Vietnam has it all, beaches, mountains, jungle, food, history and most importantly - the people! It is also becoming one of the best destinations in Asia because of its affordability in compare to other hotspots like Thailand and Bali! Over recent years, Vietnam has become pretty well established on the tourist route because there are so many awesome places to see and explore, so we have narrowed it down the countries top 5 places to visit in this amazing country!
HANOI
Hanoi is a great place to start your Vietnamese holiday, as it has a large international airport along with great access to the mountains of Sapa, the Unification Express which links the North and South of the Country via overnight train! In the Old Quarter of Hanoi, you can walk among scenic tree-lined boulevards, browse busy markets, sip coffee at quaint cafes and of course try cheap local food on the tiny chairs and tables which sprawl out over the streets. One final advantage of Hanoi's location is that you can also start your journey to Ha Long bay, which is a three hour trip via bus or taxi.
HA LONG BAY
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must for anyone visiting Vietnam! The area consists of thousands of limestone islands which bulge out of the ocean and offer a truely spectacular outlook. If you love cruising then you shouldn’t miss because this prime territory. You can visit on a day trip, but we recommend sailing around for at least a nights, if not two nights, on a traditional Vietnamese Junk boat!
There are cruises for all budgets starting at budget backpackers and finishing at excessive high end cruises with top notch dinning, either way we assure you that you will not be disappointed!
HOI AN
The old town quarter of Hoi An has some of the best architecture in Vietnam and it’s a joy to explore. Best explored by foot, you can stroll through the narrow, winding lanes and explore hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants and tailors (get your dresses, suits, shoes, jackets - pretty much anything that you can imagine - made here!!). We also recommend jumping on one of the many mini boats along the river at night and for a small fee (be prepared to barter) you can cruise around the river and take it all in. Other Sights include the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Quan Cong Temple.
NAH TRANG
If you love the beach, then Nah Trang is for you with 6 kilometres of shoreline and a stunning archipelago only short boat ride away! Nah Trang beaches are jam packed during summer, if you get bored sun backing there are also some historical sites to explore in Nah Trang, for example the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers are just to the north across the Xom Bong Bridge and have been used as a place of worship here since at least the 7th century. If you are a looking for something a little more exciting, taker the cable cart over to Vinpearl Island! Vinpearl is a huge theme park which offers a number of rides and also an awesome waterpark!
HO CHI MIN
Ho Chi Min is Vietnams largest and busiest city. It is famous for a number of different foods, including Pho Noodles and Pork rolls, but if you are feeling adventurous and fancy sampling some strange foods you can also find fertilised duck eggs, fermented scorpion wine, deep-fried snake dishes and a few other local delicacies that will make your skin tingle. There is nothing you can’t buy in Ho Chi Min so make sure you check out its many markets such as Ben Thanh Market and Cholon (Binh Tay Market). It is very interesting to check out the War Museum with in town and another 30km from Ho Chi Min you will find the famous Cu Chi Tunnels where you can experience the true meaning of claustrophobia. If that doesn't float your boat, you can also Cruise through the Mekong Delta from here too.
There are so many incredible things to do in this amazing country so our recommendation is to get these as soon as you can! If you would like anymore information email us at info@indyescapes.com :)