Exploring Vietnam: Most Visited Destinations
HANOI
How: Well-connected by long and short-haul carriers, including trains from China and domestic services from Ho Chi Minh City.
What: Hanoi, on the banks of the Red River, offers a blend of contrasts, from the bustling Old Quarter’s narrow streets to the elegant French Quarter’s boulevards. Must-visit places include the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Temple, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and enjoy a water puppet performance.
When: The northern region experiences four seasons, with pleasant autumn and spring being ideal for visits.
SA PA
How: Reach Sapa by an overnight train to Lao Cai from Hanoi, followed by a road transfer.
What: A former French hill station, Sapa boasts dramatic scenery with terraced rice paddies and vibrant markets. Engage with colorful hill tribes like Hmong, Tay, and Dao, and consider trekking or cycling to explore their villages.
When: April to September offers the best weather, with cool temperatures and blooming flowers in spring.
HALONG BAY
How: A day trip or overnight excursion from Hanoi, reachable by road or helicopter.
What: Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts around 3,000 limestone islets, often compared to Guilin in China. Cruise among the islands, explore caves, and consider staying in Cat Ba Island for idyllic sandy coves.
When: Halong Bay attracts visitors year-round, but February to April is often cool, and May to September sees tropical storms.
HUE
How: Domestic flights, trains, or road trips from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, or Hoi An.
What: The former imperial capital, Hue, features palaces, temples, and a cruise along the Perfume River. Explore the tombs of emperors like Tu Duc and Minh Mang.
When: Hue’s weather is changeable, with a dry season from March to August.
DANANG
How: Domestic flights to Danang airport or by road from Hue, Hoi An, or further south.
What: Danang offers pristine beaches, Marble Mountains, and the Cham Museum displaying artifacts from the Cham civilization.
When: March to August is the dry season, but weather can be changeable.
HOI AN
How: 30km from Danang airport or by road from Hue and Danang.
What: Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an ancient town known for its traffic-free streets. Explore historical sites, visit the beaches of Cua Dai, and consider excursions to My Son temple complex.
When: Year-round destination, though heavy rain can occur from September to December.
NHA TRANG
How: Flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or by train from Danang.
What: A seaside town with a long sandy beach, Nha Trang offers cultural attractions like Po Nagar Cham Towers and the Buddha at Long Son Pagoda. Ideal for snorkeling and diving.
When: Year-round destination, with potential heavy rain between September and December.
PHAN THIET
How: Road trip from Ho Chi Minh City (approx 3-4 hours).
What: Phan Thiet boasts sandy beaches, sand dunes, and high-end resorts offering water sports. Ideal temperatures prevail throughout the year.
When: Tropical climate with consistently high temperatures, highest rainfall from May to October.
DALAT
How: Flights or a day’s drive from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Danang.
What: A former French hill station, Dalat offers alpine scenery, lakes, flower gardens, and unique colonial buildings. Contrasting with the rest of Vietnam, it has a cooler climate.
When: Cooler climate makes it pleasant, with most rain from March to September.
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
How: Well-connected by long and short-haul carriers, including domestic railway services.
What: A mix of old and new, Ho Chi Minh City features iconic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. Explore bustling markets like Ben Thanh and Binh Tay.
When: Tropical climate, warm and humid year-round. Rainy season from May/June to October/November.
CU CHI TUNNELS
How: 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, reachable by road or boat.
What: The Cu Chi Tunnels played a crucial role in Vietnam’s fight for independence. Visitors can explore the tunnels and experience the living conditions. Combine with a visit to Tay Ninh’s colorful temple.
When: Year-round tropical climate, with slightly cooler temperatures from November to February.
MEKONG DELTA
How: Road trip from Ho Chi Minh City or overnight cruise. Boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc.
What: Explore the watery landscape, visit fruit orchards, floating markets, and birdwatching spots. Excursions to Cham communities and ferry boats to Cambodia are popular.
When: Hot and humid year-round, with a dry season from November to April/May.
PHU QUOC
How: Best reached by plane from Ho Chi Minh City or flights/hydrofoil from Rach Gia.
What: Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, offers white-sand beaches, fishing villages, and a national park. Famous for high-quality fish sauce production.
When: Rainy season from July to November, peak tourism season from November to March.
Dr. Pham Ha, a prominent figure in the luxury travel industry, serves as the Chairman and CEO of LuxGroup (www.luxgroup.vn). Beyond his business endeavors, he is an avid art collector with a passion for paintings and antiques. Dr. Ha also contributes articles covering topics such as branding, economics, business management, and literature on cultural heritage, history, and art.
