are attracted by the country’s wonderful natural beauty: From the green
rice fields in the north to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta
in the south. Vietnam however is also a country with a long history and
ancient traditions. It has many historic attractions and old temples. An
overview of the most amazing
25 Khai Dinh Tomb (Hue)
Blending both Vietnamese and European design elements, the
architecture of the Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue has been described as Buddhist
as well as Roman Gothic. Constructed in the 1920s, the tomb was
commissioned by the Emperor of Vietnam as his own future tomb. The
entrance of the complex leads to the Honour Courtyard, and then on to
the main building called the Thien Dinh. Khai Dinh’s final resting spot
is clearly marked by a bronze statue surrounded by beautiful murals.
24 Con Dao Islands
Under French rule, the Con Dao Islands were known as the Devil’s
Island of Indochina, a place where thousands of prisoners of war were
kept. Today, this group of 16 islands off the southern coast of Vietnam
has a completely different purpose. Visitors come for the beautiful
beaches and the abundance of scuba diving and snorkeling spots. However,
the history of Con Dao can still be explored at some of the prison
buildings that still stand.
23 Marble Mountains
South of Da Nang, Vietnam, are the Marble Mountains. These five peaks
are named after the five elements of earth, water, wind, fire and wood.
The mountains are picturesque on their own, but they are also home to
countless caves, some of which house incredible Buddhist sanctuaries.
Some caves contain Confucian or Buddhist shrines, and others were used
as sanctuaries and hospitals during the Vietnam War.
22 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
In Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, stands the stunning Notre Dame
Cathedral. Built in the late 19th century, the cathedral is brick,
neo-Romanesque and clearly influenced by European architecture of the
same time period. In fact, many of the materials used in construction
were imported directly from France. While the exterior is impressive,
the interior is also worth exploring. Look for the surviving stained
glass panels as well as carved tiles and a statue of the Virgin Mary.
21 Tam Coc
In the Ninh Binh province of Northern Vietnam is Tam Coc, which
translates to English as three caves. The three caves are nestled in a
scenic landscape of limestone cliffs and rice paddies, and the river
winds through the region. The caves are called Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and
Hang Ba, and they serve as the area’s main attraction. Guided boat tours
take you to the caves and along the Ngo Dong River, which is often
dotted with floating vendors capitalizing on the tourist trade.
20 My Khe Beach
The most scenic spot in Da Nang is arguably My Khe Beach. Also known
as China Beach, this was where US servicemen were helicoptered in for
R&R during the Vietnam War. These days people come here however for
tis pristine white sand, blue water and sunny skies. Visitors can rent a
lounge chair on the sand, relax in the shade under a thatched umbrella
or rent a kayak from nearby vendors. Many hotels and cafes are within
walking distance of My Khe Beach, making it a hub for visitors as well
as locals in search of incredible views.
19 Hang Son Doong Cave
One of the largest caves in the world, and certainly the largest in
Vietnam, is Hang Son Doong. Approximately three million years old, Hang
Son Doong Cave is an incredible destination unlike anywhere else on the
planet. The cave is enormous, and it is possible for dozens of people to
camp within it at a time. Bright blue water pools are located in the
cave, and a river runs through it. Lush greenery lines the walls, thanks
to erosion that lets in beams of sunlight. The cave is ethereal, and
guided tours are available to best explore this amazing landmark.
18 Temple of Literature (Hanoi)
In the city of Hanoi, there is an incredible temple dedicated to
Confucius. Built in the 11th century, the Temple of Literature honors
scholars and the many academic achievements of the Vietnamese, past and
present. The Temple of Literature was even the site of the very first
university in the nation. Among countless statues of Confucius and his
disciples, there are impressive pagodas and a pond known as the Well of
Heavenly Clarity.
17 Bac Ha Market
Once a week, the quiet town of Bac Ha becomes a hub of culture and
trade in Northwest Vietnam. Residents from the surrounding villages and
valleys flock to Bac Ha, and the roads are filled with buses packed with
tourists. Visiting on a Sunday means watching locals in their
traditional ethnic dress, sipping the juice from fresh coconuts and
browsing countless stalls. Shoppers can find everything for sale in Bac
Ha, including water buffalo, delicious Hmong and Thay cuisine, brightly
colored fabrics and fragrant spices.
16 Cham Islands
Several miles off the coast of Hoi An is a cluster of mountainous
isles known as the Cham Islands. Primarily granite, these islands were
once restricted but are now open to the public. The main island Hon Lao,
the largest and the only one inhabited, is less than two hours’ away by
speed boat. Visitors can come for the day and go birdwatching, snorkel
through the surrounding reefs or just enjoy the scenery of the
beautiful beaches. Overnight stays are limited, but can be an incredible
experience for the intrepid traveler.
15 Hang Nga's Guesthouse (Da Lat)
Known to many travelers as Crazy House, Hang Nga’s Guesthouse is a
very unusual piece of architecture that also serves as accommodation in
Da Lat. The structure was designed by a local architect named Dang Viet
Nga, but he was clearly influenced by the Spanish architect Gaudi. The
guesthouse looks like a tree and is complete with details like a
cavernous stairway, branches that twist out of windows and sculpted
animals that double as furniture and even fireplaces.
14 Cao Dai Temple
One of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam is the Cao Dai Temple,
which was constructed in the 1930s. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese
religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism,
Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. In the main building of the Cao Dai
Temple, there are four prayers conducted daily, and visitors can watch
or even participate in the ceremonies. In addition to the temple, which
boasts beautiful murals, the complex is home to many additional
residences, administrative buildings and even a hospital.
13 Imperial Citadel (Hue)
For nearly 150 years until World War II, the Imperial Citadel of Hue
served as the capital of Vietnam’s Nguyen dynasty. In the very center of
these secure walls was the Purple Forbidden City, an area reserved
exclusively for the royal family. The enormous Imperial Citadel was also
a strategic hold during the Vietnam War, as it stands very close to the
demilitarized zone that separated North and South Vietnam. This
destination is significant for all those who are interested in the
history of the nation.
12 My Son
More than 1,600 years ago, the Chan people of Vietnam began
construction on dozens of Hindu temples near the village of Duy Phú.
Under the shadow of Cat’s Tooth Mountain, and surrounded by a green
valley, several of these temples still stand. Known collectively as My
Son, most of the temples are now ruins. However, that only adds to the
atmosphere. Visiting My Son is like stepping back in time, thanks in
part to its secluded location and the lack of touristy infrastructure.
11 Phong Nha Caves
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park boasts many attractions, but none is
so popular as its caves. The Phong Nha Caves are made up of hundreds of
cave systems, many of which are large enough to hold entire city blocks.
The biggest, and most notable, is Hang Son Doong. A gateway to the
caves is Son Trach, a growing village that is home to several transport
links throughout Vietnam, local restaurants and meeting points for
guided tours to the caves.
10 Nha Trang
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town located along
the second most beautiful bays in the country. It features beautiful
beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild
temperatures. The city has about 300,000 inhabitants and is more lively
and urban in character than other beach destinations like Mui Ne and Phu
Quoc. It’s also the scuba diving center of Vietnam.
9 Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located about 40 km northwest of
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon). The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots
during the Vietnam War, and were the base of operations for the Tết
Offensive in 1968. The tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction,
and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the
tunnel system.
8 Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong
River approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush
area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of
Vietnam’s agricultural output. Subsequently, life in the Mekong Delta
revolves much around the river, and all the villages are often
accessible by river rather than by road.
7 Mui Ne
The formerly little-inhabited beach south of the fishing village of
Mui Ne has seen some serious development in the last 15 years. Due to
strong sea breezes it is a popular destination in Vietnam for kite- and
windsurfing. No trip to Mui Ne is complete without a trip to the famous
sand dunes located a short distance north of the town. The vast sandy
expanse provide some great panoramic views especially during sunset.
6 Sa Pa Terraces
Sa Pa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border.
Rice terraces can be found in the Muong Hoa valley between Sa Pa town
and the Fansipan Mountain, on a backdrop of thick bamboo woodlands.
Local mountain people, the Hmong, Giay, Dao, Tay, and Giay, grow rice
and corn on these paddy terraces, along with vegetables.
5 Phu Quoc
Located in front of the Cambodia coast, Phu Quoc is the largest
island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is what Phuket would be if it hadn’t been
overrun by development. The island features pristine tropical forests,
undamaged coral reefs and great beaches. One of its beaches, named Bai
Dai (Long Beach), was chosen by the ABC News as one of five beautiful
and clean beaches. Phu Quoc is famous for producing the best nuoc mam or
fermented fish sauce in the world.
4 Hoi An
This fishing-village-turned-tourist-attraction is situated on the
coast of the South China Sea. Hoi An has been an international port from
the 16th century although the serious shipping business has long since
moved to the city of Da Nang. The heart of the city is still the Old
Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shops. It is sometimes
called the “Venice of Vietnam” because of the narrow canals that cut
through part of the town.
3 Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi)
Located in the historical center of
Hanoi,
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves
as the locals’ favorite leisure spot. Hoan Kiem means “returned sword”,
and the name comes from a legend in which King Le Loi was given a
magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading
Chinese. Later he returned the sword to the Golden Turtle God in the
lake.
2 Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue)
With seven stories, the Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue is the tallest pagoda
in Vietnam. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as
the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. The temple was
built in 1601 during the rule of the Nguyễn Lords. The initial temple
was very simply constructed, but over time it was redeveloped and
expanded with more intricate features.
1 Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is situated in north Vietnam round a 120 kilometer long
coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”.
The top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay features thousands of
islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a
spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Several of the islands are
hollow, with enormous caves, others islands include lakes and some
support floating villages of fishermen.
photo/GMA
flickr/Arian Zwegers
flickr/Jean-Pierre Dalbera
flickr/besar bears
flickr/NguyenTrung
flickr/eroku
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