TOURISM EMPIRE 39

Saturday, 15 February 2025

VIETNAM'S TOURIST ATTRACTIONS...



Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country that borders China to the north, the South China Sea to the east and south, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest, Cambodia and Laos to the west. It's known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas, and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by the Viet Cong.

These are the places to visit in Vietnam:

Ha, Giang.

A border province and official Frontier Area, Ha Giang lies in the remote far northern region of the country. To visit this province is to journey back in time and encounter some of Vietnam’s most rugged and grand landscapes. Ha Giang is best experienced as a road trip on two wheels, soaking up the majesty of the landscape and the atmosphere of the remote towns and minority villages.

Drive Ma Pi Leng Pass.

The roads of Ha Giang offer the ultimate motorcycle adventures. The drive into Dong Van is impossibly beautiful. However, Ma Pi Leng—where the road snakes past the Nho Que River—is the jewel in Ha Giang's crown.

Get lost in the hills

Trekking opportunities are plentiful in Ha Giang. The Quan Ba Pass holds a lookout that lives up to its name: Heaven’s Gate. Quan Ba is also the gateway to the lofty limestone peaks and rock-strewn fields of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.

Visit the Sa Phin H'Mong Palace.

Near the border with China stands a H'Mong King Palace in the village of Sa Phin. Built-in 1902 during the French occupation, the wood-framed palace is done in the traditional Chinese style and oozes character.

See the king of flagpoles

Journey north to Lung Cu, where a gigantic Vietnamese flag proudly blows at the border. The best time to arrive is late afternoon, when the heat subsides, making the climb of 200 steps a little kinder.

The Ha Giang weather.

September through November is a good time to visit this remote province, which has cooler temperatures. In November, Ha Giang is hugely popular during the Buckwheat Flower Festival. April through June is pleasant and warm, but July and August can be very hot with regular monsoons.

Ha Long.

For many, the seascape of Ha Long Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises sail emerald green waters among thousands of rugged islands and islets, stopping at spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations. Ha Long Bay's mystical beauty has made it a bucket list attraction within the country, but it's still possible to find secluded corners to call your own. How to spend your leisure time in Ha Long Bay?

- Cruise the bay,

Nothing beats spending watching the sun set over the calm waters of Ha Long Bay, and waking up to a serene morning surrounded by karsts. Relaxing on a sun deck surrounded by magnificent panoramas is the highlight of many a trip.

- Explore a floating village

Ha Long Bay is not just a UNESCO-listed site, it’s also home to several fishing communities that have lived on the water for centuries. Take a boat tour around a floating village for a glimpse of this rare and beautiful way of life.

Paddle out in a kayak,

Even if you’re not an experienced kayaker, you can’t miss the chance to navigate your way around Ha Long’s gorgeous seascape. Just before sunset is an ideal time to kayak to see quiet lagoons and fishing boats up close.

- Clamber into a cave,

Beneath their rocks and jungled exteriors, many of Ha Long’s ancient karsts have been carved out by rain and water currents. Take a look inside these geological wonders on foot — some are a squeeze while others are enormous.

- Try your hand at rock climbing,

There are countless routes in the bay to keep climbing junkies entertained. Deep water soloing is becoming increasingly popular in beautiful Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, especially on Butterfly Island.

Ha Long Weather.

Ha Long Bay’s climate can be cool with clear skies from September to November. Mist drifts in from December to March making the bay look all the more mysterious. April and May offer sunshine and a refreshing breeze, while the monsoon season can make visits unpredictable from June to August.

Ha Long Transport.

Most visitors to Ha Long Bay opt for a packaged cruise, including transport to and from Hanoi. Independent travelers can take a bus to Ha Long City or Hai Phong and a taxi to the port. It’s also possible to charter a seaplane for a 45-minute ride direct from Noi Bai International Airport. Traveling to Ha Long Bay is best by boat. Those looking for a bird's-eye view can book a 15-minute seaplane ride over the bay. In Ha Long City you can hire a taxi to get around town.

THE MAI CHAU'S.

The Mai Chau’s proximity to the capital makes it an ideal escape for nature lovers. Here, small ethnic minority villages sit among a patchwork of paddy fields surrounded by green mountains. Spend a night or two immersed in Vietnam’s rural culture, dining on delicious home-cooked cuisine, and learning about the traditions of the ethnic groups. The following are the things to do in Mai Chau;

Sleep in a homestay

The Mai Chau Valley is home to two excellent homestay tourism villages: Lac and Pom Coong. In both villages, White Thai families offer simple accommodation in stilt houses in an idyllic setting of verdant jungle, limestone outcrops, and mountain tops.

Cycle around the valley

Exploring the many quiet ribbons of paths that connect clusters of stilt houses might be the greatest pleasure you'll have in Mai Chau. It doesn’t take long to feel like you’ve found your own quiet corner, riding past humble villages and rice paddies.

Shop for local crafts

Mai Chau has no shortage of intricate fabrics woven by skilled weavers on ancient looms. A little gentle bargaining is expected and even welcomed. On Sunday, the morning market attracts ethnic minorities dressed in their finest traditional clothing.

Eat with the locals.

Known for their warm hospitality, the White Thais are also fantastic cooks and serve up excellent home-cooked feasts for dinner. The meals you're served at the homestays in Mai Chau might be some of the best on your Vietnam trip.

Plan a day trek.

For a full-day trip, spring for a kayaking excursion on Hoa Binh Lake, a beautiful body of water surrounded by jungled hills. Or venture further to Pu Luong Nature Reserve where cool, fresh streams run among the trees, feeding waterfalls and aquamarine pools.

Mai Chau Weather.

Mai Chau Valley is at its best from March to May and September to November. October is perhaps the most ideal month because harvest takes place and the rice takes on a glorious golden hue. Be careful if visiting from June to August, as monsoons can flood local roads.

Mai Chau Transport.

Mai Chau is approximately 140km from Hanoi. Local buses from the capital run directly to Mai Chau town just a short walk from Lac and Pom Coong villages. If coming from Son La or Dien Bien Province, ask the driver to stop at the Mai Chau turn-off. In Hanoi, it is possible to hire a motorbike or a private car for the journey. Bicycles are the best option for getting around the valley floor, as small paths crisscross villages and farms. Electric carts are available for hire to take you from one village to another.

NINH BINH.

Far too few travelers make it to Ninh Binh, a mesmerizing area known locally as ‘Ha Long Bay on Land’ thanks to its magical riverine landscape, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from the paddies. The best way to get a sense of this UNESCO-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks. Things to do while in Ninh Binh;

See the view from Hang Mua.

Get a bird's-eye view of Ninh Binh at Hang Mua, where 500 steps have been dramatically carved into the steep face of a mountain. At the top, a lookout point offers a surreal vista of the river winding lazily among paddies and limestone outcrops.

Take a sampan tour.

At the Tam Coc and Trang An boat docks, each sampan is guided by a boat person who rows with their feet, not their hands. You'll be expertly guided along gentle waterways, past towering karsts, and into dripping grottoes.

Visit the ancient capital.

Today the capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, but in the 10th and 11th centuries that honour was held by Hoa Lu. This small ancient city was naturally protected from invasions by karsts and rivers. Today, it’s a good place to get a history fix.

Go in search of wildlife.

An exotic row boat experience is a must-do at the Van Long Nature Reserve. Keep your eyes open for exotic friends, such as the black-faced spoonbill and the Delacour's Langur, one of the world’s most endangered primates.

Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple

The largest complex of Buddhist temples in the country, Bai Dinh is a mix of old and new styles. Ancient temples are housed in caves you can only reach via a pretty climb of 300 steps, while the new temple area covers an area of 500 hectares.

Ninh Binh Weather.

The temperatures in Ninh Binh are ideal from March to May and September to November. For the finest views, go during harvest season in October. If you visit in the hotter months from July to August, be prepared for random downpours and stormy moments.

Ninh Binh Transport.

Regular buses depart to Ninh Binh from Hanoi every day. You can book a luxury van which includes a transfer to Tam Coc, where plenty of charming accommodation options await. Private cars make the journey even quicker. For those with more time, several trains leave for Ninh Binh from Hanoi daily. The best way to get around Ninh Binh is by motorcycle tour or taxi. Cycling is a great option for visitors staying in Tam Coc.

SAPA.

Sapa town stands at the head of a deep valley of magnificent rice terraces that are still farmed today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of the road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town. The following are ways you can enjoy your leisure time in Sapa;

Summit Mount Fansipan.

A 6-kilometer cable car journey will whisk you 3,143m to the summit of Mount Fansipan in just 15 minutes. Wander the pagoda complex before climbing the last few steps to the summit. The views from the ‘Roof of Indochina’ are unmatched.

Visit an ethnic minority market.

Every Sunday the Bac Ha market bursts into life, as hundreds of traders from the Dzao, Han, Xa Fang, Tay, and Thai tribes descend on the market, decked out in traditional garb. Expect a riot of color and excited haggling.

Go trekking in the hills.

Sapa offers some of Vietnam's best trekking, and some villages such as Cat Cat and Ta Phin can be seen without a guide. Book an overnight trek to wander through rice terraces, bathe in waterfalls, and experience ethnic culture firsthand.

Stay in a mountain lodge.

Stay outside the tourist hub of Sapa in simple comfort at a mountaintop lodge. Sapa is home to excellent lodges and homestays. Set among the rice terraces, you’ll brush shoulders with farmers as they go about their daily lives.

Get active.

Mountain biking is a great way to get out and explore lesser-visited corners of Sapa. The annual Vietnam Mountain Marathon attracts some 4000 competitors who run buffalo-beaten trails ranging from 10 to 100 kilometers.

DA LAT.

Hidden away in the Central Highlands, Da Lat plays the cooler cousin to Vietnam's seaside destinations. Famous for its countryside charm, Da Lat draws couples, wellness seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts. This mountain resort town was once a summer getaway for the French, who left their mark in the European-inspired architecture and countless lakes. Da Lat's main lake is the center of the action, but amazing natural wonders await in the hills all around.


HOI  AN.

Hoi An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into a leisurely amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shophouses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy coastline. Stay a couple of days, and Hoi An's easygoing beauty and lantern-lit nights may leave you hopelessly beguiled. Your journey to Hoi An awaits! Check out these Hoi An explorations to prepare for your upcoming trip.

HUE.

Hue is a city chock-full of stories. The Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty built their feudal capital along Hue’s fertile riverbanks and atop its forested hills, but their imperial legacy is just one of many reasons to visit. Hue’s refined cuisine is the stuff of legend, and its leafy streets are lined with mossy pagodas, art déco mansions, and eye-popping markets. Throughout the whole scene, the Perfume River sets a languid pace the rest of the city is happy to follow.

See Imperial Vietnam.

Get acquainted with Vietnam’s last royal dynastic family by exploring what survives of their 143-year reign. Roam the palaces, pavilions, and theatres of the Hue Citadel and make time to visit the tombs of emperors Tu Duc, Minh Mang, and Khai Dinh.

Eat like a king.

You’re never far from a world-class meal in Hue. Nose around the flapping fresh produce at Dong Ba Market for a teaser, then whet your appetite with Hue’s much-loved snacks, such as Banh Khoai and Banh Beo.

Explore the city's Buddhist roots.

Hue’s serene atmosphere is most penetrating in its pagodas and monasteries. See the iconic seven-tiered tower of Thien Mụ Pagoda, then pay a visit to Tu Hieu Monastery, where Thich Nhat Hanh spent his days as a novice monk.

Cycle in the rice paddies.

Hue’s photogenic streets and lush countryside are a wonderland for casual cyclists. The ride to the tile-roofed Thanh Toan Bridge is one of Hue’s most captivating, winding past vegetable farms, footbridges, and flocks of ducks.

Revisit colonial history.

Travelers with an eye for architecture will enjoy seeing what remains of French influence in Hue. Stroll down Le Loi to encounter the art déco lines of La Residence Hotel, and the stately crimson buildings of Quoc Hoc High School.

NHA TRANG.

Perched on a pristine stretch of the southern coast, Nha Trang is a playground for sunseekers. Days here are spent dining on delicious seafood, snorkeling around stunning islands, and partying on the sand after dark. Nha Trang lays claim to some of the country's finest luxury resorts and thrilling watersports. Despite the development boom, colorful fishing villages and serene riverside restaurants are just a stone's throw away.

Go beach-hunting.

During the day, Nha Trang Beach is awash with sunbathers. A few kilometers south of the city, Long Beach is home to a clutch of local seafood joints and surfing spots. If you feel like exploring farther, hire a motorbike to Dốc Lết or Đại Lãnh beaches.

Try a mud bath.

Nha Trang's boasts a unique pair of wellness attractions: mud baths and hot springs. Hidden in the hills just north of the city are a handful of spa-like facilities, where you can sit in a healing pool of warm mud before relaxing in hot mineral water.

Get on the water.

Daylong island excursions will show you around Nha Trang Bay, and a series of small islands nearby such as Monkey Island, Hòn Mun Island, and Yến Island where you’ll be greeted by beautiful, untouched shores.

Visit pagodas and palaces

Long Sơn Pagoda and its towering, 78-foot-tall Buddha statue are a sight to see, as are the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers. Less-visited spots such as the Bảo Đại Villa south of Nha Trang also shed light on the region's history.

Join the party

Nha Trang plays hard during the day, but its nighttime energy is unmatched. International acts and DJs regularly play beachfront parties at Sailing Club and Skylight, while lively venues around town keep the party going well into the night.

Nhn Weather.

The rainy season in Nha Trang takes place from September to December, but the southern coast is less prone to heavy storms than its northern counterparts. In fact, Nha Trang gets the most sunshine in the country, meaning travelers can arrive at any time of year and still enjoy their coastal visit.

Nha Trang Transport.

To reach Nha Trang travelers have the option of arriving by plane, train, or bus. Flights from Vietnam's major cities connect to Nha Trang, while trains travel the coast, heading either north or south. Buses are easy enough to take from Đà Lạt, Hội An, or other neighboring destinations. Taxis are widely available in Nha Trang city. Motorbike tours are a great way to pop by popular spots, from mud baths to Po Nagar Cham Tower. Cycling is another laid-back option. Finally, book a speedboat tour to go island-hopping and discover hidden beaches.

PHONG NHA.

Not long ago the sleepy village of Phong Nha barely got a mention in guidebooks, but the surprise discovery of one of the world's largest caves has catapulted it into the adventure tourism spotlight. The Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park is a rugged swathe of limestone mountains riddled with gigantic caves. It's also home to endangered wildlife and ethnic minority groups. The gateway to this land of adventure is Phong Nha, a welcoming village on the banks of the graceful Son River.

Join a cave expedition.

Enter the magical world of Phong Nha’s caves, which number 300 and counting. At Hang Nước Nứt, you can camp at the base of a limestone cliff, and Hang Én features a colossal main chamber with shimmering turquoise pools.

Go in search of wildlife.

The ultimate way to discover Phong Nha’s flora and fauna is on Hai’s Eco Conservation Tour. Mr Hai, a young and enthusiastic conservationist, will bring you to the Wildlife Rescue Centre before trekking to the Thác Gió Falls for a cooling dip.

Explore Bồng Lai Valley.

Hire a bike and pedal out to the Bồng Lai village in search of the Pub With Cold Beer. Here, only one item is on the menu: sublime grilled chicken served with unbeatable homemade peanut sauce. After lunch, ride to the pretty lookout at Wild Boar Eco Farm.

Walk the eco-trail.

Nuoc Mooc Eco Trail is a serene retreat in the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. Its wooden walkways lead to tropical forests and turquoise streams. Hire a bike, pack a picnic, and make your own adventure.

See the Big One.

Hang Sơn Đoòng is said to be the largest cave in the world. It’s big enough to accommodate skyscrapers and has a jungle ecosystem. Multi-day tours to Hang Sơn Đoòng last four to six magical days.
                                   

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