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Vietnam is a fascinating country and despite its small size, there’s much to see and explore here. It has diverse geographical features, mountains, beaches, lush forests and let’s not forget all those historical and cultural spots too. There are several places to visit in Vietnam and it’s not easy to choose where you want to go. It could depend on the reason for your vacation. If you are here for a relaxing time, then Vietnam tourist places like Ha Long Bay are an excellent choice. If you want to enjoy a bit of culture and history, then Hanoi’s Old Quarter is one of the must visit places in Vietnam.
Moreover, some of the places to go in Vietnam, like Hà Giang are simply spectacular. There are terraced rice paddies and valleys that have been carved thousands of years ago. Vietnam tourism offers so much for tourists and is a sight to behold! But what also strikes one are the remnants of the war that nearly destroyed the country, and there’s a lot of historical places to viisit during your Vietnam tour.
Once you have decided on the places to visit in Vietnam, then do take a moment to visit the SOTC website for offers and deals on Vietnam tour packages.
Here are some of the famous Vietnam tourist destinations you must surely visit.
Vietnam’s capital city has a rich culture and borrows heavily from Chinese and French influences. The Old Quarter is particularly enchanting although extremely chaotic with narrow streets. There are temples and markets, thronging with people while there are other notable sights as well such as the One Pillar Pagoda, a small temple on top of a stone pillar and an 11th century temple of literature which used to house a Confucian academy. There are also relics from the war such as the museum at Hoa Lo Prison.
At the edge of Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Island which is one of the top Vietnam tourist destinations. With its sandy beaches and clear waters overlooking dense jungles, this is a popular spot especially during the high season and is the largest of the 367 islands of the Cat Ba archipelago. If you want to avoid the crowds, then try and visit outside of June to August.
This colonial old city is a delight for those who love to revel in old architecture. With its glorious gardens, lantern lit streets and of course, gorgeous beaches, this is a dream destination for many. However, Hoi An does not have an airport or a train station. If you want to come here, you will have to catch a taxi from the nearby Da Nang.
If you take a day trip out of Hanoi, you’ll come to Ninh Bình, one of the places to visit in Vietnam. With its winding rivers, beautiful scenery and limestone karsts, it’s an excellent spot to enjoy. Not too far are the Tràng An caves and grottoes which are often combined into a single day trip. People tend to miss out on Ninh Bình as it is not that well known, which actually makes it all the more exciting.
Da Lat is among the popular Vietnam tourist places, a mountain town that is cool and fresh and a favourite among families and romantic couples. It is even known as the City of Love and Flowers. The French developed it as a resort in the early 1900s and there are several French influences in the city. There are plenty of places to see here – the Crazy House with its strange architecture, or the Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery with its soothing Buddhist temple and scenic gardens.
One of the must-visit places in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City. The country’s biggest city is quite frantic and rushed. But there are quiet corners within the city where you can enjoy moments of peace. Visit the museums and enjoy delicious food at the many restaurants. There are also plenty of street food stalls and a vibrant night life scene.
Easily one of the best places to visit in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is an amazing island, quite near the border with Cambodia. There are big resorts here as well as some of the most pristine beaches you will see. Some of the beaches are secluded and quiet, letting you enjoy the sun, sand and surf on your own, contemplating the beauty of the moment. The Phu Quoc National Park has mountains, hiking trail, wildlife and a dense tropical jungle.
Sa Pa is a popular town in the mountains of northwestern Vietnam. It’s often used as a trekking base although there are several striking views here too, as it looks out over vivid green terraced rice fields and nearby is the Phang Xi Pang peak which many adventurous trekkers happily climb. It takes several days to reach the pinnacle of this 3143-meter-tall mountain. Do note that Sa Pa is quite crowded these days.
Narrow roads, mesmerising valleys and awe-inspiring slopes can be found in Ha Giang while the ethnic tribes who live there remain rooted in their traditions and seem to be untouched by modernity. Truly, something rare in today’s era. There are also limestone and granite mountains as well as some amazing caves here. Quan Ba pass here is known as Heaven’s gate because it affords delightful views of the terraced rice fields.