtesy and your hospitality
Dear Mr. Dzung Nguyen, Regards. I must thank you for the sense of responsibility, courtesy as well as your hospitality, which enhance image of the country. I started loving your country as well as your countrymen. When I investigated your vietnam history, I'm really amazed. Covey my thanks to your company for having provided a great service for my vietnam visit. I have not given anything great like a quantity of business. However, You respected me and encouraged me to return again to Vietnam, after i first time could not enter your country. I would always remember you and getting excited about your visit to Indian. Thanks a lot. Your own truly,
Chin Choo
07/15/2015
Wonderful time in Hanoi and Halong Bay
Dear Phu Hope this postal mail finds you well. I returned to Malaysia last 7 days. I had a wonderful amount of time in Hanoi and Halong Bay. Thanks to the nice people who I met during the trip in addition to thanks to you to be such a wonderful visit guide. I will certainly visit Hanoi again. I attach a few of the photos which I took throughout the Halong Bay trip that you should see. How are things along with you? That's all for right now. Regards Chin Choo.
Alicia
07/15/2015
Thank you for wonderful Hanoi & Halong Bay trip
Hello Giang, Just wanted to give you thanks for taking our team (St John Bosco) close to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. You taught us a lot and we all skipped you after we remaining for Sapa. There is really a photo attached to this email for you personally. Hope you are nicely, from Alicia.
Erika and Bruno.
07/15/2015
Good time in Vietnam
Hi Sing! Hello Chochichäschtli! (The new word that you simply lerned about the furniture within the kitchen) Howe are you? We had a excellent time in Vietnam. The north part as well as the area in the southern was very interesting. Concerning the weather we are lucky because we'd always sunny days as well as hot. Now we're in the cold Switzerland. Any days ago we'd for this wintertime the first snow. Best regards and a great time whithout rain!! Silvia as well as Pius Erika and Bruno.
