Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam

Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam Most travelers to Vietnam 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. This is very hard for travellers to pick up the good things from many choices.

Take a look at the 10 things to do in Vietnam handpicked by experts from Asianventure Tours in Vietnam and let them inspire you on your next adventure!

Halong Bay 1. Explore Halong Bay Ha Long Bay is situated in North Vietnam round a 160 kilometer long coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. As the 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.Cruise in an old Chinese junk in Ha Long Bay - “Bay of Descending Dragons” - a world heritage site famous for limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes .

2. Take a cruise in 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.

3. Explore the vibrant streets of Hanoi

Hanoi is a city of contrasts with the wide, leafy boulevards lined by beautiful colonial buildings in the French quarter, the maze of narrow streets of the Old Quarter and the tranquil lakes. Wherever you are, the background noise is the buzzing of the motorbikes that crowd the streets of the capital.

4. Experience a Draft beer Cheapest beer in the world – ‘bia hoi’ in Vietnam (16 cents a glass).Every travel show that slips through the country mentions the infamous “bia hoi” that is most common in Hanoi, but also found in many other parts of Vietnam if you look around. In fact, Hanoi is definitely not the best place to try these cheap suds, but we’ll get to that below.

5. Visit 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.

6. Eat Pho Eat Pho - Vietname Noodles consisting of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles called banhpho, a few herbs, and meat.

Pho is a popular street food in Vietnam and the specialty of a number of restaurant chains around the world. It is primarily served with either beef or chicken. The Hanoi and Saigon styles of pho differ by noodle width, sweetness of broth, and choice of herbs. The origin of pho and its name is a subject of scholarly debate.

Eat Pho and drink Vietnamese coffee at any one of the many pop-up cafes. It’s cheap and you just have to point to what you want.

7. Spend time in Sapa mountain retreat Sa Pa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. Rice terraces can be found in the MuongHoa 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.

Hike or bike up the picturesque mountains of Sapa, known for its rugged scenery, rice terraces and ethnic diversity close to the Chinese borders.

8. Take a walk around Hoian Town 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.Shop for silk and tailored clothes in the coastal town of Hoi An, once a thriving international port known for its trade of silk and ceramics .

9. Unwind in Muine Beach 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 provides some great panoramic views especially during sunset.

10. Enjoy the turquoise water in NhaTrang beach Blessed with a privileged strip of coastline, NhaTrang offers the very best conditions for a grand holiday: sparkling bay, gorgeous beaches, year-round sunshine, lively nightlife and more. This small coastal city hosts one of the world’s most beautiful bays, NhaTrang Bay. Its pristine and splendid beaches, surrounded by green hills and shaded with palms, are considered the best of Vietnam.

Written by Peter Garbiel Travel expert at Asian venture Tours – www.asianventure.com