Bee the Explorer!
Being an explorer is an experience not many people get to have, let alone put into words.
I have put together a list of links to various sites I truly recommend seeing. Have a look and please feel free to ask me any direct questions regarding a more personalized experience.
Ha Long Bay
Ha long Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie. The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies. The best way to get to Halong City is by car, minibus or bus from Hanoi which is only 170km away. If budget is not a problem, an hour-long helicopter transfer is also available
Hue
Renowned as the most royal city in Vietnam, Hue has enough charm to keep you staying as long as you can afford the time to visit. Located on the bank of Song Huong- Perfume River; Hue, the capital of Thua Thien Hue province in Central Vietnam, is 700 km southern Hanoi, 1100km northern Ho Chi Minh City, and only a few miles from the sea. Not until 1945 was Hue the national capital, the political, cultural and religious center of Vietnam under the control of Nguyen Dynasty. Most well-known for its historic values; Hue had been recognized as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Hanoi
Anyone who has ever visited Hanoi will probably tell you that it may be the most beautiful city in all of Asia - people have settled here along the Red River for a thousand years. Nestled along wooded boulevards among the city’s two dozen lakes you will find architectural souvenirs left by all who conquered this great valley, from the Chinese who first came in the last millennium to the French, booted out in our own century.
Dalat
The hill town of Da Lat has long been the most popular location in the region for getaway holidays since French colonial times. Many people call it ‘Le Petit Paris’ and the town even features a mini-replica Eiffel Tower in its centre! Situated on a plateau 1,500 metres above sea level, this retreat town offers a good change of atmosphere with a refreshingly cool climate while other cities in Vietnam can be very hot and humid especially during summer. Trousers and jumpers are needed if visiting Dalat from November to around March as temperatures hover at about 10°C.
Da Nang
Da Nang marks the halfway point between the capital in the north, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It’s the fourth largest city in Vietnam. Apart from some shopping highlights and historical sights, the main reason for most travellers staying here is its proximity to the well-known My Khe Beach, Lang Co Beach, Hoi An and My Son. Lang Co Beach is lined with palm trees, the water of the nearby ocean crystal-clear and enticing, lapping onto white sand.
Da Nang’s coastline stretches 30 kilometres, renowned for calm, cool waters and also popular for fishing, water-skiing, diving, and yachting.
Sapa
Sapa is a small, mountain town in Lao Cai Province. It is located about 350 km northwest of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border. Here's where you'll find the Hoang Lien Son range of mountains, which includes Fan Si Pan—the country's highest peak. This quiet Vietnamese town is home to different ethnic tribal groups. There are five main ethnic groups in Sapa: the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho. It is said that Sapa was first occupied by the first four groups, since the Vietnamese from the lowlands (better known as the Kinh) did not colonise the highest valleys.
Nha Trang
Picture warm sandy beach beneath your feet, majestic mountains, towering skyline and cobalt-blue waters and you’ve just painted yourself an image of Nha Trang – a coastal city on the South-Central of Vietnam.
A popular beach retreat among the locals, it is often overlooked by tourists for the other Vietnamese cities, save for the backpackers as well as affluent adventurers who call this place their playground.
From lavishing nature to cultural wonders of ancient ruins, perhaps it’s time to be in on this best-kept secret and book yourself your next dream vacation here.
Ho Chi Minh City
Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future. Ho Chi Minh City's colonial attractions are sprinkled around District 1, with the Reunification Palace looking down tree-lined Le Duan Boulevard where you'll find the Notre Dame Cathedral and the city's Central Post Office. Walk down Dong Khoi street, and you'll pass the Saigon Opera House and the Continental Hotel. On a more local level, the Ben Thanh Market and the Jade Emperor Pagoda are both worth a stop.
Hoi An
If you’re looking for culture, foods of all different flavors and spices, and a picturesque riverside town, you’ve got to make sure you make your way to Hoi An.
Its quaint cobblestone streets and endearing charm quite accurately portray the beauty of this country. Brightly colored houses in friendly yellows, blues and greens are a common site around this town; unlike many newer cities in Vietnam, they are built in traditional wooden materials, evoking a feeling of familiarity.
From the wonderful people you’ll encounter to the mouthwatering dishes served up and down streets and alleyways alike, you’ll be sure to leave Hoi An with fond memories and a good taste in your mouth.
My Son
Unlike the neighboring cities of Hoi An and Danang, Mỹ Sơn’s unique allure draws from its incredible historic roots, not its immediate visionary delights. As the last remaining ruin complex of the ancient Cham Empire, Mỹ Sơn attracts thousands of visitors each in year to its ancient Hindu temples and mysterious architecture. It remains one of the foremost heritage sites in all of Southeast asia Once the site of religious ceremony and burial place of Cham royalty, the valley has since been named a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The temple complex can be found in the thick brush of the Vietnamese jungle, beneath the Hon Quap (Cat’s Tooth) Mountain. At the base of the mountain lies the source of the Thu Bon river, which is considered to be holy by the local population. As a source of rich history, honored culture, and natural beauty, Mỹ Sơn is the perfect excursion for those who can appreciate the solemn beauty of a relic preserved in time.