Top 10 must-sees to discover when travelling to Vietnam

Discover without further delay the 10 must-see sites in the country that make Vietnam a truly unmissable destination throughout the world!!!

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The magical Halong Bay

It is the jewel of the country’s natural heritage that you absolutely must discover during your trip to Vietnam. The largest marine karst in the world, this UNESCO-listed natural site of extreme beauty can be discovered during a two-day cruise with one night on a traditional junk. Two days are not too long to explore this natural wonder made up of nearly two thousand karst islands and islets bristling in a jade sea. On the program for this exceptional cruise, there is kayaking, visits to caves, floating fishing villages, pearl farms, tai chi classes at first light, and seafood tasting. A moment forever engraved in your memory of traveller!

Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam

Hanoi is an endearing and oh-so-interesting city. You will be surprised by its hustle and bustle, its bustling activity, dazzled by its formidable colonial architectural heritage, fascinated by its history, captivated by its numerous museums and cultural sites, and delighted to be able to discover the quintessence of Vietnamese gastronomy. All around Hanoi, you will also have the chance to visit numerous artisanal villages perpetuating age-old traditions typical of the Red River Delta.

The northern mountain ranges

The Tonkinese Alps are home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Vietnam. It is a paradise for hikers and travellers who want to get off the beaten track. In fabulous settings of rice terraces clinging to the mountains lives an incredible ethnic fiercely attached to its cultural identity. We invite you to meet these ethnic groups in the markets saturated with colour or better yet in their homes during a homestay rich in sharing. This region of prints marked by the imprint of history never leaves the traveller indifferent!

Halong Bay on land

The Trang An landscape complex, commonly called Halong Bay on land, is an exceptional natural and cultural site classified as a UNESCO heritage site. Imagine yourself gliding by boat, at the water's edge, through the maze of a limestone mess to discover a remarkable number of natural, cultural, and historical properties such as the ancient imperial city of Hoa Lu, the Bich Dong pagoda, the palace Vu Lam, Thung Nham Bird Sanctuary or Van Long Nature Reserve.

Hue, the former imperial capital

Hue is a truly unmissable destination during your stay in Vietnam. The first Vietnamese cultural site classified by UNESCO, Hue is the guardian of the history, heritage, and traditions of the Nguyen dynasty. As you cruise the graceful Perfume River, you discover the stunning tombs of the emperors, the Imperial City, the Purple Forbidden City, and the Inner City. The major Buddhist centre of Vietnam, Hue, and its surroundings are home to numerous temples and pagodas such as the famous Thien Mu pagoda. This city full of poetry and elegance reveals magnificent garden houses, rich and varied craftsmanship, and divine gastronomy, downright royal!

Hoi An Ancient Town

Also listed by UNESCO, Hoi An is home to a superbly well-preserved ensemble of more than a thousand ancient buildings reflecting the mix of indigenous and foreign cultures when the town was a prosperous trading port from the 15th to the 19th century on the route Silk. In addition to its magnificent architectural heritage, Hoi An seduces with its creative cuisine, its beautiful crafts, its charming countryside, and its pretty beaches where you can relax after a day full of discoveries.

Dalat, the former health resort

Perched at an altitude of 1,600 metres on the Lang Biang plateau in the Central Highlands region, the “city of eternal spring” is an unmissable destination during your trip to Vietnam. Created as a health resort at the beginning of the 20th century at the instigation of the Governor General of Indochina Paul Doumer and with the help of the famous doctor Yersin, Dalat nestles in an enchanting setting and is home to a truly exceptional colonial architectural heritage. Its countryside is home to high-altitude lakes, flower gardens, pine forests, and beautiful waterfalls and is the territory of hill tribes.

Saigon, the feverish capital of Southern Vietnam

The ancient “pearl of the Far East” is undeniably an essential stopover as it fascinates with its mix of tradition and modernity. Glass buildings rub shoulders with old colonial buildings such as the opera, the central post office, or Notre Dame Cathedral. In the bustling Chinesedistrict of Cholon, telephone stores stand shoulder to shoulder with ancient temples and pagodas saturated with incense smoke.

The water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta

This vast river region is a true Garden of Eden that you absolutely must discover during your visit to Vietnam. On foot, by bike, and by boat, you will discover another face of Vietnam, resolutely turned towards the legendary Mekong River and its many arms. The astonishing floating markets, the tasty tropical fruits of the orchards, the hypnotic rice fields, the fabulous handicrafts, the nights in local homes, and the relaxed hospitality of the people of the South are yours.

The Vietnamese coastline for a beach break

Stretching over more than 2000 kilometres, the coastline of Vietnam offers you a great opportunity to enjoy seaside pleasures during or at the end of your stay. Depending on your desires, you have the choice between well-known seaside resorts like Danang, Nha Trang, or Mui Ne, or more intimate ones like Quy Nhon, Nui Chua, or Con Dao.

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