Why Vietnam is a great travel destination
We can assure you that Vietnam is a harmonious blend of many wonderful travel factors. Here are a few reasons why Vietnam is worth visiting:
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Natural beauty: Vietnam's nature is beautiful and diverse, ranging from hills, valleys, deltas, cities, villages, coastal areas to offshore islands. From densely populated areas to untouched and unspoiled lands. Each region you set foot in seems to have its own natural beauty, and the natural beauty also varies depending on the season.
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Long-based history: Vietnam has a lengthy history of nation building dating back from the earliest days of civilization, through feudal dynasties to pre-modern wars of national defense and modern development history. All the up and down history records preserve the important pieces that make up the richness of Vietnamese history.
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Rich culture: Along with natural differentiation, the culture of the country with 54 ethnic groups living together is extremely diverse and rich. It may show you the brilliant openness of the highland culture, the subtle sophistication of the capital city, or the gentle pace of wet rice agriculture, etc. They are the colors of Vietnam.
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Friendly people: Foreigners frequently comment on how pleasant, cordial, and inviting Vietnamese people are. They are open to share and show you a lot of things when you visit Vietnam. The bonds of family, village, and community are highly valued by Vietnamese people.
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Diverse travel activities: Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, with your partner, family, or with a group, Vietnam can be a destination that satisfies these needs. Vietnam is home to wild regions of mountains and caves, bustling developing cities, serene rural landscapes, calm seaside areas, romantic getaways, amusement parks and wonderful tropical resorts... in addition to attentive services and engaging activities.
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Budget-friendly: For those looking for an affordable yet enjoyable vacation, Vietnam is a relatively inexpensive destination. At reasonable prices, you can have many wonderful experiences with enjoyable hotels, restaurants, destinations and services in Vietnam.
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Famous travel destinations: When looking for a place to travel to in Vietnam, you will find out there are many cities in Vietnam that are recommended in the rankings of reputable travel websites. In 2023, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam were included in the list of top 25 trending destinations in the world according to travelers' choice. Hanoi, Da Nang, Phan Thiet, and Nha Trang are also on the list of 25 favorite travel destinations in Asia voted by travelers.
Overall, Vietnam offers a unique and extraordinary travel experience that is sure to make lasting memories in your world exploring journey. In the next part, let's join us to check out the most beautiful places in Vietnam with 5 names that we have selected for you.
Top 5 must-go places of Vietnam
Hanoi
Tran Quoc Pagoda in West Lake
One of the best places to visit in Vietnam is Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. This is a popular destination for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. The city features a distinctive fusion of old and new, with charming historic structures coexisting with modern buildings.
Travel experiences in Hanoi: Visit well-known attractions of the capital and engage in activities there, try street food and local cuisine, wander through the streets, and shop at malls or traditional stores. Hanoi provides a wide range of convenient services for your visit. You can attempt some body-care activities like getting your nails done or getting a massage. Ta Hien beer street and rooftop sky bars both offer great nightlife options.
Some of the must-see attractions in Hanoi include the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, West Lake, Bat Trang Pottery Village, ancient villages, craft villages and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
One of the most popular experiences in Hanoi is trying street food. The city is famous for its delicious pho, banh mi, bun cha, spring rolls, and egg coffee. In addition, you can find any famous cuisine of Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi.
Halong Bay
Kayaking in Halong Bay
Halong Bay is one of the best places in Vietnam for vacation. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonder of Vietnam. The bay in the Northern is composed of thousands of limestone islands and islets, creating a breathtaking landscape that must be experienced firsthand. You will have wonderful moments chilling in the bay and one thing that can not be missed is to admire the sunrise and sunset with cocktails here. Halong Bay is considered one of the most beautiful sunset viewing spots in Vietnam as the light fades behind the small islets.
To explore the bay, visitors can go on a cruise excursion for 1 day, 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights. Depending on the program you chose, the tour includes different activities such as kayaking, swimming, boating, hiking, morning taichi, cooking class, squid fishing, jacuzzi, massage, visiting pearl farms, fishing villages, and discovering islands and caves.
You can opt to have a short tour by seaplane or helicopter to get an extra view of Halong Bay from above. In addition to spending time in the bay, you can explore the daily life of the coastal city of Halong on the shore. Of course, when visiting a coastal city, do not miss the fresh seafood.
Expand your knowledge with our ultimate Vietnam travel guide.
Sapa
Sapa town is a famous tourist attraction in Vietnam. It is located in the mountainous region in Northern, known for its appealing rice terraces in September - October, ethnic minority communities, and the Indochina top Fansipan. The Sapa town is surrounded by charming mountains. Sapa normally has pleasant and mild weather most times of the year while winter gets rather chilly and foggy.
Things you can try in Sapa: Hiking, trekking, visiting ethnic villages and handmade craft villages, exploring Fansipan mountain, visiting local markets and towns, trying hot springs, and attending local festivals.
Recommend food list: There are many local and international restaurants in Sapa that offer a wide range of culinary options. Here are some famous dishes of Sapa we suggest you taste. They are Thang Co (a traditional dish of the H'mong people that contains horse meat and organs, along with medicinal herbs and vegetables), sticky rice, hot pot, grilled fish, roasted pork belly, local wine, chestnut or chestnut cake.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang
Ziplining and boating in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in central Vietnam. The park is famous for its stunning cave systems of over 300 caves and underground rivers. In the untainted natural area of this top tourist destination in Vietnam, the most popular activities are exploring caves and forests, participating in outdoor activities, and enjoying the pristine lush space.
Visit the National Park, visitors can explore famous caves such as Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, and Dark Cave by boating, kayaking or walking, trekking through the dense jungles of Phong Nha, visiting the botanical garden, try zip-lining, swimming, camping, biking in the surrounding, visit traditional villages and enjoy time at amiable homestay.
Hue
Visitors to Hue Imperial Citadel
The next location on the list of best places to visit in Vietnam is Hue. Hue is a historic city in Central Vietnam and was once the capital of the Nguyen - Vietnam's last feudal dynasty. The city is noted for its significant heritage of temples, citadels, tombs, and royal court music. Visitors love Hue also for the calm pace of the ancient capital. Hue is ideal for ecotourism, retreats, hot mineral baths for treatment, wellness tourism, and visiting local villages and markets.
Some of the not-to-be-missed destinations in Hue include the Imperial City, Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, the Tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang, Gia Long, Khai Dinh King, Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts, take a boat trip in Perfume River, Bach Ma National Park.
Hue is one of the famous culinary destinations in Vietnam. Some famous dishes in Hue include Bun bo Hue (Hue beef vermicelli soup), Banh beo, Banh khoai (popular Hue snacks), Nem lui (pork skewers), and Che Hue (Hue sweet porridge).
Ho Chi Minh City
War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
The final in this list of famous tourist attractions in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Located in Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is the country's economic hub. The city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, delectable cuisine, and historical and contemporary landmarks. Ho Chi Minh City has a rich history. You can see the French influence during the colonial era reflected in some of the city's architecture.
Some of the essential tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh City include the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh Post Office, the Independent Palace, Saigon River, and Ben Thanh Market.
Things to do in Saigon are to travel downtown, visit tourist sights, take a water bus on the Saigon River, drink coffee and try savory street food. Some foods to try are Com tam (Broken rice), Banh canh, Banh mi, Banh xeo, Goi cuon (Spring roll).
Recap
Here are the top 5 best places to visit in Vietnam that we want to share with you. You will see that each destination offers distinct and notable values, providing you with different experiences.
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If you want to see the combination of Vietnam's traditional and modern culture, visit Hanoi;
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Visit Halong if you wish to unwind in the serene beauty of the bay;
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If you want to discover the vibrant cultural landscape of the highlands' nature and people, go to Sapa;
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Visit Phong Nha - Ke Bang if you want to spend time close to nature in the forests, mountains, and caves;
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Hue if you want to leisurely immerse yourself in nature and history;
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And do not forget about Ho Chi Minh City - the young, energetic, and open city.
When preparing for a Vietnam trip, remember to track the weather, prepare yourself with proper luggage and take good care of your body condition. In case you need more help for a mindfulness journey to the most beautiful places in Vietnam, feel free to contact us to help you out.
