The Best Highlights in Vietnam

The Best Highlights in Vietnam

Are you planning a holiday to Vietnam? Then you are in a real retreat , because this country is one of the real gems of Southeast Asia. The combination of bustling cities, tranquil beaches and cultural centres with lush countryside and friendly people makes Vietnam exploration memorable. Some of the best Vietnam tours offered in this wonderful country focus on exploring Southern Vietnam, Northern Vietnam, or a combination of these interesting and attractive regions. Here is some information about the best high lights you check you if you enter this country.

Hanoi Capital

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, it is in the north of the country on the Red River. It is just over half the size of its southern counterpart. Like Ho Chi Minh City, it is expanding. It's more stately and calmer than its boisterous offspring, with tree-lined boulevards and large colonial villas, many of which are now embassies or government buildings, and its prices are more reasonable. It is surrounded by many ‘craft villages’, each specialising in a specific traditional craft. For those tourists already familiar with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi does not have the 24-hour go-go pulse of its southern sister. Rather, it is a city with seasons and moods, two lovely, one too hot, one a bit dreary; a downtown that sleeps at night; a more polite, conservative citizenry; and a long established artistic and intellectual tradition. For sites to see in the city and neighboring regions, it beats Saigon by a long shot. As the economy develops, the city's pace may pick up and even one day rival the boom of the south. Or it may not want to. In the mean time, visitors can enjoy the qualities that make Vietnam's capital especially unique today, with one foot in the past, one in the present and a wary eye on the future.

Sapa - Hill tribes

Sapa is located at the foothills of Vietnam's northern mountain range at an altitude of 1,600 metres. In the early 20th century, the French took advantage of Sapa's cool climate, developing it into a summer retreat from the heat and humidity of
Hanoi.
Today, Sapa retains its European feel, largely because of the remnants of French buildings, gardens and roads that populate this alpine city.
Sapa was originally home to the Black Hmong ethnic minorities. With the arrival of the French and, more recently, the growth of tourism, many of the hill tribes have moved away from Sapa's city centre into the surrounding hill country. Still, ethnic minorities often come to Sapa's main market to sell weavings and artwork.
Sapa has become a destination for travellers seeking adventure. It is a staging point for trekking at Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest mountain, and for motorcycle trips into the wild hill country. Extended treks to visit villages of minority tribes are also available.

Halong Bay

Majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. Imagine 3000 or more incredible islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have a vision of breathtaking beauty. Halong Bay is pure art, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature. Beyond the breathtaking vistas on a boat cruise through the bay, visitors to Halong come to explore the caves - some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefit of tourists - and to hike in Cat Ba National Park. There are few real beaches in Halong Bay, but Lan Ha Bay (off the coast of Cat Ba Island) has more than 100 sandy strips.

Hue Ancient Capital

The Forbidden Purple City was modeled after the Imperial City in Beijing and served as the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen dynasty. The impressive citadel was nearly completely destroyed during the 25 days of Tet Offensive in 1968, but has been partially restored and is once again open to visitors.
Unlike Hochiminh City and Hanoi, Hue seems to be out of the frenzied economic storm, the city is quiet, peaceful. The main attraction of Hue is the Forbidden City, Pagodas, imperial tombs (Minh Mang, Gia Long, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh Tomb), Perfume River and bonsai gardens.

Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An is located 30km south of Danang City, and it is the heart of Quang Nam central province. Hoi An attracts tourists thanks to its poetic and picturesque landscapes such as Thuan Tinh islet, Cua Dai beach,Cham island together with traditional handicrafts and famous local specialities. Up to now, the ancient town of Hoi An still preserves its original architectures, including houses, temples, pogodas, streets, ports, civil buildings, religious structures and other non-religious worshipping structures. it’s now quite definitely a tourist town - with hotels, restaurants, bars, tailors and souvenir shops dominating the old centre. Despite this air of irreality, Hoi An’s charisma pervades.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang City is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides: the North, the West, and the South. The City is bordered by the sea to the East. Cai River of Nha Trang and Cua Be River divide Nha Trang into 3 sections, consisting of 27 communes and wards. Nha Trang is home to many famous beautiful spots and landscapes and is a major tourist center in the country. Typical landscapes and beautiful sites in Nha Trang are Ponagar Tower Temples, Chong Rocks, Do Islet, Yen Islands, Noi Island, Ngoai Island, Mieu Island, Tre Island, Tam Island, Mun Island, Lao Island, Thị Island, Lo River, Tien Beach, Ngoc Thao isle, La-San Hill, Bao Dai Villas, Long Son Pagoda, the White Buddha Statue, Tri Nguyen Aquarium, the Water Palace, Da Hang Pagoda, etc.

Mui Ne

Mui Ne has quickly been transformed from an isolated stretch of beautiful white sand to one long row of resorts. While there’s still a fishing village at the east end of the beach, it’s tourists that make up most of the population. The boom in top-end resorts hasn’t killed the chilled surfie vibe, although it has brought an increasing number of up-market restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s an unusual set up, as everything is spread along one 10km stretch of road - the accommodation is on the beach side, and the restaurants and bars mainly on the other. Mui Ne sees only about half the rainfall of nearby Phan Thiet. The sand dunes help protect its unique microclimate, and even during the wet season (from June to September) rains tend to be fairly light and sporadic.

Sai Gon

With a hoard of excitements, Ho Chi Minh City is still commonly referred as “Sai Gon” quite alluring to the travelers. All types of travelers including history seekers, religious travelers, and adventure loving people find various attractions in this city. The sights like Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Museum of Vietnamese History are some great places for enjoying a history-hunting tour. On the other hand, Thien Hau Pagoda, Phung Son Tu Pagoda etc. are quite famous to religious travelers. Travelers in Ho Chi Minh City also enjoy shopping at Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square and other places.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is a watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages, everywhere crisscrossed by the brown canals and rivulets fed by the mighty Mekong River. Lush with rice paddies and fish farms, this delta plain also nourishes the cultivation of sugarcane, fruit, coconut and shrimp. Although the area is primarily rural, it is one of the most densely populated regions in Vietnam and nearly every hectare is intensively farmed. The uniquely southern charm with its welcoming introduction to life along the river is the real draw, and visitors can explore quaint riverside towns, sample fruits bartered in the colourful floating markets or dine on home-cooked delicacies before overnighting as a homestay guest. Other highlights include visits to local orchards, flower markets and fish farms.

Phu Quoc Island

One of Vietnam’s star attractions, mountainous and forested Phu Quoc is a splendid tropical getaway set with beautiful white-sand beaches and quaint fishing villages. Adventure comes in many forms here - from motorbiking the empty dirt roads circling the island to sea kayaking its quiet inlets, scuba diving the coral reefs or simply having a bang-up seafood meal followed by a cocktail on the beach. Once a sleepy, backpackers’ retreat, Phu Quoc has ramped up tourism significantly, and visitors can now choose between five-star resorts and rustic family-run bungalows. Plans are underway for developing the island even more heavily - a la Phuket style. If package tourism isn’t your bag, get there now before it happens.

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