Joanna James
As one of Asia's most dynamic holiday destinations, Vietnam packs in a punch in terms of the sheer diversity of its attractions. Here are 7 must-visit locations in Vietnam that every traveller must explore during a getaway to the country.
Ranked among Vietnam's most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Halong Bay remains a mesmerising hotspot that's not just reserved for beach lovers. Occupying pride of place in the Gulf of Tonkin, with more than one thousand limestone islands, this breathtaking bay is best explored on a boat tour while visitors can also stay overnight in one of the islands to witness the sun come up in the morning over the karst-strewn seascape. Some of the main reasons to head to this area include the captivating caves that line the bay such as Hang Sung Sot.
As the nation's former capital, no visit to Vietnam would be complete without a tour of Ho Chi Minh City where one also finds the PARKROYAL Saigon and some of the other top hotels in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is not only the cultural heart of the country but also where the Notre Dame Cathedral is found. The HCMC Museum, the vibrant area of Da Kao, is one of the main points of interest in the metropolis apart from The Reunification Palace.
History buffs who are vacationing in Vietnam will find no finer location to let their imagination take flight than the Nguyen emperor's stronghold known as Hue. Located on the scenic shores of the Perfume River, the iconic Imperial Enclosure, with its 2.5-kilometre-long walls, are also found here alongside the Thai Hoa Palace and the Halls of Mandarins.
Nature lovers in search of Vietnam's natural wonders must visit the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed sanctuary, which is lined with mammoth caverns with stalagmite formations. Some of the biggest caves in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park include the Wet Cave or Tu Lan Cave where tourists can literally swim through the cave thanks to a river that runs through its crevices. The Phong Nha Caves, on the other hand, are ideal for a boat ride excursion as the cave is too vast to explore in any other manner.
No less fascinating than during the Vietnam War when they were first constructed, the intricate Cu Chi Tunnels offer visitors a glimpse of the underground life of the Viet Cong during the height of the conflict starching across a whopping 250km. The technology used for communications within the tunnels is beyond impressive.
Lined with paddy fields and pastoral beauty, the Sapa Countryside is a rural paradise for those in search of a respite from cosmopolitan Vietnam. Home to indigenous communities including the Red Dzao people, the Hmongs, and the Giays, the Fansipan Mountain is another reason to spend time in this tranquil heartland.
Nha Trang is Vietnam's beach hub for the masses. Ideal for swimming and taking part in water sports, this tropical paradise is akin to the sultry beaches of Koh Samui.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
