Vietnam Travel Highlights

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Vietnam main attractions travelling north to south:

**Sapa, a remote town in the scenic northwest of the country where colourful hill tribes [e.g. Dao, H'mong, and Kinh people] gather for market days.
The famous Saturday market can be touristy, with hordes of packaged people.
380 km from Hanoi, it needs 3 days to make it worthwhile.

***Hanoi , the 1,000-year-old capital is set in a beautiful landscape with a relaxed, old fashioned atmosphere.
The prime sites are: the Old Quarter [The 36 Guilds], the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh [the body of Uncle Ho is taken to Moscow for annual maintenance every November], Van Mieu [The Temple of Literature], One Pillar Pagoda, and the Museum of Ethnology of Vietnam.
A short trip to Bat Trang, the ceramic making village, can be arranged at Hanoi.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

*** Halong Bay, the panoramic view of the bay, with more than 3,000 limestone islets [karsts], is one of the world's must -see natural wonders. A one day trip from Hanoi is possible, although it is better to stay overnight at nearby Haiphong, or on board, in order to sail further for much more scenic views or for wildlife - the Cat Ba island, for instance. Better to avoid travel in February - April when it is cold, wet and grey, as well as crowded July and August.

***Hue, the ancient imperial city - beautifully located with a tranquil atmosphere - has a Citadel and a fortified palace which is one of the country's most important historic sites.
Images of school girls in white AoDai on their bikes come from this city.
The prime visits are: The Citadel, including Imperial City, Tien Mu Temple [Pagoda], Royal Tombs including Tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.
The road to Da Nang - aka 'the Mandarin Road' - through Truong Son Mountains is a superbly picturesque driving route, with highest point known as 'the Pass of Clouds'.
Lang Co, a fishing village on a sand strip in the lagoon nearby has a beach, but it is not as beautiful as from a distance.
This is a good area to buy fish/shrimp sauces.

Da Nang, Vietnam's 4th biggest city, has not much to see, apart from Cham Museum, but travel a few kms out and there are limestone caves of *Marble Mountains, and the endless white sands of **China Beach where American troops landed during the War.

***Hoi An, a medieval trading port, has a unique historic background of mixed Chinese, Japanese and European influences.
The whole town is like a an open-air museum and a travel guide would be useful here.
Not to be missed are old Chinese houses [e.g.Tran house, Ceramic Museum], the Fujian Congregation Hall [Phuc Kien Pagoda] and also the Japanese bridge-pagoda.
Try to stay at least one night [in oriental rooms if you can] to hang out at peaceful riverside cafes and to stroll in the morning market.
This nostalgic, laid-back town is Bugbog's favourite place in Vietnam. It's 30 km from Da Nang.

**My Son is a small, peaceful complex of 4thC Cham/Hindu temples, 50 km south of Hoi An. The ruins used to be the focus of the Cham civilization and Vietnam's cultural/ religious centre.
Don't expect anything like Cambodia's Angkor, but it is worth travelling to if you are in the area, or an ancient wonder lover.

**Da Lat, a cool mountainous town, is a pleasant place to avoid heat or to explore the highlands. Do not miss a bizarre sculpture piece, the Hang Nga Tree House Hotel [also called Cobweb House/Crazy House].

***Ho Chi Minh City [Saigon], a vibrant, commercial centre, with bustling street life where travellers can get a glimpse of ancient culture and colonial elegance.
The prime sights are: Reunification Palace, the Giac Lam Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ben Thanh market, China Town and the War Remnants Museum.
This is fantastic place for eating, shopping, various spa treatments and Internet communication.
Visiting the **Cu Chi Tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the America-Vietnam war and cruising the Mekong Delta by boat are popular excursions.

**Mekong Delta offers a good example of local agriculture lifestyle.
The best places to travel around are Vinh Long or Can Tho for the boat trip, Cai Rang for the floating market, Chau Doc for the boat houses or Soc Trang and Tra Vinh for Khmer pagodas. There are also bird sanctuaries at Cao Lanh and Long Xuyen.
If you haven't much time, try a short boat trip along My Tho, for just a taste of the Delta [you still need 5-6 hours though]. Not recommended in September's flood season.

***Vietnam Beaches. Vietnam has nearly 3500 km of coastline, with many newly built resorts. The beaches are not as impressive as those in Thailand nor Malaysia, but less commercial and with far less visitors.
Try Mui Ne, Na Trang, Ha tien, Dao Phu Quoc Island.

Vietnam Tours