[ad_1]
Amazing Places to Visit in Vietnam for First-Time Visitors
Looking for a perfect place to visit in Vietnam? You can finally tick off your Vietnam travel bucket list as we present to you our list of best places to visit in Vietnam. In this post, we also listed amazing activities, recommended places to stay, how to go and more.
The country of Vietnam is steadily growing to become one of the top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is rich with culture and history that definitely shows in its striking natural landscapes and stunning historical heritage sites. Vietnam has a variety of sites, experiences, flavors, and sounds to offer travelers from the biggest cave in the world to cozy peaceful countryside village that has its unique hidden surprises.
Traveling to Vietnam will lead to an unforgettable journey whether you’re alone or traveling with family and friends. Vietnam has more sites that are a must for travelers to visit, with many more not mentioned on this list. But to give you an idea, here are eleven best places to visit in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City
Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and home to millions of motorbikes that can be seen zooming on the streets day and night. The city still holds remnants of Vietnam’s past as a French colony as can be seen with its architecture all over the city. Ho Chi Minh holds many attractions to travelers such as its Notre Dame cathedral and Cu Chi tunnels as well as its many shopping districts.
How to get there: Major airlines in Asia are mostly offering flights to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels Full-Day Tour
Read More:
Hoi An
Since 1999, Hoi An city has enjoyed the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hoi An offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to other cities on this list. Hoi An is a city rich with history and culture and it properly conveys this through its many heritage structures in the city. Hoi An is also famous for its local cuisine that attracts travelers far and wide. The city offers an old-world charm that with its buildings full of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Truly a must-visit and one of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
How to get there:
Hoi An has no airport, and no train station either. To reach Hoi An, the fastest way is to book a flight to Da Nang. From Da Nang, you can hire a taxi, book a day tour or take a public bus. The bus ride to Hoi An takes about 70 to 80 minutes and the bus is locally known as the yellow bus.
Where to Stay: Book Discounted Hotels in Hoi An
Discounted Tours:
Hoi An City and Countryside Tour
Read More: Hoi An Bucket List: Top 15 Best Things to do in Hoi An
Hanoi
Hanoi is the historic and capital city of Vietnam that travelers should visit to experience the Vietnamese city life. Its many streets are full of surprises with vendors and thousands of motorcycles to go from place to place. The city is also a haven for history fans, especially in the old town quarter Ngoc Son Temple, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. These are just the tip of the iceberg of Hanoi’s many attractions.
How to get there:
From any major hubs in Asia, you can fly to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (IATA: HAN, ICAO: VVNB). The airport is about 40 minutes’ drive from the Hanoi city center.
Where to Stay:
Discounted Tours:
Read More:
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay should be on everyone’s bucket list as this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a natural wonder that’ll make you think you’re in another world. Locals offer a tour around Ha Long Bay which consists of over 1600 limestone islands and islets that features caves and lush greenery. You can also do activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling while admiring the beautiful ocean scenery.
How to get there:
There’s no direct flight to Ha Long Bay. There is a bus from Hanoi to Halong city which takes roughly three and a half hours. From the Bus station to Ha Long Bay pier, it takes about 15 minutes. At the ferry pier, you can book your island tour at any booking office of your choice.
Where to Stay:
Discounted Tours:
3D2N Halong Bay Cruise and Cat Ba Island Tour
Ha Long Bay Luxury Cruise Tour from Ha Noi
Read More: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Ha Long Bay
Hue
Hue is located in Central Vietnam and is once was the capital of Imperial Vietnam of the Nguyen Dynasty. This historic site is still showcasing its roots on the city’s architecture, culture, and cuisine that travelers should experience. History enthusiasts should explore the Imperial City with its many palaces temples, and tombs. Many other historical attractions are scattered throughout the city that travelers can visit.
How to get there:
Hue’s international “Phu Bai” (HUI) airport fields daily flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but flights are quite often disrupted by poor weather during the rainy season (Mid October – Mid December). Three airlines fly to “Phu Bai” airport: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and Vietjet. The airport is 15 kilometers away from the city center and should cost no more than 250,000 VND by taxi (30-minute ride). There is also a bus that will take you into the city for 50,000 VND per person.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
Explore Hue City Full-Day Tour
Hue Discovery Half or Full-Day Tour from Hue
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site located at North-Central Vietnam. The national park attracts visitors with its expansive cave systems and gorgeous mountainous views. Visitors here can even camp in the biggest cave in the world by volume.
How to get there:
There are three major bus companies that organize night busses driving from Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang: Hung Thanh, Queen Cafe, and Camel Travel. Tickets can be obtained at hostel and hotel receptions in every major city in Vietnam.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
Sapa
Sapa is a town in the Northwest region of Vietnam that is popular for tourists looking for the Vietnamese countryside scenery and experience. Sapa is an old French hill station surrounded by rolling mountain, deep valleys, and terraced rice field. It’s also the home of many of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Tourists can go trekking and hiking on the mountain paths, taking in the rural views the countryside has to offer.
How to get there:
Sapa has no airport and it is only accessible by train or by Bus.
By Train
From Hanoi, the most popular way to get to Sapa is by overnight train. It takes about 8-9 hours and the train has a stopover in Lao Cai, the province which Sapa belongs to. After a stopover in Lao Cai station, it takes another hour to get to Sapa.
By Bus
This is the fastest way to reach Sapa from Hanoi. The daily bus departs Hanoi at 6:30am or 10:00pm. It takes about 6-7 hours to reach Sapa from Hanoi.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
2D1N Sapa Cat Cat Village Tour and Trekking with Fansipan Legend Cable Car Ride
My Son
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, My Son is a historic ancient temple complex built in the 4th century by kings of the Champa Kingdon used for Hindu religious ceremonies. With over 20 temple structures still standing the ancient site contains influences from other Asian empires such as the Indians and the Malays. Today, it is one of Southeast Asia’s most notable sites that travelers have to see.
How to get there:
My Son is 43 km from Hoi An and there are several options to reach this heritage site. You can either rent a motorbike taxi, rent a motorbike, take a boat ride or join a tour group from Hoi An.
Where to Stay: My Son Heritage Resort And Spa
Discounted Tours:
My Son Early Morning Tour by Bus
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is an agricultural region that feeds a third of Vietnam’s population. It also attracts travelers that wish to see the busy floating markets on the riverside towns. The Mekong Delta, with its scenic views, is also home to other attractions that people can visit such as U Minh Mangrove Forest and Cau Mau Nature Reserve.
How to get there:
To reach Mekong Delta from Saigon, you need to take a bus ride from Phuang Trang (Futa) Bus station in Saigon. Buses depart for Can Tho every 30-60 minutes. The bus ride takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes to reach Can Tho.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
Mekong Delta Speedboat Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
Dalat
Dalat is also dubbed as the City of Love and Flowers because of the many families and couples visiting this mountain town during the holidays. Da Lat is the perfect place to go to if you want to escape the heat of the city and replace it with a cool atmosphere and a charming and beautiful scenery full of rolling hills and flower gardens.
How to get there:
By Air
There’s a direct flight to Lien Khuong Airport from HCMC, Danang, Hanoi, Hue, Vinh, Haiphong, and Bangkok. Lien Khuong Airport is 30km south of the city linked by a modern and yet scenic two-lane highway.
By Bus
From Ho Chi Minh City, the bus ride takes about 6 hours. You can book your ticket from backpacker hub Pham Ngu Lao in Saigon.
Where to Stay: Get Discounted Hotel Rates
Discounted Tours:
Ba Be National Park
For nature lovers, Ba Be National Park is one of the most tranquil destinations in Vietnam. Ba Be National Park is home to Ba Be lake and the lake is surrounded by evergreen forests and caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. Travelers can go on hiking and trekking tours in the hills occupied by ethnic minority villages. Travelers can also explore the caves and go on boat trips and kayak on the Ba Be lake.
How to get there:
From Hanoi, there are Bus companies that offer bus transfers to Ba Be National Park. Bus companies depart at My Dinh station. There are also bus companies that offer bus transfers from Sapa, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang.
Where to Stay: Ba Be Lake View Homestay
Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Did you like our list of Best Places to Visit in Vietnam? Please follow #TeamOutofTown on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
[ad_2]
Source link
