Author Claire Boobbyer of The Times has made 7 recommendations on tours to help foreign tourists fully discover the hidden beauty of Vietnam.
According to Boobbyer, Vietnam – one of her most favorite destinations in Southeast Asia – has officially reopened to foreign tourists since mid-March. If you are a tourist who has ever had the opportunity to set foot in Vietnam, you will surely miss delicious street foods such as pho, soft meat rolls or crispy golden pancakes. But if you have never set foot in this “S-shaped land”, then Vietnam deserves to be the top destination on your list of places to go.
Vietnam in Boobbyer’s eyes appears with immense green rice fields, overlapping mountains or the richness of the Mekong Delta. In addition, coming here, visitors can also immerse themselves in the traditional culture of the old cities but still intertwine the bustle and hustle of the new life. Just like what famous chef Anthony Bourdain once said: “Once you fall in love with Vietnam, you will love this country forever”.
Here are 7 tours that, according to The Times, will help visitors fully discover the country and people of Vietnam.
1. Go wild
The 23-day journey through this country is considered full of attractions and contains a lot of interesting things. Starting from the ancient capital Hanoi, where visitors will be walking around on cyclos watching the hustle and bustle of local people, before going to the ancient capital of Ninh Binh to participate in a series of activities. Explore national parks like Van Long or Cuc Phuong. From here, visitors will continue to go south to enter the magnificent scenery of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, the largest cave complex in the world.
In the middle of the journey, visitors start riding motorbikes from Hue to Hoi An to fully enjoy the beautiful roads of Asia. After a short stopover in Ho Chi Minh City, the journey will continue to the colorful land of the Mekong Delta and the pristine white sand beaches of Con Dao.
2. Classic Mekong
Starting from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the world’s largest religious monument complex, visitors will board a cruise down the Mekong River to Vietnam. After sightseeing in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, visitors will relax a bit with the ancientness of Hoi An or immerse themselves in the architectural works dating from the French colonial period in Hanoi. The World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh will surely be a beautiful ending in the hearts of tourists who join the ‘Classic Mekong’ tour.
3. Vietnam real food adventure
Author Boobbyer of The Times asserted that: “Vietnam is the country with the best food in the world. The dishes are fragrant and full of flavors. From pho with rich broth to fish noodle soup or iced milk coffee. All are sold at roadside sidewalk shops by small families. This will make the tour of discovering street food in Vietnam even more attractive”. Cooking classes or experiencing a vegetarian meal at a Hue temple are also highly appreciated by the author.
4. Southeast Asia Family Journey
Southeast Asia Family Journey is a journey that takes visitors on a traditional boat down the river to families that still keep the pottery craft that ancestors have passed down for generations. In Hue, where there are still mausoleums from the feudal period of Vietnam, visitors will learn stories about royalty and history. After that, the journey will stop at Quang Nam to visit Hoi An, experience Cu Chi tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City before going to Cambodia.
5. Vietnam’s Northern Soul
Not many tourists know about the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam, where the majestic mountain scenery is not inferior to any other destination in the world. Besides, the terraced fields ripen in September, or the unique features in the lives of ethnic minorities such as H’mong, Red Dao and Tay with markets will certainly promise many interesting things. The journey will end with a walking tour to discover Hanoi’s street food and floating on a boat to admire the unimaginable beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
6. Cycling Vietnam
If motorbikes are the most popular means of transport in Vietnam, this journey will help visitors slow down by using bicycles. After the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the tour will lead you leisurely on the roads of the peaceful land of Da Lat or explore some fishing villages and beautiful beaches in Whale Island. The roads will continue at Hai Van pass before taking visitors on the Thong Nhat express train to go north to explore Ha Long Bay.
7. Ultimate Vietnam
This is a journey for lovers of luxury resorts at 4-5 star hotels. The driver will take you around Hanoi in antique cars, followed by a food tour with top chefs. Leaving the capital, tourists relax on a cruise in Ha Long Bay and visit the limestone mountains from above by helicopter. Next, you stroll around Ho Chi Minh City on an antique vespa, go to a floating market in the Mekong Delta and end the experience at one of the luxury resorts in Con Dao.
@ Vietnamnet
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Source: Vietnam Insider