Vietnam - Highlight
Highlights | Know before you go | Trips
NORTHERN VIETNAM
Hanoi
With its tree-lined boulevards and lakes, it's blend of French, Chinese
and Vietnamese architectures, Hanoi is the jewel of Asia. Charming pagodas
and the "36 streets and 36 wares" of the fascinating Old Quarter will
vie for your attention. And there are the famous sights: the impressive
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the ancient Temple of Literature, the Lake of the
Restored Sword, the One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi Opera House, the History
Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Ethnology Museum.
Ha Long Bay
Magnificent Ha Long Bay, with its 3,000 islands rising from the clear
emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural wonders of
Vietnam and now a World Heritage site. Visitors have compared the area's
magical landscape of chalk islets to Guilin China, and Krabi in Southern
Thailand.
Sapa & the Northern Highlands
Adventurous travelers often consider the hill station of Sapa and the
outstanding beautiful valleys around it the highlight of their trip. The
region is home to more than 20 colourful ethnic minorities all wearing
their traditional attire and working rice terraces of ever changing hues.
The hilltribes meet up in town to trade with each other as well as with
foreign visitors. Mt. Fansipan, at 3143 m is Vietnam's highest peak, is
nearby.
CENTRAL VIETNAM
Hue
Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty
from 1802 to 1945, and is arguably the most beautiful city in Vietnam.
A cycling tour around the "Imperial City" and a trip on the Perfume River
along the historical sights in the surrounding area will make your visit
to Hue unforgettable.
Hoi An
Hoi An is a riverside town and was one of South-East Asia's major international
ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today parts of Hoi An
look exactly as they did back then helping the town retain the feel of
centuries past. With its narrow streets and quaint mix of architectures,
picturesque Hoi An is a favorite with visitors.
Nha Trang
White sandy beaches and street-side cafes have turned Nha Trang into Vietnam's
premier resort town. The turquoise waters around Nha Trang are almost
transparent making for excellent fishing and snorkeling.
The Central Highlands
The Central Highlands are renowned for their cool climate, beautiful mountain
scenery and innumerable streams, lakes and waterfalls. The region is home
to various ethnic minorities. With it's evergreen forests, Dalat (once
called Petit Paris) is a favourite honeymooning spot. The Pleiku area,
where domesticated elephants are still used for transport, is excellent
trekking country.
SOUTH VIETNAM
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
With its streetmarkets, sidewalk cafes, sleek new pubs, pagodas and museums
it is impossible to get bored in Ho Chi Minh City. Cho Lon, Saigon's Chinatown,
is not to be missed. Check out Giac Lam Pagoda, the Reunification Palace
and the Museum of War Crimes.
Tay Ninh
Tay Ninh is the headquarters of the Cao Dai sect. Their beliefs are an
odd mix of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The temple's architecture
is as bizarre as the sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor
Hugo and Winston Churchill.
Cu Chi
The Cu Chi Tunnels were vital to the Viet Cong victory over the Americans
in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area around
Saigon. Today the remaining tunnels of this amazing intricate network
have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience
of what underground life in the American war was like.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam and the rice bowl
of the country. Because the plains are periodically flooded by the rising
Mekong River, traditional transportation is by boat along a vast network
of canals. A cruise along these canals with their floating markets always
proves to be a fascinating experience for all visitors. Can Tho is the
capital of the Mekong Delta.
We hope that the above information has given you some ideas about where you would like to spend your holiday in Vietnam. Please take a look at other Mekong country information as you may like to combine a trip to Vietnam with a few days in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar!
Please contact us if you have any questions about Vietnam or if you would like a quotation for a personalised itinerary.
