Top 10 ideas for visiting Vietnam

One of the most enchanting destinations, from North to South, Vietnam is full of an abundant and exceptional heritage on all levels, natural, historical, and cultural. From the mountains to the sea, via bays and rivers, a pagoda, or tunnels, here are our 10 best ideas to remember your stay in Vietnam.

***

1. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is located in the west of the Gulf of Tonkin, it encompasses the sea and the islands belonging to Halong City, Cam Pha City, and part of the Van Don island district, Quang Ninh province. The bay, running along the coastline for 120 km, extends over 1,553 km2 where 1,969 islands and islets stand, most of them are limestone. Just the core of the bay, with a surface area of 335 km2, brings together 775 rocks of all shapes.

Spoiled by Mother Nature, Halong, “descent of the dragon” in Vietnamese, is appreciated above all by its emerald carpet where thousands of multi-shaped rocks and superb caves unfold. Whether at dawn or dusk, it is a magical cosmos which, grandiose as it is, gives the visitor a feeling of tranquillity and abandonment, when they float on the calm waters of the bay, while exploring this spectacular geological museum. A big must-see on vacation in Vietnam, Halong Bay owes its triumphant position to a great abundance of resources that constitute a unique landscape, geological – -geomorphological, and bio-organic heritage.

Popular with travellers, it is in the top 29 most beautiful bays in the world, as well as in the top 10 most impressive coastlines on the planet according to the Huffington Post, Halong Bay has been recognized by New Open World as one of the seven new wonders of the world in 2011.

2. Thien Mu Pagoda

The Thien Mu Pagoda or Linh Mu (the Heavenly Lady) is a historical and religious emblem of the ancient imperial city of Hue. This ancient pagoda is nestled on Ha Khe Hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River.

Built-in 1601 by Lord Nguyen Hoang, the first in the Centre, it is adorned with a picturesque landscape setting, which earned it the title of the most beautiful pagoda of its time. Having gone through many vicissitudes, cherished by the kings of the Nguyen dynasty, it was the subject of consecutive restorations and enlargements. A spiritual centre in the city of Hue, this elegant building in perfect harmony with the peaceful surrounding nature retains its letters of nobility today by attracting numerous national and Western visitors.

3. Hoan Kiem Lake

The legendary soul of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake located in the heart of the bustling city, remains a haven of peace of unparalleled beauty, despite the centuries gone by. This place was also known under other names, like Luc Thuy, and Thuy Quan, and the name Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword) dates back to the 15th century with the legend of the restitution of the sacred sword by King Le Thai To to the genius of the giant turtle.

The history of the lake cannot be written without Thap Rua (the Turtle Tower), The Huc Bridge, the Ngoc Son temple, the Thap But, Dai Nghien Towers, and on the shore, the Hoa Phong Tower... which complement each other harmoniously on a cultural, spiritual and aesthetic level. A historical witness, a relay between the past and the present, and a mecca for national festivities, this lake is, above all, a dear meeting place that locals frequent to enjoy the charming tranquillity that reigns there. An essential stop not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam.

4. Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An town is located in the Centre, about 25km from Da Nang city in the South-East and 50 km from Tam Ky town in the North-East. Named “Faifoo” by Europeans, between the 16th and 17th centuries it was the most prosperous commercial port in Southeast Asia, welcoming Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian traders.

Hoi An City is a discreet treasure, a city with a fabulous heritage to discover without delay while traveling in Vietnam. It is not only full of exceptional architectural remains from the period, but above all, it has managed to preserve a unique intangible heritage through religious rites and festivities, and traditional arts and crafts...

Inspiring the nostalgia of a pure soul, Hoi An charms with the extreme serenity of its mossy roofs but also with its sparkling lanterns which light up the peaceful Thu Bon river in the evening. On the culinary side, you cannot visit Hoi An without tasting its refined typical dishes like Cao Lau, my Quang, or the “Hoa hong trang” cake. World heritage recognized in 1999 by UNESCO, Hoi An Ancient Town, a rare beauty is undoubtedly a model of a secular city unrivalled in Vietnam and even in the world.

5. Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island, nicknamed “Island of Pearls”, extending over nearly 590 km², is the largest island in Vietnam, a paradise destination still sheltered from the crowds of tourists.

Phu Quoc will seduce you with its desert beaches, its ultra-transparent ocean, its lush primitive forests, but also with its exceptional seafood and its sumptuous cultural pearls. Renowned for its pleasant climate and rich ecosystem, this island will delight all visitors. Set off to discover its infinite resources, whether in its national park or its treasure trove of coral reefs, after hours of pleasant swimming. If you are still hesitant to embrace the soul of this sleeping beauty, Bai Sao Beach in Phu Quoc was elected in 2015 by CN Traveler as one of the 10 wildest and quietest beaches in the world.

6. The rice terraces of Sapa

Renowned “city in the mist”, Sapa is a mountainous region in the North-West of Vietnam, very famous for its sublime rice terraces, as far as the eye can see, highlighting a masterpiece mixing natural decor and human influences.

In addition to the magnificence of its grandiose landscape, Sapa satisfies your curiosity with its colourful weekly markets and in particular the lovers' markets where the varied traditions and cultures of ethnic groups abound. The splendid rice terraces of Sa Pa appeared in 2009 in the list published by Travel and Leisure, among the 7 most beautiful and spectacular rice terraces in Asia and the world. Lonely Planet magazine also appreciated Sapa by including it in its list of 10 best destinations for walking. In the same vein, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Education has classified the Sapa rice terraces as a national natural heritage.

7. Mui Ne Resort

22 km from the town of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan province in the south of the country, Mui Ne, whose name evokes sea and sand, has all the advantages of a holiday paradise to offer for any trip to Vietnam: tropical climate, absence of storms, magnificent beaches and immense sandy strip.

Sports escape of all kinds, and seaside leisure or relaxing stroll in the fishing villages along the coconut trees... everything is worth the detour. Its strip of sand was ranked 2nd among the ten best destinations in the world for sand boarding (according to the website wonderslist.com). In its surroundings there is no shortage of interesting sites rich in cultural and historical value such as the Suoi Tien River (source of the Fairies), the Nuoc (Water) tower, the remains of the Champa Temples, the Ong pagodas and the Thien Hau Lady.

8. The Mekong Delta

Also called the South Delta or the South-West region, the Mekong Delta extends over a total area of nearly 41 thousand km2. With a long coastline and a very dense network of rivers, arroyos, islands, and varied islets, this fertile region is ideal for enjoying the virtues of ecotourism and tropical adventures.

Discover the lush orchards, take a boat ride on one of the nine branches of the Mekong River overlooking the sea, and penetrate a corner of the soul of the population by attending a vibrant session of “??n ca tài t?” (songs of amateurs), but above all taste the delicious local specialties. Don't leave this land overflowing with life without having visited its multicolour floating markets teeming with boats loaded with fruits and goods of all kinds. This beautiful escape is pleasantly punctuated by the meeting with the particularly smiling and welcoming populations. A real treat not to be missed when heading to the South of Vietnam.

9. Nha Trang seaside town

450 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang City benefits from an ideal geographical location to deserve its nickname of “tropical paradise”, this destination is very popular with people looking for relaxation and sea lovers. The resort can boast of one of the most beautiful bays in the world with long beaches of fine sand and resplendent turquoise waters. A seaside vacation in Vietnam is guaranteed.

By its intoxicating nature, the sea of Nha Trang allows you to discover a miraculous seabed, reputed to be the most abundant and diverse in the country. A dream spot for water activities, for amateurs and professionals alike. Also considered the “holiday capital”, Nha Trang has everything to attract travellers. A true cultural, artistic, and sporting melting pot takes place there every two years during its International Maritime Festival.

10. The Cu Chi Tunnels

It is in the Cu Chi district, 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City in the Northeast, that we discover the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground defense system that is a symbol of the manual and spiritual concoction of Vietnamese fighters during the war against American troops. This system composed of two large parts, Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh, is distributed in two different municipalities.

Unique for its 200km long spider web structure, these tunnels are distinguished by their 3 floors, the first and second of which are 3m high, while the deepest is over 12m high. These floors, all very cramped, concentrate all the shelter, living, meeting space, storage facilities, field hospitals, command bodies, and also traps. Beyond a military complex, this place is indeed a glorious witness to the tenacity of the Vietnamese fighters and people. Preserved by the State as a National Historic Heritage, the breath-taking tunnels of Cu Chis are an unmissable historic stop in Saigon.

>> Do you have a trip to Vietnam in mind, with family or a group? Let yourself be inspired by tailor-made programs from a credible local expert, a travel agency in Vietnam, you will leave with no worries.

Related articles:

>> Vietnam in 10 days - Immersion in authentic northern Vietnam

>> 8 Must-Visit Traditional Craft Villages in Hanoi

>> Adventure travel in Vietnam – 6 Best Ideas to see

>> Tour 1 week in Vietnam: Good deals for a 7-day tour in Vietnam