Ho Chi Minh CityHotter, brasher and more in your face than Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the sort of place you have to hurl yourself into; embrace the swarming m
Trang 1When choosing where to go in Vietnam, what you should realize is that the answer is pretty
much everywhere Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries on earth and is full of
destinations that will take your breath away
This list takes into account not only Vietnam’s incredible natural beauty but also its more rural side Some of the places on this list are well-known for being world-renowned and UNESCO protected Others are a little less known and are a must when choosing where to
go in Vietnam
I couldn’t mention all of the places to visit, otherwise this list would be never-ending These are my choices as the absolute best, when choosing where to go in Vietnam So without further ado, let’s get started!
Vietnam is full of dramatic destinations and delivers visual fireworks, sensory overloads and unique experiences wherever you travel; look out for intriguing urban adventures, striking landscapes and history at every turn The challenge is trying to fit in everything that you might want to do Use our Best of guide to Vietnam's Top Ten destinations to start to plan your perfect
itinerary
Vietnam is enjoying something of a renaissance and the youthful, enthusiastic population are engaging with the wider world Although still nominally communist and socially conservative, Vietnam is much more accessible Stable, secure, with a decent infrastructure and a large number
of boutique or stylish places to stay, the country, whose cuisine has already gone global, is set to announce itself on the world stage
So when will you go? And where will you head?
Hanoi
Immerse yourself in Hanoi Explore the Old Quarter, marvel at mist-covered lakes and fading
colonial facades and catch a glimpse of the city's centuries old traditions and heritage
Walk the warren of streets dedicated to a single trade; explore the Temple of Literature, see the Presidential Palace and pay your respects to Ho Chi Minh at his monolithic mausoleum Make
sure you stop to snack on delicious street food and sip crisp bia hoi, fresh beer brewed daily, at
shabby street corner bars as well
Trang 2Ho Chi Minh City
Hotter, brasher and more in your face than Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as
Saigon, is the sort of place you have to hurl yourself into; embrace the swarming motorbikes, chaotic street scenes and jostling crowds at Ben Thanh Market to discover a wealth of history, some superb food and a pulsating nightlife that is unmistakably Vietnamese
For an insight into the war that ravaged the country, variously known as the Vietnam or
American War depending on who you talk to, visit the War Remnants Museum and take a trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Halong Bay Halong Bay's outrageous landscape of karst limestone peaks and aquamarine seas is one of
Vietnam's top tourist draws, and rightfully so With more than 2,000 different islands here
though, there's plenty of scenery to go round; book an overnight cruise and make the most of a misty early morning kayak paddle and explore hidden grottos and lagoons before sailing back Otherwise, weigh anchor at Cat Ba Island and explore the national park here For a quieter and less-developed alternative, head north to Bai Tu Long Bay
Sapa Ride the rails from Hanoi into the hills and ascend the Tonkinese Alps to Sapa in order to escape
the hurly burly of the capital and discover tranquil hill stations, sinuous ridges, rice paddies and colourful ethnic minority villages
Whilst here, climb Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak and the Roof of Indochina, and peer
through the wreaths of cloud towards the Chinese border
Mai Chau Relaxing and remote, Mai Chau is a tranquil valley that's the perfect antidote to the bustle of
Vietnam's urban centres and the ideal place to experience northern Vietnam's rich rural culture Stay in traditional stilt houses, set out on foot to trek the countryside, cycle through rice paddies and fields or explore the traditional markets before learning how to cook like a local
Dalat Escape the lowland heat by climbing to Dalat, a French-era mountain retreat surrounded by
lakes and tea plantations in the central highlands Stay in grand colonial villas, cycle roller-coaster roads, try abseiling or canyoning, visit waterfalls or simply slow down for a while
Hoi An
Trang 3Once Vietnam's most cosmopolitan port, Hoi An is considered the country's most attractive
town It still has a medieval air but now boasts a wealth of cosmopolitan restaurants, hip eateries, quirky boutiques and the country's best tailors too
Wander the labyrinthine old streets, tour the temples, dine well, get measured for a suit and then retreat to An Bang Beach
Hué Once the imperial capital of the country, Hué still has a charming character and atmospheric vibe
that can be soaked up as you relax on the banks of the Perfume River
Explore the impressive Hué Citadel, its temples, walled defences and residential areas, to get a sense of the city's grandeur and place in history, it was the cradle of Buddhism in Vietnam, before visiting some of the country's finest pagodas and royal tombs on the outskirts
Vietnam's Beaches Mui Ne
15 miles of beach close to Mui Ne stretch elegantly along this swathe of the coast Kick back here with spa treatments and sundowners or get your pulse racing with adrenaline activities such
as kite surfing and sandboarding
Nha Trang
Popular and boisterous, Nha Trang is Vietnam's party place With a good beach, large crowds and plenty to see and do, it's justifiably popular, whether you come for an adventure cruise, a visit to the local mud baths or a chance to see some ancient Cham towers
Phu Quoc
For the ultimate in escapism and laid-back chic though, travel to the outlying island of Phu Quoc Pause on the brilliant beaches backed by coconut palms, soak in the Gulf of Thailand, snorkel from unspoiled islets or set off on a motorbike to explore the quieter corners
Mekong Delta Board a river cruise and take to the watery avenues and canals of the Mekong Delta to
intimately discover the heart of the country and the traditional lives of its inhabitants; explore the marketplace at Can Tho, the Delta's largest city for a great insight into daily routines
Readily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City, it makes a great excursion and offers you an
alternative perspective as you wind through verdant jungle, fruit plantations and fishermen's shacks
Vietnam is often depicted as a place with steamy jungles and hot beaches, but country's climate
is quite diverse, with freezing temperatures and even snow in its northern highlands Vietnam has two distinct monsoon seasons The southwest monsoon brings in wet and humid weather while
Trang 4the northeast monsoon delivers drizzly, colder temperatures to the north and dry weather to the south Northern Vietnam has four seasons: during its winter months December-February, it may dip down to 5-6°C occasionally, even below zero in mountainous areas The summer months of June and July are hot, with daytime temperatures reaching 35°C Drizzling rains and more pleasant temperatures come in autumn, August-November, and the spring, March-April Central Vietnam has warm temperatures year round, with the hottest months in middle of the year, and cooler, drier days from November to April Southern Vietnam has a dry season from November
to April and a wet season from May to October Overall, Vietnam enjoys a mild tropical or subtropical climate and aside from a few months a year in the high northern region you'll never need to worry about packing cold-weather gear But do bring an umbrella, especially if visiting from July to November, Vietnam's stormiest months
Read more at: http://www.vietnam-guide.com/vietnam-weather.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
1 Take your food fantasy to Hanoi
It is a haven for all the food lovers
You can find in Hanoi the best delicacies in the country and at a cost friendly price It is a big city which mean that there are multiple restaurants and places where you can get any type of meal you want
If you love eating unique and tasty meals, then you need to take a tour to Hanoi It is better if you have a tour guide to help you explore the city without much hustle while you enjoy the tasty meals which are readily affordable
2 Take a Tractor to the beach (central Vietnam)
One of the most adventurous things to do in Vietnam was taking a tractor to the beach
This is one of the super-NON-touristy things to do!
This beach we went to is North of the Mui Dinh dunes There was a street food stall near the street We stopped there, asked, they sent the tractor
Vietnam is loaded with beautiful nature, experiences and culture This list will help you to find the best things to do in Vietnam as well as how to prepare your adventure
Vietnam has earned its name as one of the most versatile and golden places to visit on earth It has a lot to offer when it comes to the tourist attractions
It actually has everything for everyone when it comes to likes and favorite places to visit, foods
to eat, and scenery among others It is a serene tourist destination which is envied by even the frequent travelers
Trang 5Update: Find 41 Best Things to do in Hanoi
Update: Read now 24 Fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon
This is your guide to the best FUN things to do in Vietnam A complete guide, a guide to see what do Vietnamese for fun, tipping, what to eat in Vietnam
This article covers everything about Vietnam:
1 top things to do
2 10 Smart and basic Travel Tips for Vietnam
3 10 Things not to do in Vietnam
4 Shopping: 6 Things to buy (souvenirs, perks and essentials)
5 What to pack – a packing list
6 handpicked accommodations (hostels, hotels, homestays, resorts)
8 Visa to Vietnam
9 Safety in Vietnam
10 Things to do in Vietnam in 15 days (Itinerary ideas)
11 guide books
12 your questions
It is said that you cannot truly claim to have explored all what Vietnam has to offer on just one visit
However, like any other destination, you want to explore and tour, you will need to make some serious preparations if you want to get the most out of your visit
This is a guest article Hostelgeeks visited as well Vietnam, and we got back with a bunch of amazing hostels
Read: all the best hostels in Vietnam.
1) Best Things to Do in Vietnam
Assuming that you have done your research and you know the basics already, below are the coolest things and tours you can do while in your stay
No worries, we cover the basic tips here
Trang 6In this list we share our adventures of 3 months in Vietnam With the fun things, the cool things and gems we found
We share how to drive around on a motorbike, explore hidden tunnels and how a tractor took us
in a shovel to a lonely beach
(As for the printed guide book, here is your Lonely Planet to Vietnam.)
1 Take your food fantasy to Hanoi
It is a haven for all the food lovers
You can find in Hanoi the best delicacies in the country and at a cost friendly price It is a big city which mean that there are multiple restaurants and places where you can get any type of meal you want
If you love eating unique and tasty meals, then you need to take a tour to Hanoi It is better if you have a tour guide to help you explore the city without much hustle while you enjoy the tasty meals which are readily affordable
Food and Walking Tours in Hanoi
There are also plenty of Hanoi Waking Tours Personally I love food walking tours combined You can find great walking ours in Hanoi here
Find more information on food tours in Hanoi here
From pork to noodles and fish dishes, you will find all once you get to Hanoi
Our absolute favorite restaurant in Hanoi is called NEW DAY in the old town
Vegetarian Food in Hanoi
Also, Vegetarians will love the food in Hanoi There are many many options All over Vietnam you will find An Chay Restaurants
“An Chay” means Vegetarian Not everybody actually understands what vegetarian means, so
they might want to put chicken on top of your Bahn Mi, for instance Keep an eye on it and let them know by gestures you do not want chicken on your food, for instance
Vietnamese street sellers are happy to make you the sandwich you want
2 Take a Tractor to the beach (central Vietnam)
Trang 7One of the most adventurous things to do in Vietnam was taking a tractor to the beach.
This is one of the super-NON-touristy things to do!
This beach we went to is North of the Mui Dinh dunes There was a street food stall near the street We stopped there, asked, they sent the tractor
This is the exact location on Google Maps
No, I am not kidding This is exactly how Vietnam works!
They brought us to the beach through the Vietnamese dessert
We agreed they will pick us up again in 2 hours We were beaching for a bit, took amazing photos, enjoyed the ambiance There was also a small street food shop on the beach
Again, this is Vietnam This is the typical Vietnam experience when you leave the beaten path!
We stayed at the Hon Co Ca Na Resorts for $35 a night
From here we took our motorbikes along the coast line to the dunes again and then took the tractor
The resort is super cool as well You stay 5 meters away from the beach in huge rooms The food int he restaurant itself was also amazing
The guy working there became our close friend, we chatted always with him and he gave us amazing tips So, yeah, come over here!
3 Experience wind and kitesurfing in Mui Ne
The region may paint a picture as being only a fishing destination, since it is famous for that You can get your gear ready to surf with the wind and sand dunes It is a magical experience which adds to the excitement once you tour the area It ignites a sense of adventure and if you do not want to surf you can watch the beautiful sand dunes to make your trip worthwhile
Vietnam is loaded with beautiful nature, experiences and culture This list will help you to find the best things to do in Vietnam as well as how to prepare your adventure
Vietnam has earned its name as one of the most versatile and golden places to visit on earth It has a lot to offer when it comes to the tourist attractions
Trang 8It actually has everything for everyone when it comes to likes and favorite places to visit, foods
to eat, and scenery among others It is a serene tourist destination which is envied by even the frequent travelers
Update: Find 41 Best Things to do in Hanoi
Update: Read now 24 Fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon
This is your guide to the best FUN things to do in Vietnam A complete guide, a guide to see what do Vietnamese for fun, tipping, what to eat in Vietnam
This article covers everything about Vietnam:
1 top things to do
2 10 Smart and basic Travel Tips for Vietnam
3 10 Things not to do in Vietnam
4 Shopping: 6 Things to buy (souvenirs, perks and essentials)
5 What to pack – a packing list
6 handpicked accommodations (hostels, hotels, homestays, resorts)
8 Visa to Vietnam
9 Safety in Vietnam
10 Things to do in Vietnam in 15 days (Itinerary ideas)
11 guide books
12 your questions
It is said that you cannot truly claim to have explored all what Vietnam has to offer on just one visit
However, like any other destination, you want to explore and tour, you will need to make some serious preparations if you want to get the most out of your visit
This is a guest article Hostelgeeks visited as well Vietnam, and we got back with a bunch of amazing hostels
Read: all the best hostels in Vietnam.
1) Best Things to Do in Vietnam
Trang 9Assuming that you have done your research and you know the basics already, below are the coolest things and tours you can do while in your stay
No worries, we cover the basic tips here
In this list we share our adventures of 3 months in Vietnam With the fun things, the cool things and gems we found
We share how to drive around on a motorbike, explore hidden tunnels and how a tractor took us
in a shovel to a lonely beach
(As for the printed guide book, here is your Lonely Planet to Vietnam.)
1 Take your food fantasy to Hanoi
It is a haven for all the food lovers
You can find in Hanoi the best delicacies in the country and at a cost friendly price It is a big city which mean that there are multiple restaurants and places where you can get any type of meal you want
If you love eating unique and tasty meals, then you need to take a tour to Hanoi It is better if you have a tour guide to help you explore the city without much hustle while you enjoy the tasty meals which are readily affordable
Food and Walking Tours in Hanoi
There are also plenty of Hanoi Waking Tours Personally I love food walking tours combined You can find great walking ours in Hanoi here
Find more information on food tours in Hanoi here
From pork to noodles and fish dishes, you will find all once you get to Hanoi
Our absolute favorite restaurant in Hanoi is called NEW DAY in the old town
Vegetarian Food in Hanoi
Also, Vegetarians will love the food in Hanoi There are many many options All over Vietnam you will find An Chay Restaurants
“An Chay” means Vegetarian Not everybody actually understands what vegetarian means, so
they might want to put chicken on top of your Bahn Mi, for instance Keep an eye on it and let them know by gestures you do not want chicken on your food, for instance
Vietnamese street sellers are happy to make you the sandwich you want
Trang 102 Take a Tractor to the beach (central Vietnam)
One of the most adventurous things to do in Vietnam was taking a tractor to the beach
This is one of the super-NON-touristy things to do!
This beach we went to is North of the Mui Dinh dunes There was a street food stall near the street We stopped there, asked, they sent the tractor
This is the exact location on Google Maps
No, I am not kidding This is exactly how Vietnam works!
They brought us to the beach through the Vietnamese dessert
We agreed they will pick us up again in 2 hours We were beaching for a bit, took amazing photos, enjoyed the ambiance There was also a small street food shop on the beach
Again, this is Vietnam This is the typical Vietnam experience when you leave the beaten path!
We stayed at the Hon Co Ca Na Resorts for $35 a night
From here we took our motorbikes along the coast line to the dunes again and then took the tractor
The resort is super cool as well You stay 5 meters away from the beach in huge rooms The food int he restaurant itself was also amazing
The guy working there became our close friend, we chatted always with him and he gave us amazing tips So, yeah, come over here!
3 Experience wind and kitesurfing in Mui Ne
The region may paint a picture as being only a fishing destination, since it is famous for that
Stop looking at your screen and come experience yourself how beautiful Beaches in Thailand are!
However, it has a lot more to offer in terms of adventure
Mui Ne has amazing sand dunes which you can take advantage of.