7 Places to Go in Vietnam to Really Get to Know the Country ...

By Neecey

7 Places to Go in Vietnam to Really Get to Know the Country ...

A stunning coastline, national parks of lush forested mountains, a mighty river, booming cities and tiny floating villages where life goes on as it has done for centuries, and restaurants serving up the most delectable cuisine, all offer a smorgasbord’s delight of places in Vietnam where a visitor will be charmed and beguiled. The country is safe, the people – sometimes very poor - are humble but proud and welcoming, the culture is fascinating and the scenery magnificent. What more could you want for a travel experience par excellence? Here’s just a tiny selection of the places in Vietnam that are starting to make their mark on the tourism stage.

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1

Hanoi

Hanoi Very few can match up to a capital city in helping a visitor to get to know a country, which naturally makes Hanoi one of the premier places in Vietnam for tourists. Known for its mass of motorbikes, Hanoi is chaotic yet graceful; an exotic mix of colonial chic and developing modern Asia. The Old Quarter remains as ever busy as it has been for more than a millennium, while modern office skyscrapers, commercial blocks, and fancy restaurants and boutiques show that Vietnam is forging steam ahead into the 21st century. People escape the noisy streets at Hoan Kiem Lake or one of the many French-inspired gardens and then grab a delicious snack on their way back to the office via the local temple.

2

Sa Pa

Sa Pa One of the great ways to really get to know a country is through its food, and this doesn’t always mean finding restaurants or street food to eat like a local. One of the places to go in Vietnam with a food connection is Sa Pa. Rice is a staple in Vietnam, just like all over Asia, and they are either grown in paddy fields at ground level, or terraces are carved out of mountainsides, creating the most amazing scenery. The rice terraces of Sa Pa are in the Muong Hoa Valley in the north west of Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. The town of Sa Pa being a frontier town has an interesting history, and is also one of the major market towns of the region, so as well as the terraces, there are plenty of things to see here, including the gorgeous natural beauty of the Hoang Lien National Park.

3

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay One of the most photographed places in Vietnam (if not the world) is the superbly stunning Ha Long Bay. The world Heritage Site listed bay is probably also top of the list of attractions of Vietnam. The incredible seascape of thousands of towering limestone islands covered with thick tropical jungle vegetation rising out of crystal clear warm waters is simply breathtakingly beautiful. With a coastline that stretches for 75 miles, the “Bay of Descending Dragons” has plenty of little coves and beaches where you can find yourself a patch of sand to catch the rays and watch the tourist boats navigate their path through the local fishermen.

4

Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels You cannot visit Vietnam and ignore the war that devastated the country for nearly 20 years between 1955 and 1975. There are reminders of the conflict all around the country and some have them have become tourist attractions – like the Cu Chi Tunnels. They lie about 25 miles to the north west of Ho Chi Minh City (once known as Saigon) and the massive network of underground passages was used by the Viet Cong as hiding places during the war. They were also the base of operations in 1968 for the infamous Tết Offensive. Some of the tunnels have been made wider to accommodate visitors.

5

Phu Qoc

Phu Qoc There are many gorgeous places in Vietnam if you have a passion for tropical beaches, and like its neighboring countries as well as having a magnificent coastline, there are also a whole pile of stunning islands. Many Vietnamese islands remain untouched by tourist development so you can still find places to unleash your inner cast-away spirit. One such place is Phu Qoc. Despite being the largest island in Vietnam it has retained its lush tropical forests, healthy coral reefs and pristine beaches. Bai Dai Beach finds its way on to many a list of favorite and best beaches.

Famous Quotes

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

George Santayana
6

The Mekong

The Mekong Geography often defines a country – sometimes it’s mountains, or maybe a desert. In Vietnam, it is surely the mighty Mekong River. The Mekong Delta is one of the great natural wonders of Vietnam, covering more than 15,000 square miles of south west Vietnam where the river meets the South China Sea. And it’s not just the geography that’s attractive. The Mekong is a way of life and the river is surrounded by fertile soil that supplies a huge proportion of Vietnam’s agricultural production. Town, hamlets and floating villages cluster around river and on the delta with the people fishing the waters or working the land. It’s a great adventure going on a boat tour of the Mekong River, especially as many of the settlements can only be reached by water transport.

7

Hoi an

Hoi an Where of all the places to visit in Vietnam can you experience time almost standing sill? Why Hoi An of course. Located on the coast, Hoi is a step back in time. It is a fishing town that has retained its look of a typical Asian seaport from the 15th to 19th centuries. Now a World Heritage Site, Hoi An is known as the Venice of Vietnam, thanks to the network of canals that traverse the town. The Old Town with its narrow, winding lanes, Chinese-style shops, Japanese tea houses and elaborate temples remains the beating heart Hoi An and thanks to lack of traffic and 21st century encroachment, is charmingly provincial.

What do you think? Have I convinced you Vietnam should be on your travel wish list?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

My country :) so proud

You miss my hometown- Nha Trang. It's a must-see place :D haha

Must visit! My first trip abroad was to Vietnam when I was just 3 years old and ever since I keep coming back.

I went Hanoi and ha long bay :)

It's Phu Quoc Island

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