Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country that is situated in the Southeast Asia. It was once a country ravaed by war, now, Vietnam has opened its doors to tourists that it is now fast becoming a must-go place in Asia, and here are most popular places that one should visit and see in Vietnam.

Vinpearl Amusement Park, Nha Trang 

 

Coming to Vinpearl Park (Vinpearl Land), you will have exciting experiences with your family. Best of all, this spectacular fun park is located in the popular beach resort town of Nha Trang, which is home to some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. There is lots of fun stuff you can do in Vinpearl like playing water games, driving the bumper cars, play arcade games and ride the water slides.

However, the interesting thing about the park is being able to ride the famous Vinpearl cable car, which is the longest in the world and offers stunning panoramic views over the entire city of Nha Trang.

Halong Bay, Quang Ninh

Halong Bay is a popular tourist destination and one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam with its unusual rock formations, islands and caves such as the famous Kissing Rocks, Sung Sot Grotto (Cave of Surprises), Hoang Tan Island, Hon Trong Mai, Bai Tho Mountain, Thien Cung grotto (Heavenly Cave) and Cat Hai Island. 

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

The War Remnants Museum is a war museum at 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s another tourist attraction you can’t miss visiting in Vietnam. You can’t really say you’ve been to Vietnam unless you’ve visited the War Museum and learn about the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese point of view. 

The museum illustrates history through video and photos the horrors of war and more particularly the use of chemical warfare during the American-Vietnamese conflict. There are also dozens of artifacts on display that you can loo at such as tanks, helicopters, bomb shells and more.

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It’s truly a fascinating place to explore anytime of day because this part of town never sleeps and it’s bustling everywhere with shops and food vendors selling tasty delicacies.

Hanoi is packed with hundreds of tourist sights and interesting places such as the Old Quarter of Hanoi, which is unarguably one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam.

Coming here, you should spend time wandering the famous streets of Ma May and Hang Buom, shop at Dong Xuan market and taking a boat ride of Hoan Kiem Lake. By the way, be sure to hire a cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) or hop on a “Green Tourism electric bus” to explore the Old Quarter, your feet will love you for it!

Imperial City, Hue

 

Hue Imperial City is definitely one of the most visited historic sites in Vietnam. The walled city of Hue spans a one-mile area and it is truly an impressive feat of architectural wonder given its size. Visitors to Hue would like to wander freely through the site and explore the rooms of the palace and the beautiful courtyard of the imperial enclosure.

In addition, make sure you visit the Tu Duc Tomb while in Hue. The tomb is located in Duong Xuan Thuong village (not far from the center of Hue) and it’s another sight that you have to see because of its scenic location, beautiful gardens and stunning pagodas.

Paying a visit to Saint Giong Temple

Saint Giong Temple, also called Soc Son Temple, is located in Soc Son District of Hanoi, 40km from the city center.

Soc Son Temple is o­ne of the oldest and most holy sites in Vietnam. Coming here, visitors will hace a chance to be far from the bustle of Hanoi. The temple is built at the foot of the Horse Mountain which was believed to be the place where Saint Giong stopped for a rest after fighting off the invaders restoring peace to Vietnam...

Soc Son Temple is surrounded by mountains: Mt. Cao Tung to the South, Mt. Cấm to the East, Mt. Cổ Ngựa to the West, and the Mt. Rứa and a piece of flat land to the Southeast. In the ancient past, these mounts were covered with thick forests. The area is also bathed by two rivers: one following from the North-West to the South-East, the other from the West to the South.

According to the legend, After defeating the Ân invaders, hero Dóng galloped to the top of Mt. Sóc, then hanged his suit of armor on a scandal-wood tree, and vanished into the sky with his iron horse.

In commemoration of the event, a festival is held every year in Sóc Sơn Temple, involving festivity, the Mộc Dục ceremony, the Bamboo flowers procession, the Elephant procession, the Betel plant procession, the Paper boat rituals, and the beheading of the enemy commander.

Nowadays, visitors can walk among these temples, pray to Thanh Giong and generally soak up the ambience of the area. Anywhere at the foot of the mountain makes a great picnic spot, but those feeling a bit more athletic can climb the steps to the top of the mountain.

During Tet, Soc Son also hosts o­ne of the country’s biggest festivals. o­n the sixth, seventh and eighth days of the Lunar New Year, it becomes an explosion of colour, religion and tradition. Big crowds, processions and even an amusement park for kids appear as if from nowhere. At other times of the year, guests tend to be in the form of school trips bused in from Hanoi. They climb the mountain, are taught the religious and mythological significance of the place, recount their achievements for the year, make resolutions and even listen to Vina-house while playing tug-of-war. Other visitors are worshippers, daytrippers and the occasional foreigner.

Bac Giang: "Da Huong" ancient tree

Da Huong tree in Giua village, Tien Luc commune, Lang Giang district, Bac Giang province has been ranked national cultural-historic relic since 1989. It has been immortalized in many old books, Bach khoa Larousse dictionary.

Da Huong tree in Giua village, Tien Luc commune, Lang Giang district, Bac Giang province has been ranked national cultural-historic relic since 1989. It has been immortalized in many old books, Bach khoa Larousse dictionary.

Da Huong tree has a height of 31m. Crust covering its body is thick about 15cm. In 2000, the survey team of Biological Diversity Center ( Hanoi Education University) in collaboration with the Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Forest Inventory and Planning…had biological survey of Da Huong tree and made claims: All trunk contains essential oils. In particular, root contains safrol substances that are very valuable component for processing cosmetics, pesticides, herbal…

In Vietnam, there are only 2 existential Da Huong tree that are kind of rare ancient tree ( other is being planted in Vietnam  Museum of Ethnology). Over thousands of years, this tree has shaded people, street, and witness and recorded ups and downs traces of Tien Luc commune. 

However, this ancient tree has overcome many times of danger.In 1979, a large branch of tree broke.  In 1983, children burnt fire to make warm and its trunk was burn inadvertently for two days and two nights. Ha Bac province had to mobilize 2 new fire engines to extinguish fire. After many accidents and biological changes, current trunk is hollow in the middle. This hole can contain 7-8 persons.

Da Huong tree is considered a village patriarch to protect people here. If you make a plan to Bac Giang, don't miss the opportunity to visit this ancient tree.

Elephant Waterfall- A Rare Landscape Waiting for Natural Lovers' Discovery

Elephant waterfall which associated with this faithful, woeful and majestic love has been recognized as a national landscape. It is a not- to-be-missed most wonderful and majestic waterfall that tourists in Vietnam travel coming to Dalat- Lam Dong province should visit.

Elephant (Voi) Waterfall is located about 25 kilometers southwest of Da Lat City of Lam Dong Province in Nam Ban Townlet, Lam Ha District. This waterfall, also called Lieng Rowoa Waterfall, is considered as the most beautiful and majestic waterfall in the highlands province of Lam Dong. It is more than 30m high, about 15m wide with the water flows make an area be obscured by the very white spray.

It is unfortunate that if you visit Da Lat - Lam Dong you do not visit the secret and dreaming of Lieng Rowoa Waterfall (Voi Waterfall). The waterfall appears as many elephants are swimming together.

According to local legend, the name of the waterfall is derived from a folk story about a beautiful girl, the daughter of the head of a tribe in Joi Bieng mountain region, who had an excellent voice, when she sang the foliate seem to stop rustling, the bird stop singing to listen to her. She had promised of becoming spouse with a handsome, brave and strong young man, the son of the head of a tribe in the neighbour region. But one day, the young man must say good bye to his lover to be fighting at the front. She waited for long time but the young man did not come back. She went to the place where they made the promise before and began singing with ardent and mournful voice. The B'ling birds had been moved by her voice. 

They flied far away to seek out information and then flied back to inform her that the young man had died in the battle. However, the girl did not accept this bitter truth and she sang to call her lover until she get exhausted and falling down. The flock of elephants that had lied prostrate to listen to her turned into stone. The waterfall named Lieng Rowoa Joi Bieng, means the waterfall of elephants that lied prostrate turned into stone before the ardent and faithful love.

The waterfall which associated with this faithful, woeful and majestic love has been recognized as a national landscape. The transparent water flowing through granite mountain sides looks really spectacular, especially when the waterfall is illuminated by the brilliant sunlight, seven-coloured rainbow will appear.

Next to the waterfall is Gio (wind) Cave. The road to enter the cave is narrow between two cliffs, but inside the cave there are many wide spaces and full of wind. Voi Waterfall looks like a lively picture which has been carved by nature with the particularly interesting caves hide after craggy cliffs and many rocks now appear, now disappear look like as many elephants are jostling to bath. At the foot of the waterfall stream there are many large, flat and smooth stones like the nature set up to offer tourists sit to chat. 

Voi Waterfall is waiting to be discovered by the natural lovers. The waterfall is still keeping the original's features. Some guest houses, tourist clubs, some poetic bridges are looming in the deep eyesight. Every year, the Voi Waterfall welcomes thousands of visitors in Vietnam travel. If you are the people who like wild, quiet, go to this place to contemplate the hills and mountains, pine forests and rocky waterfalls.

BAN GIOC WATERFALL – THE LARGEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

In famous tourists attractions in Cao Bang, Ban Gioc waterfall tourist area is considered as the fourth largest waterfall in the world. It is also the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia.

Ban Gioc waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam, is one of invaluable gift of the nature for Cao Bang. It is located in the border of China and Vietnam in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district that is 89 kilometers from Cao Bang city. On the way to go to Ban Gioc from the city center, you can contemplate imposing and charming beauty of rivers, streams and forests. Ban Gioc waterfall lies on Quay Son river rising from China and flowing through communes in Vietnam such as: Ngoc Khe, Phong Nam, Ngoc Con, Dinh PHong, Chi Vien and Dam Thuy. It is 53 meters in height and 300 meters in width. In the foot of the waterfall, Quay Son river is flat as a mirror, reflecting the clear and blue sky into water. Visitors can hire a bamboo raft to travel around the foot of the waterfall to contemplate its stunning beauty. Coming to Ban Gioc, tourists have a chance to see Tay people’s houses on stilts. In order to develop tourism in Ban Gioc, in 2012 December 8th, Saigontourist Company began construction of high-class Ban Gioc Resort with an area of 31 hectares. It will include a hotel with 60 rooms, 24 high-ranking villas, restaurants, entertainment and spa area and areas for camping and outdoor activities. The project is expected to complete in late 2013. The total expenditure is about 170 billions dong. In 2013 June 15th, Cao Bang province People’s Committee and Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam began construction of “Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda” in Dam Thuy commune. The pagoda is a significant construction to serve people’s need of spirituality and religion in Ban Gioc.

Hua Ma Cave - mysterious place for tourists

Bac Kan is a well-known place as it used to be part of the Viet Bac Revolutionary Zone of the Vietnam Revolutionary Forces and embraces a number of tourist attractions.

Any visitors to Bac Kan could have remarkable feelings about the place and people there. During the resistance war against the French colonists, local people were very bold by having an uprising against the colonisation but now in peacetimes they have become so simple and hospitable. Bac Kan is famous for Ba Be Lake, which consists of three large fantastic lakes surrounded by mountains and forests. Still, there is another mysterious tourist destination, Hua Ma Cave.

Hua Ma Cave is located in Quang Khe Commune, Ba Be District. The cave has only recently been discovered so it is still almost untouched and enigmatic. The cave has been naturally shaped during the many-thousand-year process of geological changes. It is 700 meters in length and in some places the cave opens up and is 50 meters in height. Inside the cave, there are thousands of stalagmites and stalactites of different shapes; some look like small towers, others are like a statue of Goddess of Mercy or a formal court of mandarins in the feudal time.

In fact, Hua Ma has been known by local people for a long time but, as it bears in a myth and a much-weaved occult story, few local people would dare to approach the gate of the cave. The legend tells that a long time ago, a King headed a raiding contingent visited the locality and when he came to the bank of a stream near the cave, his horse stopped and did not go on. The King got off the horse and asked local people about the reason and local people told him that the area was a habitat of ghosts. According to them, when it was getting dark, cries generated from the cave and they decided that these were the spirits of honest people who were killed by foreign enemies during wars.

The King then ordered his troops to erect a pagoda to pray for peace for the souls of the killed people. Since then, local people have not heard the cries from the cave, yet they still consider the cave a holy place that should not be trespassed upon. As a result, the cave has been hidden until recent times.

If the cave is so mysterious inside, the view outside the cave is also great. From the mouth of the cave, people could see a large space, a vast picture of mountains, forests and water. They could see Ba Be Lake and the Nang River running smoothly in distance, they could hear birds singing elsewhere and imposing mountains and forest in front. If lucky enough, visitors could participate in a local monthly market to admire girls and boys of several local ethnic minorities in their traditional colourful dresses and clothes. They could taste and become familiar with local typical specialties and they would get drunk with home-made wine and unconsciously fall in love with the place and people.

Both Hua Ma Cave, the local people and the picturesque locality are waiting for international and domestic tourists to explore them.

BAI HOM - NEGLECTED ISLAND IN KHANH HOA

On a weekend, singer Pham Anh Khoa invited his friend to his hometown for a summer vacation trip. All gathered in a place of Khanh Hoa before joining a boat to come to a neglected island and playing the role of Robinson.

In fact, the destination is Bai Hom – is a 5ha wide valley which is in the middle of stone mountains (50m and 100m high). In order to come here, visitors have to use a coach from Ba Ngoi township (Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa) to the national road no 1A to Binh Tien (Ninh Thuan) and Binh lap (Cam Lap – Cam Ranh), then taking a 15-minute walk and 20-minute on boat to the island. We also could take the boat from Ba Ngoi port, but it takes longer. Upon the arrival, everybody settled the tent, food and cooking stuff to the place of striking camp which is right next to the beach. While women were in charge of doing the hammock and the new tent, men takes charge of finding firewood, go fishing or diving to “hunt”. Soon, Mr Bay – a local person – caught a 5-kilogram ray fish, a sliver snapper, a paper amberjack and an eel. Beside the rocky mountain corner, the friend of Anh Khoa caught some cuttlefish, fish out a full pot of sea urchin and sweet snail. Food for diner has been ready, everybody go swimming or playing football in the smooth white sand bank which is considered most beautiful on the island. The sea is peaceful due to the Binh Ba island blocks the entrance from the East, and the water is pure and limpid to witness the fish on the bottom. Two other singers dived in the depth of about two meters to see the actinia and coral, holothurians with different colors. All then come to boat to discover the coral range in Rang beach at the back of Hom beach. Debu, a friend from Nepal told that “This is the most desolated and beautiful that I’ve known.” In the evening, after the meal, people were invited to taste the fresh alive sea food: cuttlefish, fish, sea urchin with the wasabi and lemon. In the mood of tipsy with the heady bouquet of alcohol and the firelight, the real singers as well as the amateur one was singing passionately together with the sea wave. All created a peaceful sound. In sleeping time, some brought their children to the tent, some lied on the hammock or the canvas. Some followed the local one (Pham) to bury themselves in the sand to avoid wind from the sea and being lulled by the wave. Among the enormous sea and sky, people let them easy in mind with the daily stuffs, they thought they were Robinson in the middle of desolated island but we were with 20 other friends but not only “Friday”!

HIDDEN CHARM OF TO NUNG LAKE

Visiting this sunny and windy land, many mysterious stories are originated from Central Highlands in Vietnam, the opportunity discovers the charming landscapes of this land and also experience the life of ethnic people. Of all the beautiful landscapes, To Nung Lake is a must-see place that you should not miss.

Vietnam’s Central Highlands are the origin of many mysterious stories. Visiting this sunny and winy land, tourists are offered to discover the purified lakes and rivers and vast swathes of old-growth jungle as well as experience the life of ethnic minority group. Of all the charming landscapes of this land, it would be a “big miss” if not mentioning To Nung Lake (T’nung Lake of Bien Ho – Sea Lake) in Bien Ho Commune, approximately 8km from Pleiku city, Gia Lai Province. To Nung Lake used to be the flooded cater of a volcano millions years ago, but now it plays as the reservoir and the tourist attraction of the city. Located in the middle of the red soil land of the highlands, To Nung Lake is well-known for its green clear water and the spectacular surrounding landscapes of lush vegetation and colorful insects. It is regarded as an emerald, the pride of highland Pleiku. Tourists in Vietnam travel have to pass through a green shade of pine trees before reaching To Nung Lake. Tourists can take a “thuyen doc moc” to discover the hidden charms of the lake, to see the shadows of the pure and sparkling surface of the lake and to jump into the forest to explore the wild nature. Here, tourists have chance to see plenty of diversified flora and fauna. Moreover, ones can participate in some fishing or watching the turtles for pleasure and relaxation. To Nung (T’Nung) is also the name of the village nearby. It is the home of ethnic minorities such as Bana, Gia Rai living in harmony. Those visiting here may go for a stroll around the village to experience the traditional customs and culture of local people. Some are fascinated to stay overnight in the village for camping-fire and enjoying grilled fish drunk with Can wine. In 1988, To Nung Lake (or Bien Ho) was recognized as a national landscape for its beauty by the Ministry of Culture and Information. The lake has been kept intact with a primitive charm that attracts tourists in Vietnam travel from everywhere.