Introducing Vietnam

Blessed with a ravishing coastline, emerald-green mountains, breathtaking national parks, dynamic cities, outstanding cultural interest and one of the world’s best cuisines, Vietnam has it all.

The Vietnamese Experience
Vietnam is a nation going places. Fast. Its people are energetic, direct, sharp in commerce and resilient by nature. This is an outrageously fun country to explore, the locals love a laugh (and a drink) and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialise with them and hear their tales. The American War is over, and yet its impact endures – you’ll find reminders of that cataclysmic conflict everywhere you travel. That said, the country was never broken and emerged with its pride intact. Poor in parts but never squalid, Vietnam is developing at an astonishing pace. For travellers, there are issues to consider (including minor scams), but little real danger – on the whole it’s a safe, wonderfully rewarding and incredibly varied country to explore.
A Cultural Smorgasbord
This is a country of myriad influences and reference points. In the south, Indian and Hindu culture had a lasting influence in the Cham temples and spicy regional cuisine, spiked with chilli and tempered with coconut. Head north and Chinese connections are far more apparent. Between these two competing cultures, you’ll find a quintessential Vietnam in the central provinces: the graceful historic old port of Hoi An, and the royal tombs, pagodas and imperial cuisine of Hue. Oh, and there’s more, far more. Factor in an enduring French colonial legacy, which is evident in Hanoi’s graceful boulevards, in Ho Chi Minh city’s stately museums and in the crispy baguettes and coffee culture you’ll find on every street corner. Add the American interlude, more than 50 hill tribes, and of course the proud (battletested and victorious) ruling Communist Party ideology and you’ve got Vietnam: heady, intoxicating and unique.
Big Nature, Booming Cities
If you want visual dramatics, Vietnam delivers. Cruise an azure ocean pierced by surreal- looking limestone islands in Halong Bay, slalom through the majestic inland karst mountains of Cao Bang. Hike mountain tracks and explore tribal villages near Sapa and Bac Ha. Then witness the spectacular sandy bays of the central coastline and explore the reefs and coves of the Cham and Con Dao Island. Highway 1 is near-relentlessly urban, so get off it at regular intervals to see the astonishing cave systems of Phong Nha, national parks like Cat Tien, and the bewitching back waters of the Mekong Delta. Finally, no visit would be complete without experiencing the energy of big-city life in Vietnam’s capital Ha Noi, the grand old lady of the Orient, and
Ho Chi Minh City, the engine room of the economy and the nation.

Famous tourist spots of Vietnam

 

Vietnam's diverse natural environment, geography, history, and culture have created a great potential for the tourism industry. Vietnam's environment includes long coastlines, forests, and mountainous areas with beautiful caves. As well, Vietnam has a history and culture of ancient architectures, religions and cults, and traditional festivals. Vietnam has a long coastline that extends along the eastern boundary of the country and wraps around the southern tip for 3,260 km, a distance geographically longer than the length of the country. Traveling from north to south or from south to north, tourists will find many beautiful beaches where, all year round, they can stay and enjoy the excitement of the seaside. There are more than 20 beautiful beaches along the coastline, such as Tra Co, Halong, Do Son, and Sam Son in the north and China Beach (Da Nang), Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Ha Tien in the south. In particular, tourists can visit Halong Bay, which is a world natural heritage site, a creation of Mother Nature, with thousands of islands and rocks of different sizes and shapes, such as a dragon, a frog, a turtle, and a fighting chicken. Inside the big islands, there are huge and wonderful caves and grottoes. Vietnam is a tropical country in the northern hemisphere. With its geographical diversity, the country has inherited many famous natural resorts such as Sapa , Tam Dao, Bach Ma, and Da Lat. These resorts are usually located 1,000 meters above sea level; therefore, they have climates that are similar to those of the temperate zones. Dalat City is not only an ideal tourist resort, but it is also a city of pine forests, waterfalls and many kinds of beautiful flowers. Coming to Da Lat, tourists are diverted by the strong and tender melodies of the T'rung and Gong, two typical musical instruments of the highlanders commonly played at evening parties. Vietnam has many famous national parks, which are great collections of precious plant and animal species of the tropical zone. The most famous national forests include Cuc Phuong in Ninh Binh province, Cat Ba on Cat Ba Island, Con Dao on Con Dao Island, etc. There are several regions in Vietnam that have been reserved as gardens and bird sanctuaries. At Minh Hai Sanctuary, there are more than 80 species of birds. At Tam Nong Sanctuary, there is a garden conservatory for redhead cranes, established as an information center for cranes funded by the International Fund for Bird Protection in Bergheim, Germany. Vietnam has abundant mineral water sources found throughout the country, such as Quang Hanh hot stream in Quang Ninh province, Hoi Van mineral spring in Binh Dinh province, Vinh Hao mineral spring in Binh Thuan province, Duc My stream in Nha Trang, and Kim Boi mineral spring in Hoa Binh province. These areas have become resorts for health rehabilitation and relaxation attracting numerous visitors every year. Vietnam has a long 4,000-year history, over which many valuable architectural heritages of rich oriental culture have been built. Many of these vestiges maintain their ancient appearances, such as the One Pillar Pagoda and Kim Kien Pagoda in Hanoi, Pho Minh Tower in Nam Ha province, Binh Son Tower in Vinh Phuc province, Tay Dang Temple, Chu Quyen Temple and Tay Phuong Pagoda in Ha Tay province, Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh province, and But Thap Pagoda and Dinh Bang Temple in Bac Ninh province. In the villages of the Central Coast of Vietnam, Cham Towers are the remarkable vestiges of this lost civilization. In particular, the royal architectures of Hue Ancient Citadel were recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Sapa Sapa is a holiday-resort town lying at the altitude of 1600 metres. Built in 1922, Sapa is 38 km from the provincial town of Lao Cai. Its climate is moderate with average temperatures from 18oC to 23oC degrees. There are a lot of rains from May to August. In winter, it is often foggy and cold with tempetatures below freezing point and occasional snowfall. In summer, Sapa is an ideal holiday resort. Around the town are gardens of temperate vegetables such as cabbage, kohlrabi, chayote... of precious medicinal plants and of fruit trees like peach, plum, pear, ... Two kilometres away from the town are the Silvery Fall and Cane Bridge. The bridge over the Muong Hoa River is made of cane. It is extremely interesting to venture on it for the first time. The Hoang Lien Son Mountain range lies 9 kilometres away from Sapa, with its highest peak, Fansipan, of 3143 metres. Sam Son Beach Sam Son Beach is 16 km from the city of Thanh Hoa. This is a wonderful seaside resort which the French began exploiting in 1906. It soon became a famous spot of the then-Indochine. A number of decades ago, many holiday villas were sonstructed here. Sam Son has a lot of beauty spot such as : the "Trong Mai" Mountain, the "Doc Cuoc" Temple, and "Co Tien" Moutain... Bich Dong (Blue Cave) Bich Dong is situated at the Dam hamlet, Minh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. A small boat will take visitors in a winding voyage around the mystic caves. In the 18th century, on a trip to Bich Dong, King Tu Duc, stunned by the great beauty of the rivers, mountains, caves and pagodas nestling on mountain sides, awarded the place with the title "The Second Best Cave" under the Southern Heaven. Cuc Phuong national park Cuc Phuong is 100 km southwest of Hanoi. It lies at the border of 3 provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and is 60 km from the sea. The forest is 25000 ha in area, of which one-third is limestone mountains from 300 to 600 metres high against the sea level. The virgin forest was discovered in 1960 and hac been recognised as a national park. It has Dan Dan grotto, Ancient Men cave, hot springs with a temperature of 38 Celsius degrees, barashrea -htellata, dracontomelum... of nearly 1000 years old and from 50 to 70 metres high. Cuc Phuong has up to 2000 species of plants. Orchid alone has 50 species, some giving flowers and sweet smell all year round. Cuc Phuong has 262 species of vertebrates and many precious birds and animals such as: bear, horse, wild pig, tiger, panther, weasel, squirrel, monkey, ect. There are semi nature reserves with deer, samba deer, yellow monkey, underpants parrot, flying squirrel, flying lizard, etc... . Cuc Phuong is also home to hundreds of rare birds. The Ancient Town of Hoi An The Ancient Town of Hoi An -an old-time commercial port- was built between the 8th and 17th centuries. About 80% the residential structures of the town still remain intact. The infrastructure system - roads, lanes, bridges - still exists. Hoi An is a valuable and special tourist attraction both in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia. Hoi An looks like a traditional painting. Its houses are so close to each other. Their roofs are of uneven heights and moss-green. The town's residential houses are small, they look like toys made of baked clay and attached to the rock-garden. Its scenery bears a false and true feature of old paintings. Ha Long Bay Halong Bay lies in the middle of the coastal area of Quang Ninh province, 180 km east of Ha Noi. It is the edge of the Asian Continent, which has been dipped into the ocean with the deepest point of less than 200 metres. The water surface of the Bay is 1500 square km large with thousand of rocky islets and caves arranged by the miraculous hands of Nature. "The World's Wonders" (les Merveiller du Monde) published by the Hachette in Paris in 1950 regards Vietnam's Halong Bay one of the world's wonders. Boats are always available to help tourists with Bay sightseeing. By passing numerous islets, each with different shape of animal you will enjoy a feeling of entering a world of fossil animals millions of years old. Halong has 1000 named islets (the number of islets unnamed has not been determined yet). Such names as the Dragon, Monkey, Toad, Turtle, Fighting Cock, Pot and Cup... . are called after their shapes. You can visit the Bay within one day, or it is possible to spend the whole month sailing and exploring hidden mysteries of every single cave.   Hue - the ancient royal Hue  has more than one thousand years of history. When Hue was the capital of Vietnam (1802-1945), hundreds of valuable cultural architectures were constructed by the Nguyen Dynasty. Many relics of the former capital still lay their shadow over the Huong (Perfume) River. As time goes by, some of the city's relics have been destroyed and abandoned. However, because of its historical values, Hue has been recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of the world.

Top 10 destinations for honeymoon holiday in Vietnam

Hue



The beauty of Hue resides in its opulent palaces,gardens and mausoleums on the banks of the Perfume River. This peaceful central city has long been synonymous with royalty, culture, spiritual reflection and romance.

Enjoy your privacy amid the quietness of the former capital city. Enjoy a private beach and spa at Ana Mandara Hue in Thuan An Beach. Pamper yourself at Pilgrimage Village with spa treatments, La Residence Hotel and Spa de Hue, and if you like colonial style, stay in the oldest hotel in Hue, the Morin Hotel Hue.

Take a boat trip on the Perfume River and you’ll find yourself drifting past small boats bound for market, set against a backdrop of low, pine-covered hills. Occasionally, as if in a dream, an imposing royal mausoleum looms out of the trees. In this stately setting, you will discover the contemplative, solemn and tranquil side of Vietnamese culture.


Dalat



Dalat is located in the south central highlands of Vietnam, sitting at an altitude of1,500 meters above sea level. Known unofficially as “The City of Eternal Spring”, Dalat also lays claim to the title of “le Petit Paris”. With the cool European climate and the rolling mountainous, pine treed terrain, Dalat became the summer hill-station retreat for royalty and high society.



Dalat is the destination of choice for honeymooners. Smiling young couples drift across Xuan Huong Lake in paddle boats shaped like giant swans, while brides in flowing white dresses clamber aboard ponies and pose for photos. Romance is also in the air at the city’s various flower gardens, including an amazing orchid garden where visitors can see rare blue orchids. More utilitarian but equally colorful is the town’s central market, overflowing with fresh- cut flowers and an incredible variety of fruits and vegetables. No matter when you visit, spring will be in the air.





Phu Quoc Island



Being a new destination in Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island now is one of the most attractive spots for international and Vietnamese tourists. It is not hard to see why many tourists are boasting of the splendid natural beauty and untouched remote beaches of this spectacular tropical island.



To honeymooners, an escape after a long worried and busy wedding process is essential. Phu Quoc is the best choice where a couple can relax on a remote and stunning beach, enjoy a delicious romantic dinner and drinks at one of the restaurants and enjoy accommodation at variety of hotels and resorts.


Besides this, they also can experience the culture of Vietnam at the local market or join in some short trips to discover the island and its untouched natural environment, as well as taking part in a fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling.



Con Dao Island



Resting in the quiet waters of the East Sea, the Con Dao archipelago remains an unknown gem, 180 km off the coast of Southeast Vietnam.


If you want to have the most memorable honeymoon trip, then Con Dao is a destination that you must select. Totally away from city life, Con Dao offers you total tranquility.


Nha Trang, Vietnam

Consider a honeymoon holiday or romantic getaway in Nha Trang. From Nha Trang to Danang and Hoi An in the north, the central and south central coastline of Vietnam offer some of the country’s finest beaches, fringed with swaying coconut palms and dotted with quaint fishing villages.

Relax on NhaTrang’s Tran Phu Beach, a 9kmlong stretch of golden sand fronting the scenic Nha Trang Bay and bordered by forested mountains. Shelving gently into the bay, Tran Phu Beach is fringed by a long park lined with mature palm trees, colourful flowers and a range of beachside facilities, including bars and restaurants (mainly along the southern end of the beach).

You can also explore NhaTrang on a cycle, visit the Po Nagar Cham towers, pamper your body with a soothing mud bath at the nearby Thap Ba Hot Springs and perhaps learn tai chi. In the evening, savour a culinary treat at one of many seafood restaurants or try the local bird’s nest soup, regarded as one of the best in Vietnam.

A short drive up the coast along Highway 1 lie the secluded and unspoilt white-sand beaches of Dai Lanh and Doc Let, generally frequented by local Vietnamese families. To the south of Nha Trang sits quiet, sun-drenched Hon Chong Beach. These beaches offer safe swimming and can be enjoyed on a day trip. Or head offshore to relax on the white-sand beaches of Bai Tru Beach on nearby Bamboo Island and Whale Island in Van Phong Bay.



Hoi An



Ancient Hoi An is located 30 km south of Danang. Hoi An used to be an international trade center in the 16th and 17thcenturies. It was the busiest trading port in the Dang Trong region, where merchants from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, Holland and elsewhere often landed for exchanging and purchasing commodities.

Though this small town is very popular for summer holidays, but in fact is also one of the most ideal and romantic place for honeymooners too.



Relax on the beach, enjoy spas, wander through small streets or go cycling to discover the rural area or just join in a cooking class to experience the local culture, which will make your honeymoon the trip of lifetime.



Quy Nhon



Situated almost midway between Danang and Nha Trang, Quy Nhon is a new destination for vacationers. The landscape around Quy Nhon is dramatic and you will enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, limestone islands, sun and good seafood. Now travelers can reach Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province by air from Hanoi, Danang or HCMC instead of by train. Life Resort Quy Nhon is the finest resort for your dream honeymoon.




Halong Bay

Nothing is more wonderful than spending your honeymoon in a resort near the beach, enjoying the resort’s luxury facilities, your private beach and totally escaping from the noisy city and work. It would be perfect to add a day cruise on Halong Bay, viewing the fantastic limestone from your boat, exploring amazing and beautiful grottos, taking some photos, and enjoying a seafood lunch on board.





Phu Quoc Island



Just 45 minutes by air from Rach Gia or hour from Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc is an undiscovered island paradise with warm clear waters and long stretches of sandy beaches. The local industry is fishing and the island is famous throughout Vietnam for its fish sauce. There are few upscale class resorts on the island, but this is expected to change and you can still have a great honeymoon experience.



Sapa and surrounding areas

Tucked high in Vietnam’s remote northern mountains, close to the Chinese border, the former French military outpost of Sapa offers some of Vietnam’s most colourful experiences to honeymooners. Vietnam’s highest peak, the3,143-metre Mount Fansipan, looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields cut by fast – flowing streams. Layer upon layer of green ridges fade into the distance, edged by sharp, rocky peaks. The region is home to several ethnic minority groups, all wearing their traditional and colorful attire.

Traveling to Sapa by Victoria Express, you can both stay in a Suite with a valley view. Dine in style at TaVan Restaurant, and do not forget your spa and swimming pool experience at the Victoria Sapa Resort.

Victoria Hotel Sapa, the most charming hotel in the area, opened in March 1998. Built as a traditional mountain French chalet with an accented wooden decor and a welcoming stone hearth fireplace, Victoria Sapa Hotel overhangs the village, blending perfectly with the natural surroundings.

The Victoria Oriental Train Express offers the best of comfort and services from Hanoi to Lao Cai. The”Orient Express” style train has one restaurant and two luxury sleeping cars with seven cabins each, all with air-conditioning. There are en suite facilities; as each sleeping car has shared restroom facilities.


Enjoy your Honeymoon!