My 10 Places To Visit In Vietnam

I cannot deny that Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city are the first places to go in Vietnam. However, there are other places that really attracted my senses when I am in Vietnam. These two cities are the main port of entry and out, so the journey started here will also end here. No doubt these two cities are must Do place for tourist on a virgin trip to Vietnam, but there are plenty more awesome places. These are my updated "the must go places" for me when here. The numerous food delights, UNESCO cultural and natural sites are here for your senses. Vietnam have many natural beauty like from green rice fields of the Mekong delta to the amazing limestone islands of Ha Long Bay. It also has many historic ancient temples, palaces and attractions. Here are the ten places to go in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City

The Bitexco Financial Tower complete and 
ready to rule the skyline of HCM city.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of Vietnam and formerly known as Saigon. It boast of many charming parks, colonial french buildings and some wide boulevards. Being the most populous city (11,000,000 and growing), this metropolitan city is the heart of the country economy. It is very congested and the traffics can be very challenging. However, here you can find the best varieties and plenty of Vietnamese cuisines. From very delicious street foods to very fine dining local and western cuisines. When I was last here many years ago I was delighted with the many noodles and rice dishes which are so fresh and delicious. Usually in HCM city many foods are serve with varieties of fresh vegetables and herbs. Now the city even have more condominium and shopping malls around the city. This time I am in HCM city the Bitexco Financial Tower is the symbol of the city skyline. Things to do here around the city are ; walking around district 1 (especially at night in city center), Opera House, Notre Dame church, the Post Office, Ben Thanh market, Bitexco Financial tower, the War Remnants and The Museum of Vietnamese History (for historian interest),


Hanoi

Hoan Kiem lake by night

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has many appealing places to visit and experience. Some of them are the Old Quarter, parks, lakes, pagodas, shady boulevards and temples. The city is a fascinating blend of East and West with an ancient history, a colonial heritage, and a modern perspective. The city lies along the Red River. Hanoi is 1,090 miles (1,760 km) north of Ho Chi Minh city and 75 mi (120 km) west of Hai Phong city. Due to its relatively closeness to Hai Phong and hence the Ha Long Bay, most tourists would come to Hanoi and depart to the Bay.

Click to: Hanoi @ senses of vietnam

Ha Long Bay

Hundreds of spectacular limestone pillars

 around the bay.

Ha Long Bay is located in northern Vietnam  105 mi (170 km) east of Ha Noi. The bay of the "descending dragon" have breathtaking ocean rocks, caves and limestone formation whittle by centuries of tectonic forces, wind and water. It is listed as one of natural wonders of the world. Legends belief that Ha Long Bay was created by a great dragon from the mountains. The Bay with almost 2000 islands, numerous magical bays and mystical landscape of limestone islets.

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Sa Pa

Sa Pa is 4921 ft (1500 m) above sea level. The lofty cool weather is a perfect oasis for relaxation and rest. This beautiful mountainous town has panoramic view, rugged scenery and cultural diverse. When exploration of countryside you will find many hill tribes, lush vegetation, and mount Fansipan highest the peak in Vietnam.

Incredible view of this beautiful  and scenic town.

Click to: Sapa @ senses of vietnam

Hue

The Imperial City of Hue is located 49 miles (79 km) to the north of Da Nang. Hue is well known for its historic importance as an imperial capital of Vietnam for almost 150 years. There are many must-see UNESCO World Heritage pagodas, temples, tombs, palaces, and places in this ancient capital. Hue sits around the Song Huong (Perfume River) which make a very attractive during the day. The blend of century old, citadel, palaces, modern hotels, buildings, and with the sometimes cloudy rainy atmosphere make Hue a very quiet romantic city to be in. The imperial and royal history of this city have had influence not only the residents here but Vietnam also. This can be seen in the cuisine, clothing, and religion.

The picturesque and poetic ancient Imperial City of Hue.

Click to: Hue @ senses of vietnam

Hoi An

Nostalgic and charming that is life in Old Town Hoi An. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage site  this ancient town is a well preserved South-East Asian trading port dating back to about 15th to 19th century. It has many influences from other trading countries at that time like China and Japan. The old but well preserved buildings display the unique blend of local and foreign culture. Nearby there are also bicycle, motorbike, boat trips in one of Vietnam most alluring and rustic site. It is located about 15 miles (24km) from Da Nang and therefore beaches are within easy reach.

This ancient Japanese Bridge in Hoi An  is a beautiful 
reminderof a time long ago.

Click to: Hoi An @ senses of vietnam

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a quintessence of a small rural town, but with a spectacular limestone scenery. Is relatively small and can easily have a good day of bicycling around. It is the embodiment of rural Vietnam smiling children, flat farm lands, and  local going about daily work. In the midst of this though lay the wonder of the limestone hills dotted around the town. This is the famous karst towers scenery in the village of Tam Coc.

The start to a day of beautiful scenery of  Tam Coc.

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Nha Trang

If you are in Vietnam and wanted to have a vacation close to the sea, Nha Trang will be the ultimate destination. With a bustling coastline and beautiful sandy beaches, it is a very popular vacation spot for both locals and foreigners. There are numerous hotels, guesthouses, and eateries, with that Nha Trang attracts both luxury and budget tourist. It is well known for the beautiful bays, beaches, scuba diving and very fresh and delicious seafood.

Ski boat around the beautiful sunny bay.

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Da Lat

If you are in Ho Chi Minh or anywhere in Vietnam and really want to escape the swelter and the heat then Da Lat is that place. A resort which is 4,900ft (1,500m) above the sea level make it cool all year round. Beautifully surrounded by French colonial, villas, churches, boulevards, unique and amusing buildings. It has abundant wealth of trees, farms and amazing arrays of flower.

Dalat: "Le Petit Paris" Little Paris, in front of market.

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Da Nang

Located at the end of the Han River, Da Nang is a major commercial center and port for the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Da Nang lies between two of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites which is the Imperial City of Hue and the Old Town of Hoi An. The thing about Da Nang is that is a big city but is calm, busy but is quiet, not a whole lot to do but can relax and enjoy the many eateries. The city is also nearby some very fine sandy beaches with great resorts.

Da Nang by night beside the Han River, with a very 
excellent promenade

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Can Tho

The largest city in the Mekong Delta with a good selection of Hotels and Guesthouses. The region around is rich in agricultural products namely rice, and many tropical fruits. Can Tho also have plenty of eateries especially local Southern Mekong food. Plus with the famous floating markets is a destination that tourists have to stop by. Enjoy the river side promenade, the floating markets, local eateries and the rural countryside around the area. It is about 105 miles (169 kilometers) from Ho Chi Minh city. This is a good couple of days holiday if happen to be visiting HCM.

Click to: Cantho @ senses of vietnam

Relax and enjoying the commerce right on the river.

EXTRA: For Tourist who love the Beach.

Quy Nhon

This is not a Nha Trang, Da nanang or even a Vung Tau, but Quy Nhon is awaiting to be discover. The coastal city or town as it is really not that big a size is a quiet coastal resort attracted mainly by local Vietnamese. If you do not really care about modern and western facilities and adventurous enough to wander into this coastal town, you may discover a wonderful treat. The coastline is about 5 km of clean sandy beach and in the afternoon is completely quiet. You may be the only one using the whole beach. Close by are many local street foods and restaurants within easy reach. Only in the late evening when the local residents and tourists come out to enjoy the beach. This place is so non commercialize and the people are really friendly. You can say is almost paradise here.

Almost Paradise.

Click to: Quy Nhon @ senses of vietnam