On Vietnam Travel Guide, you'll find friendly unbiased undated travel information for touring Vietnam, what to see and what to avoid. More [+]
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Dalat
If you are looking for a change of pace and seeking some respite from the heat on the coast then head straight to Dalat. Located 300 kilometers north of Saigon at the southern tip of the central highlands, the “Sapa of the South” is a totally different world from the rest of Vietnam. Dalat is 1.5kms above sea level which means it has a unique climate, compared to the rest of Vietnam (typically 18-25 °C), which allows locals to cultivate fresh vegetables, amazing coffee and tea, and an incredibly wide variety of flora. The stunning natural scenery of the region, coupled with the quirky locals and artisans, as well as its reputation as the honeymoon capital of Vietnam, make Dalat a town not to be missed.
Street Food in Hanoi
Eating on the streets of Hanoi is a truly rewarding experience. Not only will your taste buds be jumping with joy but this pastime is archetypal of the cities culture and the daily lives of the people. Sit down at any of the countless street food stalls and you will be met with delicious food and friendly smiles.
Buffalo Festival of Do Son
A hush fell over the stadium as the two bulls quietly sized each other up. I was standing right on the edge of the field, just behind the protective barrier peering over the top of a sea of Vietnamese people, yet again thankful that my 6’2 frame afforded me uninterrupted views of the two mighty buffaloes.
Day trips around Hanoi
Be it cultural, historical or just pure natural beauty the surrounds of Hanoi have many different options to fill your day. Have a read for ideas on how to enjoy this amazing part of the world.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne, meaning “sheltered peninsula”, is an idyllic, laid-back beach town featuring all that you need to help recharge those batteries. Palm trees, white sand beaches, great seafood and a range of hotel options make it a great weekend away.
24 Hours in Hanoi
You have arrived in Hanoi and have 24 hours up your sleeve? Have a read for ideas on how best to immerse yourself in this exotic and exciting city, one full of history and bustling with life.
Nha Trang
A beautiful bay, distant islands dotting the horizon, miles of white sand beaches and a ring of mountains protecting it’s city has made Nha Trang a tourist magnet, and rightfully so. This is a spectacular spot, a great place to hit the Vietnamese coastline and a good option for breaking up any journey through the country.
Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh, situated in the southern part of Vietnam, is the largest city and former capital of Vietnam. Previously known as Saigon, it was renamed Ho Chi Minh after the Fall of Saigon in 1975. The wide Saigon River, which takes a huge turn from the east links the city with the sea. Back then, this beautiful city was referred as the Pearl of the Orient by the French.
UNESCO: Phong Nha, Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha – Ke Bang is a national park in the center of Quang Binh province in north-central Vietnam. It is one of the world’s two largest limestone regions with several hundred caves and grottoes.
Yen Tu – Buddhist Capital of Vietnam
Yen Tu, Buddhist capital of Vietnam, is famous for its beautiful landscapes, historical relics and ancient pagodas thus making it uniquely positioned in the hearts of the Vietnamese.
Cao Dai Temple
Indigenous to Vietnam, Cao Dai, is in fact a fusion of the teachings from Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, with elements of Christianity and Islam.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Anyone who has been to Ho Chi Minh would have heard of the infamous CU CHI TUNNELS (30 miles northwest of Saigon, a 100-minute drive). Seeing is believing, and in this case, it’s only after you have attempted to enter those tunnels you can truly comprehend the horrors of wars and the reality of life in those tunnels.
Hanoi
Hanoi is a rich cultural city with a history that goes back at least 1000 years although it had inhabitants long before that. In 1010 Ly Thai To King had recognized Hanoi or Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) as the capital of Vietnam, a status which has remained till today. In recent years, Hanoi has experienced the largest growth in its tourism sector compared to other cities in Vietnam and you just need to visit this beautiful place with friendly locals to know why.
Ninh Binh
Morning mist canopies the mountains and caves of Tam Coc; a woman on a bicycle cycles past perfectly green rice fields dotted with bamboo jats; “thit cho” (“dog meat”) signs line the narrow alley walls; vivid plant life juxtaposition old dilapidated Vietnamese houses; and an elderly couple quietly fish in the Kenh Ga canal.
Mai Chau
Mai Chau is located around 140km from Hanoi in a peaceful valley sheltered by the outside world by a dramatic ring of hills. Its isolation has allowed a traditional way of life to thrive in a way that you wouldn’t expect so close to the capital city.
Hoi An
Conveniently located slap-bang in the middle of the country, Hoi An breaks up a journey between the North and South nicely, and as a result, few visitors come to Vietnam without passing through the town. But it is so much more than just a stopover or a tourist trap.
Da Nang
Da Nang, a city on the sea, is a mixture of isolated beaches, picteresque mountains, rich ancient history, and one of the friendliest groups of people in Viet Nam. It’s quiet sandy beaches of the South China Sea, juxtaposition the city lifestyle, making Da Nang a unique Vietnamese city not to be missed.
Cat Ba
Cat Ba is one of the two largest island among 1969 islands in Ha Long Bay, is located 25 km from Ha Long City. Cat Ba is the convergence of the forest and the beach with around half of its area covered by the National Forest. Sea and the forest combines together to create an unique landscape.
Hue
Hue, not to be mistaken by the thought of colours, and pronounced as “Hway”, is actually the capital city of Thua Thien, a prefecture of Vietnam. It was well known to be the ancient imperial capital of Nguyen Dynasty, where it was modeled after Beijing’s very own Forbidden City.
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is famous for its natural stony creations, comprises of 1969 small islands of which only 40 islands have people living in there. Those spectacular islands and caves have been formed around 250-280 million years ago.
Sapa
Sapa is a must-go destination for those who like to discover the unique beauty of Vietnam ethnic mountainous life. It combines the spectacular landscapes and exotic lifestyle, unexpected friendly people sharing their custom. People who love to trek can climb Fansipang – the peak of Indochina area. What fascinating is that you can interact with hospitable people there.
