Top attractions in Vietnam – what is worth seeing?

Vietnam – this seemingly small country, squeezed between its neighbors and the coast, arouses many conflicting emotions in our country. It is undeservedly associated mainly with fragrant instant soups and stalls with questionable quality clothes at local markets. Meanwhile, Vietnam is much more – Vietnam these are monuments, attractions, and even truly heavenly beaches on the charming island of Phu Quoc. These are also wonderful people, breathtaking landscapes and delicious food. So if your vacation is approaching and you still don't have an idea for it, sit comfortably with a cup of your favorite drink, and we will show you all the most interesting places and tell you about what is worth seeing in Vietnam and what you absolutely cannot miss! 

The Coast of Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island

Vietnamese Coast and Phu Quoc Island | Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Saigon, Phu Quoc
A journey through the most characteristic places of Vietnam - artistic Hanoi, the majestic formations of Ha Long Bay, the charming streets of Hoi An and the bustling markets of Saigon. Finally, a rest on the island of Phu Quoc.

Vietnam Attractions – Holiday Guide 

Phu Quoc 

We will start in a very relaxing way, from the already mentioned island Phu Quoc. None holidays in Vietnam cannot do without at least a few days of blissful relaxation accompanied by the sound of waves. Unlike popular resorts in nearby Thailand or the Philippines, most beaches on Phu Quoc are wild and therefore free from crowds of tourists. A national park has been created in the northern part of the island, whose numerous hiking and cycling trails will be a great option if you get bored of lying on the beach. Be sure to also go to Duong Dong, the largest city on the island, and while you are there, visit the fish sauce factory - the main product produced in Phu Quoc and its trademark. If you like to spend your time actively, there are many resorts in the area offering diving and snorkeling courses, as well as organizing fishing trips and island-hopping trips. And once you've done all of these attractions, you'll have one last, mandatory one – trying traditional Vietnamese cuisine, which local restaurants base on fresh, just-caught seafood – and local fish sauce, of course. Enjoy!

Hanoi 

It has a completely different atmosphere Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The city of over four million is bustling with life, is always in a hurry and never sleeps. What is worth seeing in Hanoi during trips to Vietnam? Everything! It's a wonderful mix of different cultures and religions - within a two-kilometre radius of the central Ho Tay Lake you'll find a Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian temple and a Catholic church. When exploring this part of the city, be sure to check out Train Street, where the railway tracks that cross Hanoi run just a metre from the surrounding residential buildings. The train runs through here twice a day, and between runs, children play on the tracks, stalls are set up and tourists stroll. If you don't manage to catch the train passing, you can sit in one of the cafes overlooking the tracks and wait. For the second most densely populated city in Vietnam, Hanoi has a surprising number of parks and other green areas, where both residents and tourists often seek relaxation and rest after a busy day. It's a good place to see the daily lives of Hanoi residents - athletes training, families having picnics, children running, adults in love or tai chi lessons. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city after a day of sightseeing, you can find peace and quiet in the temple gardens – especially the nearly thousand-year-old Chua Mot Cot Pagoda on an island in Ho Tay Lake. It rises above a small pond on a single stilt, which, combined with its distinctive roof, gives it the appearance of a lily floating on water. When you cross its threshold, remember to respect the local traditions. And when the sun goes down and the nightlife swarms around, it's a great time to go on a street food raid – an unforgettable culinary experience guaranteed!

Vietnam – what is worth seeing? 

Ha Long Bay 

When Vietnam was just emerging as an independent nation, it was invaded by an enemy army. The gods took pity on the young people and sent a family of dragons to their aid, who joined the battle, spitting jade. When they fell into the water, the jewels transformed into rocky islands, many of which rose vertically upwards like parts of a protective palisade. The invaders' ships crashed against the rocks, and the dragon family, enchanted by the beauty of the bay dotted with islets, decided to live there to support the inhabitants in building the country and protect them from further invasions. In memory of these events, the place was named Ha Long, which literally means "landing dragon". That's just the legend. How much truth there is in it - decide for yourself. There is no doubt, however, that this bay is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam, listed on the UNESCO list since 1994. An amazing view of over two thousand limestone islands rising high above the water and riddled with caves and lakes awaits you here. The entire area is covered with lush green rainforest, giving the bay the appearance of a place not even paradise, but downright unearthly. Being here, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to see this new wonder of the world up close, right? So head to the port, where you will easily find cruise ships on which you can rent a luxury cabin and go on an unforgettable cruise - unforgettable not only because of the wonderful views. Many ships organize additional attractions for passengers, such as morning tai chi on board or an evening cooking lesson and show, which are interwoven with visiting the most interesting islands and caves (and swimming in crystal-clear lakes). None trip to Vietnam cannot be complete without a visit to Ha Long Bay.

Luxury holidays in Vietnam - cultural and beach sides of Indochina

Luxury holidays in Vietnam – cultural and beach sides of Indochina | Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Saigon
First Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam, called the Venice of the East and the “old lady of the Orient”. Then Ha Long Bay with its stunning rock formations emerging into the water. And this is just the beginning of your luxury vacation in Vietnam! You will also visit the magical, frozen in time city of Hoi An, and then it will be time for the tropical, paradise island of Phu Quoc, where you will use your luxury vacation in Vietnam for sunbathing, swimming in the sea and relaxing massages. Finally, the metropolitan splendor of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City. Your escape from the gray everyday life will certainly succeed during a luxury trip to Vietnam!

Tam Coco 

If you go to Tam Coco straight from Ha Long, you might think you've experienced déjà vu. This place is sometimes called the miniature Ha Long Bay or its inland version. And indeed, there are limestone rocks, beautiful caves, and green hair growing over all of this - only on a smaller scale. So what's worth seeing in Tam Coc? What to see and, most importantly, how? You have two options. You can go to the nearby village of Van Lam, from where you'll sail on a small boat called a sampan. The guide will steer the boat (on your feet! an extraordinary view) through the magnificent karst landscape, between rice fields and through the three most beautiful natural caves - Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi - and on the way back, he will stop for a moment at the Thai Vi temple, dedicated to the founder of the Tran dynasty. You can also decide to explore the area on your own - just rent a bike, and not only Tam Coc, but the entire picturesque province will open up before you. With your own transport, head to Bich Dong, a beautiful mountain pagoda dating back to 1428, and Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. Here, it’s worth visiting three restored temples, whose mysterious, dimly lit interiors, suffused with the aroma of incense, can both delight and send shivers down the spine of even the most down-to-earth traveller.

Yen Bai – Mu Cang Chai 

Did someone say “rice terraces”? Of course! They are the trademark and main attraction of Vietnam. Where to find the most beautiful ones? In the province of Mu Cang Chai. This place surrounded by mountains is located 300 km from Hanoi, thanks to which large corporations and crowds of tourists have not yet arrived here. No one here speaks English, so you can rest assured that no one will accost you on the way trying to sell you some cheap souvenir, although on the other hand, you will have to order dinner in a local restaurant by gesturing at the menu. In this area live the Black Hmong tribe, named after the color they dye their clothes. They own the rice terraces surrounding the villages located in the valleys - they also produce beautiful, traditional fabrics, which they wear even while working in the fields. They are simple and honest people, so breaking the language barrier is not as difficult as it might seem. Try asking them to show you their weaving workshops and the process of dyeing clothes. It is an incredible journey back in time, because the Hmong have been doing all their work exactly as their ancestors did for hundreds of years, and have already raised weaving to the level of art. Go here especially in autumn, when the ears of corn are already starting to turn golden and there is a great bustle in the fields accompanying the harvest. Go here in winter, when the terraces are filled with water and reflect the blue sky like huge mirrors. Go in spring if you want to see how rice is planted - or in summer, if you are most interested in the hills covered with the lush green of young ears of corn. Mu Cang Chai is beautiful at any time of year.

Vietnam – what to visit?  

Ha Giang 

Mu Can Chai is just a stone's throw from Ha Giang Province. The difference between them is that Ha Giang borders Yunnan Province in China, which, given the political situation and relations with its huge neighbor, did not encourage tourists to visit the region. Thanks to this, the northern part of Vietnam has retained an authenticity that the rest of the country lacks. Representatives of 43 different ethnic groups live here, each with its own language, culture and customs, and their way of life has remained unchanged for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. When in Ha Giang, be sure to go to the town of Meo Vac, where an ethnic minority market is held every Sunday. You will not find souvenir stands there - this is a market for locals, not tourists. Only things necessary for life are sold and bought here - food, clothes and farm animals. The market brings people from all the surrounding villages to Meo Vac (some even leave the day before and walk all night), so the entire town shimmers in the traditional colours of the various tribes. If you want to learn more about their beautiful costumes and culture, visit the Ha Giang History Museum. It also displays finds from nearby archaeological sites, the oldest of which are 30 years old. Less than an hour's drive from Meo Vac is probably the most beautiful place in all of Vietnam - the Ma Pi Leng Pass. The view from there is breathtaking, so don't forget to bring your camera!

Northern Vietnam and the beaches of Quy Nhon

Northern Vietnam and the beaches of Quy Nhon | Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Quy Nhon
Feel the atmosphere of Vietnamese culture in Hanoi, and then fully enjoy the charms of the natural wealth of the green north of the country. This landscape of Vietnam in a nutshell can be discovered from the deck of a traditional boat or traveled by bike. From the majestic rock formations of Ha Long Bay, through rivers winding through forested valleys, limestone caves and green rice fields of Tam Coc and the ancient history of Hoa Lu immersed in the surroundings of nature, to the quiet idyll of traditional villages of Mai Chau unspoiled by Western civilization. Finally, at the end, to complete the holiday idyll - the tropics of central Vietnam - rest on the beach of Quy Nhon.

Hoi An 

The most romantic place in Asia, the most beautiful town in Vietnam, a magical corner – Hoi An It has many such titles and these are not empty phrases. In 1999 it was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List and since then it has been attracting tourists from all over the world with its charm. As a former trade center and the main port of the maritime Silk Road, it has managed to absorb the influences of various cultures over the centuries. During every full moon, the Lantern Festival takes place here - all artificial lights in the city center are turned off, and the narrow streets and the river winding between them are taken over by the warm glow of lanterns. At this time, couples in love release lanterns lit together into the water, hoping that this will bring them happiness, and other residents visit temples in crowds to pay homage to their ancestors. Stalls with regional street food appear on the streets, and all kinds of artists gather near the river - musicians, poets, actors - and their performances merge into one whole, creating an unforgettable spectacle. The festival lasts from sunset to around 22pm, and the biggest and most boisterous celebrations take place in February – during the first full moon of the new Chinese year. While in Hoi An, it is also worth visiting the nearby ruins of My Son – the remains of a complex of Hindu temples in honour of Shiva. Many of them were destroyed during American bombings – here and there you can still see the craters from the explosions – 20 buildings, which have been damaged by the ravages of time, have survived to this day. Surrounded by dense forest, overgrown with moss and entwined with ivy, they exude an aura of mystery and mysticism, enchanting all who dare to visit them – like the whole of Vietnam.