There are thousands of reasons to visit this amazing country. Vietnam exudes a feeling of innocence within a medley of cultures, people, traditions and compelling natural beauty coupled with a long violent history that now form a unique travel experience.

A fusion of Spanish and Chinese influence makes Vietnam a unique and delicious culinary experience any foodie would relish in. The street food stalls provide the best eating experience in Vietnam providing a more diverse range of fresh food. I fell in love with their pho and bun ca.

A holiday in Vietnam can provide a diverse range of experiences, here are some of the key places to visit on your travels.

Hanoi

With riveting and vibrant city streets that capture true Vietnamese life. Hanoi is a muddle of both old and modern Vietnam.  The old quarter district is very vibrant with vendors and street cafes. Don’t miss the opportunity to have some clothes tailored on Hang Gai, ‘Silk Street’. The city has a bundle of sites worth visiting, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Must do’s in Hanoi:

·       Visit Silk Street for souvenirs

·       Trấn Quốc Pagode Buddist temple

·       The Huong Tich Cave

·       Hoan Kiem Lake

·        West Lake

·       One Pillar Pagoda

·       Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

·       Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Hoi An

A beautiful ancient seaside city, over flowing with culture and history. Hoi An is alight with colour and hanging lights along the Hoai River. Take a taxi from the airport to your accommodation and then enjoy a candlelit evening in the Old Town or hop on a wooden Jada to light and release a lantern at the Full Moon Lantern festival which is said to bring blessing to marriages and a good fortune.

These are the top 5 Hoi An highlights:

·       Visit Tra Que

·       Hoi An Central Market

·       Hoi An Ancient Town

·       Hoi An rice fields

·       Cua Dai Hoi An Beach

Ho Chi Minh City

Beautiful Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon is known for a delicious culinary diversity and has a vibrant food scene. Therefore, there’s nothing better way than learning  to cook your own authentic Vietnamese dishes combined with a trip to the market to buy fresh ingredients.

Things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh:

·       Paris Square

·       Notre Dame Cathedral

·       Opera House

·       The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

·       The Museum of Vietnamese History

·       Reunification Palace

·       Cu Chi Tunnel System

·       Ho Chi Minh Museum

·       Jade Emperor Pagoda

·       The Mariamman Temple

·       Cholon

·       Ben Thanh Market

Hue

Sitting on the bank of Song Huong, discover the ancient city of Hue,. Hue was a royal city in Vietnam, and has plenty of captivating sights to see and activities to keep you busy.

See and do in Hue:

  • Royal Citadel
  • Forbidden City
  • Khai Dinh Tomb
  • Thien Mu Pagoda
  • AA private lunch at a local restaurant
  • Enjoy the world-famous Hai Van pass

Phu Quoc Island

Has the best picture-perfect white sandy beaches in Vietnam on the the Sao beach located on Phu Quoc Island’s southern tip, this tranquil beach surrounded by clear azure waters, is the perfect place for honeymooners or couples to catch the gorgeous sunset views. The soft white beach is exactly what you imagine of a tropical beach experience. The locals are quite friendly and cheerful, often selling fresh fruit and offering the best massages right on the beach.

The sights of Phu Quoc:

  • Witness local industries
  • See the Phu Quoc Prison (coconut tree prison)
  • Ham Ninh fishing village,
  • Phu Quoc National Park
  • Nguyen Trung Truc Temple.
  • Sao Beach and Dai Beach,

Halong Bay

The ‘Bay of descending Dragons’ showcases limestone peaks, beaches and floating fishing villages, enjoy the scenery as you sail through emerald clear waters.

The best way to explore Halong Bay is by boat cruise. Take a tour from Hanoi or Halong Bay itself for two nights and visit the floating fishing villages, pearl farms and more.

Don Cao

In the remote Ha Giang province, Don Cao Fortress- provides the perfect viewpoint of  Dong Van Geopark Valley and Mountain.

What to do in Don Cao:

  • Travel to Ha Giang and explore Van Geopark
  • Admire the gorgeous Ma Pi Leng Pass,
  • Visit King’s ancient Palace and the Lung Cu flag tower,
  • Explore Don Cao French Fortress

Vietnam is a nation of great cultural diversity with 54 ethnic minority groups, most of them are living in the countryside with their own cultures, houses and languages. If you love panoramic landscapes of mountains and valleys and are interested in authentic local cultures, sites and cuisines then it is about time you visited Vietnam.