The UK-based travel website Rough Guides has listed six must-see places along the country’s coast. They include:
Ha Long Bay (Featured photo): Located 180km to the east of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is possibly the most well-known natural beauty in Vietnam. It became better known after it was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Mui Ne (Ne Cape): Located 23 km from Phan Thiet City in Binh Thuan Province, Mui Ne is one of the most popular vacation spots in the country. This seaside paradise has added to its vacation value by offering many exciting water sports like windsurfing, surfing, jet-skiing and kayaking.
Saigon, Vietnam
Sai Gon: The cosmopolitan city deserves the plaudits it regularly gets from all quarters. Last April, the southern megacity of skyscrapers and French heritage buildings was voted by readers of the UK travel site as the place to go for the best nightlife experience in Southeast Asia.
Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi Capital: Wandering in the city’s Old Quarter and its 36 guild streets gives travelers the opportunity to find places where time has stood still. Then there is the iconic Long Bien Bridge which spans the Red River. Among the myriad pagodas that continue to exude serenity amid the urban bustle are Tran Quoc Pagoda and Ngoc Son Temple, which is in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An: The historic nature of Hoi An has made it a favorite attraction for both local and foreign visitors. The charm of Hoi An lies in the tranquility and slow pace of life it still offers. It glows with innumerable colors during the lantern festival, held on the 14th day of each lunar month.
Chau Doc, An Giang, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
The Mekong Delta: The Mekong Delta is an awesome place to visit throughout the year, but it really comes into its own during the flooding season from July to the end of November.