5 Best Healthcare Centers in Vietnam for Travelers

One thing might bother every single person when it comes to travel somewhere out of their motherland, is where to find healthcare help when they need support. In developed countries, it’s not hard to have health support on the way, but in developing countries, it’s not that easy. One of the difficulties is language barrier: not everyone can speak English. 

As the world’s travel trend got Vietnam on top, and the country is becoming a promising destination for tourists, we will have a look at these 5 popular medical centers with English-speaking staffs where can give you health support during your trip to Vietnam. 

1. Family Medical Practice 

Having branches in 3 big cities in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi and Da Nang, Family Medical Practice Is a foreign-operated hospital. With a vast number of professional & experienced medical experts, Family Medical Practice provides 24/24 health care services in international standard. In return, the price is quite higher than normal hospital. 

Addresses: 

Hanoi: 298 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St., Ba Dinh Dist., 

Ho Chi Minh city: 34 Le Duan St., District 1 

Da Nang: 50-52 Nguyen Van Linh St., Hai Chau Dist., 

2. VINMEC 

VINMEC is the first international hospital which modeled on the international-standard Hospital Facilities. They have a lot of medical professionals and good services, you don't have to wait on a long queue. The price is high in comparison to other Vietnam domestic hospital. 

Address: 458 Minh Khai St., Hai Ba Trung Dist., 

3. Viet Phap Hospital (Vietnam - France Hospital) 

Known internationally under the name Hôpital Français de Hanoï, formerly the Vietnam International Hospital, Viet Phap is a privatized hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, sold to a French company in September 2000. Its staffs include French and Vietnamese doctors. 

Address: 1 Phuong Mai St., Dong Da Dist., 

4. Phap Viet Hospital (FV) 

One of the outstanding traits of FV is wherever you’re from, you can choose the physician you want, either speaking English or French. Most of staffs here can speak these two foreign languages fluently. Besides, the hospital also provides translating service in case patients are in need. 

Address: 6 Nguyen Luong Bang St., District 7, Ho Chi Minh city

5. Hanh Phuc Hospital 

Known as a 5-star hospital - Hanh Phuc is always on top list of the best hospitals in Vietnam in general and Binh Duong province in particular. It offers a comprehensive range of quality healthcare for women and children. English-speaking staffs are available. 

Addresses: 

Ho Chi Minh city: 97 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., District 1, 

Binh Duong Province: Binh Duong Avenue, Thuan An Commune,

Read more about our top 5 ideal destinations for trekking in Vietnam. 

2 Grandeur Caves in Vietnam Alternative to Son Doong Cave

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”.

Recently, you might have heard about Son Doong Cave - aka the world’s biggest cave featured in the Guiness World Records 2013 - and seen that name to become viral on worldwide broadcasts and media. You might have a glimpse of it through the live footage of Good Morning America program by ABC News - and certainly you should watch it to be sure that you do not miss a magnificent natural wonder - and from the moment the clip being spreaded to the world, Son Doong has just left it first footprint on the modern world, and seriously amazed people from all walks of life by its unbelievable beauty. 

"A hidden world".

"Come from other planet".

"Heaven on Earth".

This could be a real challenge for anyone who wishes to visit this stunning spot, as tourists cannot easily flock to the place. Tour to Son Doong Cave is fully booked til 2016, and the total cost of around $3000 is not really a reasonable number for most adventure seekers. 

But there must have been a way. Some alternative choices for those who really want to discover that corner.

Hang En (En Cave)

Instead of waiting hopelessly in the queue, many people opt for a medium cave exploration in En Cave, which just costs nearly 10 times less than a trip to Son Doong.

Also being an exotic cave complex nestled in Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, Quang Binh province of Central Vietnam, En Cave is the third largest cave in the world, aged nearly 3 million years, over 2km long, 130m high, and 150m wide. En Cave has its own ecosystem and climate, and also contains a beach, a jungle and rivers. That is somehow a smaller copy of Son Doong cave - a worthy reward for everyone who loves adventure. 

After crossing 10km hard trek through the remote forest, you will see an awe-inspiring view. But it is real. The mysterious beauty of stalactite pillars and the grandiose rock arches formed over time… you cannot see it elsewhere. Get inside, and surely you can feel the world changing; you can feel the past behind you and the future coming across; you can feel the time flow through the emerald sea in front of you. That all worths it.

Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave)

For some people cannot enter a hide-and-seek with the nature, cannot join a real adventure with so many difficulties ahead, they widely choose Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave). Also located in Phong Nha - Ke Bang cave complex, with the length of 31.4 km, the width of 30 - 100m, the widest point measured at 150m and the height of around 60m, Thien Duong is considered the longest dry cave in Asia having been discovered since 2005. Named for its obviously brilliant appearance, a vast number of visitors coming here are seriously blown away with its series of white crystal stalactites resembling glass pillars and many other spectacular formations. It really does live up to its name. 

Following a narrow path throughout the forest with the length of around 16km, you can see the weather changing. The more you get inside, the cooler air you will feel. This grandeur spectacle costs  you $6 for entrance fee. Though it doesn’t provide you with an exotic exploration, it still worths a visit. Breathtaking, and unforgettable. 

5 Reasons Hoi An Should Be on Your Bucket List

Hoi An is a perfect destination for you to relax in Vietnam and different from other cities as Saigon or Hanoi. It is a very peaceful and relaxing city makes you feel warmer when you come here. And surely, people have some reasons to get addicted to this beautiful place.

The peaceful browny-yellowy houses on the riverside

5 Ideal Places for Trekking in Vietnam

Over the last few years, travel has become an essential part as well as a meaningful standard to assess a full life. People tend to travel further and more frequent each year; and nearly two thirds of them want to explore more rather than just stay and relax. One of the most popular and easy-to-join adventure travel is trekking, which is preferred in mountainous countries. 

Given the favorable terrains conditions including plunging highland valleys, giant terraced paddy fields and soaring limestone mountains, Vietnam offers excellent trekking activities, ranging variously from soft-hiking to hardcore trek conquering the highest mountain in the country… So, if you are looking for an exotic spot for your trekking trip in Vietnam, then check out this list of 5 ideal destinations you could consider picking up and ultimately start your journey. 

1. Ham Lon, Soc Son, Hanoi 

Way to the top

Situated just about 40 km away from Hanoi's center, Ham Lon mountain will be a perfect choice if you arrive in the capital and want to combine your city tour with one more day trekking. You can take a short car trip here and start conquering! With around 4 hours trekking, you will be on the top at 462 metres height above the sea level. Ham Lon also fits those who don’t have much time to travel but still want to enjoy the gorgeous beauty of nature. Near, amazing, and adventurous! 

2. Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc  

Also a nearby place to Hanoi, Tam Dao mountain - 900 metres height above the sea level - can be an ideal choice for one-day trekking. The only way to get to the top is basically passing the thick forests. Normally, Tam Dao mountain has 3 peaks, so you can conquer 1, 2 or even all of them. Beside mountain, there are also various beautiful places you can have a short visit to Rock Cathedral, Silver Waterfall, etc. With cool climate and sublime mountain, Tam Dao is extraordinary impressive to everybody which has once been here. 

3. Sa Pa, Lao Cai

Mountain top's view

Located in Northwest of Vietnam, about 360 km from the capital Hanoi, Sa Pa is a well-known destination not only for its sublime landscape and the extraordinary people but also for its being an ideal trekking destination. From Sapa center, you can have short trek to some hill tribe villages nearby such as Cat Cat, Sin Chai, etc. If you intend to go with a longer route, you can opt for Muong Hoa valley, Ta Phin village… One of the most incredible place you should not miss is Fansipan – the highest peak of Indochina at 3143 metres. Take a two or three-day trip trekking to the top of the mountain and you will be definitely blown away of what you are watching. 

4. Cao Bang 

Ban Gioc Waterfall

According to SkyScanner, Cao Bang ranked the 5th out of five incredible trekking destinations in South East Asia. Its extremely rugged topography, evergreen forests, huge cave system and especially the bluish Ban Gioc waterfall have colored the splendid beauty of this Northeast province. It attracts a huge number of visitors coming for trekking as well as enjoy daily life with the amazing Tay, Nung ethnic people. 

5. Ha Giang 

The endless terraced field

The North Vietnam is famously excellent with a lot of amazing trekking destinations. Ha Giang, also known as ‘The land of rocks’, is among the spotlight. Everywhere you go, you will see peaky rocks lying in the ground. It’s seriously essential for trekkers to put on a high-quality sport shoes, pack your luggage tight, and just go. Dong Van Plateau and Lung Cu Flag tower are great places to trek out.

The Green Way to Travel in Viet Nam

As the modern life causes us so much busyness and stress, people often tend to get more concerned about some new and relaxing travel trends such as: eco tourism, green tourism, adventure tourism, etc. It's not an exception for foreign visitors traveling in Vietnam: they all mostly want to discover places that remain natural, with no noise and emission, just to enjoy the peaceful and quiet scenery, and free their mind of life for a while.

Perfect place for camping

Under that circumstance, a short trip to Suoi Da Lach will be an awesome idea and a perfect choice with those who long for a day off.

8 DOs and DON'Ts in Vietnamese Lunar New Year Holiday

Vietnamese ‘Tet’ holiday 2015 is coming in the air! If you once had a chance to visit Vietnam in Tet before, you must have seen a lot of exciting, and even strange things that people often do in this occasion. So what’s the difference between Tet - the Lunar New Year and the Western New Year? 

Can you feel the atmosphere of Tet?

Maybe it lies mostly somewhere in the ways people celebrate. On Tet, there are a lot of DO and DON’t, and most people are obligated to these rules to keep their luck for the whole year round. Let check this list and see if you know Vietnam well enough to experience any of them: 

Lanterns up! Sun is set in Hoi An

Wandering along Bach Dang River, you will be astounded of by the reflection of Hoi An town in the river. Lanterns are lightened up from the streets to streets and the night life is just begun!