Vietnam is fast emerging on the world map as a popular tourist destination. This is not only due to its beautiful white beaches, but also to the uniqueness of its culture, landscapes and varied magnificent attractions, such as temples, pagodas and beautiful colonial architecture.
One of the top attractions is the Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonking. It boasts over 3,000 individual islands, great biodiversity, pristine beaches and grottoes. It’s also designated as a ‘world natural heritage’ and houses many exotic species of plants and animals.
There are many hidden natural wonders that you can unravel by trekking to Ba Den Mountain (Or Black Lady Mountain), and Faspian, which is also known as “Roof of Indochina”. You can even climb up the San May (Cloud Yard) on Ham Rong Mountain and enjoy the matchless view over Sapa, as well as its colorful orchid gardens.
Vietnam boasts many renowned religious sites including the biggest monument-Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Binh Son Tower of Ly-tran period and My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 12 meter high Buddha statue, 3.5 ton bell and other architectural marvels have made Niet Ban Tinh Xa quite a popular tourist attraction.
For adventure lovers Vietnam offers many different water sports. The crystal clear waters of Vung Tau and Nha Trang beaches are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Other good beaches offering surfing, swimming and numerous other beach activities include Halong Bay, Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, noted for its large sand dunes and ideal conditions for kite surfing.
One can enjoy other outdoor activities as well, like horse back riding or hiking in the beautiful countryside, especially around the hill town Da Lat. Apart from this Lang Bian Mountain, Bach Ma and Cat Ba National Parks also offer some excellent hiking opportunities. The magnificent caves on the Phong Nha River and its massive caverns are among the most visited tourist attraction. The water parks like Vietnam’s first Saigon water park, is rapidly gaining popularity and is the perfect venue for family outings.
Vietnam has a typically tropical climate with high humidity all year-round, so rain gear is advisable. For more information about Vietnam or any other destination join our interactive community. You can meet travel partners, make friends, view photographs and read blogs.
© Salsa-Trips, Rico Jochen Anderer