Vietnam is a country of stunning beauty, of interesting culture and of such diversity that it can appeal to almost any type of traveller. This small, narrow country in Southeast Asia has an interesting and somewhat turbulent history, but it welcomes travellers with open arms. They are greeted by a land rich with natural beauty, history, friendly people, amazing food and culture. You could spend one day lazing on a tropical palm fringed beach and the next getting lost in a busy metropolis. You could spend a day walking through ethnic minority villages surrounded by rain forest covered mountains, and then the next exploring tombs of ancient emperors.
For such a small country, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It is hard to narrow down such a huge collection of places to visit, but here are five must see places in Vietnam to give you a taste of what the country has to offer.
Halong Bay
If there is one place that you have to see in Vietnam, it would have to be Halong Bay and its adjoining bays and islands. You will cruise through a stunning setting of limestone karst islands rising from calm warm waters. You will explore hidden coves and lagoons, kayak and swim in warm tropical waters and explore floating fishing villages. Halong Bay should definitely be on your list of must see places in Vietnam.
Hue
Some people give Hue a miss when they plan their Vietnam holiday, however if you like your history like I do, Hue is a must. This city in Central Vietnam used to be the capital of the country during the Nguyen Dynasty which ended in 1945. The Citadel was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, however it has slowly been restored over the years and is very interesting to visit. Even more interesting, in my opinion, are the elaborate tombs of the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, located in different locations outside of town.
Hoi An
If I had to choose one favourite place in Vietnam, it would have to be Hoi An. This little town in Central Vietnam was an important trading port during the 18th and 19th centuries, where Chinese and Japanese merchants lived and traded. Its beautifully preserved Old Town is world heritage listed and is simply stunning to explore. Imagine colourful, crumbly old historic buildings lining narrow pedestrian only streets, while at night silk lanterns light your way. There are also some lovely beaches just outside of town, and you can visit the ruins of My Son from here as well. For me, Hoi An is definitely one of the must see places in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Some people love it and some people hate it, but Ho Chi Minh City, still often called by its former name, Saigon, is a place you really should experience in Vietnam. It is a thriving, busy and sometimes crazy metropolis, but it has a lot to offer. Just crossing the road in Saigon is an experience in itself. Apart from that, the city offers amazing dining, shopping and the best museums in the country.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is often referred to as “The rice bowl of Asia”. It is a very fertile and heavily cultivated land where the mighty Mekong River branches out into a maze of channels before exiting into the South China Sea. As such, there is a lot of life here and if you love experiencing cultures, you really must take a visit to the Mekong Delta. You can take tours from Saigon of different lengths, but I suggest spending at least three days so that you can get a good taste of the region. Include a home stay with a local family to really experience life in the Mekong Delta.
These are just five of hundreds of places you could see in Vietnam. It is a wonderful, beautiful and incredibly diverse country, but these five places will give you a good taste of what the country has to offer, and it will leave you wanting to come back for more.
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