The truth is, Vietnam deserves a fairer look into its beauty than just a trip to Ha Long Bay, a bowl of noodle soup and a cup of coffee. The landscapes are majestic, the history and culture are fascinatingly rich, and the people are amazingly friendly. Whether you are a gourmand, a history addict, a mountain hiker, a trek lover or a leisure traveler, the country certainly has immense options for experience seekers—take a look at 25 stunning photos on The Culture Trip to get a dose of inspiration before traveling to Vietnam.
Lan Ha Bay, a hidden gem and alternative to Ha Long bay | Kenznguyen / Pixabay
Rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai | © Nguyen Anh Tuan/Flickr
Moc Chau, a rural district in the Northwest region of Vietnam | © Ngoc Vu/Flickr
Sunset in Phu Quoc Island | © Lenny K Photography/Flickr
Hoi An Ancient Town | © Khánh Hmoong/Flickr
Morning in Bac Son Valley, north of Vietnam | © Hoang Giang Hai/Flickr
Vietnam’s mountain view | tpsdave / Pixabay
Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi | © Khánh Hmoong/Flickr
Sunset in Co Thach Beach, home to a majestic landscape with colourful rocks covered in moss | © Lê Anh Khoa/Flickr
Vietnam’s mountain pass | Robert_z_Ziemi / Pixabay
Tam Coc Rice Valley in Ninh Binh | © Hoang Giang Hai/Flickr
H’Mong King Palace in Dong Van stone plateau | © Khánh Hmoong/Flickr
Fishing boats in Phan Thiet, a coastal port city in southeast Vietnam | ©
Life on the railway line in central Hanoi | © Esin Üstün/Flickr
Sunset in Mekong delta | © Jos Dielis/Flickr
A collage of old apartments in Hanoi | © Huong Chi/Flickr
Street food market in Ho Chi Minh City | © William Cho / Flickr
Women weaving fishing nets in Nha Trang, a coastal city in Vietnam | © Khánh Hmoong/Flickr
A cluster of electric wires in Ho Chi Minh City | © Soreen D/Flickr
The Imperial City of Hue | © Chris Hoare/Flickr
Never pho – get this | © DeaShoot/Flickr
The Cao Dai’s followers | © Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/Flickr
Bai Dinh Temple in Ninh Binh | © Jean-Paul Navarro/Flickr
Boat rides around Tam Coc rice terraces | © Tuan Mai
Old grocery shop in Hanoi | © Khánh Hmoong/Flickr