22/10/2014
Top five places in Vietnam
It’s a fact that nature has a great influence on anyone’s health, psychological and emotional well -being and this can only be proven by visiting great tourist attractions like Vietnam, bordering Laos and Cambodia. Vietnam has been gifted with spectacular seascapes, serene beaches, and towns with unique cultures as well as forested mountains among other wonders of nature. It is a country that hosts modern towns, traditional towns, colonial towns and archeological towns just to name a few. The following are the top five places in Vietnam that anyone could give their lives to visit.
1. Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay is translated as “bay of descending dragons” from the limestone outcrops seen on the surface of the water. It hosts at least 2000 islands covered with thick jungle vegetation and they contain intriguing caves, lakes and sinkholes. These islands and limestone outcrops have undergone natural weathering sculpting them into shapes corresponding their respective names. Examples are the Ga Choi islet that corresponds a fighting c**k and the Mai nab is let which corresponds a roof.
Its larger islands like the Cat Ba offer a beautiful view across the bay. They also host restaurants, hotels, bars, beaches, markets and souvenir shops. You could also visit tourist attraction sites like historic sites and national parks.
You can also be involved in the various sports practiced ranging from kayaking, swimming, diving and snorkeling as well as fun activities like cave exploration, jungle trekking and rock climbing.
To capture the best natural view of this beautiful bay, several boat cruises are offered ranging from traditional Chinese wood junks to large luxury cruise ships. You may choose either a day trip or a night trip and each offers good quality services ranging from meals, night activities and excursion stops that are adventurous. Most of the trips are planned from Hanoi or ports such as Hai Phuong.
2. Hanoi.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam situated on the banks of the Red River and it is known for its blend of numerous cultures. It is home to numerous lagoons, marshes and lakes earning it the nickname “City of lakes” with Vietnamese style bridges that offer the most needed relaxation and serenity. The lakes within this city include the Hogan Kym Lake, Hali Lake, Bay Mau Lake and True Bach Lake.
Hanoi hosts several museums including the Vietnam Museum of Revolution that has a remarkable French-style architecture, Museum of History of Vietnam that is the oldest in the city with artifacts documenting the city’s 1000 years history, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum for those with an artistic eye, Vietnam Women’s Museum in honor of Vietnamese women and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
There are also several parks within Hanoi including the Thu Le Park also known as Hanoi zoo, Tam Dao National Park and Westlake Water Park among others.
You can buy artifacts and souvenirs from the Cho Hum market as well as enjoy the traditional Pho, delicious noodle soup served with chicken or beef.
The Hanoi Old Quarter, Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Water Puppet Theatre, Temple of Literature, St. Joseph Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House are also great places to visit in Hanoi.
3. Hoi An
This is a fishing village now a great tourist attractions. Most of its streets are lined up with winding lanes, Chinese -styled shops and narrow canals thus the name “Venice of Vietnam”. There are numerous tailor shops where you can buy clothes shoes, bags, artifacts and souvenirs. There are also vendors who sell a variety of food.
Its main attractions include the Quant Cong Temple, the Cantonese Assembly Hall and the 17th Century Japanese Covered Bridge. The Hoi a Handicraft Workshop and Traditional Theatre hold folk custom and music presentations.
Each 14th day of every lunar year, there is the Hoi a Full-moon Light party hosted where the streets are lined with lanterns, there are traditional songs, dances, food and games.
The hotels in Hoi an offer remarkably great seafood as it is a fishing village.
4. Hue.
The main attraction in Hue is the Walled Imperial City along the Perfume River which the emperor’s private residence and the Citadel which hosts grand palaces, temples, walls, various statues, mosaics, tombs and gates. The most attractive sites within it are the Forbidden Purple City where the Emperor hosted his maidens, Thai Hoe Place and Ngo Mon Gate.
Hue also hosts numerous tombs, temples, pagodas and crumbling palaces. It hosts the tallest pagoda in Vietnam, The Thin Mu Pagoda that overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as the official symbol of the Imperial Capital.
Riding a pedal along the Perfume River also offers great picturesque view of Hue’s nature.
Every 2 years, the Hue Festival is hosted in this city in celebration of the Vietnamese culture, food and art.
5. Ho Chi Minh City.
It lies along the Saigon River and offers a blend of historic and modern attractions, dining facilities and perfect nightlife activities. Its modern attractions include the Bitexco Financial Tower Skyscraper and the Dai Nam Tourist Park that features man-made mountain ranges, zoos, temples, shops and hotels where you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs as well as enjoy the Vietnamese delicacies and attend cooking lessons.
Other prominent landmarks in the city include the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and the famous Ben than Market.
The historic War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnels give an insight into the happenings of the infamous Vietnam War and Bombings.
After carefully reading the above review of best places to visit in Vietnam, you should surely think about securing an ESTA for yourself. Well, stop thinking, get on your feet and start the necessary arrangements right away and you’ll have absolutely no reason to regret as Vietnam is your ultimate tourist destination.
