Anyone who visits the lovely country of Viet Nam knows full well that it offers a magnificent mix of cultural diversity as well as natural highlights which have to be seen to be believed. Bikers, hikers and those who simply love the great outdoors can visit the countryside where national parks are located and the popular Ha Long Bay can be experienced on a lovely river cruise. The big cities and rural areas are not to be missed either because they show culinary highlights and incredible panoramas. Below are 10 of the best places to visit in Viet Nam.
Ha Noi
Ha Noi is the capital city of Viet Nam, where all Viet Nam tours should be started and it offers everything that is expected from the heart beat of this wonderful country. Traffic, noise and street vendors can sometimes be too much to take in for many tourists however, for those looking for a full blown, exciting Vietnamese city life experience, there is no better city in the country than this one. The Viet Nam Fine Art Museum and the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology are wonderful places to stop by while in the city for history fans.
Sa Pa
This breath taking town is very charming, full of colour and provides the perfect get away for tourists. Located in the town centre is the Gothic stone church which is hard to miss. Stalls and shops are everywhere for those looking for a souvenir or two to take home. The food is also magnificent in this town with tourists treated to European inspired or Vietnamese cuisines meaning there is something for everyone. Something not to be missed in this town is what is known as the Saturday night “love market”. It is one of the strictest and most potent single’s nights one can ever imagine.
Ha Long Bay
A UNESCO world heritage site, Ha Long Bay is like a portrait by a famous painter and is one of the most amazing sea views one will ever see in their life. In order for tourists to see some of the bay’s iconic vistas, an overnight trip is highly recommended as taking a trip in the day does not do this incredible place any favours. Caves that can be explored in this area are many and one of them is the Hang Sung Sot. Anyone embarking on Indochina tours and looking for a lovely cruise where they will sit back and enjoy the scenery, Ha Long Bay is the place to be.
Hoi An
Hoi An is a city filled with historic architecture on every corner and is one of the most atmospheric city’s one can every visit. There are plenty of things to discover in the old town quarter include the old merchants houses which date back to the 15th century. Major attractions in the town include the highly decorated Assembly Hall of Fujian Chinese Congregation temple and the wonderful looking Japanese Bridge found at the western side of Tran Phu Street.
My Son
This Cham era temple city that is bordered by mountains and a luscious jungle goes as far back as the 4th century and is filled with history. My Son can easily be reached from Hoi An and when one step foot at this lovely place, there will see 20 sandstone block temple structure that highlight the influence from the Malay and Indian empires. There is an incredible museum present at the location that offers plenty of information as well as history on the Cham.
Nha Trang
Anyone looking for some water and sand, Nha Trang is just the place to be because the beach there stretches over 6km and is well maintained. In the summer time, the beach is filled with both tourists and local families enjoying their holidays. There is a designated swimming area and the lounging area offers visitors the option to take in some Vitamin D.
Ho Chi Minh City
People who love the city life and the vibes it brings should stop by at Ho Chi Minh City. Cafes and restaurants that serve traditional meals are many in this city and there is no shortage of choice. It is also one of the best places to do some shopping for all those shopaholics and a souvenir or two can be picked up. The city has a handful of attractions which include the HCMC Museum, the grand Notre Dame Cathedral, the History Museum for history fans, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnels are a treat for anyone who visits Viet Nam and is not just for those who love their history. This iconic tunnel network that stretched over 250km allowed troops to commute in areas near Ho Chi Minh City during the war. With a proper guide, tourists can easily get to these tunnels at Ben Duoc Village and Ben Dinh Village. Visitors are mostly on their knees and hands in these tunnels most of the time because it is the only way to access other area.
Mekong Delta
Located in the south of Viet Nam where the Mekong River meets the sea, the Mekong Delta is a very interesting region to visit for tourists because it is full of local life, luscious, a floating market that can easily be explored by boat and incredible vistas. The closest town to the delta is Can Tho which a lot of visitors use as a base because it is very near to the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets.
Phu Quoc Island
For those looking for some sand, sun, water as well as some peace and quiet, Phu Quoc Island is as peaceful as it gets in Viet Nam with many tourists stopping by as part of their Viet Nam customised tours. People mainly visit the Island for the boat trips which are very peaceful as well as the chance to participate in many water sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, wind sailing, jet-skiing and squid fishing. For those looking for a bit of excitement on their visit, the Duong Dong Market offers tourists a sample of the local culture and a wonderful experience.
Read more: Top 16 Reasons to Visit Viet Nam