Though Vietnam looks quite small on the maps, you could never find enough time to explore this country.
Following is the instructions for visiting the best Vietnam holiday destinations in 2023!
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
- Tam Coc
- Sapa hill-tribe villages
- Hue
- Hoi An ancient town
- Dalat
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Mekong Delta
- Phu Quoc island
1. Hanoi
Hanoi is the first holiday destinations in Vietnam that should be in your Vietnam travel list.
Being the capital of Vietnam since year 1010, Hanoi proves itself a center of culture, politics, and tourism with bundle of historical monuments such as Temple of Literature, Thang Long citadel, etc. ; or museums and scenic spots such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Old Quarter, etc.
Beside the local Asian architecture, there are major buildings and streets with French colonial style that has largely remained intact despite the war time.
Moreover, you can see plenty of street vendors in Hanoi as it is a part of our culture.
That is the reason why Hanoi street food is highly recommended for the best local taste, the variety of dishes.
Undoubtedly, cuisine is the essence of Hanoi!
2. Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a must-not-miss, I promise you! Nearly two thousand limestone islands and islets covered by tropical trees and fauna system standing strongly on the Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, some are eroded by wind and sea water action.
Here also offers a lot of amazing natural dry and wet Halong Bay caves such as Sung Sot Cave – the most famous one, Dau Go Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Thien Canh Son Cave, Luon Cave, Dark & Bright Cave, etc.
The most enjoyable way to explore the Bay is by Halong Bay overnight cruises.
Those are kind of big boat sailing the fixed routes, with en-suite cabins for couple, friends and families. It is like a floating hotel!
Also, there are many things to do in Halong Bay. You can not only witness the stunning beauty of the Bay and explore the caves, but also do kayak, swim and visit the floating farms here.
3. Tam Coc
Located in Ninh Binh province – 2 hours driving from Hanoi, there is a place called Tam Coc – meaning Three Caves in English.
Here you will board on a small sampan, paddled by a local person by his/her foot which is quite unique, to discover three natural caves here on Ngo Dong River.
These caves are nestled in a scenic landscape of limestone cliffs and rice paddies.
If you have time, climbing up the Mua Cave is also worthwhile as you can see the amazing panoramic view of limestone mountains and rice fields.
4. Sapa hill-tribe villages
Sapa town is the most worldwide known for its rice terraces and numerous ethnic minorities.
However, nowadays, it has become utterly crowded leading to the fact that a lot more hotels, resorts.. are built making this town a big construction.
But that is not the reason you should skip Sapa in your plan.
The local villages like Lao Chai, Ta Van are offering high standard homestays with beautiful view to the valleys and rice terrace – a new trend for adventurous travelers.
5. Hue
Situated on the banks of the Perfume River in Central Vietnam, Hue once served as the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty.
Today, the vestiges of this former glorious period are reflected in the city’s architecture, culture and cuisine, making it one of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue (Hue Royal Refined Music) was considered as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO – was at its peak during Nguyen Dynasty.
6. Hoi An ancient town
Also in Central region and 2-hour drive away from Hue, Hoi An Vietnam is known as a place for peace of mind.
The old town is packed with well-preserved houses reminisced its heyday when it was a main silk trading port for Japanese and Chinese. Its other name – Faifo (French) – reflected the fact that it was an old famous port.
One of the special thing here is Hoi An lanterns – places everywhere on the streets.
And it is even more vibrant in the evening where every house, shop, restaurant turning the candle on.
On every full moon day, you can embark on a small sampan on Hoai River, leave lantern on the water and wish for the best things in life.
7. Dalat
At the altitude of 1500m compared with sea level, weather in Dalat is cool with fresh air all year round.
Besides the sightseeing here like Tuyen Lam Lake, Bao Dai King Palace, Love Valley or Lang Biang moutain, etc. , Dalat offers the mysterious vibe with the pine forests and very friendly people!
8. Cu Chi Tunnels
About 60 km from the Saigon downtown, this is a site where Viet Cong hid during the War.
It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign travelers – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War.
In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens.
There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”.
9. Mekong Delta
Colorful floating markets, fruit orchards, rice paddies, sugar cane groves, bird sanctuaries and quaint villages are all what draw many to the Mekong Delta in southwestern Vietnam.
Nicknamed “Vietnam’s Rice Basket,” the Mekong Delta is an agricultural region made fertile by the maze of canals and streams fed by the Mekong River.
Stretching from the Gulf of Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta feeds more than a third of the country from its rich plantations, orchards, rice paddies and fish farms.
10. Phu Quoc island
Phu Quoc island is the largest and most beautiful in Vietnam – according to millions of travelers.
It is not easy to find a place with plenty of long beaches, white sand and clear water in the world like Phu Quoc.
It is like Phuket island in Thailand but less touristy and even undeveloped.
The island features pristine tropical forests and undamaged coral reefs.
Highly recommended tours!
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