The Best Things to See in Vietnam

For a destination that’s equally rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, there’s no better place than Vietnam. From its ancient Hindu temples and modern city streets buzzing with motorbikes, to the trendy food scenes and remarkable natural landscapes, there are so many reasons people are choosing this Southeast Asian country over popular destinations like Thailand and Cambodia.

Here are just a few of the things that are going to make you want to plan a trip to Vietnam.Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

The view that launched a million Instagram photos. Ha Long Bay is probably the most iconic destination in the country – as well as the most crowded with international tourists. The bay in north Vietnam is an other-worldly sight, with emerald green waters and thousands of jungle-topped limestone islands growing out of the seafloor. It’s one of the world’s natural wonders and a top destination for scuba divers, rock climbers, and cavers.
Don’t let the crowds deter you. A visit to Ha Long Bay should certainly be on the top of your list of places to see in Vietnam. Just give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and take in the experience. Rather than booking a rushed day cruise, you might want to buy a three-day ticket that provides overnight accommodations – and enjoy a few leisurely days on the water.

Hanoi
Vietnam’s busy capital city offers a vibrant glimpse into local life. Motorbikes speed down the narrow streets, cars honk, merchandise spills out of shops onto the city sidewalks. Throughout the city, you’ll see a mix of French Colonial and Southeast Asian architecture styles reveal how cultures have blended over time to result in the rich combination that now exists.
While you’re there, wander the narrow streets in the Old Quarter to negotiate prices with silk vendors. Buy a delicious bowl of steaming noodle soup from a street vendor. Or, get cultural at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Vietnam Fine Art Museum.

Hue

Hue is the home of the Nyugen family dynasty, 19th-century emperors who made this central Vietnam city the national capital between 1802 and 1945. If you’re anything of a history buff, this city should be at the top of your list of things to see in Vietnam.
Its most famous site is the Citadel, an imposing stone fortress with a beautiful pagoda roof that’s surrounded by ornately decorated gates. It was located in the heart of the Imperial City in Hue, and sits next to the royal palace. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is undergoing major preservation and restoration processes to return the city to its pre-Vietnam War era glory.

Mekong Delta
Known as the the ‘rice bowl’ of the country, the Mekong Delta is a floating city where a one-third of Vietnam’s food is produced. The green, lush, and wet environment what supports the surrounding orchards, rice paddies, and swamplands.
Visit, and you’ll be amazed to see the houseboats, the floating markets where customers fiercely negotiate prices, the small sampan boats gliding down the region’s intricate network of canals, streams, and rivers. It’s an easy trip from nearby Ho Chi Minh city and well worth the trip to taste the local produce fresh and spend a day in the jungle.

Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is no longer the capital of Vietnam, but you’d be forgiven for making that mistake given its bustling nightlife, art scene, thriving culture, and tourism.

It was once the famous city of Saigon, and to this day, you can still visit the tunnels the Viet Cong dug during the war to secretly navigate below Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the largest city in Vietnam by population, and is packed with bars, restaurants, street vendors, and nightlife. it’s also making a name for itself in the tech world, with several new urban areas popping up with modern architecture and daring city planning.

My Son
Whether you’re a history buff or not, you will appreciate a trip to My Son. Here, you’ll find ancient Hindu temples dating back to the 4th century that are perhaps the most sacred in all of Vietnam. While Angkor Wat in Cambodia gets most of the tourist attention, My Son is just as spectacular and special, with uniform red brick architecture on the hitoric structures.
It’s located an hour outside of the coastal city of Da Nang in the center of the country, so you can plan a perfect day trip here and stay in the city by night.

Hoi An
To get away form Vietnam’s sprawling, loud cities, head to Hoi An. Once a large port town, it’s now time capsule of the past, and has excellently preserved its architecture and old world heritage. It’s a charming city where you can walk through old town, peruse what the ware of local merchants, and learn about the silk trade that has been a cornerstone of this town for centuries.
If you venture a little outside Hoi An, you’ll find incredible walking and biking paths, and boat tours. Like My Son, it’s located near Da Nang, making it easily accessible on a trip through central Vietnam.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang
It’s easy to see why Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was designated a World UNESCO Heritage site. The park is home to underground rivers, intricate cave systems that run for miles. And the oldest karst mountains in Asia are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. It was once extremely remote with few amenities surrounding the park, but as tourism has increased, it’s been modernized to make for a comfortable trip.

Vietnam has a lot to offer. There are breathtaking hiking, ancient ruins, pristine bays, and world history. It may not have the famed beaches of Thailand, or the world-renowned temples in Cambodia, but it has a lively and rich culture worth experiencing. The people there are genuine, and once you get off the beaten tourist path and see life through their eyes, you will fall in love with Vietnam.

By Andy A,

Source: http://simpletrip.co/the-best-things-to-see-in-vietnam/